What Happened to Forever?

Chapters 77-78

~*~Chapter 77~*~

Laura lets out a quiet sob at the tender scene, catching Lucky’s attention. He looks embarrassed that his parents had just seen that, but recovers quickly.

“Hi guys. I didn’t know you were there.”

Luke smiles sadly. “We didn’t want to interrupt. Do you want us to come back later?”

Lucky shakes his head. “No, please stay. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to be around much longer anyway,” he adds bitterly, causing Laura to start crying again. “Oh, Mom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“I guess you’ve heard what happened, then.” Luke says, walking over to the bed.

“Yeah, Elizabeth told me,” he says quietly, still caressing her hair. Her sobs have subsided a bit, but she’s still trembling. “Something tells me the two hours is over.”

Luke nods. “Yeah, looks like the witch finally won.”

“Luke! Don’t say that. We can’t give up this soon. There’s got to be something else we can do,” Laura says angrily.

Luke goes over to her and cradles her face in his hands. “Angel, there’s nothing left to do. You heard Barbara out there. This antidote was our only chance, but it’s too late now. At least this time we’ll be able to say good-bye.” A tear runs down his cheek, and Laura collapses in his arms.

Nikolas goes up to Lucky’s bed. “Is there anything you need? Anything I can do?”

Lucky sniffs, and nods. Before he can answer, Bobbie comes rushing into the room. “The lab just delivered the antidote. I know it’s past the 2-hour window, but it can’t hurt to try it anyway.” She looks at Luke for approval.

He nods indifferently. “Yeah, go ahead. Okay with you, Cowboy?”

Lucky shrugs. “Sure, whatever. Maybe it’ll give me a few extra hours or something.” Upon hearing this, Elizabeth breaks into a new round of sobs. He kisses the top of her head, trying to quiet her down.

Bobbie gives him the shot, then hugs him tightly before going back to the nurses’ station. “I’ll be back later, okay?” she asks. Lucky nods, trying not to cry again.

Lucky looks up at his parents. “Um, guys, can you do me a favor?” They nod. “Can you take Elizabeth to the cafeteria and get her something to drink or something? I need to talk to Nikolas for a few minutes.”

Liz looks up at him, shocked. “No, I don’t want to leave you!” she sobs. He kisses her quickly and tries to smile.

“Just for a couple of minutes, okay? You can come right back.” He looks down at her pleadingly, and she reluctantly gets off the bed and slowly walks over to Luke and Laura. Luke puts his arm around her, and they lead her out of the room.

Nikolas turns back to his brother. “Okay, this must be important if you made her leave. What is it?” he asks cautiously.

Lucky smiles. “Do you still want to be my best man?”

Nikolas looks at him like he’s lost his mind. “What are you talking about?”

Lucky laughs for the first time since they brought him in, but then gets seriious again. “I want to marry her before...before I go. I was wondering if you could get the rings for me and find someone to perform the ceremony. Emily should be here too, since she’s the maid of honor.”

Nikolas sighs. He hadn’t expected this, but since it was probably Lucky’s last request, how could he say no? “No problem. I’ll go right now and see what I can do.” Impulsively, he leans down and gives Lucky a hug before leaving.

Lucky leans back in the bed, overcome with emotion. For the first time since he found out that he was dying, he was truly alone, and finally lets his tears fall without restraint.

A few minutes later, Luke and Laura come back into the room with Elizabeth. Lucky is sitting in bed against the headboard, his head leaning to one side, his eyes closed.

“Oh no! Lucky!” Liz exclaims, rushing to the bed. His eyes fly open and he looks around the room, startled, before focusing on her terrified face.

“What? What’s wrong?” he asks, unaware that he had fallen asleep.

She sighs and collapses onto the bed next to him. “When we came in and I saw you....I thought....” she starts crying again as he hugs her close.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry, I must have dozed off. It’s okay, I’m still here,” he whispers, rocking her back and forth.

“Where did Nikolas go?” Laura asks, approaching the side of his bed.

“I asked him to run a quick errand for me.”

Elizabeth looks up at him. “An errand? Why?”

He smiles. “Because I didn’t want to break my promise to you. If it’s okay with you, I’d like us to get married today.”

“Here?” she asks, confused.

He chuckles. “Well, I’m not really going anywhere else...” as soon as he sees the look of horror on her face, he stops himself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Will you? Marry me now?”

She sniffs, wiping away her tears, and nods. “I’d love to.”

He smiles and hugs her again, looking sadly at his parents. He had always pictured his wedding day as the happiest day of his life, and now it looked like it was going to be the last day of his life instead.

~*~Chapter 78~*~

An hour later, everyone is gathered in the small hospital room, waiting for Nikolas to come back. Luke and Laura are sitting next to the bed. He’s holding her in his lap while she grips Lucky’s hand. Elizabeth laying in the bed with him, her arms wrapped around his neck. Bobbie and Jerry are standing behind her. Sonny and Jason are by the door. Jason’s holding Carly, who is slowly rocking back and forth on her heels. Emily is standing next to Luke and Laura, waiting for Nikolas. Mac and Felicia are with Audrey over by Bobbie and Jerry. Everyone’s crying softly.

Finally, Nikolas appears in the doorway, accompanied by the hospital chaplain. “Sorry that took so long. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find a jewelry store open this late!”

“Did you get them?” Lucky asks. Nikolas nods and holds up two small ring boxes, then gives Liz’s to Emily. “Thanks, man,” Lucky whispers, his eyes filling with tears. He looks down at Elizabeth. “Ready?” She nods, sitting up. The priest positions himself at the foot of the bed. Nikolas stands on Lucky’s side and grabs his hand as Emily goes over to Liz’s and does the same. Lucky takes Liz’s free hand and squeezes it gently. She smiles sadly at him, trying to keep her spirits up. After all, this is her wedding day.

How do I,
Get through the night without you?
If I had to live without you,
What kind of life would that be?

The priest clears his throat and begins. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony...” he continues with the initial speech as everyone wipes their eyes.

Oh, I
I need you in my arms, need you to hold,
You're my world, my heart, my soul,
If you ever leave,
Baby you would take away everything good in my life,

“I’ve been informed that they have their own vows, so please, go ahead whenever you’re ready,” he prompts, pointing at Lucky.

And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

Lucky takes a shaky breath and smiles at Liz. “Elizabeth, I love you more than anything, and I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been in my life. You saved me from myself when I was so angry with everyone, and you made me feel like I had a home again. You never judged me, and you always loved me unconditionally. You've got my heart. That's a permanent lock. Everything I am is in love with you. My soul, my mind, my body, my spirit. That'll never change. I pledge myself to you Elizabeth, today, forever.” He has to stop a few times to reign in his emotions, but finally manages to finish.

Without you,
There'd be no sun in my sky,
There would be no love in my life,
There'd be no world left for me.

Elizabeth takes a deep breath, trying to keep her sobs at bay long enough to speak. “Lucky, I have never loved anyone even an ounce as much as I love you. You are my entire world. You helped me through one of the worst times of my life. You always knew exactly what I needed, and you always made me feel safe. I told you once that you were my angel, and I know that no matter where you are, you will always watch over me. You've got my heart. That's a permanent lock. Everything I am is in love with you. My soul, my mind, my body, my spirit. That'll never change. I pledge myself to you Lucky, today, forever.” She, too, has to stop numerous times to regain her composure, but finally finishes the vow.

And I,
Baby I don't know what I would do,
I'd be lost if I lost you,
If you ever leave,
Baby you would take away everything real in my life,

The priest wipes a tear off of his cheek before continuing. “Lucky, please repeat after me: I, Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, Jr., take you, Elizabeth Imogene Webber, to be my lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, until death do us part.”

Lucky repeats the oath, tears streaming down his face.

And tell me now,
How do I live without you?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

“Now, Elizabeth: I, Elizabeth Imogene Webber, take you, Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, Jr., to be my lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, until death do us part.”

She repeats the oath, but bursts into tears when she gets to the last part. Lucky puts his arm around her and hugs her close until she calms down enough to continue with the ceremony.

Please tell me baby,
How do I go on?
If you ever leave,
Baby you would take away everything,
I need you with me,
Baby don't you know that you're everything,
Real in my life?

“The rings?” The priest asks, as Emily and Nikolas hand them to Lucky and Liz. “Repeat after me again: With this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed,” Lucky says, sliding the ring on her finger. She had already moved his first ring to another finger to make room. He smiles and tenderly wipes a tear off of her cheek.

She takes his hand and slides the other ring on his finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

And tell me now,
How do I live without you,
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

The priest looks around the room. “If anyone here sees reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The room is filled with the sound of people sobbing, but is otherwise silent.

He smiles at the young couple. “Then by the power vested in me, by the state of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Lucky smiles at Liz and pulls her in for a passionate kiss, knowing deep down that it would probably be one of the last ones they’ll ever share.

How do I live without you?
How do I live without you baby?

By this time, everyone in the room, even Sonny and Jason, are bawling. Audrey manages to take a few pictures, in case Liz wants them later. After a few minutes, everyone leaves the room so the newlyweds can have some privacy.

Lucky smiles sadly at his new wife. “So, how does it feel to be Mrs. Spencer?”

She reaches up to touch his cheek, wiping away an errant tear. “Sad. I mean, I love you so much for doing this for me, but I can’t stop thinking that tomorrow I’m going to be a widow already. It’s not fair, Lucky. We were supposed to be together forever.” She starts sobbing again and lays her head down on his chest. He leans back, holding her, and looks at the ceiling in despair ‘Why is this happening? Why can’t we just be happy for once?’ he thinks, a new round of tears streaming down his face.