Mount Olympus [3]

Jackie

My heartbeat speeds up like what happened to Rayah that one time, and I swallow.

Nic, get the nurse. Something's happening.

Nic

I don't hesitate, jumping off the bed and running to find a nurse.

Jackie

I'm slowly pulled toward blackness in my mind and I swallow, wondering if he found one yet.

Oh god...

Nic

I drag a nurse back in as the machines go crazy, but they say there's nothing they can do. I stay where I am, another sob caught in my throat as I watch.

Jackie

When I know what's happening, I say one last thing to Nic.

I love you.

And then then my pulse goes, and the machine goes flat.

Nic

I shake my head and cover my mouth with my hand, a tear streaming down my cheek. No. This can't happen. The nurse tries to revive her before backing off. I slowly make it to her side and take her hand, hating how cold and limp it seems. I love you too. I kiss her forehead and sob right at her side, unable to bring myself to part from her.

Rayah

I hear a beeping sound from outside of the room and I take Jace's hand before walking in, the machine blank and Nic crying his heart out. I swallow, not believing this, and rest my head on Jace's shoulder, close to crying myself.

Jace

I hold Rayah close and swallow, setting my free hand on Nic's back. How could this happen to him? After everything...

Rayah

I end up crying and look away, the nurse covering her face with a blanket.

"I'm gonna have to ask you to leave..." She says, sighing.

Jace

I wipe Rayah's tears and take a deep breath, calming myself for her sake. Nic looks up at the nurse and shakes his head.

"No. No, I don't want to leave. She's my wife. I-I..."

I set a hand on the back of his head and make him look at me. He searches my eyes for a little before swallowing and composing himself. He wipes his eyes and stands, letting go.

"You want to stay with us?" I ask him, kissing Rayah's head and telling her to meet us in the car.

He glances back at Jackie and I pull him into a hug, knowing he's about to break down again.

Rayah

Jace tells me to meet him in the car and I not, wiping my eyes before making my way out, plopping in the backseat this time instead of the front.

Jace

"She's gone," he sobs.

I comfort him the best I can, letting him cry on my shoulder, before taking a deep breath and asking him to follow me to the car.

"C'mon," I say, "You'll stay with me and Ray. I don't want you alone. Halee needs you to be strong."

He nods and wipes his face off, following me. I see Rayah in the back so Nic gets in the front, me behind the wheel.

Rayah

The car ride is silent and when we get home, I think of how to break the news to Halee.

We get out and my kids run to me, making me pick them up in each arm and I just walk in, not planning to talk for the rest of the night.

Jace

I watch Rayah once we get home, hoping she'll be alright, and bring Nic into the house. His little girl runs to him and he takes her in his arms. He doesn't say anything, sitting on the couch hugging her, and I decide to go check on Rayah.

Rayah

Bringing my kids upstairs I lay them in my bed, laying next to them. I wrap my arms around them and close my eyes, Riley looking worriedly at me. I open my eyes and flash a weak smile before kissing her cheek and tucking them in, closing my eyes again afterwards and trying not to break out crying again.