A week had passed by since Demi, Wilmer, Olivia and little Tom had arrived at the hospital.
Tom was really, really sick. A fever was invading his tiny body and he was fighting for his short life.
Demi was broken. She hadn´t slept in the whole week. Tiredness was written all over her face. Wilmer tried to look strong, to be there for her but in the inside he was dying.
Six year old Olivia could not really understand what was actually going on but she knew that something bad was happening to her three year old brother.
“Mommy? When is he going to get well?” Olivia asked for what it felt like the one hundredth time.
Demi looked at her daughter with tears in her eyes,
“Soon, baby, soon” She replied with a cracked voice. Olivia turned around to look at her dad who was just staring at the wall.
“Daddy?” Olivia got on top of his lap. Wilmer gently wrapped his arms around his daughter and placed a kiss on her hair. “I wanna play with Tommy” Olivia whispered, tired of being there.
Wilmer sighed.
“Your little brother will get better soon and then you´ll be able to…”
Before Wilmer could finish talking, the machines around Tom started to beep crazily, causing Demi to go insane, crying loudly and holding Tom´s hand.
“No, baby, what´s going on? Stay strong, baby!” A desperate Demi cried. Wilmer quickly got up, left Olivia on the floor and went to hold his shaking wife.
“Doctor! Doctor! Someone please help!” Wilmer yelled and, soon, the hospital room was filled by doctors and nurses.
They pushed Demi away, who tried to fight at first but then ended up crying uncontrollably into Wilmer´s chest when she heard the words. “We´re losing him”
“Wilmer, our baby!” She cried hysterically. Wilmer just rubbed her back up and down. Olivia hugged Wilmer´s legs as she slowly started crying too.
“Sorry… Your little son has died” The doctor said, looking at the family with sadness. “We tried everything but… The fever was too high… His tiny body couldn’t handle it…”
“Thanks, doctor” Wilmer said.
The doctor smiled apologetically and left the room with the other doctors and nurses, leaving the family alone.
Demi cried while she kissed her son´s face. Wilmer didn´t know how to react. He just stayed there, looking at a crying Demi, a dead Tom and at little Olivia who stared at her lifeless brother.
“Mommy?” Demi´s teary eyes looked at Olivia. “Yeah?”
“Now Tommy is our nightingale” The little girl said, causing more sobs to exit Demi.
“Yes, baby girl. Yes, yes he is.” Demi cried, wiping away the tears that were soon replaced by new ones.
Through Wilmer´s cheeks were also running tears. He got up and walked up to Demi and wrapped his arms around her, finally sobbing along with her.
“I need a voice to echo, I need a light to take me home, I kinda need a hero, is it you?” A sweet voice caused Demi and Wilmer to pull away and look at their daughter Olivia, who was singing to her brother.
“I never see the forest for the trees, I could really use your melody. Baby I´m a little blind, I think it´s time for you to find me” She gently brushed her delicate fingers through the sweated hair of Tommy.
“Can you be my nightingale? Sing to me, I know you´re there” She sang in whispers but loudly enough for her parents to listen.
Wilmer took Demi´s hand in his as they watched.
“You could be my sanity, bring me peace, sing me to sleep. Say´ll you´ll be my nightingale”
Tears left her eyes and ran down her precious angel´s face. And, before she could do anything to stop it, she started crying uncontrollably, not being able to finish the song.
She took her brother´s tiny hand in hers. Not wanting to let go.
“Olivia, baby, it´s ok. Let him go” Demi whispered, kneeling down in front of her. Quickly, Demi´s actions were followed by Wilmer.
“No! Mommy, daddy! I want him to say it! Say you´ll be my nightingale, Tommy! Say it!” She cried out.
“Princess, he can´t…” Wilmer whispered. “Tommy! Come back, Tommy!” Little Olivia was now shaking, still holding Tom´s hand in hers.
“Baby…” Demi started. “Let´s go home, you need to rest baby girl”
Olivia shook her head and got into the bed, next to Tom and wrapped her arms around him.
“Say you´ll be my nightingale?” She sang into his ear.
Demi breathed out and turned to see Wilmer. He just wrapped his arms around her and they both closed their eyes while Olivia sang for her brother, eventually ending the song.
“I´m your nightingale, sissy” Tom´s weak voice spoke suddenly.
“Tommy!” Olivia squealed and hugged her brother.
“Baby!” Demi rushed by her child´s side and gently hugged him. “But… This is impossible” Wilmer smiled happy and hugged him too.
Somehow, little Tom was alive and that caused this family to be happy again.
And they would be happy forever.
