Aarmau: Remember Me, Remember Us, Just Remember

Chapter 3

Over the next few days, they spend their spare time clearing the dining room of the unnecessary table and chairs, bringing in a hospital bed, heart monitor, IV stand and all the supplies Aphmau will need. Despite Rowan's doubt they even brought in a wheel chair, crutches and a walker for when she's ready to use them.

The hospital bed faces out into the room between the fireplace and the outside wall. There's plenty of room on either side for people to move around so it won't be hard to get her in and out. The monitor for her vitals is attached to one corner of the hospital beds headboard while the IV dispenser is attached to the opposite corner of the bed, this way there's less equipment cluttering up the floor and they can be separated when needed. She won't need much in the beginning so all the extra supplies and equipment are pushed up against the walls until needed.

The day finally comes for her arrival and everyone is nervous. Not everyone could be there when Aphmau arrives but they made sure a majority were. Rowan tried to prepare them but no one truly knows what to expect.

It's just after lunch and Melissa, Aaron, Garroth, Katelyn and Zane are cleaning up when the sound of the ambulance pulling up in front of the house causes them all to jump. They all pause for the briefest of moments before they rush outside.

A smaller car pulls up behind the ambulance as they gather in the driveway, watch the driver climb out and move around to the rear doors.

Sylvana and Eric exits the small car and approach the back of the ambulance as the doors are pulled open. Sylvana briefly glances at Aaron standing by the front door before turning her attention back to the ambulance.

Eric climbs in and after a bit of shuffling steps back out with Aphmau in his arms. With a combination of gasps and muffled cries they are shocked to see how she looks.

Aphmau's skin is very pale, her hair has lost its bounce and appears dull and she's lost so much weight the clothes she's wearing hang on her. She looks so fragile and she's so weak both her now fully developed ears and tail are out.

They all stand frozen in place as Eric carries her past them toward the house. No one notices Aaron flinch as she gets close to him.

The sound of her heart slowly beating fills his ears as she passes and he turns in her direction. He remembers hearing the heartbeat back at the hospital on Starlight but he didn't realize it was because of her. For some reason it sooths him.

Almost as if time unfreezes, they all thaw from their shock and follow her into the house. They watch as Eric gently lays her on the bed they set up for her and the EMT set up her IV and monitor. Within minutes they can all hear the sound of her heartbeat electronically fill the room.

Hearing it reassures them all she's still with them. This gives them a sense of hope. Others stop by throughout the day to take turns sitting with her. Some talk and update her on everything that's been going on while others simply hold her hand to let her know she's not a lone anymore.