How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie Thorne felt as if her heart were fluttering with a caged, exuberant bird today.

There really weren't words for this feeling.

Almost without realizing it, she squeezed Jarrod Silverstein's hand, as if holding onto him could anchor her in this moment.

Their baby had been ready to leave the hospital for a while now, and she was thriving-no different from any other newborn.

Jarrod had already arranged for someone to come by and explain all the essential things they needed to know.

Elodie listened to every word as if engraving it on her heart.

A nurse stepped forward, cradling the baby and gently placing her in Elodie's arms. "Congratulations, Ms. Thorne. Your daughter is perfectly healthy."

Elodie hurried to take the tiny, soft bundle, hugging her close. Suddenly, a wave of emotion hit her, and she felt tears prick at her eyes.

As Elodie gazed down, wanting to memorize every line of her daughter's face, the baby opened her eyes. They were deep and dark, framed with long lashes and delicate eyelids-eyes that stared up at Elodie, unblinking. Elodie's breath caught.

A moment later, the baby's tiny hand wrapped around her finger.

It was as if this small person instinctively sensed their unbreakable bond, letting out a soft, contented hum.

heart felt pierced through

was thriving, her skin smooth and beautiful-none of that awkwardness

smiling at me?" Elodie turned, full of wonder, to Jarrod,

daughter's cheek. "I think so. After all, with a mother as beautiful as hers, how could she

corner of

hectic, and besides, this little one had only spent three

asked, knowing Jarrod

arched an eyebrow,

down

at the

baby, his exp "Nemet

"Nadia. What do you

belongs to s

name out softly:

deserves a smooth and joyful

long and hard about this. He and Elodie hadn't had an easy journey-life rarely seemed to go the way they

of those hardships. He wanted her to be healthy, happy, and fulfilled.

the name, growing fonder by the second. She could see all the care and hope Jarrod had

they'd been through to welcome this precious