162 Aunt Norma last words

Audis sits next to his wife gazing into her pain filled eyes. 

"My love please let me take you to the hospital. That way we can see for sure if this is truly goodbye or if we can help you live just a little longer." Norma takes her husbands hand and kisses it. 

"Call our children I want to say goodbye on my terms . Have everyone on at once please. I have to tell them all one last time I love them. I knew the other day that my time was getting close. I'm sorry I will not get to be with you on Valentine's Day . Now go and get my children on FaceTime before it's to late." She closes her eyes and Audis goes out and tells Aisling we need five phones to call the children she wants to talk to them at once. Debra ,Sam Aisling Astila and Marshal get their phones and call them once they are all on the lines they go back to Norma. She is sitting up as if she is fine though they all know she is deteriorating. they line the phones up so she can see each of their faces 

"My darling children I am going to need you to come home now. You see it's my time to go and your father is going to need you here. I have had several mini heart attacks over the last few days and my heart is getting weaker. I don't know if I will make it till you can arrive but know this. You are the center of my world. I have loved you all with every fiber of my being. You have been my greatest joy and my biggest blessing. I have loved you all since before you were born God blessed me with the most amazing loving family that any woman could have ever imagined. So I'm asking you all to continue my legacy of love through your children and grandchildren. Let them know that they are loved and cherished everyday. Even when you are angry with them do not ever let them think that they are not loved. Love them everyday tell them everyday just I have you. I'm tired now and I want to close my eyes if you need anything ask Aisling . I'm going to rest now so I will say sweet dreams my darlings may you have angel watching over you ." With that she waves them out and lays down. Once outside the room Aisling starts talking to each of her cousins to make arrangements for them. They all let her know not worry they have money for airfare but they will need someone to pick up two of the kids from school. One is at Wvu and the other is at Marshal university. Marshal volunteers to go to marshal and Sam will go to WVU. The ones in Texas will come home on the next flights. Aisling asks if one of them will pick up Aunt Jin and bring her with them. That Uncle Steve is on deployment. Since he and Norma are not blood related he will not be able to come home. 

while they are making arrangements Norma asks for John . When he sees his old friend he begins to cry. she tells him sternly 

"yes I know you old spitfire, I draw the line at them dressing you in leather though. I know those kids would dress you in your biker clothes if I would let them. Everything else I will make sure to do . I will even take a drink in your honor. I love you my friend and thank you for all the years of your unwavering love and support." John leans down and kisses her on the forehead. Feeling her skin turning cold he goes to get Astila. Audis stops him from going to get him. He knows his wife is almost gone and wants the last few minutes to himself. sitting next to her he picks her up and sits her on his lap. Cradling her in his arms with her head on his shoulder. 

" you know I believe I was born to love you. That we are two haves of a whole. I pray that God does not make me live too long without you. Woman you have been my heart for a lifetime and I thank you for it. Your loving wild woman stole my heart all those years ago if I had one wish it would be to make love to you one more time." Turning her face up he leans down and kisses his love one last time. She sighs and takes her last breath. Audis begins to quietly cry as she slumps in his arms. He calls for Aisling telling her to call the ambulance to come get her. To take her to the funeral home. He calls the coroner to let him know that his wife just passed so that the time could be noted on the death certificate. He told him he is having her transported to the funeral home since there is no need for an autopsy. The corner agrees to meet the ambulance to do the necessary paperwork. Audis holds his wife till the ambulance arrives . When they come to take her Aisling asks Debra to sit with uncle Audis while she goes makes the arrangements with the director at the home. Everyone gathered along the driveway singing and waving as the ambulance passed. Once Norma was gone the house was in a flurry of activity. Debra was organized and telling everyone what was needed. She got Marshal on the phone along with a few others calling extended family. She called each of Audis's children herself to let them know that she was gone and to see if they needed anything. Remi got her mom started on making arrangements for housing of the five families that would be arriving. Moll gave her the keys to her house. Audi's oldest will stay with him. Sam and Marshal get ready to leave to get the grandkids from the two universities. Giving them a call so they will be expecting them. Under Jewish traditions she needs to be buried by sun down the next day. So they need to hurry with the arrangements. Luckily one of the children is a pilot and his airline will make emergency arrangements for them to be home quickly . To an outsider it would look like these people didn't care by how quickly and coldly it seems to be done. To someone who is in this family it's like they are falling apart. Astila watches them forget about everything but the need to fulfill Norma's last wishes. He goes to check on Audis . The man looks completely defeated. He is still sitting on the sofa his hands over his face. Astila goes to sit with him. Not a word passing between them. Just sitting holding him in his arms like a child as he cries over the loss of his soulmate. Totally oblivious to what is happening around him. Astila looks outside and the sun is setting. He goes and gets a throw blanket to wrap around this older man. John walks in and tells him. 

"Audis all is prepared do not worry. The kids are on their way and all arrangements are made. Do you want to stay here or do you wish me to take you home?"  Audi's looks at his dear friend. 

"I still feel her in my arms and can still smell her shampoo. I am not leaving this spot till I no longer can feel her here. If I go home it will be to a cold empty room. I will wait till the children arrive to go home. I am not ready to let her go completely yet." John nods and looks at Astila. Astila nods it's ok for Audis is right. Norma's body has left but her spirit is still sitting on his lap in his arms. He can see her smiling at her husband with all ove her love in her eyes. His other wife is there patting his shoulder giving him comfort. This man was very lucky in his choice of wives. They were loving and accepting of him and each other. The two men go out and draw the French doors to the living room closed leaving him to be alone with his grief. Astila wonders what traditions they have for the passing of a loved one but is afraid to ask.