Ch. 25 - Sunshine

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THE FIRST THING I NOTICED when I entered the room was there was a lot of machines around the hospital bed. In the middle laid my father.

He was black and blue with bandages everywhere. He had a cast on his wrist and foot, and his chest was rising and falling steadily. He looked calm right now, but I knew if he was awake, he would be distraught.

His hair was a bit longer now, but other than that, he looked the same. There was a chair beside the bed and another chair in the corner.

"I'll sit over here," Mom said, gesturing to the chair in the corner.

I nodded before sitting next to the hospital bed. My father's hand laid on the bed beside his side. I slowly laid my hand next to his.

"I here. I'm right here," I whispered before holding his hand.

I laid my head on the side of the bed, exhausted. That's when I finally let my eyes close without protest.

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I woke up to somebody playing with my hair. I groaned as I started to wake up. I looked up to my father's eyes awake. I sat up straighter, and he gave me a weak smile.

"Hello, sunshine," he said, quietly, putting his hand on his stomach.

"Hi," I replied, softly.

I looked behind me to see that I was alone in the room.

"Mrs. Cade went to get a cup of coffee from the cafeteria. She threw a blanket on you before she left," he said, gesturing to the thin white blanket.

I nodded before saying,"How are you feeling?"

"Like I have been ran over by a bus, but I'll make it through," he said, trying to lighten the mood.

"I was going to call you, but I lost track of time and you ended up in here," I said, looking around the hospital room.

"About that, Campbell, I was trying to see you because I don't like how things...ended between us. I want to have a relationship with you," he explained before wincing as he tried to sit up.

"Do you want me to go get the doctor?" I asked him, ready to run out the door if needed.

He shook his head,"No, I'm fine."

I settled back down in my chair as he sat up against the pillows.

"I think in order to move on with our relationship, we have to start over, fresh. My boyfriend made me realize that," I said, playing with my fingers.

"I agree. What do you want to talk about?" He asked, pushing his hair back.

"That night five years ago. I want to know the whole story," I said, quietly.

He sighed before saying,"I owed Drew a lot of money. I lost to him in a poker game. It was only five grand, but I didn't have that kind of money laying around. He was okay with that as long as I pay him five hundred a week, but things change. He wanted all of the money because he wanted to get out of the gang to be with his family. He already had a son and he had a daughter on the way. He wanted his family to be safe. I told him that I would get the money to him as soon as I can, but he grew impatient.

That night, I didn't know that he followed us to your game and afterwards. I should have been more aware. When he was about to shoot you, everything went black. I heard you screaming for me to stop, but I couldn't.

I'm sorry for that, by the way. One week later, his wife killed herself and the unborn child. I don't know what happened to the son. I felt awful. If only I stopped, none of that would have happened."

I sat there, stunned, at the whole story. I couldn't imagine what that son went through. I wonder where he was now.

"Dad, do you blame me for putting you away?" I asked him, suddenly, looking him straight in the eyes.

He furrowed his eyebrows,"Never. You did the right thing, sunshine. You did what your mother and I taught you to do."

Should I tell him about Grace returning?

I don't want to be upset right now. It could lead to a heart attack. I'll just tell him when he gets better.

"Since that's out of the way, can we start over?" He asked, placing a hand on mine.

I nodded,"I would like that very much."

"So tell me about your boyfriend. What is he like?" He asked, teasingly.

"He's amazing. He is the quarterback of the football team, he helps me with anything, and he watches all kinds of girl movies with me. You would love him. The only downside is that I'm pretty sure he loves Goldfish more than me," I joked, grinning like an idiot.

"He sounds wonderful. Is he here?" He asked, making me shake my head.

"No. He wanted to come, but his parents wouldn't let him. He was already packing when he found out what happened."

"What about your brothers?"

"They are here; all five of them. They are probably sitting in the waiting room right now," I said, looking towards the door.

"You always wanted siblings. I'm glad you have them, the Cades, I mean. You deserve a family like that especially through all of the hell you have been through," he said before the door opened revealing Elliot.

Once he realized that my father was awake, he said,"Oh, crap. Sorry, I didn't realize..."

"It's quite alright," My father said, ushering him to come in the room. "You must be one of Campbell's brothers she told me about."

He nodded,"Elliot."

My father smiled,"I'm Chase. It's nice to meet you. I wish it was under better circumstances."

"You too. Campbell, Mom wanted me to ask you if you wanted anything to eat or drink."

"Water is fine," I replied, not really hungry.

"I'll go fetch that. I hope you feel better, Mr. West," Elliot said before leaving the room.

"He seems nice," My father said as soon as the door shut.

I nodded as I looked back over to him. "He is. They all are. They play football and lacrosse too, well except Micheal, he plays football and baseball."

"Do you play any sports?"

"Soccer and volleyball."

"Just like your mother and Amanda," My father said as memories of us playing soccer at Thanksgiving and Easter flashed throughout my mind.

"I remember," I replied, shortly.

"Can I meet your family? I only met Lisa and Elliot. I would love to meet the rest of the people who love and care for my babygirl."

I nodded,"Yeah. The nurse told us two at a time, but you can meet them. I go get one of them."

And that's how it went for the next hour. I would go get one of the boys and my father met them. All of the body agreed to come with me to support me.

After they all met my father and had a conversation with him, I was once again alone with my father. It was getting dark outside now, and the boys and Mom went back to the hotel, despite the boys' protests to stay with me.

My stomach growled at the sight of the hospital food the nurse brought for my father. It was mashed potatoes, and I don't like mashed potatoes, but it still made my stomach growl.

"Why don't you go something to eat? I'm pretty sure Russia can hear your stomach," My father joked, picking at his food.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"Campbell, I promise you that I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here when you return. I would offer you some of mine, but I'm pretty sure you still don't like mashed potatoes."

I sighed before getting up from my chair. "Okay. I'll be right back."

I walked out of the hospital room, and I walked to the elevator to floor three where the cafeteria was located. Dad was somewhere around here. He had a friend that works here so he is probably helping him with cases.

Once I made it to the third floor, I walked to the cafeteria. There weren't many people here due to the time of night. I paid for a water bottle and a cup of macaroni and cheese.

I walked back to the elevator and to my father's room. Once I walked back into the room, my father was sitting there, eating his food.

"I have returned," I replied, shutting the door behind me.

I sat back down in the chair and I started to eat my food. I put my legs underneath me so I sat up a little higher.

When I was finished my food, I threw the cup into the trash can. My father yawned as he pushed his tiny table with his food away from him.

"Tired?" I asked him, making him nod.

"It's the medicine they are giving me," he replied as he laid the bed back.

"Well, get some rest. I'll be here once you wake up," I promised him, putting my water bottle on the nightstand table.

"Why don't you lay with me? I know that chair is uncomfortable. Your back doesn't need that pain," He offered, moving over so I can sit beside him.

I slowly laid beside him, trying my best not to hurt him. I laid my head on his shoulder before yawning.

"I love you, Campbell," Dad whispered as my eyes drooped.

"Love you too, Dad," I replied before darkness overtook me.

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It was midnight when I was woke up by a beeping sound. I cracked my eyes open to see the heart monitor beeping.

My eyes widen as I looked over to my father. He wasn't breathing, and his eyes were closed.

I jumped off the bed before yanking the door open.

"Somebody help! Help!" I hollered at the nurses and doctors.

They all came rushing into the room, taking in the scene before them.

"I need a crash cart!" The doctor yelled at the nurses.

I stood there by the doorway, praying that my father would be okay.

"Clear!" The doctor yelled before putting the things on my father.

He didn't respond. "Charge to three hundred! Clear!"

Once again he didn't respond.

"No, no, no," I whispered as silent tears made their way down my cheeks.

They tried two more times, but we all knew he was gone.

"Time of death 12:21 a.m," the doctor said as they covered my father with the blanket.

"No! You have to help him! Help him, please!" I begged them, rushing over to my father's side. "Don't just leave! Help him! He doesn't deserve to die! Not yet! Please!"

"Campbell, oh my god," Dad walked in at the door.

Then he engulfed me into a hug where I sobbed uncontrollably.

"They won't...help him," I sobbed as I clung to my Dad.

"It's okay. Everything is going to be okay," Dad whispered in my ear, trying to soothe.

He's dead, and there was nothing I could do to bring him back.

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Hey guys! I need a box of tissues after writing this chapter. I want to give Campbell a huge hug right now.

Thoughts on this chapter?

By the way, my best friend was the one who helped write this...

Question: Do you guys like the beach or the mountains?

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•Kensli•


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