Fading {Book Two of The Descendants series}

Chapter Eleven

"What's wrong with Grandma?" Julia shouted bursting into the waiting room.

"She had a heart attack," Aira said gently.

"Is she okay?!"

"She went into emergency surgery because they couldn't get her heart to start again," Aira said tearfully. "We think she may have a clogged artery. They are going in to do a bypass surgery."

Lloyd was staring out the window with his arms crossed. He was visibly upset which wasn't normal. Julia had always remembered her dad as a man trying to hide his feelings for his kids sake.

"Is Dad doing okay?" She mouthed to her mom.

"No, he is not okay," Aira said shaking her head.

"Where is Grandpa?" Julia asked.

"He asked to go back with Grandma," Lloyd said not taking his eyes away from the window.

"They let him?" Julia asked with surprise.

"They didn't have much of a choice," Lloyd said almost harshly. "No one says no to the Green Ninja. I got him back there."

Julia's eyes widened at her dad's harsh tone but she could hardly blame him for it. He loved his mom very much so it was understandable.

"When can we see her?" Kyle asked softly.

"I'm not sure," Lloyd said shaking his head grimly.

"Where is Xavier, Haden, and Jacqueline?" Julia asked.

"We sent them home," Aira said walking over to Lloyd. She reached up and brushed some loose hair away from his scar. "It will be a while before we know anything."

"It would be helpful to the others if you two could go back to the monastery and keep things together," Lloyd said with a softer tone this time.

"But-" Julia started.

"Let's do what your dad asked," Kyle said taking her hand. "They'll call us when they know something."

"Okay," Julia said after a few moments of silent reluctance. Kyle led her out of the room leaving just Lloyd and Aira.

"Talk to me Lloyd," Aira said gently.

"I don't want to loose my mom," Lloyd said.

"No one ever does," Aira said.

"I should've seen it though," Lloyd said. "She was tired all the time and pale and complained of chest pains."

"When are you going to learn to stop blaming yourself for everything," Aira said putting her hands on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked at her as she spoke. "This can happen to anyone and it is no one's fault."

"I-"

"Don't blame yourself," Aira said. "She is getting older you know and so are we. We are lucky to still have her."

"It was just Mother's Day," Lloyd said softly. "I wonder if I actually took the time to appreciate her or it was just another day to me."

"Mr. Garmadon," a nurse in a white face mask said from the door.

"Yes," Lloyd asked looking at her face searchingly.

"I'm sorry," the nurse said softly. "She didn't pull through."

Lloyd stood there stunned. He didn't feel anything. He was numb. Aira took his hand and squeezed it. She realized that Lloyd didn't need meaningless words right now. He just needed her presence and time to think. This was going to be very hard for everyone.