Chapter 27
Skye
Waking up to Gage in my bed is a new experience and one that I really like.
Gage is still asleep beside me, one arm draped over my waist, his face relaxed in the rare peace that only comes with early morning stillness.
I shift slightly, just enough to press a soft kiss to his shoulder, trying not to wake him.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it lazily, expecting a message from Gemma on wedding planning or maybe a spam call. But when I see the caller ID, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, my stomach drops.
"Hello?"
The voice on the other end is calm but professional. "Is this Skye Lawrence?"
"Yes." My voice is tight. I already know something is wrong.
"We're calling about your mother, Meredith Lawrence. There was a significant change in her condition overnight. She's been admitted to the ICU. We need you to come as soon as you can."
I sit up in bed so fast the sheets fall away. "Is she, will she…"
"She's stable for now, but the doctors are concerned. It's important that you come."
My heart is hammering. "Okay. I'm on my way."
I hang up and toss the phone aside, already scrambling out of bed.
"Skye?" Gage's voice is rough from sleep, and his confusion is laced in every syllable. "What's wrong?"
I yank on my jeans, trying to find a clean shirt. "It's my mom. She's in the ICU. I need to go."
He's out of bed in an instant, grabbing his own clothes. "Give me two minutes. I'm coming with you."
"You don't have to…"
"I'm not letting you do this alone, and you're in no condition to drive."
I open my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes silences me. Instead, I just nod.
While I finish getting dressed, Gage moves with purpose, pulling on his clothes and grabbing his keys. Within minutes, we're in his car, the tension thick in the air as he drives, one hand reaching for mine, grounding me.
I don't even realize I'm crying until he squeezes my fingers.
"We'll get through this. I'm right here."
I nod, swallowing the knot in my throat as we speed toward the hospital, my heart breaking with every mile.
The ride to the hospital is a blur. Gage's hand never leaves mine. He doesn't say much, just keeps glancing at me like he's making sure I'm still breathing.
The hospital smells of antiseptic and old fear. The fluorescent lights overhead feel too bright, too harsh. Gage keeps his hand in mine as we navigate the halls, the click of my boots on the linoleum floor the only sound between us.
A nurse greets us outside the ICU and directs us to my mother's room. Her expression is gentle but guarded, like she knows what we're walking into.
When I step into the room, my heart lurches. My mom looks so small in the hospital bed. Her skin is pale, and her breathing is shallow. Machines beep steadily around her, but it's the silence that feels the loudest. I take a step forward, then another, until I'm beside her.
"Mom?" I whisper, stepping closer.
Her eyes flutter open. She gives me a faint smile. "Hey, baby."
Sinking into the chair beside her, I take her frail hand in both of mine. "I'm here. I'm right here."
She smiles weakly. "You came fast."
"They said it was urgent. I couldn't... I had to come."
Her hand squeezes mine, faint but present. "You always were my strong girl."
My throat tightens. "You're going to get through this."
She shakes her head slowly. "No, baby. I'm not."
"Mom…"
She cuts me off with a gentle squeeze. "I know, sweetheart. I'm not making it out of here."
"Don't say that. Don't you dare say that."
She brushes her thumb over the back of my hand. "It's okay. I'm not afraid. But you... you need to forgive your father."
My spine stiffens. "Mom, no. After everything…"
"He's still your family. I know he hurt us. Hurt you. But when I'm gone... you'll need family."
I shake my head. The tears are falling freely now. "I have friends—Gemma and Summer. I have Gage. I don't need him."
Her gaze shifts to Gage, standing behind me. She gives him a small, approving nod. "He loves you. I see the way he looks at you."
"I love him," I whisper low enough that my mom hears but Gage can't. I know how I feel, but I just wasn’t able to say the words to him last night.
"Then hold on to that. Don't let pain and anger close your heart. Promise me you'll try. For you."
I nod, unable to speak, and press my forehead to the back of her hand. She strokes my hair slowly, the way she used to when I was a little girl with skinned knees and bedtime fears.
"That's my girl," she whispers.
I don't answer. I can't. The sob that rises in my chest is too big, too sharp.
She brings my hand to her lips. "You're strong, Skye. Stronger than I ever was. Don't let bitterness eat away at you."
I nod because it's all I can do.
And I stay there, not ready to let go, clinging to every last second I can have with her.
The hours pass in a haze. I don't leave her side, and Gage is there through it all. He brings me water, coffee, sits beside me, and wraps an arm around my shoulders when the weight of it all threatens to crush me.
Gage moves around us silently, getting a cup of ice water for me, adjusting the chair with a pillow, and calling for an extra blanket when I shiver.
He doesn't say much, but every action screams support.
When I need tissues, he's already holding them out.
When I can't speak, he's the one asking the nurse questions.
He keeps me grounded, his presence a balm against the rising panic.
He even helps adjust the IV when the nurse says it's safe, and talks to the doctor when I can't find my voice. When I lean forward to cry quietly against the bed, he wraps his arms around me from behind and holds me there, solid and steady.
He brushes the hair from my face, kissing the top of my head.
At some point, he takes off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.
He even pulls my shoes off so I can sit cross-legged and comfortably.
He makes sure I eat a few bites of the granola bar he pulls from his bag and insists I drink some water.
His care is quiet, not showy, but it speaks louder than anything else in the world.
Then he turns his attention to my mom, adjusting her blanket and gently smoothing her hair back from her forehead. "Hi Meredith," he says softly, his voice low and comforting.
She opens her eyes and manages a faint smile for him. "You take care of her."
"I will," he promises. "I swear."
She nods slightly, as if that's all the reassurance she needs.
A little while later, Gage gently squeezes my shoulder. I glance up to see Gemma and Carter walking into the room.
"I called them," Gage says softly. "They're going to sit with you for a while. I have to go to work, but I'll be back in a few hours."
I nod, still holding my mom's hand, grateful for the reinforcements.
Gemma steps closer and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Hey, sweetie. We're here. You don't have to do this alone."
"Thanks," I whisper, leaning into her.
Carter pulls up a chair and takes my other side. Gage kisses the top of my head before quietly slipping out of the room.
"How is she?" Gemma asks gently, staring at Mom, who is fast asleep.
She looks worse than when we got here. Though I can't say the words that she is declining fast out loud, so I say what I can.
"Not good," I say, my voice cracking. "They said she might not make it through the day."
Gemma squeezes my hand. "I'm so sorry, Skye. We're going to be right here for you. Whatever you need."
"Thanks." I blink back tears. "She told me to forgive my dad. She said I'd need him."
Gemma frowns. "That's a lot to ask."
"I know. But she was so calm. So peaceful while certain she isn't going home. Like she was already making peace."
"Sometimes when people know they're near the end, they want to tie up loose ends. Maybe this is her way of giving you permission to let go of some of that pain."
I nod, sniffling. "I just wish we had more time."
"We always wish for more time," Gemma says, her voice soft. "All you can do now is to be here. And she knows you're here. That matters."
Just then, the door creaks open again, and Summer steps inside, Knox right behind her.
"Hey," Summer says gently. "Gemma called. We came as soon as we could."
I glance up, touched. "You didn't have to…"
"Of course we did," Knox says, walking over and placing a hand on my shoulder. "You're part of the family."
Summer pulls me into a warm hug. "We're here, whatever you need."
I nod, overwhelmed by the love surrounding me. "Thank you. Really."
Summer walks over to my mom, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead and leaning in to whisper something I can't hear. My mom smiles faintly.
Knox moves to stand beside Carter, the men exchanging nods, silent but united.
With all of them around me, I finally let myself breathe. For the first time in what feels like hours, I don't feel like I'm drowning.
"Skye." Gage's voice breaks through the sleep haze.
I blink awake. The lights in the room have dimmed. The machines are quiet.
Too quiet.
My breath catches. I sit up. "No. No, no, no."
Gage pulls me into his arms. I fight it at first, reaching for her, but he holds me tighter.
"She's gone," he whispers.
The dam breaks.
I sob into his chest, my entire body shaking. He rocks me gently, whispering words I can't hear over the sound of my heartbreak.
Later, he takes me home. I don't even remember the drive. Everything is a blur.
He undresses me with tender hands, helping me step into the shower. The water is hot, but I barely feel it. I'm numb.
Gage washes my body as if I'm made of glass. His fingers are gentle, reverent. He washes my hair in slow circles, just like he did that night. I stand still, tears mixing with the water as they stream down my face.
We don't make love. We don't kiss. We just hold each other under the spray, forehead to forehead, hearts broken open.
And for the first time in my life, I let someone take care of me.