Chapter 6 Hello and Goodbye

Natalie pov

"Ms Ginger, would you prefer to postpone the funeral?" The nurse who entered the hospital room asked reluctantly.

I blinked. Twenty four hours had passed since his death and it still feels surreal to me. My pup's little body was taken away from me after a few minutes in the labour room and I felt as though my heart was being ripped out of my chest.

Is it already time to bury him in the soil? Tears rolled down the corners of my eyes. I wish I had someone to lean on. Even Nala had gone silent. I opened my mouth, yet no sound came out. More tears gathered in my eyes. I no longer had the strength nor the willpower to fight against them.

"Honey. You are the strongest woman I have ever seen." Said the stranger beside me. She was the one Mr Perez had called.

They had taken pity on me and remained beside me to offer their support. I had a lot of questions to ask about them, however, I was too lost in my dilemma to care about anything else.

"It is okay if you want to delay the funeral or not, we are here to support you," said another stranger. One of the women who had come with her.

I glanced at them. I wanted to smile, however, all I could do was stare blankly as tears continued to stream down my eyes. I felt as though my throat was blocked, making it extremely hard to form words. Yet, I knew I had to keep fighting.

I tried to gulp down the lump in my throat and heaved a deep breath.

"Now...do it now. But please. Bring him here before you take him away," I swallowed a sob. "I want to say goodbye…" it was hard to speak and my voice quivered as I forced myself to form the words.

The nurse offered a sad smile as she nodded and hurried out of the room.

"I'll take care of everything. You wouldn't have to worry about anything." Mr Perez, who was standing at the corner of the room suddenly said.

"I am going to call the funeral house and make all the preparations. I hope you will accept it from me. It is the least I could do to help." He added. His usually emotionless eyes were now filled with sympathy.

I managed to smile through my tears. "Thank you, Mr Perez. But I have enough money…."

"It isn't because of money, Ms Ginger." His deep voice was authoritative.

"Please accept this little gesture from me. I hope we can be friends from now on," he added.

My lips parted. Is the elusive Mr Perez trying to befriend me? I must be looking like a damsel in distress who was extremely helpless for this to happen. However, I couldn't say no to him. I didn't want to be rude. So I offered a small smile as I nodded at him.

The corners of his lips crooked in a little smile. He was satisfied with my response.

"I am going to take care of the preparations. Mara, Rina and Tara, stay beside Ms Ginger." His instructions felt like an order.

I watched as his friends bowed their heads a little as he walked briskly out of the door. That was a weird way to bid your friend goodbye. I frowned, however, I didn't say anything.

My eyes darted at the equally attractive ladies. Despite my aching heart, I smiled at them. I was grateful that they didn't leave me alone.

"Thank you so much," I whispered.

"Oh, no! It is uh… Mr Perez who you should be thanking." The woman with tan skin grinned. Her hair, which was as black as ebony, was tied up in a high ponytail and I thought she possessed a unique beauty. All three of them were pretty in their special ways.

"I guess you are Mara," I assumed, looking at the tan-skinned woman. Her ever-smiling face was pleasant to look at.

"Yes. I'm his high…. I mean I work for Mr Perez…. We all do," she stammered. There was no doubt that they were hiding something. I wondered if it was okay to ask them about it as I lay silently on the hospital bed. I remember Mr Perez asking to bring the 'healers'. And I still haven't gotten over the fact that these women don't smell like humans. There were several unanswered questions, however, my situation hadn't been in such a way that I could bother to ask them anything.

Hours passed with a minimal conversation between us. I waited in anticipation to hear any news about my little pup's funeral procession. I no longer cried. However, my heart wept. Nala was silent and I didn't have any desire to call her. She too must be silently mourning our loss.

The door opened. The foul smell of death hit my nose. My lips parted when I realised that they must be bringing my pup to me. I watched eagerly as they carried a little body covered in white sheets. When they halted beside my bed, I hoisted myself up. Taking heavy breaths, I uncovered his little face with trembling hands.

"Let me hold him…. Please." I whispered. Thankfully, they didn't say anything and handed me his little body. I searched his small face. I wanted to memorise every feature. With bushy eyebrows and a button nose, he looked a lot like Trevor. I touched his soft cheeks. They were cold and blue. Yet, he was perfect. It was a pity that I had to say hello and goodbye to him at the same time.

However, I will be strong- always.

"Hi, little one. Mommy loves you so much. Wait for me on the other side, okay?" My voice quivered. My vision blurred with tears. Yet, I promised myself that I would be patient. I would face what life threw at me.

"What is his name?" The nurse asked.

Smiling, "Ace Johnson," I sighed.

"His funeral is set an hour after the sunsets. So we don't have time. We must take him to the funeral house now." The nurse informed me.

"What? The sun has set already?" I was shocked.

She nodded.

Being lost in my thoughts seemed to have shortened the day. I didn't realise how the time had passed. Sighing I glanced at my little Ace. He was sleeping peacefully. I smiled though I didn't feel like it, because I knew Ace would want me to keep smiling. I kissed his little forehead, knowing that it would be the only chance I get to do that and handed him to the nurse in front of me.

I watched intently as she took him away. I didn't blink until she walked out of the room. Once again, a deep feeling of sorrow engulfed me. I was alone.

All I felt was emptiness. I stared at the white ceiling of the hospital. My pup was taken away to be buried in the human cemetery and it felt like a piece of me was being snatched away. And without it, I would never be the same.

The rest of the night was long and dismal. I knew Mara and the others tried to keep company, however, none of it mattered to me. The doctor came and I was told that I could go home the next day.

I breathed out deeply. My forehead creased. I had prepared the whole apartment to welcome my pup. I had built this life, in spite of being shattered by those who I trusted the most. Every corner of that place would remind me of what I had lost. What was the use of going back there now?

I tried to sleep. Mara and the others didn't leave my side. Mr Perez didn't return, however, I was aware that he kept calling the girls. At times I kept my eyes squeezed shut, hoping that sleep would somehow overpower me. After what felt like an eternity, I finally fell asleep.

The next day I was woken up to be told that it was time to leave and that Mr Perez had taken care of the hospital bills. He didn't have to, but still, he did. Making a mental note to thank him for everything I walked out of the hospital.

"Are you still following me?" I chuckled when I realised the three women were coming after me.

"Yes we can't let you on your own like this," Mara replied.

"We are like sisters, aren't we?" The one who I guessed was Rina added.

"Sisters," I laughed.

"We know you aren't human," Tara smiled, making me freeze. "And we can't let you wallow on your own. We will be part of your pain. Mr Perez wants to make sure that you are fine."

I frowned as they hailed a taxi. I stared at them with my mouth hung open, speechless.

"What are you?" I asked.

"We are shifters, just like you. I'm a werewolf, like you. Tara is a dragon shifter and so is Rina." Mara explained.

I was shocked. "How... but Mr Perez is a human, right? He smells like one."

They snickered. "He is special. He has the power to mask his scent and appear like a human." Rina explained.

Just then a taxi halted in front of us.

"We will talk about this later." Mara winked. "Now let's get you home."