A family with no Tomorrow

When she opened her eyes, she did not have any expectations, yet there he was. There was the son she had been waiting for.

Mom: "Hi...I've missed you."

A tear, it was not from her, it was from her son, whose face was above hers.

She was not able to get up. She knew she only had a couple of hours left. But she was so happy to see a face she had missed so much.

Mom: "What about your sister?"

Son: "I am sorry. I am so sorry. I promise I will find her. She will be safe. I swear."

Mom: "It's ok. I trust you. If it's you, you can do it."

The son couldn't answer. Anything he wanted to say would just be drowned by the tears that he couldn't stop.

The crying face of a son was not something the parents would want to see in their last moments. He knew that, but he couldn't stop.

The son felt the warm touch of his dad's hand on his back.

Dad: "Let's not waste the precious time we have together. There is a lot you have to tell us. Right?"

...

They talked for a long time. The mother, while she couldn't focus too well, listened and asked the right questions to keep the story going.

The father, while he felt overwhelmed by the painful feelings, just stayed there and listened.

Their son has been through a lot. They knew that. They were happy to hear that he had never given up.

The son forgot to hide the painful parts. He just spewed everything out.

Dad: "So there is more to your friends than you had told me. Haha. You really did it. You really became such an important person.

Mom: "Please...please be careful. Don't get into anything dangerous."

It was too late for that. But he was not going to worry his mother. He looked at his father, and they both understood this should stay between them.

They went back to reminiscing.

The son found out what the parents went through. and the parents found out what led to their son coming back a grown man.

When they ran out of stories to say, they started reminiscing about the past they had spent together. They started from even before the son was born.

It was the first time the son heard about how his parents met. He felt stupid for not asking about it a long time ago. 

They didn't leave out the youngest daughter of the family, but every time they mentioned her, a hint of worry could be felt.

...

They didn't know how much time had passed, but the stories were getting few, and the mother's voice was getting weak.

Mom: "I think it is time..."

Those words brought about a painful silence.

Son: "No, please..."

The son knew he should not make it more painful, but he didn't want it to end. He finally felt at home.

Son: "I have so much more to tell you! I have so much more to show you! One day, I will become a man! I will build a family! I will make you proud! I...I have to...I have to bring all four of us together again! I..."

He stopped. He understood it was futile.

Mom: "We will be together again. if not here. somewhere else. I know that. Don't be afraid. Don't be sad. We met again after 20,000 years. I am sure we will meet again.

Son: "Yes. We will. I...I love you. All three of you.

Mom and Dad: "We love you too."

The son got up. He felt like he was not the one who should stay there until the end. He knew the last person to say goodbye should be the one who held it in the longest.

He kissed his mother's forehead. Smiled at his father and got out of the room.

It was time for his father and mother to have their last moment together.

Son: "Goodbye. No...See you next time."

Mom: "Hey, treat that girl right. She is waiting for you."

The son nodded.

Mom: "And, I hope, some day, your dream of being truly happy will come true. I love you,****"

The son closed the door. He didn't go far from it. It was not that he didn't want to. His legs had just lost strength.

He lay there, back against the door, doing his best for his cries not to be heard from inside the room.

When it was all over. He felt the door open.

Dad: "We love you."

He hugged his dad.

This is just a small potion of what has been said, but the rest should forever remain only within their hearts. Away from the eyes of anyone else who may be witnessing their story.