Chapter 12
The bedroom was dimly lit but the life that surrounded her was strong. She held their hands, weakly whispering words of love and encouragement as the priest said recited the last rites. Pete stood behind Addison and watched as she kissed Abigail's hand. Molly sat between the two of them holding her mommy's other hand. The scene before him was something you'd expect to see in a painting but the emotion in the room could not be captured with anything other than the actual experience itself. Watching the death of Abigail brought back so many memories for him. He remembered sitting next to his wife, in the exact same position Addison was in and just waiting. There are no words to describe the awaiting of death. It is just what it is; waiting for the suffering to end along with the future dreams of the person who is being taken away so soon. It's almost a relief, but a guilty feeling of relief. Knowing that this person you love is no longer going to suffer but still wishing you could be there in their place. He knew exactly what she was going through and he was glad she called him to be there when it happened. He didn't have anyone there when his wife died because he thought no one would understand. What he didn't realize was that even if they had never experienced that kind of loss, just having someone around to listen would have made things a little easier.
Abigail's breathing became labored and her eyes remained closed. She squeezed the hands of the two people who loved her most in this world and then faded away with one final breath. Addison closed her eyes for a moment, willing herself to imagine the memory of her sister when she was healthy. In the back of her mind, a healthy, vibrate Abigail smiled back at her and waved. Her parents stood on each a side of her and waved as well. The ache in her heart lightened a little with the comforting vision.
Molly looked up at Addison with tears in her eyes, "Is my mommy gone?"
Addison nodded, struggling with the overwhelming rush of finality that had come over her. Death was just that, final. It was the beginning of a new life for those who had passed on but an ending to the joy they brought to their loved ones here on Earth.
Molly's little hand touched her mommy's cheek, "She's going to be the most beautiful angel in Heaven." She pulled herself up to Abigail's face and kissed her forehead. "I love you always and forever mommy." She then laid her little body next to her and hugged her, crying into her shoulder.
Addison wasn't sure what to do at first. She knew that death of a parent was traumatic enough so pulling Molly off of her mommy would probably not be a good idea. She looked over at Pete who appeared grief stricken. She knew that Abigail was very special to him and she was grateful that he rushed over when she called.
Pete shook hands with the priest and walked him to the front door. He figured Addison and Molly would need a few minutes alone.
Addison reached down and gently rubbed Molly's back. "Hey there sweet pea, do you need me to hold you?"
Molly stopped crying for a moment and climbed into Addison's lap, wiping her eyes. "Is she still here Aunt Addie? Can she still hear us?"
She nodded her head, "Yes baby, she can still hear us. She's watching over us now."
As she held Molly close and rocked her gently, she allowed herself the luxury to cry without holding back. There was no longer a need to hold back tears that she couldn't have held back if she tried.