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Day 26, Year 143 - Natalia Goes Home (1)

The room was dim and quiet, the only sound the soft, methodical rhythm of the heart monitor beside the bed. Natalia Streun lay beneath a pale quilt, her breaths shallow but steady, her body worn down from time and memory. The afternoon light filtered through the blinds, casting warm strips of gold across her face.

At ninety-nine years old, Natalia had outlived almost everyone she’d expected to walk beside forever. Troy. Parker. Chelsea. She had buried three of her younger siblings, each loss leaving a hollow in her chest that never quite closed. And now, her own time had arrived.

There was no fear.
Only a quiet ache for what she was leaving behind.

Madalynne had stepped out just moments earlier to compose herself, unable to hide her tears. Natalia had always been the family peacemaker, the one who could calm her sister even in the worst of times. And now, she hated the thought of leaving Madalynne the last one standing. The two of them had shouldered so much these last few years, women carrying family legacies. She hated leaving that entire burden on the family baby.

Olivia sat at her bedside, fingers gently curled around her mother’s hand. She looked older than Natalia remembered her being, grief adding new lines to her face. Beside her, Malachi stood quietly, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. They didn’t say a word. Everything that mattered had already been said. years of love, of arguments, of reunion and healing.

Across the room, Logan and Gia sat with their son Tristan. Logan had inherited his mother’s quiet empathy, his calm in the storm. Gia leaned into him, eyes wet. Natalia watched them for a long time, pride blooming faintly in her chest. Tristan looked so much like his father had as a boy - curious, strong, thoughtful.