Thank you all!

Chapter 11

As John awoke early in the morning, he turned and smiled. Anna was in a deep sleep next to him, laying on her stomach with her head hidden under her pillow. He wanted to touch her, but knew he should let her sleep. He checked his watch and it was almost time for Martha's medicine and breakfast.

Quietly stepping out of the bed, he grabbed his sweats from the chair by the bed and pulled a hoodie over his head. He would change into his scrubs after getting Martha set up for the day.

He went down the two flights of stairs and was surprised to find it quiet in the finished basement. Usually, Martha would be awake with one of her shows on. He twisted his lips. She must still be asleep. Every so often, Martha would sleep in. Her sleep schedule was all over the place and his body had adjusted to her needs. It was why he woke so early and woke at random times in the night.

Deciding to start her breakfast, he went into the small kitchenette. She liked oatmeal and it was an easy enough meal to prepare. Then he poured some juice and placed her medicine on the tray.

He walked to her bedroom and set the tray by her bed, before turning on the light. He hated to wake her, but her medicine needed to be taken within a certain timeframe. She looked peaceful; he sighed. Then he gently nudged her shoulder.

"Martha," he murmured. "It's time for breakfast." But she didn't move. His breath then hitched within his throat. He took her arm into his hand and pressed his thumb against her wrist. His stomach dropped. Martha was gone.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

After he had composed himself, John slowly went back upstairs. His heart was heavy. He debated on waking Anna up or letting her stay in her naive state of sleep for a little while longer. But he knew the girls would be awake soon. It would be best if she had time to process it without her daughters nearby.

John reentered her bedroom and climbed back into the bed. Anna was now on her side with her hands under her cheek. He brushed his hand along her face to push the stray hair off. Anna's eyes opened and she gave him a hazy smile.

"Good morning," she murmured, her eyes closing momentarily and then opening again.

"Anna," John sorrowfully began. "Your mother…" Anna's eyes met his then and the color drained from her face. Her lower lip began to tremble and she inhaled sharply.

"I guess….we knew it would be soon," Anna muttered, her voice shaky.

"My darling," John attempted to soothe. "I'm so sorry. I know…"

Anna shook her head and rolled onto her back. She used her fingers to wipe under her eyes.

"Anna," John started. "When does Baxter get here today? I can handle the girls until she gets here. I will call the morgue and…"

"Was it peaceful?" Anna then asked, returning her eyes to his.

"Yes," John promised her. "She died in her sleep."

"That's…that's good," Anna said, before the damn broke. Her body shook with the force of her sobs and John immediately pulled her into his strong arms. He held her as she cried heartbreaking sobs, just being there for her while she needed him.

"I know she wasn't the best mother, but she was my mother," Anna cried.

"I know, my darling, I know."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

A few days passed and Anna began to find peace within the facts that her mother hadn't died in pain and that she and her mother had made amends. She did mourn the relationship they never had, but she had to be grateful for what they did have. John had called her sister for her; she hadn't been able to do it. Her sobs had been too strong to talk over the phone.

Once she had settled, she told her girls. They had been sad and she held them and watched cartoons with them for the rest of the day. It was the only thing she had been able to do that day.

Her sister was coming in to town this afternoon for the funeral tomorrow. It would be the first time she saw her sister in person in years. She hoped that her girls were closer than her and Laura. She wanted better for them. She fought for better for them. It was her only wish in life that her girls had a much better childhood and relationships than she had had. And she hoped that with her now with John was giving them a great example of what to expect out of a significant other.

But today, she had to bring them to meet up with Jake. She stood on the side of the car. He was already close to half an hour late. Her girls were inside the car with their headphones on watching a movie.

Finally, Jake pulled up. He stepped out of his car and began to walk toward Anna's van. She put her hand up to stop him.

"You can't keep showing up late. Your girls need you to be a constant in their lives. Don't you want to be that for them?" There was pain in her voice. She didn't know why she kept trying to change someone who clearly didn't want to be changed. But her mother's passing and lost time made her wish that Jake would care. She didn't want her children to feel this type of pain.

"I am," Jake disagreed. "I have a busy schedule. I get here as soon as I can."

Anna shakily inhaled, but knew it wasn't worth it to say anything else. She opened the door and took the headphones off Gracie. Then Arya followed suit. Unlike before, Arya wasn't as excited when she stepped out of the car. She stood by Anna and held her hand.

"Do we have to go with Daddy?" Arya asked.

"You'll have fun," Anna told her, giving her a tight smile. Again, she played the mediator between her children and their useless father.

"Oh alright." Arya unlatched her hand from Anna's and stepped forward. Gracie had already gone to Jake and she was tugging on his hand, as if she wanted to tell him something. Jake bent down.

"Granny's dead," Gracie told him, point blank. "She died. Mummy's sad."

Jake's face fell slightly and then he stood. For the first time in a long while, he appeared genuine. "I'm sorry to hear that Anna."

Anna just shook her head.

"I'll be alright. You three have fun. I'll see you in a little bit."

As they walked away, Anna climbed back into her car. She pulled out her phone and called John.

"Hey," he calmly said into the phone. He hadn't spoken about what his plan was now that her mother was dead. She was sure he would want to find another homecare job. But she didn't want him to leave.

"What if you lived with me?" Anna then asked.

"What was that?"

"What if you stayed? Stayed with me?"

"Anna are you sure…"

"I don't want you to leave John." The line went quiet and Anna was worried that she had overstepped. But a moment later, she heard a small, happy laugh.

"I don't want to leave either, Anna."

Anna's lips curled up slightly and she felt relief.

"I was thinking," John continued, "that it's time for me to look for work in the hospital.

"Oh yeah?"

"I could have a steadier schedule so that I can be back home with you and the girls."

"I'd like that," Anna said with a smile.

"Me too, my darling. Did Jake show up?"

"He did," Anna answered. "He was late."

"I'm sorry that he hurts your girls, Anna," John stated. "But they have a strong mother who is going to show them how they deserve to be treated and not be treated. They don't know how lucky they are to have you."

"And they have you," Anna added.

"They do," John strongly replied. "I promise I'll never let any of you down. You have my word."

"I believe you. Thank you, John. We'll be home in a little bit. I love you."

"I love you too."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The funeral was a small affair. Not too many people knew Anna's mother. Her sister, sister's husband, and sister's boys were all there. Anna and her sister sat together up at the front, but neither got up to speak.

Beside them were their significant others. Anna had introduced Laura to John the night before. She told Anna she had found a keeper, but Anna didn't need to be told. She knew she had.

While her sister and sister's family were staying at a rental nearby, Anna had them over for dinner the night after the funeral. They ate dinner and then the guys took the kids to the backyard so that the two girls could reminisce about their childhood and mother.

"What now?" Laura asked, as they sat on the front porch swing with a glass of wine in their hands.

"I think we try harder," Anna answered.

"Harder?"

"To see each other. We're sisters. Our children are cousins. Let's make more of an effort."

"Yes," Laura agreed, taking a sip of her drink. "We should." She took a second sip and then smiled. "So, when are you getting married?"
"Excuse me?" Anna chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"He's obviously head over heels for you," Laura commented. "And he treats your girls as though they were his own. So when are you going to make it official."

"I'm not sure," Anna answered. "Soon, I hope."

"Well, I want to be involved in all of the wedding prep."

"Deal."

To be continued...