This chapter is short on words, but I think you will agree it's not lacking in volume. Enjoy! Jordyn
"My special boy," said Jesse softly as he caressed his eldest's dark curls for what would be the last time. "You always made me so proud…so proud…." Tears fell down his cheeks, losing themselves in his white beard. "My little Luke…"
Daisy may have been his little girl, and Bo his baby, but Luke was his first little boy, his special little guy. Luke was the first to ride on a tractor with his uncle, the first to ride a two-wheeled bike, the first to learn to drive. It was Luke who had the first kiss of all the cousins, and it was Luke who also had the first broken heart. Constantly, Luke had been the leader, unconsciously breaking the path so that his cousins might follow in his footsteps.
He may have been his brother's boy, but he was, for all purposes, Jesse's son. It sometimes seemed there was nothing Luke couldn't do when he set his mind to it, and Jesse couldn't have been prouder. Now though, now he wanted nothing more than for his little boy to be the first to defy death….to get up and walk out of the room. He longed to see his blue eyes sparkle with mischief just once more; to see his smile; hear his laughter. Instead he saw the machines breathing for his child. He heard the soft hisses and beeps telling him Luke was alive but barely. He felt his hands, warm but lifeless. Softly he stroked the ashen cheek. He didn't want to let him go, but he knew he had to. He quietly wiped his teary eyes again stroking Luke's hair. "I love you son…know that I love ya."
Daisy, too, just hugged Luke's limp hand close to her heart. For as long as she could remember, Luke had been a part of her life. More than just a cousin, he was her protector, her righter of wrongs, her confidante. Now, here he lay, fighting a losing battle with death. She tried to say her own final words, but only choked sobs left her lips every time she opened her mouth. Luke was her big brother and the thought of giving him up was more than she could handle.
Bo simply stood by watching his family, biting his quivering lip. What he was about to do went against every principle Jesse had taught him. It was wrong in so many ways, but, deep in his heart, Bo knew that despite everything, it was the ONLY way. He glanced out the window. Outside people were enjoying life, bicycling, walking, talking…small things he himself once took for granted. He stared at his cousin swallowing. There was every likelihood Luke would never again enjoy those simple pleasures. Even the doctors had said that, if he did wake up, there would likely be lasting effects, to what extent even they didn't know. It wouldn't be fair. Besides, whoever did this was still out there somewhere...maybe in the very hospital they were at just waiting to finish the job. Bo swallowed at that shaking his head slightly. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt Luke again…ever.
Swallowing he sat beside his brother, picking up Luke's hand in his own scarred one. "Luke…I…I wantcha to know…I love ya…I love ya so much…." Tears started to cascade down his face, not daring to look at Jesse or Daisy, knowing that they too were crying. Bo gently caressed his knuckles with his thumb. "I'm so sorry…I let things…get so outta hand…I…" He stopped glancing through the see-through wall of his room. People in white coats were bustling about, some talking, others just standing by knowing that Luke's time had come. Bo raised his eyes to look at his uncle. Jesse was holding Daisy close in a hug just nodding to him gently.
"Let him go, son…" said Jesse in a quivering voice, tears rolling down his cheeks. "S'time t' let him go."
Bo looked down once more at Luke, tears dripping down his cheeks, choked sobs in his throat. "I'll love you all my life Lukas," he said softly. Drawing a quivering breath he bent down, kissing Luke's temple softly, running a hand gently through his dark curls before turning to the monitor. His hand shook as he glanced at his brother again, his best friend…
"Forgive me…" With that, he flipped the switch, swallowing hard as Luke's monitor flat-lined.
It was over.
Did I just see what I think I saw?
Yup Balladeer you sure did. Let me know what ya think…. You know what to do.