Tightrope: A Scomiche AU

Chapter Sixteen

Three months passed, and Mitch became completely bedridden. He was holding onto his life as tight as he could, but his grip was slowly loosening as he waited to meet his beautiful future daughter. He held onto a thread for that little girl, and everyone dreaded the day she was finally here, as they knew he'd be gone not too long after she came into the sick and twisted world they all knew. Kirstie, whenever she thought about it, wondered if it was worth bringing something so innocent into a world so tormented. The air around the four was full of inevitable loss and heartache, and none of them knew what the hell to do with it.

It was a snowy December day, and the patients, with family, were all allowed into the garden for a winter festival. Mitch wasn't well enough to go, but sent the other three to video chat as they did the activities so he'd be there. He waited for the call as they walked to the festival, putting on some Christmas music and humming along while decorating his room.

At the same time he was decorating, the three were heading to the gift shop to pick up the boxes on top of boxes of items to set up their booth at the festival; giving clothes and necessities to those who needed them, no matter the size or shape. Kirstie was going to help women and kids, with Coby's help, and Scott helped the men. They were also giving out autographed MGM Grassi books, all having a 1000 dollar visa hidden in them.

"Excuse me, Miss," Kirstie heard a woman call out as she put the finishing touches. Kirstie spun around to see a pregnant woman around her age with a girl that looked a little older than Coby. She saw Coby blush and scurry away to

"Oh hello!" Kirstie greeted. "Do you need anything?"

"A friend more than anything," she admitted. "My husband, he said he met Mitch. He told me y'all's story, which is beautiful, and I thought it'd be nice to have a friend here, yano? I am Kairi Thompson, and this little beauty is Amaya. My husband, Rick, told me you'd be here giving out stuff."

"Yeah," Kirstie nodded, "It's items for those who need them. Is there anything you need? Like clothes, shoes, books, toiletries, or basically anything you can get at the gift shop?"

"I wouldn't mind some new clothes," she admitted. "The inlaws kicked me out when Rick was put in the hospital. I can't get any of my items until he dies. They all live in the 'Japanese people are toxic' mindset so until the will is revealed after his passing, I can't get anything."

"My girlfriend is a lawyer," Kirstie offered. "If your husband is well enough to sign papers we can get you back in that house to get your stuff. If anything is stolen or ruined, we will sue. You said Thompson? As in Laura and Will Thompson?"

"Oh how did you know?" Kairi asked with a shocked look on her face.

"They worked for my father," Kirstie explained. "They tried to screw him out of money, and when they failed, they claimed my Latina mother tried to get violent and tried to sue. To avoid being charged for false accusations, along with a blatant hate crime, they dropped it. They won't be able to fight it if they know who is on your side. They are legally unable to fight it."

"You would do that for me?!" Kairi gasped, the Latina nodding with a smile. "Oh thank you! I will forever be grateful. I will tell my husband about you as soon as I see him."

"Until then," Kirstie added, picking a coat out for the two ladies. "You look about my size and this one is big enough for Amaya to grow into it for another year or two. I saw you only have sweaters on. Here ya go. There are gloves and a hat in the pockets. We will bring one by for your husband a little later."

"You are so sweet!" Kairi beamed, putting the coats on Amaya and herself.

"I also want to give you Mitch's latest book," Kirstie added, handing her the book. "I've also added 50 10k visas in there, so you never have to worry about money as long as I'm around."

"I will make sure to read it," Kairi nodded, the two ladies walking away.

"I am so happy her husband isn't as bad as the rest of her family," Kirstie sighed, walking over to Scott. "They're the actual reason that I was so poor. Their daughter claimed I made a move on her, which it was the other way around, and my mother didn't want a lesbian in her Christian household. Well that's fine. I'm happy with the life I have now."

"You're a good person for helping her," Scott laughed, folding the last of the men's shirts. "This is exactly what this booth is for. Why'd you pick her for the 500k?"

"I felt for her, yano?" Kirstie explained, sitting down. "I know what it's like to be screwed over by that family. I understand her pain. I want to destroy that family once and for all."

"Oh okay," he nodded with understanding before Kirstie screamed in pain. "Oh my God! Are you okay?!"

"It feels like labor pains," she cried out, "but it's too early for that. I am so scared."

"Hey Korin!" Scott yelled, the nurse running over. "I need to take her in. Would you be able to get a couple nurses to run my booth? I need to take Kirstie in. I think she might be having her baby early."

"Yes sir," Korin nodded, the blond taking Kirstie in, dropping Coby off with the in-hospital daycare.

~**********~

Mitch woke up, due to passing out while decorating, and noticed that someone put him back in his bed, and that the music was still playing. He looked around and saw he was alone, and that it was dark out. He grabbed his phone and realized how late it was, shuffling to call his husband. After three rings the line picked up.

"Mitch! Are you okay?! When I came by the room yesterday, you were on the floor."
"Yesterday?"
"Yeah. You've been out since about 4pm yesterday, well technically the day before yesterday. It's about to be 5 in the morning. I kept the music on in case you woke up. I'm happy you did. Kirstie was discharged, so everything is okay. She had the baby early, but both ladies are safe and healthy. Kirstie waited for you to be awake because she wanted you to name her. We will be there to see you in about five minutes."
"Oh that's... That's fine... I... I will see you... When... When you get here...."
"Umm okay. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
"Bye, Babe."

"So this will be it..." Mitch sighed, putting his phone away. About five minutes later, the three walked in with a little bundle in Scott's arms.

"We brought someone to come see you," Scott smiled, putting the newborn into the Italians arms.

Instantly, Mitch's heart felt warm and his body felt completely peaceful. As he felt her breathe, in and out, he felt his breaths beginning to become shorter and further in between. With every heartbeat he felt from her, the slower his became. The stronger the baby seemed to become, the weaker he felt. With every sound she made, one less came from him. He felt his life drain into his child, giving her a chance to thrive in a world that he never would. He knew it was the end, so he pulled her close and gave her one kiss of life before looking up with his last tears in his eyes.

"I... I want... Want her name... Name to be... Scarlett Rose..." Is all Mitch could muster before the heart monitor flat-lined.