Hollow Woods ✔

Family

~Dean~

It was the day after Ex nearly died and we were all on our way to see her and Rhydian.

When we got there, Nurse Mary led us to Rhydian's room. He was walking around and almost looking like himself again. We filled him in on everything and to say he was shocked was an understatement.

We all talked for a long time before the doctor came in and deemed him healthy enough to go home. Nora, being the oldest, signed the discharge papers and once he was changed we walked down to the reception area.

At the reception desk was a group of people, ranging from elders to kids. The adults all had sad looks to them. We walked past them and spoke with the nurse up front.

"Where is Mary?" She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Mary herself.

"Rhydian, I'm glad to see you on your feet." She gave him a warm smile that he returned. "Follow me." She said, directing it to all of us.

We followed her as she walked up to one of the elderly ladies in the big group. The little lady got to her feet with a worried look on her face, a little boy close behind her. We stayed a few steps away to give her and the family space.

"Is she ok? Can we see her?" The lady blurted out question after question and Mary calmed her down.

"Your granddaughter is perfectly fine. Before you go in to see her I would like you to meet a few people." Mary turned and gestured for us to come closer, we did so and I glanced at the lady. "These are Expedita's close friends. Dean, Nora, Sophia, and Rhydian. Kids, this is Ex's family."

I noticed that the elderly lady had the same raven black hair, only hers had strands of grey. An elderly man walked up and stuck his hand out. He had the same eyes as Ex.

"I'm Azzolino, Expeditas grandfather on her father's side. This lady here is Eleonora, her grandmother on her mother's side." I shook his hand before introducing myself.

We chatted for a few seconds when my attention was drawn to the little boy. He tugged on Azzolino's shirt. "Is my mommy really here?" I froze and so did everyone else.

Eleonora saw our shocked faces before she opened her mouth. "This is Zoran, Expedita's son." Sophia looked like she had seen a ghost.

"She told me the baby died at birth." She whispered to herself but everyone heard it.

"He was at our door steps with a note." The little boy looked at Mary.

"Can I see my mommy?"

"If you would all follow me."

We all silently follow her to Ex's room. Mary slid the door open and stepped aside to let us in. Ex was laying flat on the bed, her eyes shut and the heart monitor was normal from what I could tell. She looked at peace.

The four of us let Ex's family pass us. Their faces filled with tears, this is the first time they have seen her in 14 years and for her son this is the first time he's seeing her ever in his life.

"Mommy?" Zoran touched her hand and Ex slowly opened her eyes. "Mommy!" Zoran said, more excited.

Ex turned her head to the side, facing her son. She raised her hand slowly and caressed his cheek. Zoran smiled and leaned into her touch.

"I love you baby." She looked at him lovingly and I felt tears form in my eyes. Ex turned to the rest of her family. "Te amo Omnes." They cried at her words.

Ex turned to look at us. Rhydian, Nora, Sophia, and me. She smiled wide and we walked up to her, taking her hands in ours.

"I love you guys." She focused her attention on Sophia. "Show them where the angels hide."

The heart monitor slowed down and then went flat. Mary quickly called down doctors and rushed us out of the room. I heard everyone around me cry, I heard myself yell out for her once more.

***

We had all been waiting for about an hour until Mary and a doctor walked up to us. Everyone instantly stood up.

"Excuse me for the words that I'm about to say. I'm sorry for your loss." Everything stops for me. "She fought to the very end."

I stared at Mary with an unbelieving look.

~Nurse Mary~

An angry look takes over Dean's face and he pushes past us. We tried pulling him back but to no avail. He stormed into her room and his eyes let a few tears fall, he didn't even try to clear them away. He stepped to her bed and rested his forehead on hers. The girls ran into the room with the rest of Expeditas' family.

"We love you Expedita. Please come back to us." Dean's tears fell onto her face, falling over her cheeks. Rhydian joined in crying with them.

They must have all been close. The pain of losing someone you love, it's a hard thing to get over. It's a hard thing to go through.

I felt a few tears fall over my cheeks, this never gets easier. The other nurse joined me as the doctors rolled the equipment away from the bed.

Dean fisted something in his hand. "I was planning on giving this to you when we graduated but this seems like a good time." He placed a gold chain with a gold ring wrapped in it.

My heart broke for him. I know he isn't into girls but the feeling of loving and then losing so suddenly hurts. He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes, allowing tears to fall down his face.

Everyone was in tears.

They lost someone they loved and that hurts.

The little boy that turned out to be Expeditas' son tugged on my uniform and looked up at me with a sad look.

"Where did my mom go?" My heart broke for him. "Can I speak with my mom?" I couldn't hold back the tear that slipped down my cheek.

"Your mom..." I couldn't find the words.

"She's gone." I turned to face Dean who had a faraway look. He turned to face him. "She couldn't make it to the rest of her life."

"Can you tell me about her?" Dean smiled sadly but nodded his head.

♧♤♧♤

It's my doggo's birthday! He is now officially one year old! 9/29/2020

Also, I guess sorry for the sad chapter.