Thank you all so much for the amazing reviews, and the favorites and follows. It means so much that you all like this story. The next 2 chapters were the hardest to write.
"What are you implying?"
"Well, I've been at this job for quite some time, honey. I have seen numerous cases just like your mother's. I have seen full recoveries and then I have seen them not recover and the family never gets to say goodbye. They either die unexpectedly or the family has to make the decision on whether or not to take their loved ones off of the machines. So if I were in your spot, I would make sure I said my goodbyes now just in case something was to happen." The nurse turns and walks away.
I am standing there until I can no longer see the nurse. Noah walks up to me and pulls me into his arms.
"Everything okay, Rach?"
"She thinks we should say our goodbyes to Shelby. She said it doesn't mean she is going to die but in cases like this, it is so unpredictable. She could make a full recovery or never come back to us."
"Well, do what you have to do Rachel, but I am telling you, your mom is a fighter, and a damn good one at that. I believe that she will make a full recovery and come out of her coma or whatever demanding to go home. "
"Maybe you are right. But I think I will talk to Beth and her sitter and explain to them what is going on. I am going to say my goodbyes but I will leave it up to Beth whether or not she does the same."
He nodded as we walk back to the waiting room. Everyone looks to me as soon as we approach.
"Marley, can I talk to you privately please?" I ask. She nods and follows me into a little room off of the waiting room.
"What's going on?" I hear her ask.
After what seems like forever, I collect my thoughts. "Shelby, my mother, may not recover. She is out of surgery but is still unconscious. The nurse said that she recommends that Beth and I say our goodbyes." I pause to compose myself. "She said that just because she is saying that doesn't mean that Shelby won't make a full recovery, but she has seen many cases like this where the patient just dies unexpectedly or where the family has to take them off of life support. I wanted to tell you because you know Beth better than I do, hell I didn't even know Shelby was still in Lima. I will let Beth go last, I am not sure yet what I want to say to her. Also, before I make any decisions, I want to talk with you and Beth. I am the emergency contact so I will be the one to make the final decision, but this is Beth's mom so I believe she should have a say so, you know?"
Marley is in tears by the time I finish rambling. "I understand, Rachel. I know who you are, Shelby and I have talked about you many times. I must say I am a huge fan. She told me about you before I started babysitting for her. She loves you, Rachel. She just doesn't know how to show it, but everytime she talked about you her face lit up. I appreciate you wanting to include Beth and myself in this decision. They are the only family I have, I have gotten so close to that little girl in there. I will talk to Beth, but I would like you to be in there with me, please."
Shelby talked about me? She told Marley about me? She loves me? I nod as she goes to get Beth. They got back too soon for me. I don't want to tell a six year old she has to tell her mother goodbye. UGH.
"Hey Rachel, what are they saying about mommy?" Beth asks. I look to Marley, I can't do this. I lean against the wall and listen to Marley tell Beth exactly what I told her a few moments before. Beth hit the floor in tears. I face the wall as I let my tears fall, this is not fair. Not to Beth. Not to Marley. Not to me.
"Rachel," I hear Beth call out to me.
'Yes, sweetie?"
"When do I have to tell my mommy bye?" Her voice is so strong and determined
"I am not sure. I will go find out." How is it possible that this six year old is stronger than I am? I mean I am holding on by a string and she is ready to face this head on. I excuse myself to find the nurse. "Hi, when would be a good time to say our goodbyes? Also, what is your protocol on life support?"
"You can go see her whenever, just keep it to family though. As for life support, I am not sure what you are asking, honey."
"Is she brain dead?"
"As of right now, we are not sure. There is still a lot of swelling, once that goes down, we will know more."
"So as of right now, she is just in a small medical coma?"
"Yes, just to let the swelling go down. The doctor will know more in the morning."
"Okay, thanks." I breathe a sigh of relief. So she may not be as gone as we think. I get back to Beth and bend down to her level. I grab both of her hands in mine and give her a little smile. "I am going to talk to you like an adult, okay? You are a very smart and strong little girl and I believe that your mom would talk to you like an adult as well."
She nods. "She always treats me like a grown up. She says I am smart, too."
"Well, she is right." I smile again. "Your mom might make it. I think it would be best to hold off on the goodbyes until morning. They aren't even sure what is going on right now. They will know in the morning if she is brain dead in the morning or if it is just the medically induced coma. I don't want us to get our hopes up that she will be fine, but I don't want us assuming the worst either, okay? Do you want to go see her? You can still talk to her now. She won't respond, but she can hear you."
"That's good news, I guess. So she isn't dead?"
"No, she is not."
"Okay, will you take me to her?"
"Sure thing, kiddo." Beth and I walk into shelby's room. She has a breathing tube and is hooked up to even more machines. I pause at the door but Beth goes in and climbs up in the bed with Shelby.
"Come on, Rachel." I sit in the chair next to the bed. "She is your mommy, too. You need to be here also."
My mouth drops open. I didn't tell her about Shelby being my mother. She hasn't mentioned it before. "H-how did you know that?"
"Marley told me while you were talking to the nurse. I thought you were someone important the way mommy talks about you." She says this like it is no big deal.
"How do you feel about this, Beth?"
"I think it is cool. My sister, you are like my sister right?" I nod. "Right, so my sister is a Broadway actress who is up for a Tony." I ruffle her hair and smile because I have no words for this situation. I can't believe the love I have for this little girl I have only known for a few hours.
Beth and I stay in the room with Shelby for about an hour. I decide that I need to go tell everyone else what is going on and to send them home. Kurt is at my side as soon as I enter the room.
"I want to start off by thanking you all for coming and sticking around here all night. You really didn't have too. Shelby had a brain aneurysm so she was rushed to surgery. They clipped it but there was so much blood lost. There is so much swelling right now so they aren't sure what the state of her brain is as of now. The nurse said we will find out more in the morning. She said there is a possibility that she may not come back to us, but then again she could wake right up and be okay. It is just a waiting game right now. Also, only family is allowed in the back to see her. Marley is going to take Beth back home in a little bit, that is what Shelby had asked before the seizure. I will be staying here tonight. You are more than welcome to stay, but it is not necessary as I will be in the room with Shelby."
They all surround me as soon as I finish and we form this weird group hug. Sam and Mercedes are the first to leave, after I promise them I will call as soon as I know something. Finn leaves soon after them. Quinn leaves next after giving Marley her number in case she needs help with Beth. I finally talk Santana and Brittany into leaving, but they said they would be back first thing in the morning. Kurt is going to my house to get me some comfortable clothes and to inform my dads what has happened. Noah hangs back to talk for a minute.
"Rach, I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. I know I keep saying sorry, but I just don't know what else to say."
"It's okay. If Beth can stay strong, I can too. Plus I have an amazing group of friends around me, to support me."
"I know, Jew-babe. If you need anything I will do it. Just call okay?"
"Alright. I will. Thanks Noah." He leans in and gives me a small peck on my cheek.
"See you in the A.M." He walks out the door.
"Alright, kiddo. I will see you in the morning. Remember, if you need to talk tonight or whatever, just call me okay?"
"Okay, Rach. I will be back first thing in the morning."
"I know you will be. Have a good night."
"You too, sissy. Take care of Mommy."
"I will. Good night Marley."
"Good night, Rachel. Call if anything changes, I am sure I will be up all night with this one." She nods in Beth's direction.
Once everyone has left I make my way back to my mom's room and wait on Kurt to get back with my clothes. It's just me and my thoughts. God, this was supposed to be a good trip. Why did this have to happen? No, Rachel, you will not think negatively. Mom will be fine. Mom, I like the sound of that. She can't die yet. I haven't been able to say that enough yet. We have unfinished business to take care of, something like a relationship.