AJ walks into Alan’s room and settles himself down in the chair next to a comatose Alan. He sighs deeply and grasps Alan’s hand. “Oh Father, I wish you would wake up.” AJ sniffs and looks around the room, “I have so many things that I have to tell you, that I need to tell you. I need you to forgive me for everything that I have done wrong in the past. I need to tell you that I love you and everything that I have done in my life is not your fault. It’s mine.” Tears threatened to spill out of AJ’s eyes. “ I was always blaming you for loving Jason more than me and I know that isn’t true. I know you loved me just as much. Please, I just want one more day with you Father. One day to tell you everything that needs to be said. I am pleading with you God, don’t take my Father until I have a chance to tell him what I need too.”

AJ lapsed into silence. Around him he could hear the beeping of the machines that were keeping his father alive. He could smell the smell of death. The doctors’ were right. Alan did not look good. He was swollen to almost twice his normal size. His skin was pale and seemed waxy to the touch. “Oh Father, I would do anything to make this right. You are such a great man and I should be there, not you. You don’t deserve this.”

“Guess what Father, I got married. She’s a wonderful girl, you even know her. Sarah Webber.” AJ spoke hopefully, “It was just one of those things. I met her in Santa Barbara and we just instantly clicked. She is a physician’s assistant and is going to look for a job here. We are going to stay here. All along we have said we wanted to come back here to our families. I was going to ask Mother if we could stay in the gatehouse. I don’t think she will mind.” AJ’s voice broke, “We are going to try to have a baby soon. At least, I want kids soon, she and I haven't really talked about it. I know you will be such a great Grandfather. Father, I just want you to get better. I want to be the best son that I can be. Please Father, let me prove it to you.”

AJ dropped his head and let the tears flow. He didn’t notice that Alan’s hand twitched or that his eyes fluttered open. Alan licked his lips and whispered, “AJ.”

AJ’s head whipped up and a smile broke across his face. He reached over and pushed the Nurse’s button. “Dad! You're awake! Oh thank God! I have to get the doctor!” AJ ran to the door and threw it open, “Someone, Dr Hayward! Come quick! My father just woke up!”

Dr. Hayward and some nurses flew into the room and pushed AJ out. The longest five minutes of AJ’s life passed before Dr Hayward came out. “AJ, call Monica. Your father is awake and doing ok.”

“Thank you Doctor! Thank you so much!” AJ stunned David by throwing his arms around him. “I’m going to call my mother right now.”

Elizabeth was waiting outside Lainey’s office for Lucky, feeling some back pains. She checked her watch and saw that she had fifteen minutes until she had to meet Jason. She got up and walked around, rubbing her back. The door opened to Lainey’s office and Lucky stepped out, thanking Lainey.

“Hey Liz. You ok?” Lucky asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Liz said, grabbing her purse, “Just some pains that’s all. The baby is going to want to make an entrance very shortly I think.”

Lucky walked slowly next to her towards the Nurse’s Station to meet Jason. “Could be. Will you call me when it’s time? No matter what time, even if it's three in the morning.”

Elizabeth looked surprised, “Really? You want to be there?”

“Of course.”

“Well then, of course you can. Jason is going to be there of course and I think my sister wants to be. If they make me kick someone out, I’ll kick Sarah out.” Elizabeth laughed.

Lucky laughed along with her and shuffled his feet, “Uh Liz, I know you are staying at Nikolas’. I get that. What about staying at the loft until you have the baby. It’s closer to the hospital than Wyndemere.”

Up ahead, Elizabeth saw Jason. “Uh, I don’t know Lucky. Let me think about it ok? Part of me really wants too and the other part doesn’t want to uproot Cameron to just go back to Wyndemere. If it was permanent, I would saw yes.”

“I understand.” Lucky said, “I can’t give you permanent yet.” They walked up to Jason. “Hey Jason, how is Alan.”

Jason looked from Lucky to Elizabeth, “Elizabeth I hate to do this. Alan just woke up. I need to go upstairs. Elizabeth, do you mind if I skipped this appointment?”

Elizabeth brightened, “That is great news! No Jason, go and give your family my best.”

“Mine too Jason.” Lucky said. “Um, Elizabeth, do you want me to go in with you?”

Elizabeth smiled, “Yes, I do.”

Walking purposefully through the hospital, Sarah left the Human Resources office. She had applied for a job as a Physician’s Assistant, a position she knew she would get. She was in fact, a Webber married to a Quartermaine. AJ had just now called her and told her that Alan was awake so she was on her way to ICU.

The elevator doors opened she stepped in. She went up one floor and the elevator stopped. The doors opened and Patrick stepped in, clipboard in hand. “Oh great. This is all I need.” Sarah commented, “You.”

“Sarah. How are you?” Patrick inclined his head and consulted his clipboard.

“And you care why?” Sarah said sarcastically.

Patrick looked over at her, “Oh Sarah, I was just trying to be polite. We do live in the same city so we may as well try to get along.”

Sarah planted her hands on her hips in defiance, “Oh you would like that wouldn’t you? So your precious Robin doesn’t find out that you once were involved with me? Are you afraid that I will tell her how you treated me?”

“It’s not like that Sarah.” Patrick said, exasperated. “I love Robin and she knows all about my past.”

Sarah cocked her eyebrow, “Really?”

“Yes really.” Patrick said. “Robin loves me and nothing you can do can change that.”

The elevator door opened, “Want to bet on that?” With that, Sarah flounced out leaving an angry Patrick behind.

Luke came rushing into the Spencer House yelling for Laura. Laura came out of the kitchen saying, “Luke, what is the matter!”

“Laura, Scott and Ric are having their debate tomorrow and we are going. Bobbie got us front row seats. Tiffany is the moderator.” Luke said excitedly.

Laura looked at Luke quizzically, “Why is it so important that we go? It’s not like we support Scott or Ric.”

Luke jumped over a chair and hugged her, “I know! But it’s important that we go. A ton of our friends are going to be there and I promised everyone that we would be there.

“Luuukkkeee,” Laura said cautiously, “Is there something that you aren’t telling me? You don’t have any surprises up your sleeve, do you?”

Innocently, Luke answered, “Why would you accuse me of such things my love?”

Laura laughed, “Because I have been married to you for 25 years that’s why Luke.”

Luke swung Laura around in excitement, “Mrs. Spencer just promise me that you will go and you will wear one of your prettiest dresses and knock everyone’s socks off. I’ll do the rest.”

Laura gave in, “Ok.”

Luke kissed Laura soundly, “God I love you!”

~Coming up, the Mayoral Debate brings surprises to everyone!