"Are you almost finished packing, Josh?" Matt sighed.

"No."

"Can you hurry up?" Matt asking in exasperation.

"Can carbon be ionized to make oxygen? No. So shut up," Josh shot back.

Matt rolled his eyes. "Do you want help?"

"Why don't you buzz off?" Josh muttered, shoving a pair of shoes into a box.

"What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing," Josh spat angrily.

"Whatever," Matt shrugged. "Cath and Carlos are going to be here at any minute."

"Have you heard from Jacob lately?"

"No. He's been spending a lot of time with Mari," Matt said thoughtfully. "It's good for the both of them."

"Good and bad," Josh sighed. "He's not as young as he used to be."

"True, but it's good that they found each other. They both needed it."

"She's just having enough trouble with Carter...I don't want her getting hurt."

Matt sighed. "I don't even want to think about it."

"Trust me, neither do I...but Jack called me yesterday..." Josh shook his head. "I don't know what to do, Matt."

"What did he say?" Matt asked worriedly.

Josh looked down hazily. "He's not as strong as he pretends to be."

"How long?" Matt asked hesitantly.

"A month or two," Josh said softly.

"Poor Mari," Matt sighed.

"Yeah," Josh mumbled. "She didn't even know him a year ago."

"Yeah," Matt muttered.

"Hey, are you guys ready?" Came Cath's voice from the foyer.

"No," Josh sighed.

Carlos whispered something in Catherine's ear. "You're one to talk," she scoffed. "Five times. Who honks five times at a bumper sticker?"

"Hey, I really love Phantom of the Opera," Carlos laughed.

"Enjoy it well it lasts," Josh mumbled. "There's only about a year left on the contract."

"What?" Catherine questioned in confusion.

"The show was only signed on for a couple runs," Josh shrugged. "You'll either have to join the tour or join whatever show comes next."

"Actually, I talked to Monsieur Bennet. They're renewing so we have at least two years," Catherine shrugged. "I heard talk of Les Misérables coming next."

"He tried to renew it," Josh smirked. "And you're looking at a musical debut coming up by the end of the year."

Carlos poked his cousin. "Somebody's going to be Cosette."

"Only if the guy playing Marius is cute," she smirked.

"Oh, he is. At least, in my opinion," Josh smirked.

"They're talking about having Caleb do it," Catherine shrugged. "But I know that Mari wants the role so I might let her take it."

"Someone's already been hired for Marius," Josh said loudly.

"Who?" Carlos asked with sudden interest. "I need to make sure this guy doesn't get any bright ideas with my cousin."

"Carlos," Catherine moaned in embarrassment.

Josh took a smug little bow.

"No way," Catherine laughed. "That's awesome."

Matt scoffed. "You? No."

Josh nodded. "Looks like I get to kiss your girlfriend."

Catherine made a face. "Yeah, I might let Mari take one for the team."

"Oh," Josh said, turning white, "I didn't think about that."

"I'll probably take the part," Catherine chuckled. "Don't worry. Anyway, can we help with packing boxes?"

Josh's phone buzzed violently. "Actually, I should take this."

Matt sighed. "We're never going to get this done."

"Just throw that stuff out," Josh chuckled.

"Okay," Matt laughed.

They continued packing things away and were almost finished when a large crash came from the other room.

"Josh? Are you okay?" Catherine called.

Josh ran through the door and grabbed his coat. "I gotta go."

"What happened?" Matt asked worriedly. "Where are you going?"

"Jacob's in trouble," Josh mumbled, grabbing his car keys. "Mari's already at the hospital."

"I should go with you," Catherine sighed. "Mari will need me."

"You stay here!" Josh shouted firmly.

"Why?" Catherine questioned.

"Because I said so!"

Catherine opened her mouth to speak, but Carlos cut her off saying, "I'll kill him for you later."

"Thank you," she sighed, shaking her head.

—————

Josh drove quickly to the hospital and rushed inside. "Mari?" He called frantically as he rounded the corner to the waiting room.

She sat in the corner, eyes fixed on the floor.

Josh quickly ran and kneeled down in front of her, his Converse skidding across the floor. "Mari?!" He said frantically. "Answer me!"

She shook her head and buried her face in her hands, trying to formulate a response.

"Mari?!" Josh said, seizing her hand. "Where is he?!"

"They're running tests," was all she could manage to say.

Josh stumbled backward and put his back to the wall, his arms over his knees as the whining in his ears increased.

"I should text Cath," Mari sighed.

Josh stared blankly.

A nurse came through the double doors. "Mariah Gerry?"

Mari immediately shot up. "How is he?"

The nurse sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Oh," Mari said in realization. "H-how long?"

"Within twenty-four hours."

"Oh, wow, that's soon," Mari stammered, feeling tears welling in her eyes. "Can I see him?"

"Right this way," the nurse nodded.

Josh tried to catch his breath as his world caved inward.

This couldn't be happening. Not again.

—————

"Mari," Jacob said with a weak smile.

"Dad," she sighed, "how, um...how are you feeling?"

"Old," he sighed. "Listen, Darling, I just- I want you to remember that I love you, okay?"

Mari nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I have everything in order-"

"Don't say that," Mari said softly. "Please don't."

"I need to know he'll take care of you," Jacob said firmly.

"Who?"

"You can't go on like this, Mari. Either of you."

"Daddy, it's over between me and Josh," Mari frowned.

"Can you get your friend Catherine on the phone? I would like to ask something of her."

Mari nodded and called Cath. She quickly gave her father her phone and left the room.

"Catherine," Jacob sighed, "I need to ask you a favor."

"Anything, sir," Catherine replied.

"Take care of Mari for me. Make sure that whoever she marries will treat her with the respect she deserves, and don't ever let her give up hope. She has little faith in herself, but she'll find someone if she sets her mind to it."

"Yes, sir. I promise, I'll make sure she's happy."

"Thank you," Jacob smiled. "And one more thing, don't let her give up on Josh."

"I won't, sir."

The conversation was soon ended and Mari entered the room. "Can I get you anything, Dad?"

"Bring the boy in," Jacob sighed forlornly.

Mari nodded and returned to the waiting room. "Josh, my father wants to see you."

Josh was holding his knees, locked in place, his breathing ragged.

Mari knelt down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Josh," she said softly.

"I...can't...breathe," Josh choked out, looking up with pitiful eyes.

"I can't either," Mari sighed.

"No," Josh said hoarsely as he pounded on his chest with his fist. "Can't breathe."

"Oh, gosh," Mari stammered. "I should call a doctor."

"I'm fine," Josh stammered, gasping for air.

"Josh, you're not fine," Mari said nervously.

Josh's eyes went dull and he grasped for her hand.

"Josh?! Josh, is this a health thing?! Or a panic attack or-"

He nodded frantically.

"Oh god," Mari stammered, "what do I-"

Josh clutched at his chest and let a few tears stream down his cheeks.

"Josh, please tell me what I need to do," Mari's voice trembled.

His eyes were losing life.

"Oh, I'm going to regret this," Mari thought with a wince.

She closed her eyes, rushing forward to kiss him before he had a chance to react.

She counted to ten in her head and removed herself from him, placing her hands firmly onto his shoulders as she looked at him with wide eyes.

He looked at her with his own wide eyes filled with shock. "What-"

"I once heard that kissing can stop panic attacks," Mari said innocently. "Are you okay?!"

Josh nodded slowly.

Mari dried his cheeks with her sleeve. "Are you sure?"

He nodded again, his heart still beating out of his chest. "Where did you learn something like that?!"

Mari shrugged. "I don't know."

"Thanks," Josh said slowly.

"Of course," Mari smiled softly. "Listen, Josh, I know I've been a bit distant lately. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Josh said with a small frown, gently pressing the side of his hand to his lip.

"Can we...be friends again?"

"Aren't we friends now?" Josh asked in surprise. It was funny, he heard himself talking and yet none of his words were what he wanted to say. Everything seemed confused and fuzzy.

Had she kissed him?!

"Well...I mean, like we were. I want to be close again," she sighed. "I miss not talking to you."

Mariah Gerry...kissed him?

"I miss you too," he said slowly.

Mari wrapped her arms around him. "I'm glad to hear you say that."

"Yeah," Josh said hesitantly.

Had he kissed her? He didn't recall kissing her...

"P-please tell me there was some mistake."

"What?"

"Jacob."

"He only has about twenty-four hours," Mari frowned. "He wants to talk to you."

Josh sunk back in defeat.

Every time.

Every time someone was kind, someone cared for him, they were ruthlessly snatched away by life.

"I don't think I can do this," Josh mumbled.

"Please, Josh," Mari sighed.

Josh's brow knit in a frown.

Mari released her hair from her ponytail and ran stresses fingers through her blonde curls. "Please."

Josh gave a shaky sigh. "You'll have to help me."

"Of course I will," Mari smiled softly.

The pair made their way into Jacob's room. "Come here, son," he said softly.

Josh fought back his tears, his knees still buckled and shaking.

"Yes, sir."

"Mari, would you mind giving us a few minutes?"

"Yes, Daddy," she nodded, stepping out.

"Is there something I can do, sir?" Josh asked.

"Don't cry," Jacob laughed, tears of his own going down his cheeks. "If you cry I won't be able to get through this."

"I'm trying not to, sir," Josh replied, drying his cheeks with his sleeve.

"Issac Taylor," Jacob chuckled, "from the moment my daughter brought you in my front door, I knew you were trouble."

Josh laughed softly. "I do come off that way."

"I need you to make the same promise you did back then," Jacob said with a wince. "With a few minor adjustments."

"What?" Josh stammered.

"You promised me," Jacob said, his voice breaking, "that you would protect her. No matter the cost. That wasn't fair, Issac. Not to you and not to her. All I'm asking is for you make her happy. Mel...Mel would want her to be happy."

Josh nodded. "I'll do everything I can, sir."

"You know, you always have and always will be my son," Jacob said firmly. "Which is why I want you to stop hiding. I've talked to John. You remember John?"

Josh nodded.

"I want you to have the house. I want you to stop hiding," Jacob said hopefully. "And that includes from yourself. From what you feel and think and fear."

"Sir, I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll love her as I have," Jacob sighed. "Wholeheartedly."

"I already do," Josh sighed, closing his eyes in pain. "I do."

"I know," Jacob nodded. "It's the little comfort I have. Send for Mari now, Issac. I want to see her face."

Josh turned to leave but Jacob's voice stopped him.

"And, Issac?"

"Yes, sir?"

Jacob closed his eyes and smirked. "Who do you think told Mari that dandy fact about panic attacks?'

"Well played, sir," Josh smiled, turning to get Mari.

Jacob closed his eyes and gave a content sigh. His only regret was there were no grandchildren to say goodbye to.

—————

Catherine opened the door. "Mari," she sighed, enveloping her friend in a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"I barely even knew him," Mari mumbled. "Yet, I still miss him."

"Where's Josh?"

"He's taking care of a few things. He wanted me to tell you that he'll be back soon."

"Do you want to sit down?" Catherine offered. "I could make some coffee and we could talk."

"As wonderful as that sounds," Mari sighed, "I think I'm going to head home. I would kind of like to be alone right now."

"Alright," Catherine nodded.

Mari soon left and Cath returned to Matt. "I'm so happy that you moved in," she smiled.

"Me too," Matt smiled back. "I love you."

"I love you too."