Sibling Bond

A Shared Dream

A few nights after discovering the time capsule, Ashley had a vivid dream. It felt incredibly real, taking her back to when she was 16. In the dream, she found herself sitting by her mom Lori's bedside, holding her hand tightly. The room was their childhood home, and everything was just as she remembered it, down to the soft light filtering through the curtains and the gentle hum of the fan.
Austin was there too, cradling their mom in his arms. Lori’s face was pale but serene, her eyes full of love and peace despite the pain she was in. Ashley could feel the weight of the moment, the inevitable sadness of saying goodbye, but there was also a profound sense of love and connection.
As she looked at her mom, Lori turned her head slightly and opened her eyes, focusing on Ashley. With a gentle squeeze of Ashley's hand, she spoke softly, her voice filled with warmth and strength.
"I love you, my strong, sweet, brave girl," Lori said, her eyes glistening with tears. "Take care of yourself and your brother. Promise me that you'll always look out for each other."
Ashley nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I promise, Mom. I'll always take care of Austin."
Lori smiled, her gaze shifting to Austin. "And you, Austin, remember to protect your sister and keep her close. You two are stronger together."
Austin, holding back his own tears, nodded. "I will, Mom. I promise."
Lori's eyes softened as she looked back at Ashley. "You both are my greatest joy. Never forget how much I love you."
With those words, Lori closed her eyes, her breathing slowing until it finally stopped. Ashley felt a deep, aching sadness but also a sense of peace, knowing that her mom’s last moments were filled with love.
Ashley woke up with a start, her heart heavy yet full. She lay in bed for a few moments, letting the dream's vividness wash over her. It felt so real, as if her mom had truly been there, speaking to her from beyond.
The next morning, Ashley found Austin in the kitchen, making coffee. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to share her dream with him.
"Austin, I had the most vivid dream last night," she began, sitting down at the table.
Austin looked up, curiosity and concern in his eyes. "What was it about?"
"It was about Mom," Ashley said softly. "I was 16 again, sitting by her bedside, holding her hand while she lay there in your arms."
Austin’s expression softened. "I had a dream like that not too long ago," he said, setting his coffee mug down. "What did she say to you?"
Ashley took a deep breath. "She told me she loved me and called me her strong, sweet, brave girl. She asked me to take care of myself and you, to always look out for each other."
Austin’s eyes filled with tears. "She told me something similar. She wanted us to stay strong and be there for each other."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared experiences bringing them even closer. It felt as though their mom had reached out to them both, reinforcing the bond that she had always cherished.
"I think she's still watching over us," Ashley said finally. "Making sure we remember what's important."
Austin nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I think so too. It’s like she’s reminding us that we're not alone and that we have each other."
They embraced, feeling the strength of their shared love and the unbreakable bond their mom had left them. Despite the sadness of her loss, they found comfort in knowing that Lori’s spirit was always with them, guiding and protecting them.
Later that day, they decided to visit their mom’s favorite spot by the beach. They brought flowers and sat by the water, sharing stories and memories of her. As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the waves, they felt a sense of peace and connection.
"Mom would love this," Ashley said, her voice soft.
"She would," Austin agreed. "And she'd be happy to see us keeping our promises to her."
As they sat there, watching the sunset, they knew that no matter what challenges they faced, they would always have their mom’s love and each other. Their bond, forged through shared dreams and memories, was stronger than ever.
And in that moment, they felt her presence, a comforting reminder that love transcends time and space, forever binding them together.