(Note: those of you who have left reviews in the past and have noticed that you're linked signatures aren't there this is why they aren't- Something got very messed up with the whole story so I took it all out and fixed some things…for some reason when I just went to replace the chapters it got even worse and I got tired of trying to fix it all… I have all your reviews saved in the emails from the alert thingies and they're important to me, and I didn't want you all to think I just removed them, just to let you know. Thanks for reviewing and please continue to do so! It's helpful. Well ill shut up now so you can read…)
Chapter 5: It's All My Fault
"Simon!" screamed Annie. The heart monitor continued its prolonged beep. Finally, after multiple jolts from the electric paddles, there were once again, repeated beeps. Everyone breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Thank you," Eric said looking up skyward.
"If Simon is going to live, he is going to need a donor fast. If we cannot find him a new heart soon, he isn't going to last much longer. You can only wait so long when a heart is failing," the doctor pointed out plainly. The room fell silent. Everyone was thinking deeply, lost in thoughts.
Visiting hours were soon coming to an end, and Kevin, Lucy, Ruthie, and Cecilia reluctantly left the hospital. Eric and Annie were staying overnight to be at Simon's side.
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A few days later, Simon's condition continued to worsen. His breaths were farther apart now, and sometimes it would seem as if he wasn't even breathing. Annie watched his chest rise and fall, and as she watched him memories began to flash through her mind:
"He's such a good kid. Even if there were some times when he would make me really mad, he always knew the right thing to do. I remember things like it was just yesterday. I remember the first time I held him, when he was born. He was so little, so full of life. I remember the first time he smiled at me. It warmed my heart with such joy. Can't forget the time I found out he was running a 'dating service.' I couldn't believe he did that! And it seems like just yesterday he told Eric and I, and Cecilia's father that they wanted to...well, to be closer... at that age?! I couldn't believe he'd even consider it then. But he's really come a long way from the first time I held him. We've been through so much together, whether it was good or bad. He's even gotten a little bit better since the car accident. I can't believe he has to go through this. I can't believe my son is nearly dying. How could anyone do such an awful thing?" She began to cry more, and Eric wrapped his arm around her.
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Things were looking very bleak until the moment that managed to put smiles on everyone's faces for the first time in a while. The doctor had great news. They miraculously had found a heart for Simon. He was scheduled for surgery as soon as possible. Simon opened his eyes a bit and wanted to speak but decided to just to rest more.
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He awoke some time after the surgery, groggy, but feeling minutely better than he did some hours ago. "Hi Simon. You made it, bro," Lucy said smiling at him. The rest of the family gave their love and their encouragement to Simon as he smiled slightly, for the first time in what seemed a lifetime.
"Where am I?" Simon asked groggily.
"You're in recovery. You just had the heart transplant," Annie answered.
"Where did they ever find a heart?" he asked slowly. Annie looked at Eric hesitatingly. "Maybe this isn't a good time to tell him," thought Annie, "but I might as well since he'll find out sooner or later."
"Honey, while you were in the hospital, Justin committed suicide."
"What?" Simon questioned.
"We don't know why exactly, but I would guess it was because he didn't want to face the charges that attempted murder would bring. They tried to save him but it was too late."
"What relevance does this have to where I got my new heart fr-…wait…" Simon stopped.
"Simon, honey. You both had the same blood type and…well his heart is now yours." Simon didn't speak a single word for a few minutes.
"So basically both Paul and Justin are gone because of me?" Simon angrily cried. Annie didn't know how to react and just shook her head to try and dissuade his feelings.
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Several weeks later, Simon was finally released from the hospital, strong and healthy. He was grateful to be alive, and he wanted to see Cecilia.
"Simon! How are you?" Cecilia asked him, smiling.
"I'm doing good, I wanted to talk to you," he said.
"Sure."
"Cecilia, I wanted to tell you something. I'm sorry about all the times I took my frustration and anger towards the accident out on you. I was stupid to do that, it wasn't even your fault."
"Hey, it's okay. I know it's tough," she said hugging him.
He smiled at her as he held her for a moment.
"Simon, I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened to Justin?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"I understand. I'm just so glad you're okay," she said, looking away in an attempt to hold back her tears and hide her face from Simon. He gently put his hand on her cheek, turned her face towards his, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. He had missed this feeling for a long time.
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"I can't believe the baby is coming so soon, it seems like just yesterday I found out I was having our baby and now I'm due in only a few days," Lucy said to Kevin as he headed into the bathroom. She sat up on the bed and grabbed a magazine. Kevin had just gotten home from the station and he was changing out of his uniform. Lucy got up to get a drink when suddenly she felt a strange sensation.
"Kevin? The babies are coming earlier than expected. My water' just broke," Lucy said.
"Then we better get you to the hospital," he said, grabbing a large duffel bag.
(A/N: Please review! I really appreciate your comments. Hope you liked it, I'll be adding more soon!)