AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I frowned, wondering if I should take her home instead, but then I remembered that I don’t have a place, and maybe doing so would be an inconvenience for Gabe.
“Miss Lewis.” A doctor wearing scrubs approaches us, her eyes weary yet kind behind thin-rimmed glasses. “I’m Dr. Thompson. I’m afraid your mother’s condition is deteriorating faster than anticipated.”
“But just days ago, she mentioned that with a marrow . . .” My shoulders slump as my voice trails. Even if that could’ve saved her no one was willing to give her that.
“Is there anything we can do? There has to be something,” I mumble, glancing at Mom who looks so little in the big hospital bed.
“I’m afraid it’s too late. All you can do now is keep her comfortable with her family.” She informs me glancing from Gabe to me. “We’re waiting to see if you’ll require an ambulance to take her home or if we’re moving her.”
My heart plummets to the pit of my stomach, and I feel Gabe’s gentle squeeze in response.
“Her organs are shutting down,” the doctor continues softly. “We’re doing everything we can, but she doesn’t have much time left.” Her words hang heavy in the air, making my knees weak.
“We’ll make the necessary arrangements, so she’s comfortable at home,” Gabe states.
“And you are?” Dr. Thompson frowns with confusion.
“Gabriel Decker. Ameline’s husband,” he says, extending his hand. Then kisses my temple. “Let me call Jude to see where he’s at with the arrangements.”
“Thank you,” I say instead of telling him that I can stay here in the hospital with Mom.
“Can . . . Can I see her?” My voice quivers.
“Of course,” Dr. Thompson nods, gesturing toward the inside.
I hesitate at the threshold. The sight of Mom, so frail and diminished, is a jagged shard of glass in my heart.
“Ameline,” she murmurs. I move closer, taking her cool hand into mine, trying to imprint the feel of her skin, making a memory before she leaves me.
“Mom . . .” I start, but the words dissolve into tears.
She gathers a breath. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Of course I am. Where else would I be?” I respond, trying to sound cheery. “Gabe and I are thinking about taking you home for the holidays. We’ll be able to get a tree, and you can help me decorate it.”
“That sounds lovely,” she says. I caress her forehead before kissing it.
I don’t know why she abandoned me, and I should be upset at her, but I’m not anymore. She’s dying, and maybe during her last days, we can create something that will become a lasting memory. Not everything has to be sad, does it?
“Maybe you can give me some old family recipes, so I can prepare them for dinner. Make some new traditions,” I continue.
Mom gives me a sad smile. If she wasn’t so weak, I would ask her to give me at least a few answers. But maybe it’s okay that I don’t know how everything happened, just that at least we were able to be together one last time before she left.
“Hey,” Gabe enters the room. “We have everything set. The ambulance will take her in a couple of hours. We’re using the library as her room. The hospital bed should arrive soon along with all the medical equipment she requires. Aunt Aspen found us a couple of nurses that will be able to help us around the clock.”
I walk toward him and hug him really tight. “Thank you for being so kind,” I mumble.
He kisses the top of my head. “Ame, it’s not kindness. I mean it when I say that I will do anything for you. Sorry that you have to go through this.”
And I hope it’s true, that he loves me and that he does this for me, not out of pity.
Chapter Forty-Three
Ameline
It’s been two days since we moved Mom to Gabe’s house. She’s in the library, and this is where I’m trimming the Christmas tree.
“Do you remember when Santa brought you that huge Hello Kitty plush?” she asks wistfully. “It was bigger than you were.”
