"We'll be back tomorrow, Mam. You try and get some rest and you'll be home soon," said the dark haired woman. She bent over the hospital bed railing, kissing her mother on the forehead.

The elderly woman nodded. "Don't forget my hairbrush again. I must look a fright."

"Beautiful as ever, Mam," the woman said, smiling brightly at her mother. "Got to run, Carys has piano in an hour."

"Come here, dear, kiss your Gran…" the elderly woman said softly as the young girl was lifted up by her mother. "I love you. I'll see you tomorrow."

The elderly woman waved at her daughter and granddaughter, smiling brightly as they left. The minute they were out of sight, she slumped back onto the pillows of the uncomfortable hospital bed. She closed her eyes against the pain wracking her joints and her muscles and the rest of her failing body but most of all against the pain in her heart. She loved her daughter and granddaughter but, and not without a small stab of guilt, she dearly hoped that this would be the last visit and the last time she would see them. Soon, she hoped, there would be an end to the agony. She would move on into the most vast of undiscovered countries, joining the beloved wife she had buried more than half a dozen years ago. Lily… she thought with a longing, trying to project her soul towards the long dead woman.

With a sigh, she opened her eyes so she could stare out of the window, but saw a visitor in her doorway instead. Lithe and beautiful, Miranda Ryan stood framed in the door, a vase of daisies in her hands.

"Miranda…" Nora breathed.

"Hello Nora," Miranda said with a small smile.

"Come to watch an old woman die?" Nora spat, resentful at the immortal woman. Here Nora was, staring down death's door and Miranda hadn't changed in over fifty years.

Miranda stepped into the room, putting the daisies on the bedside table. "I'm here to visit someone I love in hospital."

Nora wanted to stay angry, wanted to let it fester for the length of this unsolicited visit. She wanted Miranda to leave and let her die in peace. She didn't want to die gazing at eternal youth and beauty. But it all evaporated when she saw the look on Miranda's face. It was a look of love tinged with grief and loss. She'd seen that look before, on her own face when Lily had died. Nora realised the grief in Miranda's eyes wasn't just for her life, but for the life the two of them never had together or could have had - the life that had walked out of Nora's hospital room not five minutes ago.

"May I?" Miranda asked shyly, holding up a comb she'd taken from her purse.

Nora smiled at her weakly and nodded. Miranda didn't bother with any of the usual lip service or small talk. She just combed Nora's hair, gently massaging her scalp as she went. She didn't tell Nora that she looked well or that the years had been kind to her. She didn't tell Nora that she'd get well soon and be out of hospital in no time. She didn't say any of the things visitors said to the sick and dying, the things Nora had always felt were more to make the visitor feel better rather than the patient. Nora smiled softly feeling content and peaceful. This was exactly what she'd needed.

Miranda put the comb away in her purse and then sat down on the edge of Nora's bed. She took Nora's hand in hers, stroking it with the back of her fingers. I love you… Nora felt the unspoken words. A wave of fatigue washed over her and she felt her head droop.

"I'm sorry, I'm feeling a bit tired," Nora blinked her eyes a few times, trying to fight the exhaustion.

Miranda brought Nora's hand to her lips, kissing the thin and wrinkled skin gently. She smiled at Nora warmly. "Why don't you rest? I'll stay with you."

"Maybe a short nap, will you be here when I wake up?" Nora asked.

Miranda's smile widened. "If you'd like."

Nora nodded weakly and smiled, settling back against the pillows, letting her eyes slide closed. When she woke up, she'd ask Miranda to visit again.

As Nora's breathing evened out and slowed, Miranda lifted her hand up, curling it against her chest to cradle it against her own heart. She held it gently, stroking Nora's forearm gently as the breaths of the woman she loved become less frequent and more shallow and finally, stopped all together. After a few moments, the pulse beneath Miranda's fingertips had stopped and she stood up. She tenderly laid Nora's arm across the still chest. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she pressed her own lips to Nora's briefly and then walked from the room, her head bowed, without a backward glance.