“I’ll still break your balls from wherever I end up.” Jake croaked and this time he managed to smile. He opened his eyes and looked at Luke.
“Sam and Nick are on their way. Mom and Dad…” Luke trailed off trying to find the right words.
“Are going to bury one of their kids, they’re a fucking mess.” Jake helped Luke find the words. He may not have chosen those exact words, but still they were true. Jake sighed and placed the oxygen mask back for a few moments. When he was able to continue, he pulled down the mask again. “I need one last thing from you, Luke.”
“Anything you need.” Luke said hoarsely.
“Mom and Dad, have each other. They have you and they have Sam.” Jake took a deep breath, and for the first time he looked away from Luke. Once he composed himself, he turned back and the two brother’s eyes met. “Cara is part of our family. She would’ve been my wife.”
Luke looked at him confused, unsure of what he was asking of him. Jake struggled not because he lacked oxygen, but because his emotions were getting the best of him.
“Please take care of my girl. Make sure she lives the life she is meant to live, don’t let her be alone.” Jake’s eyes pleaded with his big brother. Luke heard the desperation in his voice. Cara was everything to Jake, his world revolved around her, as hers revolved around Jake. Luke dragged his fingers through his hair. He held his brother’s gaze and nodded. “Promise me, I need to hear you say it, Luke.”
Luke swallowed. “I promise I’ll take care of Cara, you don’t have to worry about her.” A tear slipped down his cheek as he finished his vow to his little brother.
Jake smiled slightly and closed his eyes. “I could always count on you.” He lifted the oxygen mask back to his mouth. Jake drifted off to sleep, leaving Luke to sit vigil at his bedside. The only sound in the room was Luke’s tears and the beeping of the machines, signaling that he was still alive.
Nick barely had a chance to park his truck, before Sam jumped out of it. She grabbed Ava out of the back, taking her little hand in hers, she began to run towards the hospital. She never even glanced over her shoulder to see if Nick was behind her, not that he expected her to. She was a mess the entire ride home. Nick did his best to get them back to Riverdale in a timely matter, fearing they wouldn’t make it in time to say their goodbyes to Jake.
Both he and Sam, had done their best to mask their fear in front of Ava, but the kid had a million questions. Not to mention, that she was upset that she wasn’t able to compete with her dance team. How do you explain to a little girl that her uncle is dying? Nick had no idea, and he wasn’t touching that one with a ten foot pole.
The three of them rode the elevator to the floor Jake’s room was on, in complete silence. Ava was still dressed in her dance costume, the poor girl looked lost. Nick reached out and tugged her ponytail, gently. She looked up at him and he winked at her, hoping to ease some of her fear. The doors opened and Luke was waiting for them. Ava ran off the elevator and jumped into Luke’s arms. He was taken back at first by the force of his daughter’s embrace, but he quickly recovered, finding solace in Ava. He looked over her shoulder, lifting her in his arms as he stood.
“What’s going on, Luke?” Sam asked but one look into Luke’s eyes and she knew the answer. She covered her mouth with the palm of her hand, muffling a cry.
Luke pressed a kiss to the top of Ava’s head, as he caressed her back lovingly. “I’m going to bring Ava to the hospital day care. Leah, was able to get clearance for the day.” He pulled back and looked into his daughter’s eyes. “How’s that sound? You can play with all the kids and show them your cool costume.”
“Okay Daddy.” She agreed softly, and that earned her another affectionate embrace from her father.
Luke looked at Nick. “Can you take Sam to Jake’s room? My parents are right outside the room in the family waiting area.”
Nick nodded. “Of course,” he said, watching as Luke eyed both him and Sam for a moment before turning around and carrying Ava to the day care facilities. Nick placed his palm on the small of Sam’s back. He stared down at her, watching as she stood frozen. “If you’re not ready, we can go for a walk. You can get your thoughts together…”