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

was thriving, her skin smooth and

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

fingers gently brushing their daughter's cheek. "I think so. After all, with a mother

of Elodie's eye. "Have you thought about what we'll name

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

knowing Jarrod well enough to

arched an

down

at the

baby, his exp "Nemet

What do

belongs to s

the name out softly:

all her wishes come true. Our Nadia deserves a smooth and joyful life,"

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 finding its

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

by the second. She could see all the care and

all they'd been through to