Flicker of Hope Chapter 6

**I am so sorry for taking forever for this chapter... I think I am going to take a break from writing because I am not really into it. You could say that I am having writers block, and I have no idea when I will be able to write the next chapter. I have the whole story planned in my head but it is being a little hard to write..... It is just a part of life where I am feeling like I am not ready.... Please be patient and understanding... Love you all...

Tanner had been ready to leave this place and go back to his own apartment, but his plans were interrupted when he heard from one of the servant that John’s health had worsened.

He had been here since morning, and he still couldn’t get used to fact that his dad was dying. He had had enough near death experience to know when someone was dying and he hated to see John in this condition. John, who was always loving and caring towards everyone, was about to die. He couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t that close to John since he just met him recently, but he knew enough about John to know that he was the most loving person he has ever met. If he had a choice, he would gladly trade his life to save John, but that wasn’t the case. There was nothing he could do, and it killed him to see his dad like that. After everything he had been through in life, he didn’t want to loose John.

He turned slightly to see Emily sitting in the floor beside him and holding John’s hand tenderly as if it was breakable. Her long, curly reddish-brown hair was flowing perfectly behind her back, and tears were sparkling in her hazel eyes. She was a beauty, but he knew that it wasn’t time for him to think of that. Tears were flowing from her eyes, and it somehow hurt him to see her like that. He hadn’t really lived with John to know him more personally, but this girl was practically raised by John. How much worse was it for her? His heart filled with compassion for her.

She kissed John’s hand ever so softly and he found himself mesmerized with the emotion in her eyes. She really loved John. How he wised someone loved him like that! At least it would be worth dying, he thought to himself. He loved Angel so much but she loved someone else. Her face was still in his mind, and it was still hard to get over her. She was his first love, and he will cherish her forever. He wasn’t sure that he will ever love anyone the way he loved her. He turned his gaze towards Emily, and he was stuck by her compassion and love. She was a beautiful woman with a loving heart. Who ever marries her will be one lucky guy.

Emily smiled when John squeezed her hand slightly, completely unaware of Tanner watching her every move.

"Emily," John’s voice was very low, and weak. He tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.

"Oh, John," Emily cried.

"Em….. don’t worry," Again John tried to give a reassuring smile, but it didn’t quite work.

Emily sobbed louder this time. Unsure of what to do, Tanner awkwardly wrapped his arms around her, and she wept painfully in his arms.

He was pretty sure that by this time she knew that John didn’t have much time left. Her nearness made him feel strangely happy, and he was surprised at the way she fit in his arms. She was so small and soft. How can something like this happen to someone so good? She didn’t deserve pain; he felt helpless to see her like this.

He turned to see John watching them with a twinkle in his eyes. What was John up to?

"Tanner," John’s voice was more husky his time. John took Tanner’s hand, and motioned for Emily to give her hand. Emily, still unsure of what was going on, gave her hand to her beloved uncle. John took both of their hand and clasped it securely.

Tanner and Emily both looked at each other in surprise, both unsure and embarrassed by John’s action. John just looked at them with a secret twinkle in his eyes.

"Do you guys love me?" John questioned.

They both nodded.

"Will you do anything for me?" He asked, and coughed when they didn’t answer.

"Yes," they answered in union and looked at each other. Seeing the fear in Emily’s eyes, Tanner squeezed her hand. Though he wasn’t sure what his uncle had in mind, he didn’t want Emily to be upset. Some how, it affected him.

John smiled, without it looking like a grimace. It actually looked like a real smile. Weird, Tanner thought. John was still holding their hand. "There is something I want you guys to do. Only you two can do that for me." There was a desperate note in his voice, almost as if he was pleading.

"What is it?" Tanner asked.

"I know its asking too much, but I want you guys to do that for me." John coughed. It seemed like he has saved his energy to talk to them.

"Anything for you John," Emily said, determined to do anything for her precious uncle.

"You sure?" John asked.

"Yes, anything for you John."

"What about you, Tanner?" John turned his gaze toward his son.

Unlike Emily, Tanner seemed uncomfortable, but he knew that this was his dad, and he would want the best for him. "Just say what’s on your mind, I will try to do it."

"It’s not a simple thing; it’s a life changing thing. It is going to affect the rest of your life," John warned. Tanner and Emily both nodded. John’s coughing started getting worse.

"Oh no……. God, please help," Emily’s cry broke Tanner’s heart. It was really painful to watch this.

After few minutes of silence, John started speaking somewhat hurriedly. "I know I don’t have much time left, and I want you guys to do this for me. It’s my last and my only wish."

"What is it?" Tanner asked, frustrated. What was more important to John than his own life!

Ignoring Tanner, John turned his gaze towards Emily whose eyes were filled with tears. "Have I ever asked anything from you?"

She shook her head. "You have given me everything I have ever wanted, but I have never done anything for you." She was still in the process of composing herself, and her voice shook a little.

"You have been the best daughter one could ever have. I- I love you honey, b-but I n-need you to do something for m-my sake." John stammered.

"Just ask John. I will do anything for you."

"And you?" He asked his son whose eyes were starting to fill with tears.

"Anything for you, dad."

John seemed satisfied, and he relaxed in the bed. "My last wish is……….." John looked at them to see if they were following. They both seemed to be waiting for John to on. "I want to see you guys married before I die."

"What?!" They both gasped as John’s word hit them.

"Are you serious?"

"Why would you want that?" They both said at the same time.

This was completely out of line, thought Tanner. How could John say anything like that?

Emily was just as shocked as Tanner. Why would her uncle do that to her?

"You promised," John’s voice was a mere whisper. It was a painful reminder to both of them that the promise was to be kept.

Seeing that John didn’t have enough time left, it was worthless to argue.

"But how, when, where?" asked Emily, knowing that it was nearly impossible for them to marry when John was this sick.

"I want to see you guys settled together before I die."

Tanner and Emily looked at his other, eyes widened in horror as the impact of the word hit them. It didn’t take a genius to figure what John actually wanted. He wanted to see them marry before his own eyes, and he didn’t have much time left.

"You want us to marry now?" asked Tanner, his voice still filled with shock.

"What?" Emily’s nearly screamed.

"Yes, that is exactly what I want." John seemed pleased and his expression was smug. It looked as if he knew what he was doing instead of making it a last minute planning.

But marriage?

Why was John doing that to them when he knew that they couldn’t say no to him? He made them promise and now….. They couldn’t go back in their word when it was probably John’s last wish. Wouldn’t they do it for someone they both loved when it was the only thing he has ever asked?

How can you back up when you don’t want to hurt the person you love? But how can you say okay to something as serious as to marriage, when it’s a life long commitment?

Doing either of these has its own consequences, but there is no third option.

Will they have to start a commitment as serious as marriage when they both barely know each other? They both have their own past, and their secrets, and how can they move on with it so suddenly and leave everything behind? They have both rejected the fact that there is the one for them but would they find comfort in each other?

Were they really meant to be together, and John, the way to make them together? Was it how it was meant to be or was it just a silly joke?

Was their path really meant to cross or was it just an evil scheme of the devil?

Did God really planned all this for a purpose or was it just a consequence of their sinful nature?

Will they say yes and marry when they both aren’t so sure? Or will they say no and reject the dying man’s last wish?