Three months later…
Tammy had returned home after her short stint in the hospital just in time to see her son’s first birthday. Cyrus had thrown him a little party and his whole family got to bond with the baby. Cyrus and Mia did all they could do to make Tammy comfortable. The couple was there every moment they could, while keeping up with live wrestling shows and major events.
Mia was a huge hit on the show and easily took on her new stage role. She had gotten close to Elias and Tammy as well over the past months. The transition made the mother more at ease, knowing her son was in safe hands.
Cyrus and Tammy had even become friends again. His trust level would always be broken, but his most important trait was forgiveness to those who showed the effort to change. Even Holly softened her heart to the woman and was helping when she could.
Every free chance they had, Cyrus took the time to spend with Mia and Elias. The more time he spent with them, the more real it had become that this was what they wanted. A family together. Mia’s career was taking off and the new Doom faction was a hit with fans, but the family was becoming more important to them than anything the stage could provide.
Cyrus was working from home while Mia was away doing a photoshoot for IWX. It was late evening after dinner and Elias was bouncing on Cyrus’ lap. Tammy was sitting in a lounge chair, watching her son as Cyrus played with him, trying to get him to say, Daddy. Tammy smiled at the two and she struggled to breathe.
“Come on, Eli. Say Da Da. You can do it. Say Daa Daa.” Cyrus cooed at the boy.
“Babbaba”
“No. Da Da.”
“Ma Ma.”
Tammy giggled with a faint cough. “You two are kindred spirits. It’s like he was meant to be yours. He’s as stubborn as you are.”
“I’m glad the judge approved the adoption early. I love him so much, Tammy. Thank you for letting me do this.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s the right thing to do. He’s in the best hands and Eli loves you. I just want you to know that I’m happy now, Cy. I can’t thank you enough for the time you gave me here. Take good care of my baby boy. I love you both, and Mia too. I hope you forgive me one day for everything I did in the past.”
Cyrus nodded. “We love you too. I forgave you a long time ago, Tammy. We may have had our problems, but time changes everything. You’re still my friend. I’m glad we made amends and I can make this time easier for you.”
“Me too. Mia’s to thank for that. She’s a wonderful woman. You better marry that girl because she loves you more than life itself.”
“I plan to. I really love her. Tammy, I’ve never been this happy, I hate to say that to you but it’s true.”
“You should feel that way. She’s a strong, confident woman. Mia’s really made an impact on you. You’re so much more relaxed now. It’s refreshing to see you smile and let loose. Make her happy, Cy. She deserves it.”
Cyrus looked over at his frail ex-wife as she smiled watching her son. Her eyes veered to the sunset over the Smokey Mountains, taking a slow breath, and closing her eyes. She turned back to watch Cyrus with a weak smile.
Cyrus smiled back at her, turning his attention to the baby. “Da Da. Come on, Eli. Say Da Da.”
“Da Da.”
“Tammy! Did you hear that? He said it! He said Da Da.” Cyrus chuckled as he looked to Tammy for approval.
Her eyes closed and let out a deep long breath with the most peaceful smile.
“Tammy… Tammy?”
Cyrus felt a pain in his chest, waiting for her next breath. Nothing came. Her head slumped as her body softly went limp and her hand fell beside her. He swallowed down the lump that formed in his chest as he looked back to his son, who was smiling up at him.
Cyrus sat the baby on a blanket on the porch floor to play. Slowly making his way to his ex-wife as the nurse came out with a glass of water, he knew. Tears welling up in his eyes, he looked to the nurse for answers.
Knowingly, the lady went to Tammy checking her pulse. Giving a soft sigh, she shook her head no. “I’m sorry, Mr. Evans. She’s gone.”
Cyrus stepped to Tammy and laid a kiss on her forehead, saying a silent prayer for her in his head. He turned to pick up his child and went inside, letting the Hospice nurse take care of things. Holding the baby close to his heart, the tears escaped him. As much as he hated Tammy all those years, for what she had done, she was still a big part of his life. She had been his friend, once his whole life, and now she was gone.
In the pain of it, he felt at peace holding his child, knowing it would all be okay.