Conflicting hearts

Death comes slow.

The team came first. The bundled into the room with balloons and bears. Coach looked sad. Everyone did.

"I was counting on you Garvey. We all were!" Coach patted him on the leg and left before things got too much. The team all said their goodbyes too and filed out.

Stacey arrived that morning and was in shreds of tears. She apologised again and again to Alex. Telling him she was a bad sister. Dianna couldn't help but agree, in her head.

Katelynn brought a priest. Alex wasn't Catholic but it was a nice thought. Katelynn looked like she wanted to say more but that's when Marilin burst into tears.

"I called it..." Marilin choked out and cried. Katelynn grabbed her and took her away. Josh and Mandy eyes went to Dianna but she hadn't reacted.

Mandy eyes kept checking up on Dianna. Mandy smiled down at Alex "See you in hell hot stuff" She wiped her eyes and gave Josh a small understanding glance.

Josh tried keeping it in. He tried acting good. "I'll take care of her. I'll make sure you're kids know who you were." Josh walked out.

Connor hadn't shown up and Dianna couldn't wait any longer. Cassie and Oscar were next to say goodbye and Dianna was certain she couldn't stay in the room for it.

"DADDY!" They both yelled, running into the room. Mandy and Josh stood outside and watched in case Dianna needed help.

"Why's yaddy sleeping mommy?" Oscar jumped onto her lap and Dianna crushed him with a hug. The past few days she'd only been with her kids briefly. Oscar made her smile, he could pronounce 'D' yet.

"Daddy's sick sweetie..." Dianna watched Cassie jump onto the bed beside Alex. She hugged him and lay beside him. Her tiny hands going to face and stroking it.

"Hi daddy, its Cassie..." She whispered into his ear. Tears streamed out of Dianna's eyes but she wiped them away quickly. She didn't want to her kids to see her cry.

"Daddy...daddy going to be a sleep for awhile..." Dianna knew death wasn't something she wanted her kids to remember their dad of. They'd find out soon but not now.

"Sleep? For how long?"

"Um...honey...daddy going to be a sleep for a long time...forever.." Cassie stared at Dianna for awhile, processing it all. "So...its time...to say goodbye to daddy..."

Oscar squeezed his small hand into Alex's still and stiff one. He mumbled a few words sadly that no one would ever hear and then turned to Dianna.

"I yon't want yaddy sleep fowever..." He cried. Dianna brought him into a hug and cradled him quietly as Cassie said goodbye.

"Mommy says we have to say goodbye now daddy. She says your gonna sleep forever and ever. Like sleeping beauty..." Cassie big eyes gazing at Alex.

"Please wake up Daddy. Please don't sleep forever..." She whispered into his ear, her small hand trying to hide her whsipering. She glanced at Dianna.

"Mommy loves you. And you love mommy. And mommy and you love me and Oscar...Your the bestest daddy in the world..." She whispered softly "Don't sleep forever..." She kissed him on the cheek "Bye bye Daddy, i love you"

"Bye bye yaddy" Oscar uttered as Cassie took his hand and they walked out of the room. Their tiny hands raising up to wave Alex goodbye. Dianna kept the tears in but it was killing her.

Mandy and Josh took them away and all who was left was Dianna. All the visitors had gone and it was finally her turn to say goodbye.

She had been dreading and thinking of what to say all day. She'd come to the conclusion there were no words to say. No words could ever come close to what she wanted to say.