[St Theresa's Hospital - Whitby]

It had been a week since Thea first arrived home and when she wasn't back at the cottage, reminiscing with Beth and Rachel or keeping Isaiah updated, she was at the hospital. Marianne Baker had spent the last two months in a private room under the watchful eye of nurses and doctors who worked as part of the end of life team. Sadly in the last couple of weeks, Marianne had become unresponsive and it was the machines and her strong will that was currently keeping her alive. A small comfort for the Baker sisters as they knew that any moment spent with their Mother was precious and luckily her sister had also been able to take leave from her new job as an Academy Instructor.

So as Thea entered the ward that morning, following a rather pleasant evening despite the circumstances meeting Beth's new girlfriend Marissa, who worked on a freighter. Her mood was less grim as she followed her new regime of talking to the medical staff and checking her Mother's charts, before going into her room. With Beth due at any time, after Thea had gone ahead, the younger Baker sister immediately went over to their Mother's bed.

" Hi Mum" she said softly as she leaned down to kiss her Mother's forehead. " Beth will be here shortly with Marissa, I got to meet her properly last night and I like her a lot, it's good to see Beth happy".

Thea knew the conversation was one sided but she took further comfort in the knowledge that Marianne could hear her. After replacing the flowers in the vase and looking at the latest readouts, Thea settled into a chair beside the bed, reaching out to take hold of her Mother's hand, just to be close to her.

[St Theresa's Hospital - Whitby]

Lunch over with and still lost in thought, Thea took her tray and deposited it in the recycler. The food that she had just consumed settling as opposed to making her nauseated, a sure sign that sustenance was definitely needed. With having some renewed energy, Thea then exited the cafeteria and made her way back to her Mother's room. Barely getting inside when the alarms began to sound, a sound that Thea knew only too well and yet instinct was overrode by fear.

She stood there, suddenly feeling completely bereft of thought, of not knowing what to do. Frozen as nurses came running in and did their job, checking the machines and the alerts. Seeing but not really hearing as Beth spoke to them, before her Sister was stood right in front of her.

" Thea.... look at me, it's time to say goodbye" Beth began through tears, that were falling thick and fast. Even then Thea just stared at her, until her words punched through the shock and the alarms fell silent.

Nodding as she was struggling to articulate words right now. Thea moved closer to the bed, gazing down at her Mother who still looked as though she was asleep but even Thea could see her chest rise and fall for what was the last time. The nurses offered words of comfort and sincerity, telling the sisters that they would be back shortly in order to give them the chance to say their final farewells.

Beth went first, Thea aware of her talking and kissing Marianne, before it was Thea's turn. How many times had she spoken, telling her everything that she had missed and now this was it, the last time that she would ever be able to do so.

" Goodbye Mum, I love you, now you can finally be reunited with Dad" she said softly, leaning down to gently kiss Marianne's forehead. The tears would come but for the moment, allowed her sister to envelop her in a tight hug. Once released, Thea found herself being led out of the room, unable to look back as she had to remember who her Mum was and not some empty shell.