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.

pierced through

skin smooth and beautiful-none

me?" Elodie turned, full of wonder, to Jarrod, catching the

gently brushing their daughter's cheek. "I think so. After all,

corner of Elodie's eye. "Have you thought

one

asked, knowing Jarrod well enough

an eyebrow, then

down

at the

baby, his exp "Nemet

gentle. "Nadia. What do

belongs to s

out softly:

all her wishes come true. Our Nadia deserves a smooth and

long and hard about this. He and Elodie hadn't had an easy journey-life rarely seemed to go the way they hoped, and eve their relationship had faced challenge after challenge before finally

hardships. He wanted her to be healthy, happy, and

the second. She could see all the care

they'd been through to welcome