December
The wonder and amazement in the kids
’
eyes as they stared at the Christmas tree brought Megan to tears.
“
Did Santa do this?
”
Emma was in awe, unable to stop staring at the tree Megan and Peter had stayed up till four in the morning putting up. They
’
d meant to do it earlier, weeks ago, but they just ran out of time. Between the kids
’
Christmas activities, and Carson getting his first cold, and Jack and Doug both getting worse
…
decorating their home with lights and mistletoe and Christmas figurines had been the last thing on their mind.
Sure, they
’
d put up a tree in the hospital room, a small one shoved on top of a cabinet with handmade ornaments from the girls
—
but that
’
s where they spent the majority of their time now: at the hospital with Jack and Doug.
“
I think Carson likes the lights.
”
Hannah held her brother in her arms as she stood in front of the tree.
Megan smiled in her seat, where she
’
d curled up beneath a blanket. She
’
d fallen asleep there last night while Peter arranged the gifts beneath the tree before he too lay down on the couch and slept.
“
Was it Santa?
”
Emma reached out and touched a felt snowman she
’
d made last year.
“
No silly, it was Mom and Dad.
”
Alexis crouched down and looked through the gifts.
“
Hey, hey.
”
Peter came into the living room with coffee mugs in his hand.
“
No peeking at the gifts beneath the tree.
”
He handed Megan her coffee and placed a kiss on her lips.
“
Good morning, beautiful.
”
Happiness wound itself around Megan
’
s heart.
“
Good morning yourself.
”
She smiled up at him, remembering their evening last night. They
’
d sat in front of the fire at first as they waited for the kids to fall asleep, the baby monitor beside them, and talked about their hopes for the upcoming year, their thoughts on the previous year. And they talked about planning a trip in the new year, something far away, a place to put a smile on the kids
’
faces after having such a hard year and difficult Christmas.
They didn
’
t say it, they didn
’
t need to, but both knew that their time with Jack was almost over. The doctors had told them last night not to expect him to last another twenty-four hours. He was ready to go home to Dottie. Jack had said as much last night to Megan and Peter as he said goodnight to them.
“
When can we go see Papa?
”
Emma curled up on the chair with Megan and laid her head on her shoulder.
“
Visiting hours don
’
t open until ten, honey, so we
’
ve got some time.
”
Megan laid a kiss on the top of her daughter
’
s head and prayed that Jack would still be there when they arrived.
Let them have this last Christmas, please
,
she prayed.
“
I finished my story,
”
Emma whispered.
Megan smiled.
“
He
’
s going to love it. I promise.
”
There was a knock on the door and before anyone could answer it, Laurie called out a greeting.
“
Merry Christmas, Taylor family.
”
Alexis ran out into the hallway.
“
Merry Christmas
…
oh, what
’
s that?
”
Laurie had sent Megan a text saying she was coming over with breakfast, something she
’
d done for the past three years now. She would pick up some muffins, cinnamon buns, and croissants from Jan Brewster and bring them over, and they would provide the coffee.
Laurie came into the room, a large Tupperware container in her hands.
“
Wow
—
look at that tree.
”
Laurie gave Megan a wink before she handed the large container to Peter, who took it into the kitchen.
Megan waited for Emma to get up and then she followed after them.
“
Jan gave me some extras for you to take into the hospital, if that
’
s okay?
”
“
She
’
s a sweetheart.
”
Megan took a peek into the container and her mouth watered. The aroma of the cinnamon buns called out to her and she reached for the plate.
“
What
’
s the plan for today?
”
Laurie asked.
“
Breakfast, gifts, and then over to the hospital.
”
Peter glanced at his watch at the same time Megan checked the clock on the microwave. They had two hours before visiting hours opened
—
not much time.
“
So how about we do breakfast and gifts at the same time? Then you guys go shower while I get Carson dressed,
”
Laurie suggested.
“
Can we?
”
Hannah was in the kitchen now, Carson still in her arms but not for long. The moment the little boy saw Laurie, he smiled and wiggled in his sister
’
s arms. Laurie reached out for him, and Megan noticed the little sigh of relief from Hannah as the weight in her arms disappeared.
“
Can we what?
”
Peter asked.
“
Eat and open presents at the same time.
”
Hannah reached for a croissant and took a bite.
By now, everyone was in the kitchen, reaching for the delicious pastries laid out on the counter.
The rest of the morning sped by with the girls opening up the few gifts beneath the tree. There were squeals of delight from the toys and dolls Emma received, to the stack of books for Hannah she
’
d been wanting and the skateboard for Alexis. But everyone kept an eye on the clock, aware that where they all wanted to be was at the hospital, with Jack.
While Laurie fed Carson, Megan and Peter headed upstairs to get ready.
“
Did you call the hospital?
”
Megan had noticed Peter slipped away for a few minutes into his office, earlier.
“
Jack
’
s awake.
”
“
How is Doug?
”
Jack
’
s longtime friend had cornered a piece of their hearts as well and although they knew he was dying, it would be hard to say goodbye.
“
If he
’
s still there when we arrive, then we need to count our blessings, the nurse said.
”
Peter sat down on the bed and hung his head.
“
I don
’
t want to lose them and yet, it
’
s not fair to ask him to keep fighting, is it?
”
Megan knew he was talking about Jack now. She went and laid her hand on his shoulder.
“
He
’
s fought so hard these past few months. Every time we thought he was ready to go, he stayed
—
for you, for Emma, for Doug. But it
’
s time
…
time to let him go.
”
The agony in Peter
’
s eyes as he looked up at her was enough to break her heart. He wasn
’
t ready; even though it was time, she doubted he would ever truly be ready to say goodbye to the man who
’
d become a father to him.
***
Emma led the way through the hospital corridor, past the nurses
’
station and down the hall, her sole focus on reaching Jack
’
s room. She didn
’
t hear the nurses who called out Merry Christmas to her, or some of the other residents who saw her passing their door calling her name. Megan knew why her daughter was so focused. They all knew.
Peter had been honest with the girls before they left the house, saying that there wasn
’
t much time.
Megan walked behind her daughter while Peter, who held Carson, and the other two girls stopped at the nurses
’
station and handed them plates of baked goods from Jan.
“
Papa?
”
Emma poked her head past the open door, hesitating for a moment as she called out his name.
Megan hated that Emma hesitated and yet she understood why. What if he didn
’
t respond?
“
Merry Christmas, Princess.
”
Jack
’
s voice was hoarse and weak. Megan walked in with Emma but stayed off to the side, out of view, and let her daughter go in to the man who stole her heart.
“
Merry Christmas, Papa. Are you feeling okay today? Is your heart happy?
”
Jack patted a spot beside him on his bed, and Emma carefully climbed up and snuggled with him.
“
My heart is happy now that you
’
re here. I missed you.
”
The weak smile on Jack
’
s face, the happiness that shone through the sheen of tears, had Megan crying. He knew. He knew he was dying and this was probably the last time he
’
d spend with Emma.
“
I always miss you, Papa. But you know what?
”
Emma reached for his hand and entwined her small fingers with his large ones.
“
What?
”
“
I
’
m never going to forget you. Ever. You
’
ll always be my Papa.
”
Megan had to turn and wipe the tears away that ran down her face. Peter stood there at the door and when she shook her head at him, he slowly turned Hannah and Alexis away, giving Emma the time she needed with Jack. When she turned back, she glanced over at Doug, who slept.
“
And you
’
ll always be my little girl. Always.
”
Jack placed a kiss on the top of Emma
’
s head.
“
Guess what?
”
“
What?
”
Emma still clutched her gift tight to her chest, unwilling to let it go.
“
I
’
ve got something special for you and I need
…
I want to give it to you now. Okay? It
’
s in the drawer there. Be a good girl and get it for me, will you?
”
Jack pointed to his side table by his bed. Emma leaned down and opened the drawer and pulled out a small box wrapped with a red bow.
Megan knew what it was. She
’
d taken a peek inside when Jack had given it to her earlier in the year. Then, he hadn
’
t thought he
’
d be here, this Christmas, to give it to Emma.
“
For me?
”
Emma held onto the box. Her little hands shook.
Jack nodded.
“
It
’
s a gift from your grandma and me. She
…
she had it made for you before she died and I
…
I want you to have it before
…”
His voice trailed off.
“
Before you go to see Grandma? She probably misses you.
”
Emma
’
s lips trembled.
Megan was so proud of her little girl. She knew
…
knew her Papa was dying and yet she was being so strong. Was it for him? Did she know he needed her strength, today of all days?
“
Wouldn
’
t it be a nice Christmas gift for Grandma if you went to see her today?
”
Emma struggled to smile up at Jack and right then, Megan broke down. She couldn
’
t watch anymore, and yet, she needed to. She hated that she was intruding on this private moment but couldn
’
t leave. If her daughter was being strong for Jack, then Megan could be strong for her. And for Peter.
“
It would be the best gift.
”
Jack spoke through the tears that streamed down his own face.
“
Open it up, sweetie.
”
With meticulous care, Emma untied the bow and opened the small jewelry box. Inside was a small oval locket on a gold chain.
“
This was Grandma
’
s,
”
Emma whispered. She gingerly stroked the locket as if it were a physical connection between her and the woman she
’
d loved so innocently.
Jack nodded.
“
Do you remember the story of this locket?
”
Emma nodded.
“
Grandma got it from her mommy, right?
”
Jack swallowed.
“
Sure did. Let
’
s open it up. There
’
s a surprise in there for you.
”
Emma carefully took out the locket from the box, pried open the clasp and gasped.
“
Oh Papa.
”
She cried out as she stared down at the opened piece of jewelry.
“
It
’
s you and Grandma. She
’
s beautiful.
”
Her hands trembled as she held it out for Jack to see.
“
Your grandma, she was the prettiest girl I
’
d ever seen
…
other than you.
”
Jack swallowed hard before he held out his hand and Emma grabbed it.