Chapter 49

Kim rose from her chair, her gaze fixed on her daughter. She moved slowly, her steps echoing the heaviness in her heart. As she neared Anelise, she pulled her into a warm embrace.

Caught off guard, Anelise returned the hug. As they pulled apart, Kim cupped her daughter’s face, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Thank you for coming. It’s really good to see you…”

Anelise saw the tears streaking her mom’s face and dared to hope that this could be a new beginning for them. “It’s good to be seen. How is Dad?”

Kim’s face crumpled. “It’s not good. The stroke has paralyzed his left side completely and the right side partially. His speech is slow, but you can still understand him.

His body has taken a severe hit, and the doctors fear he could have another stroke or a heart attack at any moment. He’s made it clear he doesn’t want any life-saving measures, so...he’s been asking for you, Anelise…”

Anelise was taken aback. The last time they’d spoken, he’d made it clear that she would have to be the one to apologize.

But Anelise hadn’t done anything wrong. She’d simply chosen to live her life on her own terms, to fall in love with an amazing man, and to share her life with him.

She glanced back at Michael, who was standing with Peg. He gave her a soft, encouraging smile, silently urging her to go to her father.

With a slight tremble, she moved to the chair her mom had vacated. She sat down next to the frail, sleeping man and whispered, “Hi, Dad…”

His eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice. Recognition dawned in his gaze, and his eyes widened.

He tried to lift his hand to touch hers, frustration etching lines on his face when he couldn’t. Anelise reached out, taking his hand in hers. He relaxed at her touch, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He gave her hand a weak squeeze, and she returned his smile. “How are you feeling, Dad?”

He swallowed hard before mumbling, “I’m...sor-sorry...Ane-lise...I…I didn’t..mean to... to…to…push you...away...I…lllove...you…”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she listened to his halting words. “Thank you, Dad. That means a lot to me.”

He managed a half-smile and squeezed her hand again.

“Dad, would you like to see pictures of your grandchildren?” she asked. He tried to nod, his face lighting up with a smile.

Kim moved to adjust his bed, making it easier for him to see. Michael handed Anelise an iPad filled with pictures of Ollie.

“So big!” Neil exclaimed, watching Ollie grow up before his eyes.

“He’s getting so big and is about to start first grade!” Anelise said, her voice filled with love and pride. “I adopted Ollie after we got married, so he’s legally my son.”

Kim glanced at Michael, who nodded in agreement.

“And this is Henry. He’s thirteen months old and already walking,” she said, showing him a video of Henry toddling after Ollie and their dog, Goat. “This is Goat, our dog. Ollie named him that because when we first met him, he was playing with pygmy goats.”

Kim chuckled, and Neil made a sound that resembled laughter.

“Dad, I’m pregnant too,” she said, standing up so he could see her baby bump. “We’re expecting twin girls in November.”

Tears welled up in Neil’s eyes as he looked at Anelise. “They’re kicking a bit. Would you like to feel them?”

Neil mumbled a yes, and Anelise gently guided his hand to her belly. The babies chose that moment to move, and he gasped at the sensation.

Overwhelmed by joy and guilt, he couldn’t hold back his tears. Kim moved to his side, wiping his tears away and planting a kiss on his cheek.

Michael stood with Peg, his arm wrapped around her. She whispered, “Now that you’re here, I don’t think he’ll fight much longer.”

Michael wasn’t surprised, but he was concerned about how to support Anelise. He knew this was something she wanted, but it seemed cruel that it took Neil’s illness to bring them together. He hoped that when Neil passed, it wouldn’t shatter her.

He excused himself to call her doctor, hoping to alleviate some of his worries.

As the hours passed, Anelise and Neil spent their time together, looking at pictures and talking. He was growing weaker, taking short naps throughout the day.

When he slept, Michael encouraged Anelise to rest as well. He made sure she stayed hydrated and ate small snacks. He and Peg took short walks, giving Anelise and Neil some time alone.

Eventually, the doctor came in, discussing the signs that Neil’s body was shutting down.

Michael moved to Anelise’s side, and Peg went to Kim’s. They thanked the doctor when he left, sitting in silence as they absorbed the news. Neil was sleeping again, having refused dinner earlier.

They stayed a little while longer before Michael insisted they leave to get dinner and rest in a real bed. Kim and Peg agreed, promising to call if anything changed.

“Alright, Dad, I’ll be back in the morning, okay?” Anelise said, kissing his cheek.

Neil stirred awake, his lips curving into a faint smile. “I...love...you. Ane...lise...forever…” he murmured.

“I love you too, Dad,” Anelise whispered back, wrapping her arms around him. He managed to lift his arm, patting her back gently before it fell back onto the bed. His eyes fluttered shut once more.

Afterwards, Michael led Anelise to a nearby restaurant, then back to the hotel for a soothing bath. He kneaded her tense shoulders and lower back, encouraging her to talk about everything that had transpired. He was grateful she wasn’t bottling up her emotions.

“He’s not going home, is he?” Anelise asked, their bodies entwined on the bed.

Michael pressed a kiss to her shoulder, pulling her even closer. “No, love, he’s not going home.”

She sniffled, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just wish things could have been different.”

“I know, love. I do too... Are you going to be okay?” he asked, his arms tightening around her.

“Yeah, I have to be. For our girls,” she said, her hand resting on her belly.

“If you need anything, just let me know. I’m here for you, Ani,” he reassured her, his hand mirroring hers on her belly. She drifted off to sleep under his gentle touch.

They reached the hospital before nine the next morning, bearing pastries and coffee for the women who had stayed overnight. Anelise’s heart sank when she learned her father had slipped into a coma-like state, his breathing shallow and labored.

His skin was an even paler shade of gray than before, and Kim refused to leave his side. Anelise took her place on the other side of the bed, holding his other hand.

Michael stood behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder as they waited. He watched helplessly as the numbers on the monitor dwindled, the beeping growing slower and fainter.

A nurse entered the room, observing from her desk before calling the doctor. He arrived promptly, and at 11:42 am, Neil Morgan drew his last breath.