Page 16 of Heartbreak Hill

“Once the shock wears off, everything you love about him will be fresh in your mind.”

Nadia didn’t believe her mother.

“I don’t know what he would want. We never talked about this or what songs would play at our funerals. He’s only forty! He’s not supposed to be dead, Mom.” Nadia looked at her mom and began crying again. “Look at my husband.” She pointed at Rafe’s body. “He can’t even hold me one last time.”

Warren came over and wrapped his arms around Nadia, while Lorraine stepped away to dry her eyes. She excused herself from the room, leaving them alone.

“It’s not fair, sweetheart.”

“All he wanted to do was run, Daddy. And now look at him. He’s gone. I’ve lost my husband, and my girls have lost their father. How is this fair?”

“It’s not,” Warren said. “It was an accident, honey. Rafe saved a woman.”

But not himself.

He saved a woman.

“Are you saying I should donate his organs?”

Warren led his daughter to some chairs, and they sat. He held her hand in his. “I think Rafe would want to help people, as long as they’re people that are going to use the gift of life to their advantage.”

“Otto said the same thing. He told the doctors he didn’t want someone who’s mistreated their body to get a second chance over someone who can’t help but need a transplant or whatever.”

“If you decide to do this, will Cleo be a problem?”

Nadia shrugged. “I don’t know. She lost her son. Her pride and joy. She may not be thinking clearly. Hell, I’m not thinking clearly. Last night I asked the nurse if I could take him home because I think he’d want to die there, where he’s comfortable, but he doesn’t know. He’s not even alive right now. The machine is breathing for him until I give them the okay to unplug him.”

“Is there a chance—”

Nadia shook her head. “I had thought the same thing. I honestly expected a miracle once he heard my voice. The doctors showed me an x-ray or whatever it was of where he sustained most of the trauma.” Nadia covered her face with her hands. “He’s just gone, Daddy.”

Warren sniffled and rested his head on his daughter’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, baby girl.”

“It’s just not fair. We weren’t done living. He wasn’t done being a father.”

“No, he definitely wasn’t,” her dad said. “Whatever you and the girls need from me, I’ll be there.”

The knock on the door had Nadia and Warren sitting upright. The nurse, Geri, stepped in and smiled softly. She had taken Rafe as her patient during her shift, even though doing so wasn’t normal. Staff rotated patients to avoid getting too close to them.

“Hi, Nadia,” Geri said when she entered. She went over and checked the machines, which Nadia imagined hadn’t changed. She had studied the monitors for a long time, and every line held steady.

“Any signs of a miracle heading our way?” Warren gave a little chuckle at the end of his question, hoping to lighten the mood. Nadia squeezed his hand in appreciation. She would need laughter, love, and whatever else her friends and family could provide her moving forward.

Geri smiled grimly. “Each time I come in, I wish I could give you a little hope.” She shook her head slightly and sighed. “As is, I’m the bearer of bad news. Rafe’s sister and her children are in the waiting room and want some private time with him.”

Nadia fought hard not to roll her eyes. “Those children don’t need to see their uncle like this.”

This time, Warren squeezed her hand.

Nadia sighed. “What else?”

“The doctors want to meet with you again regarding organ donation.”

Nadia covered her face with her hands and groaned. Warren wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned in. “Come on, let’s give Freya time with her brother.”

She nodded, but she still had no idea what the right thing to do was. Rafe was a selfless man who would do anything for anyone, so it made sense to her that he’d want to help as many people as possible. On the other hand, the idea of doctors chopping up her husband for pieces unnerved her. Even if she knew that wasn’t how things worked.

With a deep inhale, she nodded. “You can let my sister-in-law in and tell the doctors I’m ready to make a decision.”

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