We all were. Right now, Francesca’s baby kept us connected to Carson. Knowing a piece of Carson thrived lifted our spirits. When Carson came back to us, the first thing he would ask about was the baby. It was imperative we kept her positive.
“Why didn’t you wait to tell me about Carson?” Carson had to be okay. He had to be.
Gabe wrapped an arm around me, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“Because one, that’s not how I want our relationship to be—neither do you. And two, because you’re strong. If I thought it would jeopardize the health of you or the babies, I would have waited because I know that’s what you would want, too.”
There was more than physical chemistry between us. Together, Gabe and I were complete. Apart, things weren’t as good. The last six months had proven that. I hadn’t felt alive again until I’d spoken with Tack.
“I feel like things are changing back to the way they used to be. I hope I’m right.”
Looking up, I set the plate aside. “You are.”
His lips crashed onto mine. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue took over. My lower stomach clenched as my hands roamed to the hem of his pajama pants. I wanted to straddle him for that sweet friction.
In a flash, Gabe released me and stepped at him a few feet away.
Why was he over there?
“Six days.” His chest was heaving.
“Six days?” What the hell was he talking about?
“We can have sex in six days.”
Oh shit, the doctor’s orders. In a defeated sweep, I fell back on the bed. “I want a second opinion.”
The bed dipped and I felt Gabe’s hand on my stomach. “It’ll go by fast.”
I raised my eyebrows and called bullshit.
“Okay, it’s going to be hell.”
The next six days were going to be hell. Having Gabe’s scent this close caused irrational thoughts to come into my mind. The doctor wanted complete abstinence. I looked at the time. We had about an hour before we needed to leave. “I’m going to take a shower and get ready. I need to let my stomach settle before I eat anything else.” A perfect distraction from what I really wanted.
“Good idea. I’ll take an ice cold one myself.”
A small giggle escaped. Gabe was just as affected as me. “We can suffer together.”
“And then have that much more pleasure.”
Just the thought had me clinching in my lower region again.
Taking the plate with the crackers, he followed me into the bathroom. “Try to eat some more when you get out. I’ll be waiting.”
“I will.”
I turned on the shower, and the room quickly filled with steam. After Gabe left, I took off my robe. My reflection in the mirror caught my attention, and I stared at my stomach, wondering when I would see a baby bump. The babies were so small.
After showering, I got ready quickly and tried to stop worrying about what the doctors wanted to talk about. At least my sexual frustration had moved to the back burner.
We were approaching two weeks with Carson being non-responsive. I feared the two-week mark. For some reason that felt monumental.
My phone vibrated. It was Francesca.
Francesca: Thanks for last night. Can’t wait to do it again.
Me: Me, either. It was fun. I needed it.
Francesca: Me, too.
She must not know about meeting with the doctors. I still had a few minutes to burn. To pass the time, I picked up the room and made the bed. When it was finally time to go, I entered the main living room to get my purse on the chair by the door. I hoped the egg smell was gone.
Gabe was near the door, freshly showered, and as I paused to appreciate the sight, a slow lazy smile crept on his face. “What are you thinking about?”
“How lucky I am to have you in my life. How lucky we are to be getting a second chance together.”
Without warning, Gabe cradled my face. “I am the luckiest man alive. I don’t deserve you, but I’m too selfish to let you go.”
The thought of Gabe letting me go wrecked me. I threw my arms around him. “Don’t say things like that.”
His arms came around me. “But I don’t deserve you. I didn’t leave you and know that I never will.” And it was true, he hadn’t but I knew what it was like to not have him in my life. I held him tighter. “Sweetheart, I shouldn’t have said it like that. I’m never leaving you. Ever.”
“I like the sound of that a lot better.”
Part of me knew I had overreacted, but the last thing I wanted were those types of thoughts in our minds especially since we weren’t able to connect on a more intimate level. Relationships needed all aspects to thrive.
We were meant to be. Fate meant to bring us together. I wasn’t going to tempt it.
My palms were sweaty as we stood in Carson’s ICU room. Gabe was behind me with his hands on my hips, anchoring me. It was taking everything in my power to stay strong and not freak out. For the next few minutes, the life of my friend hung in the balance.
Carson had to pull through.
Francesca clutched my hand, only adding to my nerves. She was barely hanging on, too.
The room was quiet except for the doctors prepping to take Carson off life support. It seemed too fast. I wasn’t prepared for what the doctors told us today—none of us had been.
In Carson’s legally-binding will, he had a stipulation to turn off life support after two weeks.
We were at a crossroads on day twelve with two days left.
If we waited two days, nothing could be done except to take him off. His parents decided to take the doctors’ suggestion to take Carson off life support today to see how he does. If there’s a sign he’s fighting, it might buy us time to file a motion to extend the life support due to a clause in his will.
When no signs of life have been shown…
When Carson woke up, we were having a serious talk about his timeframe and lack of specifics. Two weeks. That was no time at all for a serious injury.
The doctor made one more note before turning to Carson’s parents. I wasn’t sure how, but they managed to get Gabe and me on the list to be in here though I wasn’t considered immediate family. Francesca squeezed my hand harder. I leaned into Gabe. Never before had I felt so helpless.
“We’re going to turn off the life support now. We’ll record all actions. If Mr. Whitmore’s life signs drop below a certain threshold, we will put him back on. Are there any questions?”
Bennett held Marie close to his side. “No questions. Thank you, doctor.”
All of our eyes were filled with unshed tears. It was important we remain strong. Prior to this we each took a few moments to be alone with Carson. I’d used my few minutes to tell him to fight. Five minutes had not been long enough.
The silence descended on us once again. As the doctor reached for the button, I tensed. Gabe’s thumbs made small comforting sweeps that reminded me he was here. A slight tremor racked my body.
Please be okay.
Click.
Life support was officially off. The pressure on my hand tightened as I held my breath. My eyes were glued to the heart rate monitor. I tried to remain calm and keep my stress levels low.
Beep.
Four seconds passed.
Beep.
Four seconds passed.
I breathed a sigh of relief as this continued. My eyes were transfixed on the monitor. Carson’s heart was beating on its own. Was this enough to show the courts if we needed to? I hoped so, but doubted it.
Beep.
Five seconds passed.
Wait. Had I counted correctly? My heart sped up. I felt Gabe’s right hand flex. He caught it, too. I wasn’t wrong. There had been a delay.
Beep.
Six seconds passed.
No. No. No! Francesca stiffened, having caught onto the longer interval. This was not happening.
Beep.
Eight seconds passed.
“Fight, Carson! Fight!” I blu
rted into the room. My voice jolted those around me, but it was the least of my last concerns as my words felt echoed off the walls.
Beep.
Ten seconds passed.
I took a step forward, releasing Francesca and out of Gabe’s hold. “You have a beautiful future ahead of you. Fight, Carson! Don’t let this beat you! Fight, damn it, fight!”
Beep.
Twelve seconds passed.
Behind me, Francesca’s quiet sobs stole my attention for a brief second. Gabe was holding her. He gave me an encouraging nod. Marie clutched Bennett. “Carson, we need you! Keep fighting! Your baby needs you! Don’t leave that precious baby!”
A loud sob tore through the room. I wasn’t done. I was not letting my best friend go.