Soulmates and Exceptions #Wattys2016

Hope (Part 1)

     A couple of months passed, and the young family had gotten into a routine of sorts. Jackson woke up early every morning for work. He'd get John-Michael his bottle and spend a few moments enjoying the 'father and son' time they shared. Brea would wake up soon after, taking the few precious minute alone to get herself ready for the day. Spencer would wake up later in the morning, having the luxury of being able to start work at what he deemed 'a more reasonable hour.' He had decided that he enjoyed his 'father and son' time at night, so that Brea could get some rest. Brea would have the day to enjoy her son, until the time in the day where John-Michael would fuss for his daddy – either of them.

     The day had started as usual, with Brea and John-Michael sending Jackson off to work. Spencer was just about to head off to work when the phone rang. Spencer answered. "Hello? Dad? Slow down. What's going on?" Brea bounced their son in her arms as she stood by waiting. "He what? We'll be over as soon as possible. We need to get Jacks from his work site. We'll call you when we get there." He ended the call. "Brea, your dad had a heart attack and he's at the hospital back home. Get John-Michael ready and into his car seat. I need to call into work and tell them there's a family emergency, then you call Jackson."

     Brea managed to get their son packed up and ready to go, tossing a few items for herself, Jackson, and Spencer into a bag as well. She traded Spencer John-Michael for the phone and dialed Jackson's cell phone. "Jacks..." Brea bit back her tears. "It's my dad. He's in the hospital. We need to go." She nodded her head. "We'll wait for you to get here."

     Jackson returned to the house within a half-hour of the call. Spencer was in the driver's seat and Brea was in the back seat with John-Michael. "Brea threw a few things for us into a bag, just get in."

     Jackson slid into the passenger's seat. "What's going on? What happened?"

     Spencer started the car and headed towards their hometown. "Dad called and said that John hasn't been feeling well the past few days, but refused to go to the doctor's office when Rose told him to get checked out. He had a heart attack at breakfast."

     The three remained fairly silent for the rest of their trip. Jackson called his father once they were about fifteen minutes away, to get more information about where John was admitted. He relayed the information to Spencer, who drove directly there. They entered the hospital as quickly as they could. The elevator was exceedingly slow in getting to the ground floor.

     "What floor Jacks?" Brea asked.

     "Fifth." She pressed the button.

     Spencer swung the car seat gently, soothing John-Michael. "It's okay buddy, we'll see Grandpa John, Grandma, and Grandpa Mike soon."

     The elevator reached the floor and Brea raced out. She scanned the sign. "His room should be over here." She waved Jackson and Spencer towards her. The trio rounded the corner and found Michael holding Rose in the family waiting area. The doctor was telling them something the three couldn't hear. "Mom?"

     Rose looked up, tears streaming down her face. "Gabriella..." She cried harder.

     "I'm so sorry Gabriella. Your dad passed away." Michael continued to comfort Rose.

     Brea fell to her knees in shock. She couldn't believe what was happening. She wasn't ready to lose her parents now. Especially after she just had John-Michael. Her parents...she couldn't lose her mom – she still needed her!

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     After the funeral, Brea and John-Michael stayed with Rose as she sorted through her things. She wanted to make sure things were in order for Gabriella when it was her turn to pass. Rose had her daughter pick out the things that she wanted, and promptly sold off the rest. Brea told Jackson and Spencer that her mother was going to move in with them, so she could spend as much time with her and John-Michael. The two had no arguments against it, but did suggest that they move Michael in too. They all had taken for granted that he had survived fifteen years after his wife had passed. Spencer and Jackson would move their father's belongings over the course of a few weekends, once Rose was settled in the house. The Thomas house was small enough as it was, but adding two more people and their belongings was quite the undertaking. John-Michael was moved into his parents' room, Michael into the spare bedroom, and Rose was given the nursery.

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     Rose tried to stay as cheerful as she thought a Grandma should during the day. However, at night, when she thought that everyone was asleep, she cried alone in the living room. Michael discovered this one night when he headed to the kitchen for a drink. He found Rose curled up on the couch, sobbing into a blanket. He wasn't sure what it was about the situation, but he was compelled to sit with her – and every night thereafter. He would hold her hand while she spoke of missing John. He would hug her close when she wept at the thought of leaving her daughter, John-Michael, and the boys behind. He reassured her that it was okay to be as upset as she was – that it was completely unfair.

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     John-Michael's first birthday came and went with a small family celebration. Soon after, the first year anniversary of her father's passing would arrive. Brea worried that each passing day could be the last with her mom. If soulmates usually pass within a year of each other, she had limited time with her mom. She wouldn't share her news with her mom – it would destroy her.

     Brea had just finished putting the groceries away one Saturday morning. Jackson and Spencer had taken John-Michael to the park. Brea knocked on her mother's bedroom door, hoping to spend some mother-daughter time with her, but found the room to be empty. Brea searched the rest of the house, wondering where her mom could have gone. All of the cars were in the driveway, so she had to be around someplace. She knocked on Michael's door. The door opened a little. "Michael, have you seen my..." Brea's jaw dropped. "Mom?" She closed the door, and headed towards the park in a stunned silence.