Clouds turned gray in the distance. It looked like we were going to have a storm later on today. We weren’t in the season yet for hurricanes so the storm would likely dissipate quickly.
I grabbed my purse from the passenger seat and made my way to the front door. Pausing, I took in our white home. It was perfect.
Together, we had all we ever wanted.
The stroll to the front door was taken at a leisurely pace. The wind gusted as a cold front came in, confirming my suspicions of a storm. I quickly texted Erica.
Me: It looks like there’s a storm coming.
Erica: Dave already has the news up. We don’t think it’ll be bad. Do you want us to bring Sophia back home?
I loved her for asking, but knew that would break everyone’s heart.
Me: Thank you for offering, but I don’t think that’s necessary.
Erica: Sounds great. We’re going to create a fort in the living room when she wakes up and watch movies.
Me: That sounds amazing. Have fun.
Erica: You too. Are you almost home?
Me: Yes, walking up to the door now.
Erica: Good. I’ll text you later with a picture of the fort.
Me: I can’t wait.
The key fit in the lock easily and I turned it. I had about three hours before Gael was due home. During that time, I planned on taking a nap.
The door creaked open and delicious smells assaulted me. “Hello?”
“In here, sweetheart.” Gael’s deep voice reverberated through me. He was to the left, in the living room.
Walking in, I smiled at the scene before me. A fire crackled in the fireplace with blankets and pillows arranged on the floor as Gael had done periodically throughout the years.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Stowe.”
“It’s good to be home, Mr. Stowe. You’re here early.”
A lazy smile appeared on his face. “I thought we’d enjoy this time together.”
Warmth spread through me. After all this time, we never tired of each other. Simultaneously, we walked to each other and his lips found mine. Against them he said, while he held my face, “I’ll never tire of having you in my arms.”
Goosebumps formed on my flesh. “I love you, Gael. Thank you for saying yes to my proposal all those years ago.”
A hearty chortle left him as he nipped my lip. “I believe it was you who said yes to me when I asked you.”
Since our marriage, we gave each other a hard time about who really proposed first. Like our relationship, we were responsible for equal parts and I loved that about us … we truly were partners.
“What are you plans for us this afternoon, Mr. Stowe?”
“I thought we’d lay by the fire.”
I raised my eyebrow as I peeked around him. “Is that all? If memory serves me right, normally we do more than laying when you set up the living room like this.”
His hand brushed against my stomach where there was only the faintest baby bump so far. For only a moment, he felt our child before his hand roamed up to the swell of my breast. “I think you’re right. I do have more planned.”
“You think?” My bra cup was moved down as my nipples were rolled between his fingers. A moan escaped. Being pregnant caused them to be so sensitive. The feeling was an exquisite torture. “Please, Gael. I want you. I hope you know, and still aren’t thinking about what you’re going to do.”
“Oh, I know.”
We laid in each other’s arms in the glow of our love making. Not once, but twice Gael had brought us both to the brink of no return.
The outside sky grew darker outside the windows. It was the calm before the storm as I watched the branches sway a little farther.
Thunder crashed outside the house and Gael grabbed his phone from beside him where his khaki pants had been discarded. “I’ll check on Sophia and then I’ll look at the weather.”
After less than the minute, Gael’s phone vibrated. “Mom and Dad say all is good. They have some rain, but it looks like the worse of the storm is going to hit us.”
Whew, I was glad but then snuggled closer to Gael. “Do we need to go to the storm shelter?”
His eyes scanned the weather page as he watched the maps and read the notices. “I don’t think so. It’s just strong thunderstorms.”
Another clash of lightening rumbled the walls. I snuggled closer to Gael as rain pelted the house. It was comforting as we laid there. “Are you still okay from the visit with Harris?”
“Yes, I think he was genuine. I’m happy for him.”
“Me too.”
Another crash of lightening and we lost the lights. During that time, another succession of bolts lit up the side of the room where Sophia and Daniel’s journals were in the shadow box beneath the picture we had found of them. Memories from the time we initially found them came to the forefront. Oh, how I missed them. Gael commented, “It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since that journey.”
“I know. I miss reading about them and discovering about them. The first time was simply magical.”
“It was.”
The lights came back on and I glanced at their picture. It was cockeye on the wall. Gael saw it at the same time and popped up to adjust it. His toned body had me ogling my husband from behind. “You like what you see, sweetheart?”
“I’m just glad you kept eating your Wheaties all these years.”
I giggled as he wagged his eyebrows at me. “Got to keep my wife satisfied.”
“And that you do in spades.”
With his fingers slightly behind the frame, he moved the picture and then paused. He pulled the frame off and flipped it over, his brows creasing.
Had something happened to the painting? Oh no! I pulled the covers up over my chest as I sat up. “What’s wrong?”
With a gentle touch, Gael removed the back of the frame and pulled out some folded pages. My heart leapt in my throat. I asked, “Are those?”
Opening the pages, Gael quickly scanned them. “Yes, it’s the missing journal pages.”
“Oh my gosh! Gael! It’s … I can’t believe it!” Excitement bubbled inside me. A couple of years after we read the journals again, I noticed toward the back there were several pages that had been removed from the journal. They hadn’t been ripped, but taken out with care. It was why we had missed it the first time.
Gael sat beside me clearly enthralled with the find. A love for Daniel and Sophia was something we shared. “Do we want to read them?”
I chewed my lip. This was the last piece of her to be discovered. It had been so long and I wanted to hear her words. “Yes, please read them to me.”
That was the same request I had asked Gael all those years ago as he read words from Sophia’s journal in this very room of Daniel’s house.
Laying down, I moved into the crook of his arm. The deep tenor of his voice brought back a sense of déjà vu as the words from my great-great-great-grandmother were read aloud.
Dear Diary,
My Danny came back for me. My heart always knew he would.
THE FEEL OF Danny’s lips upon my forehead caused my heartbeat to soar. He was really here. The ache in my chest was almost more than I could bare. I had moved on without him. Guilt tore apart my insides as I tried to understand how this could happen.
“Make love to me, please.”
Daniel froze, not moving an inch. “Sophia, you’re sick and can barely move. I can’t—”
My body was weak, but having him near me, I found an inner strength. I needed to feel him inside of me. I needed to feel his love before I passed on. “Please, Danny. I’ve waited so long for you.”
When I saw the tears rolling down his face, I knew more than ever this was what we both needed. “Do you know how many nights I have dreamed of you, Sophia? Being back in your arms as we made love in front of the fire. The night I held you in my arms as we dreamed of our future. I want you more than anything, my darling, Sophia.”
I asked Daniel to help me remove m
y gown. The confusion if he should do as I asked was evident in his eyes. But I had been dreaming of this moment for far too long to let it slip by.
When he finally laid his hands on me I felt alive again. For months, a piece of me had been missing. Lost to the sea. Now with my love next to me, I felt whole again.
Almost whole.
“I have longed for your touch for so long, Danny. The countless hours I dreamed of this.”
Daniel’s hands moved my garments slowly down. My body trembled as I anticipated him.
“Sophia, I am not sure—”
My energy was weakening. I pleaded my case with Daniel until he finally moved over me.
“You must promise me you will speak if I hurt you or you can no longer take the action.”
Oh, how my Daniel cared about me. Always thinking of me first. With a soft smile, I answered, “I promise you, Danny.”
His lips softly moved over mine as I felt the love between us. “I’m going to make love to you now, darling.” The moment he slowly pushed into me I found a renewed strength. It was as if the fever had left my body.
“Yes,” I whispered. “My love finally came back to me.”
Daniel slowly made love to me. Taking his time to whisper in my ear with how much he loved me. Missed me. Fought to get back to me. The emotion I felt was a mix of guilt and overwhelming happiness.
But I was dying. He came back for me and I was soon to leave him. As well as my beloved Annabelle.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I pushed the thoughts from my mind. Daniel was giving me a piece of him to take with me. For now I would relish in the warmth of his body. The feel of his lips to mine. The sound of his voice whispering in my ear.
I loved him. I would forever love him.
My release was building. It was pure heaven as Daniel pressed his lips to mine as I shattered around his body. When he moaned my name and filled me with his seed, I knew all was well again. My heart was back. My emptiness filled.
Daniel had held me in his arms as I cried myself to sleep. Life was not fair. It had ripped my beloved from me only to dangle in him front of me again. I would never tell Daniel, but I was exhausted after we had made love. My chest burned and my head throbbed. Sleep had soon come over me. I hadn’t slept so peacefully in over a year.
Opening my eyes, I turned my head to see him standing at the window. Weakly lifting my fingers to my lips, I smiled. I could still feel them tingling.
“Danny?” my voice croaked out.
Rushing to my side, he took my hand in his. “Yes, my love?”
“My journal. I need to make one more entry into my journal.”
He shook his head. “Darling, you’re so weak. You should rest.”
“No. I need you to take what I write and give it to Annabelle some day.”
Daniel leaned over and kissed my forehead. “My sweet darling, I’ll tell her whatever you wish for me to tell her.”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “It needs to be in my own pen. Please, Danny.”
His eyes softened as he nodded. “Where is your journal?”
I motioned to the side table as Daniel turned and picked up my journal.
“Will you help me sit up?”
“Yes, of course.”
It was then, Nelly walked into the room carrying a tray. “I brought you both some broth. Sophia, please eat some.”
“I’ll make sure she does,” Daniel said as he took the tray from her.
“Would you like help, Sophia?”
I shook my head. “No, Nelly. Thank you. Is Devlin with Annabelle?”
Nelly replied, “Yes. He left to spend a bit of time with her.”
“I wish I could hold her,” I said, knowing that was out of the question. I’d never risk her getting sick.
It wasn’t lost on me that the two of them exchanged looks. They were both worried. I was worried. My mind was beginning to think and see things I knew wasn’t there. The fever was taking a hold of me again and this time tighter. I needed to get my words down to my darling Annabelle.
I barely had the strength to hand Daniel my journal. “I’m so sleepy,” I softy said.
Setting the journal to the side, he crawled into bed next me and kissed my forehead. “Sleep my beautiful, Sophia. Sleep.”
MY BODY FELT heavy. The energy it took to even open my eyes was more than I could bare. I had the same nightmare over and over again. Daniel was standing on the boat dock, waiting for me. Walking toward him, he reached out his arms then would fall over the dock just as I reached him. My screams woke me each time.
Turning my head, I Smiled. He was here. My Danny was here. The last thing I had remembered was talking to Devlin before I drifted off to sleep again. My heart ached for him as I knew this couldn’t have been easy on him having Daniel return like this.
Forcing myself to speak, I whispered his name, “Danny.”
He quickly moved to my side. The fear in his eyes evident of what was to come.
“My darling, Sophia. I’m here.”
My heart hurt for so many reasons. I’d never watch my daughter grow up. I’d never grow old with Daniel by my side. There would never again be a moment we would share like last night. Yet, God blessed me with seeing my daughter for the short time I did and being in Daniel’s arms once more before I died.
Smiling, I let my tears fall. “Will you promise me that you shall take care of Annabelle?” Daniel lifted my hand to his lips and softly kissed the back of my hand like he had done so many times.
“With all my heart, I promise you.”
So tired. I’m so tired.
With all my strength, I pulled in a deep breath. “Promise me you won’t be angry with Devlin. He loved me, Danny. He was there for me in my darkest hour. Do not hold that against him, please.”
Pressing his lips to my skin again, he vowed to honor my promise. My eyes met his and I knew this would be the hardest part.
“Promise me you will find love again.”
Shaking his head, he softly spoke. “No. I cannot promise you that. For the only woman who shall ever have my heart is here in this room.”
My chest squeezed. Life was cruel. I wanted to stay longer. Needed to stay longer. If I had been stronger, I would have asked him to make love to me again. My time was running out. It was as if I could feel myself slipping a bit more as each minute passed.
“Danny, I’m going to be with our little girl. Promise me.”
The feel of his lips on my hand sent gooseflesh across my heated body. He stood and looked directly into my eyes.
Light. I feel so light.
“Sophia Marie Stowe. You will always remain the keeper of my heart and soul. For each night I close my eyes, I shall see your eyes. Each morning I wake, I will dream of your smile. You will forever be the love of my life.” His voice stuttered as he continued to speak. “Darling, I promise you I will be happy. Please don’t worry about me. I shall count down the days until we are together again.”
Using every bit of energy I had, I lifted my hand to his face. His tears caused me such pain. How I wish I could kiss each of them away.
“I walked to the dock every night when I was in Savannah and prayed for your ship to sail in. I need you to know you will forever have my heart, Daniel Gael Stowe. My life with you was the happiest I have ever been.”
A sob escaped from between his lips. My time was drawing near. Someone was calling out my name.
A little girl.
It was in that moment I knew it was okay. Daniel would be okay. My precious Annabelle would grow up loved by her father and Daniel. All will be okay.
Dropping his head, Daniel’s body shook. “Remember our dreams, Daniel. For every time you look out over the ocean, I shall be there. Every time the wind blows the branches of our tree … I shall be whispering your name. Our hearts were destined for each other. For eternity.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears. My journey had come to an end. My own hand would not write my last journal entry, but by
that of the man I loved. My last moments of happiness needed to be recorded so that he and Annabelle could truly see how I was taking their love with me and how much of my love was staying with them.
Once Daniel placed my journal on the side table, he pressed his lips to mine. The ache in my chest grew fierce as he whispered, “I love you, Sophia.”
With a weak smile, I replied, “I love you, Danny. Will you hold me?”
Slowly crawling into bed, he held me in his arms. Home. This was home. The place I felt the safest. The happiest. In my Danny’s arms. Lifting my gaze to his, I grinned. “I always knew you would come back to me.”
The love of my life held me tighter as I closed my eyes. I would see him again someday. For now, I would have to wait patiently. For we shall be together.
Forever.
TEARS STREAMED DOWN my face as Gael finished reading Sophia’s words. She had loved fully and died completely whole. It was unfathomable to think of leaving Gael and our little Sophia.
Earlier, when the branches had blown on their tree, I knew Sophia was there with her beloved Daniel.
Hearing her words from the last tender moments had me spent, reliving all they had endured. Beside me, Gael was lost in his own thoughts as I remembered Daniel’s entry from this day. It had shattered me. On top of it all, I had been in a dark place at the end of his journal because of having to break up with Gael.
So much happened in life that wasn’t fair. But I had to hold faith that everything happened for a reason … otherwise why take a chance on living.
“She was such a strong person, Gael.”
“Like you, sweetheart. She knew it was coming, yet she lived each moment to the fullest until she took her last breath.”
Through the entire journey I felt like I had been on a parallel course with Sophia in so many ways. Because of her, I took a chance on finding my dream of having a love like no other.
The next page was blank. Gael flipped the page again and noticed an envelope.
My fingers traced the words as Gael and I both looked at it. “Do you think this is from Annabelle?”
Predestined Hearts Page 36