The Ultimate Gift

A wish is granted

Hey, do you remember the first time we met? It was fifteen years ago today. We were working on the final project of the fall semester together. I was in my senior year of college, and you were just a freshman. I remember how nervous I was when we got assigned to work together; it still makes me laugh now.

For three weeks, five hours a day for six days at a time, we worked in that studio together. It's wfunny, but in that time I don't think we said more than a few words to each other. So how exactly did we become "we"? Was it a strong attraction that mere words couldn't express? Or maybe it was from being in such close proximity with each other for so long? Who knows right?

I still remember your face the first time I asked you out. You looked shocked, confused, and yet happy. After that day it was like a whirlwind. I graduated and went onto to work for an advertisement agency;, you continued school to be a professional sculptor. Five years later we were married and expecting our first child. She's grown into such a beautiful young girl hasn't she? She looks just like her mother of course. It's gonna be a pain when she becomes a teen in a few years, pray for me haha.

You know, four years ago when you dropped your favorite mug I knew. Well, I didn't know, but I knew. And when the doctors told us it was cancer, I knew this day would come, even back then. It's been six years since you started this battle, and not a day has gone by that I haven't loved you as much as I did when I asked you to marry me. It may be a bit selfish on my part, but I'm glad your fight is finally over. I couldn't take having to watch you endure so much pain.

Ah, I hear our daughter Patricia coming; Stella must have picked her up from school already. She's been really good with her these last few years and Patricia really likes her. Not sure how I would have been able to make it through this without her help. I'll end our conversation here for today; it's not good for her to see me crying. I've always been a bit of a crybaby haven't I? Haha. Oh before I forget, I brought some of your favorite flowers. I'll leave them here beside you. Until next time, I love you babe.


While she and I walked down the path from the place where you were, our daughter looked up at me.

"Daddy, what were you doing?" She asked innocently.

"Talking to mommy."

"But mommy was asleep, how were you talking to her?" I chuckled a bit. It was such a simple question yet it birthed a list of complicated answers.

"I didn't want to wake her. Mommy was resting too peacefully." I stopped and knelt down to look our darling child in her face. She really does look just like you. "Honey, it's coming around to Christmas again. If you could have one gift what would it be?" She gave me a big grin that once again reminded me so much of you.

"The same thing I wished for last year, and the year before daddy. I want me, you, and mommy together for Christmas." I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. That had been her wish the last two years, and the one thing I couldn't give her.... Until now.

"Then I have some good news honey."

"What is it daddy?" Her breath slightly bated as if she already knew what I was going to say. I smiled as my vision blurred from the tears starting to stream down my cheeks.

"I spoke with the doctor, mommy's Mommy's cancer is in complete remission, she'll be coming home soon. Isn't that great?" She stepped closer, and hugged me tightly around the neck.

"That's great daddy, I know you missed her lots." I could feel the warmth of her little tears as they dampened the collar of my shirt. She too had been trying so hard to be strong. Not only for you, but for me as well. Even though I hadn't wanted to, kneeling there in the embrace of our child, I let the tears of joy I had been trying so desperately to hold back flow free.

"Yeah, I sure did honey, I missed her so much. But she's finally coming home. Let's go tell Aunt Stella the good news."

As we walked through the hospital courtyard, a burden once so heavy, gently lifted from our hearts. Finally, my darling, you are coming home.
The End

Author's Note

Hope you enjoy it. Not as Christmas filled as the title implies but I hope its still a good read.

Reviews

[iamshadowine]

i liked your style of writing :)

[Meeks]

"doctors told us what it cancer, I knew" - ehh, something happened here.

Try indenting the paragraphs. It guides the eyes. But I guess that's just style as well, so it's up to you.

Awesome job on this. At first I though she was dead, so suprise ending there. Overall, loved it. Puts my christmas in perspective. Keep writing, it can only get better!
Also, you gotta start sending me read requests.

[Matthew-Ryan Willams]

It won't indent for me so I'll just separate paragraph's

[ReedWrite]

I did enjoy it. While I like reading first person, it's hard to write...at least I think so. Yet, it also has a way of pulling the reader in more tightly, making the story seem more personal and real. :)