Just one more slice..

Edna lay her head back on the pillow , after her nurse katherine had gently washed her face with a cloth, combed her wavy white hair , and then pinned it back so that it was off of her face.

She gazed out the window at the rose garden outside, then closed her eyes ,breathed in ....then exhaled ..., as the sun shone through and warmed her petite and frail body.

Her mind then wandered back to her childhood days, where she loved to play with her brothers and sister on their parents farm.

They would chase the cows and sheep, and they would celebrate by having fights with the mud they had taken from giant puddles that had formed in the driveway after the drought had broken and given them much needed rain, or they would climb up the ladders and jump from one hay bale to the next.

But her most favorite memories though ,were the ones of the birthday parties that their mum used to throw for her and her siblings.

She would put up streamers that were the child of the days favorite color, blow up balloons for the children to pop, and would bake the cake in the flavor that the child had requested.

When it came to be Edna's big day, she would always choose pink for the decorations and her absolute favorite....chocolate cake!

Edna's mouth filled with saliva has she recalled biting into the sweet soft cake with the extra thick layer of chocolate icing on the top..oh what she would give for some right at this moment...

However, the fantasy was to be short lived as Edna suddenly winced in pain.as she turned over onto her side.

The cancer had spread to her bones and every move she made was torture.

Katherine heard her cry out and came and sat down in the chair next to her bed and held her hand ." Edna darling.. would you like something special for your big day tomorrow? "she asked..trying to take her mind off of the pain.

'One of my favorite things in the world is chocolate cake sweetheart, with extra thick icing on top.'

'Hmmm" replied katherine..'let me see what i can do'.

Edna sighed and smiled slightly , then closed her tired eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Her two children, Matthew and Elizabeth, came the next morning to wish her happy birthday.

They brought in their ipad, that had a video they had made, with all of the grandchildren that lived in different parts of the country, saying a few words each on how they felt about her and sending all of their love.

Edna's eyes welled up with tears, as one by one, they told her how she had impacted each of their lives and what she meant to them.

'Thank you my loves' she whispered ,as she held both of her childrens hands ,one on each side of the bed.' you have made me the proudest mother and grandmother,and i love you both more than life itself.

'I love you mum," they replied ,one after the other. 'you are the best mum we could ever ask for' said Matthew.'.Thankyou for everything you have ever done for us",said Elizabeth.,as they both kissed her on the cheek.

Katherine knocked on the door, and was ushered in by Matthew

In her arms she was holding small round chocolate mud cake with extra thick icing and two candles..a 9 and an 0.

Holding back tears, they all sang happy birthday.

Elizabeth picked up the knife off the table and cut a thin slice and put it on a small plate ,while katherine raised the bed and matthew put an extra pillow behind his mum.

It was exhausting for her just to sit up, but she was determined.

Elizabeth held the plate up for her and she slowly picked up the small slice.

She bit into it,.... 'oh thats lovely' she thought and then slowly chewed it.

katherine passed a cup of tea to matthew to give her a few sips after she finished.

She drank the tea and then looked up at katherine and said "just one more slice..'?

Katherine obliged and cut her another.

Her hand shaking , Edna picked up the other slice and took a small bite.

'mmmm' she murmured..

Her eyes then closed and she took a small breath and the piece of cake she was holding dropped to the floor.

....her wish had been granted.