For Rich Or For Poor: Sequel

Chapter Nineteen: Planning

"When he jumped into the pool, it sent his body into shock. He must not of had the first signs of it, but when he fell asleep his body took a hard blow. The amount of time he slept caused it to worsen, and by the time he got to then Hospital his body temperature was below the point of return. As of now, we are just trying to make him comfortable. He doesn't want to go home for the end, I honestly think he is hanging on to some hope. Honestly I'm not sure he would make it to his home in the cold weather. And he has waved off hospice care. He wants to stay in the hospital and wait it out, wait to get better." The doctor tells me after I have stood up and pulled myself together. I fell like crying, but I don't. I stand there with my arms crossed, listening to every word he says as if my life depends on it. 
"But to our surprise, he isn't fearful about dying." 
"Of course not, he has hope." I say. 
"I'm not sure I follow." 
"Hope, it's the only thing stronger than fear. As long as he has it, he won't be afraid. But it's very fragile, and as soon as he loses hope, it's all over." I explain the best I can without going into too much detail. "Anyways, what should we prepare ourselves for? Is there any chance at all he will survive?" 
"His chances are one in a million Katniss. If I were you, I would begin to prepare for the worse. I know of a few funneral homes that will actually cover the full cost because of his age and suddeness." I nod, closing my eyes only to feel one tear fall dpwn my face. When I speak this time, my voice is shaky. 
"How much time do you think we have with him?" I ask. 
"Before he begins to lose his ability to speak, I would say 5-7 days. Possible sooner." Again, I nod. 
"I'll just have to make the most of these last days. Um, I know this may seem a little odd to ask, but is there a pastor in this town?" 
"Absolutely. Do you need the number to one?" 
"Yes, if you have one." 
"You can have my pastors number." He says, taking a piece of paper and scribbling down some numbers. This is the only doctors handwritting I can read. 
"Thank you. Am I allowed to stay?" 
"Didn't you already say you weren't going to leave?" He smiles at me. "I was just on my way to tell his family that they could come back to see him when his machines went off." 
"Can you wait like, 5 minutes before getting them?" 
"Sure." He turns and walks away, and I do the same. Back in Peeta's room, I see he has fallen asleep. I suppose being tired is a side affect of dying. I get my phone, dialling Clove's number back home. After 3 rings, she answers. 
"Hello?" 
"Hey Clove, it's Katniss, Do you think I could talk to you father?" I ask. 
"My father?" 
"Please, It's really hard for me to explain and trying to do it twice will be too much." 
"Okay." I hear her cover the phone and yell "Daaaad!" After a minute, a voice greets me. I can almost imagine the smile on the pastors face. 
"Hello Katniss, what can I do for you?" 
"Hi, um...." I know why I called him, I should have just figured out what to say before I dialed. "We have a problem here." I go through everything that the doctor has just told me, and crying once when I had to say that he was not going to see the rest of next week. 
"Katniss, I'm in shock right now. I don't know what to say." 
"It's alright, it is a lot to take in. But, I was wondering if maybe you could have your church pray for him." 
"You want them to pray?" He asks. "Absolutely we will." 
"I just figured that if God wants to heal him He will. We will be praying here too." 
"Katniss you are being very strong about this. God's giving you peace for the moment. We will be praying nonstop until everything is final." 
"Thank you so much. I need to go now, I will keep you updated." 
"Thank you." And he hangs up. I look at my phone, trying to make a decision. I should really have Peeta's opinion about it, but I don't even know when he will wake up. Maybe the opinion of his family? Or Finnick. I reach over and I grab his hand, entwining our fingers. I bring it up to my lips, where I close my eyes. 
"I'm not sure how I will continue without you." I say. I feel him stirring on the bed until he is facing me, his eyes opening barely. 
"You won't have to." He whispers before closing his eyes again. 

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I sit outside of the door while his entire family and finnick are with him. I suppose now is a better time than any. I didn't get anyones approval, but I'm going to do it. I look at the number on the paper, and I put it into my phone. I hit send, and I realize the doctor never gave me the pastors name. When he answers, I'm not sure what to do. 
"Hello?" he says and waits. "Hello?" He says again. 
"Um, Hi. My name is Katniss. I'm sorry to bother you, but a doctor at the hospital gave me your number when I asked for a pastor."  I say. 
"Oh I see, I am Pastor Josh, how are you doing?" He asks. 
"Well, I'm not doing too well. My fiance is here in the hospital and they are saying within a week or so he could be gone. It's a really long story, and very emotional." 
"I'm so sorry, you will all be in my prayers." He says. 
"Thank you. I was actually calling to ask if you are able to do something for us. I know I'm only just meeting you, but it would be a huge blessing." I say. 
"Absolutely." 
"I was wondering, If I got the lisence, if you would marry Peeta and I. Here, in the hospital before he..." I trail off. I hate saying anything that makes the realization true. That he is dying. 
"A bedside wedding? I have never done one before, but I would be honored to do it for you." He says and a smile spreads across my face, as well as a few tears. 
"You really will?" 
"Of course. And don't worry about the marriage license, I will pick it up for you just call the courthouse for it." (Not sure how that works exactly, the whole marriage license, but that is how it will work in my story!! HAHA!!) 
"Thank you so much, you don't know how much this means to me." I say. 
"If someone has the oppurtunity to bless someone, I believe they should do it." He says. 
"Thank you again Pastor Josh. Do you think we will be able to do it tomorrow?" 
"I don't think that will be a problem. I will be at the hospital at noon." 
"Okay, I will see you tomorrow." 
"See you tomorrow Katniss." He says and I hang up. This gives me a small amount of time to get my parents and sister here, along with Madge. But I want them here with us when it happens. I look at the ring on my finger. It is the most beautiful rign I've ever seen. I sigh, going back into the room. Peeta is awake, his eyes open fairly wide, and he watches me come in. 
"Hey sweetie." I say, sitting next to him again. 
"Hey." He reaches for my hand and I let him take it. 
"So, um, I just got off the phone." I look at everyone in the room and then back at Peeta. "The local pastor has agreed to marry us Peeta. Right here, in this room, tomorrow afternoon." I say with a smal smile on my face. 
"Really?" His face brightens a little. I nod. "That's great." 
"I'm so excited. I'm calling my parents and Prim to come, along with Madge." 
"Oh I can't wait, will you wear a wedding dress?" 
"Anything you want Peeta." 
"Do you still a dress from when you were 16? I'm sure you will fit into it. It was the first time I ever saw you, and you looked beautiful. You har was curled with a flower behind your ear, a white dress down to the floor and a beautiful diamond necklace. Will you wear it, please?" Peeta remembers, in detail, my exact outfit the first time he saw me. Tears gather in my eyes. There is no one on this Earth who will ever know more about me than he does. 
"I don't remember the dress, but I'm sure I have it. My mom will bring every white dress I own and you will be able to tell me which one." My voice cracks at the end and the tears escape. 
"Why are you crying?" Peeta says. I look at him and all I can see is a life being taken too early. His hope is in his eyes, but it is draining. He is losing the hope of living. I forgot, in our moment, that there were people in the room. His mom cries the most, His brothers  a close second. 
"I just really love you." I say. I cover my face by leaning my forehead against our hands, looking down and being covered by my hair. 
"I love you too." He whispers, and then closes his eyes. He is tired, he should sleep. I stroke his hair, moving it out of his face and laying my head on his shoulder." 
"Finnick?" Will you call my parents and tell them the situation? And then tell them they need to get here right away with Prim, Madge, and Gale?" I ask. 
"And to bring every white dress and diamond necklace you own right?" He says. I look over at him and smile. 
"Yes." That's when I notice he hasn't cried. 
"Finn? You haven't been crying?" Finnick is his best friend, I figured he would be worse than me. 
"No, I can't." 
"Why not?" I ask. 
"Because if I do, I"m broken. And it takes 10X more to put yourself back together after you fall apart." He pulls out his phone. "I will go into the hall." When he leaves the room, I grow jealous. I wish I could have held myself together, but now I will be left trying to pick up the pieces. I'm already so far gone, but Finnick has stood his ground. Envious is not a strong enough word. 

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Heyyyyy look! A really late update!! But it is kinda long right? 1800 words! LOL! 
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