A Second Chance

19

Harper

As much as I am happy that I have my baby girl back, it has been a sad week.

Liz passed away around noon on Tuesday. Ryan took us home Monday night and picked us up Tuesday morning, my car got towed Tuesday morning and Willow talked to Liz on Monday afternoon.

So Olivia and the other nurse, I can never remember her name, stayed near Liz. I managed to get through to Ashlyn Monday, letting her know about her Great Aunt and the only reason I didn't call Ryan was because I knew he was driving. I did send him a text, around the time I knew he would be at the campsite. But he told me he never checked his phone.

Ryan and Ashlyn stayed by Liz's bedside as much as possible and I met her husband, Trent. They were only a two hour drive east from here when I called. They were planning on coming through Tuesday.

I felt weird, sitting in the room with Willow on my lap, Ryan and Ashlyn next to Liz and Trent on the same sofa as me. We were all silent, as Liz took her last breathe.

I gave Ryan his space as he was devastated by the lose of his grandmother. I hadn't told Willow about a possible future but I knew what would most likely happen next.

I worked for Liz. To prepare her dinners. Then she left this world. So with the unfortunate passing of such a lovely lady, I no longer had a job.

I had come prepared, bringing clothes for Willow and I to spend the night because I won't get my car back till tomorrow and I didn't want to interrupt Ryan through his grieving.

When I realised that Liz had passed, I took Willow and left the room, silent tears flowing down my face.

Ashlyn and Trent were staying till the funeral and the preparations were made quickly.

The nurses had left and I farewelled them, Olivia letting me know she added me as a friend on Facebook.

We were all red eyed, swollen cheeks.

Then as the noon dragged to evening, I made dinner. I decided on lasagne because that was the very first meal I made for Liz. I had it cooking at a nice temperature in the oven, doing the salads and vegetables.

I know I'm going to be regretting it, but the lasagne was made with whole milk and cream, not the stuff I use until at the last minute, I made another with lactose free milk.

I had set the table, being very formal, wine glasses, cutlery, the lot. I had white wine in a bucket of ice, red wine next to it and a bottle of scotch because, this is a death day.

Ryan, Trent and Ashlyn came down the stairs, Willow was in the lounge room when Ashlyn said something.

"What is that smell? Oh my. That smells fantastic. My mouth is watering."

"That's Harper's cooking." Ryan said in a sad tone then he popped in to the kitchen. "You're cooking?" He asked me softly and I nodded.

"I'm sorry if you wanted something else, I just thought it was fitting, making the very first meal I made for Liz as our dinner tonight."

Ryan looked over my shoulder, seeing the large dish on top of the oven.

"Lasagne?" His face softened and he wrapped his arms around me. "I love your lasagne's." He said in a whisper before kissing me and letting me go. "Change of plans. We are eating in." He told the others. "Come on, you'll love it."