Monica tells Emily her chemotherapy is destroying her immune system. Emily is forced to stop treatment. Although she loves Zander and he is supportive, it is Nikolas to whom Emily turns with the devastating news of her treatment. Nikolas gets Emily to rally and promise not to give up fighting. She goes on a second chemo treatment and seems to be doing well, but the tests show she isn't faring well and her immune system is waning to the point that she has to be hospitalized. She develops meningitis and believes she is going to die. On her deathbed in her hospital room, Emily marries Zander as a last gift to him. Nikolas watches the ceremony from outside the room. Shortly after, she lapses into unconsciousness. Nikolas doesn't want to leave her during this stage. Alan and Monica permit him to be in the room next to hers overnight. Zander stays with Emily and while she is unconscious she dreams of kissing Nikolas and at the same time, Nikolas dreams of kissing her and bringing her back to life. Buoyed by her dream, Emily recovers to the relief and joy of her family and friends. As Emily recovers and starts married life with Zander, she fights her attraction to Nikolas, attempting to make her marriage work. On Halloween night, Emily confesses her love to Nikolas and they begin kissing only to be interrupted by Zander who lets her have it for all the lies she's told him and the heartache she's put him through. She ends things with Zander and he leaves. Although Nikolas is now divorced, he wants to be sure Emily won't regret her decision so he suggests they call it a night, but Emily insists she won't regret it and they make love.