Flowerfest was meant to be big celebration for the McGregor family. Emma and Niall had even purchased some cute matching outfits and accessories for their children, as well as themselves, so they would be getting some pretty family photographs later.
While the adults were still adding the finishing touches to their own outfits and preparing the holiday meal inside, the children went on their egg hunt in the backyard. Even little Maurice could participate, since he had just grown big enough to play and walk around outside with his siblings.
Emma had just finished baking a strawberry cake to have for dessert, when her preparations were interrupted by the phone ringing. Her parents were expected to visit later that day for the holiday, so it did not surprise her to hear her mother's voice on the other end of the line.
However, the reason for her call was one of much sadder news. Earlier that morning, when Maureen had walked into her and her husband's bedroom to check whether he was already dressed in his Flowerfest best, she had found Edward still lying in bed. At first, she had assumed he had only gone to get some more rest before leaving, but she had quickly realised that this was not the case.
With tears starting to stream down her face, Maureen had lied down beside her husband's body, looking down at his peacefully closed eyes which made it seems as though he really was only sleeping, but she knew better. Sobbing quietly, she had cuddled up closer to him and buried her face in his shoulder, partially wishing he would wake up any moment.
After the phone call, Emma had to prop herself up on the counter, hardly even able to form a thought. She felt a tear roll down her cheek, as she watched her laughing children through the kitchen window. How was she going to break the news to them on what was supposed to be a day of joy for the family?
Part of her wanted to just stay in place forever, trying to hold on to that moment in time, before the news of her father's death would leave her little bubble. For now, she was the only one in the house who knew about it, while speaking a word of it would somehow make it feel so much more real. But she knew it had to be done. After all, the kids were still expecting to see their grandfather's visit.
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