“This is John Norris with an MTV News Brief. The Backstreet Boys US Tour has been postponed once again. Here’s a clip from a phone call I had with A.J. Mc-“
Nick clicked the off button on the remote control. He knew his daughter was in a coma. He knew the tour was cancelled. He didn’t need to hear about it anymore.”
“Nick… why don’t you go down to the cafeteria and get something to eat,” Kevin suggested, coming into the room.
“I’m not hungry.” Nick replied.
“You haven’t eaten anything but part of a sandwich in two days. It’s not healthy… please, just get a bite to eat.”
”I can’t leave her! What if she wakes up and I’m not here. What if she only wakes up for a few seconds?”
Kevin sighed, knowing he wouldn’t get Nick to budge.
“If I went and got you something from the cafeteria… would you eat it?”
Nick nodded.
“Thank you,”
It had been four days since Madison had first been brought to the hospital. The press and fans had been told the tour was postponed until further notice, and everyone on the crew went home. The other four guys, and their families, had gotten hotel rooms in a nearby hospital. They all knew Nick and Meggie would need the support… just in case.
Nick rubbed his tired eyes as he slouched down in his chair. He had tried to sleep but to no avail. He was worried and scared. He had only left Madison’s side a few times, in the past four days. He wanted to stay as near as possible, just in case she woke up.
Kevin returned a few minutes later with a paper plate holding a slice of cheese pizza, and a can of Mountain Dew.
He set it down on the table beside Nick and waited.
“What?” Nick asked.
“Eat it. I’m not leaving until I see you take at least a bite.”
Nick sighed and picked up the plate. He took a big bite of the pizza and chewed it.
”There. Happy?” Nick smirked.
“Yup. Thank you,” Kevin left, a small smile playing on his lips.
Realizing that he was actually hungry, he ate the rest of it, and even began to drink the soda.
“How’s she doing?” Meggie asked, dressed in a new outfit than she had previously worn for the past couple of days.
“Same,” Nick said, his face saddened.
“I brought you a new set of clothes from the hotel. They’re in a sack in the waiting room.”
“Thanks.”
Meggie sat down on the other side of the crib and stared through the thick bars.
“Do you think she’ll ever get better?” She asked.
“I… don’t know.” Nick wasn’t prepared to answer that question. Was his daughter… his little girl… really going to make it?
“I guess I’ll go change. Come get me if anything happens...” Nick said reluctantly. He hesitated before he walked out the door. As he neared the waiting room, he heard a familiar female voice. He picked up his pace and entered the waiting room. Kevin stood, talking to his mom.
“Mom..” Nick said.
“Hi Sweetie.”
Kevin excused himself and left quietly.
“How’s she doing? Any change?”
He shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes.
Jane bit her lip to keep from crying as she pulled Nick into her arms, almost as if he was a small child again.
“Mama… I can’t lose her… I don’t know what I’ll do. I know I’ll still have Meg and Austin…but…”
“I know, baby...I know,”
The two sat for a few more minutes, before they had each settled down some.
“Did anyone come with you?” Nick asked, sniffling.
“Aaron and BJ did. They’re down in the gift shop looking for something for Maddie. Your father and Leslie and Angel are coming in a few days.”
As if on cue, the siblings entered the waiting room.
“Hey,” Nick said, standing up to greet them.
“How are you?” BJ asked softly as they hugged.
“I’m here,” Nick replied while hugging Aaron.
“We got this for Maddie… so she’ll have something along with her Backstreet Bear when she wakes up,” Aaron said, holding up a large white baby seal stuffed animal. “She likes to cuddle with stuff… so it’s real soft.”
“She’ll love it,” Nick replied. If she ever wakes up…
“Do you guys want to go see Madison? The nurses haven’t minded that we have had more than two people in there…”
The three nodded and followed Nick down the corridor to Madison’s room.
“Um… a nurse said that she might be able to hear us… so you can talk to her.” Nick slid the curtain away and led his family further into the room. B.J.’s hand flew to her mouth, and tears clouded both her and Aaron’s eyes.
Jane began to say something, but shook her head and turned around.
“Maddie… it’s Uncle Aaron… Aunt BJ and I bought you something for you. But you have to wake up to see it… so why don’t you wake up for me, Maddie? Please… for me?” Aaron asked on the verge of tears. He turned away from the bed and headed for the door.
The three left the room, followed by Nick.
“Well, we’re going to check in our hotel… the same one you all are at. But we’ll be back tonight.”
“Can I stay here?” Aaron asked.
“If it’s alright with Nick.”
“Of course,” Nick replied.
They watched their mom and sister leave the hallway before going back into the room.
“Hi Meggie,” Aaron said, noticing her for the first time.
“Hey A.C.,” She said tiredly.
“Where are the other guys?” Aaron asked, sitting down in the chair beside the crib.
“I’m not sure. I think Kevin’s still around here somewhere… the others are probably back at the Marriotte or something. They usually stop by at least twice a day.”
“Has she gotten any better since she’s been here?” Aaron asked, eyeing his niece.
“No. Nothing’s changed at all. Her heart rate doesn’t even go up when we talk to her, like the nurse said it would.” Nick sighed, his eyes cloudy. He looked around, trying not to cry again, his eyes falling upon the bag of clean clothes Meggie had brought for him.
”I’m going to go change.. I’ll be right back,” Nick said, standing up. He left the room quietly, clutching the bag closely. Aaron picked up a nearby magazine and began to thumb through it. Suddenly, a machine began to beep loudly, as if a mistake had been made. Both Meggie and Aaron jumped from the sudden noise.
“Oh god... oh god...” Meggie said as nurses rushed into the room.
“Why don’t you two go wait in the hallway?” A nurse calmly asked. As they were ushered from the room, Aaron peered around the nurse, watching his niece’s life being taken from her.
Aaron pulled Meggie into a hug as she began to sob.
“My baby…” She whispered.
Dr. Lector suddenly sprung from the elevator and ran into the room. The room was erupting in excitement as orders were being made, and the nurses bustled around.
Aaron heard footsteps and turned his head to see Nick walking back from the bathroom. He saw the two in the hallway, obviously upset, and fear crossed his face.
“What happened?” He exclaimed.
“A machine started beeping... and nurses ran in,” Aaron said quietly.
Nick watched the commotion in the room. He wanted to turn away, but yet he couldn’t. He then watched in horror, as Dr. Lector stopped her sudden doings. He saw her look at the clock, then say something rather softly. She nodded towards a nurse, who began to take the tube out of his daughter’s throat. She then scribbled something on a chart, and turned to walk out the door.
“I’m sorry…” She began.
“No..” Nick sobbed. “No! Can’t you do something!?”
“I’m sorry, Nick. We’ve done everything we possible can.”
“Was it something we did?”
“No. You two did everything right. She went into acute circulatory collapse. Her circulatory system collapsed. It was NOTHING you did.”
“Oh my god..” Meggie suddenly cried. Aaron grabbed her arm just before she fell to the floor in sobs. He led her to the waiting room, and tried his best to comfort her, though they were both hurting.
“Nick, is there anyone I can call for you?” Dr. Lector asked sympathetically.
“Brian… the number is on the list,” Nick said, speaking of the list of emergency phone numbers they had for Madison. “Can… can I see her?”
“Of course,” The doctor said. She moved out of the way, allowing Nick into the room. He hesitated, and then entered, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. He stood, staring at the body that once was rambunctious and full of energy. Now, she lay lifeless. Her skin has paled, and her lips and fingernails had turned a light blue. The ventilator tubing had been removed, as well as the heart monitor pads and IV’s. Though, the tube in her side still remained, but was dry of any liquid. One of the nurses had laid a child-size hospital gown, decorated with tiny animals, over her chest. The seal Aaron and B.J. had bought her still remained by her side.
“Baby girl…” Nick whispered through tears. He took her tiny hand into her, and held it gently. The cold touch of her hand had surprised him. Nick sat down, still holding her hand. He stared at her, through the blinding tears, and said nothing. There was nothing to be said. His little girl… his only daughter… had suddenly been taken from his life.
There was a commotion outside the door, but he ignored it, not even looking away. Footsteps entered the room, and someone’s hand lay upon his shoulder. Nick turned his head and saw his best friend standing there. Brian, too, said nothing.
“Bri..” Nick started, then stopped, allowing his tears to take over. Brian gave up on fighting his tears, and gave Nick a tight hug.
“Let’s get out of here,” Brian said. Nick nodded and followed Brian out. “Dr. Lector said when you’re ready, you can fill out some paperwork.”
They went into the waiting room to see Meggie already filling out a form.
“Let’s fly her home, Nicky.” She said. Nick nodded in agreement and sat down beside his wife. Together, they finished the form and handed it Dr. Lector. They gathered the few items they had brought up over the past few days, and headed for the elevator. Once downstairs, Brian led them out to a black van he had borrowed from the crew. Aaron got in the passenger seat, as Meggie and Nick sat in the back together, holding hands and crying silently.
Soon, they arrived at the hotel. They went inside, and up to their hallway.
“Where’s Austin?” Nick asked.
“Kevin and Kris have him,” Brian said, unlocking his door.
Nick nodded and went down the hallway to Kevin and Kristen’s room, and knocked quietly. Meggie unlocked Nick and her hotel room and entered, shutting the door behind her. Aaron also departed into Jane and his hotel room.
Nick heard light footsteps, then the door opened to reveal Kristen.
”Nick,” She said surprised at him being there.
“Can… can I get Austin?” He asked.
“Sure,” She said, opening the door and letting him in. His son lay sound asleep on the floor beside Jerald on soft pile of blankets and pillows. Nick bit his lip to keep from crying as he gently picked up Austin.
“How’s Maddie?” She asked as she walked with Nick to the door. He looked up, his eyes rimmed with red and tears once again threatening to fall.
“Nick, are you ok?”
“She... uh… she... just couldn’t hold on any longer,” He said softly.
Sadness filled Kristen’s face. “Nicky, I’m so sorry,” She said. She gave him the best hug she could, considering Austin was in his arms.
“If you guys need anything at all, let us know, ok?”
He nodded as she opened the door.
“We’re going to get a flight for tomorrow…” Nick said.
“Why don’t you let me make the flight reservations? I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry about it.”
“Thanks, Kris,”
He went back down the hallway, and juggled Austin in one arm as he opened the door to their hotel room. As he shut the door, he saw Meggie sitting on the sofa talking on the phone. He carried Austin to his crib and laid him in it, covering him with a soft blanket.
“Goodnight Austin,” Nick whispered, kissing his son on the forehead. As he was about to turn around and tell his other child goodnight, reality hit him when he saw the empty crib once belonging to his little girl. They had set it up, so she’d have something to sleep in when she was released from the hospital.
He walked out onto the balcony and sat down on a whicker chair. Stars twinkled at him, as the moon hung low over him, shining brightly over the city. He sat for a few minutes, before standing up to go inside.
“Goodnight Maddie,” He whispered into the sky.
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