As the morning light brightened softly outside, while the birds began to flutter about, chirping and squawking, Isabella cradled her pillow to her chest as she grinned. Reunited with her father, in her dreams, she absorbed each quality of the grizzly man who taught her strength and resiliency. One whose life was cut excessively short. Losing him in her adolescence, her heart still ached as she recalled his presence.

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Isabella watched as the strong man, she knew for many years shriveled to a husk of his former self in a matter of months. Cursing God and fate, Isabella retreated into herself, into her pain as she made increasingly troubled choices, which hindered her further.

However, here, in her dreams, the memory of her father remained pure, untarnished as she grew with him watching her. Stretching far passed his tragic death, his presence peppered into many of the most important parts of her life. She found her mind taking her to her high school graduation, where he beamed and held an extremely cumbersome video camera, all the while cheering her name unapologetically as the rest of the audience craned their necks to see the doting father.

Smiling on the sidelines of this memory, Isabella watched her younger self, squirm yet strand taller than the others around her. Flashing forward, her wedding came into view as she noticed a much older father, still strong, still wise guided her down the aisle to her former husband. Beaming, she carried a renewed vigor, and aura of confidence and support.

Once again, the images passed into later periods of her life. The births of Celestino and Brandt, where he appeared the happiest in the room as he beheld his grandsons to the point in time where Isabella confided in him that she is planning to divorce her, then, husband.

With all of these, a quiet repose remained with him. A life of strength and honor where she continued to marvel. As Isabella dreamt, small tears leaked from her eyelids, small streams of happiness and comfort. Lastly, the visions of her father took her to his deathbed. Living a long life, still holding a warm smile, she sat at his side, holding his hand as he breathed his last. His eyes holding onto her gaze firmly, unable to speak, willing her to understand him.

The vision dissolved as her body returned to her bed. Thick tears cascaded down her face as she sobbed. Her eyes remained tightly shut as she thanked the light beings for their kindness. Giving her her father back, the hero of her past.

Isabella's alarm rang and rang as she sobbed. Unwilling to move, allowing her vision to permeate through her, she swelled with love. A love for her father, her sons and Doug. As Doug's visage passed over her mind, she smiled before jumping up, startled as the phone rang over the repetitious sound of her morning alarm.

Sighing at the additional intrusion upon her rest, Isabella turned off the alarm before making her way toward the phone in the kitchen. Tethered there by a short cord, she sat before answering groggily.

"This better not be a telemarketer." Isabella said curtly.

"So much sass this morning. Geez." A familiar voice called out.

"Oh my, yes, too much sass. What do you make of it Brandt?" Celestino said through a grin.

"Hmm, I don't know. I think we may have the wrong number. What do you think bro?" Brandt said teasing his mother.

Switching gears, Isabella perked up as she said, "Hey you too. You know you called really early and on a Saturday, no less. What do you expect if you poke the bear?"

"Whoa whoa whoa. Calm it down mother." Celestino teased further.

"Haha, you only call me mother when you are frustrated. What's up?" Isabella said.

"We missed you, ma. How have you been?" Brandt said.

"Aww, I love you guys. I wish I could see you two soon." Isabella said.

"Yeah, been too long." Celestino responded with an air of irritation.

"I'm sorry. I have been really tired after work lately. I haven't forgotten about you two." She answered to her sons.

"Mmm-hmm." Brandt said, sounding dubious. "What's this that you are dating now? Who is this guy? He treating you alright? If not, I'll take him out."

"Shut up Brandt." Celestino said. "You can't even take out your own trash, let alone someone else. Who are you kidding?"

"Oh, yeah? Tell that to my den of mounted heads." Brandt jested.

"Did you two plan on calling me to bicker between yourselves?" Isabella said chuckling as her heart warmed.

"Ha, we just wanted to double team the opportunity to talk to you." Celestino called out.

"Phrasing!" Brandt said laughing.

"Shut up dude. No one says that anymore." Celestino chimed in.

"Well, I am going to bring it back into style." Brandt said smugly.

"Yeah, a real trendsetter, you are." Celestino retorted.

"You two are hilarious." Isabella called out. "Will either of you be near South Carolina in the near future?"

"I wish. I have a conference for therapists in San Francisco in a few months. Nothing that will take me over there, ma." Brandt said.

Celestino responded, "I am unsure if I can. Things are tight after Kaisa gave birth to Julio. I want him to see you again. Maybe we can swing you down here."

"I'd love that. It may have to be a bit, though. Since I started this new job. I can't take any time off for another month and a half." Isabella said sullenly.

"We can figure something out, ma. Well, I have to go, I have a hot date." Brandt said.

"Let's hope this one lands." Isabella quipped.

"Haha! Ma just roasted you alive." Celestino said.

"ANYWAY," Brandt said with an air of sarcasm, "I will be chatting with you lovelys soon. Love ya both! Well, one more than the other, ha."

"Later man. Love you." Celestino called out.

"I love you dear." Isabella expressed with a heavy heart as she replayed her lack of participation in her son's lives.

Continuing, Celestino said to his mother, "Ma, I am worried about you. You seem so distant."

"I know. I could do better. I just didn't want to worry you two. Everything is better now." Isabella expressed with an even heavier heart.

Taking a short pause, Celestino said something Isabella could not make out as the phone receiver felt heavier. Unable to hold it up, it dropped with a heavy thud onto the kitchen floor as the room swayed from side to side. Catching the ledge of the kitchen counter, her legs jiggled under her as her body crashed against the wall, thudding hard, causing her to gasp slightly.

"Ma! Hey! What's happening?!" Celestino cried elevated from the phone.

Continuing to gasp, Isabella's mouth watered as she sensed the impending bile building in her throat. Breathing deeply, she forced herself to focus upon simply breathing. Taking a few moments as she focused, everything melted away as the phone rang out a busy tone. The incessant beep beep beep swam through her head, a dagger piercing every portion of her senses.

As black spots peppered into her vision, Isabella witnessed in agony as her vision began to blur. Blinking hard, she lowered herself to the floor, leaning her back against the wall of the kitchen. Closing her eyes, she reached blindly for the phone to stop the torture exposed to her ears. Holding down the button to hang up the phone, the apartment finally filled with the sweet sound of silence.

Comforted with the reprieve, the room stabilized as she found herself returning to normality. Piercing the silence with a shrill tone, the phone in her hand rang repeatedly. Shrieking, Isabella jumped slightly before releasing button, connecting the phone call.

A loud voice resounded on the other speaker, "MA!"

Croaking slightly, she said, "Celestino?"

"Ma! You ok?" Celestino cried out.

"Yeah, sorry. I dropped the phone, bud. I am ok." She lied.

"You don't sound good. You sure?" Celestino said suspiciously.

Clearing her throat, she said strongly, "Yeah, I promise. I am just feeling a little sick to my stomach."

"Well, get some rest. I love you mom. I am going to call you tomorrow." Celestino called out more worried.

"Ok, I am going back to bed, Tino. I Love you." Isabella said weakly.

Ending the call, Isabella stood weakly as the room slightly shifted. Placing the phone in the receiver, Isabella shook her head slightly as a tinge of pain rumbled in her abdomen. Checking the time, Isabella saw it nearly reached mid-day. Isabella's body shuddered as her eyes fluttered softly.

"What is this pain?" Isabella thought to herself.

Dragging herself to her chair, Isabella crashed into is as waves upon a shore. Blackness surrounded her as her body sunk into the cushions. The pain vanished, as she felt detached, lighter.  

Please vote and comment.  Thanks everyone!