57

I sniffled a little bit as more tears slid down my face and seeped onto the sheet of the bed.
Did she really say that ? Emilie whispered, holding her hand over her mouth.
Every single day.
We all heard footsteps from the door and looked up to see a nurse in blue scrubs and a sad smile. She looked over at my mom, who was the one talking to the doctors mostly because my grandfather couldn’t bring himself to. My mom walked over to Gigi and kissed her forehead, lingering over her for a second to whisper something that was just between her and Gigi.
My dad was next, going over to kiss her cheek and give her a soft smile and all I could think was that I hope she knows that we are all here for her in her final moments. Emilie walked over, her shoes on the ground sounding like my heartbeat at the moment. She did the same as our parents, kissed her cheek and told her that she loves her and always will.
I was next and stood up to hover over her as I kissed her cheek before pulling away. Joey stood behind me, holding onto her hand to say his own final goodbye. I whispered I love you to her because I couldn’t find the breath to say it louder. I walked away with Joey’s help from the bed to stand by the door. I grabbed a hold of my boyfriend’s hand and he squeezed it in silent comfort.
My grandfather found his way over to her bed. My mom motioned for us to leave the room, which we did, going into the waiting room. My mom and dad sat in the chair across from us as Joey sat between Emilie and I. I turned myself, laying my head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around my sister and I. Emilie started to cry silently into his shoulder and I reached over, taking her hand.
My mom cleared her throat, looking over at us. Why don’t you two take Emilie home and just take some time together ? Your father and I have to finish up here and take Papa home.
Emilie shook her head. I-I don’t want to go home.
Why not ? Joey whispered.
Gigi’s stuff is at the house, um, well, we could… my mom stuttered to find a place for her to go. I looked over at Joey and we both had the same idea, I nodded to tell him that it was okay.
If you’re all okay with it, we can take Emilie to the pack house. She’ll be safe in a quiet house with her brother to take some time to deal with her emotions.
My mom nodded. That seems like a great idea, we’ll figure something out with her stuff once we’re done here and she can come back tomorrow.
I’ll have someone come by and put it in the garage, so you guys don’t have to deal with it. If you would like to get a hotel room or two, I can pay for all of it and let you two and your father be alone, Joey said and I placed my hand on his chest to thank him for all he was doing for us.
My mom wiped her tears away. That should work.
We took a few minutes to give them Joey’s card and write some stuff down before taking my sister to the car to take her to the pack house. I sat in the back to just be with her and hug her as the short ride to the house felt like a weight just pressing against us. Once we got the pack house, I stayed as close as possible to her as Cody and Melissa greeted us at the front door to give us their condolences.
Are you okay ? I whispered to my sister as Melissa went to find clothes for her to wear for the rest of the night since we didn’t think about going back to the house to get her some stuff.
I want to lay down, she told me and I nodded, guiding her into Joey’s bedroom. I’m assuming either Melissa or Cody had cleaned up in here because the sheets and blankets were changed and there were no random pieces of clothing laying on the floor anymore.
The door opened and Joey walked in with clothes in his hands before walking over to us. Melissa said that the pants might be a little long, but you can always roll them up if you need. There are more options if you don’t like this, so just let us know.
She looked over at me. Can I shower too ?
I nodded at her, standing up and guiding her to the bathroom. I turned on the shower for her before pointing to the cabinet next to the sink. There are towels in there and I’m pretty sure on the bottom shelf is different choices of conditioner. Use whatever you need and come back out when you’re done, okay ?
She nodded, coming over to me to hug me. Thank you.
Of course, Em. If you ever need to get out of the house, you can always come here. You know that I love having you around, it’s always a good time.
She smiles at me before letting me go. I’ll keep that in mind.
I think Lila, Joey’s mom, is making dinner in a bit and we’ll watch movies or something, whatever you want and just know that we’re here if you need to talk too, okay ?
I know, that’s what big brothers are for, she tells me and I smile, nodding my head.
I guess it is, I tell her before giving her one more smile and closing the door of the bathroom and making my way over to Joey who’s typing something on his phone as he sits on the bed. He looks up at me and motions for me to sit on his lap, which I do. His arms immediately pull me close to him, calming my tense body down.
How are you doing, baby ? He asks, kissing my cheek.
I’m okay, I guess. It’s hard to get it off my mind, but I’m okay. She’s in a better place now and no longer suffering, which is bringing me some comfort.
He gives me a soft smile. I love you, you know that ?
I love you so much. Seriously, thank you for everything you’ve done today. You’ve been a lifesaver and I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without you.
He runs his hand down my back, giving my whole body goosebumps. Of course, anything for you and your family. I know right now is hard and I would do anything to help you all out.
I wrap my arms around him. Thank you.
Anytime, baby, he tells me. oh and my mom is making the baked ziti that your sister likes. I sent her the recipe while we were in the hospital when I knew she was coming home with us.
I could feel my eyes watering again and he noticed it, kissing my forehead. Images of Gigi cooking in the kitchen with my mom flash through my head and how Emilie and I would always fight about who would help them this time because ‘too many people in the kitchen is always a way to make sure things go wrong’. I-I’m sorry, everything just reminds me of her.
He nods his head. I know and it’s okay. We all understand what you’re going through and just want to be there for you. If you rather Mom just orders pizza or something, just tell me, she’ll understand.
No, no, it’s okay. I can handle it and I know Emilie would love it if Lila did that for her, I tell him and he holds me for a bit to help calm my shaking as the images wouldn’t leave my head. His hands run through my hair and down my back before coming back up again.
The bathroom door opens after a bit and I pull away from Joey, wiping my eyes. My sister comes out with black sweatpants on along with a light purple t-shirt and her hair lays against her body, still damp from the water.
Feel better ? Joey asks her with a smile.
Very, she says, sitting next to me on the bed as she leans her head on my shoulder. We all get comfy in the bed with me laying between two of my favorite people as we put on How I Met Your Mother since that’s definitely a show that could make anyone laugh, no matter the case. Cody and Melissa bring us food later on and gets comfy on the couch on the other wall of the room. About an hour after that, Lila and Conner come in to check up on all of us before sitting on the floor on a blanket they lay out to get comfortable.
I look over a few times to make sure Emilie is doing okay and realize that she’s slowly falling asleep and when I hear her small snores, I turn down the volume a bit before covering her up with the blanket and laying down beside her and lay my head in Joey’s lap before he starts to rub my head as I try to get some sleep after this long, hard day.
Kade’s POV
Some of you knew this amazing woman by Grandma, G, Mom, or just Grace. But I knew her by the name of Gigi. It never occurred to me that I might be up here one day, talking about Gigi instead of with her. It was selfish of me to think of her as invincible, considering everything she went through in her life and the impact she made on everyone she so much as smiled at. You could feel strength the moment she walked through the room. Anyone who met her and thought she was a ‘weak, little, old lady’ knew that was the last thing she ever was.