I used to believe there was a reason for everything. But now it seemed like that saying was complete bullshit. Used to give people false acceptance for the bad stuff that happened in their lives.

I used to believe that I met Harper and did that whole arranged wedding thing just to end up getting close to my brother again, to meet Danielle, and to actually have my brother grow up and become a man. I thought all of that happened for a reason. 

But if that was true, then what was the reason for this? Why did my daughter wake up after surgery, and Cherise, the woman who saved her life, didn't? That didn't make sense at all. Not one fucking little bit. 

Everyone had a hard time hearing and processing that news when it was delivered. Nate nearly lost his shit right here in the hospital. Karma had to take him home to get him to settle down. Gwen called her boyfriend to come and sit with her. Jackson and I didn't say a damn thing about it this time. 

Fuck. Speaking of Jackson...My little brother was having a hard time keeping it together, too. Harper as well. They both haven't left the hospital since this all went down. They offered to help with Jamie and Cherise, but Jamie didn't really want anyone here. The only reason Danielle and I were getting away with it, was because we weren't really giving her a chance. We refused to leave her here alone. None of us wanted her to go through this by herself. 

Lanie and Ayden had to go home because of little Nate, but they took turns coming up here every day and would bring changes of clothes and food and stuff. Coffee, especially. Everyone was helping where they could. But it still didn't change the fact that Cherise Lovette was not coming back to us. 

I tried talking to Ayden and the doctors about her situation. Tried pleading with them to somehow get her back. But it was useless. There was nothing they could do. And today was the goddamn seventh day that she was brain dead. That meant Jamie was going to have to watch while they pulled the plug on Cherise. 

I couldn't imagine what that would be like. I didn't take Everly's death that well, and I knew she was sick. This was different. And fucked up. 

"Here's your order, sir." 

I took the coffee and muffin from the barista. "Thanks." 

When I started heading back to Cherise's room, I saw Ayden and Lanie walking up to me. And they weren't alone. Everyone was here. 

"Hey," I said to him when he stopped in front of me. "What's going on? What's everyone doing here?" 

Ayden was holding little Nate with one arm and had the other wrapped around Lanie. "It's almost time for...you know. Everyone wanted to be here. Even if she wants us to just stay out here. It didn't feel right sitting at home while she goes through this." 

"Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I'll let her know you guys are here for her." I held up her coffee and muffin. "I should get back. She's hungry." 

When I started to turn away from my friends and head back towards Cherise's room, Lanie stopped me. 

"Um, Ryan?"

"Yeah?" 

"Did Jamie ask you to get her food?" 

Okay...that was a weird question. "Well, kinda. I asked if she was hungry. She said no at first. Then she changed her mind and asked for—why are you two looking at me like that?" 

Lanie winced and shrugged a shoulder. "Pretty sure her sending you down here was just a distraction so she could either run away, or she needed some privacy." 

"No, she wouldn't..." Mother. Fucker. She totally would. I shoved the muffin and coffee into Lanie's hands before taking off at a dead run for the elevators. 

I hit the silver button repeatedly and waited for the elevator to show up. And waited some more. Maybe if I hit the button ten more times it'll speed up. Tried it. No luck. By the time it finally came, it felt like an hour went by.

My attempt to hurry onto the elevator failed when I noticed it was full of people who were trying to get off. Standing back, I stuck out my arm to keep the door from closing.

Once it was empty, I got on and hit the button for the fourth floor. If Lanie was right—and she usually was—then that meant Jamie could be literally anywhere in the hospital. Or worse, she could have left. But I didn't think she would have done that. Not when it was so close to the time. 

"Come on, come on," I mumbled as I watched the numbers change with each floor I passed. Then we got to the fourth. "Finally." 

The doors barely got halfway open before I shot out of the elevator. Since running was prohibited on this floor, I walked as fast and quietly as I could. Last thing I needed right now was to get kicked out of here. No way in hell. 

Nurses, doctors, and random people whizzed by me. Some nodding a silent hello and others paying me no attention at all. By the time I got to Cherise's room, I had to pause in the doorway to catch my breath. Then I took a look around and knew Lanie was one hundred percent right. 

Jamie was gone. 

***

"Do you know where she might have gone?" Dr. Moore asked.

Arms crossed over my chest, I stared down at Cherise's sleeping form. "No, I don't. I don't think she would have left the hospital, though. She probably just wanted air." 

The doctor glanced at the clock. "It's one hour past the time we were supposed to remove her."

"You can't do it without her here," I bit out. "No fucking way." 

"We aren't. But the longer we wait, the harder it's going to be for her. And no one has been able to find her. How do you know she hasn't left the hospital?" 

Now I was getting pissed. "She wouldn't do that, doc. Jamie is—"

"Right here." 

The doc and I turned towards the doorway. Jamie's eyes landed on her mom and nowhere else. 

"Sorry. I just needed a little time." 

Dr. Moore offered her a small smile and placed his hand on her back gently. "You don't need to apologize, Jamie. We completely understand." He glanced to Cherise briefly. "If you need some more time we can—"

"No." She shook her head repeatedly. "Let's do this now." 

"Alright. We'll get started in just a few minutes." 

Jamie came to stand beside me, and I traded places with her so she could be by the head of the bed. I had no idea what I could do for her right now. My heart was pounding in my ears. My mouth felt dry. 

"Want me to get Danielle?"

"No." She reached over and clasped my hand. "Just...don't leave." 

I gave her hand a squeeze, and something in the tone of her voice made me more determined to keep my shit together. If she needed me, she had me. "I'm not going anywhere." 

We stayed like that while Dr. Moore stepped out only to return with a nurse. They spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes before the doc walked over to Cherise's machines. 

"Okay, Jamie. First, I'm going to turn off the alarms on the machines. Okay?" 

Jamie nodded, and the doctor pushed one button after the other. 

"Now, try to prepare yourself. I know this won't be easy. We're going to remove the breathing tube first. Since she can't breathe on her own, she'll go rather quickly. Within a few minutes. We'll give you some time alone with her, of course. Are you ready?" 

"No," she whispered though tears. "I'm not ready." 

Dr. Moore looked at me and I nodded for him to continue. He could have asked her that question one hundred times and the answer would never change. I didn't think it would for anyone in this position. 

"Here we go," he said softly. 

The doctor removed the breathing tube from Cherise's mouth, and Jamie squeezed my hand so hard I was surprised she didn't break any of my bones. Not like I would have fucking cared if she did. 

The doc sat the tube on a tray and removed his gloves. "We'll give you guys a few minutes." 

Once the doctor and nurse stepped out, there was nothing but silence in the room. No beeping from the machines. No hissing from the ventilator. Nothing. 

With a shaky hand, Jamie reached forward and placed it over her mom's. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I love you, mom." 

She drew her hand back and covered her mouth as she started to break down. I let go of her hand and wrapped it around her, pulling her against my chest as she cried. We stayed like that the whole time. Even when the doctor came in to check for Cherise's pulse. His solemn expression was verification that she was gone. 

"Let us know when she's ready and we'll come and take Cherise," the nurse whispered to me. 

Just as I nodded Jamie said, "Now. I'm ready now." 

"Are you sure?" Dr. Moore asked. "We can wait until—"

"Now!" she yelled, fresh tears running down her cheeks. 

Once again, I nodded to the doctor to give him the go ahead. He and the nurse got on either side of the bed and released the brakes. Just as they started to wheel her out of the door, I stopped them. 

"Wait." Reaching over the railing, I placed my hand on Cherise's. Just like Jamie had. "Thank you," I rasped, and my own tears started to fall. "Thank you for saving my little girl, Cherise. And I'm so sorry." 

Turning back to Jamie, I pulled her against my chest again while they wheeled Cherise out. Even after she was gone, we stayed like this for a long time. And we cried. 

***

😭💔

Two more chapters and an epilogue left of this story! I know everyone is sad for Cherise. Myself included. I do have a special surprise for you after the epilogue!

Thanks for reading. 

xoxo