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"No worries ma'am, the bank just called, your payment has been accepted." The young doctor said, shooing her out the door then closing it.

And the other end of the hall, just around the corner, Nate stood... Ending a phone call on his cell. Why had he made that call? A call that could save her son's life? All she had done was hurt him... Suddenly, after a few more moments of sorrow. Nate's face changed, something was diffrent inside him. He turned a hurried back down the hall, back toward Beth, quickly and with an unreadable face.

Jeffery was slipping, the medication wasn't coming in time. He took one last breath and finally gave up...

Bethany sat in the hall, her face in her heads, dreading any news to come.

Nate stopped when he got to her side, he spoke quickly: "Bethany... I know this is a bad time... But I gotta know..." He kneeled down next to her, his face serious. "Do you love me?" He asked firmly.

"Of course I do.." She muttered, "Why do you think I wouldn't?" She asked solemnly. Looking at the door to Jeffery's room with longing, wistful eyes.

Nate looked at the door also, then he looked back at her. "Cause... You loved Nick, you slept with him again... I thought i was a rebound..." He sat down next to her and was silent. Then he looked at her, he was still having a hard time beleiving: "Focus for a minute.... Say it... Say 'I love you'.." he demanded. It wasnt the kind of 'demand' Nick gave, this one was almost begging.

Bethany blinked away tears, "Nate...I love you, with all of my heart." She said strongly.

He blinked his teary amber eyes, and finally a smile came to his face. She meant it, he knew now it was true, their love was real. Without warning, or thought, he gently clasped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

Bethany blinked and smiled softly, kissing him back. A lone nurse walked in, her pal face grim with agony. "Mrs. Valentine?" she asked. Bethany turned from Nate, looking at her with careful eyes.
"Jeffery...slipped away.." She said. Bethany felt herself being crushed from the inside. It was the way she said it, the bluntness of it all.

Nate blinked at the nurse. It couldnt be true! He got the medications... It had to be some kind of cruel joke... Nate wasnt the boy's father, why did he care so much? He had played with the little boy, the first time he and beth visited. And recently, since they had been staying with him, he had gotten to know him better. A few times Nate had even gone to check on him when he would cry out late at night.

"...He's... Really gone?..." Nate asked softly, clutching one of Beth's hands, sensing her sadness.

"No." She said softly, then more panicked, "No!" She said. Bethany stood and ran into the room that belonged to Jeffery. His broken, pale, body layh stretched across the bed. "Jeffy!" She cried. Bethany ran to him, grabbing his now cold hand. "No, no, no.." She muttered frantically. "No.." She said with a shaky breath passing between her white lips. "No."

Nate blinked, "Beth!" He yelped, jumping up and rushing after her. He staggered a bit when he saw Jeffery, blinking with tears. He then looked at Beth, he gave a soft sigh and walked over to stand at her side, not touching her, not speaking, not trying to comfort her.

Jeffy...no.." She said, her voice raspy, tightening her grip in the boy.

Before Nate could say anything, A doctor, who had been observing them from the hall spoke. "Ms. Valentine, im very sorry for your loss... But... Ma'am, its over... Please, dont make this harder than it must be."

Bethany was quiet for a prolonged moment, then stood abruptly and walked quickly out of the hospital.

Nate sighed, and rushed off after her. "Beth!" He yelled, once outside, as he ran after her.