Chapter 6

Flashback!!

Third person’s pov

Bridget sat in the dimly lit hospital room, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling the air. Her mother, once vibrant and full of life, lay frail on the bed, her skin pale against the white sheets. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor punctuated the silence, creating an unsettling soundtrack to the reality unfolding before them. Bridget’s father, Xavier, stood by the window, arms crossed, his face a mask of worry.

Dr. Lawson entered the room, his expression serious yet gentle. "Bridget, Mr. Xavier," he began, pulling up a chair beside her mother's bed. "We need to talk about your mother’s condition."

Bridget felt her heart race. "What’s happening, Doctor?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Dr. Lawson took a deep breath, glancing at her mother, who looked at him with weary eyes. "We’ve run the tests, and I’m afraid the results are not what we hoped for. Your mother has been diagnosed with advanced brain cancer."

The words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Bridget's breath caught in her throat. "But... she was fine just a few weeks ago. How could this happen?"

Dr. Lawson leaned forward, his tone compassionate. "Brain cancer can develop rapidly, often without noticeable symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. The tumor is aggressive, and it’s affecting her cognitive functions. It’s spreading, shutting down her body’s systems one by one."

Xavier turned away from the window, unable to hold back his emotions any longer. "How long does she have?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Lawson hesitated, the weight of the moment heavy on his shoulders. "Based on her current condition, I would estimate she has about a month left. We can make her comfortable, but..." He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Bridget felt as if the floor had dropped beneath her. "A month? No, that can’t be right!" she exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "She can’t leave us. She just can’t!"

Her mother, with a weak but determined voice, interrupted, "Bridget, darling, listen to me." She reached for her daughter’s hand, her grip surprisingly strong. "I want you to promise me something."

Bridget leaned closer, desperate to hear her mother’s words. "Anything, Mom. Just don’t leave me."

Her mother smiled softly, though it was tinged with sadness. "You must live your life fully. Find joy in the little things, even when I’m not there. Promise me you’ll chase your dreams."

"I promise, Mom," Bridget replied, her voice breaking. "But I don’t want to do it without you."

Xavier wiped his eyes, trying to maintain his composure. "We’ll figure this out together. We always have," he said, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his resolve.

Dr. Lawson stood up, sensing the emotional weight of the moment. "I’ll give you some time alone. If you have any questions, I’m just outside." He walked out, leaving the family in a cloud of despair.

As soon as the door closed, Bridget turned to her mother. "You can fight this, Mom. You’re the strongest person I know. We can find a way."

Her mother shook her head gently. "Sometimes, strength is not about fighting. It’s about acceptance. I’ve lived a beautiful life, and I want you to remember that. Don’t let this darkness overshadow the love we’ve shared."

Bridget felt her heart shatter. "But I need you! I can’t imagine life without you."

"You will, sweetheart. You will," her mother said, her voice growing weaker. "You have your father, and you have your dreams. Hold on to those. Promise me you’ll be happy."

Tears streamed down Bridget’s face as she nodded. "I promise, Mom. I promise."

Xavier, who had been silently weeping by the window, stepped forward. "I can’t lose you," he said, his voice cracking. "You’re my everything."

Her mother looked at him, her eyes filled with love. "You won’t lose me, Xavier. I’ll always be with you, in your heart. Remember the laughter, the love... that’s what will keep me alive."

Bridget squeezed her mother’s hand tighter, feeling the warmth begin to fade. "Mom, please don’t say goodbye. Just hold on a little longer."

"I’m not saying goodbye, Bridget. I’m saying I love you," her mother replied, her voice a mere whisper now. "Live for me. Live for us."

Bridget felt a surge of emotion, a mixture of anger and sadness. "It’s not fair! You didn’t deserve this. We had so many plans!"

Her mother smiled faintly. "Life is unpredictable, my dear. Embrace it. Cherish every moment. I would always be happy.

When she died, the world seemed to dim for everyone who knew her. Her father, a man of strength and resolve, was utterly broken. The grief was a physical weight, and it led him to resign from his job, a high-powered position he had worked tirelessly for. He made the decision to dedicate his life to raising his children, ensuring they had the best upbringing possible, even if it meant sacrificing his career.

Her brothers, David and Michael, were remarkably mature. They understood the depth of their father's pain and did their best to support him, becoming pillars of strength in their own right. They helped with chores, offered comforting words, and tried to fill the void left by their mother's absence. Their father, though devastated, slowly began to accept his fate. He found solace in the love of his children and the memories of his wife.

For her, however, it was a different story. She was just fifteen, a young girl on the cusp of adulthood. The loss of her mother was a wound that cut deep, a wild void created in her heart, a pain that was hard to comprehend and even harder to bear. She struggled with the absence, the silence, and the feeling that a part of her was now missing. It was a journey of grief, a test of resilience, and a challenge to find a way to navigate a world that had suddenly become so different.