Tony’s P.O.V
Vic, Dylan, and I ran through the parking lot of the hospital and into the emergency room. Running through the corridors, we were stopped by the shouts of several rushing paramedics. We backed against the wall to move out of their path, and looking down, I saw Ashley being rolled in on the same stretcher that she left her apartment on. I looked to my left and to my right where Dylan and Vic where standing. Dylan cried for the first time that night, and Vic’s tears only fell faster, if that were even possible.

We followed Ashley and the paramedics down the hall, but we were quickly stopped by a few nurses that instructed us to sit in the waiting room. Next to me, I could see Vic start to push pass them, but Dylan put a hand on his shoulder, and he followed us into the waiting room, eyes aimed towards the floor in defeat. All we could do now was wait.

For five hours, all we could do was sit in the waiting room. Vic had finally stopped crying, and now all he did was look at the wall. His eyes were bloodshot and puffy, but he had nearly no expression on his face. Dylan had fallen asleep and was leaning on my shoulder. I had my arm around her and played with her curly hair, feeling a bit drowsy myself. Finally, a short, round woman wearing a lab coat stepped into the room with a clipboard in her hand. “Um, is the family of Ashlana Lopez in the room?” her voice was raspy, and it was loud enough to wake up Dylan. I moved Dylan off me but kept her hand in mine, and we stood up. Vic did the same. “Come right this way,” the woman said. We followed her into the corridor, where there were a few nurses walking around but for the most part, was empty. “Are you guys really her family?” the woman raised an eyebrow at us.

“I’m her fiancé,” Vic said. “And this is my brother, and his wife. How’s she doing?” It was the first time I’d heard him talk since we were at Ashley’s apartment, and I was surprised by how smooth and nonchalant his answer was.

The woman didn’t lower her eyebrow, but she looked at her clipboard as if to remind herself what it was she had to tell us. “Ah, yes, Ashlana is fine. She should be awake in the morning. However, your baby didn’t make it.” Vic looked at her with his bloodshot eyes, and tears started to fall again. I saw a few drip into his now open mouth. The woman sighed, and I could see pity in her blue eyes. “My name is Dr. Paige, if you have any questions, feel free to ask our receptionist to page me. I’m so sorry for your loss.” She patted Vic on the shoulder, who’s expression hadn’t changed, and shot Dylan and me a sad smile. She strode away in the same, quick-paced fashion that she entered the room with.

Dylan let go of my hand and walked over to embrace Vic. “Are you okay, Vic?” She asked him with her arms still wrapped around his waist.

“She was pregnant. Someone killed her baby,” Vic sobbed into her hair. The words stung me in my heart, and I felt salt water stab at my eyes. I tried to blink the tears away, but one fell anyway, and I instantly wiped it away. Seeing this, Dylan pulled me into her, causing the three of us to be in a group hug in the middle of the hallway.

“Guys, we need to get home and get rest,” she said quietly, breaking the hug. “Tony, can you stay with me again tonight? You know, since you already have clothes and stuff there, and I really need someone with me. Vic, do you think you’d be okay to drive, since we only have your car?” He nodded slowly, and I did the same.

We walked in silence out of the hospital and through the parking lot. When we got to Vic’s car, he sat in the driver’s seat, with Dylan in the passenger seat and me in the back. The ride started off silently, but Dylan flicked on the radio. “I hope y’all don’t mind, I just need music right now.” As she turned up the volume, I recognized the song as Clocks by Coldplay. I allowed myself a small smile, as this song was always one of my favorites. It’s a classic, and certainly always put me in a better mood.

By the time the song was over, we were in front of Dylan’s house. She wrapped her arms around Vic’s neck and said, “Please be safe. Text me when you get home, okay? See you tomorrow.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and we both got out of the car. Once we were inside, I wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Are you okay, Dylan?” I said, staring in her eyes.

“I’ll be fine, Tony.” She placed her hands on my biceps and looked up at me. “Stay with me tonight. In my room.” I nodded, and she led me down the hall to the only bedroom of the house with her fingers intertwined with mine.

Dylan’s P.O.V
Once Tony and I got back into my room, I grabbed a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and walked into the bathroom to take off my simple makeup and change. After I washed my face and put my pajamas on, my phone lit up with the notice that I had gotten a text. It was from Vic. I’m home now. Thanks for being such a great friend. I smiled and responded, Ok, get some rest. Be at the hospital tomorrow at 11, okay? And you’re welcome. Everything will be alright. I walked out of the bathroom and back into my bedroom to see Tony sitting at the edge of my bed with a hoodie on and some sweatpants. I sat down next to him. “Thanks for staying with me tonight,” I said, looking at him with a sad smile on my face.

“Anything for you. But right now, let’s just go to bed.” He said, smiling back. I nodded in agreement, and he kissed my forehead. We crawled to the head of my queen-sized bed and got under the covers. I turned on my side, facing away from him, and he snuggled in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I started to drift off, but I fought it, not wanting to let go of this moment. And it surprised me, that even through all this chaos going on, I could still find peace in an interesting place.

Tony’s arms.