My Personal Remedy

Chasing the Clouds

~Lincoln's P.O.V.~

-Flashback-

Ryleigh's ICU nurse came at about 2:30 this morning and woke Drake, Sandi, and I up.

"Mr. McManis." She said.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Ryleigh. Hurry."

"What happened?" I asked following her down the hallway.

"She only has a few minutes left. I'm sorry."

"No! She can't die! She can't! Drake!"

"What?" He asked.

"She's dying!"

"No!"

-Reality-

Heaven gained another angel this morning, leaving us all devastated. January 9, 2015. Ryleigh lived a short, inspiring life. I respected her choice and didn't call our parents until after it happened. They were devastated. I couldn't help but wonder what Ryleigh's eyes would've looked like if she had been able to open them one last time. Would they be her normal, bright, inspiring eyes or would they be full of fear? Or would they have looked like the morning dew, just beginning to settle on the grass? We'll never know.

-2 hours later-

"Lincoln." Drake managed to squeak out.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry."

"She isn't suffering anymore."

"No but we are at the moment. We need each other. Come to my house. You need to leave the hospital."

I agreed.

"The bathroom is down the hall, second door on your right. There are bedrooms upstairs and down. You can pick a room, any room. There are 12 of them. 10 are available." Drake said.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Did you know that Ryleigh cut herself?" I asked.

"Yeah. She told me."

"She never told me. I noticed it one day when she wore a short sleeeved shirt."

"I know."

"I just wish she would've told me. I just-. I just need my sister back." I said as I choked back tears.

"I know. It's okay. Just let it out." Drake said as he pulled me into his chest and started to cry himself.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"No. Don't be. It's fine. It's normal."

"I'm gonna go lay down. Do you have any aspirin?"

"Yeah, in the kitchen. Come on."

"Thanks."

-4 Hours Later-

"Lincoln." Drake said.

"Yeah?" I asked, startled from my sleep.

"Your parents called you. They are on their way here."

"I can't face them right now. I will break down."

"They need you right now Lincoln."

"I know but Ryleigh needed them."

"You're going to have to let go of that."

"I can't. I just can't. They betrayed her. I'm always going to have a certain resentment toward them because of that." I said, getting choked up.

"Lincoln I know but they are your parents. They just lost their 17 year old daughter. They need you."

"Okay. Will you be there with me just in case I need a little encouragement?"

"Of course."

"Thanks Drake. For everything."

--------------

When my parents came, we left and went to the hospital to clean out the room.

"Drake do you want these?" I asked, holding the box of ornaments Ryleigh ordered.

"If you guys don't then definitely."

"Here."

"Thanks."

"Do you want to go to our house here in Texas to go through her stuff there?" My dad asked Drake. He looked at me. I nodded.

"Sure. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"No. She really loved you."

"I know." Drake said. He gulped. He came over to me. "I don't want to go by myself."

"I'll go with you. If that helps any."

"Thanks man."

---------------------------

"We're here." I said as I pulled into the driveway.

"Let's do this." Drake said, letting out a sigh.

------

"Do you want this?" I asked. It was a drawing of Drake that Ryleigh did.

"Totally. Listen Lincoln. I don't want to intrude. If you don't feel comfortable doing this now then I can come back. If you don't want me to go through Ryleigh's stuff at all then just say the words and I won't."

"Its fine. Its just a little hard to cope with all this."

"I understand."

"Hey, my parents said that her funeral is going to be in 2 days."

"Thanks. Hey, let's go and come back when you're ready." Drake said.

"Okay."

-2 days later-

~Drake's P.O.V.~

"You look handsome. Let's go." My mom said as we were leaving for Ryleigh's funeral.

"Let's go." I said as I sighed.

-At the Funeral Home-

"Hey Lincoln." I said, pulling him into a hug. "You alright?"

"I'm hanging in there."

"Hey, even when I start working again if you need anything call or text me and I'm there."

"Okay."

-At the Cemetery-

After Ryleigh was buried I said goodbye to Lincoln, Samantha, and James.

"I mean it Lincoln. Anything and I'm here. I love you, man. You are tough."

"Thanks. Love you too. You are too."

We parted ways and then I got a text from Lincoln.

L- Thanks. For everything.

D- It was my pleasure.

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That's it! This was the final chapter of My Personal Remedy! So now it's time for my dirty little secret. I'm going to do a sequel!!!! Aah!!! It will be called "Life After Ryleigh." What was your favorite part of the whole book?

What did you think about Ryleigh's death? Lincoln and Drake becoming closer? Lincoln and Ryleigh's parents allowing Drake to go and look through Ryleigh's stuff?

Thank you guys so much for all the votes, views, comments, and support!

Leave questions and comments!

Xoxo-Cecilia