"Hey Snow, uh, if you get the chance, please call back, I've been worried sick. The Nurse won't let me come and visit you and it's really starting to concern me. If you're okay, please call. I love you-*click* The other pony has cleared".
Rose was crying loudly for the fifth time in the past few hours. I picked her up and rocked her gently, "Sshh, it's okay, sweetie, just calm down". Rose crying quietened, but she was still sobbing quietly. She had become increasingly clingy and depressed since Snow had to be isolated, and that was four hours ago. Nurse Redheart had came with the supplies, but left quickly when her emergency pager went off, which only intensified my fear for Snow Sweet's health. Rose was holding onto my forearm tightly. She had stopped crying and had her eyes shut. I sat down on the sofa and pulled out my phone with my free hoof. I opened my call log... Snow still hadn't called back, nor had Nurse Redheart. I opened my message box, only one text was in it, it was from Candy. It read: "Crimson, Mana is worried about youout of this state of mind. We'll be coming over soon to check on you. Is Ros, he hasn't heard from you in a few days. I am to to be honest, Snow will be fine, you need to pull yourself e okay?". This was sent twenty minutes ago. I put my phone down and moved my free arm under Rose for extra support. I cradled her gently, holding her close to my chest so I could look at her gentle, innocent face. It made me feel better. She opened her eyes and looked up, her gentle yellow eyes sparkling. I hugged her and kissed her forehead, "What would I have done without you?". She smiled lightly and babbled in response. I laid down and lowered Rose onto the spot next to me. Rose yawned quietly and shut her eyes. I rested my head on the sofa arm and tried to sleep, even though it was a lost cause in this situation.
"Where's the damn doctor?" I barked. "I-I dunno, he said he was going to get the blood for the transfusion". I gritted my teeth in anger, "For Celestia's sake, if she continues to bleed for another minute she's gonna die! Get over here and put pressure on her abdomen". The intern shook in fear, pushing my limits. "I said NOW!". He ran over and pressed his hooves on Snow Sweet's abdomen. "Keep it there, I'll get the blood myself". I ran out of the room and darted to the nurse's office. There I found the doctor chatting idly to some interns who were giggling and smiling in a flirtish manner. I ran over and knocked on his shoulder angrily, "Where's the blood!?". He rolled his eyes and showed me the bag without saying anything. I smacked him hard across the face which knocked him onto the floor. "Snow Sweet could've died if I didn't come here, give me that!". I snatched the small, plastic bag from him, "Your lucky I don't bleed you dry to give it to her". I ran back to Snow Sweet's room. Her EKG was lowering steadily, each pulse getting further and further apart. I removed the IV bag and replaced it with the blood bag. The red liquid shot down the nozzle and into Snow's bloodstream. Her pulse rate got higher, but only slightly, she was stable enough. "Good job, Intern. Go tell the surgery to prep the OR for an emergency artery reparation". He nodded and ran out of the room. Snow Sweet coughed weakly, her eyes opened slightly, "D-Don...". I shook my head quickly, "Snow, don't talk, save your strength". My voice was cracking slightly in fear and sadness. "Don't... tell... Crimson", her voice was fading. "S-Snow, don't speak, please. You need all the energy you can muster", my eyes stung. "Heh... I'm, not gonna make it... am I?". I nodded, "You will, just hold on a bit longer! Please, for Rose and Crimson!". She sighed laboriously, "I don't think... they can fix me... I'm on the way out, Nurse... d-don't waste... your time... on me...". I held her hoof gently, "Snow, hold on. We can, it's a simple operation. J-Just hang on a bit longer". She closed her eyes, "Y... you're a... good nurse, Redheart... you've done all you could. Don't... cry-". Snow's EKG flatlined, "S-Snow?". No response. "No... No!" I screamed in anger and bitter sorrow. I leapt up and pressed hard on her chest three times, before passing oxygen to Snow Sweet via mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. "Where's the surgeon!?". The intern dashed back in, "Surgery is on the way. Oh no...". His eyes widened in panic, "I-I-Is she dead?". I continued to perform CPR, "No! She's NOT dead! I can save her!". He looked down morosely, "Her EKG is flat, Nurse, there's nothing we can do". "Shut up..." "Nurse Redheart, she's gone" "SHUT UP!" The surgeon entered the room in a hurry, "Okay, let's get her into the OR- Oh". He looked crestfallen, "I'm sorry". I growled in anger, "She's not dead! We have to get her to the OR, NOW!". "Redheart, I-" "Stop wasting time! Get her into the OR!" The surgeon sighed and ran over to wheel Snow Sweet into the OR. I ran beside him, "Everypony move out the way!". Everyone jumped aside. I shoved the double doors open and entered the Operation Room. I hoisted her off the bed and onto the operating table. The surgical team entered the room, "Nurse Redheart, she has no pulse. This is a lost cause". I screamed in frustration, "So that's it!? You're gonna leave her to die like this? She has a child that she's only held for two minutes! You gonna leave her child motherless? Perform the surgery or I will!". The team ran over to Snow Sweet and positioned themselves for surgery. "Okay... scalpel".
I was awoken by a knock on the door. Rose was sleeping sound beside me, breathing lightly. I got up slowly and moved Rose further towards the couch. I walked into the hallway and opened the door; there stood Mana Springs and Candy. Mana Springs smiled nervously, "Uh, hey bro. You okay?". I shrugged coldly, "I don't know. Nopony's telling me anything". Mana backed away slightly, "I-I'm sorry". I shook my head, "Don't be. You're not the reason Snow's dying". Candy placed a hoof on my shoulder, "She's not dying, Crimson. She's fine, I know it. Let's go visit her, that'll clear your mind of your fears". I exhaled deliberately, "Fine. Let me go get Rose".
Blackness. That's all I could see. Was I dead? I don't know. Was this Heaven? Hell? Purgatory? Had I died in the hospital? I hope not. Maybe I'm in a coma. All I can hear is warbled voices, they almost sounded demonic. Was Rose okay? Was Crimson keeping it together? Or has he broken down? Again, I don't know. I'm just trapped in my own body, helpless. I hated it. I must've bled out. Crimson won't be happy about that. My mind flashed back to the first day I met him. He was so nervous. He didn't say anything about himself, he just wanted to know about me. He was such a gentleman. Not trying anything funny, unlike Jock who tried it on all the time. He was so repulsive. I'm glad I kicked him to the curb while I had the chance. Then there was our first time together, Crimson was so sweet and caring. He didn't want me as an object, he wanted me as a living, breathing pony. He thinks I'm perfect. Too bad I had to die because of our child. I wasn't mad at Rose for that. She's such a dear, young filly. I loved her to pieces. I just wish I could've had more time with her. Still, even two minutes was enough to know how much I loved her. I still do. I love Rose. I love Crimson. I'm gonna miss so much. Rose's first day at school, her graduation, her first birthday, her first coltfriend, her marriage, she'd have to do it without a mare with experience. Albeit marriage. Crimson and I weren't married, I wish we were. Just me and him and Rose. Our perfect little family. Us three and nopony else. I wonder if I'll be mourned. I might be, by Crimson, Rose, Candy, Mana Springs and Parasol. But other than that I don't know. I just wish I could've seen Rose's face one more time, said my goodbyes to everypony, and have one last kiss from Crimson. That would've been a better way to go.
The hospital was slightly cold and had a horrible, bleached stench. It was too clean. Rose was holding onto my neck tightly, as if she was scared. She buried her face into my shoulder. I bobbed her up and down slightly, "It's okay, Rose. I'm here". The receptionist was busy filing her hoof and chewing something. Candy cleared her throat, "Hello, we're here to see Snow Sweet?". The receptionist didn't pay any attention to Candy and continued what she was doing. Mana Springs slammed his hoof on the desk, making the receptionist jump. He smiled as if nothing happened, "Oh, good afternoon. We'd like to see Snow Sweet". The receptionist glared angrily at Mana, who continued to smile defiantly, "Room 3F, third floor". Mana nodded happily, "Thank you". Candy giggled warmly, I found it funny, but my fear and concern over-rided any happy emotion. We entered the elevator, Candy pushed the '3' button. The doors shut and the elevator ascended. Candy pressed up against Mana and nuzzled him affectionately, Mana returned the gesture. I looked away in bitter jealousy. Rose batted at Mana, "Hey, kiddo". Mana grabbed her hoof playfully, Rose laughed happily and pulled her hoof away, before pointing it back at Mana so he'd grab it again. Mana reached out to hold it, but Rose pulled it away, laughing hysterically. Mana and Candy laughed warmly, while all I could do was grimace. Mana rested his hoof on my upper back, "Don't worry, bro. Snow'll be fine". I looked across to see him smiling sympathetically. I forced a weak smile, "Thank you, Mana". The elevator door opened. We walked out into the hallway and looked for Snow Sweet's room. 3D, 3E, 3F! The door was open. I walked over slowly and entered the room. Snow wasn't there, only an intern who was changing some bedsheets that were bloody. My heart sank. The intern turned to look at me, "Oh, are you... Crimson and Rose?". He had a hint of fear in his voice. I nodded, barely able to suppress the tears, "W-Where's Snow?". The intern looked down silently. There was a painful silence. "Where is she? I repeated. He sighed, "She's gone". It felt like a blade had pierced my heart. I dropped to my knees. "No... she can't be. Nurse Redheart said she could save her!", I yelled in sorrow and anger. The intern cowered, "O-Only if she was monitored and it was caught early". My insides burnt furiously. "She wasn't being monitored!? Where the hell was you and Redheart!?". "I-I was seeing to another patient and Nurse Redheart was giving you the supplies!", his voice was quivering in fear. Rose began crying loudly. Candy held my shoulder for a brief moment before I shrugged her off roughly, "Don't touch me". "I'm sorry for your loss" muttered the intern. I leapt up, "Don't you dare patronise me! If you were doing your job right, Snow wouldn't of died! I'll kill you!" I swung for the intern, but Mana Springs grabbed my arm. "Crimson! It's not his fault! Things like this happen, and beating somepony up isn't going to resolve the issue. It's a good thing Snow isn't alive to see you acting like this, imagine how she'd feel knowing the pony who she loved and trusted her child with was about to assault an intern who tried saving her". I twisted around and shoved Mana Springs up against the wall, "Shut up! Don't talk about Snow like that!". Mana Springs didn't resist, he remained still and didn't try to fight me off. "I've lost her, and now Rose doesn't have a mother! Talk about her again and I'll...", my anger dissolved into sorrow, "I... I'm... sorry, Mana... please, forgive me". I let go of him. "It's okay, Crimson. I understand". I sat onto the bed, Rose still crying in my arms. Candy reached over slowly towards Rose. I didn't object. Candy picked her up slowly, before cradling her and talking to her soothingly. "She's... gone". I buried my head in my hooves and cried uncontrollably.
Crimson began crying softly into his hooves. I sat down next to him put an arm over his shoulder, "Crimson, I-I know you're upset, but... now Snow is... gone, you need to take full responsibility for Rose. You need to stay strong, for Rose". Crimson didn't reply, he was still sobbing and shaking. Candy came over and hugged him tightly with one arm, "Come on, hon. You're stronger than this. We're both here for you. You wanna stay with us for a while?". I put both arms around him and hugged him too. I was sad, mortified even, that Snow had died. She had only seen her baby for a few minutes, she deserved better. But Crimson had taken this hard, Snow meant the world to him. It must be like a part of him has been taken away. Rose wriggled free of Candy's grasp and laid down on her front. She pulled herself over to Crimson, before grabbing hold of his arm and hugging it firmly. "Come on, let's get you to our house, Crimson".
My mind was numb, my throat was dry, my eyes were burning, my heart was barely beating. Snow was dead. I was alone with a young filly who needed me to stay strong, but I couldn't. Snow was my other half, but now was gone. "Uh, Crimson, we're here". Candy opened the door and pulled me inside. Mana was holding Rose behind me. We entered the living room, "Why don't you lay down, Crimson?". Candy pulled me towards the couch and padded it, "It's pretty comfortable". I laid down on the couch, resting my head on my forearm. Mana sat on the opposite couch, talking quietly to Rose, cradling her in his arms. He looked over to me, smiling, "She's really cute, Crimson". Candy placed a glass of water next to me, "Yeah, she's adorable". I didn't reply, I rolled over and tried to block out everything. I didn't want to see, hear, think or do anything. All I wanted was to have Snow back.
I had another flashback. This time was when Candy, Parasol and I went to watch "Sixty Shades Of Bray", one of the first romance films I ever watched. We giggled all the way through, we were just eighteen at the time, all of the themes were still humorous to us. I don't know why I'd think of that memory though. Maybe it's because Rose was conceived the same night Crimson and I watched our first romance film together. He was so embarassed at the sex scene. I thought he would be. Maybe if it was just us two at the time it would've played out different. Maybe. I'd love to see him again soon, if I get to see again at all. Whatever was keeping me alive sure was determined to do it's job. It was doing pretty good. Last thing I heard was my heart stopping. Meh, there's no point keeping me alive. If my heart's stopped then no doubt I'm unrecoverable. I mean, come on, what they gonna do to get my heart going again? All they have is that defibrillator that's only useful for about three minutes after the heart's stopped. Maybe I'm dead, maybe not. I just wish I knew.
I sat down next to Mana Springs, he was still talking to Rose. "How you doing, hon?". He looked at me and smiled, "We're fine. She's quite the talker. Not much to say though". I rested my head on his shoulder. He held me affectionately. Rose babbled nonchalantly and started batting at Mana's face, her arm's were too short to reach though. I tickled her stomach playfully, she kicked her legs out and laughed. It was heartwarming to see she was happy. I felt bad for Crimson, though. I will miss Snow Sweet considerably; we've been friends since kindergarten. But she's in a better place now. I don't think Crimson saw it that way. To say he was mortified would be a gross understatement, he was soul-crushed. Hopefully, he'd recover enough to take care of Rose. I hope.
I was awoken lightly, "Crimson. Criiiiimssonn...". I looked up. Snow Sweet! I leapt up and hugged her tightly, "Oh, Snow Sweet! Thank Celestia you're alive. I wish I'd never left you alone!". Snow laughed lightly, "Always blaming yourself. It's not your fault I died, you were told to leave. If you didn't you could've been detained and then Rose would be without a mother and a father". I tilted my head, "But, you're not dead. You're right here. I can feel you". She placed a hoof on my face and kissed me softly, "Hon, you have to toughen up. Rose needs a daddy. If you don't, well, that's not fair on Rose, is it?". I held her tightly, "Please, don't leave me again", tears were falling softly. "Crimson, stay strong. Don't give up, okay?", she kissed me softly on the muzzle, "I love you". She slowly dissipated. "No! Wait!".
I awoke, startled. It was just a dream. My face was wet with tears. I was sat in complete darkness. Where was Rose? I sat up and looked around the dark living room, I found Rose on the opposite couch, sleeping softly. I got up and went into the kitchen. I flicked the light on. It blared vividly, temporarily blinding me. Once my eyes had adjusted I opened the fridge. I felt sick with hunger and thirst. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I took something. I surveyed the contents of the fridge: Apple Juice, Apple Cider, Cherry Juice, Milk, Cherryade, Appleade, Appleciderade, Orangeade, Equine Dew. I pulled out a 500ml bottle of Equine Dew and placed it on the table. I looked for something easy to put down. They had: Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Cupcakes, Donuts, BLT (Blueberry, Lettuce, Tomato). I took a BLT and a generous slice of Apple Pie. I set it down on the table and ate. My stomach growled intensely, (I hadn't eat in a day or so), as I swiftly ate everything, before taking hearty swigs of the carbonated energy drink. My throat burned slightly from the bubbles but I didn't care, I was incredibly dehydrated. The kitchen light cast a warm glow on an otherwise dark space. It made me feel peaceful. Rose began stirring, she was an incredibly light sleeper. I stood up and opened the fridge, taking out some milk to feed to Rose. I mechanically carried out the process. Milk in bottle, (Candy brought it over from my house), placed bottle in hot water, leave to warm up etc. I was stood over the kitchen counter, resting on my elbows while waiting for the milk to warm. I felt something tug on my leg. I looked down to see Rose clinging to my leg. She knew how to walk!? She smiled playfully and tugged on my leg again, giggling quietly. I bent down to pick her up, "Good girl, Rose! Daddy's so proud of you". I nuzzled her affectionately, to which she laughed happily. For a moment I felt happy. I sat her down on the kitchen counter, "Sit still while daddy get's your milk". Rose stared at me, remaining completely still. I picked up the milk and pressed it against my face, it was warm enough. I picked Rose up and carried her into the living room. I sat down on the couch, holding Rose in one arm and the milk in the other. I held the bottle to Rose's mouth. She grabbed onto it firmly and drank from it slowly. I was intrigued as to why she wasn't drinking as fast as before. Her eyes were shutting, but Rose was trying to resist falling asleep, still drinking from the bottle. I cradled her gently, softly singing the same lullaby my mother sang to me. "Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed". Rose stopped drinking from her bottle, only leaving a few drops of milk in the bottle. I continued to rock her gently, "Go now, off to sleep, leave the exciting day behind you. Go now, off to sleep let the joy of Dreamland find you". She shut her eyes and sighed, exhausted. "Hush now, quiet now, lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed". Rose was now fast asleep. I took the bottle and placed it on the floor. "You're a good dad". I turned around, Candy was in the doorway, wearing a wooly, pink nightgown. I shrugged, "I try my best. It's what Snow would want". Candy came in and sat down next to me, "Don't be modest, hon. You know you're a great dad. Mana thinks so too. He thinks the world of you, in fact, some days when you too have spent some time together he won't stop talking about you". I smiled, "Mana's a great friend. I can't believe what I did earlier. I can't believe he forgave me, he even went as far as to let me into his house and sleep there. Thank you both by the way for that". Candy smiled warmly, "It's okay. Mana is a great guy, isn't he? Such a gentleman and an all-round good-hearted stallion. I couldn't ask for more. Well, he could spend less time on his Super Pony Something Something System, it drives me crazy with all the mechanical noises. But I love him with all my heart, and I wouldn't leave him for the world". Rose sighed quietly. "She's beautiful, Crimson. Such a cute, young filly. You're gonna have a hard time fighting off all the colts that are trying to be with her when she's older". I laughed softly, "I know. She's adorable. Almost identical to her mother. I love her down to every detail, so any colt or stallion after her is gonna have to work pretty damn hard for her". Candy placed a hoof on my shoulder, "You and Rose are gonna be fine, I promise. You're an excellent father and Rose is a wonderful young filly. Just know me and Mana are here for you, every day of the year, twenty four seven", she hugged me tightly and patted me on the back, "I'm gonna go back to bed, I'm shattered. I just wanted to check up on you and Rose. Good night". She got up and headed for the door, "Good night, Candy".
"Gauze". I placed the gauze into the leading surgeon's outstretched hoof. "Redheart, I don't think we can bring Snow back, her heart has stopped for over six hours now, it's hopeless". I remained focused, "Keep your opinions to yourself because I'm not giving up on her". The surgeon sighed, "Okay, the artery is fixed. Close her up". The surgical team sew up the wound and cauterised it, leaving a thin, bright red line. "Okay, defibrillator". The surgical team stared at me quizzically, "Did I stutter? Give me the shock pads". An intern passed me the defibrillator, muttering some offensive comment under his breath. "Blood". The surgeon shook his head, "We ain't got enough as it is, no point wasting it on a cadaver". I twisted round and glared at him, "Don't speak about her like that. She's gonna pull through. What's her blood type?". The doctor lowered his head, embarassed, "O Negative, same as her coltfriend". I smiled in relief, "Me too. Okay, we're making progress. Call Crimson in". An intern piped up, "He's been told Snow has passed when he visited earlier". I smacked my face with my hoof, "You're an embarassment. Call him".
My phone buzzed quietly beside me. I picked it up and glanced at the caller ID: Nurse Redheart. I swiped the answer tab, "I've already been told". She growled in frustration, "Jeez, why is everyone so pessimistic. Listen, Crimson, I don't wanna give you false hope but if you come and donate blood with me we could save Snow". I stood up, "Are you messing with me? Is this some sick joke?". She sighed, "Get over here and help me resuscitate your child's mother before I drag you here".
I looked across to Snow Sweet's lifeless corpse. It killed me inside to see her like this, "Nurse, if this doesn't work-" "Shut up, Crimson". I shut up. "Gimme your arm". I stretched my arm out, Nurse Redheart took hold of it and wrapped a small, white cloth tightly around my forearm, exposing my veins. She injected a needle into a vein and extracted the blood. My vision blurred for a moment before re-adjusting, "Ugh, how much did you get?". She inspected the now full syringe closely, "About 250ml. We need two litres". I shrugged, "Sure, I've got that much to spare". She regarded me empathically, "I've donated 500ml, the hospital has 1.1litres to spare. So we need some more from you, about 150ml is all". I nodded, "Sure, whatever". Nurse Redheart looked down, slightly saddened, "Now, this could give you an iron deficiency, a.k.a anaemia. So you may be hospitalised, is this a term you're willing to put up with?". I nodded again, "Anything for Snow Sweet". She emptied the syringe into a small plastic bag and turned back to me, "You ready?". I nodded. She plunged the needle into me and extracted another 250ml of blood, my vision darkened for a moment. "Just a bit more for luck". She emptied the syringe into the bag again, and readied the nozzle near Snow Sweet's limp arm. She sighed, "Here goes nothing". She inserted the nozzle, then lifted up two shock paddles. "3, 2, 1. Clear!". She discharged the battery into Snow Sweet's chest, she convulsed and then laid back down. "3, 2, 1. Clear!", she shocked Snow again, no better result. Nurse Redheart grimaced, "3! 2! (Screw it) CLEAR!". She shocked Snow Sweet again. The EKG pulsed. "We've got a pulse! 3! Clear!" She shocked Snow Sweet once more, the EKG pulsed rapidly. "Crimson! She's alive!".
Intense shock pulsed through me, "AAGH! Stop it!". I clutched my chest. Wait, I was alive! "S-Snow?" Crimson was next to my bed, smiling widely. "Yeah, hon?". He lunged and hugged me tightly, "Oh thank Celestia! Snow, I'm so happy you're alive! I missed you!". I was overwhelmed by this, "What? Alive? I was dead? For how long?". Nurse Redheart placed a gentle hoof on my shoulder, "About seven hours". Crimson was still holding on tightly, receiving a lot of electric shock from the currents passing through me. "So, I died?". Nurse Redheart nodded, "Yes, but you're alive now". I hugged Crimson tightly, "I'm sorry for anything I put you through, my love". He was still tightly wrapped around me, "Don't be. You're fine now, don't leave us again, please!". I stroked the back of his head softly, "I won't. Come on, I wanna see my baby". Crimson pulled away slightly, his eyes glistening, "I thought you were gone, I missed you so much". I kissed him softly to comfort him, "I'm here now, my love, and I promise I won't be leaving anytime soon". He smiled and nodded. He returned to the seating are and picked up a sleeping Rose Sweet. I took her in my arms and held her close to my chest. She woke up after a moment and looked up. She smiled excitedly and reached out. I lifted her up and hugged her firmly, happy to be re-united with my family. She held onto my neck tightly and chattered in excitement. I rested her head on my shoulder, "Thank you for sticking with me, Ms. Redheart. If it wasn't for your conviction, I could've actually left the land of the living. Thanks for that". I smiled happily, "You want to hold her?". Redheart shook her head politely, "Thanks, but no thanks, I'm not really an OB/GYN mare. But thank you for asking". Crimson reached behind me and held me firmly, nuzzling my face affectionately, "I'm so happy, you're back with us". Rose laughed happily and mimicked Crimson, trying to nuzzle my neck.