《COMPLETED - EDITED》
________________________
A Story of two independent businesses. Getting their fates tied by their fathers to make a stronger alliance.
But it was never meant ...
...to be like this
_________________________
Will Aideen Mara, l...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Who's fucking alarm is going off? I just want to sleep!
The ringing didn't stop. I slowly opened my eyes, glancing at the coffee table where my phone vibrated violently. Someone was calling me.
I held Adrastus's head gently against my chest as I leaned forward to pick up my phone. "Hello, who is this?" I asked in a sleepy voice, rubbing Adrastus's back and closing my eyes again.
"Hello, Mrs. Barone. It's the nurse at Cabinet Peaks Medical Centre. I'm calling regarding Mr. Harrison Barone, your husband—"
"Harrison!" I interrupted her, panic surging through me.
Oh no, something must have happened to him. Tears started to well in my eyes as I poked Christiana awake. She groaned, realizing I was on a call, and sat up, her eyes wide as she noticed my frantic expression. She quickly took Adrastus from my arms.
"Harrison! Is he okay? What happened? Please... don't tell me—"
"Oh no, ma'am. He is more than alright."
I froze, staring at Christiana, who stood in front of me, holding both sleepy boys against her chest as she gently bounced them, keeping them in their deep slumber.
"Mr. Harrison Barone is actually awake—AHHHHHH!"
I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face. I dropped the phone on the floor, curling into a ball, hands over my face, crying tears of joy.
Bruce came running, checking if I was okay after hearing my scream. Christiana squatted beside me, laughing and crying all at once.
She hugged me tight as we both sobbed together. Adrastus and Drystan stirred, looking up at our happy faces with confusion.
"Uhh? Mrs. Barone, are you still there?" the nurse's voice crackled through the phone.
Shit.
I picked up the phone from the floor and pressed it back to my ear. "Yes. I'm here. I'm here," I said, joy radiating from my voice.
"Am I allowed to see him? Can I visit him?" I asked excitedly.
"Yes, of course, Mrs. Barone."
I hung up the phone, adrenaline surging through me. "Christiana, he's alive! I have to go—I need to go now!" I exclaimed, flustered as I dashed around the house looking for my things.
Christiana giggled, her smile infectious. "I'm so happy for you. Go, be safe! I'll be here with the boys."
I grabbed my coat from the counter and hugged Christiana tightly. Adrastus and Drystan sat on the couch, still looking at me in confusion.
I kissed each of them on the head. "I will always love you two boys, forever and ever." They giggled, and I felt a surge of warmth.
After hugging Christiana one last time, I grabbed my keys and rushed out the door.
I hopped into the car and sped down the highway.
It was nearing the end of January in Montana, so winter had fully settled in. The snow wasn't falling heavily, but the weather was still rough.
I was just five minutes away from the hospital when I stopped at a red light a few blocks away. Beautiful white snow floated down from the dark night sky, blanketing the road. I started to cry again, overwhelmed at how close I was to seeing him.
The light turned green, and I pressed my foot on the gas, my engine roaring to life. I had to get to him. The boys needed him; I needed him.
I put the pedal to the metal, driving off. But just as I was getting close, a pair of bright lights flashed in front of me, blurring my surroundings. An incoming car hit me.
My seatbelt snapped as my body collided with something hard, and I felt myself being dragged across the icy asphalt.
A deathly, sharp pain shot down my spine. "Argh!" I screamed, feeling warm liquid trickling down my face. Blood?
Smoke from the engine filled the air, the smell of fire burning in my nostrils.
Everything went black, and I felt so cold.
Everyone says your life flashes before your eyes when you die.
But all I could see was Harrison singing a lullaby to the boys, both of them draped across his chest, drifting off to sleep in the rocking chair in their bedroom.
I told everyone that I loved you. I'm sorry; they knew that before I could tell you again.
To be fair, everyone knew before I even did, too.
I wanted to say it one more time, yet I couldn't even say my last goodbye.
When death takes my hand, I will hold you with the other, wishing to see you in every lifetime.
