Chapter 40

The monitor continued to record the movement of her heart as her breathing was calm and steady. The doctor continued to examine his patient before a small smile rose onto his lips, “You’re a strong girl, Ashley,” he mumbled before exiting the room.

The doctor was at ease as he didn’t have to break another families’ heart about their loved ones not surviving after their tragic causes. The doctor scrolled down the hallway with his hands in his pockets.

Soon he saw the family that sat anxiously for his arrival and with a small smile plastered on the lips, he finally stood in front of them, “Ashley’s family,” he called out as Roger and Katie immediately stood up.

Katie was an absolute mess as her hair was all over the place, with swollen bloodshot eyes that had bags underneath them from lack of sleep, and Roger, who stood strong for both Ashley and Katie.

“How is she, doctor?” Roger asked as Katie couldn’t utter a single word. The doctor gave the married couple a small smile taking them by surprise, “Your daughter is a very strong person, she didn’t give up on me once,” he said as everyone in the room sighed in relief before Roger shook his hand, “Thank you for saving our daughter, doctor,” he said as the doctor smiled, “No problem,” he said as Katie spoke since she arrived at the hospital, “Can we see her?” She asked in a weak broken tone as the doctor nodded, “Of course, her room is 132,” he said as both Roger and Katie nodded before leaving.

Katie was happy yet nervous to see her daughter. The night of the incident, Katie and Roger were planning to call home but didn’t get through. At first, they didn’t pay any mind to it as they thought their children were asleep until Katie got a call from a sobbing Anna, who explained everything that happened and more.

Katie and Roger immediately felt their hearts shattered and took the first flight back home. They waited hours and hours to see their children and now that they are finally getting to see them, nervousness took over their nerves.

Roger stood in front of the door with Katie standing behind him, “Are you ready, my love?” He asked as Katie sighed before nodding her head, “Yes, I’m ready,” she replied before Roger slowly opened the door.

Tears immediately welled up in their eyes as they saw Ashley in the hospital with a tube in her throat for oxygen, her head bandaged up, and a neck brace around her neck. Katie walked towards her daughter’s bedside with her hand against her trembling lips as tears poured out of her eyes.

Roger watched from afar as a single rolled down his cheek. He felt like he failed, Katie felt like she failed and broke a meaningful promise. She gently caresses Ashley’s cheek while biting down on her bottom lip to prevent a sob from escaping.

She scanned Ashley’s condition before looking back towards her face as she slept peacefully, “I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered while caressing Ashley’s cheek, “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t there to protect you, I’m sorry that I broke our promise,” she said as her voice began to break to the point where she couldn’t talk anymore causing Roger to step in to comfort her before he looked at Ashley, “Hey kiddo, everything is going to be just fine, we’re right here and we’re not going anywhere,” Roger said before leaning down to place a peck on her forehead.

“We should probably let the other see her as well,” Roger said as Katie nodded before leaning down to place a peck on Ashley’s cheek before leaving the room.

Soon later, the door opened revealing Anna, who immediately began to tear up as she speed-walked to her best friend’s bedside. After Anna was Tucker, who pushed Jake inside as he was sitting in a wheelchair. Tucker pushed Jake in front of the bed before going towards Anna’s side to comfort her.

While Anna and Tucker were busy talking to Ashley, Jake sat in his wheelchair emotionless and he stared blankly at Ashley’s emotionless body.

Everything that happened that night, flashed before his eyes as he continued to stare at Ashley. That nightmare he wishes to forget was continuously flashing back in his mind.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

The firefighters soon arrived as they immediately took action. The entire house was currently burning to the floor as the firefighters did their best to put out the fire. Jake was sitting in an ambulance with a blanket wrapped around his vulnerable body as he watched the scene with tears rolling down his face.

He was certain that Ashley didn’t make it, he tried to tell himself that she indeed will make it but in reality, who would survive something like this.

Minutes passed and most of the fire was put out and now the firefighters were entering the house. Everyone outside watching the scene unlocked prayed and hoped that some good news would come out of this tragic event.

“WE FOUND SOMETHING!” One of the firefighters exclaimed as Jake’s eyes widened with hope. Soon one of the firefighters came out with a body in his arms causing Jake’s heart to drop in his stomach.

It was Ashley and she was lifeless. Jake felt like he couldn’t breathe, he felt like his chest had tightened and he began to get a panic attack which led to him passing out.

The news was announced that both Tatiana and Jay died that night, and Ashley and Jake were hospitalized until now.

Jake snapped out of his thoughts as his name was called, “Jake!” He looked up to meet Anna’s eyes as she smiled, “We’re gonna head out, you can talk to her now,” she said as Jake nodded before they left.

Jake strolled his wheelchair towards Ashley bedside as he sighed, “I thought I was gonna lose you, but then I realized that I can’t get rid of you that easily,” he said followed by a weak chuckled before he suddenly broke down, “I was so scared Ashley, I was this close to losing you, I love you so much and I don’t know what I would do without you,” he said before leaning down to kiss her hand, “I’m right here, my love and I’m not going anywhere.”