AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bex
Bex stashed her duffle bag in Aiden’s car then barged into the nursing home despite the late hour against the nurse’s wishes. She spotted Aiden by the bed and blindly crashed across the room to sit on his lap and wrap her arms around him.
“I’m here.”
Julie lay so still and lifeless in her bed. Her frame seemed too thin and too small. The heart monitor mounted to the wall above her head reassured Bex that she’d made it in time.
Aiden pressed his forehead to Bex’s and cried.
“Whatever you need. Let it out,” she said.
He tried to hide a sniffle. “Thank you for coming.”
“Anything.”
Bex held him tight. She held him while he let his tears out against her shoulder.
Eventually, she leaned toward Julie’s bed and took Julie’s hand in hers.
“I’m sorry. You treated me so well. I wish I could’ve been here before it came to this. I didn’t know.”
Bex’s voice cracked.
“You’re strong and brave, and I always felt welcome at your home. You were like another parent to me and I’ll forever treasure that.”
Julie remained non-responsive but her heart monitor beeped.
Aiden leaned forward and wrapped his hand around Bex’s, around Julie’s.
“I’m sorry I kept this from you for so long, but I’m glad you’re here now,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Bex’s hair.
Bex stood when a man in a lab coat, who she assumed was a doctor, entered the room.
Aiden stood as well.
“Dr. Stevens,” Aiden said to the salt-and-pepper haired man.
“Aiden.”
The man checked Julie’s IVs and monitors.
“I’m sorry it’s come to this. But I have to obey her living-will. It’s what she asked me to do.”
Aiden bowed his head. “I know.”
The man rounded the bed and placed a hand on Aiden’s shoulder.
“If it’s any consolation, she’s on a morphine drip right now. She’s feeling no pain.”
“Thanks, doc.”
The doctor patted Aiden’s shoulder, gave him a look of pity, and left the room.
Aiden and Bex sat in the chairs beside the bed. Bex reached over and took Aiden’s hand. He held it with his as he bowed his head. His free hand reached over and took Julie’s. When Bex glanced at him, his eyes were closed and he muttered words to himself.
They only sat there a few minutes before Julie’s heart monitor flat-lined.
Aiden’s hand tightened around Julie’s and a sob escaped his throat.
