“Then let her go to him.”
Nodding, the doctor opened the door. “Come with me.”
A sobby moan of horror escaped Rosie at the sight of her father, but it was so low that she hoped no one heard. Holding tight to Lance’s hand, she began moving closer to the hospital bed. For a few seconds, she almost turned and ran but shesensed a force around her father that gave her the strength to keep moving forward. Miraculously, as if upon knowing she’d arrived, Damon’s lifeforce brightened and she felt a warm glow urging her to come to him. From then on she lost all her fear.
Approaching the bed, she heard his voice brokenly calling to her. “Rosie-e?”
She moved to take hold of the wavering hand he held her way. “Come…. to me…. baby.”
She stepped even closer and leaned in carefully, putting her face near his so her ear lay next to his mouth. Struggling, he whispered his words using all his strength. When she understood his message, she felt her heart lighten so much she could almost fly.
She kissed the only part of his face that wasn’t cut and laid her head very gently on his chest near his hand so he could reach her for a last caress. Knowing he was going to leave her now brought healing tears because it would be fine. Her daddy said so, and that made it okay. Her heart filled with joy, and she swelled with pride that he’d called for her.
The others in the room had stepped away to give them privacy, and she sensed they’d wait for as long as she needed. Once she knew her daddy had left her, she stepped down from the bed and turned to her uncle. “It’s okay now. Can we go home?”
Before they could move, the door opened and Rachel arrived, appearing as if she’d run the whole way. “Is he…? Oh, no. I’m too late.” Tears flooded, and she turned away, her shoulders shaking from the pain of her disappointment.
Hands reaching, Rosie ran to her mom. Then putting her arms around her waist, knowing she could share some of what Damon had told her in his sad, broken voice, she spoke, awe filling her words and making them definitely believable. “Daddy said he loves us. And for you to be happy, Mom. You too, Uncle Lance… and he said, ‘be together’.”
Smiling inside, Rosie knew that the rest of what Damon had told her was meant for her alone. Though he might not have spoken only with words, her heart had known what he meant. Maybe one day she could share, but for now, it was too new, and she wanted to keep it to herself… her secret.
Hers and her daddy’s.
Epilogue
Five-year-old Nico raced around the room showing off his new tux, telling everyone who’d listen that he and his soon-to-be daddy were twins.
Rachel smiled at her son, shaking her head at his antics and looked at Rosie. “Your brother can be such a little devil sometimes. He has so much energy. I can’t remember you being like that.”
Rosie, now thirteen, just smiled. “Mom, you have a really short memory. Don’t you remember how you used to chase me, always teasing me about my Energizer batteries? Trust me. Nicoisthe same.”
Rachel stood in front of the full-length mirror and looked at herself and her daughter standing side by side. Both females were tall and slim. Only Rosie, who took after her father with dark-hair and his family’s green eyes, had lately begun to blossom… her potential to be beautiful obvious to everyone. Whereas Rachel and Nico were more alike.
Undeniably, there was one defining feature shared amongst the three of them. They all smiled in the same way with their eyes as involved as their lips. It was something that her husband’s brother liked to tease them about.
Rachel caught Rosie’s glance in the mirror and smiled with such love, she knew her daughter felt it too… because her hand slipped into hers and clung.
“Dad would have been very happy for you, Mom. You know he wanted us to move on.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
Rachel had never once asked her daughter to betray her father’s confidence, and she never would… no matter how curious she became. After Damon’s death, she’d sensed a huge difference in her little girl and blessed Damon many times over for whatever he’d said to create the miracle. She’d tried asking Lance what happened but he wouldn’t elaborate, only that Damon had died happy, smiling ever so slightly before he took his last breath.
Rachel suddenly sensed Rosie’s seriousness as she stared into the mirror at her mom. They both wore identical long delicate pink gowns, Rosie’s a flowing bridesmaid style, and hers being that of a breathtaking bride. Having found their matching dresses in the bridal store, they’d beamed with happiness upon finding the perfect choices… a strapless creation that enhanced her beauty, making her feel like a true bride and a lovely youthful style for Rosie.
Each of them wore crowns of fresh flowers, with Rosie carrying a basket of the same blooms. Whereas she had a huge bouquet filled with pink roses and fresh white baby’s breath to highlight the beauty.
Suddenly, her heart began beating faster. She sensed a happy peace filling the room and felt a presence. She watched Rosiesmile that secret way she did sometimes and knew the girl had sensed it too.
“Mom, Dad’s happy about today. You know that, right?”
“You mean about me getting married again?”
“Yes. It’s what he wanted. For you to move on.”
“Maybe. But I needed those two years to grieve and accept Damon’s life held meaning. He gave me two beautiful, precious gifts that I can never thank him enough for.”
