Kurt felt like he was walking through a living nightmare. He got dressed quickly and followed Theo to Alannah's hospital room. Theo stopped outside and said, "She looks bad, Kurt, just prepare yourself," and Kurt nodded. Theo opened the door and saw Alannah, his Alannah, hooked up to several machines. Bruce and Matt were standing by her.
"Oh sweetheart," Kurt said as he walked over. He had a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes as he sat in the chair next to her bed. He held her hand and stroked it. "Why? Why did you do it? "
"To protect you, you are everything to her," Bruce said softly.
"She would rather you live and have a chance at a happy life. Alannah knew she could not live without you anymore, "Matt said sadly.
"And I can't live without her!" Kurt shouted in pain and frustration. "Why could she never see that?" He thought.
"We will give you guys some privacy," Matt said.
When Kurt was alone, he started to talk. "I found a house, you know, like the one you told me you wanted. A cottage, with beautiful roses over the door by the sea. It has got a big garden and a huge orchard. I even looked into dogs to adopt. We are going to be a proper family. It was always something I wanted, but I never imagined I could do it before I met you. Thank you, Alannah. Thank you for showing me how to love and giving me the best few months of my life. I am sorry I could not protect you and be the man you deserve. " Kurt then kissed her forehead and said, "Sleep well, my darling Queen," before breaking down and sobbing. It was then that he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw his old friend James.
"It's fine, mate; we'll mourn together," James said, and Kurt nodded.
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Alannah felt light, unburdened, and pain-free. She did not question why she was walking along the seafront on a bright summer day. She walked along the coastline, feeling the sand in between her toes. She always loved the seaside, Alannah thought.
"Enjoying yourself, little bear?" Alannah's mother, Emily, said.
Alannah turned, smiled, and said, "Mum!"
Emily threw her arms around her daughter, "Alannah, I am so proud of you! Look at the woman you have become! "
"Why didn't you tell me? Tell me who I really was?" Alannah said, crying.
"I needed to protect you from my grandfather. It seemed like the best way, "Emma confessed.
"It does not matter now. Where am I?" Alannah said, looking around.
"There are many names for it, but it is the place between life and death," Emily explained.
"Between? Do you mean I am not dead? " Alannah asked.
"You are very close, darling. I mean, you can't get stabbed through the stomach without consequences after all!" Emily said practically."
Alannah suddenly heard Kurt's voice saying, "Alannah, I need you so much," followed by him sobbing.
"Kurt!" Alannah shouted.
"So is that what is making you hang on? A man? " Emily said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, Kurt is my soulmate! Mum, and I promised I would never leave him!" Alannah said firmly.
Emily sighed and said, "So stubborn, like your mum."
"Will you help me then? Get back? " Alannah asked.
"It is not as easy as that; your body has to be receptive and you have to find the way out yourself," Emily said.
"I see, things are never simple, are they?" Alannah said, biting a fingernail.
"No, however, you have taken the first step. You want to live, and your body will respond to that, "Emily said with a smile.
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"It is time, Kurt," James said, solemnly.
Kurt nodded and asked, "Can I hold her hand until..." he couldn't quite say, "until she passes?"
"Yes, of course," the doctor said. They were all there, all of Alannah's loved ones were there, and there was not a dry eye in the house. It had been a few days and the doctors decided it was time to let her pass on.
"Bye Alannah, thanks for everything. We love you," the twins said as they kissed her cheeks.
"Safe journey, Princess," Matt said, softly kissing her forehead.
"Until we meet again, my sister and best friend, Go with my love and keep your blades sharp, "Bruce said, kissing her on the lips.
"You can rest now, daughter. I love you. I wish we had more time. "Theo said as he held her other hand.
"I love you, Alannah, and I will do it till my last breath." Kurt said. He did not trust himself to say anymore. He just stroked her head and her hand.
"I will stop the machine that helps her breath now. Her passing will be quick and painless," the doctor said as he slowly switched off the machine.
Everybody waited for the heart monitor to show Alannah's heart had stopped breathing due to a lack of oxygen. But it didn't.
The doctor waited for another minute and then took her pulse. He then pressed the alarm button. "You all need to leave now!" The doctor ordered.
"What is happening?" Theo demanded. This was not the quick and painless death he was promised by the doctor. Nurses came rushing in.
"Alannah, she is breathing unaided," the doctor said.
"What does that mean?" Kurt demanded.
"It means she is still there. Please give us space for us to work. I promise to fully update you, " the doctor promised as he got to work.
Frank and James pulled their respective bosses out of the room.
"What is happening?" Bruce demanded
"She is still fighting! Alannah is still fighting! " Theo said with a smile.