2.6 Part Two: The end of an era

If you have lost someone or in other way dealt with cancer or is sensitive to the subject, do not read this chapter!

 Rie's Pov

"Push! Push! Push!"
"Oh god!"
"I can see its head! Now push!"
After pushing for what felt like hours, it was finally over.
"Congratulations. It's a boy!"
"A boy?," I said faintly, exhausted.
"What would you like to name him?" a young nurse with a soft voice asked.
"Olson. Olson."

A "Welcome Home" sign was hung above the tv in the living room when i entered our home with my newborn son. They were all gathered to welcome us home after a painful and exhausting birth. Camille, Jerry and Henri. My mom was still lying in bed, but to make up for it, she had had Henri go buy a present to Olson from her. Camille had taken me to the hospital, but Jerry had met us there as she had called him on the way there.
Giving birth was the worst most horrifying experience i had ever had. I was never gonna do that again! Yet i loved Olson with all my heart, there was no doubt about that.
Olson was passed between each of them so they could all try and hold him, giving him little kisses on the nose and holding his fingers.
"Oh you tiny little thing," Camille exclaimed and kissed his little fingers. It's true, he was actually a quite small baby compared to when Elle was born.
"You all know this is a big day for us," I started my speech. "We greatly appreciate this welcome, but it isn't just our day. It's also Elle's birthday. Camille has baked a lovely cake, so why don't you bring down the little birthday girl," I said turning to Camille.
"Just one moment," she said and ran upstairs. When she came downstairs, she had Elle wrapped in a pink blanket, ready to blow out the candles.
"Make a wish," she whispered gently to her infant daughter.

As Camille blew out the candles, Elle grew into a beautiful 3 year old toddler. She would soon show that she was in fact a very intelligent little girl.

Third Person

Alyca held on for a long time. Longer than most had expected, especially the doctors. Because of this, a doctor came and visited her at home, since it wasn't possible for her to go out herself. The doctor said it was a miracle that she had lasted this long. They didn't know what caused it, but he guessed it was her courage, a will to live. Alyca did want to live, mostly to see her grandchildren grow up.

Then after three years of suffering by both her and her family, her life was at an end. 

It happened on a Sunday night. Everybody was preparing for Olson's birthday that was to be held the same night, just family around. Before they blew out the candles, they wanted to check on their mother, also so she could hold the baby. But when they got to her room it was too late. they were met with a sight that would haunt them forever. 

As she passed on, they cried for what felt like hours but was in fact only minutes. She met death with open arms as she was now relieved from the pain she had suffered for years.
In the meantime Olson had grown into a toddler by himself in his room.

It was supposed to be a day of happiness and celebration, but instead was filled with sorrow and despair by the loss of their mother and grandmother.
The days that passed was particular hard on Camille. She had always been the closest to her mother. She cried herself to sleep every night, wishing she had someone to share her grief with, apart from her sister. She wanted a man be be with, crying with her in bed, curled up under the covers. One to hold her, tell her everything will be okay, one to love. Her greatest wish had become to find a man and marry. She didn't want little flirts anymore. No more flirting with vampires that weren't gonna be to anything. No more married men. She just needed one single guy, around her own age, that was nice, calm, sensitive and romantic. One she could relate to, talk to, hold and kiss.
She was going to try to find someone on her travels. It couldn't be too difficult. Who would travel alone if they had a loving family at home?

A couple days later they held the funeral. They invited only family and their children's fathers.
Camille set up the table with different kinds of food they had ordered in the day before.

Camille and Rie had also went to a stylist to get new outfits for the day. They decided that it was also time for new clothes for everyday wear, since Fall was upon them and it was getting too cold in their current clothes.
After the guests arrived the day past quite fast.
Hans made a toast about Alyca. How she had always been a loving mother and a wonderful friend. After the toast they mingled. Camille thanked Hans on the beautiful and touching toast.

Jerry had taken Rie with him into the hobby room. She was so full of sorrow, that she cried her eyes out on his shoulder.
He pulled her up and held her close. "I love you," he said to her.
"I love you too," She responded.

At least i still have Jerry, she thought.
"There is something i have thought of doing for quite some time. We have a son together, and we love each other. Please, have an open mind," he said sounding surprisingly excited.
He got down on one knee and pulled out a little black box.

"Rie Holmberg, will you marry me?" His eyes shined with happiness at the thought of the two of them together.

"Oh my god! Honey what are you doing?" she said with sadness in her voice. This wasn't right. "Honey we're at my mothers funeral. This is not the time."

"You-you're turning me down?" he didn't understand. He thought this was the perfect time to propose. In all the sadness and despair, this seemed perfect for a spark of happiness.
"I'm sorry. Maybe another time, but not now."

He was heartbroken. "I don't understand. We just talked about moving in together and... we love each other. You know?"
"But i still want us to move in together. Why can't we just do that?"
"Well, i guess it's a start. I will propose again, you know. I will make you my wife sometime." He gave Rie a stern look. "We are moving in together now then. I'll go get my dog."
"Your dog?? You have a dog?"
"I do. hmph kind of ironic isn't it? I do..."
He left the room and returned an hour later with his dog Rusty. It was an elderly dog. A mix between a lot of breeds, it was impossible to tell which just by looking at him.
The rest of the funeral went quietly by.
Afterwards Jerry took Rie with him outside to watch the stars. "Look how bright they are tonight," he said.
"I know you want to marry me, but i'm just not the marrying kind. We are dating and we've just moved in together! That is a huge step for me. I still need to tell Camille about it though."
"Don't you think she's figured it out by now? I mean she must have seen Rusty already."
"No i have to go tell her in person. I'll be right back."
Camille didn't take it too well that her ex boyfriend was living in her house. In her will, Alyca had left everything to Camille. The house and a small fortune of money. She was not about to share it with her ex who was now her sisters boyfriend. Rie tried to talk Camille into some sense. The only way she would let Jerry stay was that they looked after Elle while she would be traveling. Rie agreed, happy that it wasn't something worse. She loved her little niece to pieces, so this couldn't be too hard.