He walked him over to the wall of photos. That hadn’t changed—all those pictures still told the story of his life before Gabe. He scanned the symmetrical rows of images and wondered which he could set aside to make room for his new life. The one of Sybil when she was pregnant. He’d left that because it was Ruthie, too, but that could go. His eyes were drawn to the other pictures of Ruthie—in her little pink tutu and cowboy boots, just a few weeks before she died. Playing in the mud when she was four. Giving Heath a kiss when she was only two. His pretty little sprite of a girl. She would always stay, always be part of their life in the small ways she could.
It didn’t hurt to think about Ruthie anymore. His memories of her were happy, and only tinged with bittersweet. He could remember her laugh without thinking of her scream.
“Look there, little man. That’s your big sister, Ruthie. She loved babies. She wanted a baby brother. She would’ve loved to help take care of you.”
Matthew screwed up his face and threatened to yell, but he only grunted again and relaxed.
“Good morning.”
Heath turned. Gabe stood at the end of the hallway, looking surprisingly awake and fresh.
“I wanted you to sleep a little more.”
“That’s okay. I was lonely on my own.” She came to his side and brushed her fingers over his cheek. “Are you okay?”
Cradling his son, Heath put his other arm around his wife and drew her close.
“I am wonderful. I am wide awake, and I am happy.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Fanetti is a Midwestern native transplanted to Northern California, where she lives with her husband, youngest son, and assorted cats.
Susan’s blog: www.susanfanetti.com
Susan’s Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanfanetti
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Somewhere (Sawtooth Mountains Stories Book 1) Page 33