Javier Delavega November 2079
It has been fifty three years since Luis was born. In the last fifty three years, a lot has happened. Gran and Abuelita died five years Luis was born. They were in a car crash. They were hit by a truck that ran a red light. They were found still holding hands. Mom took it hard but she was comforted knowing they died together.
Ten years after we lost Gran and Abuelita, Abuela passed peacefully in her sleep. Mom and Dad were supposed to meet her for brunch. When she never showed, Mom went over and found her. Dad missed her terribly but knew she was happy with Abuelo.
A month later, Auntie Angie and Mari had just adopted a sweet ten year old girl named Abigail. Abigail had been living in a home with an abusive drunk mother. She was a distance cousin of Angelica and they took the girl in. It took Abby a few years, but she eventually accepted us as her family.
Uncle Jaime married, oddly enough, a woman named Lilliana. She is a teacher like Abuela was. She teaches high school science. They ended up having four kids. They had twin daughters, and two sons.
I grew up and became a prosecutor in the DA's office. I married the love of my life when I was 29. We have four amazing sons and five beautiful granddaughters. I adore my wife Emma.
Iris grew up to become a music teacher like mom. She married, had two children, but divorced when her husband cheated on her.
Iris is a doctor. She is a single mother with two children.
Cami is a lawyer like dad. She runs her own office now. She is married with five children.
Luis is married with seven children. Him and his partner married after he finished college. Both men work in the same architectural firm. They had four children with the help of a surrogate and adopted three other kids.
Daniel became a bank teller. He never married or had children. Growing up, he never showed interest in men or women. He was diagnosed with autism at age seven and always claimed he never understood people.
Eleven years ago, we lost Daniel. Three people robbed the bank. Daniel panicked, which causes one of the men to shoot him. He lived long enough for us to say goodbye. His loss crushed mom and dad. Since his death, mom was never the same. A light dimmed inside her. She was still an amazing mom and grandma, but she always looked sad. We think that is why it took us longer to notice something was wrong when she first started to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. We all accredited it to her grief.
Ten years ago, mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Five years ago, dad hired a full time nurse. Last year, they moved into a nursing home. Dad refused to live apart from his wife. Mom is in a different ward, but dad goes to see her and spends everyday with her. The doctors say she has a year left, if we are lucky.
"Javi, Love, are you ready to go? Your siblings will be waiting for us."
I walk over and kiss Emma. "Ready as I will ever be."
"I know it's not easy for you to see your mom like that. She always recognizes you, even if she doesn't realize you are her son."
"Hopefully, this time, she doesn't think I am the man who kidnapped her. At least know, I know who my biological father is. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but I know."
"It doesn't matter who your biological father is. What matters is who your dad is. He is waiting for us."
When we get to the nursing home, dad is the one to greet us.
"Hi Dad!" Camilla says, hugging dad tight.
"Hi Babygirl. Happy late birthday!"
"Thanks. How is Mom today?"
"She is having an amazing day so far. I would almost say she is lucid. I have been waiting for you guys to get here to be sure."
"Really?" I ask hopeful.
He nods and leads us to Mom's room. I walk over and take her hand.
"Hi mom, how are you feeling?" I ask, kissing her cheek.
"Javier, my sweet boy. You've gotten old!" She says suprised.
I laugh and kiss her hand. "I am 68 mom. I am almost 69."
"Hi Mom!" Iris and Cami say at the same time.
"My beautiful girls!"
They hug her, Cami crying.
"Baby, why are you crying?"
"Mommy, this is the first time you have recognized me in over a year."
"Oh!"
"Usnavi, Babe, where are Luis and Daniel?"
"Luis is on his way. He got caught in traffic. He should be here any moment. Daniel he... he had a business trip to Japan. He said he will call if he can." Dad says.
I look at him and dad shakes his head. Clearly mom doesn't remember what happened. I hear Iris's breath hitch but she doesn't cry like the mention of Daniel usually makes her do.
"That's disappointing." Mom says sadly.
"Mom, it's okay. He text me just a little while ago and told me to tell you how much he loves you," Cami says.
Mom smiles but still looks sad.
"Hi mom," Luis says, rolling up in his wheelchair.
"Hi Baby, I'm so happy you made it. Why are you in your wheelchair? What happened?"
"I fell about eight years ago and broke my hip. They replaced it but it still causes me a lot of pain if I walk too much. I also have arthritis in my wrist and shoulders. The wheelchair makes more sense," he says standing up to hug and kiss Dad and then mom.
"I'm sorry baby. I hope your not in too much pain."
Luis sits down and takes mom's hand. "I'm okay. Should we go out to the rec room and celebrate Camilla's birthday."
Mom smiles and dad helps her up.
For about two hours, mom smiles and we talk like old times. I still see a bit of sadness in mom's eyes, but she has the brightest smile. Around four, mom starts to get tired.
"Guys, I think mom needs a nap."
"Okay. We will all be back with our families at different times this week," Iris says.
My siblings all kiss mom and dad, and then leave. When it is my turn to hug mom, I don't want to let go.
"I love you so much mom!"
She kisses my brown and strokes my hair. "I love you too Javier. I will see you later."
I kiss Mom's cheek and then do the same to day.
"Love you son."
"Love you too Dad. I will see you later."
The next morning, I wake up early to my phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Mr Delavega, this is nurse Pleaton from the George Washington Retirement home. I'm afraid I have some bad news. This morning, when the nurse when to check in on your mom, they found her deceased in her bed along with your father."
"What?" I ask, still half asleep, half not believing what I am hearing."
"I'm sorry Mr Delavega. Both of your parents have died. He slept in there because she was having such a good night. We believe he woke up in the middle of the night, found she had passed and he passed not long after. There was a tear stain where he lay."
"Oh... okay. I will be there in a little while to start making arrangements. Thank you for calling."
"I'm sorry for your family's loss Mr Delavega."
"Thank you," I say, voice cracking.
When I hang up, I drop my face in my hands and cry. After a little while, I feel Emma's hand on my back.
"Javi, Love, what's wrong?"
"They're gone."
"Who's gone Javier?"
"My parents."
Emma doesn't ask any questions. She just holds me and lets me cry.
When I calm, she kisses me gently.
"At least they died together," I say. "Neither one could really live without the other."
