For Life

Part 33

"Oh God" Ant exclaimed.

"This is my fault" Dec wept "I caused this,I made her so stressed that she had a stroke"

"No,you didn't" Ant insisted "it probably would have happened anyway"

"Would it?" Dec cried unconvinced "isn't it a well known fact that stress can cause strokes?"

"I don't know" Ant sighed as he held Dec tight.

"Well,I do" Dec sobbed "it's all because of me,Camelia basically said that,I'm a horrible person and they're all going to hate me now"

"No,they're not" Ant insisted "everyone is just scared and upset and worried about your mum,no one hates you and I'm sure Camelia will regret what she said...if that's even what she meant,which I doubt"

"We need to get to the hospital" Dec whispered.

"Which one?" Ant enquired.

"I don't know yet" Dec frowned "Dad is going to let me know"

"Okay" Ant smiled sympathetically,while wrapping his arms around a distraught Dec "I'm sure we'll hear from him soon"

"I tell you one thing" Dec stated "I'm never,ever going to do anything impulsive again,this holiday was a stupid idea and look what its caused"

"You can't think like that Dec" Ant sighed "there's nothing wrong with having a holiday...on your birthday or at any other time and nobody could have foreseen what has happened with your mum,please stop beating yourself up about this,none of it is your fault"

Dec stayed silent in Ant's arms and Ant knew that he hadn't convinced him that he wasn't at fault here,but there wasn't a lot else he could do to persuade him.

But Ant hated that Dec now had the weight of this on his shoulders as well as everything else and was angry with Camelia for making him feel this way.

She of all people should know better,but Ant obviously knew that she was suffering and upset too,so couldn't stay angry with her for very long,they all needed to be united to get through this,not at loggerheads with each other,Anne was their priority right now,nothing else.

Once Fonsey let Dec know which hospital Anne had been taken to,he and Ant were about to make their way there,when Dec stopped suddenly.

"What about all these flowers?" He asked sadly.

"You want to bring them with us?" Ant frowned.

"No" Dec shook his head "that wouldn't be very practical,they'd die anyway"

"I know..." Ant smiled "how about we ask the hotel staff to put them in other rooms or in reception,then at least someone will get some enjoyment out of them"

"Yeah" Dec nodded "it's a shame though,Mum obviously wanted me to have them"

"I know baby" Ant sighed.

The hospital was a good few hours drive from where they were staying,so Dec was desperate to get going.

Even though he would never have put it into words,Dec was terrified that Anne might not make it and he would lose her before he even had a chance to say goodbye.

"I'm sure she'll be okay" Ant stated,as he drove,seemingly reading Dec's thoughts.

"She has to be" Dec whispered.

A few hours later they finally arrived at the hospital where Dec's family had gathered.

"Hi Son" Fonsey smiled and hugged Dec warmly.

"Hi Dad" Dec replied quietly,while falling into his dad's loving embrace.

"You okay?" Fonsey asked.

Dec nodded sadly.