Heaven Isn't Too Far Away After All.

Chapter 18 | A bad day

Nicole's point of view-

Yesterday was a good day, despite cutting my hand open. Waverly and I cooked up some potato soup for all of us, used my grandmas secret recipe.

Today however, that's a different story.

I wake up before Waves and decide to let her sleep a little while longer and make my way into Nanna's room. Tapping twice on the door, I don't hear a response or much of anything, my heart stops. I swing the door open and in a second flat I'm standing over Nanna.

"Nanna? Nanna are you okay?"

Nothing. My heart stops again. Placing the back side of my hand on her forehead I jump when I feel how clammy and cold it is.

"Waverly!" I holler. "Waverly!!" I holler again, this time my voice cracking as my eyes well up with tears.

"I'm coming I'm coming. Nicole what is what's wrong?" I hear her getting close to the door. "Is Nanna—"

She walks in, her hands going up to her mouth.

I swallow back my tears as best as I can. "Call 911."

Before I get the words out of my mouth that I've feared saying since I heard that she was sick, Waverly has her phone up to her ear.

"My girlfriends grandmother won't wake up, she was just fine last night." Her words jumping over each other, "Please send someone fast." She places her hand on my shoulder as I cry into the comforter, holding my beloved Nanna's hand.

Twenty minutes later we're riding in an ambulance heading the hospital. I haven't let go of her cold, clammy hand. Waverly not letting go of my other, rubbing tiny circles into my skin with her thumb.

We reach the hospital and are told that we need to check in. Waverly sits me down and makes her way to the counter, keeping my head down I overhear her telling the check in lady who we're with and what's going on.

I call my mom and tell her what happened, hearing my little brother crying in the background, my heart breaks even more. A long, excruciating hour goes by before a doctor calls my name out.

"Nicole?"

I stand up, this time my heart racing.

He sticks his arm out towards the patient care. "Follow me."

Waverly stands up, "Can I come with?"

The doctor nods his head, "Of course."

Walking down the long hall way we stop outside of my Nanna's room.

"Nicole as you know your grandma has a really bad case of the flu. Unfortunately, it led to an other infection, has your grandmother ever had asthma?"

I nod my head, unable to form words.

"I had a feeling. She's having a hard time breathing, we've hooked her up the machines but—" he pauses. Tears now streaming down my face. "She doesn't have much time left. I would suggest saying your goodbyes." He places his hand on Nicole's shoulder, "I'm terribly sorry."

We walk into the room, closing the door behind us. Waverly is the first to walk over to her side, placing a kiss on her cheek, "I'll give you some time alone with her."

I breakdown when I hear the door click shut. Taking her hand again I begin talking to her, hoping, praying that she can hear me.

"Nanna, I love you. I love you so much. I'm so grateful that I was able to spend a few days with you, I should've visited more, I'm so sorry. I knew you were going to like Waverly, she's so wonderful. Mom and Axel wish they could be here, they said they both love you very much."

Leaning over her placing one last kiss her on forehead, I hear it. The heart wrenching, most horrible sound in the world. The sound when you know you'll never hear your beloved ones voice again, or never see their smile again. A long, flat, ear piercing sound of the monitor flat lining.

More tears.

A knock at the door and a few doctors come in and tell me I need to wait in the hallway.

Waverly wraps me into her harms and I allow my head to drop onto her shoulder, tears upon tears.

I squeeze tighter. "I thought she was doing better. I thought she was going to pull through."

Rubbing my back she says "I'm so sorry Nicole. She loved you so much."

Later that night Waverly pulls my car onto the homestead.

She reaches her hand over to my thigh, "Nicole we're back."

Opening my eyes I can tell that they're still red and swollen underneath. I try to find my voice, "Can I—"

"Yes." Waverly says gently, "You can stay here with me tonight."

Walking in Wynonna has her arms open for me, I'm guessing Waverly told her what happened.

After taking Wynonna's hug, she pulls back, "I'm so sorry Haught, we're all here for you."

It's late but I phone Nedley telling him I won't be able to come in for while. I've got a funeral to plan. He understands and apologizes for my loss.

Not even bothering to wash my face I hit Waverly's bed, facing the wall. She crawls in after me, wrapping her arms around me then places a soft, delicate kiss on the back of my shoulder.

I have to admit, I had tears in my eyes writing this one. I know this chapter is a little bit shorter than the previous one, I felt it fit. Sorry to break your hearts. I would like to say it'll be the last time, but I can't.