If Death Wasn’t A Thing | COMPLETED

Chapter ten

Failure to fulfill was never something Rose admired. It was never something she wanted, she hated the words, the reason — it.

She thrived fulfillment, success in all areas she involved herself in. Pushing herself to the bone finding hope in the lost and mostly unusual situations.

But the ringing sound from the Holter monitor as the mountainous lines turn to a flat surface with no pulse showed how she failed. Staring away from the monitor her eyes fell on the curly haired little boy that laid limp on the hospital bed. That was it the end of the line — releasing her hold on the automated external defibrillator she let them fall on back on the steel cart.

“Nelson Connor fourteen years. Time of death 17:10 pm, Saturday June 5 2021.” a nurse mumbled beside her jotting down on her tiny notepad. Unplugging and switching off the equipment they covered up the little boy with the sheets Rose turned to leave, the more she stayed the more the remainder of her failure.

Pushing past the closed door Rose stepped into the hallway. She turned to the waiting mother and brother both equally anxious. Shaking his right leg the boy ran his fingers through his hair turning his eyes locked with the hesitate doctor.

Turning to his mother he nudged her light before getting off his seat, staring up the woman did the same and followed the boy.

“Ms. and Mr. Connor.” Rose greeted them as they got close. She hated this part, telling the family, seeing the grief of her failed mission. It hurt and she knew how it hurt, she felt it twice.

Saw the disappointment in the doctors eyes, the pain the family always got but it was her life now — she had to tell.

“How is he?” the boy asked his eyes holding hope as his arm went around his mother easing her.

“We’re sorry, he didn’t—”

Falling short of words Rose watched as the woman broke down in her older son, her only son left. She wanted to be a doctor in the first place to save lives to fill the void both her parents left yet she could not fulfill her first task.

She failed to save him, failed to save them from the grief she had been carrying for years — they felt it.

Rose tore her gaze away from the mother wiping in pain at her loss. Walking past the other doctor trying to calm her down.

Rose breathed out trying to calm herself walking further away from the scene.

“Melody!” hearing a nurse complain over that familiar name Rose froze staring away from from sneakers she locked eyes with the familiar brown eyes.

Her chest rose and felt as she tried catching her breath, smiling at Rose the girl waved her way and Rose waved back. Seeing the girl made her happy and she felt so many emotions she was quietly freaking out, she was starting to fall in love to care for her but each time she cared for someone they left.

Happiness never lasted for her, each time she loved they left the same way with the same mastermind behind it all — death.

Her smile fell as she once again caught a glimpse of Melody’s hospital band, turning she rushed off the other way — Melody would leave her too.

§

Taking a puff out the cigarette between her fingers Rose blew out the smoke, the smoke blowing towards right as soon as the blowing wind took course again.

Staring at light bulbs lighting up the outer area surrounding the hospital Rose sighed. A lonely woman at night smoking her worries away on the rooftop of her workplace — such a lovely lifestyle she had.

Bringing the cigarette back to her lips Rose tried taking another blow at it but the cigarette wasn’t in hand. Turning to the coughing Rose furrowed her eyebrows as the younger girl coughed out the smoke, throwing the cigarette to the ground Melody stepped on it until it burnt out.

“How do you even smoke this shit.” she mumbled coughing, Rose simply shrugged taking her gaze off her. Resting her hands against the rail, “It’s inevitable.” she whispered staring at Rose.

“Why?”

“It’s just how life works I guess.”

“I failed them.” Rose sighed staring down to her shoes. Melody wrapped her arm around her pulling her close to her, “It wasn’t your fault, you tried your best.” she said with a faint smile.

Disapproving Rose shook her head, “I should have tried harder I didn’t. I failed him.” she whispered her voice cracking.

“Hey look at me.” Melody spoke cupping Rose’s face to look her in those green eyes filled with sadness. “You aren’t fate nor a god, you are a human just like everyone else, you did your best and you didn’t fail him you tried. You never gave up even when you knew nothing could change a thing.” placing a kiss on top of her head Melody pulled her into a hug. “You’re a great doctor.”

“You don’t know that.” Rose snorted but slowly letting herself melt into the hug and wrapped her hands around Melody, it felt comforting.

“I know enough.”

“I wish death wasn’t a thing.”

“It is though.”

“I don’t want to loose you.” she confessed shutting her eyes feeling her warm.

“And you won’t.”

“We don’t—”

“You won’t.” Melody spoke again with a firm tone yet calm. Giving up on the conversation Rose let out a sigh, her arms still around Melody she breathed in taking in her scent.

She liked how she always managed to calm her and how she always felt whole, she was special — her special person, hers.

“Yes..”

“Rose you won’t—”

“No I’m not talking about that.” Rose cut her short pulling away from her body Rose created enough space between them for her to stare into those loving brown eyes. “I’ll be your girlfriend.” she mumbled with a smile.

“I’m dreaming right?” Melody searched her eyes for a hint of something — a lie. Feeling warmth against her lips Melody shut her eyes as she let the girls lips invade hers, feeling all the emotions she reciprocated.

Pulling out of the kiss Rose pressed her forehead against Melody’s. “I don’t think you are.” she whispered a smile on her face.

“I can call you mine!” the girl screamed in excitement lifting Rose off the floor she placed trail of kisses all over her face.

“Put me down!”

“I really don’t want to let you go yet.” Melody whispered pressing her lips on hers she kissed her again still in her arms. Running her fingers through Melody’s blue hair Rose deepened the kiss wrapping her legs around her waist. It felt so right and fulfilling — they had eachother.