Once Nick and Sam left the room, Luke turned around and his eyes met Leah’s for the first time.
“Can you please get Ava from daycare and take her home for me?” He asked, his voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes so intently stared into hers. She looked at him for a moment, wondering what exactly he was thought he would be able to do. Did he really think he’d be able to reign in Cara? Leah glanced over at Cara, who was now laying down with Jake in her arms. Her eyes were open as she studied his face. She turned her eyes back to Luke’s.
“Sure.” She said, simply.
“Thank you.” He murmured, and stood still, waiting for her to make a move to go get his daughter. She realized he didn’t want an audience when he handled Cara. Leah took her cue and Dr. Capernick watched as she disappeared out of the hospital room. The doctor took a step towards Luke, and spoke very quietly, trying not to disturb Cara.
“We have to remove Jake from the machines…” He said sympathetically. Luke exhaled sharply, but nodded understandingly. “I’ll give you a few minutes, and then I’ll come back.” Luke didn’t say a word he only nodded his head again. “I’m so sorry for your loss, son.” Dr. Capernick said before leaving Luke alone with Cara and his brother.
Luke stood at the edge of the bed, unsure of how to proceed. He ran his fingers through his hair roughly and slowly felt his chest deflate as he let out a harsh breath.
“Cara?” he whispered as he moved closer towards her, reaching out and placing his hand on top of her arm.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” She asked as she smiled adoringly at Jake. “He looks so peaceful.” She said sadly.
“He’s at peace now.” Luke offered and rubbed her arm softly assuring her that Jake in fact was at peace. He watched as his words went unnoticed and she simply ran her finger along the line of his jaw, tracing it with her fingertip. Luke wondered if she had even heard him.
“Cara, the doctor has to take him off the machines.” Luke said softly, trying desperately to get through to her.
“I’m not leaving him.” She said determination evident in her otherwise broken voice.
“Jake would want you to go home, Cara.” Luke whispered, and then she turned to him, her stormy hazel eyes changing to a shade of green as she glared at Luke.
“Jake is my home.” She said staring at Luke as if he was the devil and he had come to take Jake’s soul.
Luke shook his head and reached for her hand, but she flinched, never taking her eyes off of his. “Jake isn’t your home, he’s the man you love. There’s a difference. You need to trust me, Cara. I know it appears as if you’ve lost the only person in your life but you’re not alone. You’ll never be alone, I promise.”
“You have absolutely no idea how I feel.” The tears slide down her angry face. “Don’t make promises to me that you can’t keep just because you think it’s what I want to hear.”
Luke gave her a long look, and shook his head. “I don’t make promises that I don’t keep.” He said in a raspy voice.
Cara held his gaze for a moment, noticing his own grief reflected in his eyes. She looked away, before her eyes fell upon Jake again. She stared at him, knowing he was gone, knowing he’d never open his eyes and look at her again. He’d never utter another word to her. Her whole life had revolved around this man since she was fifteen years old. How would she ever go on without him, when he was all she’d ever known?
Luke took a cautious step further towards her. Very softly, he spoke, trying to soothe her as if she was a small child. “Cara, you have to let him go now.”
She shook her head robustly, she didn’t want to. She knew she had too, though. She couldn’t hold onto him forever. This would be the last time she held him in her arms. She didn’t know how to pull away, facing that hard truth, that she’d never feel him against her again.
The door opened and Dr. Capernick stepped inside. Beside him was an orderly, who would take Jake downstairs. Luke looked at the pair of men that stood off to the side, waiting for him to deal with Cara. He took a deep breath, and channeled his brother’s spirit, begging for the strength he would need to take care of his precious Cara.
In one fluid motion Luke stepped to the bed, and pushed down the side railing. He slipped one arm firmly around Cara’s waist, and started to pry her hands off Jake with his other hand. She smacked at his hands and tried to break free of the hold he had on her waist.