Nick sat there backstage at
one of the concerts, talking to Howie and AJ when Kevin came in with Brian behind him. Nick was married to Brian’s sister,
Hayley. Nick sat Brian’s face and he stood up.
“Nick, you should sit down,” Brian said.
“What’s going on,” Nick said.
“I just got off the phone with my mom, Hayley was in
a car accident, she’s in the hospital on life support, the doctors don’t know if she’s going to make it,”
Brian said. Nick ran out the door and ran outside and hailed a cab and got in and went to the airport and he ran in and got
a ticket for Kentucky. He got on the flight and headed for Kentucky. Once the plane landed, he got off and rented a car and
drove to the hospital. He ran in and found Jackie and Harold JR in the waiting room with Harold III.
“Jackie,” Nick said.
“Nick,” Jackie said hugging him. He saw tears in
the eyes of his father and brother-in-law.
“What’s going on, Brian said Hayley was in a car
accident and was on life support,” Nick said.
“The doctor just came out, he wanted us to sign the papers
to take her off life support, they said there is nothing they can do,” Jackie said.
“You didn’t sign anything, did you,” Nick
said.
“No, we couldn’t without your consent, since you
are her husband, it’s your decision,” Jackie said.
“I can’t make that choice, I can’t let her
die!” Nick cried. The doctor came out.
“Mr. Carter,” the doctor said.
“I will not sign anything, no one is signing anything,
and my wife is not going to die!” Nick said.
“Mr. Carter, there is nothing we can do, she is fading
fast,” the doctor said.
“I want to see my wife, please,” Nick said. The
doctor nodded and showed him the room. Nick went in and saw his wife lying there with the machines hooked up to her. He sat
down and took her hand in his and held it against his cheek and he cried.
“Baby, you can’t leave me, you can’t, you
promised we would be together forever, this isn’t forever, I can’t lose you, I can’t live without you, I
love you so much, you are my heart and soul, you have to hang on, you have too much to live for, my life is over if you die,”
Nick said crying. He sat there watching her. He heard a noise and turned and saw Jackie standing behind him.
“I’m not signing the papers, Jackie, we can’t
let her just die, we have to fight for her, we can’t let her go,” Nick said. Jackie hugged him.
“I know, like I said, it’s your choice, we won’t
do anything without your permission, I can’t lose her, either,” Jackie said. The doctor came in.
“Mr. Carter,” the doctor said.
“I’m not signing any papers,” Nick said.
“There is no other way,” the doctor said.
“Do you want to lose a patient, do you want that on your
conscience,” Nick said.
“No, I don’t, but like I said, there is nothing
we can do,” the doctor said. Nick looked at Hayley. Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin came in.
“I can’t do it, I can’t let her go,”
Nick said. Jackie told the guys what was going on. Nick held Hayley’s hand and laid his head on the bed and cried. Brian
came and hugged Nick. Kevin came over and rubbed Nick’s back.
“Nick is not making any decisions now, he would like
more time with his wife,” Kevin said.
“Who are you,” the doctor said.
“I’m Kevin Richardson, Hayley is my cousin, this
is Brian, Hayley’s brother, we are all family here,” Kevin said. Brian looked at the doctor.
“My sister is not going to die, no one is going to let
her die, give us time, don’t pressure Nick, he doesn’t want her to die, I don’t want her to die, stop pushing
us to sign the papers,” Brian said.
“Mr. Littrell, her body is shutting down, the life support
is the only thing keeping her alive,” the doctor said.
“Doctor, my sister is a fighter, she is known for not
giving up,” Brian said.
“Mr. Carter, if you don’t sign these papers now,
I will turn off the life support without your permission,” the doctor said.
“You want her to die, don’t you,” Howie said.
“You will face a lawsuit if you turn off the life support
without Nick’s permission,” AJ said. The doctor left the room. Dr. Kelly came in.
“Dr. Kelly,” Jackie said.
“Dr. Thomas is right, her body is shutting down, there
is nothing no one can do, I just went over her tests,” Dr. Kelly said.
“I’m not signing any papers!” Nick yelled.
“Nick, please, we did everything we could, but her injuries
were too severe,” Dr. Kelly said.
“I can’t let her go, I can’t,” Nick
cried. He held Hayley’s hand and cried.
“I wish there was something we could do, but there isn’t,”
Dr. Kelly said.
“If there’s no other choice,” Jackie said.
“I’m sorry, Jackie, you know I love Hayley like
she was my own daughter, I would do anything for her, but there is nothing to be done,” Dr. Kelly said. She handed the
clipboard to Nick. He took it and read it. He looked at Brian and Kevin. He looked at Jackie. Harold JR and Harold III came
in. Nick signed the papers. Dr. Kelly turned off the life support. Nick watched her heart beat slow and
there was a flat-line. Nick broke down crying. Three days later, they had Hayley’s funeral. After the funeral, they
went to the Littrell house. Nick sat there. He knew his life wouldn’t be the same.
