Left Behind

Take Care Of Her

"Aunt Jessie!" Ann's daughter Paige says running to her.

"Hey chicka." Jessica picks her up and spins her around.

"The coolest aunt is in town!" She says as her siblings run after her.

"Hey Aunt Jess!" Quinn says

"Hey kiddo, I missed ya!"

"I missed you too." Jessica smiles running her hand down his face.

Jimmy's mother comes up with Kali, Ann's youngest daughter in her arms.

"Hello Jessica." Gail says

"Hi Gail... I'm so sorry." Jessica says

"Thank you."

Kalie throws her hands around and cries for Jessica. Jessica takes her and Gail sighs in exhaustion.

"Gail,I can watch them. You rest."

"Thank you."

Jessica walks the kids up and down the hall. They overload her with questions like they usually do. They were so happy to see Jessica as if it was a good distraction.

It was hard for Paige and Quinn to see their dad so sick and to be in the room with him. Seeing their mother so sad just broke them.

"I'm glad you came aunt jessie." Paige says wrapping her arms around her.

"Me too."

"You make us happy."

"Aww, you guys make me happy." Jessica softly smiles.

"You remind us of the old mommy." Paige says sadly.

"Paige, mom is still mom. Stop saying the old mom." Quinn says irritated

"No! She's always sad. The old mom was never sad! Don't be a brat Quinn. You're always so mean." Paige stands up

"Hey, guys don't fight." Jessica says

"Dad is dying! Of course mom is going to be sad! Don't act like mom has changed because she is still mom!" Quinn stands up.

"Kids. Sit down." Jessica says

The listen and sit next to her.

"I know this is hard on you two right now. It's hard on your mom too. Right now is not the time to fight. You all need to stick together. For your dad, your mom, and yourselves. I'm here for you two. And it's okay to get upset and sad, maybe even frustrated. Don't get mad at each other, okay? I'm here for you guys." Jessica says holding back her tears.

They look at her and Quinn immediately begins to sob.

"It's not fair! He's a good guy! He gave us an awesome life. He never hurt anyone. He can't leave." Quinn throws himself on Jessica.

Paige cried also, but she was so surprised to see her brother cry.

Everyone said that he never shed one tear, and held it all back.

Jessica rubbed his back and comforted him.

"I just hate holding it back aunt Jess. I try to stay strong like my dad but I can't. I can't anymore. I'm trying to stay strong for everyone."

"It's okay baby. You can cry. I'm here, you don't need to be strong for anyone right now. Don't hold back your tears... I'll be strong for you. All of you." Jessica wipes his tear and hugs him and Paige.

"Thank you... You're always here for us. Even when you're not here."

That day everyone spent time with Jimmy. He was in lots of pain. He sucked it up for the kids to talk to them. Ann couldn't bare it anymore and broke down multiple times. After the kids and Ann spent there time alone with Jimmy, he asked to talk to Jessica when the kids went to get a snack.

Jessica walked into the room and saw Jimmy breathing heavily.

"Jess." He says

"Jimmy, hi." Jessica became teary eyed.

She stood by his bedside and held his hand.

"Don't cry. I don't want to go like this, everyone sad." He says

"I'm sorry." He puts her head down and wipes her tear.

"I want people to be happy. Happy that I won't be in pain anymore."

"I know..."

"Jessica, please promise me that you will be there for my kids and for Ann. Jessica they need you. I don't want them to be alone. I can't leave unless I know that you will stay with them and take care of them. Take care of her. Ann isn't strong enough. I was there when you lost your dad, I don't want to put her through this again, if I could change things I would. Jessica I'm scared to leave them. It's not fair! My dude Quinn, he's only ten, and sweet Paige whose eight but acts like her mother. Baby Kali, who I've only seen grow so little but so much.  I won't be there for the biggest moments in my children's life.

I want you to watch them grow for me. Be there for Ann please. Help her find someone new, I want her to love again. Jessica, promise me."

Jessica couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

" I promise you Jimmy." She says hugging him.

"Under my desk in my office at the house, there is a box of letters. They are organized into smaller boxes for Ann, Kali, Paige, and Quinn. Letters for certain days. Such as the day of my funeral, our wedding anniversary, their birthdays, wedding days, graduation days, everything. I started writing them a while ago. Just make sure they get them."

"I will."

"Thank you. I know you can help them through this. You were always their favorite." Jimmy smiles

Jessica softly chuckles with Jimmy.

That night Jimmy passed away, leaving his wife and three kids. Everyone was a wreck. The world felt different to everyone. Jimmy's amazing soul was taken from them, and it would be a long time until they reunited.