His body tenses beside mine, hand tightening against my own. “What’s wrong?”
“I think it’s best if you speak with Dr. Daltonsen. I’ll page him to let him know you’ve arrived, and he’ll come see you right away.” Everly speaks up for Jannice, whose eyes begin to water.
Noah swallows, jaw straining. “Just tell me what’s going on,” he barks out, butit’s not aimed at them. He feels exactly what I’m sensing, that we’re about to receive bad news.
Everly sighs. “Trinity isn’t doing too well… we had to place a ventilator because her oxygen levels are dropping and she’s struggling to breathe on her own… she—”
Noah doesn’t give her time to finish. He tightens his hold on my hand and marches over to Trinity’s room. He swings the door open quickly and walks to the end of her bed, standing in place like a frozen statue as he stares down at his sister.
One look at her, and I know this is bad. She doesn’t look like the Trinny I saw just four days ago. Tubes and wires spill out from everywhere, with new machines placed beside her bed. Her skin has turned a pale ashy color, making her look like she aged ten years in the blink of an eye. Jesus, she even looks like she lost weight.
I take a step closer, blinking back the emotions that threaten to surface. I delicately place my hand on Noah’s arm, looking up at him. He still hasn’t moved, hasn’t said a word. “Noh…”
He clears his throat and shakes his head, taking a step away from me. My hand drops from his arm, landing at my side. I try to ignore the sting of rejection as he turns his back to me. I know it isn’t about me; he’s hurting and fighting his emotions. Having me here is probably making it harder.
I take a step back toward the door. “I’ll wait outsi—”
“No,” he says harshly, making me jump, but then falls silent for a few seconds. “Please don’t leave…” he finally whispers, and my heart breaks at the pain in his voice.
I quickly walk up to his back that still faces me, wrapping my arms around him and resting my cheek against his stiff muscles. “Okay, I’m not going anywhere.” I kiss his back and sense him take a deep breath.
Letting go, I walk over to Trinity’s side and settle into the chair, reaching out to hold her cold hand. “Hey, beautiful.” I smile sadly, tears welling in my eyes as I rub my thumb back and forth over her hand.
“I know we saw each other a few days ago, but I really wanted to show you my new hair. Your brother picked it out for me. Do you like it? Don’t tell him I said this, but I’m starting to think he has really good taste. First me, now my hair. What’s next?”
I turn to the sound of Noah’s soft chuckle; he breathes out and offers me a gratified smile, then mouths, “Thank you.”
I smile and nod just as the door to Trinity’s room opens, and in comes Dr. Daltonsen. Noah swivels and reaches him near the door, shaking his outstretched hand. “Noah, I’m happy you could make it in today. And I’m sorry this isn’tunder better circumstances.” He looks past Noah and directly at me. “Hello again, Veronica.”
“Hi.” I give him a small wave, then redirect my focus to the angel resting in bed.
They cut to the chase, and Dr. Daltonsen divulges the situation at hand, going into technical terms and explaining what they are doing. I try to listen in, but he tends to talk like everyone around him is a doctor and understands medical terms and codes. After so many years, I know Noah does, but I’m still new at this. So besides small recognizable words, I still don’t have a clue what’s happening to her.
I stand and kiss Trinity’s forehead, my hand slowly leaving hers as I walk over to Noah, coming into his side as his arm holds onto my waist. He turns his head to me and kisses my temple. “What’s going on?” I ask quietly.
Noah gulps thickly before talking. “She has an infection.”
“Oh, okay. Can we treat it?” I ask, feeling hopeful.
The doctor gives me a despairing look as Noah faces me and cradles the back of my head with one hand, the other still around my waist. He brings my head down to his shoulder, kissing my forehead with a sigh. “There’s no point…”
“Why not? Why would you say that?” My voice cracks, emotions clogging up my throat. I don’t move; I need his comfort just as much as he needs mine in this instant.
“Her organs are failing…” Those words are like a direct stab to my heart. I turn my head into him as the tears that have been on the verge of falling since we walked in finally let loose.
“I’m sorry,” Dr. Daltonsen says softly.
Noah nods against me. “I knew it was a matter of time.” I lift my head and look into his sad, heartbroken eyes.
Dr. Daltonsen steps closer, placing his hand on Noah’s back. “We’ll continue to treat her, give you both time to come to terms. But you should know that it won’t be long despite our best efforts.”
He squeezes my arm then retreats. “I’ll leave you both. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. Again, my sincerest apologies.” He turns and exits the room.
We stand there for a moment, not wanting to pull away, not knowing how to accept this. Eventually, Noah takes my hand and brings us over to Trinity. He sits down in the chair and pulls me into his lap. And for the next two hours, all we do is sit there in complete silence, staring at the young girl who lost her life too early.
The car ride home is silent, so are the next few hours in the penthouse. Noah busied himself with drinking the minute we stepped out of the elevator, then wentup to his room after a few heavy glasses. I’m not taking it personally; I understand he needs his space right now, so I busy myself with cleaning, since it is still my job here.
It’s four in the afternoon when Gabe finally gets home. He had some photoshoots and a commercial to do with some sponsors, so he’s been out of the house most of the day. And I think it was for the best. Noah still doesn’t seem to want to tell people about his sister, and I’m not sure how we could have hidden his current mood if Gabe had been home.
