Leah walked over to the machines that alerted Jake’s family that his life was over, and quietly silenced them. She didn’t know what else to do, she hadn’t known this family long, but she did know they all were suffering at that very moment. She watched Cara, nervously. The woman was falling apart, clutching her deceased fiancée in her arms. She rocked him back and forth as if he was a newborn. Someone had to call a time of death and disconnect him from the machines. Hoping not to disturb anyone, Leah walked towards Jake’s bedside, and pressed the alert button, signaling for a doctor. Cara turned around abruptly and shielded Jake in her arms.
“What’re you doing?” She spat at Leah. “You’re not taking him from me!”
Leah’s eyes widened, “I’m not… I want to make him more comfortable.” She faltered as she eyed Jake’s lifeless body that was still hooked up to monitors. His oxygen mask still hung around his neck. It was standard protocol, to remove all of that from the deceased, then give the family a moment to say their goodbyes before ultimately they brought Jake to the morgue.
“He’s dead! You can’t make him any more comfortable.” Cara shouted through her sobs.
“I’m sorry.” Leah whispered and took another retreating step backwards, bumping into the heart monitor that now showed a black screen. She swallowed and turned her head to look at Luke. She wasn’t expecting him to ride to her rescue, she knew he was grieving, but she expected him to shake some sense into Cara. He didn’t even look at her, instead, she watched as he held his sister. Samantha clutched his shirt as she wept on his shoulder. Luke seemed a million miles away as he petted Sam’s head absent-mindedly. His eyes were focused directly on Jake and Cara.
“I can’t live without you…” Cara whispered as she continued to rock Jake in her arms. She leaned down and showered his face with soft fleeting kisses.
Leah watched as a light flickered in Luke’s dull eyes. He looked over his shoulder towards Nick, who was standing against the wall. Nick’s eyes met his and Luke’s eyes fell upon Sam.
Nick instantly pushed himself off the wall and walked beside his friend. Leah marveled at the friendship the two of them shared. It was as if there was some unspoken promise that they were always there for one another. Just one look and Nick knew exactly what Luke needed. Nick wrapped his arms around Sam, as Luke detangled himself from her stepping aside. The transition from one man’s embrace to another was so smooth, that Leah wondered if Sam even felt the difference.
Joe took his wife in his arms and started towards the door. The parents couldn’t handle another moment of seeing their son like that. Joe stopped in front of Luke. “I have to get your mother out of here.” He said as Deb wept uncontrollably in his arms. He looked towards the hospital bed. His lip trembled at the sight of Cara and Jake. He shook his head and looked back at his only living son. “Make sure you look after her.”
Luke nodded at his father. His responses were on auto-pilot, or so it appeared. He couldn’t even cry anymore, when everyone else couldn’t control their tears. The door opened and as the grief stricken parents exited the doctor entered. He offered his condolences to the parents, before he turned to witness Cara and her death grip on Jake.
Dr. Capernick turned his gaze towards Leah, his eyes questioning her, as if to ask her how they should proceed. She shook her head, she had no idea. Nick was the one who broke the silence, talking to no one other than Sam.
“Sam… baby, I’m going to take you home.” Nick said softly as he pulled back slightly. He brushed her damp hair, from the tears she shed, away from her face. She looked up at him and shook her head.
“But…” She sniffled and looked over her shoulder at her brother. There was nothing left for her to do. There was nothing left to say. She wouldn’t be able to hear his laugh again, or ever hear him tease her mercilessly. The color was starting to drain from his face, and all of a sudden she didn’t want to stay. She didn’t want the memories of him dead to overshadow the beautiful ones of him alive and well. She turned around and looked back at Nick, she nodded slightly.
“Okay.” She agreed and when he offered her his hand, she took it without hesitation. He escorted her towards the door and Nick looked over towards Luke.
“Call me if you need me.” Nick said adamantly and Luke simply nodded in return.