Justin, why are you up?
Rosalie wanted to bring breakfast to him in his room.
Justin saw Theodore in the living room, and immediately realized what was going on.
I’m fine. I feel much better, he said.
Rosalie helped him onto a chair and sat him down. You need a lot of rest right now. Have some food and take your medicine later.
Justin nodded. Got it.
Theo got a doctor last night to treat you. You really should thank him, she added.
Justin glanced at Theodore and said, Thanks.
Don’t mention it. I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Rose, Theodore said bluntly; he was very honest.
Justin gave him a faint smile. Theodore was a bastard, but at least he was honest.
Alright now, let’s have breakfast, Rosalie said. She didn’t want things to get too awkward.
The three of them enjoyed breakfast in silence. Rosalie gave her sunny-side-up to Justin. Justin, eat more.
He needed nutrients to recuperate.
Theodore handed his sunny-side-up to Rosalie.
Rosalie passed the egg back to him. It’s fine, you should have it. I can eat something else. You two should eat more.
Justin returned Rosalie’s egg to her. The three of us have one each, or I won’t eat any.
Rosalie smiled awkwardly. Alright, then.
There didn’t seem to be an end to this giving and taking of sunny-side-ups. And so, the three of them finished the rest of their breakfasts in silence.
Rosalie then stood up to keep the dishes.
Theodore immediately said, Let me.
Sit down. I can clean up, she said.
Just then, the baby cried.
Rosalie was about to head over, but upon recalling how well Theodore did in coaxing Steve last night, she suggested, Why don’t you help me check on Steve?
Sure. Theodore himself was worried about the baby, so he went
to Steve’s room and carried
his arms. Steve quieted dove in
time.
no
Justin turned to glance at Rosalie, saying in a soft voice, When are you going to tell him the truth?
Rosalie smiled helplessly. I don’t know.
Justin didn’t press the matter. Let me help you clean up.
No need. Sit down, let me.
Rosalie stacked up the dirty plates and brought them to the kitchen.
Justin saw Theodore caring for the baby and Rosalie doing the dishes while he simply sat there injured, and felt quite bad about it.
A phone rang, and Theodore answered the call.
Hello. The look on his face gradually changed. What did you say?!
He immediately put the baby back in the cot and rushed out of the room into the kitchen.
Rose, bad news.
Steve in the room started crying again, but Theodore couldn’t be bothered by it.
Rosalie walked out of the kitchen. What is it?
Theodore’s face was ashen and his eyes turned bloodshot. In a shaky voice, he whispered, Grandma, she…she’s gone.
Rosalie stood stunned, feeling her soul getting sucked out of her body, leaving nothing but an empty shell.
Her eyes widened and she remained unmoving, almost certain that she was in a nightmare.
Cries sounded through the hallway of the hospital.
Rosalie threw herself into Rebecca’s
arms, overwhelmed with sobs. Theodore had the baby in his arms
as he stood at the side, tears streaming down his face. Wesley and Sydney were there too.
Sorrow enveloped the entire place.
Grandma, how did this happen? Grandma, I’m sorry! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I should have stayed by your side! Rosalie wailed.