Hey everyone, sorry about the wait.
Here's chapter 29
*Alex's POV*
The week had passed in a blurr of tears and hospital visits. Mom was deteriorating by the day, and it broke my heart every single time I stepped foot into the ICU. Her two weeks was coming to an end, and the reality had started to set in for us all. Trent had grown quiet, Dad couldn't speak, and me; well I had completely lost my appetite. Nate and Annie were great, they really were. In truth, we were lucky to have them. Nate remained the caring and attentive boyfriend he had been from the very start, even when I was a complete bitch to him, which was fast becoming normality. I felt terrible for it, but at the same time I just couldn't help it. I was so frustrated at the world and I had to take it out on someone. I chose him because deep down I knew that no matter how much shit I gave him, he'd always be there for me, just like he'd promised so many times.
Annie had been Trent's rock through the whole thing. She loved my big brother so much. The way she had comforted and stuck by him made my heart swell in my chest. Two of the most important people in my world were happy together, even in hard times, and I hoped they always would be. I had never much believed in the concept of soulmates, but as I watched my best friend kiss my brothers tears away, the idea didn't seem too hard to believe in.
We were all struggling, that much was apparent, but it was my dad I really felt sorry for. While Trent and I had our rocks, his was battling her last days. It just didn't seem right. He tried to put on a brave face; a gesture I knew was for our benefit; but as the sparkle faded from my mother's eyes and her memory of each of us dwindled, I could see his heart shattering, feel it even. I couldn't even begin to imagine how he felt. I mean, sure she was my mother, but I'd never had the relationship he did with her. This was the woman who owned his heart, the one he had spent every possible moment with, whom he had worked his entire life to keep happy - the one who kept him happy. It just didn't bare thinking about.
It was Sunday evening. All of us had crowded round mom's hospital bed, just like we had done for almost two weeks, through the good days and the not-so-good days. Today was a good day. Her movements had become more forced, almost as if they were happening in slow motion, and her speech had taken on a low, raspy slurr, but nonetheless she cracked some awful joke that had us all laughing. I loved how she remained in such good spirits despite the gravity of the situation; I admired it. It was moments like this that made me realise just how strong in character my mother was, and the same moments made me regret all the time we'd wasted. Time we could have shared together, whether it be doing something important or trivial. I had never wanted to spend quality time with my mother more. Unfortunately, time was the one thing my mother did not have.
It was approaching 10pm and visiting hours were coming to an end. This was the time of day I hated even more than entering the ICU, because it was when realisation would really set in and I was left wondering if it was the last time I'd ever see my mother; the last time I'd tell her I loved her and hear her say it back. It was around this time every evening when the room would go quiet, when each of us would retreat back to the dark recesses of our own thoughts. We sat in silence, none of us knowing what to say, until the door creaked open and in came a friendly-faced nurse we had all come to know as Mabel. She was a small, plump lady in her early 60s. Her greying hair sat perched in a tight, neat bun atop her head, while her chocolate eyes shone with warmth and friendliness. She was a kind old lady who had shown the my family nothing but love, care and support, and we would be forever grateful for everything Mabel had done for us.
"I'm sorry, dearies, but I'm afraid it's that time again." Mabel informed, her voice soft and apologetic as she directed her gaze at the youngsters in the room. "How about I give you guys a few minutes to say goodnight to your mom?"
"Thanks, Mabel", I replied, my voice scratchy, watching as she retreated from the room, closing the door gently behind her.
Trent was the first to move. With two strides he had made his way across the room and bent himself over my mother's hospital bed. His arms wound around her and I could see his body shake with tears as he whispered in her ear about how much he loved her and how he'd see her soon. He tried his hardest to sound convincing, but we all knew he didn't even believe it himself. Nate and Annie were up next. They said their goodbyes all too quickly, because before I knew it, it was my turn.
"Would you give Alex and me a minute?" mom questioned weakly, turning her head towards the others.
"Sure." my dad nodded, "Come on kids, lets wait out in the hall."
The door closed and the room took on an eerie silence. We both looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity and I felt as though my heart would spontaneously combust from the pent-up emotion I was feeling. I couldn't decipher what it was exactly. It was indescribable to anything I'd ever experienced before. I was angry, I was sad, upset and hurt, but yet I felt empty and hollow at the same time. I just didn't understand. The chatter in the room had allowed me to ignore it, to focus on something besides the pain, but now as the silence loomed around me, there was no hiding from it anymore. The dam broke and tears streamed in rivulets down my face.
"Ssh, Alex." mom cooed, her voice soft and raspy, "Come here, baby. Don't cry."
I did as I was told and moved to my mother's bed, seating myself on the side and curling my body into hers. She rubbed circles in my back, comforting me and telling me not to cry, that she loved me and that I would always be her little girl. I knew she was trying to make me feel better, but each word sent daggers through my heart and before I knew it my body was shaking violently as sobs racked through every inch of my body.
"I.. I'm.. S-so sorry, mom." I choked out through my tears, "I'm s-sorry for everything. I- I love you so much."
"I love you too, Alex."
The hand stilled on my back and a loud, continuous beep sounded from across the room. The door opened and in rushed my dad, brother, best friend, and love of my life. A team of doctors followed behind them, but nobody moved an inch. The beep seemed to get louder, but the reasonable side of my brain told me it was just my imagination. Couldn't they hear it? Why were they just standing there, letting her die?
"Do something!" I yelled, before turning to my father, "Dad, make them do something! Tell them."
He walked towards me, tears brimming in his eyes, and wrapped his arms around me. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead as he whispered. "She's happy now. She's happy."
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