When they returned to the hospital, Axel and Ashleigh found Corrine awake and sitting in her bed. As they entered the room, she turned to look at them. Fresh tears fell from her eyes, following the same dried lines of those that had already fallen hours before.
She gave them a sad smile and a nod before opening her arms.
Ashleigh let out an audible sob and ran to her mother. Corrine caught her and immediately wrapped her arms around her.
Axel clenched his jaw, feeling the warm prickling along his sinuses. He sniffled and lowered his eyes as he walked into the room. Then, sitting beside the bed opposite Ashleigh, he took a deep breath.
Corrine raised her eyes to him as she held her daughter. She reached her hand out, and Axel took it. Letting out a soft sob as he felt the warmth of her hand. He leaned his forehead to her hand.
Together, without words, they mourned their loss.
***
The pyre was held two nights after Wyatt returned home.
