"Thanks," I whisper, leaning into her.
Carter pulls up a chair and takes my other side.Gage kisses the top of my head before quietly slipping out of the room.
"How is she?"Gemma asks gently, staring at Mom, who is fast asleep.
She looks worse than when we got here.Though I can't say the words that she is declining fast out loud, so I say what I can.
"Not good," I say, my voice cracking."They said she might not make it through the day."
Gemma squeezes my hand."I'm so sorry, Skye.We're going to be right here for you.Whatever you need."
"Thanks."I blink back tears."She told me to forgive my dad.She said I'd need him."
Gemma frowns."That's a lot to ask."
"I know.But she was so calm.So peaceful while certain she isn't going home.Like she was already making peace."
"Sometimes when people know they're near the end, they want to tie up loose ends.Maybe this is her way of giving you permission to let go of some of that pain."
I nod, sniffling."I just wish we had more time."
"We always wish for more time," Gemma says, her voice soft."All you can do now is to be here.And she knows you're here.That matters."
Just then, the door creaks open again, and Summer steps inside, Knox right behind her.
"Hey," Summer says gently."Gemma called.We came as soon as we could."
I glance up, touched."You didn't have to…"
"Of course we did," Knox says, walking over and placing a hand on my shoulder."You're part of the family."
Summer pulls me into a warm hug."We're here, whatever you need."
I nod, overwhelmed by the love surrounding me."Thank you.Really."
Summer walks over to my mom, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead and leaning in to whisper something I can't hear.My mom smiles faintly.
Knox moves to stand beside Carter, the men exchanging nods, silent but united.
With all of them around me, I finally let myself breathe.For the first time in what feels like hours, I don't feel like I'm drowning.
"Skye."Gage's voice breaks through the sleep haze.
I blink awake.The lights in the room have dimmed.The machines are quiet.
Too quiet.
My breath catches.I sit up."No.No, no, no."
Gage pulls me into his arms.I fight it at first, reaching for her, but he holds me tighter.
"She's gone," he whispers.
The dam breaks.
I sob into his chest, my entire body shaking.He rocks me gently, whispering words I can't hear over the sound of my heartbreak.
Later, he takes me home.I don't even remember the drive.Everything is a blur.