promises

LEAH.

My fears were indeed confirmed. My parents were the victims of the car crash.

For twenty six hours, I had been sitting in the hallways of the hospital. The one place I wanted to leave so badly had found a way to trap me in.

I watched as nurses sprang into and out of the intensive care unit. I wanted to stop one, and ask about the wellbeing of my parents, but I held myself back. My last three trials had been futile.

Lucas' hands were clasped, and his jaw was locked. He hadn't moved an inch in over an hour, but I could tell he was deep in thought.

“Hey,” I called out to him.

He turned to face me, and his reddened eyes were all I could see. In all the twenty six hours we'd been here, he hadn't slept. I couldn't either.

“How are you?” He asked, pulling himself closer to me. His hands brushed through my hair.

“I'm fine,” I sniffed.

He searched my eyes, and I hid nothing.

“You do know they will be fine, right? Your parents are the strongest couple I have ever seen. They'll survive.”

I nodded, trying so hard to believe him.

I was about to speak when I noticed a familiar face walking towards us.

“Hey,” She said as soon as she approached me. Her arms were soon wrapped around me, and I returned her hug.

She looked at Lucas and offered a polite smile.

“I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier. I was at work, and I couldn't get a leave permit on time.” she said, sitting in between us.

Lucas immediately pushed himself away.

“It's no big deal.” I tried to brush it off.

“How are they? Are they out yet?”

I shook my head.

Kate patted my back. I smiled slightly at her. As my best friend, she had known my parents just as long as I had, and of course the problems at hand.

We continued our sitting in silence until a doctor walked up to us. “Mrs Irving?” He asked,

I nodded, rising to my feet.

“Your mother is in stable condition, and conscious. For your father, unfortunately, he's not conscious yet, and his vitals are not quite stable. However, we will be keeping a good eye on him until he recovers.”

The news soothed the growing pain in my heart.

“Can I see her now? My mother, I mean.”

“Of course. However, I'd advise you to be calm with her. Have lighthearted conversations. We're still trying to stabilize her properly.”

“Definitely,” I agreed.

Kate was by my arm as the doctor led us through the halls. Lucas had decided to stay back as we couldn't be more than two.

As soon as we entered the room, we were welcomed by the smell of pills. My mother was lying quietly on the bed, but I noticed her eyes lighten up.

“Leah,” she called me, and I ran to her side.

Soon enough, my eyes were watered up with tears. Kate took the other side.

We had an earful of lighthearted and jovial conversations before her mood soured.

“How's your dad?” She asked,

I didn't know how to answer that.

“He's dead, isn't he?” She asked with a cracked voice.

“Oh, no. He's not. He's alive.”

I noticed how the monitor’s beeping slowed.

“Leah,” she called me.

“Mom?”

“We need a child.”

Of course, that conversation would make it here.

“I know, and I'm trying to give us one.”

“No. You don't understand. When that car crashed, your father passed out immediately. I was still subconscious, and at that moment, I could have sworn we wouldn't make it alive. I was scared for us, and for you. If we pass on, who takes over the family's company?” She paused,

*Mom, I will-”

“Let me finish. You know the rules. The next in line has to have a child already. Your father's brothers are already bringing out their claws. I know the news of the accident has gotten to them, and they're waiting to see who succeeds after your father because you are barren. If you can't provide a child within a year, they will take all your father has worked for, and won't even offer you a seat at the board.”

I sniffed back the heartache.

“I miscarried.” I informed her.

Sympathy and pain washed over her immediately.

“That is sad, but you'll have to find another way, Leah. Doctor Ross told us he has suggested surrogacy to you. I support it. You know I've always supported it.”

“I don't want surrogacy. I don't want a stranger carrying my own child. I want the child to be mine.”

“Darling, it is yours. No one can the take child away from you. Not even the surrogate mother.”

“But mom-”

“Promise me,” she interrupted and I kept shut, “promise me, that if something happens to your father and I, you will take on surrogacy.”

“Nothing will happen to either of you,”

“Make the promise.”

“Fine. I promise to give surrogacy a chance if by any chance, you and dad are no more.”

“Thank you.”

I sighed. I hated promises.

The room went silent, each drawn to their thoughts.

The door opened, and I looked up to find a doctor before us. Judging by the appearance and composure, I could tell she was an intern.

“Mrs-Mrs Irving?” She called my attention. Judging by the brokenness of her voice, I already knew what she would say.

“What do you want?” I asked, wishing I was wrong.

My mother's eyes were focused on the doctor. I knew she knew. “He's dead, isn't he?” She asked,

To my dismay, the doctor nodded.

I listened as my mother started from muffled sobs to screaming loud, and crying out her heart. The room was soon filled with different nurses and doctors, trying to hold her down.

“Her blood pressure is too high!” I heard a doctor scream.

I stood at a corner,watching as the doctors tried to save my mother. Her screams only grew louder, and she restricted any kind of help.

“Leave me alone! I want to be with my husband! Leave me!” She screamed.

Her voice filled the room, and at a particular moment, it stopped.

I moved closer only to find her lying lifelessly on the bed.

There was a stethoscope placed on her chest and they tried to check for a heartbeat.

“Mrs Irving, I'm sorry but-”

I didn't wait to hear the rest of their words. I walked out.

One child, two parents, and a battle for the CEO seat. Hell couldn't compete.