* * *
A week had passed, David and Diego Bronson's surgery was successful. Although they're still at the hospital recovering, both of them are already out of danger. And regarding the whole misunderstanding between Jordan and David, they decided to talk heart to heart. At first, it seemed to not work with Jordan's stubborn personality but with Diego and Joshua's effort, they finally made up. Their relationship still needs a lot of work but understanding and accepting each other's mistakes was a start.
But of course, Jordan still did a lot of unforgivable things to Daniel and especially the kids so he still went to prison. It only lasted three days as he quickly paid himself out. Diego was to experience the same fate but the Mo Family decided not to pursue the case anymore because one; it is a request from David and two; they all learned that the Omega was currently in a sensitive pregnancy. It may not seem like it but the Mo household members are all a bunch of softies. It may not be true due to their image especially Mo Laotian but he was not one who will hurt an innocent child so they were able to settle the situation with as little hassle as possible.
Days passed and they celebrated Lan's 9th birth with a simple friends and family gathering. Everything was doing fine. It was peaceful at last, that is until a piece of shocking news put everyone in unease. This piece of news was the exact same news Laotian learned the day Daniel came back. He didn't want to keep it from the Omega, however, due to the other person's request, Laotian had no choice. He was also afraid that if he told the Omega the news, it would definitely cause him pain but seeing how serious the situation was, Laotian decided to confess before it was all too late.
"I-I can't believe h-he didn't want me to know this," Daniel sniffled. After learning the whole truth, Daniel rushed to the location as soon as possible. His heart pounded aggressively and even more when he saw the man he didn't think existed before on his bed. It was only a month since he last saw but he looked even thinner than before.
Ronald Ronner, lying on the bed unconscious. If only he didn't know, the man looked like he was just sleeping. Unfortunately, the truth was far crueler. The man was fighting stage IV colorectal cancer, it had already spread to his lungs, liver, and even to his brain. It is said that he only has less than a week to live and only the support of the machine was keeping him alive after sudden multiple attacks for the past days.
"Laotian, what are we going to do?" Daniel asked, his voice trembling. He knew full well there was nothing his husband could do to save his uncle but he couldn't help but ask anyway. The doctors already told them that the disease had already spread so much for them to stop it. There was nothing they could do except wait for him to pass on.
"*sniffles* I-I have o-only just *sniffles* m-meet him. *sniffles* I-I haven't*sniffles* even s-spend enough*sniffles* time w-with him, *sniffles*" Daniel stuttered between his silent sobs that when Laotian saw this, he quickly pulled the Omega into his embrace hoping that his hug would somehow ease the pain his beloved was currently experiencing.
"He told me that it was enough that you had forgiven him," Laotian said softly, making Daniel cry even harder.
"H-He didn't need to apologize. He didn't do anything wrong," Daniel said upset. His uncle was not the one who hurt him so knowing that Ronald was the one saying sorry instead of Susan and Daniella, he couldn't help but feel angry. 'Why does it have to be his uncle?' Daniel thought as he sniffled. If only it was Susan Sullen then he wouldn't have felt this way. If it was Daniella, no matter how cruel it may sound, he would actually feel relieved if she was the one to die, not his uncle who only showed him kindness from the moment they've met.
"I know. I know, but that's not what he feels," Laotian replied, he caressed Daniel's hair while he was in his embrace. The day he learned Ronald Ronner was sent to the hospital, he was still able to talk to him, and just by the look of his eyes, Laotian knew he had no regrets in his life or whatsoever, that he had already let go of everything and moved on. Ronald talked about how thankful he was that Daniel came to find his own happiness despite what he had been through and that he was even able to forgive him. He, who could have helped him if he tried to contact his sister. He could have been there for Daniel when he most needed it, but he wasn't.
There were a lot of things Ronald told Laotian including the fact that he didn't want Daniel to know that he was dying because he didn't want to cause the Omega pain just when he's about to disappear forever. He only wished to leave Daniel with beautiful memories that are filled with laughter, alas, he had run out of time earlier than he expected.
"T-This is so unfair," Hearing Laotian's words, Daniel bawled. His tears were like daggers piercing through Laotian's heart. He could have kept this from Daniel, kept him from feeling this pain but he also knew that it would hurt Daniel even further when he learns that his uncle passed on without him knowing.
Knowing what Daniel's personality was, he knew that if that happens, he would only blame himself and probably stress himself even further and nothing he could do about it anymore since Ronald Ronner had already died. Just imagining it, Laotian could never bear to see such a scene.
"It's okay. All we can do now is see him off with a smile. That way he can pass on without worry," Laotian said as he comforted his wife. Hearing Laotian's words again, Daniel continued to bawl because he knew that was the only thing they could do now but how can he smile when he's about to lose another member of his family? A family that he had recently just found and had not spent enough time yet?
The crying session lasted a while before Daniel finally started calming down leaving only his occasional sniffles echoing across the room.
"Have you calmed down a little?" Laotian asked when he felt like his wife had calmed down enough. Daniel didn't say anything but he nodded softly making Laotian sigh a relief.
"Why don't we take a seat and wait if your uncle would wake up," Laotian suggested. They had been standing for quite a while now, if it was just him it would have been okay but Daniel, he's pregnant with two, and standing for a long time could put a strain on his body especially when he's already this stressed out.
"Come on," Laotian urged as they walked towards the couch not far from Ronald Ronner's bed. Daniel didn't say anything again and he just silently followed Laotian, however, when they sat down, Daniel's tears started streaming down again. He felt so miserable he could almost feel something stabbing his heart that he couldn't stop his tears even if he wanted to. Because if he did, it would only hurt even more. Thankfully, Laotian was there to always comfort him whenever he needed to cause if it was just him, he would have broken down already.
* * *
Many hours passed while waiting but Ronald still didn't wake up. It was time to have lunch, Daniel didn't want to leave the room afraid that he won't be able to go back in time when something happens so Laotian asked someone to bring their lunch to the room instead. They were still hugging each other when they suddenly heard a moan coming from the bed. Daniel quickly jumped off of his husband and rushed towards Ronald Ronner. Laotian also did the same and pressed on the caller to call the doctor and nurses to the room.
"Uncle," Daniel called softly, trying to hide his tears, seeing how his uncle is in so much pain despite just waking up.
"D-Daniel?" Ronald called softly. His expression did not expect his nephew to appear in front of him with him in this condition. Trying his best to hide the pain, Ronald's eyes shifted from Daniel to Laotian, and as soon as he saw the Alpha's monotonic expression, he could guess that the man couldn't hide his condition from the Omega anymore.
"What are you doing here?" Ronald asked, trying to sit up but as soon as Daniel heard his uncle's words, he quickly pouted and prevented him from sitting up. A single tear streamed down to Daniel's cheeks before he quickly wiped it away and smiled.
"What are you saying, Uncle? Of course, I'm here to be with you. I won't allow you to leave without even telling me goodbye," Daniel said and another tear dripped down his cheeks to which he once again wiped away not wanting his Uncle to see him crying but was miserably failing because even without tears, he could tell Daniel had been crying with his swollen eyes and nose.
Hearing Daniel's words, Ronald Ronner suddenly became quiet. He knew his plan to pass on silently was a selfish decision and would hurt Daniel but he would still prefer that than seeing his precious nephew cry for him because the moment he sees that, the things he had already let go. His feelings, his desire to live and be happy, he would want it all back just when he already accepted his faith, his inevitable demise.
"It's because of this that I didn't want to tell you," Being silent at first, Ronald finally revealed as he held Daniel's delicate hand. "I didn't want to see you cry. It may be selfish of me but I'd rather not see you like this and cause you pain," Ronald said weakly and squeezed Daniel's hand. Meanwhile, listening to him, Daniel shook his head left and right.
"If you're just worried about me then please don't. I can take care of myself just fine so you should just focus on your healing," Daniel said, he could no longer hide his sobs. It was indeed selfish of Ronald to just leave without telling but Daniel does understand. People who love him always make sacrifices just so he wouldn't get hurt. He's so sick of this kind of treatment and he wanted to be strong so the people could rely on him.
"I-It's not too late, w-we can still make you healthier," Daniel added again, despite knowing well enough that Ronald's end was already written. He doesn't want to accept it. He still refused to believe that was it especially since Ronald Ronner never once tried to find ways to get himself treated. All this time he was only suppressing the pain, never to treat his illness.
Hearing Daniel's words, it was Ronald's turn to shake his head left and right. He could feel his life is draining out of him, no matter what he did, he will never recover from his illness. Even if he tried, it would have been still useless as his illness was discovered at stage III. If he tried chemotherapy or other advanced technologies, it would have just given him false hope so he decided it was better to let fate decide.
"Hush now, everything will be okay. I don't regret all my decisions especially when I decided to meet you," Ronald said before he lifted his fingers to touch Daniel's cheeks. "Thank you, for accepting me," Ronald said again, making Daniel's body tremble, suppressing himself from bawling loudly.
On cue, the doctor and nurses finally came in a rush to check Ronald's condition. Daniel was asked to step back a little however as soon as he did, his eyes widened when his uncle started coughing blood. The doctors did the best they could to help but not a minute had passed, Ronald Ronner was declared dead.