With Michael

Chapter 39 - Lost Souls

1st of October, 1995
Brooklyn and Janet are 29, Michael is 37

Michael: Brooke clung onto Chris's arm as she cried on his bare chest.

I looked away. Seeing my wife grieving hurt. I let a few tears roll down my cheeks.

Cynthia cried as well, but hid her face from us.

She cleared her throat, "They told me that as his lawful spouse I have to decide whether to take him off life support or not... You have to believe me when I say I can't do it, but I can't see him suffer, either... Being all hooked up like this. It's wrong."

"No! Cyn, come on, he might wake up!" my wife protested, still clutching onto her lifeless brother's arm.

She was denying his death, and it was completely understandable. It shocked us all, it happened so suddenly.

"Baby..." I said, walking over to her. "He won't wake up, you heard the nurse..."

"Michael, look at him. He's breathing. He's alive."

"He's on life support, Brooke. Those are machines breathing for him." Cynthia mumbled.

Brooklyn shook her head violently before putting her head on Chris's chest again.

I sighed and tried to pull her away.
"You- you have to let him go, babe."

She pushed me off, accidentally hitting me from time to time.

At some point she was all out of powers and gave in. I hugged her, whispering calming things in her ear.

"I didn't even tell him I love him." she cried.

Cynthia excused herself and left the room.

Scared that I might break down again, I looked away from Chris's body. I had to be strong for my wife, no matter how much I was hurting at the loss of my brother-in-law, and one of the greatest friends I ever had.

~

Janet: Mother smiled, watching Joseph and Kate play together.

"I'm so happy for you, honey. Look at you, settling down," she said. "Where did Brandon go?"

"Bill called him, said he had to come to the hospital." I shrugged.

Someone probably saw Michael and it's a mad house over there.

"Did you tell Brooke about the engagement?" mother asked.

"No. Didn't have time." I answered.

I wanted to tell her about probably the most important event that recently occurred, but I knew her and my brother were busy, and I didn't have much time, either.

I heard the front door open. Brandon walked in to the house with Jason sleeping peacefully in his arms.

Scrunching my eyebrows, I spoke quietly, "Bill called you to take Jason?"

"I'll explain in a sec." he mumbled, avoiding my eyes.

I watched him disappear upstairs quickly.

"What's up with him?" Joseph said.

I shook my head, oblivious.

Brandon soon returned to the living room. I finally met his eyes; they were filled with sadness.

I saw him blink away some tears before turning to Kate with a smile on his face.

He picked her up and hugged her tight.