CAMILLA

Only fifteen minutes had gone by since Louisa told us who this Ritchie was, but it was like a century. We didn't know –all of us, me, Steven, Georgina and even Louisa- how to react. Happy for the hope we suddenly had or terrified because we didn't know what to expect anymore. But one thing was certain. We were relying on Ritchie and of course on what Will feels for Louisa. This combination, these two people, could save my beautiful son's life. His precious life even though he doesn't think that it's precious since this damn accident.

"Mommy are you feeling okay?"

Georgina said to me. I was pale as much as Louisa was. I know Georgina and Steven pretending to be stronger than us, but I could see the anxiety and this black sadness and fear in their eyes.

"No Georgina, actually I am not. I won't be until I know that my boy has changed his mind"

"Darling… I know ….. I can't say anything right now. I just hope that Will, our baby will understand how much he has in this life. Because I don't know what are we going to do without him"

"Oh mommy, I want him, my big brother to live. I promise we will all make up for the times we made him feel he was facing a cold enviroment way before his accident. My brother has to let us make up to him and show him how deeply we all love him"

I turned to Louisa and she was just looking the three of us, not being able to speak. And then suddenly, she was singing quietly.

"Louisa" I said ….

"Yes Mrs. Traynor?"

"What are you singing dear?"

"The Mallahonkey song. I did that for Will a night he was not feeling well. It's something good. I told him something good. It keeps me calm Mrs. Traynor thinking about that night"

I think that was the time I wanted to take Louisa in my arms. And then suddenly …. We were both trembling in each other's arms. Georgina and Steven were holding each other's hands and I could see tears in their eyes. Steven asked Louisa:

"Louisa do you really think that Ritchie can do something?"

"Mr. Traynor I hope so because I can't even think my life without your son. He will say to him the truth as he sees it as a quad and as it is. That's why I think he can achieve something. But …"

"But what Lou?" Georgina popped in

"But I also know Will as you do. And that's why I am so afraid. Because if Will Traynor decides something, then it's almost impossible to change his mind"

Then I turned to her:

"Yes, Louisa you're right. But don't forget that it was also impossible for Will to feel happy and go out and laugh after his accident. Until you came. Until he fell in love with you"

Steven and Georgina gave me a nod of agreement and Louisa gave me a smile full of hope. And then the door opened and one man stepped in and told us:

"I understand that this must be a difficult time for all of you, but if Mr. William Traynor is ready…. We will give you some more time with him. And if he is really sure about this we should get started in thirty minutes"

Nobody spoke until Steven managed to say a phrase:

"Ok. You can go for now"

"What are we going to do Mr. and Mrs. Traynor? Georgina? Shall I go inside?"

Louisa lost her ability to keep her patience as the rest of us. Fear overwelmed us.

"Just wait. Even the last second is important. We still have thirty minutes for Will to change his plans" Steven said full of love for his son.

"Yes. Yes. Daddy is right. Louisa don't go in yet. We should take advantage even from the last second of these thirty minutes"

Then I said:

"Oh come here my Louisa. We will all stay together as family and pray for our Will that he decides to live"

Tears filled my eyes and then Louisa said as she was looking above, all tearful.

"Please, God, Please, Please, just give him the strength and the will to stay with us. We love him so much. I love him so much"

We were all looking at her , me holding her hand while Georgina and Steven put their hands on my shoulders. I was ready to fall apart for my child. My baby boy. And there we were all of us, looking at that door. Behind that door Will and Ritchie were still talking and we would find out the outcome of this conversation, in about thirty minutes.

"Will, stay with us my love"

Louisa said, shedding tears.

Our lives were about to change forever … in thirty minutes.