Surfer Girl // A.I (completed)

fourty-three

{ Tatum }

Machines started to beep like crazy. Nurses were running in and one was taking Ashton out of the room. I looked at Ashton with panic as he looked back to me,

"It's okay. I love you" he mouthed. I nodded and turned back to my grandpa.

The nurses started to turn machines off, telling me that he was dying and now I had to just wait for his body to give up.

Outside of the room, I could hear my aunt. She was trying to get in, but between the nurses and security, she wasn't able to.

I took my grandpa's hand in both of mine as tears streamed down my face,

"Tatum, don't cry" my grandpa's very hoarse voice spoke, "Please don't cry"

"Please don't go" I begged, "I need you"

"No you don't TT" he shook his head, "You have a lot of other people. You have those friends of yours and you have Ashton. You need to keep that boy. He's good for you honey. You are so happy with him. I can tell you love him a lot, and I can tell he loves you too"

He started coughing again and blood came out. My heart stopped. He couldn't stop coughing and he was struggling to breathe. He was fighting it but fighting it was making it worse. I knew he was holding on for my sake, but I couldn't let him suffer,

"Let go, Grandpa. You're in pain. As much as I want you to fight this, I know you can't. It's okay to let go" I cried.

He was close and I could tell. His heart rate was low and his skin was getting cold. He kept looking at me like I had the answers,

"I'm okay. I'm going to be just fine" I assured him. He nodded and looked at me as his eyes were starting to close,

"I-I love you, Tatum. Don't forget that"

Then his heart stopped and his muscles relaxed. His grip on my hands was nonexistent. That's when I broke.

My head fell forward as my tears fell. I heard nurses entering and one gently grabbed my arms to lead me out. I tugged my arms from her though. I couldn't leave the room yet. But the nurse kept grabbing me, and I kept fighting it.

"Baby" I heard Ashton's voice. I let him grab me. He picked me up and took me out of the room,

"Tatum!" That was my aunt speaking. I shook my head into Ashton's shoulder as I felt him sit down. He rubbed my back and kept kissing my head.

I cried into Ashton until I had no more tears to cry out. I gently pulled back looking at his face,

"I'm so sorry" he rubbed his thumbs under my eyes, then placed a soft kiss on my lips.

I climbed off his lap as a doctor approached,

"We need to do a death certificate"

< few days later >

In two days, I had planned an entire funeral and got everything my grandpa owned put into my name.

I was in the bathroom, finishing up getting ready. Ashton appeared in the doorway smiling softly,

"You look beautiful" he stepped in, kissing my cheek,

"I was going to put makeup on, but I don't think it's a good idea" I sighed, glancing at my makeup on the counter,

"You don't need it baby" he squeezed my hips, "I think you're gorgeous no matter what"

I smiled and turned to face him, kissing his soft lips,

"Ready to go babe?" He asked, running his hand through his red-dyed hair,

"Yeah" I sighed, "I'm ready bub"

****

I walked into the church holding Ashton's hand. I was seated in the front. They wanted Ashton to sit in the back since the first rows were for family, but I didn't let that happen. I wanted him with me. My cousins did the readings. I couldn't.

We went to the cemetery and my grandpa's casket sat up next to the grave. Ashton's hand rested in my lap and I played with his fingers. I had no tears left. I cried them all out. Now, I was just there.

The blessing started and the folded American flag was handed to me. My grandpa served in the Navy. He had been everywhere.

Those who were not family left once the service was over. The family stayed and watched as my grandpa was lowered into the ground.

The cemetery workers left, leaving us to grieve. My family didn't seem to care though. They left almost right away.

I took a seat on the ground, looking into the hole. The tears I didn't think I had, started falling harder than they had. Ashton pulled me into his lap and let me cry into his chest,

"I'm sorry baby" he kissed my head for what felt like the millionth time, "He's in a better place and I know you know that"

I nodded and wiped my eyes, looking back into the hole,

"I love you Grandpa"