Find Me

30. Death

Josephine knew what was happening to her. She wasn't a idiot and she can feel the pain of her body withering away.

A unfamiliar pain that is unalike her previous pregnancy pain hit her deep in her womb. Twins. She didn't need a ultrasound to know there was two beings growing inside of her. And she also didn't need a doctor to know that she was dying.

When pregnant with Henry; Jo had barely made it out alive. At the time her doctor told her of how fragile her body was with pregnancy and that if she were to give birth to Henry and survive, she definitely wouldn't with the next one. It was a hard pill to swallow, but she had to learn to deal with the inevitable.

She noted to herself how Hero had done such a poor job hiding his secret conversations with the doctor and sneaking crushed pills and vitamins into her drinks and food and how he made sure to take extra good care of her everyday. If she didn't know what was happening then she'd swoon at his thoughtfulness. But in reality, she was angry.

Incredibly angry at Hero for trying to hide this from her. But how angry can she be when she knows she'd do the same?

"Hero," Jo knocks on the door frame of Hero's home office before baring in.

"Baby," Hero quickly stands up and rushes over to her. "What are you doing out of bed? I told you if you needed anything to shout for me." He bends down trying to sweep her into his arms, but she swats his hands away.

"Shut up," she snaps. "I know I'm dying, let's go get married." She grabs his hand and pulls his out to the living room as his jaw is dropped.

Looking out into the backyard Hero sees both their parents, Felix, Kathrine, Henry and a old mysterious man dressed in a tie dyed Grateful Dead shirt with a makeshift white alter.

Still speechless, Jo pulls him down the 'alter' by his hand as Everlong by Foo Fighters plays softly in the background. He'd laugh at the song choice if he weren't so shocked. But as they reach it, the song ends. And a slower, much sadder one starts. Atlas:Hearing by Sleeping At Last.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today," the officiator starts, Hero zones out, only thinking about the woman in front of him who is so close yet so far. "Time for vows, who's goin first?" The old man you looks like a hippy Santa chuckles.

"I will!" Jo is quick to speak up. "Hero. You truly mean more to me than life itself." She starts as a small breeze blows her shimmering hair behind her, putting him in a state of awe. Looking at her he realizes she is in a simple white summer dress while he is only wearing a tee shirt and basketball shorts without any shoes. "There are no words I can say to you to truly explain the way you make me feel. You've stuck by me through the absolute worst and I am eternally indebted to you. You gave me a beautiful son, and a beautiful life. And now a set of twins." Hero gasps.

"No way!" He exclaims.

"Yes way!" She giggles. "I love you, Hero Finnes-Tiffin. Never forget that, please." Tears have built in both of their eyes.

"Jo," he starts, "wow I really got no time to prepare," he laughs before wiping away a tear, "no matter I'll make due. The thought of you is the only thing that has kept me going through all these years. Without you I'd be nothing, just a empty shell. So do me a favor and don't leave, okay?" These words run deeper than anyone around them knows. It's a silent ask. "But even when the day comes that you may have to... I'll never forget you, and the love we share. I'll look to the sky and admire the beautiful sunset you have become. I love you."

The old man chuckles while wiping away his own tears, "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride, my friend." He pats Jo's shoulder.

Hero wastes no time before picking Josephine up in his arms and smashing his lips to hers, seemingly trying to combine their essences. "You mean the world to me," he whispers against her lips, only wanting her to hear.

"I know, soon your world won't have me in it though." She tells him sadly. His face drops, knowing that she knows.

"I know." He responds solemnly. "I'll never stop loving you, baby."
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Three months later on a rainy night, Josephine Finnes- Tiffin was rushed to the hospital by her husband. Labor.

The whole way there cries left her lips as same cries left her sons lips whom was at his grandparents. He didn't know what was happening but he knew something was not right. The night before she had sat down with her son explaining how she'd have to go away for awhile but that she'd see him again some day.

And in the hospital Josephine became quiet after baby number one came out. A small girl name Daisy Evelyn Finnes-Tiffin was born. Her hair was the same golden blonde as her mothers but when her eyes opened they were the same emerald green as her fathers. "Mrs, I'm gonna need you to push... CODE RED CODE RED! PATIENT NOT RESPONDING!" The doctor screams. "EMERGENCY C SECTION NOW!"

Baby boy Atlas Joseph Finnes-Tiffin was born with deep brown hair and no beating heart. His father watched from behind a window with his daughter in his arms as they tried to resuscitate him with failure. Baby boy Atlas Joseph Finnes-Tiffin died the same day he was born.

But what hurt the most is that his mother died too. The last thing her seeing was the green eyes of her husband. The same green ones of her daughter, and single one of her son, and unknowingly the same as her dead son, so in a way, she died looking into all the eyes of the ones she loved the most. She died with a smile on her face knowing she'd see them again.

"NOOOOOO!" A desperate cry was heard from the hallway as it was announced. The baby girl was taken from him as he threw chairs and sobbed against he cold floor as security held him down. "This wasn't supposed to happen," he whimpered.

The next night there was a beautiful sunset.

The end.