What If? II

"Hospital."

"Do you want me to come over?" She was already putting her shoes on.

"Please." he sniffled. "I need somebody here. Unless John is there...then come when you can." he told her.

"Don't worry about that. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"See you soon." he said as he hung up and would just wait.

Lacy got there about half an hour later, looking for Punk in the lobby.

Punk happened to look up and spotted Lacy. He stood up. "Lace."

Lacy heard her name being called and frowned, walking over to him. "Phil," she went over and held her arms out to him.

Normally, he'd just try to keep it together and not show emotion...but not this time. He walked over to her and went into her embrace, crying freely.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and threaded her fingers through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Phil..." she whispered, blinking back tears.

"What am I supposed to do?" he said as he continued to cry. "I need her and she's not here anymore."

"If I knew, I'd tell you." She sighed, continuing to run her fingers through his hair. She pulled away from him, noticing that everyone was looking on. She grabbed his hand and started to pull him off, leading him to an empty room with a couch and sat him down on it, sitting next to him and still running her fingers through his hair. "I am so, so sorry."

"I'm sorry too. I know you were really close to her." he sniffled as he wiped his tears away.

"I was..." she nodded. "You can keep crying, you know. You don't have to keep strong, you just lost your mother..."

He nodded. "...I was just talking to her and she...just let go of my hand and died." he said as he cried again. "I can't do anything to bring her back. She shouldn't have died. If only, I could trade places with her or something. ...I want her back, Lace." he sobbed.

She immediately become alarmed and made him look at her. "hey, hey... don't you ever say that. You're not supposed to switch places with her... what would Brandon and Allison do without you?" What would I do without you? "I know it sucks baby, and I know that if you could you'd bring your Mom back in a heartbeat. If I could, I would too..." she bit her lower lip to keep from crying. She needed to be strong for him. "Your mother lived a good, healthy life. She did what she wanted to do. She got to watch her kids grow up and be successful and as much as we both hate it, it was time for her to go. She's at peace now, she's not suffering anymore. I hate seeing you like this," she wiped his tears away with the pads of her thumbs.

"I didn't think she'd leave me so soon. Who am I supposed to go to now when I need advice? I want her."

"..you've got me." She said. "I know what I haven't been the most pleasant person lately, but you know that I love you, Phil. I'm there for you when no one else is."

He nodded. "...well, thanks." he said.

"What... what happened?"

"Nothing." he said. "I just didn't think you'd say that...since we're not together anymore." he chuckled a little.

"You were my friend first, before any of this happened." She said, letting him go. "It just took me a while to remember that... what happened with your mom? How did she die?"

"She had a bad case of the flu recently and was here getting better. Then I got a call a few hours ago that she had a heart attack. I sped over here and talked to her...then...." he said as he started to choke up. "...you know what happened after."

Lacy nodded and sighed. "I would like it if you stayed with me for a few days."

He shook his head. "You don't have to open up your house for me." he told her. "I'll stay with Colt or something."