Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(76)
Veronica died one year and two months after being diagnosed with stage four cancer. She passed on in her sleep surrounded by the three of us at her bedside.
Her memorial was a huge event, sparking visits from popular celebrities from far and wide. She would have been pleased with the turnout, and more happy to see her little girl handling it like a grown woman. Maybe she was too young to totally understand what was happening, but I think us adults had done our best to prepare her, and show her that unconditional love never dies.
As for Chad and I, well we waited two weeks after receiving the death certificate to marry. It was a quiet ceremony in the backyard, with only close family in attendance.
Veronica has left us a parting gift, something she’d written and dedicated to our future. I hadn’t read it to Chad, hoping it would bring a sense of hope to our new family.
“This was written by Veronica,” I started, while standing in front of everyone, across from Chad. “The world is a beautiful star, like many in the sky, floating around with millions of lives holding it dear. In life we grasp at the things that make us happy, striving to accomplish great feats in order to make ourselves proud. We have children, marry, become successful, never realizing we’re just a minuscule part of the universe. When one star falls, shooting across the sky to erupt in flames, another is born, taking it’s place and sometimes shining even brighter than it’s predecessor. My light has faded. I’ve shot across the sky, giving lovers a sight to wish upon, and others hope of what remains. Though I’ve scattered in the atmosphere, remnants of me will always remain. We’re given one life, some long, and some short and unfinished. Though the choice isn’t ours, I’d like to think there’s something better out there waiting. As my life comes to an end, a couple will be joined. Their light will shine bright from within, broadcasting out like a beacon of hope. Their light will guide my little girl through her darkest of times. I’ve wished upon many stars. I’ve watched life flash before my eyes, but I’ve also witnessed something more powerful than anything else in this universe. True love. There’s no denying it. It’s more powerful than the sun, guiding two people into uncharted oceans, destining them to find one another, through wars, catastrophes, and even in some cases death. True love is the light of life. Embrace it, and never let it go, for what was once dormant, can now shine brighter than ever before. – Veronica”
Afterwards, once the sniffles subsided and we shared a matrimonial kiss, we went inside and cooked up a feast to celebrate, surrounded by the people we held dear to us. Veronica’s words would forever linger in my mind, reminding me what she saw when she looked into my heart. From what was once considered ugly, had come a beautiful bond, shared by two mothers who wanted to protect one little girl from the big bad world.
I still couldn’t believe it. Chad and I were finally united, after enduring a lifetime of struggles. That night when he held me in his arms and made love to me was the first time I’d ever truly felt like he belonged to me, completely, forever. This was what we’d fought so hard to have, and I knew we’d spend the rest of our days making sure we appreciated the journey we’d both taken to have the life we were proud to call our own.