Broken Pieces (Riverdale #2) (11 page)

Luke thought about his words. Maybe it was the truth. Maybe God did have a bigger plan for Jake. It was the only logical explanation as to why Jake’s life was being cut short. It was the only acceptable one. “You’re meant to do great things.”

“I’ll still break your balls from wherever I end up.” Jake croaked and this time he managed to smile. He opened his eyes and looked at Luke.

“Sam and Nick are on their way. Mom and Dad…” Luke trailed off trying to find the right words.

“Are going to bury one of their kids, they’re a fucking mess.” Jake helped Luke find the words. He may not have chosen those exact words, but still they were true. Jake sighed and placed the oxygen mask back for a few moments. When he was able to continue, he pulled down the mask again. “I need one last thing from you, Luke.”

“Anything you need.” Luke said hoarsely.

“Mom and Dad, have each other. They have you and they have Sam.” Jake took a deep breath, and for the first time he looked away from Luke. Once he composed himself, he turned back and the two brother’s eyes met. “Cara is part of our family. She would’ve been my wife.”

Luke looked at him confused, unsure of what he was asking of him. Jake struggled not because he lacked oxygen, but because his emotions were getting the best of him.

“Please take care of my girl. Make sure she lives the life she is meant to live, don’t let her be alone.” Jake’s eyes pleaded with his big brother. Luke heard the desperation in his voice. Cara was everything to Jake, his world revolved around her, as hers revolved around Jake. Luke dragged his fingers through his hair. He held his brother’s gaze and nodded. “Promise me, I need to hear you say it, Luke.”

Luke swallowed. “I promise I’ll take care of Cara, you don’t have to worry about her.” A tear slipped down his cheek as he finished his vow to his little brother.

Jake smiled slightly and closed his eyes. “I could always count on you.” He lifted the oxygen mask back to his mouth. Jake drifted off to sleep, leaving Luke to sit vigil at his bedside. The only sound in the room was Luke’s tears and the beeping of the machines, signaling that he was still alive.

* * * * * *

Nick barely had a chance to park his truck, before Sam jumped out of it. She grabbed Ava out of the back, taking her little hand in hers, she began to run towards the hospital. She never even glanced over her shoulder to see if Nick was behind her, not that he expected her to. She was a mess the entire ride home. Nick did his best to get them back to Riverdale in a timely matter, fearing they wouldn’t make it in time to say their goodbyes to Jake.

Both he and Sam, had done their best to mask their fear in front of Ava, but the kid had a million questions. Not to mention, that she was upset that she wasn’t able to compete with her dance team. How do you explain to a little girl that her uncle is dying? Nick had no idea, and he wasn’t touching that one with a ten foot pole.

The three of them rode the elevator to the floor Jake’s room was on, in complete silence. Ava was still dressed in her dance costume, the poor girl looked lost. Nick reached out and tugged her ponytail, gently. She looked up at him and he winked at her, hoping to ease some of her fear. The doors opened and Luke was waiting for them. Ava ran off the elevator and jumped into Luke’s arms. He was taken back at first by the force of his daughter’s embrace, but he quickly recovered, finding solace in Ava. He looked over her shoulder, lifting her in his arms as he stood.

“What’s going on, Luke?” Sam asked but one look into Luke’s eyes and she knew the answer. She covered her mouth with the palm of her hand, muffling a cry.

Luke pressed a kiss to the top of Ava’s head, as he caressed her back lovingly. “I’m going to bring Ava to the hospital day care. Leah, was able to get clearance for the day.” He pulled back and looked into his daughter’s eyes. “How’s that sound? You can play with all the kids and show them your cool costume.”

“Okay Daddy.” She agreed softly, and that earned her another affectionate embrace from her father.

Luke looked at Nick. “Can you take Sam to Jake’s room? My parents are right outside the room in the family waiting area.”
      

Nick nodded. “Of course,” he said, watching as Luke eyed both him and Sam for a moment before turning around and carrying Ava to the day care facilities. Nick placed his palm on the small of Sam’s back. He stared down at her, watching as she stood frozen. “If you’re not ready, we can go for a walk. You can get your thoughts together…”

She cut him off, turning to face him. “There’s no time to get my thoughts together. It’s now or never.” She said hoarsely as her eyes that full of unshed tears met his. Vulnerability got the best of her, and so she reached for his hand. Their fingers laced together and Nick squeezed her hand gently. “Let’s go.” She whispered.

Hand in hand, they walked the length of the corridor. When they turned the corner at the far end, they saw Deb and Joe sitting down in the waiting area. Deb’s head was bowed as she prayed for a miracle, while Joe, paced back and forth across the small space. Joe spotted them, and stopped in his tracks. Sam dropped Nick’s hand and walked into her father’s waiting arms. His arms enveloped her and he closed his eyes holding onto his youngest child, as if he would lose her too.

Deb barely lifted her head, when Nick leaned down and kissed her cheek. She squeezed his hand and patted his cheek as she cried.

Sam pulled back and looked back and forth between her parents. “Can I go see him?”

“Go ahead, sweetheart.” Deb said as she released Nick’s hand and took the tissue he handed her. “Cara’s in there, but he’s been asking for you.”

Nick turned around and took hold of Sam’s wrist. “Do you want me to go with you?”

She shook her head. “No.” She took a deep breath. “But, thank you.” Nick nodded slightly, and released her wrist.

* * * * * *

Cara lifted her head from Jake’s chest when she heard the door open. Sam stood by the door, trying to summon her courage to step further into the room. She wasn’t ready to focus on her brother on his death bed. She averted her eyes to Cara and studied her. Her face was drawn, her eyes were blood shot. She looked as if she hadn’t slept in days, as if, all she had done for those days were cry.

Sam looked at Jake for the first time. She didn’t know what she was expecting, when she looked at him, but she let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t really put much thought into what her brother would look like right before he died. She was grateful that he didn’t appear to look as if he was suffering. Aside, from the oxygen mask, he simply looked as if he was just taking a nap. She stepped further into the room, and found herself gnawing on her lower lip. She tried not to cry and coached herself to be brave.

“He dozes on and off,” Cara said, following Sam’s gaze to the love of her life that lay beside her. She brushed a strand of hair back from his forehead, before leaning down and pressing her lips gently to the very same spot.

“Is he in pain?” Sam asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cara smiled down at Jake, affection radiating in her eyes, or maybe it was pride. “I don’t think so. He hasn’t complained once.” She bent down and brushed her lips against his ear. “Baby, wake up. Sam’s here.” She caressed his chest.

“Oh, it’s okay. He probably needs his rest. I’ll just wait until he wakes up.” Sam said softly, as she walked around the other side of Jake’s bed.

“He’s been asking for you…” Cara said and then felt Jake move beside her.

“Where’s the little firecracker?” Jake muttered with his eyes still closed.

Sam smiled, wiping away at a fallen tear. “I’m right here.” She said and moved closer to his bedside, taking his hand in hers.

Jake laced his fingers with his sister’s and opened his eyes, peering up at her. “It’s about time. Even had to be fashionably late to my death?” He quipped and then he realized that his family didn’t appreciate the humor, least alone Cara. She stiffened at his side.

“I’ll give you guys, some time alone.” She pressed her lips quickly against Jake’s. “I’ll be right outside.” He nodded and watched her make her way off the bed and out of his room. He let his eyes linger on the closed door for a moment before he turned his gaze back to Sam. He slipped the mask down, pass his chin.

“I don’t think she’s accepting it.” Jake said, referring to Cara. He licked his lips, his throat was parched. “Can you give me some water?”

Sam nodded and filled a plastic cup with water from the pitcher that sat on his night table. Jake tried to lift his head by himself, but was clearly having some difficulty doing so. Sam eased his head forward and brought the cup to his lips. He slowly managed a few sips and then signaled to her he was good. She held the half empty cup in her hands as she sat on the edge of his bed, holding onto it in case he wanted some more.

“Jake…” She looked down at the water, trying to find the words, but the truth was, she knew what to say. She knew it was time to say goodbye, but she just didn’t have it in her to say the words.

He reached for her hand. “It’s okay.” He whispered. “I heard it’s nice where I’m going, and the view is great!” He patted her hand reassuringly. There he went, typical Jake, trying to make things better for everyone else, when he was the one dying.

“I’m going to miss you.” She whispered as the tears fell freely down her cheek. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

He nodded as a comfortable silence fell over them. “Can I ask you for a favor?” He said breaking the silence.

She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “Anything,” she said sincerely.

“Lighten up on Nick.” He said and when she opened her mouth to speak, he shook his head, telling her he wasn’t finished. “I know you’re mad at him for leaving, but, the reason he left Riverdale, was because of me.”

Sam sniffled and drew her eyebrows together in confusion. “What do you mean he left because of you?”

Jake swallowed and then pointed towards the cup of water she held in her hands. She helped him quench his thirst again.

“I did something stupid, and I called Nick to help me out of the mess I created. Long story short, he came to my rescue. He was arrested that night because of something I did, and when his mother found out that I had been the one that actually committed the crime, she used it against him. She blackmailed him to go to Seattle, and he went to save my ass.” He gasped for breath, and then reached for the oxygen mask. Once he placed it back over his mouth, he turned and awaited her reaction.

Sam stared at him dumbfounded, all these years, she never knew the real reason why Nick had left her, and broke all his promises to her. She had a million questions, but didn’t want to waste the time she had with her brother on her sordid past with Nick. Jake’s admission was just that, Jake’s admission, there was no reason why Nick couldn’t tell her that himself.

Jake removed the mask one more time. “I’m not telling you what to do, well, maybe a little bit, but I just want what’s best for you. The two of you are idiots, who love each other. Stop circling around because you never know what could happen.” He pointed to himself. “Take it from me, I’m exhibit A.”

Sam leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek. “I love you, Jake.”

“I love you too, Samantha.” He whispered.

Sam closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against his as she wrapped her arms around him, the best she could, due to the confines of the hospital bed. She breathed in his scent, and prayed she’d always remember that moment she held him in her arms and he told her he loved her.

* * * * * *

Luke watched Ava through the glass window of the hospital day care center. She sat at a table by herself coloring a picture. How was he going to help his family grieve? How would he explain heaven to his daughter? He shook his head, before leaning his forehead against the cool glass. He didn’t have the answers. He could hear his brother’s voice in his head, pleading with him to take care of Cara. He knew one thing for sure. He’d make sure he abided by his promise to Jake. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Slowly he lifted his head and looked over his shoulder. Leah was behind him, offering him a cup of coffee. He blew out a breath and straightened his posture and turned around. His eyes found hers that were full of sympathy. He took the cup of coffee, she offered and then with his free hand he took her hand.

“Thank you,” He whispered gruffly.

She squeezed his hand and watched as he looked back at his daughter once more. He blew her a kiss even though she wasn’t looking at him. His daughter was about to get the most amazing guardian angel, who would undoubtedly always watch out for her. His lip quivered, but the tears didn’t fall. With Leah’s hand firmly locked in his, he took the first step, pushing his feet to join his brother, as he found the end of his journey.

* * * * * *

Nick stood a few steps behind Joe Lanza, watching him as he lit a candle for his son. The hospital chapel was dark except for the candles that illuminated the sacred room. Joe made the sign of the cross as he finished lighting the candle. Nick took a step back, his eyes followed Joe as he knelt before the altar and stared up at the crucifix that hung in front of him.

Nick bit the inside of his cheek, and watched the man he thought of as a father, lose himself; for the first time in all the years he knew him. Joe clasped his hands together in prayer and looked over his shoulder towards Nick. “Do you believe in God?” Joe asked. His voice was raspy and full of emotion.