Chapter 10: The Attempt

Takes place after Wilden and Julia are both born, while Wilden is at school and Julia is still in the NICU.

(Normal POV)

Becky sits alone in her and Barley's house.

She sets up the camera Laurel had gotten her for Christmas one year to document the milestones in her family.

"My name is Rebekah Lightfoot. And…I just can't do this anymore. I'm at the end of my rope. I can't handle it anymore. Whatever you want to call it. I'm done. This is a message to my family. I'm sorry to whoever finds me that you had to see me that way. And I'm sorry I couldn't go on."

She stops recording and sends the video to her husband and brother-in-law.

She knows she made a promise to Barley that she wouldn't cut anymore. So she won't.

She heads into the master bathroom and locks the door behind her.

(Ian's POV)

I'm just sitting in one of my classes when I receive a video message from Becky. It's titled "Goodbye". I excuse myself to go to the bathroom so I can watch the video.

When I watch it, my eyes go wide. After watching it, I immediately dial Becky's number. It goes to voicemail, so I dial my brother's number. It also goes to voicemail, but this time I leave a message; he's probably in the middle of teaching a class.

"Barley, you need to go home. It's Becky. I think she's trying to kill herself again. I'll be there as soon as I can."

I rush to grab my things from the classroom, as my keys were in my backpack, and, after a hasty explanation to my professor, telling her there's been a family emergency, I rush to my sister-in-law.

I hope I'm not too late.

(Barley's POV)

I drive as fast as I can home.

I hope I'm not too late.

I called for an ambulance to meet us there.

I arrive at the same time as the ambulance. Ian is already parked in the driveway.

(Ian's POV)

I'm in Becky and Barley's apartment. Becky's locked the master bathroom door. I start pounding on the door, trying to get her to answer.

It's then I remember I have the wizard staff with me.

"Think, Ian, think! What spell would be best in this situation? I got it!"

"Aloft Elevar!" I say, holding the wizard staff.

The door breaks off its hinges and it floats. I toss it aside and head into the bathroom.

Becky's not breathing, and she's turned a pale shade of blue.

I immediately take her out of the tub and start CPR.

"Come on, Becky. Breathe! Don't give up. Please. We need you!"

I continue CPR, even through my tears.

The paramedics rush in to the bathroom to try and revive her, and I join my brother.

"Can you call Mom and tell her to pick up Wilden from school?" Barley asks, not looking away from his wife.

"Of course." I dial Mom's number, she picks up, and I tell her what's going on. After I tell her what's going on, I ask her to pick up Wilden from school. She tells me she can, and that she loves me. I tell her I love her, too.

Hanging up, I see Becky still hasn't been revived. Things are starting to look bleak.

Barley is struggling to stay strong. I wrap an arm around my brother as we look on, hoping Becky will be able to be revived.

Finally, finally, Becky inhales, and the paramedics flip her over on her side to expel any water from her lungs.

A paramedic waves Barley forward.

"You can carry her to the ambulance. We were lucky your brother knew CPR." The paramedic tells Barley.

Barley turns his head towards me, mouthing a "thank you" to me. I nod in return.

We head to the hospital, Becky hoarsely mumbling apologies to everyone she comes in contact with, Barley and myself included.

"Shhh. Just rest, my queen. We'll be right here with you. I promise. We can talk about it later."

Becky nods and then turns to me.

"Ian?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for saving me."

"You're welcome. I wouldn't have done anything less. You're my sister-in-law, Becky. No one can, will, could or should ever replace you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Get some rest."

Becky soon falls asleep, and Barley and I just look at her, wondering why she would do something like this.

"Did you see the video?" Barley asks me.

"I did. Why would she do something like this? She's got you and the kids, and me and Mom and Colt."

"I don't know. I'm just glad you found her in time."

Soon, Becky is told she, thankfully, doesn't have pneumonia, and will have to stay here until her mental health is stable.

Barley looks at me, giving me the signal he'd like to talk to his wife alone, and I nod back at him, and, kissing Becky on her forehead, leave the room.

(Barley's POV)

"Becky, honey, why would you attempt suicide? Why would you attempt something like this?" I ask, grasping my wife's hands, terrified of letting go, as if that would make us lose her. Tears are rolling down my cheeks.

"I just…I just couldn't handle the pain anymore…I couldn't handle the fact that Eret is out there somewhere…he probably wants to hurt me again…me or one of the kids…"

"Honey…you just need to handle it one moment at a time, one flare-up at a time."

"So you've told me. Barley?"

"Yes, honey?"

"You still love me, don't you?"

"Of course I do, honey. No one's gonna stop me from loving you. No one and nothing is gonna stop me from loving you. I promise, okay?"

Becky nods.

"Never try something like this again, okay? We can talk it through. All right?"

Becky nods again, wordlessly.

"You okay, hon?"

"I don't know, to be honest, Barley."

"It's okay to not be okay. We'll get through this. I promise. We're a family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."

Over the next few days, Becky talks with the hospital's psychiatrist, alone at times, and, at times, with me and/or Ian in the room.

We've all made sure Becky feels like she's someone worth saving, and, when she's strong enough, we take her to see Julia, who's doing well and fighting strong in the NICU.

We know that, as a family, we can get through anything. No matter what comes our way.