The Youngest Chapman (COMPLETED)

- 38 -

Jack's POV
It's Conor's birthday today and he's spending at the hospital according to himself. The boys and I planned something special for him though to take his mind off Kat's coma... for the night at least. I look over at the tiny black box on my bedside table and frown at it.

Kat's birthday gift to Conor.

She had given it to me and said to give it to Conor if they end up not making up from their last fight. The one they had before he left for his gig, before shit hit the fan that day and she ended up in the hospital. I've kept the gift since, planing on giving it to my brother like she asked. I grab the box and gently place it in my jacket pocket before headed out of the apartment and heading to the hospital.

Conor's POV
Another week and still nothing. Kat's still in a coma. I'm starting to go mad from all this and I'm losing myself in this depression I'm in. I can tell its killing Jack to see me like this and I don't want him to feel like he has to cheer me up all the time or try to get me to think about something else so I don't go crazy. He should live his life and not have to worry about me but that's not how he is, not with family, not with Kat. He'd do just about anything to cheer up me or Kat whenever we were feeling down. That's just the kind of brother and friend he is.

Suddenly the door to Kat's room opens to reveal Jack and Josh. I nod at them before turning my attention back to Kat's unconscious body. She has a breathing mask on and all kinds of tubes connecting to her to keep her alive. I can't take seeing her so vulnerable like this.

"Hey bro, come out with us tonight. Its your birthday today. Kat would want you to celebrate it and have fun." I shake at my brother.

"I can't have fun when she's here." It's the first time I've spoken in like a week so my voice is really raspy and hoarse.

"She gave me this to hold on for you til your birthday." I turn to my brother when he says that and I see him pulling out a small black box with a ribbon wrapped around it. He holds it out to me and I hesitantly take it from him. I pull at the ribbon and open the box. A note falls out and I pick it up before looking inside the box to see the knot ring I gave her attached to a chain. I unfold the note and read it to myself.

My dearest Conor,

If you're reading this note that means Jack gave it to you and that we never made up from our fight... I just wanted to say I will always love you and continue to be here for you if you ever need me. I never loved Cody, I only thought I did but I was a young girl then. Cody was only ever a friend to me but not anymore I've cut him off forever for what he did to me, to us. It's you, and only you that I love with all my heart. I really did hope we would get married someday and have little baby Maynards ha ha. But I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe someday you'll find someone who loves you as much as I do or possibly more so and you'll have a wonderful little family of your own. Please don't forget me and the amazing memories we've shared over the years, whether as friends or lovers. I know I won't. You gave me the best 4 years of my life and for that I can never thank you enough. Thank you for showing me what it's like to really be in love and to be loved in return.

Forever Yours,
Katherine

P.S.     The chain is from an old necklace of mine that I never wear anymore. It's so you'll have a piece of me wherever life takes you. Thank you for wanting to marry me even for a short while.

As I read the note over and over, I feel the tears come back again. I set the note aside and take the chain out with the knot ring attached. I unclasp it and wrap it around my neck before clasping it again as it hangs down against my collarbone. I run my hand over it for a moment before tucking it under my shirt, out of sight. I lean down to kiss the top of Kat's head and whisper into her ear.

"Come back to me, Katherine Sophia Chapman."

*The Next Day*
Jack and Josh had finally convinced me to go out for my birthday so by time I get back to the hospital, it's already the next morning. I spot Kat's doctor on my way to her room and he stops me in the hall.

"Mr Maynard, good to see you. Again I'm sorry about your loss." I look at him in confusion and slight worry.

"Kat..she didn't.." I start to say but the doctor cuts me off.

"Oh no, Miss Chapman is still in a coma. I was referring to your unborn child that had passed away sometime between the car crash and the transport here," The doctor informs me. My heart drops at his words.

"Kat was pregnant with my child?" I ask to confirm what he said. The doctor looked at me confused and nodded his head at my question.

"Didn't your brother or her brother tell you? They said they would..." The doctor trails off. My head slowly shakes at his question to inform him that I wasn't told. I'm rendered speechless as I walk past him to Kat's room. I see Jim and Tanya already there, starting to decorate her room for Christmas already. I close the door behind me, making them turn to look at me and they each give me a small smile.

"Thought I'd go ahead get started. It is her favorite holiday after all. I always go all out for her," Jim informs me. I nod my head at him.

"Why didn't you or Jack tell me?" I ask him. He looks at me confused.

"Tell you what?" He asks.

"The doctor just told me that Kat was pregnant when she got hit by Maria's car or that she had lost it sometime from then til she got to here..." I trail off, my voice cracked from the emotion I'm feeling. Jim and Tanya look at each other with sad looks.

"I had a right to know!" I exclaim.

"Look, Jack wanted to tell you himself that's why I didn't but he couldn't bring himself to tell you more terrible news," Jim explains to me. The tears flow down my face as think about the family I could've had with Kat.

"Did she know? Did Kat know?" I ask Jim and he nods his head.

"Why didn't she tell me?" My voice breaks again.

"Kat was suspicious but she wanted to wait til she was completely 100% sure before telling anyone, before telling you," Tanya answers for her husband. I sigh as I drop into the seat next to Kat's hospital bed and put my head down with my hands in my somewhat messy hair. I haven't done my hair in over a month, I barely get dressed properly anymore.

"I just wish someone had told me..." I trail off as the tears are proper falling now. Jim comes over to me and pats my shoulder.

"If it's any comfort, I think you and Kat would've been great parents." I nod at his words before looking up at Kat's unconscious body. I grab hold of her hand that's closest to me, holding it up to my lips before placing a gentle kiss on the back of it. I keep her hand against my lips as I let my tears fall onto her hand.

"You should've told me, Kat."