‹ Prequel: What Can I Say?
Stay
My Immortal
”You used to captivate me, by your resonating light now I'm bound by the life you left behind. Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams. Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me. These wounds won't seem to heal this pain is just too real, there's just too much that time cannot erase.” – Evanescence
Joe looked around the small room he and Melody were escorted too. He watched in silence as the nurse looked over Melody.
“Where is he?” Melody asked tears still running down her face.
“His phone is off and I don’t know where he went.” Joe answered.
Joe watched as another pain shot through Melody’s small body and a small whimper issued from her lips. He knew this wasn’t good. Even Melody could feel the strange air in the room they were currently in. It was as if something horrible was going to happen.
*Earlier that day*
Melody stood in front of her mirror examining her very obvious baby belly, she softly set a hand on the bulge and smiled. She was going to be a mother. The thought was finally able to put a smile on her face. They had finally started painting the nursery a pale yellow and Melody would frequently walk into the room and smile wide at the sight of the color. They were having a baby girl and Melody couldn’t be any more excited about her.
“Hey babe.” Nick said as he walked into the room after a long shower.
“Hi.” Melody mumbled her brow furrowing.
“Everything ok?” Nick asked concerned.
“I’m fine; my back is just starting to hurt a little bit.” Melody replied as she pulled her shirt back down.
“Lay down babe.” Nick said walking over to Melody. “We don’t want to stress out baby Katelyn.”
“Now her name is Katelyn?” Melody asked with a small laugh. “What happened to Lauren?”
Nick had gone through ten names in the last week and half since they found out the sex of their baby. Melody had just laughed each time he called the baby a new name, some she liked others she didn’t, she knew it didn’t matter he would have a different name each day until he found the right one.
“I changed my mind. Do you like it?” Nick asked as he placed his hands on Melody’s stomach.
“I love it.” Melody replied quietly.
“Good.” Nick said then he whispered to the baby. “You be good for mommy while I’m at work baby girl.”
Melody watched as Nick kissed her stomach then stood up to look her in the eye. She smiled as Nick gave her a soft hug murmuring his love for her into her neck. It didn’t take long before Melody was watching Nick walk away. His career was once again on the rise and nothing was going to stop him this time. He hadn’t discussed with Melody about what they were going to say when word got out that Nick was going to have a child out of wedlock. Unbeknownst to Melody Nick already had a plan, one that Melody would not be happy about when she eventually found out.
Melody stayed in bed most of the day trying to find a comfortable way to rest. No matter how she laid her back would be in pain. Finally after trying once again to find a way to lie she got up from the bed. Going to the couch in the living room where she sat and turned the TV on. It was an entertainment news show going on and on about the newest celebrity drama.
“Coming up next is couples news and an in studio visit from a Jo Bro!” The too cheerful news anchor said before the show took a commercial break.
Melody smiled as she realized it was more the likely going to be Nick on next. She was waiting patiently for the commercials to end when she felt a pain in her pelvis area. Clutching her stomach as the pain subsided. Just as the show was to start again Melody felt another pain this one just as bad as the first. Worry caused her to stand from the couch and rush to the bathroom. With a shaking hand Melody touched her bulging stomach tears coming to her eyes. She just knew something had to be happening to the baby.
“This can’t be happening.” Melody sobbed as upon further investigating she found blood in her underwear.
Grabbing her cell phone Melody tried to call Nick. She needed him with her if what she thought was happening was true. He didn’t answer and after trying two more times Melody tried her second best option.
“Hello?” The gruff voice on the other end of the phone answered.
“Joe! Can you please come get me from Nick’s house?’ Melody asked her voice quivering.
“Sure. Is everything alright?” Joe asked instantly worried.
“Please just hurry.” Melody replied losing her composure. “I think I’m losing the baby.”
That was all Joe had to here before he was up and making his way out of his house. He quickly said goodbye then raced to his car already dialing Karen’s number to informer of what was going on. His next call was to Nick’s cell phone where once again Nick didn’t answer. It took longer than Joe would have liked to reach Melody’s and Nick’s house.
Melody was out the door the second she saw Joe’s car pull in front of the house. Before Joe knew what was happening Melody was in the car and instructing him to go to the hospital. Along the way Melody tried and failed once again to get a hold of Nick.
“We’re here Mel.” Joe said softly as he parked the car near the emergency room entrance. “We can try to call Nick when we get in there.”
Melody held onto Joe’s arm her grip tightening as another cramp issued up her body. Joe quickly entered the emergency room and went directly to the nurse standing behind a counter.
“We need to see a doctor now.” Joe said urgently. “She’s four months pregnant and she thinks she might be losing her baby.”
The nurse quickly found a wheel chair for Melody and lead her and Joe into the open exam room. Joe stood next to Melody clutching her hand.
“Are you the father?” The nurse asked.
“No, I’m the uncle.” Joe replied. “We can’t get a hold of my brother.”
“Alright well we’ll need you to fill out this paper work while you wait for the doctor. I’ll let him know what is going on and it shouldn’t take long for him to be here.”
Joe thanked the nurse as she walked out of the room. He took the clipboard from Melody’s shaking hand and started asking her questions as he filled out all of the paper work. Melody kept looking at her phone hoping Nick would call her.
“Joe, please call Nick again.” Melody said her voice weak.
“Sure. I’ll be just outside the door. While I’m out there I’ll find out where the doctor is.” Joe said smiling at Melody. “Everything will be alright, Mel.”
Joe saw the fear in Melody’s eyes as she attempted to smile back. He dialed Nick’s number again only to receive his voice mail. His next best option was to call his mom.
“Hey mom.” Joe said quietly into the phone when his mom answered.
“Hello Joseph, everything alright?” Denise asked hearing the worry in her son’s voice.
“Have you heard from Nick?” Joe asked as he paced in front of the door to Melody’s room.
“He isn’t speaking to us.” Denise answered sadly. “Why?”
“I’m with Melody at the hospital. Something’s wrong with the baby and we can’t get a hold of Nick.” Joe said his voice cracking as he finished his sentence.
“What hospital?” Denise asked already grabbing her things to leave.
Joe quickly told Denise the hospital then the conversation ended. He knew the whole family would be here soon. They would all try calling Nick and they would all be sent to voice mail. Joe just hoped where ever Nick was it was important, otherwise he could never forgive his brother.
“Did you call him?” Melody asked when Joe entered the room again.
“Yeah, he didn’t answer.” Joe said quietly. “The doctor is on his way now.”
Just as Joe had said five minutes later the middle aged doctor entered the room a sad smile on his face. He asked Melody some questions all of which she answered in her small voice. Joe stood by her his hand clasped around her hand. He looked away once the doctor started to exam Melody her hand clutched him as the doctor felt around her cervix trying to locate the tiny baby.
“We need to do an ultra sound.” The doctor said as he instructed the nurse to set the machine up. “I’ll be back once that’s done.”
Once again Joe and Melody were left alone in the small exam room. Joe’s cell phone rang making Melody’s eyes snap towards Joe who shook his no to her unspoken question.
“Hey Kev.” Joe answered.
“We’re in the waiting room. How is she?” Kevin asked the sound of loud voices making it hard to hear him.
“She’s alright. Who’s with you?” Joe asked glancing at Melody who was staring at the door.
“Mom, dad, Danielle, Karen, and Frankie are here.” Kevin answered.
“Alright. I’ll be out there in a second.” Joe said before hanging up.
Melody groaned as another cramp hit her. Joe quickly took her hand and let her hold on to him as the pain subsided.
“My family is in the waiting room.” Joe said as he pushed the hair back from Melody’s forehead.
“You called them?” Melody asked.
“I thought they might know where Nick is.” Joe replied quietly.
“Go ahead and see them I’ll be fine for a few minutes.” Melody said wiping away the last of her tears.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Joe said before he left the room.
Joe leaned against the door and let out a heavy sigh before he went to find his family. They were waiting in the back of the room huddled together around a small table. They were all talking quietly until Karen saw Joe. She jumped up and went to hug him tightly.
“How is she?” She asked as Joe buried his head into her neck.
“I don’t know.” Joe said through a sob. “She doesn’t look good.”
Denise was at Joe’s side and took over the hug for Karen who had tears of her own. The Jonas family never had the chance to get to know Melody but they still felt loyal to her not only for carrying one of their own but for helping Nick the way she did. She was part of the family even without having the Jonas last name.
“I’ll go back to the room why don’t you and Karen go get something to drink.” Denise said looking into her son’s watery eyes.’
“No, I promised her I’d be back.” Joe said wiping his tears away.
“Alright, let’s go then.” Joe hugged Karen one last time before following his mother back to Melody’s room.
Karen watched Joe walk away. She knew Joe was caring person but she never thought he would be so caring that he would stand by someone he barely knew when they went through something like a miscarriage. It made her love him more to see him like this. She just hoped the baby would be alright for the whole family’s sake.
Melody and Nick hadn’t known that the family had been buying things for the baby since Melody had called Denise only a week before this to tell them the sex of the baby. She had never seen the Jonas family so happy before that moment. Everyone was ecstatic it just took some time for the shock to wear off of the family.
When Joe and Denise entered the exam room they found Melody on her phone. She was leaving a message on Nick’s phone her voice quivered as she tried to explain the situation. Denise could see the pain in Melody not having Nick at her side.
“Hello Melody.” Denise greeted as she walked over to Melody.
“Hi.” Melody said back quietly. “The ultra sound tech is on her way.”
“That’s good.” Denise said smiling at Melody. “Do you mind if I stay in here with you?”
“Not at all.” Melody said tears falling again. “Thank you.”
Denise took Melody’s hand and held onto it as the young women cried. Joe stood on the other side of Melody his hand resting on her shoulder. To Denise’s surprise Melody griped onto her hand as another cramp hit her.
“It’s alright.” Denise said as she smoothed down Melody’s hair.
The ultra sound tech took ultra sound pictures of the baby and then was quickly out the door barely saying anything to anyone in the room. Denise saw the worried look on the tech’s face as she examined the screen. Joe had left to call Nick again and came back at the end of the exam.
“Where is he?” Melody asked another tear slipping don her pale cheek.
Joe glanced at his mother before answering Melody’s question.
“His phone is off and I don’t know where he went.”
Melody didn’t have time to reply as she felt another cramp. Denise whispered words of comfort into Melody’s ear as the cramp subsided.
“He turned his phone off?” Melody asked anger now taking over her emotions. “He had to have seen the missed calls from us.”
“I don’t know, Mel.” Joe said quietly. “He’ll call when he’s done with whatever he’s doing.”
Twenty minutes later the doctor was back the look on his face not looking good. He looked down at the chart in his hands before looking back at Melody.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Crenshaw, but you’ve lost the baby-“
Melody didn’t hear anything else the doctor had to say her screams of denial drowned him out entirely. Denise hugged melody as she cried and clutched her stomach. The doctor said everything else he had to say to Joe and then left the three to themselves. Joe and Denise were both crying but they were silent as Melody continued to sob loudly. Then suddenly she sat up and looked at Denise.
“I have to find Nick.” Melody said quickly. “He doesn’t know.”
“Melody come home with us.” Denise said as Melody tried to stand up from the exam table.
“I need to be home when Nick gets home.” Melody said shaking her head.
“Please come home with us.” Denise said handing Melody her clothing. “I’ll leave a message on Nick’s phone.”
Melody didn’t have the energy to disagree with Denise. All she wanted to do was sleep and forget what just happened. Joe left Melody to change out of the hospital gown she was wearing and found his family waiting in the same chairs as earlier. When they saw his tears they knew it was bad news.
“What happened?” Danielle asked standing up.
“She lost the baby.” Joe said quietly. “She’s going to come with us back to mom and dad’s house.”
As soon as they arrived at Denise and Kevin’s house Melody was escorted to one of the spare rooms to rest. She hadn’t said anything as they drove to the house and no one knew what to say to console her. Denise left a message on Nick’s phone like she had promised Melody she would do. Denise didn’t know what her son was doing but she knew Melody would never forgive him for not being there for her.
“I wish I knew where he was.” Kevin Sr. said as the family sat around the living room. “But he found himself a new manager.”
“He has to look at his phone soon.” Karen said shaking her head.
Karen was wrong it took Nick another two hours before he showed up at the house demanding to see Melody. Unfortunately for Nick, Melody knew where he was and didn’t want anything to do with Nick.
Joe looked around the small room he and Melody were escorted too. He watched in silence as the nurse looked over Melody.
“Where is he?” Melody asked tears still running down her face.
“His phone is off and I don’t know where he went.” Joe answered.
Joe watched as another pain shot through Melody’s small body and a small whimper issued from her lips. He knew this wasn’t good. Even Melody could feel the strange air in the room they were currently in. It was as if something horrible was going to happen.
*Earlier that day*
Melody stood in front of her mirror examining her very obvious baby belly, she softly set a hand on the bulge and smiled. She was going to be a mother. The thought was finally able to put a smile on her face. They had finally started painting the nursery a pale yellow and Melody would frequently walk into the room and smile wide at the sight of the color. They were having a baby girl and Melody couldn’t be any more excited about her.
“Hey babe.” Nick said as he walked into the room after a long shower.
“Hi.” Melody mumbled her brow furrowing.
“Everything ok?” Nick asked concerned.
“I’m fine; my back is just starting to hurt a little bit.” Melody replied as she pulled her shirt back down.
“Lay down babe.” Nick said walking over to Melody. “We don’t want to stress out baby Katelyn.”
“Now her name is Katelyn?” Melody asked with a small laugh. “What happened to Lauren?”
Nick had gone through ten names in the last week and half since they found out the sex of their baby. Melody had just laughed each time he called the baby a new name, some she liked others she didn’t, she knew it didn’t matter he would have a different name each day until he found the right one.
“I changed my mind. Do you like it?” Nick asked as he placed his hands on Melody’s stomach.
“I love it.” Melody replied quietly.
“Good.” Nick said then he whispered to the baby. “You be good for mommy while I’m at work baby girl.”
Melody watched as Nick kissed her stomach then stood up to look her in the eye. She smiled as Nick gave her a soft hug murmuring his love for her into her neck. It didn’t take long before Melody was watching Nick walk away. His career was once again on the rise and nothing was going to stop him this time. He hadn’t discussed with Melody about what they were going to say when word got out that Nick was going to have a child out of wedlock. Unbeknownst to Melody Nick already had a plan, one that Melody would not be happy about when she eventually found out.
Melody stayed in bed most of the day trying to find a comfortable way to rest. No matter how she laid her back would be in pain. Finally after trying once again to find a way to lie she got up from the bed. Going to the couch in the living room where she sat and turned the TV on. It was an entertainment news show going on and on about the newest celebrity drama.
“Coming up next is couples news and an in studio visit from a Jo Bro!” The too cheerful news anchor said before the show took a commercial break.
Melody smiled as she realized it was more the likely going to be Nick on next. She was waiting patiently for the commercials to end when she felt a pain in her pelvis area. Clutching her stomach as the pain subsided. Just as the show was to start again Melody felt another pain this one just as bad as the first. Worry caused her to stand from the couch and rush to the bathroom. With a shaking hand Melody touched her bulging stomach tears coming to her eyes. She just knew something had to be happening to the baby.
“This can’t be happening.” Melody sobbed as upon further investigating she found blood in her underwear.
Grabbing her cell phone Melody tried to call Nick. She needed him with her if what she thought was happening was true. He didn’t answer and after trying two more times Melody tried her second best option.
“Hello?” The gruff voice on the other end of the phone answered.
“Joe! Can you please come get me from Nick’s house?’ Melody asked her voice quivering.
“Sure. Is everything alright?” Joe asked instantly worried.
“Please just hurry.” Melody replied losing her composure. “I think I’m losing the baby.”
That was all Joe had to here before he was up and making his way out of his house. He quickly said goodbye then raced to his car already dialing Karen’s number to informer of what was going on. His next call was to Nick’s cell phone where once again Nick didn’t answer. It took longer than Joe would have liked to reach Melody’s and Nick’s house.
Melody was out the door the second she saw Joe’s car pull in front of the house. Before Joe knew what was happening Melody was in the car and instructing him to go to the hospital. Along the way Melody tried and failed once again to get a hold of Nick.
“We’re here Mel.” Joe said softly as he parked the car near the emergency room entrance. “We can try to call Nick when we get in there.”
Melody held onto Joe’s arm her grip tightening as another cramp issued up her body. Joe quickly entered the emergency room and went directly to the nurse standing behind a counter.
“We need to see a doctor now.” Joe said urgently. “She’s four months pregnant and she thinks she might be losing her baby.”
The nurse quickly found a wheel chair for Melody and lead her and Joe into the open exam room. Joe stood next to Melody clutching her hand.
“Are you the father?” The nurse asked.
“No, I’m the uncle.” Joe replied. “We can’t get a hold of my brother.”
“Alright well we’ll need you to fill out this paper work while you wait for the doctor. I’ll let him know what is going on and it shouldn’t take long for him to be here.”
Joe thanked the nurse as she walked out of the room. He took the clipboard from Melody’s shaking hand and started asking her questions as he filled out all of the paper work. Melody kept looking at her phone hoping Nick would call her.
“Joe, please call Nick again.” Melody said her voice weak.
“Sure. I’ll be just outside the door. While I’m out there I’ll find out where the doctor is.” Joe said smiling at Melody. “Everything will be alright, Mel.”
Joe saw the fear in Melody’s eyes as she attempted to smile back. He dialed Nick’s number again only to receive his voice mail. His next best option was to call his mom.
“Hey mom.” Joe said quietly into the phone when his mom answered.
“Hello Joseph, everything alright?” Denise asked hearing the worry in her son’s voice.
“Have you heard from Nick?” Joe asked as he paced in front of the door to Melody’s room.
“He isn’t speaking to us.” Denise answered sadly. “Why?”
“I’m with Melody at the hospital. Something’s wrong with the baby and we can’t get a hold of Nick.” Joe said his voice cracking as he finished his sentence.
“What hospital?” Denise asked already grabbing her things to leave.
Joe quickly told Denise the hospital then the conversation ended. He knew the whole family would be here soon. They would all try calling Nick and they would all be sent to voice mail. Joe just hoped where ever Nick was it was important, otherwise he could never forgive his brother.
“Did you call him?” Melody asked when Joe entered the room again.
“Yeah, he didn’t answer.” Joe said quietly. “The doctor is on his way now.”
Just as Joe had said five minutes later the middle aged doctor entered the room a sad smile on his face. He asked Melody some questions all of which she answered in her small voice. Joe stood by her his hand clasped around her hand. He looked away once the doctor started to exam Melody her hand clutched him as the doctor felt around her cervix trying to locate the tiny baby.
“We need to do an ultra sound.” The doctor said as he instructed the nurse to set the machine up. “I’ll be back once that’s done.”
Once again Joe and Melody were left alone in the small exam room. Joe’s cell phone rang making Melody’s eyes snap towards Joe who shook his no to her unspoken question.
“Hey Kev.” Joe answered.
“We’re in the waiting room. How is she?” Kevin asked the sound of loud voices making it hard to hear him.
“She’s alright. Who’s with you?” Joe asked glancing at Melody who was staring at the door.
“Mom, dad, Danielle, Karen, and Frankie are here.” Kevin answered.
“Alright. I’ll be out there in a second.” Joe said before hanging up.
Melody groaned as another cramp hit her. Joe quickly took her hand and let her hold on to him as the pain subsided.
“My family is in the waiting room.” Joe said as he pushed the hair back from Melody’s forehead.
“You called them?” Melody asked.
“I thought they might know where Nick is.” Joe replied quietly.
“Go ahead and see them I’ll be fine for a few minutes.” Melody said wiping away the last of her tears.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Joe said before he left the room.
Joe leaned against the door and let out a heavy sigh before he went to find his family. They were waiting in the back of the room huddled together around a small table. They were all talking quietly until Karen saw Joe. She jumped up and went to hug him tightly.
“How is she?” She asked as Joe buried his head into her neck.
“I don’t know.” Joe said through a sob. “She doesn’t look good.”
Denise was at Joe’s side and took over the hug for Karen who had tears of her own. The Jonas family never had the chance to get to know Melody but they still felt loyal to her not only for carrying one of their own but for helping Nick the way she did. She was part of the family even without having the Jonas last name.
“I’ll go back to the room why don’t you and Karen go get something to drink.” Denise said looking into her son’s watery eyes.’
“No, I promised her I’d be back.” Joe said wiping his tears away.
“Alright, let’s go then.” Joe hugged Karen one last time before following his mother back to Melody’s room.
Karen watched Joe walk away. She knew Joe was caring person but she never thought he would be so caring that he would stand by someone he barely knew when they went through something like a miscarriage. It made her love him more to see him like this. She just hoped the baby would be alright for the whole family’s sake.
Melody and Nick hadn’t known that the family had been buying things for the baby since Melody had called Denise only a week before this to tell them the sex of the baby. She had never seen the Jonas family so happy before that moment. Everyone was ecstatic it just took some time for the shock to wear off of the family.
When Joe and Denise entered the exam room they found Melody on her phone. She was leaving a message on Nick’s phone her voice quivered as she tried to explain the situation. Denise could see the pain in Melody not having Nick at her side.
“Hello Melody.” Denise greeted as she walked over to Melody.
“Hi.” Melody said back quietly. “The ultra sound tech is on her way.”
“That’s good.” Denise said smiling at Melody. “Do you mind if I stay in here with you?”
“Not at all.” Melody said tears falling again. “Thank you.”
Denise took Melody’s hand and held onto it as the young women cried. Joe stood on the other side of Melody his hand resting on her shoulder. To Denise’s surprise Melody griped onto her hand as another cramp hit her.
“It’s alright.” Denise said as she smoothed down Melody’s hair.
The ultra sound tech took ultra sound pictures of the baby and then was quickly out the door barely saying anything to anyone in the room. Denise saw the worried look on the tech’s face as she examined the screen. Joe had left to call Nick again and came back at the end of the exam.
“Where is he?” Melody asked another tear slipping don her pale cheek.
Joe glanced at his mother before answering Melody’s question.
“His phone is off and I don’t know where he went.”
Melody didn’t have time to reply as she felt another cramp. Denise whispered words of comfort into Melody’s ear as the cramp subsided.
“He turned his phone off?” Melody asked anger now taking over her emotions. “He had to have seen the missed calls from us.”
“I don’t know, Mel.” Joe said quietly. “He’ll call when he’s done with whatever he’s doing.”
Twenty minutes later the doctor was back the look on his face not looking good. He looked down at the chart in his hands before looking back at Melody.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Crenshaw, but you’ve lost the baby-“
Melody didn’t hear anything else the doctor had to say her screams of denial drowned him out entirely. Denise hugged melody as she cried and clutched her stomach. The doctor said everything else he had to say to Joe and then left the three to themselves. Joe and Denise were both crying but they were silent as Melody continued to sob loudly. Then suddenly she sat up and looked at Denise.
“I have to find Nick.” Melody said quickly. “He doesn’t know.”
“Melody come home with us.” Denise said as Melody tried to stand up from the exam table.
“I need to be home when Nick gets home.” Melody said shaking her head.
“Please come home with us.” Denise said handing Melody her clothing. “I’ll leave a message on Nick’s phone.”
Melody didn’t have the energy to disagree with Denise. All she wanted to do was sleep and forget what just happened. Joe left Melody to change out of the hospital gown she was wearing and found his family waiting in the same chairs as earlier. When they saw his tears they knew it was bad news.
“What happened?” Danielle asked standing up.
“She lost the baby.” Joe said quietly. “She’s going to come with us back to mom and dad’s house.”
As soon as they arrived at Denise and Kevin’s house Melody was escorted to one of the spare rooms to rest. She hadn’t said anything as they drove to the house and no one knew what to say to console her. Denise left a message on Nick’s phone like she had promised Melody she would do. Denise didn’t know what her son was doing but she knew Melody would never forgive him for not being there for her.
“I wish I knew where he was.” Kevin Sr. said as the family sat around the living room. “But he found himself a new manager.”
“He has to look at his phone soon.” Karen said shaking her head.
Karen was wrong it took Nick another two hours before he showed up at the house demanding to see Melody. Unfortunately for Nick, Melody knew where he was and didn’t want anything to do with Nick.
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I'm sorry for the wait, I've had a busy month and a half. I wrote and extra long chapter to make up for it. I know most of you, if not all of you, wanted them to have the baby but I wanted to write about something I knew about. Something from my life. Unfortunately I know what its like to lose a baby. Mine wasn't to the extent of Melody's but her's had to be a little bit more dramatic. I have a lot planed for this story and I'm not going to promise to have the next few chapters out fast but just stick with me!Comment please!!