Amy stepped out of the taxi and onto the bustling streets of Manhattan.The flight lasted throughout the night and she was extremely exhausted but the thought of sleeping was barely an option. She paid the driver and watched as he pulled away, feeling a mix of emotions as she gazed up at her apartment building.
She had been looking forward to getting back to her own space where she was unjudged and criticized about her life and career choices, but now that she was here, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The argument with Jace still lingered in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. She was really enjoying what she had going on with Jace and deep down in her heart, she hoped this wouldn't be the end of it all.
Amy took a deep breath and stepped into the building, greeting the doorman with a smile. She made her way to the elevator, her heels from the dress she wore from the previous night dinner clicking on the marble floor.She didn't have time to change at all after Jace sparked.
As she rode the elevator to her floor, Amy felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her. It had been a long day already without the day barely starting. It was just 10am and all she wanted to do was crawl into bed with some ice cream and forget about everything.
But as she opened the door to her apartment, Amy was greeted by a surprise. Her best friend, Sophie was sitting on the couch, a glass of wine in hand and a concerned look on her face.
"Amy, I've been trying to reach you after I received your text last night," Sophie said, setting the glass down."I got here as soon as possible this morning, What's going on?"
Amy dropped her purse onto the floor and collapsed onto the couch beside Sophie. "It's Jace," she said, sighing as she unhooked her shoe straps. "We had a fight."
Sophie's expression turned sympathetic. "What happened?,I thought I asked you to tell me everything right from your arrival"
"I know,it skipped my mind,we were so busy from the bachelorette party to the wedding,it was just too much,I almost didn't have time for my phone " Amy explained.
"Don't worry about that, now tell me, what happened with you and Jace?" Sophie asked.
Amy filled Sophie in on the details, from the argument at the dinner table to the tense drive back to Manhattan. Sophie listened attentively, nodding along and making supportive noises.
When Amy finished, Sophie took her hand hugging her in the process. "You know Jace loves you, Amy. He's just going through a tough time right now."
Amy nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I know. But it's hard to see him like this. And it's hard to know what to do."
Sophie squeezed her hand. "You'll figure it out, Amy. You always do. Family can be a very big deal sometimes and he wanted to deal with their issues without dragging you in it"
"But at least he shouldn't have let me come back to Manhattan all alone" Amy said.
"He did what he had to do at the moment,I'm guessing he didn't want you to see him at his weakest at least not yet" Sophie reasoned.
Amy became silent,she thought about it for a while and realized it might be the case but even at that Jace should have let her in,they were already in this together, why would he suddenly want to do things alone. She looked at her phone silently hoping to see a missed call or a message but nothing yet.
"Don't worry, he'd call soon enough" Sophie reassured.
"Look at you giving advice,you don't even like Jace" Amy said forcing out a smile.
"I never said I hated him, he's our motorcycle camera prince charming remember?,I have him to thank for making you very bright,it's really evident a good man is in your life and besides he was nice enough to pay for my food the first time he saw me at restaurant " Sophie said smiling back.
"If you say so" Amy said standing up. "Gotta shower and get some sleep, I'd see you later " She said picking her purse,her shoes and luggage as she walked slowly to her room.
....
Jace's eyes drooped, exhaustion taking its toll as he sat in the only chair beside his mom's hospital bed.He hadn't slept all through the night. Nick had come the previous night to pick Rebecca and drop some food for him. Their father had also left that night leaving Jace alone to care for their mom.
As Jace drifted off to sleep, his mind transported him back to a sunny afternoon from his childhood. In this memory, he and his two sisters were playing a game of hide-and-seek in their spacious living room.
"Ready or not, here I come!" Jace shouted, his eyes scanning the whole place for any sign of his sisters.
"Ha! You can't catch us, Jace!" Emma squealed, her voice coming from behind a curtain.
"I'll get you, Emma!" Jace laughed, chasing after his sister.
Rebecca giggled, her eyes shining with mischief. "You'll never catch me, Jace!"
The atmosphere was carefree, with laughter and shouts filling the air. Their mom watched over them from the kitchen, where she was preparing dinner. The scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of blooming flowers.
As they played, their mom called out, "Dinner's ready, kids! Come and wash your hands."
The three siblings ran towards the kitchen, their faces flushed with excitement. "Yay! I'm starving!" Emma exclaimed.
Their mom smiled, her eyes warm with love. "Well, let's get little Becca cleaned up and then we can eat."
"What about daddy?, isn't he joining us for dinner?" Emma asked ,she had just turned 12 a week ago.
"He's busy at work"Elizabeth replied trying to conceal her changed countenance.
The scene shifted, and Jace's memories became tinged with sadness. He recalled the pain and grief that had consumed their family after Emma's passing. His mom had been devastated, her eyes often red from crying.
Jace's thoughts drifted to his mom's emotional state during that time. She had been a shadow of her former self, always feeling lonely and lost. Jace had struggled to connect with her, feeling like he was hurting just as much.
Jace jolted awake, his heart racing as he saw his mom trying to move her finger struggling to speak.. He rushed to her side, holding her hand gently. "Mom....mom" He whispered as he felt welled up in relief and surprise.
Jace quickly grabbed the telephone on the cupboard next to him and dialed the emergency number."Hello, please come quickly to room 304" He said.
The nurse's voice was reassuring on the other end of the line. "The medical team would be on their way shortly Mr Prescott".
Jace nodded as he dropped the telephone.
The doctor arrived shortly, followed by a team of nurses.
"Thank God you're here doc,I woke up and she was moving her finger,Is she going to be fine?,is anything wrong?" Jace asked calmly as he stood up and made way for them.
"No need to worry,Mr Prescott, we'll do our job" The doctor said.They checked her vitals and performed a series of tests.
After a few moments, the doctor smiled and said, "Your mom is on the road to recovery, Mr Prescott, She might be discharged soon."
"Thank you doctor "Jace said smiling.
As the medical team left, Jace sat on the bed close to his mom stroking her hair gently.
Elizabeth finally found the strength to speak. "Rebecca?" she asked, her voice still weak.
"She's fine, Mom," Jace replied, smiling. "She'll be here soon "
His mom nodded, a look of relief washing over her face. Then, she asked, "Amy?"
"Get some rest now mom,we'd talk later" Jace said smiling weakly.
"You...didn't answer...my question "Elizabeth said.
"You don't need to worry about it mom"He said.
"Jace??"Elizabeth called inquisitively.
Jace hesitated before telling his mom that he had asked Amy to return to Manhattan.
His mom's expression turned gentle, and she said, "You made a mistake, Jace. Amy is wonderful. She's understanding, loyal, and loving. I couldn't help but see Emma in her during the time we spent together, She brought so much joy to our home during Rebecca's wedding."
Jace didn't need any other person to tell him that he made a mistake by letting Amy go.
"Since you were a little,you always found it hard to let go,so don't let go now especially when it has to do with Amy" Elizabeth added.
Jace sighs,he knew his mom knew him inside out and there was no denying it. "I'm not letting Amy go,I just wanted to make sure you were okay first" He said.
"Well,you heard the doctor, didn't you?, I'd be discharged soon,so go do the right thing before she slips away" Elizabeth said.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Jace pulled out his phone and dialed Amy's number. As the phone rang, he felt a mix of emotions: hope, love, and a deep desire to make things right.