Pearl Grace Parker

Chapter Sixteen

Three years later

Today I gave my little girl to the man she loves. I keep writing to my grandmother even though she has passed away. I say, "Remember that Mr. Brad I told you about. The one that I practically chased out of the house like a mad hen. Well he is my son-in-law now." I smile at the letter and look over at my beautiful daughter. She runs over in her beautiful dress and says, "Since, I can't have a father/daughter dance, I choose to have a mother/daughter dance." I roll my eyes and slowly get my aging body to move. I say, "Well, I suppose but my moves won't be as good as yours." She laughs and we enter the dance floor. A lullaby starts to play and I open my mouth and gape at my daughter. I hold my hands up to my mouth and say, "I used to sing this to you every night to help you fall asleep." She nods with tears in her eyes. I close my eyes and hug my little girl with pride. We rock back and forth to the time until the lullaby ends. I kiss my little girl on the forehead and say, "You will always be my little girl."

A year later.

My father passed away last month. I write to my grandmother. It seems like I can still see him at his mansion which now Kathleen and Brad are living in. They asked me if I wanted to move back in there but I said no. This house is now my home. There has been laughter and tears in this house but I wouldn't leave it for the world. All my memories are here now. When Kathleen first started to talk and walk. The first sleepovers with her friends. The memories of carrying John through this house while I was pregnant. The tears and screams. My life is here.

A year later

I woke up to a phone call. My eyes shoot open and I quickly grab the phone. I say, "Hello?" Kathleen says in a panicked voice, "Mom I think the baby is coming." I say, "I'll meet you at the hospital." I rushed to the hospital to see Kathleen being rushed into the labor room. I say before they close the doors, "You will be fine." The doors shut and I walked over to the waiting room.

Hours Later

I see a beautiful baby girl come out of the delivery room. The nurse says as she hands me her, "Meet Olivia Pearl Thompson." I smile and look down at Olivia and say, "Oh, my dear Olivia."