Aislyn and Gemini (Collapse Sequel)

Chapter 16
'I'm so sorry, Ash.' Dad whispered. 'I never thought Theo would do that to you. My innocent baby.'
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I smiled at him.
'Dad. I'm ready.' I said.
'Ready for what?' He asked.
'I'm ready to have this baby.'
'Are you sure you don't want to abort it?'
'If I did that I would hate myself forever.'
'Okay. We'd better be getting to the hospital.'
'Why?'
'Ash, I've made a decision.' He sat me down on the sofa.
'Are you and Florence getting back together?'
'No. I um... am um... going to turn your mother off.' He said. Tears pricked in my eyes but I choked them back.
'What...'
'I can't keep her like that for another second. She deserves to be at peace.'
'Dad...'
'Sweetie, I'm sorry. I was wondering whether you, Gemini and Liam would like to come to see her. I know I've never let you see her but this is your last chance to know what your mother looks like. I know there are photos but that's not the same. Do you want to come?'
'Okay.'
'Great.' He looked away from me. 'GEMINI! LIAM!' He shouted. 'WE'RE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL!'
Gemini and Liam darted into the living room.
'Why?' They said together.
'We're going to turn Mum off.' I said.
'Okay..' They mumbled. We piled into the car, me in the front with Dad.
After a 20 minute silent drive we arrived. We went through the winding corridors and up the steep stairs until we found room number 468.
This was the first time I was going to see my mother's face.
In person.
The first time I'd ever see her.
And the last.
Dad pushed open the door.
I followed him.
I saw a bed.
On it was my mother.
Someone I'd been wishing all my life to meet.
Dad walked to one of her sides.
I went to the other.
Liam joined Dad.
Gemini joined me.
'Are we seriously going through with this?' Gemini asked.
'Yeah we are.' Dad said. 'I'm just going to go tell a nurse what's going on.' He left the room.
I stared at my mother.
Watching her chest rise up and down.
Up and down.
Up and down.
He brown, curly hair was spread out on her pillow.
Her eyes closed.
I knelt down by her side.
Took her hand in mine.
'Hi Mum.' I said. 'It's me Aislyn. Your daughter. I don't know if you can hear me. But I'm going to try anyway. I'm here with Gemini, my twin sister. Also your daughter. And Liam, your son. Dad, or Niall as you know him, has gone to tell the nurse why we're here. Well I think you should know too. We're here to turn you off. That means you would die. Not be in this world anymore. End the roller coaster of life you've been on. We'd miss you. We'd want you to be with us. But we've been waiting 12 years for you to wake up. And you haven't. So I think it's time we gave up and let you leave this earth like you first intended.' I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. 'I've got something to tell you. And Gemini and Liam. Well um... I'm pregnant. With Theo's baby. Yes your Nephew. Congratulations Mum, if you woke up you would have been a grandmother.'
I hadn't realised that Dad had walked in.
With a nurse.
She looked at us.
'Okay Horan family. Who's going to do the honours?' Dad raised his hand. 'Okay Mr Horan, take all the time you need. I understand that it will be hard for you.'
He walked back to his space beside Liam.
I stood up dropping Mum's hand.
Liam kissed her cheek.
So did Gemini and I.
Dad kissed Mum on the lips.
I backed away from Mum not wanting to look at her die.
Dad leaned over towards the switch.
One hand balancing on the bed.
He placed his index finger on the switch.
'Niall.' A voice whispered.

Notes