I don’t want to fight on your birthday, Oberi said quietly.
I furrowed my brow. “It’s my birthday?”
I reallyhadlost track of the days. It was nearly Christmas.
It is,Oberi replied.Happy birthday,Charlie.
Yeah,I thought bitterly.Happy fucking birthday to me.
A knock came at the door, and several people stepped inside. “Charlie?” Sophia said. “The doctors want to speak with us.”
I stood up straight. “Is it good news?”
A woman drew a deep breath. “I’m afraid not, Mr. Wahkin. The truth is, Ava’s not improving. Her mother’s treatments have helped the surface injuries, but her chances of waking from the coma are low. With magic like this, we expected her to wake by now.”
Sophia sniffled, sounding like she was trying to hold herself together. “I’ve done everything I can, but it’s the body’s choice to heal. I can’t make her wake up.”
My lungs felt as if they were collapsing. Even with my Air magic, I couldn’t force myself to breathe. It was like a basilisk had wrapped itself around my middle and squeezed so hard my soul nearly left my body. “Wh-what are you saying?”
“Charlie… the machines are the only thing that’s keeping her alive. It’s time to talk about taking her off life support,” the doctor said.
I couldn’t believe what she was asking me to do. I staggered on my feet, and Oberi jumped down from Ava’s bed to catch me. He didn’t reach me in time, and I sank to my knees. One arm draped over Oberi’s back, and I leaned into him.
“You’re asking me to kill my wife,” I spat.
Sophia spoke gently. “Charlie, they’re asking us to do what’s best for Ava. As her husband, it’s your call to make.”
My head spun. How could I possibly make that choice?
“You’re her mother,” I said. “What would you do?”
She took a moment to collect her thoughts, before she knelt beside me. “This wouldn’t be the first time I’d been asked to make a difficult decision. Raising a bipolar child was hard. Ava meant everything to me, but sometimes, I had to make decisions that I could barely manage to stomach. But every time I did, I had to remember I needed to do what was best forher,and not what was best for myself. It’s time for you to decide what you think she would’ve wanted, Charlie. Because this is no kind of life for her.”
Oberi nudged me.Let’s think about what Ava would want.
I drew a deep breath. I had to be brave and face this, no matter how hard it was. Ava would want that much from me, at least. I thought about Ava, being chained to this bed for the rest of her existence. She wouldn’t get to go exploring, make potions, sing songs, or do any of the things she loved. This hospital bed would become her new prison, and she didn’t deserve to be chained up like this.
I don’t think she’d want to live on machines, I told Oberi in my mind. It hurt to say it, but it was the truth. Ava was all about adventure. She’d turn over in her grave if she knew I was keeping her body on life support. What a life that was…
She’d want me to respect her wishes,I told Oberi.And as hard as it is to admit, I think I know what she’s chosen. She would’ve come back to me by now if she wanted to. It’s selfish to keep this going any longer. I want her to be at peace more than I want to be with her. I love her more than I need her.
A shiver traveled down my spine when I realized the truth, as hard as it was to admit.
Then I guess we know what we have to do, Oberi said sadly. He may be at peace with any outcome, but it was clear he’d grieve it nonetheless.Are you going to be okay with this?
I have to be, I replied.It’s Ava’s choice. I still have work to do with our prophecies, and I have to stay here and fulfill them for her. I’ll die and return to her once I fix everything. If it was important enough for us to be together, she would’ve come back. It’s not going to be easy, but I have to make the sacrifice to stay here.
Ancestors, the decision tore me apart from the inside out. But I was willing to go through the agony if that’s what Ava wanted.
I stood on shaky feet. “Ava chose the Ancestral Lands. I don’t want her to keep suffering. I want to make this right.”
“Very well,” the doctor said. “We’ll allow you time to say your goodbyes.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, but it wasn’t until the doctor left the room that I let them roll down my cheeks freely. Sophia approached me and pulled me into a motherly hug. I sagged against her.
“You’re making the right choice, Charlie,” she said, but I wasn’t sure I believed her. “Ava will be at peace. We’ll meet with her again in the Ancestral Lands.”
I nodded and drew away. “I hope you’re right.”
