Love On The Court

𝕊𝕚𝕩𝕥𝕪

📆: May 11th, 2023
📍: Brooklyn Hospital, Brooklyn NY
⚠️: I apologize in advance for the emotional turmoil you are about to endure.

Eric gently squeezes his older sister's hand as she rests lifelessly in her hospital bed. A plethora of machines and tubes surrounds her non-moving frame.

The man feels his eyes begin to water as he takes a seat adjacent to the bed. "Hey, sis, it's me...your baby brother." he sniffles. "The doctors said that you'll be able to hear us so...here I am." he forces a chuckle but it only comes out as a sob. "God, man, why you? You're the most angelic person on earth and it does this to you. You were the best big sister ever, Elaine. And I'm so sorry that I never said it enough." he sobs into the woman's soft hand.

"I love you, big sis. And when you get there, Tell Nathan I'll beat his ass if he doesn't take care of you."

He feels a hand on his shoulder and turns around to see his wife smiling at him sadly. She nods towards the door causing him to stand up reluctantly while staring at his sister's face. "She doesn't deserve this." he sighs.

"I know, my love." Lola rubs his back. "She'll be in no more pain." and with that, the couple leaves the room to be met by the rest of the Topaz/Hart family.

"Whoever is next can go." Eric sniffles, accepting the hug from his sister-in-law, Delaney.

"We'll go." Elena and Elenora say in sync. The family watch as the two women enter the room quietly. The sound of footsteps reverberating down the hall makes them all look toward the sound.

"Cousin Toni!" Hunter squeals while running toward the emotional athlete. Toni, nonetheless, gets on her knees to greet her little cousin who hugs her tight.

She needed this hug.

"Hey, you." she sniffles with a loving grin, cupping the boy's face gently. "You've been behaving for your parents?"

"I promise!" he nods frantically before frowning. "Auntie Elaine is sick."

The brunette feels her heart break just a bit. She looks up at her girlfriend and sister who offer her sad smiles. "Yeah, she is. But you know what?"

"What?"

"She's going to feel better soon. Soon, she will be pain-free and much better."

"Really?" the boy's blue eyes light up.

"Really." his older cousin confirms. He smiles brightly and grabs Toni's hand to pull her toward their family.

"Hey, guys." Mikayla smiles softly, hugging her aunt Kate.

"Hey, hon." the older woman greets, followed by greetings from the rest of their family. "Lena and Lenora just went in. You two can go next if you'd like."

"How long did Dr. Matt say that we have?"

"A few hours. He said that he doesn't want her straining for too long so it's best we make our goodbyes quick." Delaney answers, wiping her running nose with her tear-soaked tissue.

It's been seventy-two hours since Elaine slipped into a coma. And within those hours, Toni called her family and some good family friends down to say their goodbyes. All while making some funeral arrangements.

Dr. Matthews broke the news that due to her heart attack, blood formed around her brain creating a blood clot and it dried up part of her brain. This is why the woman had mentioned how tired she was when Toni had visited her three days ago.

Toni has done her crying. And she's pretty sure she won't be able to cry for a while. She feels drained, tired, and empty. Thank god for Cheryl. The woman hadn't left her side not once and she is so thankful to have the beauty by her side but she can't help but feel like she is holding the woman back from her job.