CHAPTER 487: TRULY ARE A BLESSING

Carlos stood rigid, peering through the hospital window at his grandmother, a frail figure surrounded by medical machines. Behind him, the doctor delivered the devastating news.

"So, you’re saying, one by one, her organs are getting damaged," Carlos choked out, turning back to the doctor, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed, his expression grave. "She won’t survive, Mr. Carlos. So, brace yourself." The doctor patted Carlos gently on the shoulder before quietly taking his leave.

Carlos brought his hands up to rub desperately at his eyes, fighting a losing battle to maintain control. Suddenly, a familiar warmth and energy settled atop his shoulder. He spun his head around, genuinely shocked to see Gabriel standing there.

"Wh—what are you doing here?" Carlos exclaimed, his eyes darting behind Gabriel, half-expecting to see Amelie as well.

"Only I could come," Gabriel replied softly. "Noah was born not long ago, so Amelie couldn’t accompany me." He noticed the dampness beneath Carlos’s eyes.

"It’s good she didn’t come," Carlos whispered. He lunged forward, hugging Gabriel tightly. "Thank you for coming," he muttered into his friend’s shoulder. Gabriel simply patted his back, offering whatever silent comfort he could. His eyes fell upon the old lady lying on the bed, tethered to medical devices, and he understood the depth of Carlos’s anguish.

After a long moment, Carlos pulled away, wiping his cheeks. He gestured for Gabriel to sit.

"You first," Gabriel offered, giving him precedence. Carlos lowered himself onto the chair, and Gabriel took the one beside him.

"You shouldn’t have come here," Carlos insisted, clasping his hands together tightly. "Amelie and Noah need you."

"Amelie has people around her," Gabriel replied calmly. "And we were worried for you, especially Amelie."

Carlos managed a fleeting smile. "She’s always been like that. Caring for others. The kindness she shows is truly unique to her." He began to fidget with his fingers, and a fresh streak of tears broke over his cheeks.

"Grandma won’t survive long," Carlos whispered, his voice cracking. "Her organs are failing one by one." Gabriel tilted his head, watching his friend weep openly. "I hoped she would live at least for a year or two. She’s the only person I have left in this world. And if she’s gone, nothing will carry any value for me."

Gabriel listened silently. He realized he had never known this kind of devastating fear of loss, not beyond the threat to Amelie or Noah. Yet, seeing Carlos’s pain, the fear of losing a parent or grandparent, he understood it was worse than anything he could imagine.

"I know she’s in pain, but I just don’t want her to leave," Carlos said, taking a deep, ragged breath full of ache.

"She’s your family. Of course, you won’t want her to leave you," Gabriel said, bringing his hand to Carlos’s shoulder once more. "I consulted with a healer. Let’s see if she can help us."

Carlos shook his head slowly. "No one can. I searched for the best healers in the world. They all said it’s not possible to heal my grandmother completely. The doctors here are already expert healers; she survived longer than she should have because of them." He gave a desolate half-chuckle. "I’m just being selfish, wanting her to live more. But she undergoes pain every single day. I wish I could take her pain away," he murmured as more tears escaped.

Gabriel turned silent, realizing there were no words sufficient for this grief. He simply focused on maintaining his presence, hoping it offered some small comfort.

"I saw the vision already. She has to leave this body. Soon," Carlos said, wiping the tears away with the back of his palms. "I hate seeing visions, Gabriel. But Grandma says this power is my blessing. How can it be a blessing," he chuckled bitterly to himself, "when all I’ve ever seen is destruction with them?"

"Don’t say that, Carlos," Gabriel finally spoke. "You have seen some beautiful moments too. When you told Amelie and me that the pup would take birth without troubles, that was a precious moment for both of us. Indeed, the visions make you see unwanted things, but for some, they truly are a blessing."

Carlos stopped weeping, listening to the unexpected defense of his gift. "You talk exactly like my grandmother," he chuckled, a small, genuine smile suddenly carving onto his lips. "I have to make sure the last few days of her life are full of joy. That’s the best I can do for my grandma, right?" He tilted his head, seeking approval to affirm his new resolve.

"Yes. Grandma will want to spend time with her grandson," Gabriel stated, nodding firmly. "If you want, I can help you build a surprise for her."

"Thanks," Carlos said. "But I don’t want you to stay here for long."

"Well, I won’t leave until I’m satisfied that the grandma is happy," Gabriel countered, a determined glint in his eye. "She did a lot for me and Amelie in the past. I must also do something for her, even if it’s little."

Carlos nodded slowly, accepting the help, but his concern immediately shifted to his friend. "I appreciate that, but I’ll send you home now. You should take some rest."

"No," Gabriel countered firmly, shaking his head. "You should go home today. I’ll stay the night here."

"What? No!" Carlos exclaimed, recoiling from the idea. "You’re my guest! Besides, I can’t leave. That’s impossible," he stated, the fear of missing his grandmother’s final moments palpable in his voice.

"Then why don’t you at least take some rest?" Gabriel opined gently. He saw the profound, weary exhaustion etched in Carlos’s eyes. "Just take a nap. I’m used to staying awake for late hours. Your grandmother will be happy to see you refreshed and with some strength in the morning."

Carlos was visibly reluctant. The thought of closing his eyes filled him with terror; he feared that the instant he slept, his grandmother would slip away.

"Carlos, go," Gabriel urged softly. "You can trust me. Get some rest. You need it, for your grandmother."