Subject: [SpikesSalvation] Phoenix Dreams- Chapter 14 Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 15:51:47 -0800 (PST) From: Jerusha Hancock Reply-To: SpikesSalvation@yahoogroups.com To: SpikesSalvation@yahoogroups.com Chapter 14 Erin lay with her back against him, her breath coming in hitches and spasms. There wasn't a point to her being in the hospital at this point; it was easier on the both of them if she could be at home, especially since they wouldn't allow children into the ICU. William's gentle fingers stroked her hair, and she felt herself melting into him. Almost five years of marriage, and she still wanted him. But it was an impotent sort of wanting these days; it had been over a year since she'd felt well enough to do much, and he'd still stuck by her. "How's Ty?" she whispered. Her laboring heart was warning her that she didn't have much time. "Asleep," William replied, equally softly. "He was happy you were feeling well enough to talk for a while earlier." She smiled. "I want you to promise me something, William." "Anything, Erin-luv. You know that." She closed her eyes against the reproach in his tone, knowing that he would gladly switch places with her if he could, if it were even possible. And she, in her selfishness, was just as glad he couldn't, because she didn't think she could have borne another loss. "I want you to be happy." "Erin—" "No, William," she replied, her tone as strong as she could make it. "Someday you'll meet someone else, and I don't want you to hesitate to be happy because of me." He shut his eyes, holding back the tears, knowing she was slipping from him. She wouldn't be saying these things if the end weren't very near. "I promise, luv. I'll try." She felt her breath shudder and hitch. "Come around where I can see you." He shifted underneath her, and moved so that she lay against the pillows he'd stacked there, perching himself on the side of the bed. "You'll look after Ty." "Of course," he said. "He's mine." "He has your eyes," she agreed. "And he's more yours than mine." When he opened his mouth to protest, she gave a weak shake of her head. "I often thank God for sending you to me that night," she whispered. "You came just when I needed you, and I can't help but wonder what might have happened if you hadn't been there. It wasn't coincidence, William." "No," he breathed. "You'll tell him that I've gone to be with God," she instructed. "I know you don't believe it—" "I don't not believe it," he corrected. "Hard to say, really. Erin, I'll tell him. I'll take care of him. You know it." "I know it." Her breath was harder to catch now, and she couldn't help but think of the million other things she wanted to tell him, and that she wouldn't get to say any of it. "I can't hold on, William," she gasped. "I'm sorry." "No," he said, grasping her hand tightly. Oh, how he didn't want to let her go. He wanted to beg her to stay with him, but he loved her too much. For weeks now, she had been fighting for every breath, and now he wanted the battle to be over for her, for himself. He couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer. "You go when you have to, luv. I'll be here." She drew in a deep breath. "William, I love you," she cried. And then her eyes opened wide at something he could not see. "Oh," she sighed reverently. It was her last breath. William laid his head down on the bed and sobbed until the sun rose. "But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed." 2 Cor 4:7-9 ---------------------------------