(Tissues. You may need them. <sob>)Chapter 56 – A First Meeting, a Final PartingToday I became a grandmother for the first time. I should be overjoyed. Perhaps I will be, at some point...but not now. Not for a long time. How do you reconcile a day that begins with such joy, and yet by the end of it you are in so much anguish that you can hardly bear it?
My daughter went into labor early this morning.
It took some doing to get Zoey down the two flights of stairs from their attic suite, but Andrew still managed to get her to the hospital in plenty of time. Judd and I followed a short time later and met Bella and Mortimer in the waiting room. When all was said and done we welcomed Celestine Isabella into the world.
And her twin brother, Hadrian Michael.
As it turns out, the reason why they had kept the nursery under lock and key was that they didn't want us to see the two cribs and two baby swings. “We knew it would be twins all along, but we wanted it to be a surprise,” Zoey told me.
Two precious little grandbabies...so beautiful...so perfect.
So loved.
But no one could have possibly imagined the sorrow that was to come mere hours later. I was watching the twins in their swings when I heard my mother's heart-wrenching scream. Never in my life will I forget that sound...nor will I forget the sight that met my eyes when I opened their bedroom door.
No.I heard the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching and Zoey and Andrew entered the room, quickly followed by my aunt and uncle.
“Granddad?!” Zoey called out, her voice shaking. “No...this can't be happening.
Please, not today!” Her tearful plea spoke what was in my own heart. I lost grandpa Nick on the day that Zoey was born, and now that same scenario was playing out again. History was repeating itself in the most cruel, heartbreaking way imaginable.
The air in the room suddenly went cold as the specter of Death made its ghastly presence known. I saw Dad's spirit turn to face him, the slightest hint of a grin playing upon his now ghostly features.
“Hm, I did not expect to see you quite so quickly, Mister Bunch,” the apparition spoke. “It would seem that the affliction that took your father has now claimed you.”
“I thought that's what it was,” Dad replied. His voice sounded hollow, like a mere echo.
“Have you any final words for your loved ones? I can spare a few extra moments. You lessened my workload quite a bit by working in the hospital, the least I can do is give you some time.”
"I...appreciate that. Thank you."
Immediately Dad looked over at Zoey and smiled. “I'm glad that I was able to see you grow up, Zo-zo. You've blossomed into an amazing young lady, and I wish you and Andrew all the best in the world. Enjoy those little babies. Give them lots of hugs and lots of love. I'll watch over them from the other side.” He glanced back at Death. “That is permitted, right?”
“I do believe we have guardian angel positions open.”
“Oh good.” Dad looked at aunt Darlene, who instantly started bawling. “Sis, it's okay.”
“How is it
okay?” She cried out. “I...I don't want you to leave!”
“I know. Darlene, you've been an amazing sister to me. I admire you more than you could ever possibly know. Tell the kids that I love them. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait until Iris and Timothy return to tell them personally.”
My aunt could no longer speak through her tears. “We will,” Malcolm finally replied in her stead, his own voice cracking with emotion. “Ethan...I'll miss you, man. You are the brother I never had.”
"Yours is a friendship that I have always treasured..." Dad's voice trailed off and his smile broadened. “My father just told me to thank you for being so good to his daughter over the years. And Darlene...he said he loved the fireworks at your wedding.”
His gaze moved over to me. I could barely even see at this point I was crying so hard. “I'm so proud of you, Elly. You and Judd both. How did I manage to be so lucky as to not only have an amazing daughter, but an equally amazing son-in-law? Keep on living a good life. Elysia, please take care of your mother for me, all right?”
Finally, Dad turned to Mom.
“My love...words cannot express how it pains me that I am leaving you. Loving you has been one of the greatest things in my life. Know that I will always love you, even beyond the grave. Everything will be all right.”
“How...am I supposed to live without you?”
“Knowing that I am only a breath away. I will never truly leave you. And when some day we meet again...I will hold you in my arms once more. I love you, Holly...always and forever. Never, ever forget that.”
At that point he turned back to the specter. “I think...I am ready.”
“Very well. ”
An instant later his spirit faded into nothingness. My daddy was gone...forever.
Mom gazed directly at Death, tears streaming from her eyes. “How I wish that you could take me as well.”
The apparition shook his head. “You know that I cannot. That is against the rules. Every life has its beginning, and every life will one day meet its end. I can think of two very good reasons why you are still needed here, two reasons that are currently napping in the pair of swings outside this room.” He paused. “One day you and I will meet again on professional terms, but until then...keep living the life that has been given to you.”
The specter vanished, leaving behind a trace of black mist...and a gilded urn.
I am numb. I can't believe it. He's gone. My father...my daddy...is dead. I just want to scream. I just want to cry until I can't possibly cry another tear.
Tonight Zoey and Andrew must put their little ones to bed knowing that they will never get the chance to know the amazing man that was their great-grandfather.
Tonight my aunt must cope with losing her favorite brother, a man who she has idolized since childhood. Tonight her husband must reconcile the loss of his best friend, his co-worker, his brother in every way but by blood.
But my heart weeps most for my mother.
Tonight she sleeps alone for the first time in decades, without my father's warm embrace, without his reassuring voice. The other side of the bed is silent and cold...and woefully empty.
Oh Dad...why did you have to say goodbye so soon?
--
(A/N: I had thought that my game had finally given up on the whole “sim dies on a relative's birthday” thing. Birthdays have come and gone with little pain, and now the one time it happens again...it's the worst possible case.
He is the first of the original teens to die, and there are still a handful of YAs left. He passed one day after the end of the elder lifespan. Far...far too early.
And I'm heartbroken. 
)
