Chapter 16: The Last Goodbye

The morning sunlight streamed in to his bedroom, where Ethan lay surrounded by those he loved most dearly now: Samantha, Lily, Ethan Jr., and Maria. His breaths came in shallow gasps while death’s icy grip tightened its hold upon him bit by bit.

He looked up at them with tears shining bright in his eyes, realizing then just how blessed he’d been to spend this final time with family all around him.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered hoarsely, reaching out weakly for Samantha’s hand as she sat beside him on the bed holding it tightly.

“Shh,” she soothed gently, leaning in so that she could press a gentle kiss against his forehead. “It’s okay.” She smiled softly through her own tears then, adding more forcefully, “Being selfish is okay here. We all love you, no matter what.”

Ethan nodded jerkily once before letting out a shuddering breath as if relieved by those words alone. Then he turned toward the kids. They were watching quietly from the foot of the bed.

“Take care of your mom for me, okay?” he croaked to both of them, fighting back sobs now too. “She’s gonna need you more than ever before soon.”

“We will,” Lily promised bravely even as tears streamed down her cheeks freely without any embarrassment. It was rare for her to let go of her strong persona. Only in the loving company of her family could she let her emotions run so freely.

Ethan Jr nodded silently, not trusting himself enough to speak at the moment either. He buried his face into Maria’s arms instead and let out muffled whimpers.

For several long moments, they all just stayed like that together. One big family unit supporting each other through this hardest moment yet. Finally, at around late morning, a final breath slipped past Ethan’s lips. His chest rose no more beneath the sheets. He was gone, and with it went the curse he had carried with him. Leaving behind nothing but pure love.

Samantha leaned in to drop another soft kiss against closed eyelids before sitting back up. She took a deep breath, then whispered in a sad voice, “Be at rest my love.”

Once they were outside with the door being shut softly behind them, she pulled the family into one last embrace. They wept openly together for a man who had given them everything he could. They knew though his physical form was gone now, he’d always remain right here in their hearts forever.

Epilogue

Time passed as it always did, healing raw wounds of loss left with a soft comfort. A new normal settled over the house on Maple Street as days turned to weeks, then to months, and at last becoming years once more.

Samantha invested her energy and passion into her business, her determination and resolution were absolute. Thanks to Maria, they built the bakery into a thriving business empire that soon sprawled into multiple venues throughout the city. The bakery was renamed “Reid’s” after Ethan. The hotel chain followed the same name.