Thomas stepped out of his car, gazing at the familiar yet distant cabin. It had been years since he last visited, and now, with time slipping away, he felt a mixture of nostalgia and urgency. In his hand, he clutched a letter—an invitation to his siblings, hoping they would come.
Maggie and Ethan sat silently, each lost in their thoughts. The years apart had created a chasm filled with unspoken words and unresolved conflicts. "Why now, Thomas?", Maggie finally asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and suspicion.
"Because there's not much time left," Thomas replied softly, his eyes meeting hers with a sincerity that melted some of the ice between them.
Ethan stood abruptly, pacing the floor. "We can't just pretend everything's fine, Thomas," he said, frustration lacing his words. "There are things we've never talked about—things that hurt."
Thomas nodded, a solemn understanding in his eyes. "That's why we're here. To finally say what needs to be said and find peace, if we can."
Maggie retrieved an old photo album from the shelf, flipping through pages filled with memories. "Remember this?" she asked, pointing to a picture of the three of them as children, laughing by the lake.
Ethan chuckled, a genuine smile breaking through his hardened exterior. "We thought we could catch the biggest fish," he reminisced, the shared memory bridging the gap between them.
Thomas leaned back, a sense of peace settling over him. "I wish I could have been a better brother," he admitted, his voice filled with regret. "But I'm grateful you're here now."
Maggie reached out, squeezing his hand. "We're here, Thomas. And we forgive you."
As the sun rose, the siblings stepped outside together, the lake shimmering under the morning light. The air felt lighter, the burdens of the past eased by their reconciliation. Ethan looked at Thomas, a newfound respect in his eyes. "Thank you for bringing us together again," he said.
Thomas smiled, feeling a warmth that the illness couldn't take away. "It's never too late to find our way back to family," he replied, contentment in his heart.
