May 22nd, 2029
I hung up the phone with a slam, rushing to the nearby table, running a hand through my hair. I took a few deep breaths before breaking out into sobs. She was only 36. I laid my head against to cool marble of the counter, wiping away my streaming mascara.
"Mum?"
I looked up to face Harry, my precious boy who was already 14, and sighed. He ran towards me, hugging me tightly. I pressed my face into his shoulder as a smaller pair of arms joined the hug, Emilie. I sobbed into his school blazer until I couldn't cry anymore. I pulled away and led them to the sofa, looking into their distressed faces. It hurt me to see them like this. Especially Harry, who was a clone of his father, and Emilie, my sweet 10 year-old who was wiping away tears.
"I know how hard it has been, for everyone, with Aunt Dani's ongoing cancer battle. Four years of a struggle. I want you two to know something, her strugge has ended. She passed away this morning." I whispered the end, watching my children cry.
"It's okay to feel lost, confused, and upset. I know it seems impossible now, but she would want us happy." I said, hugging them both as they pressed their curls into my shoulders.
"Where's daddy? What about Uncle Li?" Emilie asked as they pulled away.
"You dad is over with him now, and he is alright. We need to just pray for them and for Brayden, he is about your age, Harry, 15." I replied. They nodded slowly.
"I want you two to put your things away, we're going to Liam's." I said. They nodded, rushing off to put away their schoolbags, jackets, and textbooks in their rooms.
I picked up the phone on the second ring. It was Harry, but I heard Liam's snuffles in the background.
"How'd they take it?" he whispered.
"A few tears. We'll be over soon, how's Liam? Brayden?" I whispered.
"Wrecks. I gotta go. See you in a second." he rushed, hanging up quickly.
The kids came in somberly and we walked across the too-silent street to the house of Liam. Dani's car was still in the driveway, along with her yoga mat in the backseat and an empty coffee cup. I knocked on the door and Harry opened it quickly. Emilie and Harry hugged their dad quickly before we walked inside. I could tell Liam was a mess before I even saw him, a sink full of dishes, six teacups on the counter, half eaten toast on the top of the fridge. I pushed the children ahead, cringing. I walked down the hall towards the living room after Harry took the kids ahead, allowing me to make sure I was mentally prepared to see Liam like this. I stepped ahead, walking into the nearest room, Brayden's.
I stepped over the piles of clothes and food wrappers before sitting on his bed. I began to cry, letting out the emotion I had been hiding from the kids. I stepped on someting and looked down, a picture of Danielle holding a small Brayden and standing next to me, my stomach large and pregnant. I wiped away a few tears as someone cleared their throat.
I looked up to face Brayden, tall and muscular. His wavy hair was messy across his head and his deep brown eyes only looked at me with sadness and pity, as if I was the one who lost my mother.
"Oh Bray, I'm so sor--"
"Don't say it. Sorry, don't say it." he cut me off, sitting next to me on the bed next to me. He took the picture from my hands, smiling at it before sitting it next to an empty glass on his nightstand.
"Are you okay?" I asked, stroking his hair. He nodded, giving me a sad smile.
"Everyone keeps asking me that, or giving me an apologetic look, as if it was their own fault! I don't think anyone understands I am happy, as sick as that might sound. She spent five years battling cancer, and she was strong the entire way. She never told anyone but me how hard it got towards the end, and how she didn't want to fight it anymore. She was ready to go, Aunt Bri. She tried so hard to make you all think she was fine, but she is happy now, I can tell. She knew it was her time too, she told me. She tried to tell dad, but he only got upset. But not me, I know this is what she wanted and this is just how it should have happened, and as much as everyone thinks I should be a mess and upset, I'm not!" he sighed. I wiped away a few tears, feeling as if a few tons were lifted off my shoulders.
