Once In A Lifetime | Jemi

Seventy Three

Joe was the first one to wake up the next morning instantly remembering what happened the night before fresh tears running down his cheeks no matter how much he tried to stop, he knew his son wouldn't want his parents crying all the time. All he could think about what he could have done with his son as he grew up but all that was taken away from him and he found it hard to believe. Joe looked at the time on his phone before tearing a bit of paper from the notepad Demi had been using writing a quick note for her. He needed a walk. He slipped his shoes on and his jacket leaving the hospital room shutting the door gently behind him wanting Demi to sleep as much as she could. He made it outside still crying gently as the cool breeze hit his warm face, it was around eight in the morning Joe fully aware they would have been up by now if Kai was still with them. He got his phone out scrolling until he landed on his mother's contact knowing they'd all need to know, he was desperate for some form of comfort from them, he felt for Demi not having her parents around anymore. He was about to hit call when he felt a hand on his shoulder turning around see Kevin which only made him cry more.

"I heard what happened, you don't need to tell me," He breathed Joe looking down at the floor. "It's okay to cry Joe." He wanted to be as strong around Demi as he could but she wasn't around. He broke down sobbing Kevin bringing him into a hug which he hugged back in.

They were soon both sat down on a bench Kevin wrapping his jacket around his younger brother's shoulder's as he continued to sniffle slightly. Joe would have many questions for his brother if he wasn't a doctor himself, he knew the chances and he knew they weren't good. He knew how quickly his son's condition could deteriorate like it did. He was only small and young; his system wasn't able to fight the infection.

"It all just feels like a nightmare but I don't see myself waking up from it." Joe breathed playing with his fingers as he stared down at the ground. The comfort from his older brother was somewhat soothing, he wanted his family around at this hard time.

"The doctors did all they could for him you know that but sometimes things like this happens and nobody understands why." Kevin stated.

"I don't understand why anyone would want to take our son away from us. He was just fine before we went to bed." Joe mumbled.

"We'll have to give him a proper send off, how's Demi doing?"

"Not well," Joe sighed running his fingers through his hair. "He died in her arms while the doctors were trying to help him."

"I don't think there was anything anyone could have done if the antibiotics hadn't broken the infection down enough for him to survive this." Kevin explained.

"This just isn't fair; we've never done anything. The kids are going to be devastated."

"I'm sure mom and dad will help you tell them if you want, do they know yet?" Joe shook his head gently sitting up straight again rubbing his face.

"I was going to call mom before you came over." Joe admitted.

"You can do it now if you want, I need to get back to work."

"Thanks Kev for listening." Joe breathed Kevin smiling.

"It's no problem, you're my little brother." Joe rolled his eyes gently but the miserable look was still on his face.

"Thanks anyway." He mumbled

"If you need someone to talk to I'll be here until just after lunch." Kevin assured him Joe watching as he wondered away so he could get back to work only when he was gone he grabbed his phone again from his pocket staring at it for a couple of moments before he called his mother's number, it took a couple of rings for her to pick up.

"M-Mom." Joe choked beginning to cry again.