♡Lily's World/omb-Oscar Diaz♡

♡Capitulo Treinta y Ocho: Double Rainbow♡

Mini's POV

I stumbled into the waiting room, my legs barely holding me up. The weight of what just happened pressed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe. My hands shook as I pulled Lily close, then carefully lifted Normita out of her car seat carrier, tears spilling freely.

"He died at midnight... in my hold, just like he wanted," I said softly, my voice breaking. "His last words were that he loved me. He died in his sleep—no pain."

I buckled them into their car seats, then slid into the backseat between them, my fingers brushing their tiny hands. Outside, rain blurred the windows. My gaze caught something — a bright, shining arc spanning the sky.

"Look, girls," I whispered, voice thick, "There's a double rainbow."

Ray's hand rested gently on my knee. I looked over to see his eyes shining with tears.
"Mija, we're staying the week with you. You're not going through this alone."

I nodded but didn't answer. My eyes were fixed on the colors outside, the impossible beauty and promise in that sky.

Later, I carried Normita, so tiny and fragile, and laid her softly in her crib. Lily settled on Oscar's side of our bed, curled beneath a blanket. Her eyes met mine.

"Mommy," she said quietly, "Is it okay to feel happy that Daddy's not in pain, but sad because he died?"

I rubbed her back gently, wiping away the tears that slipped down her cheek.
"Baby, that is perfectly okay. Mommy feels the same way. And anytime you want to talk about him, you can talk to me, or any of us."

She nodded and slowly drifted to sleep.

I pulled one of Oscar's old flannel shirts over my shoulders and went to the kitchen to get some water, the quiet of the house pressing in around me.

A soft knock startled me. I opened the door to see Flaca and Tony standing there, concern etched on their faces.

"The girls just went to sleep," I said, voice barely steady. "The morgue called—Oscar's ashes should be ready by Monday. They're making little boxes for the girls and a heart pendant for me. The rest will be spread in the ocean, like we wanted."

I paused, swallowing hard. "I called the bank. Everything is set for me to manage. I talked to Dwayne too—Oscar had the party all paid for, just needs a day set."

Flaca stepped forward, wrapping her arms around me before I could say another word.

"Mini... mana, we're all here for you and the girls. You can't carry all this alone. You just lost your husband."

The dam broke. I crumpled against her, unable to speak, tears flowing freely as her warmth held me together.

Flaca's POV

I watched Tony fetch a blanket and gently rub Mini's back as she let the grief pour out of her. Her body shook, and I held her as tightly as I could.

She looked up at me, eyes wet and raw.
"When I went in the bathroom and found his shaver and toothbrush... that was the breaking point."

I kept rubbing her back, whispering softly,
"Sweetheart, it just happened. Your heart is still hurting. Tony and I have been watching you all day—you keep going and going, never letting yourself really grieve. Lily called us last night, asking if she and Normita could come for the weekend."