Page 76 of Wildest Forever

He answers on the second ring.

I try and lift her from the floor, but she shakes her head, wanting to stay grounded and anchored to where her heart obliterated into a thousand pieces.

“Doctor Carlos,” is how he answers the phone, and I roll my lips.

“It's Pacey,” I mutter into the handset, my voice is thick with gravel, my throat burning.

“I'll be right there,” the phone goes dead, and I toss my phone across the room as I am back behind her, holding her until she is ready to move.

I don't want to rush her, but I also don't think it's right that she is sitting in here.

But I will do whatever she wants and if it's this, then so be it.

We're not alone long when two of the nurses walk in and I hear the gasp that passes their lips.

Their eyes cast down to where Morgan sobs in my arms, my tee soaked with her tears and my own heart has shattered in my chest.

The noise around me blurs but I hear in the distance talk of calling Carlos.

“I've already done it,” my voice flat as her body continues to tremble against mine.

The noise fades out again and a high pitch ring replaces it, ringing through my ears.

My mind falters back to earlier today. I sat with Gerry, we had a laugh and a joke but then things turned a little sombre.

He turned his face to me and told me how grateful he was that I had agreed to do what he asked. Agreed to marry his granddaughter and save the ranch. He then continued to tell me where everything that I would need is locked away in the back of his wardrobe in a makeshift safe and the key was under the innersole of his favorite sneakers. That Morgan will know which ones.

I think I knew then that he knew his time was coming to an end.

He was making sure everything was in place.

The deeds were signed.

I was the owner of this house along with Morgan.

His estate was solely in my hands.

And his last testament and will were also in the same makeshift safe.

He made me promise that I wouldn't do anything to Dusty, Marsha and the kids and I placed my heart over my chest and swore to him right there and then.

Then he asked me to lovehisMorgan with all of my heart.

I nodded my head and silently promised.

He understood.

He wasn't a silly man.

He knew I couldn't just switch my feelings on for her.

But I was sure they would come in time, and I truly believed that.

The sound of Carlos' voice slips around the room and that's when Morgan's eyes lift to the doctor. She shuffles, and I take that as my cue to lift her. Her legs are trembling, but I don't let her go.

I hold onto her, so she knows that I am there and I won’t let her go.

“Morgan,” his voice is low, and I can hear the sincerity in his tone. “I am so sorry, I didn't expect it to be this soon,” he says as he steps closer and places a hand on her shoulder and I feel my stomach knot.

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