Dying Wish

Chapter 24

Aubrey didn't leave Laura's side knowing that she might be breathing her last few breaths. Neither did Andrew and Tobias, although they occasionally had to exit to take care of quick tasks. Aubrey also called Steven to let him know of Laura's condition.

"My plane won't make it there until four pm tomorrow," Explained Steven frantically. "Do you think she will hold out until then?"

"Hard to say," sighed Aubrey. "If anyone can pull through something, she can, but you can only pull through so many times."

"I'll get out of the airport as soon as possible," said Steven, knowing that was all he could do.

Aubrey agreed and told him that she would keep him up to date on Laura's condition.

After hanging up on the phone, she returned from the hallway back into Laura's hospital room.

Laura's eyes were barely open and her body was limp. It was strange to see her full of life daughter so full of death.

"How are you, baby?" Asked Aubrey.

Laura replied only with a groan and a weak, "Not well."

Afraid, Aubrey glanced at Andrew and Tobias, who only solemnly shook their heads confirming that Laura hadn't been feeling well for a while. Aubrey only sadly hung her head in response, losing hope. She sat in the seat next to Andrew and he put his arm around her and squeezed to give her some comfort. She supposed it did, but nothing could ease the pain of watching her daughter slowly deteriorate.

Andrew was losing his "daughter" right before his eyes. They weren't flesh and blood related, or even legally, but she still loved him as a daddy and he still loved her as a daughter. He remembered when she would pick little flowers in the grass and give them to him and her mom. "I got you flowers!" She would proudly proclaim.

She would also have tea parties and specially invite him and Aubrey to attend, making invitations and all. "You know, I have been in the mood for tea lately," he would tell her and her giant smile. As expected, Andrew would dress as a prince, and Laura would be a princess. Aubrey would usually just wear a decent dress, calling herself the queen.

Andrew did everything in his power to make his little girl feel special and loved. He never wanted her to go a day doubting her worth, and he made sure that she didn't.

He remembered when she turned thirteen, super excited to be a teenager. Frankly, Andrew and Aubrey were excited that she made it that long at all.

He also sadly remembered her wish to get her license, but her declining request for it knowing that she couldn't ever drive anyway. She was too sick, too close to death.

Andrew truly wished she would get to take that step. He then also wished he would get to see her get married. He envisioned a handsome man standing at the altar, watching his daughter in awe. He could almost feel her petite little arm around his as they floated down the aisle. He imagined the difficultly, but also the joy of giving his girl away to another man.

He also imagined the day she announced her first pregnancy, making a big surprise. He would be a grandpa. They would throw a baby shower for her and obviously attend her gender reveal party.

Eventually the baby would be born, and they would cradle it. Andrew would get to babysit for her and have quality time with his grandchild.

No. He wasn't ready to let Laura go. Not after pondering the future that lay ahead of them. The future of a non-sick, not dying Laura. He then prayed and asked God to give her a long, full life. Little did he know God would answer that prayer with a "yes," but not in a way he expected.