To Be Loved

30 - Brookes

Lawrence took Annalise out into the hall. He left the door open, which made me anxious. I really don't want them to fight.

Rory came back into the room after slamming the door. I hated that they were fighting over something so stupid. He paced around the room and mumbled under his breath. Then I noticed what he was holding in between his fingers- the ring.

I huffed, "What did you do, Ror?" I pointed to the ring.

He made a groaning sound, "Don't worry about it, Brookes. I'm just so tired of everyone saying everything is gonna be okay. Because they're not. Nothing is okay anymore." He paused with a laugh, "Ya' know, with our luck so far, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole palace went under attack tomorrow!"

I pointed a finger and tried to make a joke, "Don't jinx it!"

"Excuse me? Is the Brookes Collins making a- a- joke?"

We laughed together. But then my chest started to hurt. I couldn't breathe properly. Rory came over to me quickly and grabbed my face.

"What's wrong? Do I need to call someone?"

I shook my head. This happened all the time. I would have trouble breathing for a moment or two, and then everything would stop, "No. I'm good now. The doctor said he's doing the operation tomorrow, by the way."

"Really?" He let go of my face.

"Yeah. I know I'm going to die, Lawrence, but if there's any chance I can at least make it to after Haven's wedding... That will be enough for me."

"Why?"

"Because I have a feeling that it will end rather pleasantly. I know you have a feeling too."

His face grew red, "Yeah, actually. James asked me to mail the invitation to Ashton. Hopefully- if everything goes to plan- he'll step in and stop it."

"Hopefully. I worry about her, ya know? Haven is in a delicate place right now."

"I know. I'm worried she'll end up like me- drinking and having self-harming thoughts."

"I wish I could be here longer."

He thought for a minute. I could tell because his forehead scrunched together and he knit his eyebrows, "This might sound weird, but I think you're the closest thing to a father to her."

"Yes, that does sound weird. Please explain."

He chuckled, "Well, Dad hadn't exactly been father of the year. And lately you've been there for her... Much more than I could ever be."

I smiled to myself. At least I'm finally doing something right. I used to be such a brat towards them. I always told them what to do and scolded them for stupid things.

I said, "So... What about you and Anna?"

He sighed, "Well..."

"Well?"

He sighed and ran his hand down his face, "I shouldn't have yelled. She was just trying to help."

"Yeah. You were kinda overreacting."

"I realize that. Now we aren't getting married and it's all my fault."

There was silence.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, start by apologizing and hope things will work out."

"That's a good start, but remember that none of this is her fault. So please stop blaming her, because when all is said and done all the two of you have is each other."

* * *

In the morning, the doctor arrived. I got dressed in simple clothes: a t-shirt and shorts. They walked me down to the foyer where the front doors were. I got into the limo with the doctor sitting in the back with me.

We soon arrived at the hospital. I had to put on a hat and sunglasses to avoid people from seeing me. Mother and Father- especially Mother- would have a fit if the media found out about my sickness.

"Ok, Brookes, how do you feel?" Dr. Cornelius asked.

I sighed, seriously? "I feel absolutely terrible. My chest feels like it's going to explode. Every breath I take makes my throat feel like it's on fire- should I go on?"

He wrote everything down on a paper attached to a clipboard.

"The coughs have gotten worse- I feel like blood is pouring out of me every time. There are periods of time where I can't breathe properly, and then they go away just like that," I snap my fingers, "I feel like the pain gets worse when I'm resting, and I've lost so much weight in the past weeks."

He nodded, "Thank you, your Highness. It's time to prepare you for your procedure. A nurse will come in soon..." He continued to explain what would happen. A nurse would come in and then they would wheel me down to the operation room, of course they will gas me first so I won't feel anything. After the surgery, I will hopefully have a little longer left in this world.

I was laying in a bed. My bed. I noticed that my arm had a tube attached to it with a needle. I opened my eyes fully to see my family and the doctor surrounding the bed. Haven was crying. Anna was crying. Even Lawrence was. Why? The surgery would have helped- Wouldn't it?

I looked to the side to see where the tube in my arm was hooked to, to find a tall machine that had bags hanging from it with some type of liquid.

"Brookie!" Haven rushed over and gripped my hand and noticed a white clip on my finger. I couldn't remember what it was called. A heart monitor thing?

"What's wrong? Why is everyone crying? I should be okay now," I looked at her pain struck face. She looked down at our fingers that were intertwined, "right?"

My father came forward with Mother in tow, "I'm sorry, son.. But, the procedure didn't go as planned. Doctor?"

Dr. Cornelius came forward, "Yes, we're sorry to inform you, but as we were operating, we found... more. The cancer has spread too much. The scans we did, didn't catch all of it. I am so sorry, Your Highness."

I could feel the tears burn my eyes. I didn't want to cry because it made my chest hurt more. I already feel worse than I did hours ago. I can't do this.

"How long?" I mumbled barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry? I didn't catch that?"

I looked up with tears streaming down my face, "How long do I have to live?"

Dr. Cornelius faced me with sad eyes, "Two weeks."

I fell back into the pillow. My head bent up into an awkward position, and I stared at the ceiling. I let out a sob that had built up inside me. I hurt so, so bad.

"But, that's when the wedding is! He has to be there!" Haven spoke up.

I took her hand but I couldn't form any words.

"You don't have to say anything, Brookes. I love you so much."

"I- I- I'm so- s-sorry. It h-hurts-"

She shushed me and I looked at her. A tear dripped down her face and splashed onto my hand, "Just breathe. Focus on breathing, please."

I nodded.

Annalise came forward, "I'm so sorry for snapping at you earlier, Brookes. You were just worried about me, I'm sorry." She put her head down and started crying again. Rory came and hugged her. She resisted at first, but then snuggled into his chest as she and him both cried.

Haven was still holding my hand, "Mom, Dad. Do you think- Do you think we could move the wedding to this week. I need Brookes to be there. Please!"

I saw Mom and Dad talk amongst themselves before both of them nodded, "Yes, that will be fine. We will put out an announcement tomorrow."

She smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen, "Hear that Brookie? You will be there!"

I smiled through the pain and tears. I squeezed her hand, "See you there."