Infinity: Based on a True Story

by Shanora Williams

  I’m so glad he understood. John and I hardly talk about that night. After I came back to the room with puffy eyes and a runny nose, he didn’t say anything. He just helped me get back into bed and stroked my hair until I fell asleep.

  He knew where I’d been.

  He knew there wasn’t much he could say or do because it wasn’t going to make a difference.

  All he could do was be there, and I’m so grateful that there was someone there for me at all.

  The hotel phone rings on the nightstand. It’s most likely Sonny calling, announcing that she’s ready for dinner at the top of the hotel tower.

  Sighing, John pulls away, and I turn to face him, watching as he smiles boyishly.

  “What?” I ask, laughing.

  “Nothing,” he says quickly, waving it off, but he still smiles.

  “No,” I giggle. “What? Tell me.”

  “Well, I just…” his throat works up and down. “I never thought I’d see this day. You, carrying my child. Us, with a future. I was so afraid about never getting the chance to fulfill my life with my one true love, but I have. I am. And I can tell you one thing—” He cups my face in his hands, pressing his lips to mine. “—I can’t wait to meet our daughter. If she takes anything after her mother, I hope it’s your drive, your compassion, and your love. Because your love, Shannon, is hard to find. it’s rare, but it’s so potent that I feel like I’d die without it.”

  My teeth sink into my bottom lip, avoiding a full-blown grin. “Stop it, John. You’re going to make me cry!”

  “You’ve done enough of that lately,” he teases, sliding his fingers down my forearm and holding my hand.

  We walk towards the door, and I look up at him, admiring the light in the eyes, the peace he’s acquired. John hasn’t been like this since the day we met. To see him so tranquil, so happy and sweet, well… I don’t think I’d trade this for the world.

  I have never questioned my love for my husband.

  He has never let me down.

  He has never given me a reason to go astray.

  He has been here since the day we met, and I will never forget that.

  Even if the OP were to sweep through my lungs again, at least I know that our baby will be well taken care of. Honestly, I think I’d be at even more peace with it. Because I have traveled.

  I have lived.

  I have endured it all—joy, sorrow, pain, anger, sadness—all of it, and I wouldn’t change any of it.

  “You know what her middle name should be?” I asked as we walked down the hallway.

  “What?”

  “Maxine. Naomi Maxine Streeter.”

  John puts on a wide smile, and it’s so warm and full that I feel flutters in my belly. He kisses my cheek, and then says, “I really like that, babe.”

  I grin.

  They say things happen in our lives for a reason. Some don’t believe that saying, but I do.

  I believe I was with Max to serve as an example about strength in the face of difficult circumstances. My life was very difficult and before his parents died, his wasn’t. John was the same way.

  They were so close to giving up, but I was there to pick up the pieces. I of all people know what it’s like to constantly lose, to feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, but I also know how to keep pushing.

  To keep fighting.

  If it weren’t for both of them, along with my lovely sister, I wouldn’t have kept going. I would have given up a really long time ago. Hell, I’d probably be dead if it weren’t for them.

  So, from this moment on, I will cherish it all.

  Every second.

  Every breath.

  Every laugh.

  I will live for myself. I will live for Max. I will live for my father. I will live for my daughter. I will live for John and I will live for Sonny. I will live, because I can, and because there is no reason now why I shouldn’t.

  I will prosper in life. I will grow and allow wisdom to sink in. I will respect the lows just as much as the highs.

  I will do it all, and nothing will stop me.

  Nothing will break my spirit.

  The stars won’t even be hard for me to reach.

  Nothing will keep me away from reaching all of the things that add up to my happiness.

  Bliss.

  Peace.

  Life.

  Love.

  It all amounts to one simple word that holds great meaning in my heart.

  Infinity.

  The End

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