Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm back with the next chapter. Unfortunately, this isn't a very happy chapter, so get your tissue together and prepare for the unbearable reading you're going to have to do.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers, any of its series, or any of the show's characters. Also, the plot of this story was inspired by the 2009-2010 storyline of Days of our Lives. However, all parts of the plot that I changed, the scenes I made up, and characters I created are my property. So, NO STEALING!
"Forever my Angel"
An hour passed by at a turtle's pace and there still wasn't any news on the baby girl that was desperately fighting to stay alive. Tommy was managing to keep his cool for Kimberly's sake, but inside, he was a wreck. He'd loved Grace from the minute he'd found out about her and he looked at her as though she were his own daughter. She'd become a special piece of the fabric he called life just like Jacob and Kimberly had and the thought of losing her scared him. He and Kimberly had done so much to protect her since Kimberly's pregnancy was revealed. It all couldn't have been for nothing, right?
Tommy looked down at Kimberly whose head was lying limp on his shoulder. After five minutes of comforting her, he'd convinced her to take a small nap to regain her energy. She'd fussed for a few minutes, but she went out like a light soon after. Tommy smiled at her before gently placing a kiss on her temple. They were going to get through this no matter what.
Hospital Chapel
Katherine was knelt at the altar with tears running down her face as she stared up towards the ceiling lights.
"What kind of person am I?" she questioned no one in particular. "Kimberly is in that other room praying and crying over that precious baby girl when in actuality…that baby isn't hers. Oh God…what have I done?"
"That is a good question Katarina." Mr. Ignalis's voice comes from the doorway.
Katherine nearly jumped out of her skin at the arrival of the new voice. She quickly turned around and glared daggers at the only person who knew her entire secret.
"What are you doing here?" she asked him nervously. "You just had a heart attack. Shouldn't you be resting right about now?"
"I am fine." he reassured her. "The doctor's said that no permanent damage had been done. I have to take my medication and stay off my feet for a while, hence the wheelchair I'm currently sitting in. I'm awfully surprised that you're even concerned for my condition. If I were you, I'd be concerned with your fate when you pass from this world."
"What are you talking about?" Katherine asked as she stood to her feet.
"You've lied to so many people just to get what you want Katherine, then again, you already know that. The point I'm trying to get across is that you're going to burn in hell for what you have done."
"I did the right thing Mr. Ignalis." Katherine said defensively. "I gave Collin his child and gave you your real granddaughter. Kimberly's the one who-"
"Kimberly's the one who's about to go into mourning over the loss of a child that she believes is hers. I mean, come on Katherine. I may be cold hearted on several occasions, but you…you're a selfish little bitch who plays games with everyone's hearts and you're going to get what's coming to you."
"No one has to know what I did. You promised to keep your lips shut about all of this."
"Unfortunately for you, I'm starting to reconsider that little deal of mine. I may hate Kimberly just as you do, but what's happening to her and that lover boy of hers is downright cruel. Wait a second…what about the real mother of that little baby?"
"Don't worry about Julia." Katherine said as she wrapped her arms around herself. "She believes Neveah is her daughter. I allow her to see the baby on occasions. She's never seen or held Grace a moment in her life, so she won't miss her."
"Do you hear how cruel and heartless that sounds?"
"You're one to talk about being cruel and heartless." Katherine snapped. "You put hits out on people and manipulate lives. I made a simple baby switch."
"And now, everyone that loves that child is going to suffer because of that simple switch."
Katherine stared at Mr. Ignalis as she let his words sink in. "She's…not going to make it is she?"
Mr. Ignalis sighed as he turned in his wheelchair. "I'm going back to my room. If I were you, I'd leave this place. You have no right to be here."
Katherine felt her heart drop as the older man wheeled himself from the chapel. He was absolutely right. She had no right to be anywhere near Kimberly and little Grace, but there was someone who did deserve to see that baby, and she was going to make damn sure that she got that chance.
Waiting Room
Doctor Jonas emerged from the O.R. with a pained look on his face as he approached Tommy and Kimberly. As if on instinct, Kimberly lifted her head from Tommy's shoulder, sensing that something was wrong. At the sight of Doctor Jonas, she quickly jumped to her feet and rushed over to him. Tommy stood and followed after her.
"Doctor Jonas?" she said with question in her eyes. "What's happened? Is Grace going to be okay?"
"You need to come and be with your daughter." he said sadly.
Kimberly stared at him, unsure of what he was trying to tell her. "The…the antibiotics…they're working, aren't they?"
"Kimberly, Grace isn't having the kind of reaction we were hoping she'd have after taking the antibiotics."
Tommy placed a hand on Kimberly's shoulder comfortingly. Things definitely weren't going the way they were hoping.
"Then give her more," Kimberly commanded, "and if they don't work, just try something else."
"Kimberly, I can't do that right now." Doctor Jonas said sadly. "Her system wouldn't be able to take it. I'm sorry…I wish I had better news."
Kimberly's face fell at the doctor's words. Was there really nothing else he could do to help her little girl?
"Well, the good news is that she's still hanging in there." Tommy reassured her. "She's still fighting for her life and we're going to fight alongside her. As long as she continues to hold on, we are going to be right beside her, hanging on as well."
Kimberly took a deep breath before glancing at the face clock on the wall. It was around ten-thirty p.m.
"I think we should get a hold of Jason and the others." she said softly. "They should all be here with Grace."
"I'll go and call them." Tommy suggested.
"No, let's go together."
Tommy smiled comfortingly at her before the two of them headed towards the elevator.
"We'll be in Grace's room soon." Tommy called over his shoulder.
Doctor Jonas nodded before glaring up at the ceiling. "Please God…come through for us. The two of them do not deserve to lose their little girl."
Grace's Room
Katherine stared down at Grace with tears in her eyes. The infant looked so tiny and fragile; her eyes hazed over and tired. She wasn't moving at all, but her chest was rising, meaning she was still alive.
"Hey there sweetheart." Katherine said to the little girl as she leaned over the top of the crib to touch her cheek. Her hand instantly grew warm at the touch. Grace definitely had a high fever.
"Do you remember me?" Katherine asked. "I'm the one that brought you into this world. I was the first one who held you. You're my daughter too in some strange way."
Grace's eyes moved around until they rested on Katherine. In spite of the pain and suffering the little girl was going through, she managed to smile at the woman.
Katherine broke down in tears at the sight of the small smile. "I don't understand how you can smile in spite of what's happening to you. You don't deserve this Grace. If anything, I deserve to die for all the pain and misery that I've caused everyone. You're just a poor innocent child that I used to cover my own ass, and that was wrong of me. You shouldn't have to suffer and die."
Katherine nearly jumped out of her skin when three soft knocks sounded at the door. "Who is it?" she called out nervously.
The door slowly slid open as Julia appeared in the doorway with slight confusion on her face. "Katherine, what's going on? Your voice sounded urgent when I spoke with you earlier."
Katherine took a deep breath, relieved that it was Julia and not the doctor. Julia's eyes widened with fear when she saw the baby crib in the center of the room. She quickly ran over to the crib.
"Oh my God, what happened to Neveah?" she asked, panic rising in her chest.
"Nothing's wrong with Neveah." Katherine reassured her.
"Then why…?" Julia stopped speaking when she spied an unfamiliar little girl lying in the crib with illness written into her expression. "Katherine, whose baby is this?"
"This is Kimberly Hart's baby." Katherine explained to her. "She's very sick."
"Wait a minute," Julia said, trying to understand the situation, "this is the same little baby that woman was holding beside me during your wedding?"
Katherine recalled Julia interrupting her wedding and Kimberly making her sit beside her. "Yes, she's that same baby."
"Oh my God. She doesn't even look like that happy little girl. Kimberly was so nice to me during the ceremony. She even let me hold her. I don't know, but there was something about her that kind of…drew me in. Call me crazy."
"No honey, I don't think you're crazy. I've heard that this little girl makes connections with everyone she touches. I just learned that first hand."
"So, why did you ask me to come here?"
"I wanted to make you a promise Julia. I swear to you, Neveah is going to be safe with Collin and I. Seeing how much pain this little girl is in, I wouldn't dear let the same thing happen to Neveah."
"I have faith in you and Collin." Julia said as she stared down at Grace who was smiling back up at her. "I know you'd never let anything happen to my baby."
Katherine sighed in relief as Julia leaned over the crib to put her hand to the little girl's cheek. For reasons unexplained, she felt anguish and despair come over her as the fever warmed her fingers. She was truly scared for the little girl.
"May God be with you little Grace." she spoke to her softly. "I hope you get better soon. Your mommy loves you so much and would hate to lose you."
Katherine felt tears spring into her eyes, but they were quickly replaced with fear as the door swung open, revealing Tommy.
"Who are you and what are you doing in here?" Tommy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I am so sorry." Katherine said quickly. "You're Tommy Oliver right?"
"Yes, I am." Tommy said, folding his arms across his chest.
"I'm Katherine Ignalis, Collin's wife. I'm very sorry for intruding, but I heard what was happening to Kimberly's daughter and I wanted to say a quick prayer."
"Thanks, but I'm sure Kimberly wouldn't be too happy to find you in here crowding our daughter. What about her?"
Tommy looked at Julia who quickly removed her hand from the baby's face. "I met Grace at Katherine's wedding." She explained. "I got to hold her and everything. Kimberly was so nice to me and she even talked to me for a while. I can't believe that you guys are going through this. I'm terribly sorry."
Tommy nodded. "I appreciate the concern, but you two really need to leave."
"Right, I'm so sorry for intruding." Katherine apologized as she and Julia quickly left the room.
Tommy watched them go before running a hand over his face and removing his police cap. He approached the crib and stared down at Grace sadly before bending over to scoop her up into his arms.
"Hey there Grace." he said in a soft voice. "Everything's going to be fine. I promise, you won't have to suffer for too much longer."
Tommy walked over to the rocking chair that was beside the crib and took a seat as he slowly began to rock little Grace.
"Your mother and I can't lose you," he spoke in a calm voice, "you mean way too much for us. Even though you aren't my biological daughter, I love you as though you are. I've watched you grow and I want so badly for you to beat this illness so I can continue to do so. Your mother has done so much to keep you safe and so have I…I don't know what we're going to do if we lose you Grace."
Grace sighed as she looked up at Tommy through half-closed eyelids. Tommy felt tears burning at the back of his throat as his eyes began to water. How could this sweet, innocent little girl be going through such a horrific event?
Just then, Kimberly walked into the room. A smile warmed her lips at the sight of Tommy rocking her little girl.
"How is she?" Kimberly asked as the door closed behind her.
"Honestly Kimberly, I don't know." Tommy said as he looked up at her.
Kimberly nodded as she grabbed a nearby chair and pulled up beside Tommy to take her seat. She brushed a few strands of Grace's hair back and shuddered at the warmth that shot through her hand.
"She's so warm." she commented. "It's even worse than before I brought her here."
"Maybe it's the antibiotics working their magic?" Tommy said reassuringly.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe it's a sign that she's getting better."
The room fell silent as Tommy and Kimberly stared down at the little girl.
"Who are we trying to kid?" Kimberly said after while. "This fever isn't spiking because the antibiotics. It's spiking because…because…"
Kimberly broke down in tears as she buried her face in her hands. Tommy took a free hand and placed it on her back. "Come on Kim, you have to be strong."
"I can't be strong anymore!" Kimberly shouted. "There's nothing that can be done. I've been so optimistic up until this point. Doctor Jonas was trying to be nice earlier when he suggested we come in here. He's accepted the fact that she isn't going to make it, the nurses have accepted it, and now, I think I'm just going to accept it too!"
"Kim, we can't give up."
"Tommy, look at her!"
Tommy stared down at Grace whose eyes had gotten heavier. She was really struggling to keep her eyelids open.
"She's suffering Tommy and the doctors have done everything they can do for her. I was really hoping that she could pull through this Tommy…"
"I know Kimberly." Tommy said sadly. "I was hoping too."
Waiting Room
Katherine took a deep breath as she and Julia took a seat in the waiting area. That was too close.
"Why didn't you tell me we weren't allowed to be in there Katherine?" Julia questioned her. "I feel like I just invaded that man's privacy."
"Julia, I am so sorry about that. It's just that…finding out about what was happening to little Grace…it made me think of Neveah. I can't imagine how much pain and suffering Kimberly's going through right now, and if I was in her shoes, there's no telling what I would do. If I ever lost Neveah…Dear God."
Julia placed a hand on Katherine's shoulder comfortingly. "Hey, Neveah's fine Katherine, you've told me that on several occasions. I know you would never let anything happen to my little girl."
Katherine nodded as more tears made their way down her cheeks. She was starting to feel more and more guilty with every word the young teen spoke.
Suddenly, Julia gasped as the elevator doors opened. Curiosity overcoming her, Katherine looked up and gasped as well. Collin was just stepping off the elevator holding Neveah in his arms.
"Collin," Katherine said as she jumped to her feet and ran over to him, "why is Neveah here? I heard about what happened to Kimberly's daughter, and I don't want her catching that terrible illness."
"Katherine, you need to calm down." Collin reassured her as she gently kissed Neveah's forehead. "The nanny had a family emergency and she had to drop the baby off here."
"She couldn't have just left her with another staff member?"
"I told the staff to take the night off. They did such a wonderful job cleaning and taking care of father earlier that I decided they could use a break. I have no problem bringing Neveah here. Besides, I'm sure she'd like to see her grandfather. Is he out of surgery yet?"
"Yes, and he seems to be doing quite well. He was wheeling around in his wheelchair last I saw him."
"That old man…nothing keeps him down for too long."
Katherine giggled, but stopped when she saw Collin staring at Julia.
"What's she doing here?" he asked her. "Is she sick or something?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"I thought she was a drug addict or something like that. You told me at the wedding that she was someone with problems that you were working with."
"Oh, she's not sick Collin. She's just here for…an annual checkup. She's been sober for quite some time now and I like to check on her and see how's she's dong. I'm…trying to help her adjust back into society."
"Oh, very good for you."
"Collin, do you mind if I hold Neveah for a little while? After everything Kimberly's going through, I really want to hold her."
"Sure thing. I'll be back to get her as soon as I finish visiting father. I'll ask if he'd like to see her."
Katherine nodded as Collin gently passed the baby to him. After giving his wife a quick kiss on the cheek, he took off down the hall and Katherine headed back over to the sitting area.
"Here's Neveah." Katherine smiled sadly as she took a seat beside Julia. "I'm a little nervous that she had to be brought here, but she's had her shots and monthly checkups, so I'm positive she'll be fine."
"Do you mind if I hold her?" Julia asked in a quiet voice.
"Of course you can hold her." Katherine said. "I'm not surprised that you want to after everything we just witnessed in that hospital room."
Julia nodded as Katherine lifted the little girl into her arms. A fire spread onto Julia's face as she cradled the little girl. She was so happy to be holding a healthy child that wasn't busy fighting for her life. It put her at ease knowing that her daughter was perfectly healthy, being taken care of.
Grace's Room
Tommy and Kimberly stood above Grace's crib as they stared down at her sadly. Grace's eyes had been closed for a while now. She was sleeping, so at least she was unaware of the pain her little body was going through. Her chest rose and descended with each jagged breath she took as the heart monitor connected to her tiny body beeped at a slow pace. Grace appeared to be getting weaker, and that scared Tommy and Kimberly more than anything.
"I remember the first time I ever saw her." Tommy spoke softly as a smile crept onto his lips.
"Love at first sight?" Kimberly guessed as a smile reached her lips as well.
"I never even knew that I wanted a family until you welcomed me into yours. The thought of having children scared me to no end, but you made me see things differently Kim. I lived through the entire experience with you all the way from your disgusting cravings, to your swollen feet, to your mood swings. You put me through the experience and made me warm up to the idea of wanting a family of my own. The first time I saw Grace…I was instantly captivated by her little pink face, in spite of the fact that I was fighting off unconsciousness."
Kimberly managed to let out a small giggle as she recalled the incident. "Her life has been an event since she first came into this world."
"You can say that again."
Kimberly smiled at Tommy as the two of them wrapped their arms around each other comfortingly, their eyes never leaving Grace.
"Little Grace," Kimberly spoke, "you brought us so much love…and so much happiness. I hope you know how much we love you because we love you more than anything…and I do mean anything in the whole world. I'll love you forever…my little angel."
With those words being said, Kimberly and Tommy smiled brightly at the little girl, but the smiles didn't last long. As soon as the words passed through Grace's ears, her heart monitor flat-lined, filling the room with a solid, never-ending C-note.
Tommy and Kimberly's faces fell at the realization that their little girl was gone. The two of them continued to stare at her as her chest lie still, no longer rising and descending with signs of life. Grace's skin quickly paled and she lay still as the two people that loved her more than anyone ever could continued to stare at her.
Kimberly managed to choke out a gasp as she clenched a fistful of Tommy's uniform.
"Do you want me to get the doctor?" he asked.
"N-no…" Kimberly stammered as she tried to get a grip on what was happening. "No…I…I just want it to be us."
The two of them made eye contact as tears began to stream down Kimberly's face. "I just want it to be us." she repeated before breaking down in tears.
Tommy pulled Kimberly close to him as he hugged her head protectively to his chest. He rested his head on hers, his tears dampening her brown locks as the top of his uniform absorbed her salty tears. The two of them held each other for a long time as Grace's heart monitor rang out in the background, constantly reminding them that she was gone.
Ten minutes passed by before a nurse heard the sound of the heart monitor. She ran to find Doctor Jonas and he stepped into the room and found Tommy and Kimberly staring emotionlessly at the lifeless infant inside the crib.
He walked over to the heart monitor, unnoticed by the grieving parents and switched the machine off. Tommy looked up when the beeping disappeared and stared at the doctor.
"I'm…I am so very sorry." he said, not sure of what else to say to them. "Just…give me a second."
Doctor Jonas approached the crib as Tommy released Kimberly and stepped to the side. Kimberly allowed her hands to fall limply on the ledge of the crib as her eyes stayed locked on Grace. Doctor Jonas continued to work in spite of her presence as he unhooked the tubing and wires from the little girl's corpse. Once finished with his job, he retreated to the door and stopped, his hand resting on the handle.
"Stay as long as you'd like." he encouraged them. He stared at Kimberly, slightly fearful of the expression on her face. "Would you like me to notify your family?"
"No." she said in between jagged breaths as she shook her head slightly. "No…no…no…"
The doctor nodded before exiting the room.
Tommy walked back over to Kimberly and wrapped an arm around her shoulder as he pulled her close to him. He pressed his lips gently against her forehead, not sure of any other way to comfort her.
Waiting Area
When Doctor Jonas stepped out into the waiting area, he was surprised to see unfamiliar faces staring back at him.
Trini, who had come in with Kimberly earlier, was standing beside Jason, the two of them hugging each other. Billy was also there sitting with Jacob in his lap. Katherine and Julia were still present, Neveah still being held by the teenager. Collin had also returned to the waiting room to sit with his wife and her mentee.
At the sight of Doctor Jonas emerging from the baby's room, everyone stood to their feet, anxious to hear the news.
"Doctor Jonas," Collin spoke for everyone, "what happened?"
Everyone stared at the doctor, unable to wait any longer. His brown eyes moved around the room as they looked over everyone who was present.
"Grace went peacefully about ten minutes ago." he explained in a calm, even-toned voice.
The room seemed to break out in a shroud of depression as the words passed through his lips. Trini burst into tears as she buried her face in Jason's chest. Katherine, too, began crying and had to be comforted by her husband. Julia held Neveah close to her as the news sunk in. Billy stared down at Jacob who was looking around at everyone in confusion, his two-year-old mind not understanding that his sister had passed away.
"Kimberly and Tommy are with her right now." Doctor Jonas continued. "I am so sorry."
With that being said, the doctor left the grieving group to mourn the loss of his patient.
Grace's Room
Kimberly and Tommy continued to stare at the pale, lifeless body of their daughter, unsure of what to do next. Kimberly suddenly pushed herself out of Tommy's arms and began mumbling to herself as she removed the stray wires away from her daughter and gently placed her hands to her cheek.
Grace's skin, that was once on fire, was now freezing to the touch. Kimberly looked over to the rocking chair where her baby blanket lay abandoned and went to retrieve it. She quickly made her way back over to the crib and draped it over Grace's torso.
"There you are sweetie." she said calmly with a sad smile as she stroked her cheek. "Your favorite little bunny blanket."
Tommy placed a hand on her shoulder as he smiled at the little girl.
"I know you hear us." Kimberly continued to speak. "I know with my whole heart that you can still hear us Grace, and I want you to know that your mommy…and your daddy…love you very much."
Tommy looked at Kimberly and smiled thankfully that she referred to him as the little girl's father.
"We're going to love you forever Grace." Kimberly said in a whisper. "I know you're in heaven right now…and you're going to look after us now, aren't you? You're going to help us get through this because I know we aren't going to get through this without you. You're mommy's little angel."
With her final words of departure out in the open, Kimberly buried her face in her hands and broke down in tears. Tommy pulled her into his arms as the two of them slowly slid down onto their knees. Kimberly reached a hand out and grabbed onto one of the wooden bars of the crib as she cried out her daughter's name over and over again. Tommy continued to hold her, unsure of how to comfort the crying woman because he too was feeling a great deal of loss. How can you comfort someone when you can't even comfort yourself?
The two of them remained in that position for quite some time. The two of them on the floor, holding each other in their time of misery. As Grace slept in a never ending slumber beside them.
Author's Note: And so ends the final chapter of Grace's life. I know that many of you are going to be upset over the fact that she's gone, but it had to happen. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child, but unfortunately, it does happen. Katherine is definitely going to pay for her actions, I can guarantee that. So, what's going to happen next? I can tell you, things are about to escalate to a high point in this story. So, leave a review letting me know what you thought of this chapter and wait patiently for the next update. Until next time guys.
