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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Cole, a young man facing what he believes to be his final moments, gathers his family and closest friend for a heartfelt farewell. As they arrive, tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and what begins as a somber goodbye takes an unexpected turn.<\/p>\n
Cole lay on the bed, feeling his strength slowly drain away like water slipping through his fingers. The pain was unbearable, something he never imagined he could endure.<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Each breath felt heavier than the last as he drifted in and out of consciousness. His thoughts turned to his life\u2014only 28 years old, yet it felt like it was slipping away too soon.<\/p>\n
He and his wife had just started dreaming of having children, but now, that dream seemed impossible.<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t bear the thought of leaving without saying goodbye to those he loved. With the little energy he had left, Cole reached for his phone and called his family and best friend, Michael.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t share the gravity of his condition; he just wanted to see them, to hold on to some sense of normalcy, perhaps for the last time.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Michael was the first to arrive. He walked through the house, calling out for Cole, but Cole didn\u2019t have the strength to respond.<\/p>\n
Michael walked into the room and saw Cole lying in bed. \u201cWhat\u2019s up, bud?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Cole looked up at him with a weak smile. \u201cJust wanted to get everyone together. Thought it\u2019d be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael glanced around the room. \u201cSo, it\u2019s just me and your imaginary friend for now?\u201d he joked, pretending to look for someone else.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Cole chuckled, though it hurt. \u201cNo, the rest should be here soon. My parents, Amber too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael grinned. \u201cIs Amber still hot?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole\u2019s smile faded a bit. \u201cShe\u2019s off-limits, Mike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael raised his hands in mock surrender. \u201cOkay, okay. Maybe we should move to the living room?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d rather stay here. Let\u2019s just sit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d Michael asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I just want to be here,\u201d Cole replied softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d Michael said, pulling up a chair beside the bed.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ae34c99c3097be3a137d261d884db52885eddd87c751120ac3b7acec63105073.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Michael had barely settled in when the door opened, and Cole\u2019s mother, Jessica, and sister, Amber, walked in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are we sitting in the bedroom? And why are you still in bed, Cole?\u201d Jessica asked, her voice full of worry.<\/p>\n
Michael, catching a glimpse of Amber, leaned over to Cole and mouthed, \u201cStill hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wanted us all to be together,\u201d Cole said, looking up at his mom. \u201cIt feels right, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Jessica frowned. \u201cBut why the bedroom? This isn\u2019t like you, Cole. You should be up, moving around. This isn\u2019t normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole sighed, realizing he needed to explain more. \u201cI was just thinking about when Camilla and I first moved in here. We had our first dinner in this room because it was the only one with any furniture. Remember how you all helped us set up? We laughed so much that night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I remember,\u201d Amber said, laughing softly. \u201cMichael couldn\u2019t stop hitting on me the whole evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael grinned at Amber. \u201cWell, if we\u2019re going down memory lane, I\u2019m happy to give it another shot,\u201d he said, winking.<\/p>\n
Amber smiled back. \u201cYou can try.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Cole interjected, his voice firm. \u201cThis isn\u2019t the time for that. Where\u2019s Dad?\u201d Cole suddenly noticed his father, John, wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n
Jessica hesitated before answering. \u201cHe said he\u2019s working late. He can\u2019t make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole\u2019s expression darkened. \u201cHe has to come!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll come another day, Cole. It\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo! He has to come today!\u201d Cole insisted, his voice rising.<\/p>\n
Amber stepped closer to the bed, trying to calm her brother. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on with you? Calm down, Cole.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael nodded in agreement. \u201cYeah, man, you\u2019re not dying. Relax.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole didn\u2019t respond. He just stared at them. He didn\u2019t want to tell them the truth; he didn\u2019t want to make them worry.<\/p>\n
Jessica had already called John, telling him to come over immediately. \u201cCole, what\u2019s going on?\u201d she asked, her voice trembling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t\u2026 I don\u2019t know how much time I have left,\u201d he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does that mean? Are you sick?\u201d Amber asked, stepping closer to the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Cole simply answered.<\/p>\n
Michael shook his head. \u201cDude, that\u2019s not cool. Why didn\u2019t you say anything earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole sighed deeply. \u201cI didn\u2019t want you to worry. I didn\u2019t want anyone to worry,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n
Jessica\u2019s worry turned to anger. \u201cI\u2019m your mother! I should know these things!\u201d<\/p>\n
At that moment, John rushed into the bedroom, out of breath from hurrying home. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Jessica turned to him. \u201cOur son is sick,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
John looked at Cole, searching for answers. \u201cSeriously?\u201d he asked, and Cole nodded, confirming the worst.<\/p>\n
Amber\u2019s voice shook as she asked, \u201cThen why aren\u2019t you in the hospital, Cole? Shouldn\u2019t you be getting treatment?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went to the doctor. He said there\u2019s no point in keeping me there; they can\u2019t do anything to help,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Amber covered her face with her hands, her emotions overwhelming her. Michael stepped closer, gently patting her back, trying to comfort her.<\/p>\n
Cole\u2019s voice was calm but sad as he continued, \u201cThat\u2019s why I wanted you all to come today, to say goodbye, because I don\u2019t know how much time I have left\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael asked, \u201cWhere\u2019s Camilla?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt work,\u201d Cole replied.<\/p>\n
Jessica\u2019s eyes flared with anger again. \u201cHow can she be at work?!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cWhen her husband is in such a condition, she\u2019s working?!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole shook his head, trying to calm her. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Mom. I\u2019ll still have time to be with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Jessica couldn\u2019t accept it. \u201cThis is outrageous! She should be by your side day and night! I\u2019m calling her right now,\u201d she declared, reaching for her phone.<\/p>\n
Cole reached out. \u201cNo need, really. I want to be with you all. That\u2019s what\u2019s important to me right now.\u201d He paused, looking at each of them. \u201cI love and appreciate you all so much, and I\u2019m glad that you\u2019re my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole noticed Amber and Michael exchanging quick, secretive glances across the room.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t the first time he had seen that look pass between them. He had known for a while that Michael had feelings for Amber, but he had always put his foot down, telling Michael that his sister was off-limits.<\/p>\n
Amber was his little sister, and he had been protective of her. But now, lying there, Cole realized that things were different. Even if he wasn\u2019t around much longer, he wanted them to be happy together.<\/p>\n
Cole took a deep breath and looked at Michael and Amber, who were still exchanging glances. \u201cMichael, I give you my blessing to date Amber,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Amber\u2019s eyes widened in surprise. \u201cWhat blessing? This isn\u2019t the Middle Ages, and you\u2019re not my father,\u201d she objected, though her tone was more playful than serious.<\/p>\n
Michael\u2019s face lit up with a huge smile. \u201cThanks, man. We didn\u2019t know how to tell you,\u201d he said, reaching out to take Amber\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
Amber squeezed Michael\u2019s hand and added with a smile, \u201cWe\u2019ve actually been dating for three months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole\u2019s eyes widened in shock. \u201cThree months? And you kept it a secret from me?\u201d he exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were afraid of how you\u2019d react, Cole. I didn\u2019t want to upset you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael was the one afraid of your reaction. I wanted to tell you right away,\u201d Amber said.<\/p>\n
Cole turned to his parents. \u201cAnd you both knew?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Jessica nodded with a smile. \u201cOf course, we knew. Michael\u2019s great for Amber. I\u2019ve been telling her that for a while now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
John chimed in, giving Michael a pat on the shoulder. \u201cMichael and I play baseball together once a week. He\u2019s a good guy, Cole.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole shook his head, still in disbelief. \u201cI can\u2019t believe this,\u201d he murmured, though he couldn\u2019t help but smile just a little.<\/p>\n
They spent the entire day reminiscing, sitting close together as the memories flowed. Cole\u2019s parents shared stories of when he was a little boy, remembering his first steps and how he\u2019d laugh at the simplest things.<\/p>\n
Michael and Amber joined in, recalling the silly pranks they pulled as teenagers, laughing about when they got caught sneaking out late at night. The room was filled with laughter and tears, each story bringing a blend of happiness and sadness.<\/p>\n
As the day wore on, the reality of their situation hung over them, heavy and unspoken. No one wanted to say goodbye, and the thought brought a deep ache to their hearts.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, and Camilla walked in. She looked around at everyone gathered around Cole, who was lying in bed. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d she asked, her voice filled with confusion.<\/p>\n
Jessica immediately turned to her, her face full of frustration. \u201cHow can you be at work when your husband is in this condition?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat condition?\u201d Camilla asked, her eyes scanning the room for answers.<\/p>\n
John, who had been holding back his emotions, finally exploded. \u201cMy son is dying!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n
Camilla\u2019s eyes widened in shock. \u201cDying?! What are you talking about? What kind of show is this?\u201d she asked, turning to Cole for an explanation.<\/p>\n
Cole looked up at her. \u201cNo show, Camilla. I just wanted to say goodbye while I still could,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Camilla stared at him, then shook her head in disbelief. \u201cCole, you have a fever of 100.4\u00b0F! You\u2019re not dying! You just caught a cold!\u201d she exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it feels like I\u2019m dying,\u201d he muttered, trying to justify his dramatic behavior.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, so you just have a cold?!\u201d Amber shouted, her voice filled with disbelief.<\/p>\n
John, now furious, threw his hands up in the air. \u201cI canceled a few meetings because of you!\u201d he yelled, storming out of the room in anger.<\/p>\n
Jessica followed him, shaking her head in disbelief. \u201cI can\u2019t believe this! I was already thinking I\u2019d have to bury my son, and you just have a cold!\u201d she said as she left the room.<\/p>\n
Michael, trying to lighten the mood, looked at Cole with a grin. \u201cNot cool, man. But just to be clear, your blessing for Amber and me still stands, right?\u201d he asked, teasing him.<\/p>\n
Camilla turned to Amber, raising an eyebrow. \u201cHe finally worked up the courage to tell him?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
Amber nodded with a laugh. \u201cAll it took was Cole \u2018dying\u2019 for it to happen,\u201d she said, giggling as she and Michael left the room, leaving Cole and Camilla alone.<\/p>\n
Once they were gone, Cole looked up at Camilla, feeling a bit sheepish. \u201cYou knew too?\u201d he asked, surprised that he had been the last to figure things out.<\/p>\n
Camilla rolled her eyes. \u201cEveryone knew, Cole. I don\u2019t understand how you didn\u2019t see it. What was all this drama for?\u201d she asked, still trying to wrap her head around the situation.<\/p>\n
Cole sighed, sinking deeper into the bed. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I just feel like I\u2019m about to die,\u201d he said, feeling a bit foolish now.<\/p>\n
Camilla shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. \u201cI\u2019ll go heat up some broth for your drama queen self. I can\u2019t believe you came up with all this!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cole, a young man facing what he believes to be his final moments, gathers his family and closest friend for a heartfelt farewell. As they arrive, tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and what begins as a somber goodbye takes an unexpected turn. Cole lay on the bed, feeling his strength slowly drain away like water […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16587"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16594,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16587\/revisions\/16594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}