~4 years ago~

"Sia?" My mother croaked her nickname for me through her tears, "Listen to me, sweetie. Everything's going to be alright. Okay?" She said in a mere whisper. "I'm going to be fine and soon were going to get out of here-" she coughed, "and I'll take you to Scoop and we'll look back at this and realise how ridiculous we're being." She choked through splutters of her coughing fit.

"Okay, mom." I replied with tears streaming down my face, making the blanket of her hospital bed slightly damp in a small area.

I knew she wasn't going to be okay. I knew that within the next few days or maybe even hours, she would no longer be here to have cuddles with when I have a nightmare or kiss me on my forehead and tell me it was going to be alright during a thunderstorm.

But I had to stay strong. I had to. So that the last time her eyes are open, the last thing she would see, would be the smiling face of her daughter.

"So what ice-cream are you going to have?" I said cracking a small smile on my tear-stained face.

"Hmm... Either Raspberry Ripple or Strawberry Shortcake?" She questioned, a smile beginning to light up her pale and crinkled face. "I'm not sure yet, but I'm feeling fruity." She chuckled towards the end. I loved her laugh and I'm sure going to miss it when she's...

*cough* *cough* *cough*

Oh no! Another coughing fit, and this time, there's blood, more than there has ever been.

"Dad! Dr. Brown!" I screamed outside the hospital room door, my heart thumping over my horrible thoughts.

No-one was there.

I ran back to mom.

"Mom! Mom, it's gonna be okay, alright?" I explained, grabbing her frail, grey hands in my warm, soft hands. I couldn't leave her.

What if she goes whilst I'm not here? I'll never forgive myself for it.

I slammed the palm of my hand into the emergency alarm button, hoping someone would come to help her. I could do nothing more than hold her hands, stroke her almost bald and ice cold to the touch head and tell her everything's going to be okay; even though we both knew it wouldn't.

"Promise me something, Alessia?" Mom said, she spluttered through coughs of blood.

"Anything, mommy. Anything." I replied, eager to know what she wants me to do and so quick in case she goes any moment now. Niagra Falls currently streaming down my face.

"Promise me," she coughed, barely even able to breath now, "that you will make yourself happy? No matter what you do. Promise me you'll be happy?" She struggled to breath.

"I promise, mommy. I love you to the moon and back..." I decided to tell her I love her. I put on a smile to show her I was strong and wanted to let her know that I know it's her time and that it's okay to let go. I could tell it was her time to be taken.

"And beyond..."