Chapter 5 of "The Call"

Disclaimer: None of them are mine, so don't think they are ok?

This is the next part of "The Call" and it's from Garret's POV.

-----In the hospital-----

By the time Nigel and me had gotten back to the hospital Maggie was already there. With Walter. I thought to myself - (Not him...please not him.) Nigel walked in holding a tray full of cups, full of coffee. He saw Maggie crying, he set the tray down and went to her and held her. I felt like I had died and was just watching the scene play out in front of me. Dr. Weston had obviously already told her. (That makes my job a little easier, I guess.) She pulled away from Nigel and came to me.

"We can't Garret. She's going to get better..."

I placed my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. "No, she's not. We have to Maggie." She shook her head while fighting back tears. "Maggie...think of her...she wants to let go...we need to let her." I glanced up at Nigel, who was kneeling on the floor next to her bed, then back to her.

She nodded. "You sure Garret? She wants to go?"

"Trust me Maggie."

"Alright Garret. If you're sure..."

"I am. I know I am." After today, I WAS sure. "I'll get Dr. Weston. You go say goodbye alright?"

She nodded, then walked over and placed a hand on Nigel's shoulder. She stared down at Abby and ran a finger across her face. I walked out into the hall and towards the front desk. Dr. Weston was there, sitting behind the counter filling a prescription.

"Excuse me, Dr. Weston, but I've--Maggie and I have made...the decision."

He looked up, then back at the pills on the counter. "Alright. I'll be there in a moment, after I finish this prescription."

I turned, then went back into the room. Maggie was now in Walter's arms, sniffling back tears. Nigel was in the corner of the room, leaning against the wall, staring at her bed. I walked over to the bed and took Abby's hand in mine. I stood silently for what seemed like a lifetime, holding her hand. My mind was running full of thousands of memories of vacations, play dates, illnesses, fights, birthdays, and all I had done for her. I whispered - "If you want to give up, I'm ok with that. I know you'll be in a better place when you do." I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, and one lone tear escaped down my cheek.

"Garret....do you want me to call the office and have them come down?" Nigel was standing next to me, his hand on my back.

I didn't know if I wanted them there or not. (They're my friends, but do I really want them seeing me like this?) "No Nige, thank you, but no. I don't need anymore people here than need be."

"Alright Garret." He walked to the other side of her bed and took her other hand.

Dr. Weston walked in, with a nurse. Maggie didn't look up at him.

"So...Dr. Macy, what did you decide to and Maggie decide to do?"

I looked at her and sighed. "We've decided to take her off the life support."

He nodded. "I see. When would you like to do it? I can give you as long as you need to say your goodbyes."

"Can you come back in an hour?" Maggie spoke up finally. "The less time she's in pain the better."

"Alright. I'll be back then. Call if you need anything?" With that, he turned and left the room.

The next hour passed in what seemed like seconds. We all stood around her bed and talked to her, held her hand, cried over her. Dr. Weston walked in and stood by the doorway, waiting for us to be done. I stood, and turned to face him.

"Would you like me to tell you what will happen through the process of turning off the machines?" He looked at us nervously.

"Yes, Doctor, I would at least." Maggie turned in her chair.

"Well, at first, I'll begin by slowly turning down the ventilator until it's off. It may take up to an hour for her to finally stop breathing. It will seem like she just goes to sleep. At that time I'll take her vitals to make sure that it's over." He paused a moment. "Do you have any questions?"

Maggie and I both glanced at each other. It was time. "No, we don't."

Dr. Weston walked over to the side of the bed, and began turning down the knob on the oxygen machine. I placed my arm gently around Maggie's shoulder and held her close. Abby's chest slowly rose and fell...the ventilator clicked off and Dr. Weston stepped back.

"It should only be a few moments...since her body is so damaged..."

Her chest rose...then fell slightly. When it didn't rise again, an alarm sounded. Weston quickly switched it off. He pulled his stethoscope off his neck and placed it on Abby's chest. He listened for a moment, then lifted his gaze to us. "She's gone."

Maggie pulled away from me and fell into Walter's arms, sobbing hysterically. I felt a sudden wash of emotion overcome me as I realized she was really gone. Nigel was standing near the window again, staring at us. I couldn't imagine what he was going through, his losing "another sister". I walked over to him, and we stood in silence staring at her lifeless body lying on the bed.

"At least she's in a better place now mate..."

"I know Nigel...she would have wanted me to do this...right?"

"Yes Garret. She wanted to let go."

I nodded, then stood there, staring blankly at nothing in particular. I felt a few tears fall down my face...but that was it. That was it.

Please Review this chapter! I know, it's not how some of you may have wanted it to end, but hey...I'm writing it not you right? (j/k) I have plans for at least one more chapter, but if I get some reviews (think 3 or 4) I can crank out some more for you guys! Thanks!