Chapter 186
Tegan grunted when she heard Casey cry next to her. "Hmmm… Sleep baby" she mumbled. Lindsey, Sara and Kate came into the room. "Take the kids" whispered Kate. Tegan grunted and turned on her side followed by a sigh. Kate gently put a pulse ox meter on her finger. Tegan was right back out of it and didn't stir. Kate watched the numbers on the machine in silence for a minute. She got up and covered Tegan with the blanket.
"She's been asleep for hours… shouldn't she be waking up now" said Lindsey sounding worried. "It's a good thing that she's sleeping Linds" said Kate. "Is it the pain meds?" asked Sara. "Yeah, partly. She's also just really exhausted guys, physically and emotionally, just like the rest of you" said Kate. "I'll go check on her" said Lindsey. Tegan was snoring slightly, her mouth hanging open. Lindsey sat down next to her and put her hand on her back. This made Tegan stir. She opened her eyes slowly and moaned. "What's wrong?" she grunted. "Nothing's wrong. Just checking if you're okay" said Lindsey. "Mmmm… I'm fine just… sleepy" slurred Tegan with her eyes closed. "Okay sweetie… sleep as long as you want" said Lindsey and kissed Tegan's forehead.
An hour later Tegan stumbled into the living room pushing her IV stand. She still seemed groggy and pale. "Hey, welcome back" said Sonia. Lindsey got up to help Tegan to the couch. Tegan sat down and put her head on a pillow and closed her eyes. "Hey sleepy head, made you some tea and toast" said Sara. "Uh huh… thanks" whispered Tegan with her eyes closed. She didn't move. "Tegan sweetie… your tea" said Lindsey and gently squeezed Tegan's thigh. Tegan tried to force her eyes open. She rubbed them with the back of her hands. "Why's she so groggy?" Sara asked Kate. "I'm guessing she's just tired but I'll check her over" said Kate. "Hurry please" said Sara. "Sar, relax" said Kate and went to find her bag. Sara stormed after her. "Don't tell me to relax" she blurted out when they reached the room. Kate turned around and looked at her perplexed. "Sorry" she said with her hands in the air. "Just… make sure she's okay" said Sara. "Yes M'am" said Kate sarcastically.
"Just going to give you a quick once over Teegs" said Kate and wrapped the BP cuff around Tegan's arm. "I'm fine… go away" mumbled Tegan. Kate examined her anyway. "BPs is low but it usually is when you wake up. Lungs sound good and temp… mmmm temp is okay" said Kate checking the in ear thermometer. "Told you so" said Tegan and yawned. "How's your pain?" asked Kate. "Fine" said Tegan. "Just let me take your blood sugar" said Kate. "Give me a break" sighed Tegan. "That may explain your grogginess" said Sara. "I'm not groggy" complained Tegan. "Just let me do it" said Kate. She pricked Tegan's finger. Tegan would usually make a huge scene but she just stared out in front of her, shoulders slumped. "Yep, Blood sugar's low. Eat something" said Kate. "I'm not hungry" said Tegan. "Tegan… please. Just something small" said Sara. "I said I'm not hungry" said Tegan with her eyes closed. "Tee… if you don't eat, you won't get better… in fact... they'll get you back into hospital so fast your head will spin. Then they shove that tube down your nose again and… and…" stammered Sara, clearly upset. "Okay, okay… Jeez… I'll eat, calm down" said Tegan rolling her eyes. "Thank you… why must everything be a struggle with you" said Sara. "Stuff off Sara" said Tegan putting her head back on the pillow. "She's just worried about you Tegan" said Lindsey. "Look Sar… I get that you're worried… but, you have no reason to… I'm fine… worry about yourself. Look at you… looks as if you haven't slept in a week" said Tegan. Sara stared at Tegan clenching her jaw. "Eat" she said and handed Tegan her food. Tegan ate in silence.
Tegan did seem to feel a bit better after getting some food into her system. "We need to work on that statement Sara… and then the memorial" said Tegan. "Okay Tegan" said Sara and opened her laptop. "Um… how do we start?" said Tegan. Sara just bit her bottom lip. "Um… Type… It is with great sadness… or… um…" said Tegan. She looked around the room. "Guys… can Sara and I have some privacy please" said Tegan. "Oh, of course, sorry" said Sonia and got up. "Let's get you lot into the bath!" said Kate and picked Amelia up.
Tegan was quiet and stared at her hands. "How about I write something as a first draft and then you can fix it" said Sara. Tegan cleared her throat. "I'll do it" she said and picked up her laptop. She started typing and tears were soon rolling silently down her cheeks. "It is with great sadness that we share with you the tragic news of our dear friend and colleague, Jeremy Childs' untimely passing. Jeremy was shot and fatally wounded on Tuesday afternoon. He put up a very brave fight but sadly succumbed to his injuries in the early evening. Jeremy was the most loyal, kind, gentle, generous and caring friend anybody could wish for. He was part of the Tegan and Sara team for a really long time and our friend for even longer. He was instrumental in our success. We will miss him every day. We are devastated by the loss of our brother. It has been a very difficult few days. We appreciate all the support we've received and continue to receive. We would like to thank the incredible, dedicated doctors, medical team and paramedics that fought so hard to save Jeremy. We can confirm that Tegan was injured in the incident. She was treated in hospital for two days and is now recovering at home. As a result of this tragedy, we have had to postpone the launch of our new album indefinitely. We hope to be back soon and will post an album release update as soon as we can. Our grief runs deep and the impact of Jeremy's death is enormous. We would appreciate some privacy as we come to terms with this devastating event. Love, Tegan and Sara"
Tegan wordlessly handed the laptop to Sara. "It's beautiful Tee. Not a lot of information though" said Sara after reading the statement. "They don't need to know more" said Tegan. "I agree but the press is going to push" said Sara. "I don't give a fuck… This is it… we're not sharing more info. Give Jeremy some privacy in his death" said Tegan upset. "Okay… it's okay" said Sara and hugged Tegan. "When do you want to have the memorial service?" asked Sara. "Um… Sunday? Jeremy liked Sundays" said Tegan sniffing. "Kate spoke to the coroner. They're done with their investigation, his body will be released as soon as we're ready" said Sara. "I think we should cremate him… Jer and I had this conversation once… he said that the greatest gift his parents gave him was to ask to be cremated. They said that they felt this immense responsibility to visit their parents' graves… to keep it neat... to take flowers. They never wanted Jeremy to feel that. He said he was so grateful to not have that with his parents. That he could just… let them go you know" said Tegan. "Okay… sounds like it's what he would want" said Sara. Tegan nodded. "I've got a lot of photos I want to share" she said. Sara's cellphone started ringing. "This thing won't stop! The band and crew has phoned like a million times" said Sara and switched it off. "Mine phone's fucked… It's in a million pieces somewhere... makes me happy. Maybe I'll never replace it" said Tegan and started giggling. Sara started giggling too. "That fucking Blackberry huh" laughed Tegan. "Everything okay in here?" said Lindsey walking into the room. "Everything's fine babe" said Tegan and pulled Lindsey closer by the hand and kissed her on the lips. The machine attached to Tegan's IV started beeping. "Ugh… almost forgot about this fucking thing" said Tegan. Kate came jogging into the room. "Okay… just telling us this bag is empty" said Kate. "Can I have a drink?" said Tegan. "No, sorry. No alcohol when you're on antibiotics" said Kate. "You have one Sar… you deserve it" said Tegan. Sara just smirked. "Sorry for being a bitch to you earlier" said Tegan. "No, I'm sorry. Guess I'm a bit over protective" said Sara. "I'm lucky to have you Sar" said Tegan. "Ditto" said Sara.
Tegan had a good night and seemed to be feeling a lot better, physically at least. She finally convinced Kate and Sara to go home after Kate had thoroughly checked her out and removed her IV line. They were due back at Tegan's house for the reading of Jeremy's will late afternoon. Sara got into the car while Kate strapped Amelia into her car seat. "Be here in a sec, forgot my bag inside" said Kate. "Hurry uuuuup, want to get home" said Sara and sighed. Kate stood at the door and had another conversation with Lindsey. "Baby… any time now" said Sara sarcastically. "Sorry Sar, just gave Lindsey some instructions on taking Tegan's temp every hour. Don't want her get an infection and not pick it up. Fever is the first indication" said Kate. Sara sighed and looked out of the window. "I understand… Can't wait to have you all to myself again" said Sara.
Kate pulled up in front of her house. Miraculously there was no sign of paparazzi anywhere so Kate didn't pull into the garage, knowing they would be leaving again soon. "Ahhhh look, the cousins tired her out" smiled Sara looking back at Amelia fast asleep in her car seat. Kate picked her up and settled her into bed and sat down on the couch next to Sara. The doorbell rang. "Who could that be" said Kate. "Ugh… if it's a reporter I swear..." said Sara. Kate got up to check. "Tim, who is it?" she asked into the security phone. "Neighbours" said the security guard. "I'll come out" said Kate. "Get rid of them hon" said Sara. "I'll try" said Kate.
"Hi Jane, how are you?" asked Kate walking up to the gate. "Kate, I'm so glad you're home. I would really appreciate it if you had a look at Jason's arm" said Jane the neighbour. "What happened?" asked Kate. "Fell off his bike, always trying new tricks" said Jane. The boy of about 7 years old was crying, tears rolling down his face. "Okay Jase, let me have a look. Did you bump your head?" said Kate. "No" said the boy. She checked his pupils and inspected the boy's arm briefly. Sara had since joined them outside. She looked pissed off. "Hmmmm… looks like it could be broken. It's going to need an X-ray to check and this cut's going to need a couple of stitches and a tetnis shot. Doesn't look too bad though big guy. You need to be more careful though. When did this happen?" asked Kate. "About an hour and a half, maybe two hours ago" said Jane. Kate's eyes went wide. "Why didn't you take him to the emergency room? Or your GP at least?" asked Kate looking horrified. "Well… it didn't look too bad. Thought we'd wait for you to get home" said Jane. "You had no idea when that would be" said Kate. "I would have taken him to the GP if you hadn't shown up" said Jane defensively. Sara shook her head. "Okay, just get him to the emergency room now" said Kate. "Could you come?" asked Jane. "No I'm sorry Jane… I'm not on duty right now" said Kate. "It's just that… you're the best paediatrician in LA and we've waited for you so long and…" said Jane before being cut off by Sara. "He doesn't need the best paediatrician in LA, he needs a doctor… any old ER doctor will do. Even an intern. In fact – he needed one two hours ago" said Sara.
"Excuse me?" said the lady. "Sara just go back inside please" said Kate calmly. "Does that mean you'll come?" asked Jane. "No... Jane... there's nothing I can do for him that the ER can't" said Kate. "You took an oath you know" said Jane. Sara turned around and just about lost it. "Kate needs to be with her family right now... this NOT a life or death situation. She is NOT your personal physician! This is your sense of entitlement and stupidity taking over" said Sara loudly.
"Jason get in the car" said Kate. "Don't you tell him what to do!" yelled Jane. Jason wordlessly got into his mother's car. "I... I was just trying to help. He really doesn't need to hear this" said Kate looking confused. "Just... get away" said Sara sounding livid. Jane started giving Sara lip again. "Who the hell do you think you are? I was talking to Kate" she said. "Me? Who am I? I'm DOCTOR Morgan's life partner... Dr Morgan has hardly had any sleep for the last three days... Dr Morgan needs to be with her family right now because she had a really good friend die... with her hands in his chest" said Sara and started crying. "Sara don't" said Kate and looked down.
Jane stared at Sara without a word. "So... this clearly is not a good time" said Sara. "I just thought that... It won't take long... I would really feel more comfortable with you as our Doctor" Jane started up again. Sara shoved her against the shoulders. "Get away... leave! Stop being such an irresponsible asshole and get your son some help" shouted Sara, in tears. "That's what I was doing!" shouted Jane. Sara turned around and paced around with her hands in her sides trying to calm herself down. "I swear some people need a licence to have a child" she mumbled. "What!" shouted Jane and jumped on Sara's back and started punching her arms. "Jane get off her... get off" shouted Kate as Sara fell down on her knees. Kate forcefully pulled the woman off Sara. "What the hell are you doing" shouted Kate. Jane got up and dusted herself off. "I'm reporting this to your superior" said Jane and walked to the car. "Be my guest" said Kate. "And I'm reporting you to child protection services" shouted Sara sitting on the ground. "Okay... alright... everybody calm down" shouted Kate. "Take Jason to the ER... trust me, he's going to be just fine. Nobody's reporting anybody. Just calm down" shouted Kate. "Fine" said Jane and got into her car and drove away.
"Baby? Are you okay?" asked Kate going down on her knees in front of Sara. Sara just put her head in her hands and started sobbing. "It's okay sweetie... shhhh... just forget about her" whispered Kate. Sara sobbed even louder. "Let's get you inside" said Kate and lifted Sara up under her arms. Sara stumbled into the house and fell down onto the couch wailing. "It's okay baby... did she hurt you?" asked Kate concerned. "No... not really" mumbled Sara through sobs. "Okay... shhhh... it's okay" said Kate and pulled Sara into her arms. "I don't know why I'm crying... It's just... I'm sorry... I can't... I..." stammered Sara. "It's okay... I think everything is just hitting you at once... she just triggered it" said Kate trying to soothe Sara. "Why Jeremy... Why... it's so unnecessary. He was so amazing... he was... he was my friend... How can somebody just take away such a beautiful life... It's so fucked up... fuck this world we live in... fuck it" cried Sara. "It's okay... you're alright... I've got you, I've got you" said Kate hugging Sara tight, tears building in her own eyes.
An hour later Sara was still in Kate's arms, stifled sobs still escaping her throat. "It's okay... you cry and shout as much as you want angel" said Kate and kissed Sara's hair. "I'm sorry... I don't know where that came from" said Sara softly. "It's okay... I understand" said Kate softly. "It had to come out sometime Sar... you've been so incredibly strong for Tegan... Time to let it out" said Kate. "And that lady... fuck... the neighbours are all going to hate us" said Sara. "Nah... nobody can stand her. I heard they're moving next month anyway" said Kate. "Good... Was I wrong Kate?" said Sara. "No... you just said what I didn't have the guts to" said Kate. "I mean... she lets the kid just sit there bawling his eyes out for two hours" said Sara. "Sar... let it go... forget about her" said Kate. "Uh huh" grunted Sara. "It was kind of hot how you came up for me though" laughed Kate. "Oh she fucked with the wroooong Doctor" laughed Sara. "I'm going to make you some tea and lunch" said Kate. "No... just hold me a little bit longer" said Sara and closed her eyes.
Late afternoon Kate and Sara was back at Tegan's house. Tegan commented on Sara and Kate's red, swollen eyes but let it go when Sara shrugged it off as nothing. Jeremy's lawyer sat at the dining room table with a folder in front of him. "Well, you two and Tegan's babies are the only two beneficiaries so we can go ahead" said the lawyer. "When did he draw this up?" asked Tegan. "Just after Christmas last year. There's a letter. Should I read it to you?" he asked. "Yes please" said Tegan. "Dear Tegan and Sara. If you're reading this I guess it means I kicked the proverbial... Sorry about that" read the lawyer. Tegan buried her face in her arms on the table. "You guys have been the only family I've known since my folks passed away that year after high school. You've shared your family with me so generously. You love me, unconditionally and I want you to know that I absolutely adore you. I love you with all my heart. I'm not going to stretch this out because I hope you only read this when you're 85 and by then your short term memory would have gone anyway! So here goes: To Sara, I leave my beloved convertible. Get a licence already! She's a beauty and she needs a good driver! I'm also leaving you my entire library of books. I know how much you love to read and I'm sure you'll give them a good home! Take care of the collectables and rare first editions. You're an amazing person Sara, and an even better friend" read the lawyer. Sara gave a loud sob and put her hand in her hair. Kate rubbed her back up and down. "To my dear Tegan: You're my best friend in the world, nobody will ever understand or emulate what we have (or had?) Our friendship, our unconditional love, is the most important thing in my life. I leave you all my properties. My place in LA, in Vancouver and the cabin in the Rockies and all it's contents. Feel free to sell the first two but hang on to the cabin. We've had some good times there. To Casey and Ryan: I fell in love with you the first time I set eyes on you. You two are so lucky to have two incredible mommies. I love you so much and I'm proud and honoured to have had something to do with you two gracing this world with your incredible presence. Grow up to be all you can be. Hopefully this can help you achieve that. I leave you all the funds in my bank accounts and investments as well as my life insurance policy payouts. Mom's going to keep that for you until you're big enough to not waste it away. Use it wisely. I love you. Well... that's about it. Take good care of one another. Love each other. Tegan and Sara, remember to always make up if you fight. I'll always be keeping an eye on you. All my love, always, Jeremy" read the lawyer.
Everybody in the room was sobbing now. "I'm going to give you guys a few minutes" said the lawyer and went outside onto the patio. Nobody spoke until the lawyer came back in ten minutes later. "These documents just outline the legalities... estate instructions. I'll leave it with you" said the lawyer. Tegan stared at the documents. "What's this?" she said picking up the top piece of paper. "Calculation of the funds going to Casey and Ryan" said the lawyer. "Holy crap... that's a lot of money" said Tegan looking shocked. "Jeremy inherited a lot of money from his parents" said Sara. "Yeah and he obviously invested it well... there's almost $10 million dollars in here" said Tegan. "Life insurance payout was quite substantial too" said the lawyer. "I'd give all the money in the world to have him back" said Tegan sadly.
"Oh sorry... I forgot, there's a second page to the letter. He added that later" said the lawyer. "My dearest Tegan and Lindsey. I don't know if you want this, feel free to have it destroyed if you don't but I have a looot of frozen sperm in a lab somewhere. We're a great team, we make some spectacular, gorgeous, clever kids. In case you want to give the twins a biological brother or sister and I'm not here to help out again, please have it. Don't feel weird about it. I'd be honoured. (Oh and if you do, split the cash between the lot. Sorry Casey and Ryan, hope they don't have a whole ice hockey team). Love you, Jeremy" read the lawyer. Tegan laughed out of her stomach. "What the fuck Jer... love your work buddy" she said shaking her head.
A/N: What's up with the drop in reviews guys? Please send feedback, love hearing from you.