Seven | Part Three of Goodbye, Emmi

Small Talk

I watched as Emmi's eyes filled with tears. "So she's not gonna wake up?"

"No, honey, that's not what we're saying. As of now, she isn't, but she can, comas aren't a guaranteed death sentence. A lot of people wake up from comas." I explained. Shay and I had told all of the kids individually about Quinn, and Emmi was the last to hear.

"Will she die?" Emmi asked.

Shay and a looked down. "I don't know, pumpkin." He said, placing her hand in his.

Emmi started to bawl. "Don't let her die! She is too little!"

"I know, sweetheart." I said, starting to cry. "I know."

"Why did this happen?" Emmi sobbed.

"The doctors aren't sure yet. With feeding tubes, babies are prone to more bacteria, so the doctors think she got an infection that her little body just had to-"

"Take a break. I learned that our bodies fight off infections. Maybe she is just... Recharging her body. Then she will keep fighting." Emmi smiled. "She is just cooling off from all the fighting."

"Maybe. I think that's a great way to put it, Em." Shay smiled and kissed her forehead. "Alright, we have to get back to the hospital, Grandma is there right now."

"When can I see her?" Emmi asked.

"I don't know. Maybe in a-"

"You can come now." I interrupted Shay.

"Really?" Emmi grinned. "Can we all come?"

Shay cracked a smile. "Of course."

The hospital was quiet, all of the day time hustle and bustle gave way to the evening.

"How about you all go in one at a time to talk to her." I suggested. "Maybe, deep down, even if she is in a coma, maybe she'll hear you."

"Can I go talk to her first?" Brock peeped.

I nodded and went inside the room with him. I watched as he looked into the crib.

"Hi there, Quinnie." He waved at her. "It's Brock. I'm your big brother... I am sorry you aren't feeling good." He rubbed her head. "I really love you and wish you weren't asleep for this long. When you wake up I will let you play with my Legos... I know I usually don't let you. But you have to promise not to put them in your mouth again. I love you." He leaned in and kissed her then ran into my lap.

"You all done?" I said, my heart melting from his words.

"Yeah. I think I'm done."

Avia came in next, holding a small stuffed kitten.

"Here." She said, placing the toy next to Quinn. "Ever since you started crawling, you would try and take her out of my room. I want you to have her now." Avia pet the little stuffed cat. "You are my sunshine, Quinn. And you are so special. I know you have had a rough year, and I know you are strong. So I know you will wake up, and I want the first thing you see to be this little kitten. I named her Quinn." Avia smiled and left the room, without saying anything more.

Emmi walked in. "Well... I kinda feel like I relate to you more than any of my siblings. Even though you are a baby." She chuckled. "I know what it's like to be scared and sick. I felt it every day when I was... Kidnapped. And I never fully recovered... I guess. I still have to go to therapy, I still have nightmares, I still refuse to go anywhere alone. But I'm still here. And Quinn, you are always going to have this struggle, but what I know you will do is fight. You will always fight whatever health issue comes your way. You are the strongest baby I know. I hate seeing you like this, but I know you are gonna get through." She kissed her forehead and smiled at me.

Gavin came in after Emmi and leaned over the crib. "I love you, Quinn." He kissed her and looked at me.

"Are you done?" I asked.

"If she never wakes up, but she can hear every word we say, then that's the only thing I want her to hear from me." He smiled.

Daxton shuffled into the room, his head low. "I want to talk to her alone." He demanded with his five year old power.

"Ok." I chuckled. I left the room, but kept the door open a crack to hear what he was saying.

He looked at Quinn's still body and placed his small hand over her tiny hand.

"Everything is awesome... Everything is cool when your part of a team. Everything is awesome! When you're living a dream." He sang quietly. "That's from the Lego Movie, Quinnie. It's my favorite song, but I want to share it. It can be your favorite song now, too. Brock likes it with me. I love you a lot, and I want you to always remember that song." He kissed her and proudly walked out the door. "I'm done." He smiled.

"You guys all set?" I asked, my heart feeling... Perfect.

They all nodded and smiled.

"I bet she heard us." Brock said. "I bet she's smiling in her head."