Cara lay nestled in the crook of Jake’s arm, her head resting on his chest. She counted the beats of his heart, memorizing the rhythm. The pace began to slow, and she knew this by her own ear, and not because her eyes were on the machine. She counted the seconds between heartbeats. She felt the rise and fall of his chest become more of a struggle. Tears shrieked her face, soaking his hospital gown. She could feel him slipping away from her. She closed her eyes and tried to will, him back to her. She begged her heavenly father, for mercy. Take her instead of him. If he had to go she wanted to go with him.
I sit at your bedside
Holding your hand in mine
You try to be so strong for me
But I feel you slipping away
You have always been my hero
I can’t let you go… because
Heroes don’t die
Deb sat beside Jake’s bed, holding onto her son’s hand. She closed her eyes and remembered the day of his birth. If she tried hard enough, she could still feel the little blue bundle snuggled into her arms. Where had the years gone? Where was the boy who tugged on her leg, begging his mom to read him a bedtime story? She closed her eyes and she remembered the day she realized her little boy had become a man. The day he decided he was going to take a wife. She opened her eyes and stared at her son. No mother should have to bury her child. No mother should hold the hand of her son when he leaves the Earth.
The door opened and Sam and Luke walked into the room, each of them holding one of their father’s hands. Nick and Leah followed them, closing the door softly behind them. The brother and sister walked their father to their mother’s side. Joe placed his palm over his wife’s shoulder, bending down he joined his hand to Deb’s. Together they held their son’s hand, staring at the man they created and raised together.
Like a light in my storm
You’ve guided me
You have been everything to me
Tell me how I live without you
Tell me how to go on
Without your smile
Sam and Luke stood at the foot of Jake’s bed, their eyes set on their brother’s face. The three of them had been raised to be as close as any three siblings could ever be. The love they shared for one another, unconditional and everlasting. No matter what obstacles came their way through life, the three of them had always stuck together. The three musketeers… only now there would only be two. No one had prepared them for that. Sam cried out, unable to stop herself and Luke wrapped his arms around her, tucking her head under his chin, they cried together, they only had each other now.
Jake’s eyes flew open, and his body constricted, causing Cara to raise her head in fear. Her eyes stared into his. They were halfway open, and he struggled to speak. Cara blinked away the tears, so her eyes could focus clearly on his beautiful face. Slowly, her hands slipped the oxygen mask down, allowing him to speak the words he desperately wanted to share.
I am selfish, I want more time with you
I know you have to go
You can’t take me with you
But you said you’d never leave me behind
I can’t let you go…. because
Heroes don’t die
“I’m going to be late to the church….” He gasped, filling his lungs with the air he ached for. His vision blurred, and he blinked, trying to clear his sight, to make out the beautiful woman before him. He needed to see his bride, his vision in white. He squinted and slowly the blurred lines cleared, and he saw her. His beautiful Cara, her hazel eyes shining back at him. A smile spread across his lips. “My beautiful,” he whispered before closing his eyes.
I feel your fight draining so…
Close your eyes now, my love
Let me be your hero
Let me take away your pain
I can’t let you go…. because
Heroes don’t die
Cara closed her eyes and pressed her lips softly against his. Her hands shook as they cupped his face. “I’ll love you forever.” She whispered against his lips. Slowly she pulled back, laying her hands on his chest. Her eyes moved to her hands as they rose and fell with his chest. Then she watched his chest fall for the final time. The beat of his heart played its final cord. She lifted her head and stared at the love of her life… He was gone.
“No… Oh God, no…” She sobbed and took his lifeless body in her arms, cradling him against her chest as the heart monitor sounded a slow steady beep.
Chapter Nine