Chapter 15
It was Tuesday morning, the medications they had started giving Gwen had made her groggy. So many people had come to see her in the past two days- her whole head was spinning.
“Are you scared?” Derek asked, standing next to Gwen’s bed.
“A little nervous,” she admitted to her little brother.
“I am too,” Derek said, he suddenly leaned down and hugged his sister tight, “I love you Gweny.”
Gwen was surprised at first, it wasn’t like her brother to be affectionate.
“I love you too Der,” she said hugging him back, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”
“Ok,” Derek nodded. Gwen thought she saw tears come to her brother’s eyes.
Her parents smiled from their spot on the other side of the room.
“Have you guys seen Jay yet?” Gwen asked, she hadn’t seen him since the night before and knew he’d want to be with her before the surgery.
“I haven’t,” Lillian said, “But I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
“Me too,” Gwen said biting her lip and looking down at the sheet on her bed.
Gwen looked up as she heard footsteps jogging down the hall and into her room. She smiled as Jason entered, looking tired and carrying a bouquet of pink and white roses.
“Hi,” he said shyly stepping into the room.
“Hey,” she said from her bed. It seemed like no one else was in the room with them.
“Derek, Lily let’s get out of here for a minute,” her mother said as she ushered them out the door, followed by Gwen’s dad.
“These are for you,” Jason said handing her to dozen roses.
“Pink and white,” she smiled, “my favorite.” She smelled the roses, thinking it may be the last time she’d ever get to.
“So are you scared?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she admitted, “But I just keep thinking that when I get out you’ll be waiting for me and we’ll get married, and this’ll all be over.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Jason said, sitting on the bed with her, “The wedding.”
“Sure, what about it?” Gwen asked nervously.
“Gwen, let’s do it now?” he said quickly holding her hand.
“Get married?” she asked.
“We don’t need a big one, we can do it right here,” Jason was talking so fast, “Your parents are here, your brother and sister, we could get a priest and get married right now.”
“We can’t Jay,” she said, looking into his sad eyes.
“Why… why not?” he said confused.
“Because I can’t make you a husband and widower in the same day,” she answered, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Gwen,” he moaned wrapping her in his arms, the one place she felt safe.
“I love you so much Jay,” she cried, “I don’t want to leave you.”
“You won’t Gwen,” he said stroking her hair and rocking her back and forth, “We’ll always be together… forever.”
Gwen moved her face up and kissed him deeply.
“That may be our last kiss,” she said as she pulled her lips away.
“No Gwen,” Jason said sternly, “You’re going to make it…” Gwen interrupted him.
“You remember what you promised me?” she asked.
“About if you…” his voice trailed off.
“Yeah,” she said looking down, “You remember?”
“Yes Gwen,” he said as a single tear rolled down his cheek, “I remember, and it’s not going to matter, because I love you and only you.”
There was a knock at the door and Gwen and Jason both looked up to see a nurse walk in.
“Hi Gwen,” the nurse said, “We’re going to take you down to the O.R. in 10 minutes. You ready?”
“I hope so,” she said with a meek smile, “Could you send my parents in?”
“Right away,” the nurse said as she left the room.
“Here we go,” Gwen said, squeezing Jason’s hand.
Gwen watched as her family walked in, they all looked so sad, but tried to hide that with smiles. Jay walked to the wall to watch the scene, letting Gwen have time with her family.
“Gwen… I…” Derek said as he walked over to his sisters bed, “I… I hope you don’t die.” He threw his arms around his sister, and Gwen couldn’t help laugh.
“Don’t worry Derek,” she said hugging him back, “I love you sweetie.”
Gwen looked at him, her little brother actually started crying, which sent Gwen into tears as she held her brother.
“I love you Gwen,” he said after a few minutes, kissing her cheek.
Gwen smiled at him as he walked to their mother’s arms. Lillian walked over to her. Her normal happy smile and excited expression was replaced with a tear-streamed face.
“I love you Gweny,” she said hugging her older sister and crying, “I love you so much Gweny. Who else am I supposed to get guy advice from?”
Gwen once again laughed, “Don’t worry Lil’ Lily, I’m gonna be fine, you’ll see. I love you.”
Lily smiled and squeezed Gwen’s hand, then walked over to Jason, who put an arm around her shoulder.
“You have made me so proud,” her father said walking over, “I couldn’t have asked for more from you.”
He hugged her tightly, “I love you Gwen.”
“I love you too Daddy,” she said crying. He ruffled her hair and walked out of the room quickly. Gwen knew he wanted everyone to see him as the strong member of the family and not see him cry.
“Gweny,” her mom said as she wrapped her arms around her.
“Mom,” she said, “I love you.”
“I love you too honey, and everything’s going to be fine,” Gwen smiled. For some reason when her mom said it, it comforted her.
“Jay,” she said looking over at him.
He walked over and took her hand, “Gwen… I,” he started but was interrupted by a nurse.
“Let’s get this show on the road,” the nurse said as she started to roll Gwen’s bed.
Jason didn’t let go of her hand, he squeezed it quickly as the bed got to the doors leading to the O.R.
“I love you,” he said as her hand slipped away from his and she was brought through the doors.
She mouthed the same words and gave him a tiny wave and smile. Jason watched until she was completely out of view, then turned and went to the waiting room.
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Jason and Gwen’s family had been sitting in the waiting room for over 2 hours. Jason sat with his head in his hands.
Jay’s head popped up as he heard jogging down the hall. He saw Dr. Lemming rushing towards them. Jason stood up quickly, and uneasy feeling in his stomach.
Jason watched the doctor as he spoke, “there was a complication we didn’t expect, Gwen’s…”
Chapter 16
Chapter 14