Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

32

"It's only six weeks," Christian whispered into Elizabeth's ear outside of his terminal. He was about to hop on a direct flight to Phoenix for Spring Training with their daughter. They were devastated, but they were trying to hold it together for one another. They were both trying to be brave.

He kissed her forehead and cheek tenderly before kissing her lips, Ivy squirming in his arms. She wanted to be put on the ground, so she could stand and squeeze Elizabeth's leg as hard as she could.

"Bye, sweetheart," Elizabeth muttered, trying not to cry as she kissed Ivy and then Christian. "I love you both so much."

"I'll text you non-stop, we'll FaceTime every night before bed, and there's a ticket with your name on it whenever you're ready."

Elizabeth nodded, although she knew she probably wouldn't have time to come down to see them. Work was too busy. "Okay," she whispered.

"I love you, Elizabeth. We'll be home before you know it."

She watched them until they were at security, and Christian gave her a final wave goodbye. "I love you," he mouthed before turning his back to move toward the TSA agent checking in travelers.

She gave them a final smile, made her way to her car, and broke down into a fit of crying. It took her ten minutes to compose herself enough just to leave the parking garage, and the tears didn't stop flowing while she drove to her lonely apartment.

Christian's tears followed suit once settled into his seat on the plane, Ivy sitting securely on his lap.

They needed each other.

***

"We did everything we could, Mr. Yelich. We just couldn't stop the internal bleeding. Do you want to see her?"

Christian nodded, tears pouring out of his eyes. His heart tearing apart.

Her face was ghost white and all the life had disappeared from her eyes. Her baby bump was intact, and Christian fell to his knees.

Elizabeth was gone. Their daughter, a joy they were so excited to share, was gone. Everyone left him. Jose. Sloane. His beautiful mother. Everyone.

Christian woke up to the sound of Ivy crying. He went to hold her, the tears from his dream now a reality on his face.

The dreams had only worsened since leaving Milwaukee, far away from his love. The images were vivid. He got chills at the thought of seeing Elizabeth's cold, dead body. He had to call her. He had to see her. He had to know she was okay.

It was 5:00 in the morning in Arizona. Elizabeth would be getting up soon to go to the gym, a routine she was trying to keep because going after work was too difficult. She wanted that time with Christian and Ivy.

He breathed a sigh of relief when she answered his FaceTime request. "Baby," he said softly.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry at the sight of Christian's pale face and tear-stained cheeks.

"I love you."

"I love you too . . . What's going on? Did you have another dream?"

"Yeah, I lost you . . ." He didn't want to bring up that they lost a baby, too. That might break open her wounds. He didn't want that.

"Chris, I'm perfectly okay. Just going to finish making this shake and then head over to the gym. I have a labor induction this morning. Nothing is going to happen. I'm not going anywhere," she said softly, trying to calm him. "Okay?"

"Okay," he breathed. "Elizabeth?"

"Yeah?" she questioned a sweet little half-smile on her face.