Hold Me Tight, Don't Let Go, chapter 9
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A hospital never felt colder then it did that morning, walking into the chilly building Sinteria squeezed Billie's hands so tight he flinched.
"Angel girl c'mere I think your going to kill Billie." Al said a little happy to lighten up the atmorsphere which was grim because they knew what was coming. Sin looked apologetically at Billie unlacing their fingers so Alan could pick her up. He grabbed Billie's hand because he knew the kid needed some sort of support he tried to act obvlivious to what was happening, both children did but Al knew they knew and they were trying to put on a strong act to keep from breaking down. The strength in each child surprised everyone they were holding up surprisingly well to something so catastrophic. They waited for the elevator in antsy silence Billie was bending his knees jumping back up while Al looked around and Sin nervously tapped her fingers on Alan's shoulders. The ding was both a relief and hateful reminder of where they were.
"Can I push the button?" Billie asked.
"Sure kid." Al said looking straight struggling against the now evident tears behind those dull eyes of his. His eyes rimmed with tears made Sin burst into tears.
"What's wrong Angel girl?" Al asked as he patted her back and Billie looked now struggling to hold back his own tears.
"He's....gonna...die!" She cried out taking in short deep breaths broken by sobs, Allan couldn't hold back the tears any longer he'd been fighting them back since they had called him into the office that morning shorlty after his first period class but now that they were so close to seeing their fathers decrepit condition it was to much for him not to cry. It didn't take long for them Billie Joe to join in the tear fest and they sat down on the elevator floor Sinteria in the center Billie and Alan both hugging her to comfort her best they could considering the fact they weren't much better then the poor distraught little girl.
They missed their floor and ended up riding in the elevator with a family who was visiting a newborn, the balloons that read "It's A Boy!!" Didn't really help either of them. The happy family wasn't very comforting or compassionate to how they felt they actually asked them to stop crying after giving them a few nasty looks.
"Bite me you fucking cock sucker!" Al yelled. "We're not introducing anyone into the world so excuse the fucking hell out of the grieving people when they're losing a family member but oh don't let us stop your fucking happiness we're just little depressed bastards!" The family decided it would be best to get off which no one argued to. Once they reached the top of the hospital Alan wiped away Billie and Angel's tears before wiping away his own.
"Look you obviously know whats happening." Sinteria shook her head furiously biting her lip fighitng back the tears again, Billie just looked at his brother. "Well I don't think we want dad to have to see us crying as the last things he see's let's just go in there and try our best to keep him happy ok?" Al said wiping away the tear that fell to his cheek.
"Ok." Sinteria said absently.
"Ok." Billie repeated.
They took the stairs down to the fifth floor so as to not have another run in with any more happy families. When they got down they saw Annie waiting in the waiting room her backpack held up to her chest burying her face in it.
"Ann?"
"Al....Angel...Bill-" She said choking on her words.
Why was she out there?"
They were to late.
It couldn't be true they wouldn't let it be!
"Why are you out here?"
"Mom is in there so I gave them some one on one time." She said clearing the smudged eyeliner and mascara from her face. They all let out a small sigh of relief and took seats next to Annie.
"How long you been out here?"
"A few minutes what took you guys so long?....And why does she smell like weed?" Annie said pointly suspiciously at Sinteria.
"That was Matt!" She said quickly, it brung out a slight laugh from the group.
"Yeah well I don't think you guys should hang out with him anymore." Al said quickly becoming grim again.
"I guess." Angel said looking down at her shoes lifting her feet up crossing them indian style in the chair.
"So what took you? You left like an hour ago."
"We got......sidetracked." Alan said clearing his throat wipng back a tear escaping him."Who's hungary?" He asked quickly chaning the subject.
"Not me." They all said.
"Well let's just go to the cafeteria it will be better then just waiting around in a waiting room with old magazines from like '74" They got up unwillingly and semi-stomped to the elevator waiting for it to come up. The same family Alan had cussed out were there they looked like they'd seen a ghost when they saw Al's face but he paid them no mind and just turned his back to them quickly.
Once down in the cafeteria Annie bought herself a carton of milk and some cookies. Angel grabbed some cheetos and a Dr. Pepper Billie and Al both grabbed a Tray stocked full of all the junk the hospital could offer. This made both girls chuckle as they took their snacks and waited for the boys to sit down at a table with them. When they returned they had sandwhiches chips soda and lots of gum and cookies.
"Wow enough food?" Annie asked sipping some milk.
"Maybe not." Al joked opening his turkey sandwhich taking ahuge bit out of it. Billie did the same but with a peanut butter and Jelly sandwhich. Everyone burst into laughter when they saw Billie's cheek covered in strawberry jelly and smooth peanut butter.
"Come here Billie." Sin said getting a wet nap from his tray opening it open and grabbing his cheek cleaning it up he smiled and thanked her with a mouthful of sandwhich before drinking his milk. She gave him a small smile before sitting back into her chair slouching shoving a cheeto into her mouth slowly chewing it. She sipped the Dr. Pepper from a straw staring at the cafeteria wall not noticing that Annie was calling her.
"ANGEL!" She was immideatly brung back into reality.
"huh?" She stared at Annie wide eyed.
"You got crumbs all over your shirt stop slouching." Billie refrained from helping her since she had....developed some and he didn't think it would be right to get near her. She laughed at herself brushing them off airing out her shirt revealing crumbs that had fallen into her shirt. The rest of their food was eaten in silence not a peaceful silnece a stressful one that no one could seem to break. Billie offered Sin a stick of gum and she took it popping the stick into her mouth blowing a bubble that no one could resist not popping. All three stuck their finger into the bubble making the gum burst in her face. She burst out in laughter as did everyone else.
"Annie?"
"Yeah?" She managed in between fits of laughter.
"Can you help me to the bathroom all I see is pink." She said waving her hands in front of her. Annie grabbed an arm but Billie grabbed the other and dragged her into the direction of the lunchline.
"Where am I? Where's the sink Annie?" Annie was running to her as Sinteria unwittingly pushed the line and like dominoes everyone started to tumble. The guys burst into laughter but Annie didn't find it very funny mostof the people started saying things to her and she didn't even understand what she had done.
"Up yours lady she's just a kid." She yelled at the angry woman who called Sinteria a menace to socitey.
"Well watch the problem child."
"The kid is ten she's nothing but a problem and your nothing but a stick up the ass." She said holding Angel's hand sticking her tongue out to the lady walking out of the cafetria to the bathroom across the lunch room. She grabbed a towel stuck it under the hot water and rubbed some soap into it.
"Ow that's hot."
"Sorry." She said nearly ripping poor Angel's face off with every scrub.
It took about five minutes for Anna to get the gum off but thankfully most of it was gone and she could see. When they walked out Billie and Alan were waiting for them.
"Take forever why don't you?"
"She had gum in her hair what didyou expect?" Annie said peeling off a piecie she'd missed form her cheek.
"Can we go see dad now?" Billie asked.
"Yeah let's go."
Back on the 5th floor their mother was waiting for them nervously when she heard the elevator she ran to it.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
"We went to go eat why what happened?" Al said suddenly nervous.
"Your father wants to talk to you Alan." Al looked at his mother bowing his head a bit before disappering into the room.
"Are we gonna get to see him?" Angel asked Ollie.
"Of course dear." Ollie said choking on her words walking away quickly bringint a tissue to her eyes.
"Son." Andrew gasped.
"Dad."Al's eye were filled with renewed tears as he saw his father attached to the life support machine the heart rate moniter making him go crazy.
"I.....want...you to....take care of....mom your the man now." He said slowly holding his hand out to his son. He grabbed it and hugged his father, the cancer had completely taken away the strong ox of a man he'd known and now he was left with this weak stranger who he didn't want to lose.
"I promise dad." He whispered into his father's ear the tears fell from the 54 year old man.
"Watch Angel baby for me and make sure that Matt waste stays away from her." He whispered gasping for breath in between every word or so.
"Don't worry about that he is getting no where near our girl." Al smiled a slight chuckle escaped him and his father.
"Make sure Annie stays out of trouble."
"I can't do the impossible dad I'm not god dad." He laughed.
"Your such a jackass." He chuckled.
"No....Just great." Al laughed as he placed the chair closer to his father never releasing his hand.
"Billie."
"What about him."
"Guide him." Andy gasped.
"Guide him?"
"Show him right from wrong....Teach him...What I wont....Be....able.....to." Andrew cried but no noise was made he had no energy to cry he could only let the tears fall. Al was able to cry for both of them though he rested his forehead against Andrew's hand and cried away all the pent up tears he'd gotten as soon as he walked into the room. Both stayed there crying for a while until Alan lifted his head up to meet eyes with his father.
"I'll do everything I can to show him to be the great man you are I promise you." He kissed his fathers cheek and hugged him again.
"I love you son I could never ask for better children then the one's I have."
"And your a dad more people should have had." Al finally let go of his fater's hand kissing his forehead before walking out of the room.
"Son..." He managed to get out before his son had walked out. "Tell Annie to come in." He nodded and left.
"Ann you go." He said when he got back to the waiting room. Anna felt a pit in her stomach she wanted to see her father with all her heart but she didn't want to see him like this she wanted to remember him like the man he was fun loud caring a big bear not that weak man in the hospital bed. But she wasn't going to go against his wishes she took a deep breath and walked down the hall. Alan looked at his mother who was putting on a strong face occasionally wiping a tear but nothing big, a docter came in and called for her.
"Yes?" The docter's face was grim.
"Have you made the decision yet?"
"What decision?" Alan demanded.
"Another hour please I want the kids to see him." She begged, the docter let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'll give you thirty minutes."
"Fine." She said.
"What decision?!" Al demanded once the docter left.
"They want to cut your father's life support."
"Daddy?"
"Baby doll." He smiled towards the door his pillow quickly becoming wet with tears.
"Daddy bear." She cried as he ran his hand through her hair and she laid her head down in his leg.
"I love you baby doll."
"I love you more daddy bear."
"No me."
"No me." She smiled, the game had never gotten old she's been his baby doll as long as she could remember and he was always a daddy bear that gave the greatest bear hug in the world.
"Baby doll...Be good for me."
"Always."
"Promise me?"
"Yes."
"Watch out for Angel baby."
"Yes sir." She cried.
"Make sure Billie doesn't cause trouble."
"That's gonna be to hard daddy you know how devilish he is." She smiled resting her cheek against his palm. he gently rubbed it smiling.
"Just like Alan." She made a face and said.
"I'm better." SHe got up and hugged him, she hoped he could give her the reassuring bear hug he used to give her whenever she ran into the room because she had a nightmare or when her first boyrfriend broke up with her because he liked her best friend more. She buried her face into his neck and felt the same reassuring squeeze. It took all of his strength but he knew it was what she wanted and he would use his last bit of strength to make sure his baby doll got what she wanted. When she pulled back she kissed his cheek telling him she loved him before running out in tears.
Annie didn't stop at the waiting room she took the stairs and ran down theflight of stairs to the lobby.
"Ann!" Al screamed following after her. Angel and Billie's hearts both stopped....or quickened they weren't sure which it was but watching Annie run pst them told them to prepare for the worst.
"Angel?" She looked up at Ollie quickly. "Do you wanna go alone or want me to go with you....or you wanna take BJ." Ollie asked.
Sin swallowed a lump in her throat and thought a second, she let go of Billie's hand and jumped off the chair making her way into the hallway without saying a word.
Andy couldn't see her walk into the room but he felt her weight on the bed, he looked to find her sitting on the space next to him her eyes brimming with tears she refused to let fall.
"Angel baby." She hugged him and didn't say a word just there taking in his warmth and love, her daddy Andy leaving her was becoming to difficult to hold back but she was dedicated to not letting the tears fall no matter how evident it was that they were going to fall.
"Like your new school Angel baby?"
"Yes daddy Andy."
"Make friends."
"Yes lots."
"Who's your favorite?"
"Billie." She said without skipping a beat.
"Promise you'll never forget him?"
"Never." She said hugging him again.
"Promise that you'll stay friends?"
"Forever."
"Good that's all I want to know."
"I'm going to miss you every day."
"Angel baby as long as you have my locket and as long as you believe that there's something good out there you will always know I'm there with you." He said tearfully as the strong little girl held out her locket and showed him she never took it off. He kissed it and hugged her again. She couldn't stay any longer she knew she was going to break down like Annie so she hopped of the bed kissing his hand before walking out.
"Your all that's left Billie want me to go?"
"No I wanna go alone."
If Sin could do it so could he.
Angel hadn't spoken one word since she left the room for fear of crying. She didn't even look at Billie and he just walked into the room taking the chair that was set by his father.
"Billie boy..." His father whispered.
"Dad." He whispered.
"Take a seat." He patted the bed, Billie cautiously accepted and sat at the edge his feet dangling off the edge.
"You take good care of Angel."
"I will."
"And tell her I love her for me every time she's sad."
"I will."
"And listen to your brother."
"I will."
"And...." His voice trailed.
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget me." He cried, Billie broke into tears hugging his father with as much force as he could sobbing.
"NEVER!"
"PROMISE...ME.SON." The man sobbed.
"I...PPROMISE DAD!" They hugged each other sobbing. The only words his father kept saying wwere 'Don't forget me' with Billie repeating "I won't" They held each other for what seemed forever until Ollie knocked on the door.
"Honey?"
"Yeah mom."
"It's time to go." He hugged his dad with all the force he could and said.
"Dad I love you and I'll never forget I promise." He father kissed his forehead and let his son go he walked out of the room not looking his mother in the eye. The woman took the chair next to her husband.
"They leaveing?" He weakly asked. She let the tears fell freely now.
"Yeah they're going......home" She cried out sobbing he patted his hair like he had done to Annie's and shh'sd her.
"I love you honey I'll always be there."
"I know."She said half spirited.
"They're gonna turn it off aren't they."
"....Yes."
"I lived a good life I can't be regretful for anything and I'm not just smoking but that's all." A docter walked in and looked grimly at the older couple. Ollie covered both of Andrew's hands kissing his lips her tears hitting his face. The docter switched off the machines which were reacted with an immideate response from the old man who struggled for his breath.
"I......Didn't.....want.....to....hurt.............you" He gasped to his wife she sobbed and nodded.
"I know don't worry it will be over soon you won't feel anymore pain." She cried the watch read 12:30. She sat there next to her husband who struggled for his breath and kept repeating he loved her and she said it back telling him he wouldn't feel anymore pain soon.
"Time of Death 12:49" The docter said out loud, he left to call the morgue leaving a grieving widow next to the body of her now lifeless husband.
"No more pain." She sobbed
"Angel girl c'mere I think your going to kill Billie." Al said a little happy to lighten up the atmorsphere which was grim because they knew what was coming. Sin looked apologetically at Billie unlacing their fingers so Alan could pick her up. He grabbed Billie's hand because he knew the kid needed some sort of support he tried to act obvlivious to what was happening, both children did but Al knew they knew and they were trying to put on a strong act to keep from breaking down. The strength in each child surprised everyone they were holding up surprisingly well to something so catastrophic. They waited for the elevator in antsy silence Billie was bending his knees jumping back up while Al looked around and Sin nervously tapped her fingers on Alan's shoulders. The ding was both a relief and hateful reminder of where they were.
"Can I push the button?" Billie asked.
"Sure kid." Al said looking straight struggling against the now evident tears behind those dull eyes of his. His eyes rimmed with tears made Sin burst into tears.
"What's wrong Angel girl?" Al asked as he patted her back and Billie looked now struggling to hold back his own tears.
"He's....gonna...die!" She cried out taking in short deep breaths broken by sobs, Allan couldn't hold back the tears any longer he'd been fighting them back since they had called him into the office that morning shorlty after his first period class but now that they were so close to seeing their fathers decrepit condition it was to much for him not to cry. It didn't take long for them Billie Joe to join in the tear fest and they sat down on the elevator floor Sinteria in the center Billie and Alan both hugging her to comfort her best they could considering the fact they weren't much better then the poor distraught little girl.
They missed their floor and ended up riding in the elevator with a family who was visiting a newborn, the balloons that read "It's A Boy!!" Didn't really help either of them. The happy family wasn't very comforting or compassionate to how they felt they actually asked them to stop crying after giving them a few nasty looks.
"Bite me you fucking cock sucker!" Al yelled. "We're not introducing anyone into the world so excuse the fucking hell out of the grieving people when they're losing a family member but oh don't let us stop your fucking happiness we're just little depressed bastards!" The family decided it would be best to get off which no one argued to. Once they reached the top of the hospital Alan wiped away Billie and Angel's tears before wiping away his own.
"Look you obviously know whats happening." Sinteria shook her head furiously biting her lip fighitng back the tears again, Billie just looked at his brother. "Well I don't think we want dad to have to see us crying as the last things he see's let's just go in there and try our best to keep him happy ok?" Al said wiping away the tear that fell to his cheek.
"Ok." Sinteria said absently.
"Ok." Billie repeated.
They took the stairs down to the fifth floor so as to not have another run in with any more happy families. When they got down they saw Annie waiting in the waiting room her backpack held up to her chest burying her face in it.
"Ann?"
"Al....Angel...Bill-" She said choking on her words.
Why was she out there?"
They were to late.
It couldn't be true they wouldn't let it be!
"Why are you out here?"
"Mom is in there so I gave them some one on one time." She said clearing the smudged eyeliner and mascara from her face. They all let out a small sigh of relief and took seats next to Annie.
"How long you been out here?"
"A few minutes what took you guys so long?....And why does she smell like weed?" Annie said pointly suspiciously at Sinteria.
"That was Matt!" She said quickly, it brung out a slight laugh from the group.
"Yeah well I don't think you guys should hang out with him anymore." Al said quickly becoming grim again.
"I guess." Angel said looking down at her shoes lifting her feet up crossing them indian style in the chair.
"So what took you? You left like an hour ago."
"We got......sidetracked." Alan said clearing his throat wipng back a tear escaping him."Who's hungary?" He asked quickly chaning the subject.
"Not me." They all said.
"Well let's just go to the cafeteria it will be better then just waiting around in a waiting room with old magazines from like '74" They got up unwillingly and semi-stomped to the elevator waiting for it to come up. The same family Alan had cussed out were there they looked like they'd seen a ghost when they saw Al's face but he paid them no mind and just turned his back to them quickly.
Once down in the cafeteria Annie bought herself a carton of milk and some cookies. Angel grabbed some cheetos and a Dr. Pepper Billie and Al both grabbed a Tray stocked full of all the junk the hospital could offer. This made both girls chuckle as they took their snacks and waited for the boys to sit down at a table with them. When they returned they had sandwhiches chips soda and lots of gum and cookies.
"Wow enough food?" Annie asked sipping some milk.
"Maybe not." Al joked opening his turkey sandwhich taking ahuge bit out of it. Billie did the same but with a peanut butter and Jelly sandwhich. Everyone burst into laughter when they saw Billie's cheek covered in strawberry jelly and smooth peanut butter.
"Come here Billie." Sin said getting a wet nap from his tray opening it open and grabbing his cheek cleaning it up he smiled and thanked her with a mouthful of sandwhich before drinking his milk. She gave him a small smile before sitting back into her chair slouching shoving a cheeto into her mouth slowly chewing it. She sipped the Dr. Pepper from a straw staring at the cafeteria wall not noticing that Annie was calling her.
"ANGEL!" She was immideatly brung back into reality.
"huh?" She stared at Annie wide eyed.
"You got crumbs all over your shirt stop slouching." Billie refrained from helping her since she had....developed some and he didn't think it would be right to get near her. She laughed at herself brushing them off airing out her shirt revealing crumbs that had fallen into her shirt. The rest of their food was eaten in silence not a peaceful silnece a stressful one that no one could seem to break. Billie offered Sin a stick of gum and she took it popping the stick into her mouth blowing a bubble that no one could resist not popping. All three stuck their finger into the bubble making the gum burst in her face. She burst out in laughter as did everyone else.
"Annie?"
"Yeah?" She managed in between fits of laughter.
"Can you help me to the bathroom all I see is pink." She said waving her hands in front of her. Annie grabbed an arm but Billie grabbed the other and dragged her into the direction of the lunchline.
"Where am I? Where's the sink Annie?" Annie was running to her as Sinteria unwittingly pushed the line and like dominoes everyone started to tumble. The guys burst into laughter but Annie didn't find it very funny mostof the people started saying things to her and she didn't even understand what she had done.
"Up yours lady she's just a kid." She yelled at the angry woman who called Sinteria a menace to socitey.
"Well watch the problem child."
"The kid is ten she's nothing but a problem and your nothing but a stick up the ass." She said holding Angel's hand sticking her tongue out to the lady walking out of the cafetria to the bathroom across the lunch room. She grabbed a towel stuck it under the hot water and rubbed some soap into it.
"Ow that's hot."
"Sorry." She said nearly ripping poor Angel's face off with every scrub.
It took about five minutes for Anna to get the gum off but thankfully most of it was gone and she could see. When they walked out Billie and Alan were waiting for them.
"Take forever why don't you?"
"She had gum in her hair what didyou expect?" Annie said peeling off a piecie she'd missed form her cheek.
"Can we go see dad now?" Billie asked.
"Yeah let's go."
Back on the 5th floor their mother was waiting for them nervously when she heard the elevator she ran to it.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
"We went to go eat why what happened?" Al said suddenly nervous.
"Your father wants to talk to you Alan." Al looked at his mother bowing his head a bit before disappering into the room.
"Are we gonna get to see him?" Angel asked Ollie.
"Of course dear." Ollie said choking on her words walking away quickly bringint a tissue to her eyes.
"Son." Andrew gasped.
"Dad."Al's eye were filled with renewed tears as he saw his father attached to the life support machine the heart rate moniter making him go crazy.
"I.....want...you to....take care of....mom your the man now." He said slowly holding his hand out to his son. He grabbed it and hugged his father, the cancer had completely taken away the strong ox of a man he'd known and now he was left with this weak stranger who he didn't want to lose.
"I promise dad." He whispered into his father's ear the tears fell from the 54 year old man.
"Watch Angel baby for me and make sure that Matt waste stays away from her." He whispered gasping for breath in between every word or so.
"Don't worry about that he is getting no where near our girl." Al smiled a slight chuckle escaped him and his father.
"Make sure Annie stays out of trouble."
"I can't do the impossible dad I'm not god dad." He laughed.
"Your such a jackass." He chuckled.
"No....Just great." Al laughed as he placed the chair closer to his father never releasing his hand.
"Billie."
"What about him."
"Guide him." Andy gasped.
"Guide him?"
"Show him right from wrong....Teach him...What I wont....Be....able.....to." Andrew cried but no noise was made he had no energy to cry he could only let the tears fall. Al was able to cry for both of them though he rested his forehead against Andrew's hand and cried away all the pent up tears he'd gotten as soon as he walked into the room. Both stayed there crying for a while until Alan lifted his head up to meet eyes with his father.
"I'll do everything I can to show him to be the great man you are I promise you." He kissed his fathers cheek and hugged him again.
"I love you son I could never ask for better children then the one's I have."
"And your a dad more people should have had." Al finally let go of his fater's hand kissing his forehead before walking out of the room.
"Son..." He managed to get out before his son had walked out. "Tell Annie to come in." He nodded and left.
"Ann you go." He said when he got back to the waiting room. Anna felt a pit in her stomach she wanted to see her father with all her heart but she didn't want to see him like this she wanted to remember him like the man he was fun loud caring a big bear not that weak man in the hospital bed. But she wasn't going to go against his wishes she took a deep breath and walked down the hall. Alan looked at his mother who was putting on a strong face occasionally wiping a tear but nothing big, a docter came in and called for her.
"Yes?" The docter's face was grim.
"Have you made the decision yet?"
"What decision?" Alan demanded.
"Another hour please I want the kids to see him." She begged, the docter let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'll give you thirty minutes."
"Fine." She said.
"What decision?!" Al demanded once the docter left.
"They want to cut your father's life support."
"Daddy?"
"Baby doll." He smiled towards the door his pillow quickly becoming wet with tears.
"Daddy bear." She cried as he ran his hand through her hair and she laid her head down in his leg.
"I love you baby doll."
"I love you more daddy bear."
"No me."
"No me." She smiled, the game had never gotten old she's been his baby doll as long as she could remember and he was always a daddy bear that gave the greatest bear hug in the world.
"Baby doll...Be good for me."
"Always."
"Promise me?"
"Yes."
"Watch out for Angel baby."
"Yes sir." She cried.
"Make sure Billie doesn't cause trouble."
"That's gonna be to hard daddy you know how devilish he is." She smiled resting her cheek against his palm. he gently rubbed it smiling.
"Just like Alan." She made a face and said.
"I'm better." SHe got up and hugged him, she hoped he could give her the reassuring bear hug he used to give her whenever she ran into the room because she had a nightmare or when her first boyrfriend broke up with her because he liked her best friend more. She buried her face into his neck and felt the same reassuring squeeze. It took all of his strength but he knew it was what she wanted and he would use his last bit of strength to make sure his baby doll got what she wanted. When she pulled back she kissed his cheek telling him she loved him before running out in tears.
Annie didn't stop at the waiting room she took the stairs and ran down theflight of stairs to the lobby.
"Ann!" Al screamed following after her. Angel and Billie's hearts both stopped....or quickened they weren't sure which it was but watching Annie run pst them told them to prepare for the worst.
"Angel?" She looked up at Ollie quickly. "Do you wanna go alone or want me to go with you....or you wanna take BJ." Ollie asked.
Sin swallowed a lump in her throat and thought a second, she let go of Billie's hand and jumped off the chair making her way into the hallway without saying a word.
Andy couldn't see her walk into the room but he felt her weight on the bed, he looked to find her sitting on the space next to him her eyes brimming with tears she refused to let fall.
"Angel baby." She hugged him and didn't say a word just there taking in his warmth and love, her daddy Andy leaving her was becoming to difficult to hold back but she was dedicated to not letting the tears fall no matter how evident it was that they were going to fall.
"Like your new school Angel baby?"
"Yes daddy Andy."
"Make friends."
"Yes lots."
"Who's your favorite?"
"Billie." She said without skipping a beat.
"Promise you'll never forget him?"
"Never." She said hugging him again.
"Promise that you'll stay friends?"
"Forever."
"Good that's all I want to know."
"I'm going to miss you every day."
"Angel baby as long as you have my locket and as long as you believe that there's something good out there you will always know I'm there with you." He said tearfully as the strong little girl held out her locket and showed him she never took it off. He kissed it and hugged her again. She couldn't stay any longer she knew she was going to break down like Annie so she hopped of the bed kissing his hand before walking out.
"Your all that's left Billie want me to go?"
"No I wanna go alone."
If Sin could do it so could he.
Angel hadn't spoken one word since she left the room for fear of crying. She didn't even look at Billie and he just walked into the room taking the chair that was set by his father.
"Billie boy..." His father whispered.
"Dad." He whispered.
"Take a seat." He patted the bed, Billie cautiously accepted and sat at the edge his feet dangling off the edge.
"You take good care of Angel."
"I will."
"And tell her I love her for me every time she's sad."
"I will."
"And listen to your brother."
"I will."
"And...." His voice trailed.
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget me." He cried, Billie broke into tears hugging his father with as much force as he could sobbing.
"NEVER!"
"PROMISE...ME.SON." The man sobbed.
"I...PPROMISE DAD!" They hugged each other sobbing. The only words his father kept saying wwere 'Don't forget me' with Billie repeating "I won't" They held each other for what seemed forever until Ollie knocked on the door.
"Honey?"
"Yeah mom."
"It's time to go." He hugged his dad with all the force he could and said.
"Dad I love you and I'll never forget I promise." He father kissed his forehead and let his son go he walked out of the room not looking his mother in the eye. The woman took the chair next to her husband.
"They leaveing?" He weakly asked. She let the tears fell freely now.
"Yeah they're going......home" She cried out sobbing he patted his hair like he had done to Annie's and shh'sd her.
"I love you honey I'll always be there."
"I know."She said half spirited.
"They're gonna turn it off aren't they."
"....Yes."
"I lived a good life I can't be regretful for anything and I'm not just smoking but that's all." A docter walked in and looked grimly at the older couple. Ollie covered both of Andrew's hands kissing his lips her tears hitting his face. The docter switched off the machines which were reacted with an immideate response from the old man who struggled for his breath.
"I......Didn't.....want.....to....hurt.............you" He gasped to his wife she sobbed and nodded.
"I know don't worry it will be over soon you won't feel anymore pain." She cried the watch read 12:30. She sat there next to her husband who struggled for his breath and kept repeating he loved her and she said it back telling him he wouldn't feel anymore pain soon.
"Time of Death 12:49" The docter said out loud, he left to call the morgue leaving a grieving widow next to the body of her now lifeless husband.
"No more pain." She sobbed
