the ghost of christmas love

ricky

HI...THIS ONE IS A TAD SAD AND I APOLOGIZE.

BUT IM ON WINTER BREAK YAYYY!!

ENJOY!!!

i swerve into the hospital parking lot, stopping my car in an empty spot. i jump out and rush through the automatic opening doors. i run up to the front desk, feeling frantic.

"hi i'm—i'm ricky bowen...visiting my sister paige harrison and her daughter grace harrison.", i tell the lady.

she prints me a name tag and i quickly smack it onto my chest as i begin rushing in the direction of the room. i stop at the door and see it's already opened. i walk inside and see my sister standing in the corner, one of her arms crossed along her chest and the other propped up on it. her fingers are curled into a ball, holding a tissue right over her mouth.

i see her eyes glossy and her cheeks and eyes red. i rush up to her and pull her into a hug. she breaks down crying and i hold her there for a moment.

"it's okay it's okay.", i whisper, "just breathe."

i look up and see grace lying on the hospital bed. she's not moving; unconscious. she has needles in her and monitors hooked up to track her heartbeat.

paige pulls aways from me and rubs her eyes, keeping her face in her hands.

"what happened?", i ask, cautious.

she shrugs, sniffling, "i-i don't know. she was feeling weak all day and...and then she just—she crashed i don't know!"

"okay okay breathe.", i tell her, "where's jake?"

"he got called into work...i already let him know b-but he can't get off.", she complains.

i shake my head, "it's okay i'm staying."

"you are?", she quietly says, looking at me.

"i would be an idiot to leave you alone.", i tell her.

she smiles sadly and leans her head on my shoulder. i wrap my arm around her and let out a breath as we watch the doctors do their thing.

"tell me something good please...", she asks me, "i need good news."

i suck in a breath and glance down at her, "i might have...a crush?"

she pops her head up and her saddened eyes turn intrigued. she smirks at me and nudges my arm.

"who's the lucky girl?", she teases.

i widen my eyes and tilt my head back and forth, "this is where it gets complicated...it's kinda...the ghost of christmas."

she freezes and scrunches her face in confusion, "you mean—the one visiting you?"

i press my lips together and nod my head slowly. even if she liked me back, i don't know how it would even work out. she lives in...heaven?

"that's a new one.", paige chuckles, "did you tell her?"

"did i tell her?", i repeat, "gosh no."

"why not! oh come on who cares if she's a ghost...i mean you could be hallucinating her but—"

i shake my head, "no she's uh- she's very real. today she drank this serum that made her visible to other people. it was...insane."

she smiles at me as i start to ramble on about the day i had. it was the most christmas filled day i've had since our parents divorce.

"it sounds like you had a lotta fun today.", she smiles, "i'm glad...i haven't seen you talk about your day this much in years."

i quietly laugh and then the doctor comes up to paige. he's holding a clipboard, quickly reviewing it before he clears his throat and begins speaking.

"the cancer...is spreading.", he says, "faster...and we're not sure how. blood analysis is happening right now and we'll get results soon."

"w-what are we supposed to do?", paige asks.

"if it continues how it's going...take her home and keep her comfortable.", he hesitantly tells her.

she presses her lips together and i immediately see the look of fear on her face. her face just freezes in time, in shock.

"i'll give you some time but she should wake up soon. please do call if you need anything."

the doctor walks out and as soon as the door shuts and the silence of the room grows, she starts crying. i pull her into a hug and hold her tighter.

"this can't be happening...", she cries, "how is this happening?"

i let out a breath and shake my head. i stare at grace on the hospital bed, her eyes shut and body limp. i feel my eyes stinging watching her.

"we need a christmas miracle.", i say.