Destiny

He rushed into the operating room and saw that Destiny was awake. She was bright and smiling.

“What happened?” he said. “Why are you awake so soon?”

“I just woke up,” she said to him. “I didn’t want anyone to wake you up because I wanted you to rest for a bit. After all, there was nothing you could do while I was unconscious right?’

“That is true,” said Jourdan. “Where is the baby?”

A nurse came from behind and showed them the child. She placed the child in Destiny’s arms, and Destiny said, “It’s a girl.”

“Little Chantal,” said Jourdan in a hushed whisper. She was the single most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

“Listen,” said Destiny, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Yes?” asked Jourdan. His heart was pounding. Was this it? Was this the moment of truth?

“I didn’t get enough time,” said Destiny. “I just got eight months and you said I would have nine.”

Jourdan did not know how to respond. He wanted to say that it was not his fault that she had only gotten eight months. He wanted to say that she had the option of taking another month before deciding. However, he did not get the chance to say anything at all, because in that moment, he saw Destiny smile. It was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen from her, and she was smiling with pure joy.

“It’s a good thing,” said Destiny, “because I have already decided. It turns out I didn’t need nine months. I did not need any time at all. I just wanted to delay it because I was scared, but the fact of the matter is that the only reasons I can see are the reasons that show me that I should be with you. That is the truth of it. I love you, Jourdan. I think that I have always loved you. And I always will love you, because you are the most important person in my life.”

Jourdan started to cry. This was the only way that he was able to express his emotions. Now that he had Destiny, there was nothing else that he needed. All he wanted from life was right here in this room. He kissed Destiny’s forehead and then Chantal’s, and held them close.

Today was the happiest day of his life. He would have gladly traded pretty much everything he owned for this.

*****

The months passed, and everything returned to normal. Little Chantal was a healthy and beautiful baby, and everyone loved her with all their hearts. After the stressful pregnancy and even more stressful labor, everybody was glad that the baby was out in the world now, and they all spoiled her immensely.

Eventually, everyone had to return to their lives. Her father went back home as did Chantal, little Chantal’s Godmother. Life went on, and Destiny was happy as could be.

After it was done, they clung to each other and felt more love than each of them had ever felt before. This was the sort of love that was beyond description. This was the sort of love that you never expected to actually feel, because you assumed that it was only ever seen in story books.

And yet, this was a love that they felt for each other. Destiny knew this to be true, and it gave her hope. It gave her hope for the future, for her daughter, and for everything else. And where there is hope, there can never be true grief.

Far from grief, what she felt in this moment was nothing short of pure, unadulterated joy. And it was all that she ever wanted from life.

The end.