A Night to remember : Book 3

Chapter 19

****Kira****

The call stripped me of my bearings. I wasn't ready for something like this. I mean ., How is anyone ready for a call like this? My chest ached hearing my mother cry over the phone trying to explain to me that my dad had a Stroke. A Stroke.

I felt Max pull me into his embrace and gently took my phone. Everything was a blur from there. Chaos on arriving at the hospital was only the beginning of my horrific night. Leaning into my mother's arms and hugging her as she slowly falls apart is heartbreaking. But, as I walk the long halls towards him, my eyes focus on the endless white squares beneath my feet and continuously replay in my mind. 72 hours. 72 hours to see if he will remain with us or not.

I stood immobile before the door to his room not able to open it. I have yet to see him but I'm overwhelmed with the emotions of visualizing him in that bed. The echo of the machines a constant rhythm lets me know that he is still here but it's not enough. I slowly push the door open and step into the dim lit room. My gaze first landed on him and then immediately to his EKG machine. The slow rise and fall of his chest in tune with the steady beeps of the machines only says he is alive but barely hanging on. All the wires and tubes connected to him just broke me and I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I stepped closer to the bed and stared at the peaceful sleeping form of the man that was our lifeline, hanging from one of his own. Tears flowed freely down my face as I gently reached for his hand and held it in mine.

"Dad." I whispered. I waited hopefully for a reaction but deep down I knew it wouldn't come. "Oh daddy," my heart broke as I couldn't deal with this. I lowered my body over his and wept.

"I don't want to lose you," It was all I could say before I began to cry again.

Sometime had passed before I felt warm hands rub my back softly, and then gently pull me away. I hesitated not wanting to let go, but I was pulled into Max's warm embrace. I barely heard the nurses speak as they entered to read his vitals. I looked up into his eyes filled with sadness that mirrored the same as mine. "Beautiful." He held my chin and caressed my cheeks. "What am I going to do? What if he doesn't make it Max?" He pulled me into his arms and I buried my face in his chest and sobbed uncontrollably as he whispered words of Support and Hope.

"He will get through this beautiful. He is a strong man." He said rubbing my back.

He slowly drew me further to the door but I stopped and turned to look at my dad. "I don't want to leave him," My chest hurts so much just seeing him there. Helpless.

"You need to rest, Kira," Max whispered and pulled me close. "This isn't good for the baby," he added.

The baby. The thought of him never getting the chance to see the baby ripped a hole in my heart. I felt so defeated as Max pulled me along the hall into the waiting area. Shortly, a new set of arms pulled me close as I continued crying. I listened to the calm settling words of Arthur assure me that everything will be okay.

Then my brothers hugged me and my sister, I barely had time to think of when she arrived and then my mother's arms wrapped around me again. I pulled away as I stared into her agonizing gaze. The grief in her eyes made this grim reality all the more painful. "I want to stay," The thought of leaving him here was the worse feeling ever. I was convinced somehow in the fog of my bitter reality that it was best if I go home.

"We will come back early in the morning," Max leaned in close to me as he held me in his arms walking out of the hospital.

I slid in to the car and sat in silence at his side. My head rest on his chest as he rubs my shoulders with a soothing gentleness. The overwhelming urge to cry again was there but exhaustion and the slow forming headache wouldn't let me. All I could do is stare out the window, lost and silently praying for my dad to recover.

*****Max*****

Seeing her like this completely undoes my resolve. She looks lost and so sad I feel helpless with what to do. I held her in my arms as we drove home and remained silent at her side even on the elevator ride up to our apartment. She faltered a bit when we exited it and walked into the living room. She stopped mid stride and I paused beside her.

It was that look of apprehension and worry that had my heart slowly sinking as the minutes passed. I tilted her chin up to meet her gaze and my heart crumbles a bit more with. The way she briefly looked towards the elevator for a moment, I knew she wanted to return to the hospital. "I really wanted to stay with him, Max." she whispered.

"I know beautiful but you need your rest. You need to eat."

"I'm not hungry." Her gaze sadly held mine. As if she was bargaining food for returning to the hospital. I remain strong against that silent plea in her eyes and I stay steadfast in my decision. Without protest, she slowly walks before me towards our bedroom. Forgoing the need to change, she decided to climb into bed dressed as she was. I didn't have the heart to deny her this either, so I removed her shoes and settled in beside her. I pull her close and bury my face in her hair inhaling her sweet scent.

Some time had passed before I found myself wide awake beside her; listening to her steady breathing. She had lost the battle with sleep about 30 minutes ago. I couldn't relax. I was so strung up on the recent events of the evening that my head swam with so much that needed to be done. The Merger, Finding Bianca, Gregory's failing health and now Kira's well-being. I needed to be strong for her.

Finally I pulled back my arm from around her, and eased out of the bed. I watched her sleep for a couple of minutes while the sense of dread and guilt fluttered along the fringes of my consciousness. She had no clue how her life will be turned upside down with the very few remaining hours that are left. My heart ached with the thought.

I slowly turned and made my way to my office and shut the door. I decided it was best to go over my agenda and attend to my unanswered emails. The more responsible thing to do would be to square away everything and clear my calendar because the next couple of days will be hectic.

*****

Here we go my peeps another update. Tell me what you think...