In seconds, Olivia was at Emilys side. She tenderly wiped tears from Emilys cheek. Dont give up on him, Em, she whispered, her voice strained with fatigue. Blinking her bloodshot eyes, Olivia shook her head. He needs you right now.

Longing filled Emilys chest. She didnt want to give up on Gavin; she knew she had to stay strong for him and their son. But somewhere in the back of her mind, hideous whispers told her otherwise. They screamed Noah would never see Gavins warm, loving eyes. Hed never feel Gavins spark, the way he lit up so many around him with a simple smile. Their poison warned of years dragging, one right into the next, with nothing but sorrow for the man shed loved more than she loved herself. She silently begged them to stop their barrage on any hope she had left.

Trevor and Fallon stood, pulling Emily from the attack rumbling in her mind. Trevor cleared his throat and, with his arm over Fallons shoulder, moved toward Emily and Olivia. Face splintered with grief, he shoved a hand through his hair. Im taking Fallon back to the house. Shes going to keep an eye on Timothy and Teresa so Melanie can come up to visit. He paused, his eyes weary and broken. Em, you need to eat. Let me pick you up something on my way back.

Emily shook her head. She couldnt wrap her mind around anything, not even eating. Im fine.

Jude and I are going to grab something from the drink machine. Olivia kissed Emilys cheek and stood. Well be back in a few.

Emily nodded, able to tell everyone needed a minute to gather their thoughts. Mentally depleted and alone, Emily dropped her head into her hands, gasping against the pain. As she prayed to a God she was no longer sure existed, in that moment, a small flicker of hope shot through her. A flicker of what made her and Gavin one, what solidified them as two complete souls meant to be, washed over her.

Standing, she slid her trembling hands from her face, sucked in a deep breath, and started for the door. Upon emerging from the waiting room, her heart slammed as she slowly made her way down the hall. Stopping a few feet away from Gavins room, Emily was nearly brought to her knees by Lillians cries. Emilys stomach knotted, as a faint but noticeable contraction rippled through her, pulling the air from her lungs. Pushing through the pain, she entered the room.

With the view of the love of her life obstructed by the view of his family standing by his bedside, Emily watched silently, her hand over her mouth as she listened to Lillian speak to Gavin. She spoke of the first time he called her mommy and how thatd made her feel. Through tears, she trilled about his first day of school and how hed clung to her legs, scared to get on the bus without her. She explained that though her heart had been crushed for him, she was proud when he let go and got on. Lillian broke down when she begged him to wake up so he could feel the same joy when his son let go of his hand on his first day into a very scary world.

A quiet sob ripped up Emilys throat, her body shaking from her fear of him missing so many beautiful memories. Countless seconds, hours, minutes, days, and years their son would need him. Sunrises and sunsets he had yet to share with Noah, explaining what it means to be a man, a real man. Little League, Boy Scouts, first date, prom, graduations, his first love, his wedding. Every morsel of lifes precious gifts that hed miss if he didnt pull through this.

A nurse walked into the room, breaking Emily away from dreams that may never happen. Dreams slipping away. She watched the middle-aged woman quietly check beeping monitors, replace clear, fluid-filled bags on Gavins IV, and jot something onto a chart. Colton stepped back and caught Emilys gaze. As he approached her, she shivered at how much hed looked like Gavin.

Hands in his pockets, he stared at her a beat before speaking. His voice was a shaky whisper. Hes so in love with you, Emily. I know the little bastards trying to punch his way out of whatever hes in right now just to be with you. Lips trembling, Emily sucked in a shuddering breath as Colton gathered her in his arms. He is. I know hes fighting. Hes too stubborn not to.

I hope he is, she choked out, clinging to him. I cant lose him.

Lillian joined their embrace, her whimpers ringing through Emilys ears. Chad stood silently behind his wife, his eyes smothered with grief. Lillian held Emilys face. You need time alone with him. Well be in the waiting room if you need us.

Emily nodded, missing the gentleness of her touch as they walked out. With a shaky breath, she took a tentative step forward, her heart sinking immediately. Gavins strong chest rose and fell in rhythm with the ventilator pumping oxygen into his lungs. Another step closer and her eyes dripped with tears as she observed his head wrapped in white gauze, a dapple of blood soaking through the material. His injured leg was hoisted up in some kind of sling. Breathing heavily, she reached the bed and touched his hand. There was warmth but no movement.

Not a twitch.

Not a flutter.

Nothing.

God. All Emily wanted to do was kiss him, but she couldnt. The tube in his mouth prevented her from doing so. She wanted to pull him from his pain, but she wasnt sure where to touch him. His body was covered in wires connected to the monitors flanking the bed. Unable to resist, she leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his black and blue bruised cheek. Letting her lips linger, a tear fell from her eye to his face. It slid down the side of his nose, almost as though it was his tear.