“Have you gotten a second opinion?” Elowen asked through tear filled eyes. “Maybe the doctor was wrong.”

“I’ve gotten four different doctor’s to tell me the exact same thing. I’m so sorry kids,” Brennen said as he looked across the table to see each of his children in various stages of shock at his news.

“But there must be something that they can do, right?” Colette piped in. “Some sort of treatment to at least give you more time?”

Brennen shook his head. “I’ve had a lot of time. No treatment that they can offer is worth the side effects.”

“But you can’t leave us,” Avia sobbed. “What will we do without you?”

“I’m not going anywhere yet my dear,” Brennen laughed, spurring on another coughing fit. “And besides, you have each other. That’s what matters most.”

“And you have us,” Freya said fervently. “Whatever you need, we will help.”

From this moment, I have been blessed I live only, for your happiness And for your love, I give my last breath From this moment on

“He’s really dying,” Colette finally spoke after she could no longer stand the silence. Their father had left them to discuss their thoughts privately and now the six children just sat in complete shock and despair.

“Don’t say that,” Avia chastised.

“It’s true though,” Beckett laughed humorlessly. “And the only reason he bothered telling us is because Freya figured it out!”

Freya shook her head disapprovingly. “He wanted to tell us all together. And it couldn’t have been easy to bring up to any of us.”

“He doesn’t appear to be in much pain at least,” Elowen commented.

Flynn waved a hand dismissively. “He’s always been good at hiding his pain, physical or emotional.”

“I just can’t believe any of this,” Avia said softly. “We knew he was getting older but…”

“But we always thought of him as superhuman,” Freya supplied.

“He always seemed so untouchable,” Elowen agreed.

“Hey Av, can I talk to you about something?”

Avia set her daughter down and motioned for her to go play while the two sisters spoke. “Of course El, what’s up?”

Elowen took a deep breath. “So you know how I’m going to the markets every Sunday and helping Jonathan to watch his daughter Veronica?”

“Yeah and I think it’s amazing of you if I’m honest,” he sister encouraged. “If this is about what the magazines and press are saying about it then you know you just have to ignore them, right?”

“No no, it’s not about that!” Elowen assured her. “It’s just that I’ve been spending so much time with them and I think I’ve really started developing feelings for him. I know it’s stupid and I can’t really afford to follow my heart when it comes to this kind of situation, but I can’t help the way that I feel!”

Avia gave her older sister a sympathetic look and reached over to squeeze her shoulder reassuringly. “Oh El, of course you should follow your heart! From everything you’ve told me about him, Jonathan seems like a really good guy and I know that you already love his daughter. If being with him is what will make you happy then I say go for it. Who cares what everyone else thinks?”

“Coming from you,” Elowen teased. “You took months to decide whether to be with Hayes or not for the very same reasons!”

Avia blushed and gave a noncommittal shrug. “I was a teenager! Besides, you’ve always been smarter and known better than me. Seriously though, you owe it to yourself to try to find happiness.”

“Auntie, up?” A small voice interrupted the two sisters.

“Besides,” Avia laughed. “I’m sure Ainsy would love to meet a new friend, wouldn’t you darling?”

The Last Five Years:

Avia

• the birth of their twin girls Princess Willow and Princess Elara