July 2023

It was a sunny afternoon, and the mountain props were already majestically placed between the lake. The picnic setup between the twin pine trees spread under fairy lights dangling from the branches—while the moms, very busy preparing for the picnic section, bantered about whether they should pick red or pink for the decorations. Amid their confusion, they enthusiastically called out the athletic boy who's been helping the dads putting the fairy lights on the nearby trees.

"Tyty! Come here!"

Rolling his eyes for probably—the hundredth time, the boy smirked and chuckled while descending from the ladder, and jogged over to them. Before he even reached them, the moms had spread out the fabric colors: the red one held by his mom and the pink one—held by his other mom. The boy grinned and assured, "Come on, either one will look great—"

"It can't be just any color! This is your first date!" one of the moms chided—and the rest trailing off as they continued their debate.

Nearby, the fathers were diligently hanging fairy lights on the trees. Suddenly, the bigger one coughed, his face momentarily creased with discomfort. However it seemed like it was only a slight cough, he quickly descended the ladder and jogged away. With concern, the leaner one hurriedly climbed down and ran after him—catching up as he started coughing more intensely.

The middle aged man with the Johnny-Depp-at-his-prime hairstyle quickly put a hand on his bro-for-life's back, his voice filled with worry, "You alright, John?"

But his bro couldn't respond—his coughing fit continuing, body shaking violently. Unable to find any water nearby, he just kept rubbing his friend's back in support, hoping it would help.

Finally, the coughing subsided. His friend stood upright again, tilting his head back and closing his eyes, exhaling slowly. Mr. Cavill watched him in concern, silently waiting. When John finally looked at him, there was a deep weariness in his eyes as he whispered, "Greg,"

"I think I'm dying."

Tyler's heart races as he speeds down the highway on his Panigale. The sound of your voice echoes in his mind, each word tightening the knot of panic in his chest. He replays your confused tone, the disbelief in your voice.

"I.. don't know–they—they're saying his lungs are already drowned in water."

He can't shake the image of Mr. Winters from his mind. Whenever he laughed—his entire body shaking with mirth.. the way his big stomach wiggled.. the way he slapped the back of his head whenever they bantered.. how he scolded him every time he made you cry..

The man who has always been there, spreading humor and wisdom–even though he always does it with a little touch of bullying. Your dad. His dad's bestfriend.

His bestfriend.

John has been like a second father to him. And to think about losing him—Tyler's knuckles turn white as he grips the handlebars even tighter, his mind a whirlwind of panic and dread. The road ahead blurs through the haze of tears he refuses to let fall, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Tyler's mind snaps back to the present as he pulls up to the hospital. His heart pounds as he jumps off the bike—barely taking the time to park it properly. He rushes to the emergency room door, desperate to find everyone—anyone.

He asks the nurse standing by, voice almost a shout. Almost on the brink of a panic attack—he is finally guided by another nurse to the right floor. And as soon as he steps out of the elevator, he sprints down the corridor until he sees a familiar face–

You're sitting on the couch, staring at the floor, eyes puffy from crying—and his heart breaks. He approaches you in quick strides until you finally look up—and as soon as you see him, your resolve crumbles. You stand up, grabbing his hand like holding as if for dear life.

"Em," he whispers, voice cracking. Unsure of what to say, he attempts to comfort you, consoling–

"It's going to be okay. He'll be okay."

Lies.

He doesn't know if it'll be okay. He doesn't know if Mr. Winters will heal. But right now, lies are all he can offer.

The hospital's sterile scent and the beeping of distant monitors are a cruel contrast to the warmth and joy Mr. Winters have always brought—and your sobs grow stronger, shaking your entire body.

"I'm here," he says softly, his own voice breaking. "I'm right here with you."

Eventually, out of exhaustion, you lean into him—not minding how tears soaking his shirt as you cling to him. Tyler holds you tightly, his own tears falling freely now. "We'll get through this," he murmurs, more to himself than to you.

"We have to."

You sit in silence, staring blankly at the stark white walls of the hospital you despise so much. The walls seem to close in on you, amplifying the sense of dread that hangs heavy in the air—making you feel trapped.

Janet and Violet are downstairs, dealing with the nightmare of hospital administration. Tyler paces back and forth in front of you, his anxiety palpable with every step. His hands are restless—running through his hair, clenching into fists, then loosening only to repeat the cycle. He keeps glancing between you.. and the double door.

And my dad? My lovely.. precious dad?

He's in the operating room.

The doctor said it was urgent that they had to operate immediately—something about a sudden blockage in his heart. I can't even comprehend the medical jargon. All I know.. is that my dad—the man who's always been my pride.. is now lying on an operating table. His life in the hands of strangers.

And me? I'm angry. Angry at the world.. At fate. At whatever.. cruel twist of fate brought us here. Angry that someone so good.. so full of life.. could be struck down so suddenly—and the fact that I said I hated him–

I haven't even said sorry! I want to scream–to fucking. punch something! To make the universe feel even a fraction of the pain I'm feeling right now–!

But I'm tired.

I'm so. fucking. tired.

There's a heavy.. suffocating sense of helplessness that settles in my chest, wrapping around my heart like a vice. I can't change what's happening. I can't will him to be healthy. In the cruelest fact there is—I can't do anything but sit here, in this godforsaken hospital–and wait.

I look at the other people in the waiting room, some as anxious as I am.. others seemingly indifferent–lost in their own worlds.. It's a cruel joke, really. We're all here.. caught in this terrible limbo–yet so alone in our individual griefs and fears.

The operating room doors are closed, a barrier between me and my dad. Every time they swing open.. my heart skips a beat. But it's never the doctor coming to tell me that it's all over and he's going to be fine. It's always just another nurse—another.. patient. The doctors and nurses move around so casually. For them, this is routine. Just another.. day at work. But for me?

It's a fucking nightmare.

As I sit here, the minutes drag on like hours. And all I can do.. is hope. Hoping that the doctors are as skilled as they claim. That my dad's heart is strong enough to pull through. That fate will be so very fucking kind for once.

My dad.. is fighting for his life.

And all I can do is wait.

"Since when?"

Tyler questioned, his voice barely above a whisper. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and now.. you're in the inpatient room. Tyler sits beside you on the sofa, his eyes are weary, half-closed. A never-ending sigh escapes him as he stares intently at your dad—who's been lying on the bed, exhausted after the operation. Your mom is beside him as Greg and Violet converse intensely nearby—their faces tense with stress.

"I only found out yesterday too, Ty.."

"Why didn't you tell me right away, Em?" he demands, a hint of frustration in his voice. Regret floods him as he thinks about the party he attended instead of being with him–

"I found out just before he was rushed to the hospital for the second time, Ty! And just when they say he could go home—the moment we stepped into our house he–how do you expect me to—" you choke, brow knitting together as you bury your face in your hands.

Tyler's expression softens as he gently pulls you closer by the shoulders. He tries to lift your face—but you immediately rest your head against his chest. Exhaling in anguish, Cavill wraps his arms around you tightly—also burying his head on your shoulders. When your sobs finally subside, you sit with your head resting on his shoulder—his head resting on your head.

In a hushed whisper, he asks, "Did my parents know?"

"Your dad definitely did. When we got to the hospital—he didn't hesitate. Immediately taking charge like—like he already knew. Your mom though.. I don't know.. she seemed shocked," you stare blankly at your dad until a whimper escapes your lips, "I'm so scared, Ty.."

Squeezing your shoulder, he assures, "They'll find a way, Winny. Don't worry, okay? He's strong. He's John McClane Goddammit."

Letting out a little chuckle, you nod, "You're right. He's Bruce Willis' reincarnation for sure."

"Course he is. Once he wakes up, he'll shout another 'Yippee Ki Yay' for us. No doubt."

He tries to reassure you with a hint of playfulness—but his eyes betray the sadness enveloping him. You hold him tighter from the side, managing a brief smile as you watch your mom holding your dad's fragile hand, her other hand gently running through the lines on his face.

"I'm glad that our parents are bestfriends,"

Tyler says suddenly, his gaze shifting to his own parents, who are embracing each other. You look at them as his words sink in. You watch him watching Violet stroking Greg's back.. and you feel a pang in your chest. Wondering if you'll ever see your mom and dad—but you quickly brush it off by trying to lift the mood.

"Clever way to say you're glad you met me."

Even though a quiet smile blooms on his face, he looks down. You've known him well enough to know that it's a silent answer that he's not in the mood for jokes. For a slight second, your eyebrows furrow—before a soft smile forms on your lips. Squeezing his waist, you try to lift the mood in a better way.

"I'm glad I have you, Tyty."

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Cecylia Costania @rcpcswrites

You can elevate your experience by also listening to songs I added to this story's playlist! Full Playlist on bio💖

The song that matches this Chapter's vibe:

https://youtu.be/VtQorLzzbQw