Takes You

by Nicola C. Priest

  You’re my daughter, Hope—you’re our daughter—and I know that even though I’m not there with you, your dad will tell you stories about me, none of which you should believe, by the way.

  Hope, please look after your dad for me. He’ll tell you he’s okay, but don’t believe him. Sometimes you have to push to get him to open up. He’ll open up eventually, and he will need you.

  I’m going to sign off now. Remember, Hope, I loved you from the moment I became aware of your existence. You are still loved, baby girl. Never forget that.

  Love always,

  Mum x

  By the time Hope finishes, we’re both in floods of tears, and she jumps down from her stool and comes over to me. I pull her into a tight hug and we just hold each other for what feels like forever. We’ve always been close, but right now, I’ve never felt closer to her. After several minutes, we pull apart and she swipes at her eyes.

  “I should go freshen up. Craig will be here soon.”

  I just nod as she hurries upstairs as I grab a tissue and dab at my eyes. After a few deep breaths, I tuck the paper back in the envelope and place it by Hope’s bag. I walk through to the living room and sit down, grabbing my wallet off the coffee table. Flipping it open, I tug one of the folds and pull out a small photograph.

  I’ll always remember when this was taken. My mum snapped it on our first Christmas Day together, not long after I told Crissie how grateful I was that she was mine. We’d just hugged, and the picture shows us in each other’s arms, just looking at each other, smiles on our faces. My mum always said she had never seen a picture that showed a couple so much in love. I’ve had the picture in my wallet ever since. I’ll hold it close to my heart until the day I die.

  “We did it, Cris. Hope is perfect. She’s so like you, it’s uncanny. I hope I’ve done you proud in how I’ve raised her. If I have it’s because of you. You were it for me, Cris. There will never be anyone else. I love you, baby. Always and Forever.”

  I see a droplet fall onto my hand and realise I’m crying again. Tucking the photo back in my wallet, I swipe at the tears and stand. Thinking about Cris always brings out this reaction in me. She taught me so much during our time together, including how it feels to love, and she proved to me that love does exist.

  When I see Hope come back downstairs, looking as fresh as she did before our sob fest, I decide that from today, I will live my life to the fullest, for me and our daughter, because what Cris said in her letter is true.

  You never know when it will take you.

  THE END