And Peggy

Peggy awoke to see her sisters in tears, and her family crowded around her bed.

"MOTHER!" Justine screamed when she saw her mother was awake.

Peggy was bombarded with hugs. Stephen muttered a prayer.

"What happened?" She murmured, only just noticing Cortland pressing a wet cloth to her forehead.

"You fainted. We called the doctor, he said he could not feel a pulse, we were so afraid...." Eliza sat down shakily.

Suddenly another figure entered the room. Alexander.

"Leave." Peggy said quickly. Eliza stiffened.

"Excuse me, but my sister is ill."

"You do not have any sisters." Angelica muttered.

Alexander looked genuinely hurt. "Are you okay, Peggy?"

"Obviously not!" Eliza screeched.

Everyone was silent. These were the first words Eliza had told her husband in weeks, though she did not make eye contact with him.

"She collapsed about an hour ago, but you were probably too busy writing to know."

"I will have you know, I saw the doctor and asked him if she was okay while walking with Philip. I heard what happened and rushed over here."

"What does 'walking with Philip' mean? Flaunting with other women?!"

It came out of nowhere. Eliza barley spoke of the affair. When she did, she would have trouble holding herself together.

"No." Alexander answered. His stiff tone had dropped to something kinder. "That was not-"

"How are you feeling, Peggy?" Angelica interrupted.

Peggy blinked. She had forgotten everyone else was there.

"Not very good." Peggy answered. The faint had taken much out of her.

Angelica took her hand. "It will be okay."

Peggy nodded. She certainly hoped that was true.

•••

Peggy had a restless sleep of tossing and turning. She would wake, sit there for half an hour, sleep, wake, and sit again. Luckily she had plenty to think about.

She thought about the talk between Alexander and Eliza. She thought about how she had collapsed again that day once her sisters had gone home. She thought about her family. She thought about John.

What a life I've lived. She thought. Perhaps enough events for several lifetimes.

What would her father do in this situation? She had always gone to him for guidance, even as an adult.

"Accept your fate with an open mind, and keep your head up high. You cannot change it, so make the best of it." Was probably something he would say.

Peggy would accept her fate with open arms. If she were to die, she would be much more worried about her family than her.

However, her family had changed over the years. Justine and Cortland fought much less, and helped out with chores more. Henry was growing up to be a smart young man, and Stephen took wonderful care of them.

Peggy had been able to do almost nothing over the past few years. Obviously she could do nothing if she were not here. She had faith in Stephen if he were the only one left.

She drifted off to sleep.

When she awoke, her sisters were at her side.

"Oh, hi. What are you doing here?"

"I went to Angelica's house for a while, and we decided to come here." Eliza answered.

Peggy was sure that translated to we were afraid you were not with us anymore, and we both hardly slept a wink, so we came here. But, she could have been wrong.

They took her hands and sat in silence.

"Do you need anything?" Angelica finally broke the silence.

Peggy shook her head. She was hungry, but did not feel like eating. Just them her stomach gave a large rumble.

Eliza smiled. "I shall go make breakfast. You stay here." She left.

There was a pause between the two sisters. Finally, they both began to speak at once. They laughed.

"You tell me." Peggy offered.

Angelica smiled in thanks. "I just want to thank you for all that you have done for me. With-with Alexander, and moving to London, and our talks late at night... Thank you."

Small tears filled Peggy's eyes. "That was so sweet, sister."

Angelica smiled as her own tears threatened to overflow. "So what did you want to tell me?"

"Oh..." Peggy did not know how to say it. "Angelica, I do not think I have much time left."

"No, do not say that-"

"And there is one more thing I want before I go-"

"You're going to be okay-"

"Angelica!"

Angelica immediately hushed.

"Death happens." Peggy said.

Angelica flinched. Peggy continued.

"It is a way of life. Death is simply the next step. I will see you again, hopefully not soon. But it is my turn."

"It is not fair, you are the youngest, you deserve so much more. You... You wanted to sail the world."

Peggy did not say anything. It was true, just because she was an adult did not mean she did not want to explore the world still. She never got to do that.

"I am not going to lie. I was upset I never got to do that. But you could grant me one more wish."

"A-anything."

"I would like to go outside."

Angelica stood up. "No. You heard what the doctor said."

"The doctor is not here."

"Be a good influence for your children!"

"They are asleep."

Angelica crossed her arms. "You could get worse."

"I doubt I could."

The elder narrowed her eyes. "Fine. But only for a few minuets, understand?"

Peggy nodded, and for the first time in years, she felt elated.

Angelica supported her as she got out of bed. Eliza walked in, holding a breakfast tray that she nearly dropped.

"What are you doing?!" She demanded.

Peggy told her everything she had told her other sister, and got similar results. But she convinced them both in the end.

Soon they were all outside watching the sun rise. The sky was a mix of pink, blue and gold. It reminded Peggy of her sisters and her. But Peggy had always worn yellow instead of gold.

"At least you will not have to worry about me anymore." She murmured.

"What?" Her sisters asked.

"I have always been the little tag along out of the three of us, haven't I? 'And Peggy.' That is how it has always been."

"What are you talking about?" Angelica asked. "You were never a tag along, you are our sister."

"But you have always been 'Angelica, Eliza' and I'm just Peggy. And Peggy."

"Oh Peggy. You are the one who completes us!" Eliza insisted. "Your 'and' is the one who connects us all. When Angelica visited all those summers ago, we even paused after greeting each other for you."

"Really?" Peggy asked.

"Really." Angelica answered. "Your 'and' is probably the most important part of our introduction.

Peggy blushed. Between the fresh air, and one of her biggest problems finally resolved, she felt on top of the world. Until her knees gave way.

"Oh! Back up to your bed you go." Eliza said.

But Peggy could hardly hear her. She felt strange, like her senses were shutting down.

"Peggy?" Angelica asked. Her voice was far away. She felt a sudden lifting sensation, and was put on her bed. "Look at me."

Peggy tried to find her sisters eyes.

"Stephen! Get in here!" Came Eliza's frantic calls. What was wrong? Why was she screaming?

"Look into my eyes, Peggy. That's right. Look. Breathe. It will be okay." Angelica said.

Peggy knew what had happened. It was time. Time to reunite with John and her father.

"Girls." She murmured.

They did not hear her.

"Girls!"

They stopped talking.

"One last time. Please."

Suddenly the rest of her family entered the room.

"What's going on?" Henry asked.

"Is she alright?" Stephen asked.

But Angelica and Eliza were silent.

"Now?" Angelica whispered.

Peggy nodded.

Angelica cleared her throat. "Angelica!"

"Eliza!"

But there was no response from their youngest sister.

"Peggy?" Eliza whimpered. "Peggy!"

"NO!" Angelica screamed.

But Peggy had muttered her part, the girls just had not heard. Her last words were her favorite words.

"Peggy, stay alive!" Angelica pleaded.

Part of Peggy could feel her sisters hands gripping hers tightly with love. But the other part could feel a pair of strong arms wrap around her and kiss her neck.

"I have missed you my dearest, Peggy."

"And you, John."