Rising Tide

Chapter 10

Two days, there was only two days left of this cruise. And since finding out about Steven's cancer it seemed to fly by, Autumn couldn't believe how weak and thin he's gotten too. Em noticed the changes in her dad as well but so far hasn't asked questions, they will have to tell her soon though. They already called to have an ambulance waiting on the docks for them when they get back to port. Autumn has tried to make everything as normal as she can for her niece, but at times, it's hard knowing her life is about to change forever.
Then there's Harry, Autumn really didn't know what to think about him, it was almost like he regretted saying he loved her. In the last few weeks there were times she would go days where she didn't see him at all, she would hear that he would be in this night club or that one drinking and dancing with other women, but she never went to look for him. Autumn wasn't in a committed relationship with him, even though it hurt her deeply to hear these rumors and then to have him show up and act all loving for a few day to just disappear again, there wasn't anything she could do about it. She had to take care of Steven. Harry could do as he pleased, Autumn decided she didn't need him. She's lived this long without him, she can survive the rest of her life alone.

"Autumn." Steven whispers.

"Yes, do you need something?" She asks her ailing brother.

Steven looks at her with tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry Harry's doing this to you, but you're being so strong. I'm not going to make it sis." He tells her. "It's time, you're going to have to call Mark get him to fly us off here. I'm so sorry." He says again with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Autumn nods, she knew this could happen, kissing Steven's sunken cheek, she picks up her phone and calls his long time friend and tells him to come get them. Autumn has had their things packed for days now expecting this to happen. She then calls Amy and explains to her what's going on telling her not to say anything to Harry not that he would care anyway since she hadn't seen him in 5 days.
An hour later Autumn was helping Mark load a very weak Steven into his helicopter before helping Em in and getting in herself. Turning she gives Amy and Lou one last hug.

"We will see you at home in a couple of days. Keep me updated on Steven's health." Amy tells Autumn.

"I will. I have to go. I love you both, thank you for everything." She says as she climbs onto the helicopter and straps in. Mark closes the door and takes off.

While all this was going on Harry was still sleeping off the night before. But that didn't last long when his bedroom door was slammed open and a glass of water was thrown in his face. Harry suddenly sits up and looks around.
"What the hell? Amy, why did you do that?" He sputters.

"Did you sleep with them?" Amy asks him.

"What? Sleep with who?" Harry asks in confusion.

"All the slut you've been spending all your time with these last few days with? Did you fuck them?" She asks again yelling this time.

"No. Of course not. I wouldn't do that to Autumn." Harry snaps.

"Oh, really, you won't cheat on her in that way but you will leave that poor girl alone to sit and watch her only brother die while you're out every night drinking and dancing the night away having fun. How fucking honorable of you. What the fuck ever happen to you being in love with her, you helping her through this." Amy kept yelling at him. "You are one selfish excuse of a human being. The girl has sat up in that room and had to watch her brother wither away before her very own eyes. And how many times did you even go see how he was doing or even if she was okay. Once, twice maybe."

"Fine, I'll go see them now if it will make you happy." Harry yells back at Amy.

"God damnit, Harry I don't want you to make me fucking happy. I want you to quit play with Autumn's emotions. Just leave her alone." Amy screams, literally screams. "And it won't do you a damn bit of good to good to try and check on them now. Just continue your drinking and whoring ways, Harry, they're gone." Amy sobbed, finally breaking down as she turned to leave.

Harry stopped breathing at hearing that. Jumping from his bed he ran after Amy. "What the hell do you mean they're gone?" Harry asks her.

"What the hell do you care Harry, you haven't been there for them. You, left her to deal with this alone." Amy reminded him.

"I know that, damnit. Amy, but I never slept with any of those girls. Fuck, they were the distraction. It was them I was using." Harry yells. "Now where did they go?"

"Steven told Autumn it was time, he didn't have much time left. She called in a helicopter to fly them home." She tells him.

"And you didn't tell me? Why?" Harry asks her.

"Autumn asked me not to. Harry she doesn't want you there." Amy tells him. "She said it's bad enough she will have to live near you, but at least this she can control. She said she doesn't need someone who doesn't want her."

"Oh, God." Harry cried sitting in the floor. "What have I done?"

Amy turns and opens the door to walk out. "You fucked up and lost the best thing to ever walked into your life." She says then leaves.

Amy was right, and there was nothing Harry could do, he was stuck on this damn boat for another two days until they docked. But, Harry promised himself he was going to prove to Autumn he loved her even if it killed him. Somehow he will make her understand that he did what he did because he didn't feel like he was good enough for her, that she could do better than him. Harry didn't care how long it took he will win her back. That's basically all he thought about for the next two days. Ways of winning his Rainy back. Harry never left his room, he didn't eat much, only what Tia could talk him into eating. He didn't even shower until Lou walks in his door and tells him they were docking in less than an hour.
Harry then, finally gets up off the sofa where he's been since Amy left his room, and starts packing his things and cleans up to go home and find out what hospital Steven was in. Harry was determined to win his girl back any way he could.

Just as they got everything loaded into the car and was about to head home Amy's phone buzzes. Harry ignored it because she had been getting several texts from friends knowing she was due home. Suddenly Amy cries out.
"Oh, God no." She leaps forward and slides open the small window separating them from the driver. "Frankie, take us to Tampa Memorial, and get us there as fast as you can." She cries.

"Babe what is it?" Lou asks her pulling Amy to him. Harry picks up Tia and puts her in his lap.

Amy just shakes her head and hands Lou her phone as she cries in his shoulder. "Oh, man. Steven just died. Autumn and Em are all alone." Lou whispers as they pull into the hospital parking lot.

Amy didn't wait for Frankie to open the door for her as soon as the car stopped she jumped out and took off running, Lou going after her with Harry carrying the silent Tia bringing up the rear. As soon as Harry stepped into the hospital lobby he sees Amy hugging a sobbing Autumn who was holding Em tightly in her arms. He couldn't see her face with the way it was buried in Amy's shoulder but he was shocked at how thin she looked. Harry knew he hadn't seen her for 5 days before they left the cruise ship, making this a week but she couldn't have lost that much weight in a week, could she? Autumn then raises her head and Harry thought he was going to pass out. She looked skeletal, literally like skin stretched over bone, and there was dark circles under her eyes, like she hadn't slept in the week he's left her to deal with this alone. Harry then realized, this is partly his fault, he wasn't there for her like he promised.

Just as Autumn stepped off the elevator the first person she saw was Amy. That's when she finally lost it, she walked into her friends out stretched, loving arms and just sobbed. Autumn knew she looked horrible, she hasn't slept in days, or eaten in probably a week, but with trying to take care of Em and comforting Steven she had nothing left for herself. She was tired, God she was just so tired. Autumn raises her head to thank her friend for coming but nothing comes out.

Harry sees right away Autumn is in trouble, he hands Tia to Lou, and sprints forward, just as Amy grabs for Em, Harry swings a fainting Autumn up into his arms and holds her close as nurses and doctors surround them to check to see if she's okay. When Amy explain some the the staff what Autumn has been through and the realize she's just exhausted and dehydrated they let them take her home with them with they promise of rest and food.
Harry was determined to take her home with him, but there was no way in hell Amy was letting that happen.