One Shots

Come Back To Me

I took a deep breath out and closed my eyes, leaning my head against the seat. I felt the lump in my throat and bit my lip to keep the tears from flowing again. That would make it the fifth time this morning. I pulled the keys out of the ignition and slipped them into my pocket. I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed, "Tay Jardine. You are going to go see her today. Your girlfriend of four years. Jenna fucking McDougall of Tonight Alive. The love of your life." These pep talks have become a regular thing. I sit in my car and stare at the hospital until I get the courage of getting out and going in. Writing and recording and that short tour around New York relieved some stress and the fans understood why I wouldn't go too far. I took a breath one more time and got out of the car, shutting the door behind me. One foot in front of the other, Jardine. I walking through the revolving door and greeted the lady at the desk. "Who're you here to see?"

"Jenna McDougall. Room 45 D. Coma." I nodded, reciting the information I was told the first night I got here. I practically ran from my house until Jordan picked me up in his car a mile or so away. That was the worst night of my entire life. "I see.." She gave me a sympathetic smile and I looked at her. Confused to say the least. Any other time everyone gave me hopeful looks here. Something's off. I made my way to her room and pulled the chair closer to her bed. "Hey, Jen.." I whispered and tucked some of her stray blonde hair behind her ear and out of her face. I held her hand in my own and winced at the sudden coldness. "Happy anniversary, babe." I whispered and leaned up to kiss her cheek. "If only it could happen anywhere but here.. with you like.. this.." I couldn't stop the tears this time as they poured down my face. "I need you, Jen.. I can't live without you anymore.. it's almost been a whole year. Writing music isn't the same because everything is so sad.. Performing is.. fun as always.. but I can't help but not enjoy it. At meet and greets the fans always hug me extra hard now, telling me to be strong for you. It tears me apart inside knowing you're not doing what you love. I need you so badly, Jenna. You're my everything." I sobbed and buried my face in her side, "Come back.. Please.. You can't be gone.." I whispered and heard a light knock on the door. "Ms. Jardine?" I looked up to see her doctor. He had a dark and sad expression on his face. "Yes?"

"May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course." I stood up and followed him out into the hallway. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Tay."

"No.." I whispered and felt myself start to shake. "We have to pull the plug today. I'm so sorry.." He looked at me and I saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Please.. not today.. it's our anniversary.. One more day.. Please.." I pleaded and looked at him. He sighed and ran his fingers through his slicked back hair. "We don't normally do this.. But I like you Tay. And I know you love this girl. You have one more day.. It's almost been a year.. I don't.. I don't think she's coming back.."

"I know. Thank you doctor." He hugged me awkwardly and walked down the hallway. I shut the door and made my way back into her room. I stood and looked at her, wrapping my arms around myself. She looked like she was just sleeping and that was the sad part. They said her brain was functioning, but she might not ever wake up. I bit my lip and studied her features. She was still my Jenna. I thought at any moment she'd look up with her blinding smile and steel blue eyes and ask me what I was staring at. The same girl who could be so shy yet so outgoing at the same time. The way she'd look at me. God, I fell so hard for her. "They say they're pulling the plug tomorrow.." I whispered, "What am I going to do without you, Jenna?" I shook and felt silent tears run down my face. "I can't do this without you.. that's the thing.. It's hard to do when you're far from me. When you're home in Australia it's hard. And then I know you'll come back and call and text at any moment. But this.. This is permanent." I sat back in the chair I was sitting in earlier and just stared at her in silence for awhile. "I love you Jenna Rachael McDougall. I love you so much. I don't want to let you go, but they say I have to. I'm not strong enough to do this without you." I cried more and felt myself become tired. Eventually I fell asleep. "Hey.. Tay.. Wake up.." I felt someone shake my shoulder and looked up to see all of the Tonight Alive boys. "The doctors told us.. we'll always be here for you, alright?" I heard Whak's voice crack as he spoke. They all had tears in their eyes. I couldn't help but pull him into a hug. The others came to join and we had a group hug. We all sat for awhile and talked. They told me about all of their tour stories and about all the embarrassing things that happened to Jenna when they were kids. They weren't just bandmates, they were a family. "Tay.." Jake choked out, "Can I say something?" I nodded and looked over at him. "She really loved you. Like, a lot." The boys all nodded their confirmation, "We've never seen her that happy and we're all grateful to you for that." They stood up and Cam handed me the backpack on his back. "Open this when we leave, okay?" I nodded and raised my eyebrow. He smiled and they all hugged me before walking out and shutting the door behind them. I opened the bag to find a stuffed koala. I glanced up at Jenna and bit my lip. It was dressed in a red flannel that was customized. I smiled at the saying on the back, "I hate everybody." She loved that shirt. It was wearing jeans and converse and smelled like her perfume. It just smelled like her in general. I hugged it to my chest and felt something almost hard. Did it have one of those voice things in it? I squeezed it once more and heard her voice. Jenna's Australian accent. I haven't heard it in ages, but I know it's hers. The way it sent butterflies and chills through my whole body proved it. "Will you marry me?" I pressed the button again to make sure I was hearing it correctly. "Will you marry me?" It repeated. I stuck my hand in the bag and my fingers brushed against a box. Is this really happening? I opened it to find a small ring with blue stones. Suddenly it hit me. I looked at the ring and squeezed the bear once more. I felt tears fill my eyes for the millionth time that day. Except this time they were tears of happiness. I climbed into the bed next to Jenna and started crying uncontrollably. "I do. Yes! I'll marry you." I was mumbling through sobs with my face buried in her chest. I felt a pair of arms wrap around me weakly, "What.. what're you crying for? You're getting my shirt, er, gown wet." I heard weak voice say, followed by hoarse laughter. I would know that voice anywhere. I looked up and into a pair of beautiful steel blue eyes.