“Okay. I wish there was something we could do, Mr. Rowe, but it’s out of our hands now.”
“Thank you,” I bite the words out through a clenched jaw. I end the call, forced to watch as Rachel shakes uncontrollably. When it finally stops, I feel completely defeated. I brush her hair out of her face and whisper, “Rach? Can you hear me?”
She blinks a couple of times, and when she tries to talk, her words are garbled. Tears flood her eyes as they lock on me.
I get up, and finding the prescription bag on the island, I tear it open and look through the bottles for the right medicine. I shake two pills into my palm and hurry back to the couch.
Placing my hand behind her head, I bring my palm to her mouth and feed her the pills. I quickly grab the bottle from the table and take off the cap so she can have a few sips of water.
“It will help with the seizures,” I say. I lean over her again and brush my hand over her hair as I lock eyes with her. “I love you, Rachel. Everything I’ve ever done has been for you, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.” Tears blur my sight, and I blink them away. “I will give Lainey the world and make sure she never forgets you.”
She nods, then manages to say, “Lasts.”
“We’ll do everything tomorrow. Just give the medicine time to work.”
She nods again before her lashes drift shut, and it looks like she’s fallen asleep.
“Is it safe?” I hear Nova ask.
“Yes.”
She comes back into the living room with Lainey, and panic laces her words. “How’s Rachel?”
“I’ve given her medicine, so she’ll sleep for a while.”
I only realize it’s getting late because Nova switches on the light in the kitchen. “I’ll make Lainey a sandwich. She hasn’t eaten all day.”
“Good idea.”
What a fucking day.
I get up, and grabbing a blanket that’s draped over the back of the couch, I spread it out over Rachel.
When I turn around, Lainey’s just standing and staring at her mother. I take her hand and lead her to the kitchen, where I grip hold of her hips to set her down on a stool.
Taking a seat beside her, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and ask, “How are you doing?”
Her bottom lip juts out. “My heart hurts.”
“I know, sweetheart.” I lean closer and press a kiss on her forehead. Worried about what this will do to Lainey, I ask, “Do you want to stay with Porsha and her family for a little while?”
She quickly shakes her head. “I don’t want to miss any time with Mommy.”
Unable to hide the brutal reality that’s become our lives, I say, “Mommy will only get sicker until she passes away. I’m not sure you should see that.”
“I’m staying,” she snaps, then her face crumbles. “Don’t send me away. Please, Uncle Easton.”
I pull her onto my lap. “Okay. I won’t. Shh. It’s okay.”
Nova gives me a compassionate look, then says, “I’ll make sure to leave the room with Lainey if something happens that she shouldn’t see.”
I nod. “Thanks, Nova.”
Holding my niece, I glance at the couch, not sure how we’re all going to get through the next few weeks.
That’s if we’re lucky. We might only have days left.
Chapter 16
