Bad Omens

Three

The sun shone brightly overhead, melting away the frost that painted the ground. Birds twittered softly as they hopped, branch to branch, examining the auburn leaves that were hanging on with all they had left.

Emma shifted in bed as a knock sounded at her door, not ready to face the day yet.

"Emma? Baby?" her mother asked, entering the room. "Hey, love. You need to get up. We need to be at the hospital in an hour." Emma groaned and flipped over, hiding her head with her pillow. "Is that how it's going to be?" she chuckled softly. "Come on, baby. It's hopefully the last time for a while... You're getting your transplant today."

"Yay," she mumbled sarcastically.

"Up," she demanded, pulling her daughter's blankets away. "Your brother nicely donated his own stem cells for you to get this transplant."

"I know, I know. I'm getting up," she muttered, sitting up slowly.

"Hurry up. We'll get breakfast on our way," she said, walking out of her room.

"I thought I was supposed to fast..." she whispered, getting out of bed and walking over to her closet. Her mother didn't respond and Emma sighed once again. She picked out an outfit quickly before sitting back on her bed. She glanced over at her phone and saw it flashing with the promise of a message. She picked it up and smiled at the line of messages from the boy she had met a few weeks ago.

Hey, Red.

Sorry I haven't messaged... they took my phone.

This is Noah...

By the way...

She laughed lightly before texting a quick response.

I was starting to think you were a figment of my cancer ridden brain.

She sent her response before hopping up, finding a sudden burst of energy in herself. She quickly got ready for the day, grabbing her phone and hurrying downstairs.

"Hey, love," her father said as she stepped into the kitchen. "You look like you're feeling better." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, trying to gauge her temperature. "You ready to go?" Emma nodded in response, taking a deep breath as she thought of her day to come.

"I'm ready," she uttered, feeling as if she was trying to convince herself more than her father.

"I'll see you tonight when you get home," he said softly. "I packed you some snacks for after your treatment incase you get light headed..." Emma let out a soft chuckle as her father handed her a lunch bag.

"Thanks," she laughed. "You always think of everything."

"That's my job. Don't forget your sweater, you tend to get cold while you're at the hospital. Do you have your phone? Your charger? A book? You remembered to pack your 'just in case' bag, didn't you?"

"Dad, I'm fine," she laughed, kissing him on the cheek. "It's going to be alright." He took in a deep breath and nodded in response.

"I know, love," he said hugging her tightly. "I'll see you when you get home."

"You're picking up Jen from practice later, right?" Maurine asked, rifling through her purse.

"Yes, I'll be sure to pick her up. Call me with any updates," he said, handing his wife a lunch.

"I will," she said, pecking him on the lips.

"I love you, have a good day."

"I love you too. I'll see you tonight," she said before ushering Emma towards the door. The hurried out to the car and Emma took in a deep breath, feeling the crisp autumn air seize in her lungs. She smiled at the feeling before getting into her mother's vehicle.