One of a Kind

Chapter 7: Ella

You know that saying: for everyone that is born, someone else has to die? Well, in this case it's almost true.

Ella hadn't been well for a while but with the exciting news of another baby on the way, she felt it would be rude to dampen the mood. So, as her terminal illness progressed and she still hadn't even told her own sons, Richard took matters into his own hands. He knocked round at their house and Jennifer opened it with a huge grin on her face, 'Alex's she called 'it's your dad' Alex came crashing down the stairs carrying a huge box, Jennifer was only about 5 months pregnant but Alex thought it was best to start setting up early. As they found out from last time, sometimes things don't always happen as planned.

'Hey dad, how's everything?' Alex asked setting the heavy box down with a puff, 'You might want to sit down Alex' he suggested mentioning to their sofa where Jennifer already seemed comfortably seated, 'I... I need to tell you because your mum has been putting it off for a while and well... it will only get worse' he broke off and buried his head in his hands. Alex went over to comfort him, 'CANCER!' Richard blurted out 'bloody cancer has ruined her!' Alex stopped and took a while to process what his father had said, 'Mum. Cancer?' he muttered, 'oh my God' Jennifer exclaimed 'is it bad?' Richard nodded as floods of tears washed down his cheeks like waterfalls, 'I'm a wreck' he stuttered 'she... She doesn't have much longer and I don't know how I'm going to...' racks of sobs cut him off and he wiped tears haphazardly from his cheeks with his woollen jumper sleeve, 'I'd better get back' he sniffed 'I need to make her last moments... memorable'. Jennifer willed back her own tears and stood up, 'I can drive you Rich' she offered but he waved her offer away 'I walked' he insisted 'I'll be to fine', she crossed her arms stubbornly 'at least let me walk with you', he looked to Alex for approval and he nodded proudly at his wife. 'You'd better let her dad, she's a woman; she'll get round you eventually' he winked and Richard nodded 'yes Jennifer, do come with me' he sighed and gave her a hug. Hugs were always an awkward business as Jennifer was rather tall and despite Alex being just perfectly taller than her, Richard was much shorter.

6 weeks later, Jennifer and Alex were at home when the phone rang, making them both jump. Jennifer laughed and picked it up 'hello? oh hi Rich...' Alex looked at her questionably as her eyes widened and he saw tears forming 'okay, we'll get there soon' her voice cracked as she hung up 'you... your mum, she's... dying, your dad said we need to be quick or...' Alex got the message and pulled on his coat, Jennifer wrapped her coat round her bump as best she could as they ran out the door and drove quickly the few minutes to his parent's house. The drove in silence and as they approached Jennifer felt her heart leap, 'we can still make it' she thought 'maybe'. Hurriedly, they jumped from the car and hammered on the front door. Richard ran to open it and they all followed him quickly into the bedroom where she was laying.

They flew into the bedroom, where Ella was, and Alex was absolutely horrified when he saw how ill she truly was. He sat down on the bed next to her chest and held her pale hand, 'mum?' he whispered gently squeezing it 'Alex?' she croaked, and sat up carefully. 'Yes mum it's me' his eyes filled up with tears as her breathing began to slow. 'Is Jennifer with you?' Jennifer stood up hastily and knelt down on the floor next to Alex, Ella held her hand out to her 'you make sure he takes good care of you and the children' Jennifer held her breath as Ella coughed loudly, she put her hand over the edge of the bed and rested her fingertips on Jennifer's bump. She stood up and sat by her husband and began to cry when her baby gave a feeble kick. A tear fell down Ella's cheek and Alex could tell that she was going 'thank you' he sobbed 'I can't imagine having a better mum. I love you so much and I am going to miss you forever' 'Ella, you've been amazing to me' she took a moment to regain her composure 'I love you like my own mum and the kids think the absolute world of you. Thank you for being there for us, for all of us'. Richard stepped in and knelt by her bedside 'my Ella' he muttered in her ear 'it's okay, you can go now. I don't want you to hurt anymore. I love you more than anything and I will keep your spirit alive. You grandchildren will know all about you and I will tell them wonderful stories of us. Don't be afraid my love, it's time' he said calmly and he leant over and planted a kiss on her cheek 'I love you'...

Alex sniffed back his tears as his wife cried at his recollection of his mothers death. 'Why are you crying?' he asked wiping away his own tears with a small laugh, 'I just feel awful' she whispered 'I don't remember anything of her'.

As they sat there, she suddenly jumped up 'oh!' she gasped, 'what?' She shook her head at the silly thought that entered her head 'it felt like something touched my arm' she laughed 'it's probably mum' he smiled 'you may not remember her' her chuckled 'but it seems she certainly remembers you'.