Time to Fall

Chapter Eight: If I Fail You

TW: Car crash, death, epilepsy

"Tom, I think it's about time we get Tim home and to bed." Jane sighed.

They were all on the couch in the living room, drinking hot cocoa. Connie in particular was curled under a blanket with Tim, her mom on her other side. Connie always made an effort to stay close with her mom and dad. They'd supported her in everything she'd done, so she was determined to show them the same level of devotion.

Tom was on a couch across from them, with Jane in his arms. He was holding her tight. It almost broke Connie's heart, because... he evidently wasn't ready to let her go. His hands ran through her hair, and he barely tore his eyes from her. She didn't seem too suspicious of the attention since Tom was kind of a puppy at the best of times. But Connie knew. She knew what was going on in his head. Everything was lovely, but... for Connie and Tom, the air in the room was thick.

To be honest, Connie felt like she was about to pass out. She was not getting the breath she needed. She was good at faking it, but her breath was shallow. Her heart was racing. She hated this. Every second of it. She was trying not to shake. She subconsciously felt her hand reach over to Tim's and give it a squeeze. She hoped it wasn't too tight. She could squeeze pretty hard when she was nervous. Tim looked at her, giggling, and she smiled softly. Oh, that poor kid. He did not deserve one bit of what was coming his way.

Tom finally pulled his gaze from Jane and looked at his sister. She was doing... a decent job at tricking anyone but him. But he knew all of her ticks- even the ticks mom and dad would never know about. Poor kid was quaking. Because she had to sit there while their car crashed. She had that on her. She knew that the woman she loved was about to die in a fiery crash. At least he was going to be there. All Connie got to do was... wait for a phone call.

Actually, come to think of it, there was something else that happened for Connie that night... he'd gotten mad at her for it, because he'd thought she was attention seeking and taking away from Jane's death, right? He couldn't remember for the life of him what it was. It wasn't a crash like the last time. But... she had been at the hospital at the same time. He'd been a total ass and not visited her because he thought it was a stunt she was pulling. But it couldn't have been anything too serious because she'd visited their parents the next day. He guessed they'd find out.

He snapped back to it. Oh shit. Had she just said it was time to go? He looked at his watch. Yeah. 7:30. That's when they had left, so that they could have Tim in bed by eight. He sighed. They did have to leave. He sighed, nodding. He didn't have the words yet to speak. He got up, helping Jane up gently beside him. He looked into her eyes. She could be terrible sometimes, but... god, was she beautiful. She was problematic at best, which he'd learned from Connie, but... he couldn't forget the time they'd had together either. He understood now how Connie had always felt. He hated that he loved her now.

"Come on, bud. Give your Aunt Connie and your grandma and grandpa hugs, then let's go." Tom sighed. Tim cuddled into Connie, and she held him close.

"Connie, you need a drive home?" Jane offered.

"Nah, I'm gonna stay a bit longer with Mom and Dad." Connie shook her head.

"Okay." Jane sighed, walking over and giving her a hug. "See you soon, Connie Bear."

"See you." Connie faked a small smile, the words almost croaking out of her throat. That was the last goodbye. Tim got up and hugged his grandparents, and Jane followed suit. Tom apprehensively approached Connie, hugging her close. "Be safe."

"You too, Connie." He sighed knowingly. He understood what she'd meant. That he had to stay focused and make sure what needed to happen happened.

"Love you." Mrs. Houston cooed, giving him a hug. Connie sat back down. He gave both parents a hug.