Left Behind

You Won't Forget

In Minnesota-

"We just landed and are heading to the hospital to be with Jessica..." Dorthy says in a muffled tone

"I don't understand how this all happened. Just give Jessica my best." Jane says with tears rolling down her face.

"Jessica will need us, a lot, Jane. I can't imagine, she's been alone all day. Zoe, she's just as upset. Hopefully we can get her home." Dorthy begins to tear up again.

"Keep me updated." Jane says

"I will, I love you."

"Love you too."

Jane puts down the phone and begins to cry to herself. She had just gotten the news that Danny had died. It was so unexpected. She was shocked. It was a lot to take in. Her heart broke for Jessica. Everyone's did. Everyone knew how in love they were. They couldn't imagine the pain she was in, they just wanted to make it better and take that pain away, and bring Danny back.

Sarah, who was visiting Jane, comes into the room to see why she was gone for so long.

"Hey girl, little Lillian is looking for her mama!" Sarah chuckles

Jane turns to Sarah with tears rolling down her face.

"Oh my gosh, Jane! Are you okay?" Sarah asks

She shakes her head "Danny, he's dead." She utters

Sarah stood there and her body went numb.

"Dead? He can't be." Sarah says in denial

"He had a heart attack on the plane, they landed in Cleveland, he died in surgery."

Sarah grabs her chest and slowly sits down. Her mind went directly to Jessica. Her first thought was to get to Cleveland and see her. Then, she thought about how Jessica may want nothing to do with her.

"Jessica- how is she?"

Jane shakes her head "No idea... she's been alone. My mom and Zoe just landed."

"I should go to Jessica. What if she needs me."

"That's not a good idea, Sarah. Just wait."

//-//

Cleveland-

Zoe and Dorthy arrive at the hospital very late. Zoe had been falling apart the whole trip. As hard as it was for Dorthy, it was ten times harder for Zoe. She had to say strong for her friend.

When they get to the floor Jessica told them she was on they couldn't find her.

"Excuse me... I'm looking for my daughter Jessica Huston. She's here with her husband, Daniel." Dorthy says

The nurse knew exactly who Jessica was.

"She hasn't left the room all day... I can take you to her." She says

"Is my son in the room?" Zoe asks

The nurse nods "Yes, she's been with him."

When they get to the room they expected to see Danny on all kinds of wires and tubes. But he wasn't hooked up to anything. Jessica laid next to him in the bed, crying and shaking. Danny's gown was soaked from all of her tears.

Dorthy walks to Jessica and Zoe stands at the door, crying as she gazes at her dead son.

Jessica didn't greet her mother. She just laid there. She wouldn't let go. She refused to leave the bed.

"Jessie..." Dorthy says wrapping her arms around Jessica.

"It's not fair... he can't leave me." She yells

Then, Zoe walks over to Jessica. She gets into the other side of the bed and holds Jessica's hand.

"He loved you so much, Jessica. You'll see him again." Zoe mumbles

Jessica's grasps onto her mother in laws hand and nods.

"His last words were that he loved me... I'd do anything to hear him say it again."

Zoe and Dorthy were both speechless. Watching Jessica and seeing how she was reminded them of how horrible it was when they lost their husbands. If there was one thing in this world they never wished on their children, it was the pain of losing the love of their life... both Zoe and Dorthy had been through what Jessica is going to go through. They hated that she'd be in so much pain. As hard as the loss was for them, they knew they'd have to be there for Jessica.

She didn't take death well. When her father died her life had changed in so many ways. She left her family after his passing. Now, Danny. No one knew what was to come of her. They wanted to keep her in Minnesota for as long as possible to help her.

//-//

Thanksgiving-

A few more hours had passed, it was the next morning. The three women were in the same exact spot. They didn't move. They just stayed with Jessica as she cradled Danny in her arms.

But the time was coming that Jessica would have to say goodbye. They were going to fly his body back to Minnesota. The doctors had been trying since his death to get him ready, but Jessica wouldn't move. Now, Zoe and Dorthy had to tackle this task.

"Jessica, you have to say goodbye. We have to go." Dorthy says taking her hand.

Jessica forcefully pulls it away and grabs hand.

"No, I won't leave him! I want to be with my husband!" She yells

Zoe was trying to hold it together. This was all so painful. Seeing Jessica like this was painful too.

"Jessica, the doctors need to prepare his body so he can be in Minnesota. We have a catch a flight at ten. Please, Jessica. Now let's go." Dorthy says

"Let go of me!" She screams

Dorthy, backs off. She couldn't do a single thing.

"I don't want to say goodbye. This is the last time I'll ever be able to hold him. After this I'll forget. I don't want to forget." She says sternly

Zoe, slowly comes up to Jessica and puts her hand on her back.

"We understand, Jessica. We totally do. But you'll never forget his touch.... it's one thing I've never forgotten about John. You'll never forget the feeling of his hand in yours, or his voice. I promise you, you'll never forget. It stays with you forever."

Jessica bows her head and slowly let's go Of Danny. Tears roll down her face as she backs away. Then she quickly takes his hands again. The doctors waited impatiently at the door.

"No, I forgot!" She cries

Zoe let's Jessica hold his hands.

"Please, give her time." Zoe says to the doctors

The doctors quickly scurry away.

Dorthy, then comes up to her daughter and stands on the other side of her.

"We know how you feel, Jessica.... We understand."

And that was the most powerful thing Dorthy could say to Jessica. It's really all Jessica needed. It was simple but helpful. Jessica remembered that she wasn't alone... she wasn't the only one who has felt the pain she is feeling at the moment.  Zoe, Dorthy, and even her sister Ann knew exactly how she felt.

"We will be here for you, Jessica. You'll never be alone. Danny is never truly leaving." Zoe says with tears

Jessica leans her head on Zoe and sobs into her neck. She let's go of Danny slowly and both women guide Jessica out of the room.

Jessica didn't want to part with Danny, but it was time.

//-//