《Timeless》63
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As November arrived, Buckingham Records has four people signed and two albums going out. I'm in my office and Stevie is picking nine-year-old Emmeline up from school when the phone rings.
"Hello," I pick up.
"Lindsey, is my sister with you?" Christopher asks.
"No, she's picking Emmeline up. What's wrong?" I question.
"So you know how Lori and I brought Jessie to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon? Christopher probes.
"Yes, Stevie argued with you saying you shouldn't pull her out of school for a random two weeks, you said she was your child and you could what you wanted." I shrug.
"We were spending a couple of days with mom and dad, dad had a heart attack last night. The heart doctors said things aren't looking too promising." Chris sighs.
"Shit, alright...we'll be on the road as soon as Stevie gets back. Thanks for calling." I sigh.
As I hang up, I scrub my hands across my face and call for my boys. The two of them come scrambling into my office.
"What," Mason asks.
"Pack your bags. We're going to Phoenix. Grandpa had a heart attack last night. Things don't look good. We leave as soon as mom gets home." I state running my hands through my hair.
They both nod and disperse and I call UCLA Hospital where Sara is now working full time.
"Ronald Raegan Medical Center, how can I help you." The lady asks.
"Is Sara Jackson available?" I question.
"She just got out of consult. May I ask who's calling?" She questions.
"Lindsey Buckingham." I sigh.
"Please hold Mr. Buckingham?"
There's a pause for a moment and then the phone picks back up.
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"Dr. Sara Jackson, how can I help you?" Sara comes on the line.
"How much bereavement do you have?" I spit out quickly.
"Two weeks, but why?" Sara asks.
"Grandpa had a heart attack in Phoenix. Chris says the cardiologist doesn't think he has long. Momma doesn't know yet. But I am going to go pack her and Emmeline a bag. We're leaving as soon as they get back and I...you know...tell her." I breathe out.
"Daddy, Nick and I will be right there don't leave without us," Sara says rushedly and hangs up.
***
Stevie pulls up as I am carrying the suitcases down the entryway stairs.
"Are you going somewhere Linds? Especially with my Michael Kors bags?" Stevie places her sunglasses on the top of her head cocking an eyebrow.
"Um Steph, come sit," I say plopping down on the steps.
"Lindsey, what's going on?" Stevie gives me a look.
"Steph, about a half an hour ago, Christopher called. Your dad had a heart attack and things aren't looking good." I say grabbing her hand.
"Lindsey...don't lie to me." She shakes her head tears in her eyes.
"I'm not. As soon as Sara and Nick get here we're driving to Phoenix. I packed a bag for you girls. I'm going to load up the car. Are you okay?" I question.
She just fish mouths and I pat her leg motioning for Emmeline to follow me.
***
We arrive in Phoenix around nine o'clock that evening and with Sara still in her scrubs and Stevie froze in a state of shock, we get to the hospital.
"Jess Nick's room," Sara says to the receptionist.
"I'm sorry, visiting hours are over." She states.
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Sara growls and places her badge down.
"I may be a neonatologist, but my specialty is cardiology. Now, I have two members of Fleetwood Mac here with me and we want to see my grandfather, and I want to speak to his cardiologist." Sara spits.
"Right, I'm sorry Dr. Jackson, ICU fourth-floor room 421." The nurse lets us in.
I'm numb. Lindsey's dad was taken by a heart attack. As was his mother and brother. Now, I'm losing my dad to it also.
As we get on the floor, I see my whole family there and I immediately find my way into my mother's arms.
"He's been asking for you." My mom sighs.
"I slowly go into the room and a nurse and a doctor are in there. Sara follows me.
"Oh, I assume you're the daughter." The doctor shakes my hand.
"Stephanie Buckingham. This is my daughter. Dr. Sara Jackson." I say.
"Dr. What's your specialty general?" the doctor questions.
"Neonatology with a focus on Cardiology." She says.
"Preemie's hearts. Well, your grandfather suffered from a massive heart attack. We could stint the blocked and damaged artery but with his age and how rapidly he's declining." The doctor starts.
"The surgery would indefinitely kill him. The smart thing to do is to let him go naturally." Sara ends and I start crying.
"Teedee." My dad says.
"Hi, daddy." I grab his hand.
"Don't cry for me. I'll see you all again." He smiles.
"Thanks for waiting for me," I say sadly.
"I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to you. Are your mother and the rest of your babies here?" He asks.
"Papa, everyone is outside," Sara says just as teary-eyed.
"I love you. I love you both so much. Sara, you saved your mother in a lot of ways and I am so proud of you." He says as I lay on his chest and the heart monitor goes flat.
I let out a sob and find myself in Sara's arms. The doctor places his hand on my back and he goes to get the rest of the family.
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