She cut him off, turning to face him. “There’s no time to get my thoughts together. It’s now or never.” She said hoarsely as her eyes that full of unshed tears met his. Vulnerability got the best of her, and so she reached for his hand. Their fingers laced together and Nick squeezed her hand gently. “Let’s go.” She whispered.
Hand in hand, they walked the length of the corridor. When they turned the corner at the far end, they saw Deb and Joe sitting down in the waiting area. Deb’s head was bowed as she prayed for a miracle, while Joe, paced back and forth across the small space. Joe spotted them, and stopped in his tracks. Sam dropped Nick’s hand and walked into her father’s waiting arms. His arms enveloped her and he closed his eyes holding onto his youngest child, as if he would lose her too.
Deb barely lifted her head, when Nick leaned down and kissed her cheek. She squeezed his hand and patted his cheek as she cried.
Sam pulled back and looked back and forth between her parents. “Can I go see him?”
“Go ahead, sweetheart.” Deb said as she released Nick’s hand and took the tissue he handed her. “Cara’s in there, but he’s been asking for you.”
Nick turned around and took hold of Sam’s wrist. “Do you want me to go with you?”
She shook her head. “No.” She took a deep breath. “But, thank you.” Nick nodded slightly, and released her wrist.
Cara lifted her head from Jake’s chest when she heard the door open. Sam stood by the door, trying to summon her courage to step further into the room. She wasn’t ready to focus on her brother on his death bed. She averted her eyes to Cara and studied her. Her face was drawn, her eyes were blood shot. She looked as if she hadn’t slept in days, as if, all she had done for those days were cry.
Sam looked at Jake for the first time. She didn’t know what she was expecting, when she looked at him, but she let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t really put much thought into what her brother would look like right before he died. She was grateful that he didn’t appear to look as if he was suffering. Aside, from the oxygen mask, he simply looked as if he was just taking a nap. She stepped further into the room, and found herself gnawing on her lower lip. She tried not to cry and coached herself to be brave.
“He dozes on and off,” Cara said, following Sam’s gaze to the love of her life that lay beside her. She brushed a strand of hair back from his forehead, before leaning down and pressing her lips gently to the very same spot.
“Is he in pain?” Sam asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cara smiled down at Jake, affection radiating in her eyes, or maybe it was pride. “I don’t think so. He hasn’t complained once.” She bent down and brushed her lips against his ear. “Baby, wake up. Sam’s here.” She caressed his chest.
“Oh, it’s okay. He probably needs his rest. I’ll just wait until he wakes up.” Sam said softly, as she walked around the other side of Jake’s bed.
“He’s been asking for you…” Cara said and then felt Jake move beside her.
“Where’s the little firecracker?” Jake muttered with his eyes still closed.
Sam smiled, wiping away at a fallen tear. “I’m right here.” She said and moved closer to his bedside, taking his hand in hers.
Jake laced his fingers with his sister’s and opened his eyes, peering up at her. “It’s about time. Even had to be fashionably late to my death?” He quipped and then he realized that his family didn’t appreciate the humor, least alone Cara. She stiffened at his side.
“I’ll give you guys, some time alone.” She pressed her lips quickly against Jake’s. “I’ll be right outside.” He nodded and watched her make her way off the bed and out of his room. He let his eyes linger on the closed door for a moment before he turned his gaze back to Sam. He slipped the mask down, pass his chin.
“I don’t think she’s accepting it.” Jake said, referring to Cara. He licked his lips, his throat was parched. “Can you give me some water?”
Sam nodded and filled a plastic cup with water from the pitcher that sat on his night table. Jake tried to lift his head by himself, but was clearly having some difficulty doing so. Sam eased his head forward and brought the cup to his lips. He slowly managed a few sips and then signaled to her he was good. She held the half empty cup in her hands as she sat on the edge of his bed, holding onto it in case he wanted some more.
“Jake…” She looked down at the water, trying to find the words, but the truth was, she knew what to say. She knew it was time to say goodbye, but she just didn’t have it in her to say the words.
He reached for her hand. “It’s okay.” He whispered. “I heard it’s nice where I’m going, and the view is great!” He patted her hand reassuringly. There he went, typical Jake, trying to make things better for everyone else, when he was the one dying.
“I’m going to miss you.” She whispered as the tears fell freely down her cheek. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
He nodded as a comfortable silence fell over them. “Can I ask you for a favor?” He said breaking the silence.