Chapter 13

3 ½ Months (February)

The next couple months seem to drag on. Nicole's condition hadn't improved, but it hadn't gotten worse. Jeff had not called or dropped by. Alexis knew Jeff was mad at her for not telling him, but she thought he would at least come for Nicole.

"Miss James?" Alexis was shaken from her restless sleep.

"Dr. Rice, is everything okay?"

"Well, I'm not quite sure."

"What do you mean?" Alexis asked getting nervous.

"Well, it has been almost four months and there hasn't been any change. You now have two options. You can either keep her on life support or take her off. I don't need an answer right now, I will give you time to think."

"I don't want to take her off life support. You said that she still has a chance to wake up."

"I know, but usually after four months in a coma like this, the chance begins to get smaller. I am not going for an answer right now." He walked out of the room leaving Alexis with the thought of taking her daughter off life support.

"Hey Alex"

"Shannon? What are you doing here? I thought you were going…"

"I'm here now. I just saw the doctor come out. Is everything okay?"

"She still hasn't changed."

"What did the doctor say?" Alexis looked down with tears filling her eyes.

"Alexis, look at me." She looked up at one of her best friends. "What did the doctor say?"

"He wants me to think about taking her off life support."

"You can't do that!"

"I didn't say I was going to do it. I just said that is what the doctor said to me."

"Oh, are you seriously thinking about it?"
"No, I can't kill my daughter. Your dad was in a coma for two years and he lived for a while after he woke up. I could never and will not take her off life support."

"Good" Alexis turned around in shock at the sound of a very familiar voice.

"Jeff…" She said in a whisper Shannon walked over to Alexis and gave her a hug.

"I'll be right outside if you need me." With that he walked out of the room leaving Jeff and Alexis together for the first time in five and a half months. Neither one moved from their spots at the opposite ends of the room. They just stared at each other with tears forming in both pairs of eyes. Jeff finally moved out from the door and over to Alexis. When he reached her, she flung her arms around his neck. He just sat there and held her while she cried.

"Why? Why Nicole? Why couldn't it have been me? Why couldn't I have been the one to get hit? That girl is what keeps me alive and right now, I don't know how much more I can take." Jeff hated seeing Alexis cry. It brought back so many memories from their childhood. It also made him think of what had happened between them.

"Don't say that Alexis. I know it's hard, but don't blame yourself for this and don't wish that it was you. There are so many people here that care for you and I am one of them." He paused to clear his throat. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I heard about it a month ago. I know you are probably wondering how I couldn't know for two and a half months, but I was mad. I was mad at you and at Shannon. I didn't take any calls. I didn't even really leave my house. After I found out, I stayed away because I was still upset about everything and I didn't know if you really wanted me here. I'm sorry Alex."

"Jeff, I'm sorry too. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how. You had hurt me so much. I was afraid that if you knew you would go back to thinking I wouldn't do anything with my life."

"Alex, I was stupid. I should never have listened to your mom. I loved you so much." He paused when he heard a beep coming from the machines behind Alexis. "How is she?"

"I don't know. She hasn't changed. I don't know what to do." Alexis looked at her daughter and tears began filling her eyes.

"Shh, everything is going to be fine. I promise that Nicole will make it."

"I don't know how much longer I can afford the hospital and everything."

"Don't worry about that right now. It will be taken care of."

"Jeff…" He pulled her into a hug. Jeff held on to her until she fell asleep. Noticing the couch in the corner of the room, he walked over and set her down. He walked back over to Nicole's bed and just sat down.

"Hey there Shorty, it's Jeff. I'm sorry I didn't come earlier. I know I should have come, but I was a little nervous to see your momma. She really needs you kiddo. You are her life and if you don't make it, I don't think she will." He wiped the tears away from his eyes. He didn't want to lose either of these girls, they both meant too much.