In The Darkest Hour

Part Two - Chapter Twenty-Five: A Father's Wisdom

"So you and madre split," Isla mused sitting down next to her father's hospital bed, it had been over two weeks since Theodore had suffered his heart attack and the doctors were pleased with his recovery. 

Isla had spent a lot of time with her father, she was surprised to hear that he was no longer living with her mother; she was curious about what had happened between them. 

Theodore nodded his head while he enjoyed his lunch, he was glad that Isla had brought him something to eat; the hospital food was terrible and he was starving. 

"I couldn't stay after what she did," Theodore said with a shake of his head, he had no idea who Tracy was anymore and he knew that the stories that covered the front pages now were all down to her. 

Isla had done her best to ignore the trouble that her mother was attempting to cause, she knew that Gerard wasn't cheating on her and she trusted him while she was here in Barcelona. 

Gerard had been so wonderful and Isla knew that he was glad that she was talking with her father, things were getting better and the doctors thought he would be able to go home next week if things went well. 

"I want you to be happy Isla," Theodore said levelling a look at his daughter, he knew that things were tense right now but all that really mattered to him was that Isla was happy even if it was with Gerard. 

Isla smiled at him, she really hoped that in time her father could see that Gerard wasn't that bad; he had made a mistake but the entire situation had been so messed up. 

"I am padre," Isla said messing with her engagement ring, she couldn't wait to get married and she hoped that things would have settled down by then; she didn't want things to spiral again. 

Theodore watched Isla, he didn't know why he had got the feeling that he wasn't going to be lucky enough to see Isla get married; he smiled at her knowing that he wouldn't say that to her, he didn't want to worry her.

"Then that is all that matters," Theodore said smiling at Isla, he could still remember the day that the midwife had placed her in his arms; it was the moment that his life changed forever and there would be no taking that back. 

Isla was always going to be his little girl and he only wanted what was best for her, Theodore couldn't imagine what was going through Tracy's mind anymore but he doubted that there was any way to repair the damage that had been done. 

"Kieran is coming by later," Isla said changing the subject, she was glad that her brother had arrived since it stopped her from strangling their mother; she hated that Tracy was still trying to ruin things for her when she was so happy. 

"That's good," Theodore said shifting a little, he could feel a bit of a headache coming on and he guessed it was the awkward lighting that was in the room; he couldn't wait to get home and relax. 

Isla peeked at the clock, she wasn't going to be able to stay long but she would be back later that night; she was going to bring him some dinner since she didn't want him to starve. 

"What do you fancy for dinner?" Isla asked getting to her feet, Theodore looked like he could do with a nap and she didn't blame him with all the medication that he was on. 

Theodore smiled tiredly at Isla, he was glad that they had this chance to make up and he knew that it had been for the best; he wanted nothing more than to make things better. 

"Surprise me," Theodore replied as Isla kissed his cheek, she said her goodbyes before she head out of the hospital room and planned what she would bring him for dinner.

***

Isla smiled as she walked into the hospital carrying dinner for her father, she'd had a shower before coming and had changed into a mint basic T-shirt and straight leg jeans since she had dropped some sauce down her clothes. 

Isla frowned at the sight of her brother, she had no idea what he was still doing here since she knew that he'd had plans; he looked distressed and she wondered what had happened. 

"Kieran?" Isla asked concerned hurrying over to her brother, her mind racing with everything that could have happened; she wondered for a moment if their mother was causing trouble again. 

Tracy had been taken off the visitors list since Theodore had made it clear that he didn't want her hanging around; he was determined not to be pulled into her drama while he was lying in a hospital bed. 

"It happened so quickly," Kieran whispered as Isla set down her bag and made him sit down, he was in shock and that didn't seem like a good sign; he was shaking like a leaf and she wanted nothing more than to calm him. 

Isla looked around trying to find someone that could tell her exactly what was going on, she didn't want to upset her brother more than needed. 

"He was complaining of a headache... then he just had a seizure," Kieran whispered with tears on his eyes, he couldn't shake the imagine from his mind and he doubted he would ever forget. 

Isla felt her stomach twist, she didn't like this and she dreaded to think of what had happened while she had been gone; she was a nurse and he had seemed completely fine to her. 

The sight of a doctor stepping out of her father's room, he looked around before his eyes landed on Kieran and Isla before he made his way over to them with a solemn expression. 

"I am sorry. We did everything that we could," the doctor said softly, this was his least favourite thing to do but there had been nothing that he could have done to save Theodore's life.

***

Gerard looked at his phone, it was late and he had been expecting Isla's call hours ago since she had promised to call him; he was worried that something might have happened while she was in Barcelona. 

"Isla?" Gerard asked hopefully answering his phone, he peeked at the clock and tried to ignore the worry; it was well after midnight and it wasn't like Isla to forget to call him. 

Gerard would have done anything to be there with her but Manchester United weren't going to let him leave for a hospital visit; he just had to wait for Isla to come home to him. 

"Madre. What is going on?" Gerard questioned when his mother's voice greeted him, this did not make him feel better that he wasn't hearing from his fiancée. 

Gerard had insisted that Isla stayed in Barcelona for as long as she needed to, he didn't want to pull her away when her father needed her; he could handle all the stupid rumours that Tracy was trying to start. 

Montserrat slowly explained to Gerard how Theodore had suffered a brain aneurysm earlier that evening and hadn't made it; the hospital had done everything that they could but it had been much too late to save him. 

"Is Isla okay?" Gerard asked trying to wrap his head around what was going on, he couldn't believe that Theodore was gone and he knew that Isla would be devastated at his death. 

Gerard pushed the covers away from him, he needed to get to Barcelona and he knew that Manchester United would give him leave; he couldn't leave Isla to suffer alone. 

It seemed so strange for Gerard to think about and he knew that he had to be there for Isla; she needed him now more than ever and he could only imagine what was going to happen now with Tracy.

###

Author's Note:

Box of tissues anyone???