The sun rose with the sound of two voices competing for the highest volume. It was a battle between the strongest of two people, the veins in the neck protruding as their sound traveled throughout the house. "Owen, they have a right to know, a right to say goodbye and to enjoy the time they have left with her. I know you want to be their soldier and protect them from any pain or any sorrow, but you can't. You can't shut them out from the world, from all the real world has to offer even if you know it'll break their hearts. If we don't expose them to something like this, they'll resent us, Madison will resent us because she knows a lot more than we think. It's never going to feel right, it's going to destroy us to see the looks on their faces when they find out." Amelia ranted, blood rushing to her face as she spat out her case.
"I-I just want them to stay innocent and safe for as long they can...I know, it's wrong and idiotic and cruel, but how are we supposed to explain that their grandmother is dying. Someone who they worship completely, that the universe is going to rip her away from them for no reason at all. I-I have served in the army, as a soldier and a surgeon, and I've felt physical pain. This, this is the worst kind of pain I've even experienced because I can't do anything to help my mother, all I can do is sit back and watch her whither away. I don't wish that on anyone, especially not my children." Owen spoke, his voice strained by the tears that tumbled from his emerald eyes. Her hand reached up to stroke his cheek, his soul finding comfort in her warmth. His head nuzzled into her palm, her fingers gently tugging his mane upwards. Their eyes met, the overwhelming weakness evident in his shattered orbs. His legs nearly collapsed beneath him as he broke down, leaning his weight completely on his wife. She struggled to hold him up, finally giving in to falling onto the cold wooden floor.
Amelia sat mortified, having never seen her husband so distraught. He gripped to her body and hers fumbled to calm him down. She rocked him gently in her arms as he had done countless times for her. Her fingers intertwined with his curls, twirling the ends in an attempt to provide utter comfort. They sat for what felt like an eternity, him broken in her embrace, her fighting back the emotions that stirred from seeing him so destroyed.
"Mom?" A young voice called, peeking her head out from around the corner. She tiptoed over to where they lay, limbs tangled, faces stained with tears. "I've been up for a while, I-" She nearly choked, her chin trembling slightly. "I-I heard everything you said. I-why is grandma going to die? We just talked..I just heard her voice two days ago and everything seemed fine. Maybe, she'll get better...you guys are doctors, you-you have to fix her." Madison croaked, her voice raspy and broken from the waterfalls that poured from her eyes. When she cried, it was like looking at glass shatter, her emotion covering every inch of her face. "Why can't you fix her? Why does this have to happen to her? Why does-" She paused, her body sinking down beside them.
"I'm so sorry baby." Was all Amelia could manage, devastated by her daughter's expression. She pulled her into her arms as well, stroking both of their heads as they sobbed. Owen sniffled, trying to wipe away his sorrow and be strong for his family, but as he pulled his daughter in for a hug, silent tears stained his cheeks.
"She doesn't have much time left, the cancer is too aggressive to treat at this point. It's-it's almost spread to every inch of her body. I know this is unfair and painful and you wish we could stop it, but it's time you say goodbye, while part of her is still with us." Owen said, his voice cracking as he spoke.
From that day on, Madison spent everyday with her grandmother. They shared stories, they learned all that they could from each other. And each day that she visited, it was like a piece of this giant puzzle was missing and nothing could replace the hole. They spent her last birthday together, Madison presenting her with the hand knit blanket that they had made together. Merely two days later on September 18th of the year 2027, the inevitable happened.
"Hey nana! How's your day been? Today, in science we talked about brains and I told the class about how mom's a neurosurgeon. Everyone freaked when I described how she dissects brains. I don't think I was that descriptive, but this girl complained about getting nauseous, so my teacher told me that I had to talk to him before I spoke in class again because I have no filter or something. I don't know what that means, I was just trying to give some good entertainment, but oh well!" Madison rambled on as she followed her routine, she got out her math homework, went to the bathroom, and then told her grandmother all about her day. But that day was different, that day was irregular. She froze as a hand gripped her's, forbidding her to move from her spot. Her eyes scanned the fragile woman's face, noting its drained appearance and the heaviness of her eyes. "Nana?"
"Come here, Madison." The woman beckoned, gesturing for her granddaughter to join her on the bed. She took her into her frail embrace, her wrinkled hands reaching up to stroke her dark locks. "Listen, it has been an absolute honor to have spent this time with you. You have brought me more joy, these past weeks than I've felt since your father was a little boy. You remind me so much of him, your good heart and humor are beyond valuable, never lose them, okay?" She paused, wiping a stray tear from her eyes. "I'm not going to be around to watch you grow into a brilliant doctor or see you graduate or have a family of your own but that doesn't mean I won't be with you in your heart. I'll never fully leave you, no one does, so don't be sad my beautiful girl. I've lived the best life, so make sure you live yours, I love you so much my Maddie Bee." She choked out, the tears consuming her every word. Her body shook as the tears fell and soon it felt numb. Her eyes peered up to see her granddaughter's face one last time.
"It's okay nana, you can go. You can let go." Madison repeated, her hand shaking with fear as she reached up to hold her lifeless face. She felt like screaming and crying and smashing and so she did. "DAD!" She screamed, a blood curdling scream which echoed off of the thin walls. "I take it back, nana! Come back! I didn't mean it, come back!" She yelled louder, her limbs clinging to the once warm being beneath her. Her father came in, a mortified look on his face as he rushed over to check his mother's pulse. Her mother rushed in behind him, trying to detach her daughter's body. She held her like she had when she was a baby, soothing her until exhaustion swept over her. Madison's eyes began to flutter shut and soon the vision of her grandmother faded away.
Author's Note: this was heartbreaking to write, please (R/R)
