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Chapter 30

Song: {You Are My Life- Michael Jackson}

Paris's POV

As Prince and I walk to our sister's room, we notice Taryn slouched against the wall next to the door. Prince runs to her, followed by me, and kneels in front of her. I sit beside her and grab her arm.

"Taryn." I say softly. Prince shoots me a warning glare, and I send one back. 

"What's wrong? What happened?" Prince asks suddenly, and Taryn looks at him. I turn her away from him and hug her. When she pulls away, she wipes her face and looks between Prince and I. She throws her head back and it hits the wall behind her with a loud thud. Prince and I cringe, but she sits up as if it was nothing.

"The nurse. She asked me about my options." She begins slowly and Prince and I's faces fall simultaneously. 

"What?" Prince asks and Taryn turns to him. He presses his lips into a straight line and I bite mine as he looks at me. "What did you tell her?" I ask and Prince gives me another warning glare, as if to say "Take it easy."

Taryn draws in a deep breath and looks at me. "Nothing. She said she'd give me some time to think."

"And what have you been thinking?"

"Paris." Prince warns. Taryn turns to him and places her hand on his cheek. "No. It's okay, sweetheart." She coos and he looks at me as Taryn turns back to me. "I told myself I need to think like her," she begins and I swallow and nod. "And I know she wouldn't give up." She finishes. I can't help the tear pushing itself from my eye.

Prince hugs Taryn and whispers something in her that I cannot quite hear. When he pulls away, I pull her into another embrace. I'm sure she's had enough hugs to last her a life time, but at a time like this she could really use as many as she can get. 

When I pull away, Taryn places her hand on my upper bicep and nods. I see Prince stand out of the corner of my eye and turn around to catch a glimpse of what he's looking at. When I see my grandma approaching us with a man, I stand and help Taryn up as well.

"Grandma." Prince says and as I take in the man's posture and the way he walks, I begin to recognize him. "Dad." I whisper, running the rest of the way to him. I throw my arms around him and sob into his chest. I know Prince is confused, but by the way I approached the disguised man, I'm hoping he comprehends.

Blanket's POV

I can't help but feel a little uncomfortable knowing my grandpa and I are the only ones in the room with Natalie. I cannot say the things I had planned on and practiced in my head because I feel uncomfortable talking to my unconscious twin sister in front of him.

I glance up at my grandpa from the chair I'm sitting in next to Natalie's bed, and notice he's staring at me. 

Or Natalie, I cannot tell which. 

I quickly focus my gaze back to Natalie, and place my hand on top of hers. She looks so peaceful; almost too peaceful.

...

My head snaps up as soon as the door opens and people come pouring in one after the other without warning. First is my grandma, then my mom, Prince, a strange man and lastly, Paris. I stare at the mysterious man curiously–I have never met nor have I ever seen him in my life. I squeeze Natalie's hand out of protection and eye him with warning. 

"Blanket." Mom says my name and gestures to the man in only a way that I would know. My hands shake violently, and it is only the moment I take in the man's tall figure and posture that I finally begin to recognize him. I'm not staring at a strange man that I have never met before.