1.8 Dying wishes

-x-o- Stef -x-o-

I hung up as soon as Lena said she was coming to pick me up and I sat on my suitcase holding my chest trying to gasp for air. "St-" I stood up and put my hands out to stop my Mum from coming any closer. "Please, come back so I can just explain this!"

"No!" I shook my head like a little child disobeying my parent. "There is no way you can explain taking my eggs that were for me to use just in case I would have future issues to become pregnant."

"Honey-"

"NO!" I screamed interrupting her in the quiet street. "Do not honey me, Mother!"

"This isn't as terrible as you are thinking it is.. I swear." She tried again and I looked away speechless.

"Seriously?" I looked back at her with the most angriest stare ever. "You stole my eggs!" I whispered screamed and she held her chest like she was in pain. "And you use my Father too! This is disgusting!"

"No, baby-"

"I feel like I am going to throw up." I whispered as I felt something coming up but I held it down as I felt the tears forming. "How is this right? I have another daughter?"

"It was your father's dying wish." She spoke softly and walked over slowly over to me to finally take hold of my hand. "He wanted another child and knew I was craving to be a Mother again."

"Dying.. Wish?" I pulled myself away from her too angry to let her touch me. She nodded as she wiped her eyes with her hankie.

"He passed away when Annie was two years old from his heart condition."

"He would let her grow up without a father?"

"Stef, you are making it look so much more worst than it really is." She whispered softly and I looked away as I took a big sigh in then out. "I had so many miscarriages, if you must know."

"You were almost or just 50 years old, that's why!" I replied back as I folded my arms and rolled my eyes. "You were infertile and I am surprised my eggs worked for you."

"Aren't you glad?" She whispered after a short silence and I looked back at her. "There's a little girl in there who is our daughter and she wants you." I looked at the house that was mine once. I looked at my Mother who was trying to smile but failed.

"She isn't my daughter." I whispered as I heard a car come down the street and saw it was Lena with Callie in the front seat. What Callie doing here? "She is yours." I grabbed my suitcase and quickly got in the car without a second thought. "Drive, quick!"

-x-o- Annie -x-o

I watched Stef drive away leaving Mama standing there with tears coming down her tired eyes. I wondered if Stef wanted me as much as I wanted her. I needed to know her so badly. I only know so little and I am craving her.

I stared at Mama who took her pills that she needed to take to help her with the pain from her cancer. She was told there was nothing that they could do for her and that she should just enjoy the limited time that she does have with me. I think it was fate that Stef came back because now I don't need to worry about what will happen once Mama does go up to heaven with Daddy. "Is Stef coming back?" I whispered as I finished my bowl of cornflakes. Mama looked up with a sad smile on her face.

"I hope so, baby." I frowned at that and she quickly smiled wider. "You should get ready for school today, I feel fine today." She reassured me and I sighed then nodded.

I found her address, it wasn't too hard considering. I wrote down the address that she was staying at and grabbed my bag. I found Mama lying on the couch asleep and I sighed. "I am sorry that I won't go to school today, I need to find Stef." I whispered then kissed her cold forehead then placed a blanket on her. I knew she would be asleep for a while so I needed to keep her as comfortable as I could. I got outside and made sure the door was locked then ran to the bus stop to catch the bus across the town to the beaches area.

I walked through the quiet streets till I found the house I was looking for and I sighed as I walked up to the door then rang the doorbell.

-x-o- Callie -x-o-

I answered the door and saw a girl who looked like she was 15 years old and looked like Mama. "Hey.. I am looking for Stef?"

"Stef?" I whispered speechless not knowing where Mama had the time to befriend a 15 year old. "She is actually asleep right now.. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Who are you?" She whispered to me and I smiled at her a little. "Sorry.. That was rude."

"I am Callie, her daughter." Her eyes widen and so did mine with confusion. "Close your mouth or your teeth might fall out." I laughed nervously and her face tried to cover it up. "Can I help you-"

"Who is at the door, Cals?" I turned around to see Mama standing there with a small smile on her face and I stepped aside to clear up the confusion but all I saw was anger appear on Mama's face. "I will handle this." She whispered as she walked down the last few stairs and let me go.

-x-o- Stef -x-o-

"Why are you here, Annie?"

"I just wanted to see my other third." She whispered and I closed the door behind me to let us have some privacy outside. "And to get some answers."

"Answers?" I laughed out and she looked so scared. "I think I-"

"I don't mean those type of answers." Annie whispered and I looked at her to only realize she was only just 2 years younger than my Callie. "I have a big sister, I see."

"Annie, you realize that I didn't know you existed until last night." I whispered softly as I looked towards the door then back at her. "And that Callie has no clue about you either.."

"I do realize that, Stef but-"

"And I want it to stay that way." I interrupted her again and saw hurt flashed through her eyes.

"That isn't going to happen now." Annie looked at me with hurt but determination. "Mama is dying too!"

"Oh crap!" I whispered acting like I was shock and not realizing she was telling the truth. "That must mean I become your legal guardian then." I asked with sarcasm and she nodded then she started to sob right in front of me leaving me speechless.

"She is so tired and weak, Stef." I stood there as she cried and cried. "She wanted to find you sooner but you were really hard to find after you decided to disappear. Then, just recently she found out you had been released from jail and her heart shattered. So did mine."

"Annie.."

"I thought I was going to be an criminal.. That it was somehow linked in DNA or something. But Mama reassured me that you weren't what they were saying about you." My heart stopped beating as she looked at me. "I believed Mama because she wanted me to look at the bigger picture and meeting you has shattered me. You are so cold and you haven't looked at the bigger picture at all."

"I am just as confused as you." I whispered to her as she cried into her hand. "I don't know what to do, hell I just want to disappear right now."

"I am sorry, so sorry." Annie sobbed out and my heart fell as I saw an innocent little girl who was my daughter. I walked up to her and brought her shaking body into my arms. "All I want is somewhere to belong and someone to rely on."

"Aw, little one." I whispered as I stroked her long blond wavy hair and let her cry into me. "I don't mean to act so irrational. I am just so shocked."

"I am going to lose my Mama soon.. She hasn't got much time and I don't think you should be angry at her either."

"It's going to take time-"

"Time that neither of you have to be stubborn." Annie interrupted as we pulled apart and she wiped her eyes. "She only has.. A few days at the least and then, her body is going to slowly shut down. It isn't fair on either of you to stay like this." I looked at the girl of the hour with the wisdom of a wizard and smiled at my younger daughter.

"You are so right, baby." I whispered and gave her another gentle hug as she calmed down. "I just need you to meet your big sister though.. Then, I will take the both of you back to yours, yes?"

"Yes!" She agreed with happiness and I nodded. I smiled at my little girl.