Song of the chapter: Top of the World by Greek Fire
Emily's POV
"Ready?" Austin asked me.
"Never," I replied, but followed him into the room anyway. What I saw made me cry fresh tears again, and even Austin let out a choked, "Oh, Lucy."
Our daughter was lying in a pink gown with flowers printed all over it, and she had an IV in her arm. A few more tubes were hooked up to her, and she had an oxygen mask over her little face. Her eyelids were a little swollen.
"She looks so small," I whispered, picking up her little hand as I sat down beside her bed. Austin sat on the other side. "And fragile."
"At least she's stable," Austin said, running his hand over her hair lightly. "And hopefully she's dreaming peacefully."
I sniffed and looked at him. "What are we going to do?"
Austin shrugged helplessly. "We can't do anything until she wakes up."
"Yeah, but who knows how long she's going to be like this," I replied. "I want her here with us again."
"She is here, Emily."
"You know what I mean." I glanced at my fiancé. "You're being awfully calm."
He was staring down at Lucy. "Believe me, I'm not calm inside. Sure, I give off a calm demeanour, but I want to explode with rage. But what good is that going to do?" He looked at me now, with tears glimmering in eyes. "I'm terrified, Emily."
I reached across and grabbed his hand. "We'll get through this together. Just like we always do."
He gave me a small smile and said, "I have an idea."
"What?"
He started quietly singing Top of the World by Greek Fire. It was Lucy's favorite song that played on the radio all the time. It helped that Austin and I both loved it too, so we didn't mind playing it around the house for her. She would always dance away to it and mumble random words as she tried to sing along.
On top of the world, on top of it all, trying to feel invincible
Dying on top of the world
I remember the nights
Caught up in dreaming my 'goodbyes'
Watching the door for anything more than an ordinary life
I remember the days
New beginnings on an open 'page'
With something to prove and nothing to lose, not a soul to betray
Here I am
Living a dream that I can't hold
Here I am on my own
On top of the world, on top of it all, trying to feel invincible
I'm dying on top of the world
I remember the lies
Caught up in building 'paradise'
The angels were slaves and demons behaved and
Everything was alright
Here I am
Living a dream that I can't hold
Here I am on my own
On top of the world, on top of it all, trying to feel invincible
I'm dying on top of the world
I hear the crowds beneath me
I'm wishing they could reach me
But I'm 'on top of the world'
Up here I'm dying alone
Inside the walls of gold, outside of happiness
It's all been a show, too late to confess
No room for heart and soul, no room for innocence, innocence
On top of the world, on top of it all, trying to feel invincible
But I'm dying on top of the world
I joined in halfway through the song, and when we finished, Austin kissed Lucy's little hand. "You're going to be okay, Luce. Because just like the song says, you're invincible." Austin says as I cry into his chest and he hugs me tightly wrapping his arms around me.