171 - Becks' Final Ride (Tissue Warning)

*She said ‘I don’t want to die alone in a bed. I want to die, surrounded by love.’ That woman is my hero. I’ve never had a patient, or their family, affect me like this. – Case*

Having packed everything up as quickly as she had, Case was quickly running out of scrubs. Digging through a box of mixed matched tops and bottoms, she came across her Halloween costume from a few years back. Her ex-boyfriend had thought that it was ironic.

It was one of the many reasons why he was an ex-boyfriend.

And there were many reasons why he was an ex-boyfriend. In fact, now that she thought about it, he should have been a ‘never was a boyfriend.’ But she did learn a lot from him. Mainly about herself.

Case ripped open the package and looked at what all was in the *Deluxe Sexy Nurse Costume Kit*. The top was adjustable and had a built-in bra that pushed and lifted. The white skirt was short, in reality, short was longer than this skirt. But the costume also came with bright red bootie shorts.

White fishnet stockings and a red garter were in the accessories bag. Along with a fake stethoscope, ridiculously large syringe and traditional nurses cap.

Smiling, she found the box marked *Shoes N closet shit* and yanked the flaps open. Under assorted belts, a few bags, a head scarf from her friend’s wedding and a couple of pairs of comfortable trainers, was a box with a name brand. The Jimmy Choo’s were a gift from Dr. S for the charity ball that the foundation held.

Before she chickened out, Case stripped out of her faded blue pajamas with now gray penguins and hopped into the luxurious shower. She wished that she had more time to spend in the multiheaded shower, but exhaustion had her sleeping late. Which is why, for the third day in a row, she had not made it to the laundromat.

After scrubbing and shaving, she got out to dry off and slather her body in the softly scented lotion. None of her granny panties would be hidden by the tiny bootie shorts, so she skipped an underlayer and put the costume directly on her skin.

Deciding If she was in for a penny, she should be in for a pound, she found her make-up bag and applied a light face. She went heavy on the eye liner and shadow with light lipstick. Taking advantage of her naturally curly hair, she poofed it slightly before adding the nurse’s cap. Closing the make-up bag, something red and sparkling caught her eye.

The dress that she had worn to the charity ball for the past four years was black and each year Jessica had given her something to add to it. “If you’re not going to change the dress, change the way you wear it.”

The gold and ruby jewelry set had been last year’s gift. It would not surprise her to learn that the set was real gold and natural rubies. The dangling earrings peeked out of her curls and the Y shaped necklace rested between her breasts that looked damn good now that they were not in a sports bra.

Slipping on the three-inch heels, she glanced in the full-length mirror and gave a small laugh. Only for the woman in the room next door would she even consider going out in public like this. Or as close to the public as she was going to go.

Grabbing her real stethoscope, she went through the attached door and into the adjoining room. Stan, the male nurse that now refused to leave his favorite patient, looked up at her and gave a low whistle. Molly, who had only left his wife’s side long enough to eat, shower and see his children, turned to look at her. Even in his grief, his eyes took her in and appreciated the view in front of her.

Becks smiled and her eyes flashed with life as they sparkled briefly. “Nice,” she said softly.

“The hell?” Stan asked as he whipped off his scrub top and tank top. He ran his hands down his six pack abs before flexing for his patient. “Don’t I get any attention?”

Becks turned her head weakly and tried to reach out for him. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently placed her hand on his abdomen. She smiled and gave him a soft nod. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“I gotta go talk to your head nurse. Don’t go anywhere.” He winked at her and then stood up and motioned for Case to follow him back into her room. Looking at the disaster area, he cocked an eyebrow at the typically well put together woman.

“Don’t judge. It’s been a rough week.”

He nodded. “I think we’re looking at later today or tomorrow. And tomorrow would be really pushing it.”

“That’s what I was thinking. We need to get Molly and the pretties together.”

“Why are they called the pretties?” He asked.

Shrugging she gave a small shake of her head. “I have no idea. That’s what everyone calls them. Including themselves.”

“Okay,” he accepted the answer and moved on. “You go get Molly and I’ll get the pretties. Meet in their room?”

“Yeah. If you see a prospect, send them to find you some bootie shorts.”

“Babe,” he looked at her with a bored expression, “I’m a gay man that marches in the Boston Parade every year. I *have* bootie shorts. I’ll just call my *roommate* and have him bring them over.”

The family refused to meet in the room without Becks, they had promised that she would be there for all the discussions. And Molly refused to leave the bedside. The women all lay in the bed with her for a few minutes, they each said their goodbyes. The teens came in and shed tears, whispered memories and told her that they loved her.

Molly stayed by her side as her breathing became shallow and labored as the younger children came in. They were not forced to do or say anything. The ones that did not want to get close, did not have to. Tobias cried and wouldn’t get off the bed.

More calls were made, and the rest of the Lowerys made their way to say goodbye. Occasionally, a flicker of recognition would flash in her eyes. Becks began muttering something noncoherent. It meant something to her, something that she needed, but no one was understanding.

Case called Dr. S and she joined the family, assuring them that they would not be alone. That day and the next, the club brothers and old ladies came through, as did their kids. The volunteers from Open Arms and Storks Promise came through.

“Dada. Dada.” Becks said over and over. It was soft and pleading. It was as if she was asking for one last request.

“Dada.” Tammy suddenly said as if she understood what Becks was asking for. New tears began to stream down her cheeks. “Molly,” she said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder, “she wants to go for a ride.”

Several others seemed to understand how Dada meant to go for a ride. Jessica nodded to the nurses, one in a sexy Halloween costume and the other in bootie shorts, and they dressed their patient as warmly as they could. Werewolf carried Becks downstairs and Molly mounted his bike. Very carefully, she was placed on the seat in front of him.

With his leather clad arms caging her in, he pushed off and took a few laps around the parking lot. The ride was slow, the air cold, his heart was heavy, and her breathing was slower and slower. The rattle in her chest stopped, the only vibrations he now felt were from the bike. Her body slumped and he had to grab her with an arm to keep her from falling.

Molly came to a stop, putting his feet down and wrapping his arms around her body. The sound that came from him made everyone around feel as if part of their own hearts and souls had been ripped out. The other pretties and older littles moved to embrace them.

Case and Noel both moved towards the group and were quickly pulled in. The Saints encircled the grieving family, providing them with privacy and creating a wind block. None of them hid their tears.

Off to the side, Dr. Jessica Sakova called to report a home death. As was protocol, the police and fire department were dispatched.

Patch made his way into the inner sanctum and gently took his daughter-in-law from his grieving son and placed her on the gurney. The paramedics covered her body with a sheet and loaded her into the ambulance before they took her away.

Molly moved away from the bike and sat on the snow-covered ground, surrounded by all his pretties and littles.