[color=808080][right][sub][b][u]TIMESTAMP:[/u][/b] Silvia Belmonte’s Bedroom || Noon | Friday, July 23rd, 2021
A [@LovelyComplex] & [@Venus] Collaboration
Featuring [color=7B68EE]Natalia Belmonte[/color] & [color=edd3b9]Silvia Belmonte[/color][/sub][/right]

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[indent][indent]With the curtains closed most of the way, there through the small opening, a path of light streamed in, hitting the bed. Silvia Belmonte laid in the dark, gazing at the illuminating sun that touched and warmed her skin. Her bedroom had shifted from something of grandeur to something grim and desolate. Her king sized bed that she used to share with her husband was replaced with a hospital bed and there, on her nightstand, were flowers — lilies specifically. A subtle reminder of her circumstance. As she watched dust particles within the passageway of the sun and of the light dance in the air, Silvia got lost in thought, trying to accept her awful position. She knew from day one of her diagnosis that she  would be in a constant state of uselessness, unable to do much besides lay and listen. When she heard the sound of footsteps approaching, she gradually turned her head away from the window, bringing her attention to the door, wondering which child wanted to visit her today and what would they say.

The door to Silvia’s bedroom slowly swung open, and the fifth-born Belmonte child carefully stepped inside. Her mother looked livelier than usual, which was always a good thing to see-- a possible sign that she was picking the perfect moment to have this conversation. [color=7B68EE]“Hi Mamma.”[/color] Natalia greeted her mother upon arrival, offering the frail woman a soft smile as she walked across the room and settled in an empty spot next to her on the bed. It felt like the space available in the bed became bigger as Silvia’s health grew weaker, but Tal chose not to dwell on such sad thoughts. [color=7B68EE]“How are you feeling today?”[/color]

Catching her at one of her better moments, even with her body getting smaller and smaller each day, Silvia had a glow about her. Not the kind of glow that meant she was okay. She simply seemed in better spirits, the more her children routinely visited. A good sign being her timid smile. On top of that, the Belmonte matriarch wasn’t coughing as much nor was she in need of a rag bath from the nurse, who had cleaned her up earlier this morning. Today she was in good spirits. 

While she knew she wouldn’t defeat the beast that was cancer, she could at least give her children moments with her until she knew they were going to be okay. Sleep wasn’t going to overtake her until there was no doubt in her mind her family would be fine without her. Subtly adjusting her body, hiding any sign of pain on her face, she tried to sit up. With oxygen to help her breathe now, she barely had the strength to lift and hold herself without support.  Exasperated and almost giving up, her daughter affectionately adjusted her pillow and lifted her up so she was sitting more upward. 

[color=edd3b9]“Stellina,”[/color] Silvia breathed, her voice was raspy, cracked and sounded dry. It was clear Natalia’s mother saved her energy to talk for only times that mattered. [color=edd3b9]“I am… tired,”[/color] she answered, while breathing in and out with the portable oxygen. [color=edd3b9]“But… I am… here.”[/color] Sluggishly, she reached for her daughter’s hand, giving her a safe place to talk. With serenity in her gaze, the mother nodded, which was quiet instruction for Natalia to tell her what was ailing her mind.  

[color=7B68EE]“So you know how I told you I was going up to Blue Hill? The Native American reservation?”[/color] she began, waiting for her mother to confirm that she remembered before continuing. [color=7B68EE]“Well, I did end up going… And I met someone. A girl.”[/color] Tal admitted, her cheeks blushing pink and her face lighting up as the face of her Dolcezza sprung to the forefront of her mind. [color=7B68EE]“Her name is Mitena, and she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve laid my eyes on. She’s got the silkiest black hair, the smoothest olive skin, the kindest brown eyes, the cutest nose, and the brightest, most heartwarming smile of anyone I've ever met.”[/color] Tal trailed off with a small smile, visualizing the woman who had captivated her in such a short period of time in her imagination. [color=7B68EE]“And it’s not just that she’s gorgeous, Ma. I know it’s probably weird to say this when I’ve only known her for a few days, but she's the sweetest girl I’ve ever met in my entire life. She listens to me. She makes me feel like I matter; like she truly cares about how I feel and what I think and my outlook on things. She makes me smile. She makes me hopeful about what the future could look like. Whenever I’m around her or talking to her I just feel… safe. Like it’s the place where I belong and I’m supposed to be.”[/color]

There was a momentary silence as the weight of Tal’s words sunk in for both women. [color=7B68EE]“All of my life, I’ve been searching for and failing to find that someone that feels like home. You were there: you know how many times I tried, how you had to console me and tell me exactly what I needed to hear each time I ended up with a broken heart. And knowing how things go for me most times, there’s always a chance that everything will probably end up in catastrophe with Mitena. But I think I’ve finally found my someone, Ma. I really think so. I found the person I'm meant to be with. I feel it in my gut. And as scared as I am to take the leap and fall face-first, I also have this strange feeling in my chest telling me that it's all worth it and that it’s going to work out.”[/color]

No verbal response. Within her silence, Silvia gave her Little Star her undivided attention. Their eyes gazed into each other’s and although her’s were heavy, she kept it open. For Natalia. For Danny. For Caterina. For Vivia. For Elisabetta. For Mirabella. For Ninetta. For all her grandbabies. And for her soulmate, her little Devil. Her Taz. Her babies were healing. Her babies were finding love. Her babies were walking their chosen paths, after experiencing burden, tragedy and insurmountable grief. Her babies were growing. They might not see it but she saw it and with His grace and His mercy, she was so grateful. Grateful He allowed her breath to see them pick up their broken pieces and find hope to keep living. Find hope to not give into their own darkness. Find hope to just be. She was grateful.  

[color=7B68EE]“When we were growing up, you always told us to be brave and follow our hearts, because they would lead us in the right direction. So that's what I'm going to do today: I'm taking another chance at being happy. I'm going back up to the Blue Hill Reservation to ask Mitena if she’d like us to date and see where things lead. If she says yes I'll bring her back here to introduce her to you.”[/color] Natalia declared, her eyes full of conviction and determination. [color=7B68EE]“So just wait for me if you can, Ma. [i]Please[/i]. I don't want you to leave without meeting the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me besides being yours and Pappa's daughter. I promise you I'll be back soon.”[/color]

Saying the words out loud served to solidify Tal’s resolve to carry out the plan she’d just disclosed to her mother. After so many weeks of seeing her put up a front and probably sensing she was in low spirits, she wanted to make sure Silvia didn’t part this Earth under the assumption that she was leaving a lonely daughter behind. And the best way to erase any lingering preoccupation in the Belmonte matriarch’s heart was to introduce her to the angel sent from heaven to take care of her third-youngest child.

[color=edd3b9]“I am… tired, Stellina,”[/color] Silvia tried to speak. She wanted to say more. All what was on her mind, she wanted to shout and be heard. Silvia wished she could tell her children they could love whoever they wanted. Marco was a good boy and her son chose wonderfully. Mirabella was still young but Marcela was such a smart, driven, fiercely loyal girl. If they brightened her children’s lives, putting color to their world, how could she ever be upset about that? She wished she could walk to ReyRey’s house and beg him to not hurt her daughter. She wanted to visit that carefree and hardy Costigan boy and tell him that no matter how many times her daughter tries to run away, push him away, scared, to hold onto her tight. Love her like she’s never been loved before. There were so many things she wanted to say, that she wanted to do but all she could do was pray and wait until the Lord came to her and said it was time to go home. 

Suddenly she broke into a coughing fit, her grip on her daughter’s hand tightening. Unable to hide the pain coursing through her body at every slight movement, like when her daughter lifted her up, Silvia began to cry, tears trailing down her cheeks involuntarily. Hurting all over. Deep down, the mother of the Belmonte Seven wanted the suffering to stop. She wanted to rest. She wanted to feel nothing and sleep. Hope, love and perseverance kept her going and with sheer willpower, she knew, it wasn’t her time. Not yet. Soon but not yet. 

Gesturing for her daughter to help her lay back down, Silvia went quiet, breathing in and out, inhaling and exhaling, burying the pain so she could focus on being there for her baby with the galaxy in her eyes. So much love to give, so much hope in her soul for a better tomorrow. Natalia always wished upon falling stars, wanting to believe in a love made just for her. Her Stellina. 

[color=edd3b9][i]Life is beautiful. Watch the stars, my baby, and run with them.[/i][/color]

With watery eyes, Silvia whispered, [color=edd3b9]“Be brave.”[/color] Pushing her daughter to her greatness, whatever that may be, all she could say was be brave and that she will wait. For a little longer, she would stay. Her husband was not okay and she needed to know he would be. For a little longer, her eyes would stay open. [color=edd3b9]“Be happy.”[/color]

Overcome with emotion, Natalia wrapped her arms around Silvia and allowed herself to cry from both happiness and a deep sorrow. Watching her mother’s health deteriorate more every day, barely able to speak and feeling pain at even the smallest things, was a heartbreak unlike anything Tal had ever experienced. All of her life, she had watched her mother be the anchor that kept their family steady: their unconditional source of comfort, love and support. In these last days of her life, Tal felt it was time to return the favor. All she could hope for was that seeing her happiness firsthand could bring Silvia some of that comfort and relief she was so great at giving them, even if just for a fleeting moment.[/indent][/indent][/color]