Garden of Love [ Chaennie ]

13. 1 Million Hit

Rosie had trouble coming to grips with the fact that she was almost burying her wife in the ground a few weeks ago. Her very young wife. They had always envisioned this long life together. They'd tell each other they'd be so in love all those years later as if no time passed at all. The harsh reality was she was almost a widow and single mother in the blink of an eye. Her whole world spiralling out of control by a simple phone call.

Her father used to tell her when she was young that, "You only live once," as if she needed to be reminded that she only has one life. She was well aware. Life wasn't some video game where you can just hit the reset button if you die. The truth is you only get one shot. One chance to make the most of it. To do all the things you want to do and to see all there is to see.

Before the accident, like most people, our lives became a series of missed opportunities. Those vacations we always wanted to take but for some reason or another, we never got around to it. Those last-minute cancelled plans.

This is how she found herself thinking off all those missed moments while moving about the kitchen. All those things she and her wife said they'd do but never did. Always thinking they had plenty of time.

The cabin in the mountains they used to visit when they were in college. They'd always talked about taking Ella one day but never got around to it. That anniversary trip they wanted to take in Italy but had to cancel due to some issue with her wife's company. Life is funny like that. You think you have all the time in the world until something reminds you that you don't. That life can change at a moment's notice.

But then she thought, what happens when you do get a second chance? When you do get to hit the reset button on that video game? What would you do with that extra life?

It was a wake-up call that reminded her that she had all of these things she still wanted to do in life. Things they had wanted to do together. You see you only get to experience things for the first time once. It loses its magic the second time around. But people always remember the first time.

Your first words, first steps, your first date, the first time you made love, and your first boyfriend or girlfriend. People always remember the firsts and there were many firsts Rosie wanted to give Jennie. Her wife was like a blank canvas and she suddenly felt inspired to paint it. She found herself smiling at the mere thought. All the endless possibilities of things they could do. She picked up her giggling baby and they danced around the kitchen whilst making breakfast.

Jennie awoke to an empty bed. Not that she expected Rosie to lay in bed all day but she can't deny the sad feeling she felt looking at Rosie's side of the bed. She's grown attached to the blonde. She's not sure if that's because she's been by her side every moment since she woke up but she feels lost without her. She carefully got out of bed and took her medication that was on the nightstand.

Jennie walked downstairs to see Rosie making breakfast with Ella on her hip. Light music was playing. The song felt vaguely familiar but she couldn't place it. She smiled at the two of them playfully dancing around the kitchen while flipping the food. The tiny giggles of their child filled the room.

Their child. It was still a hard pill to swallow. She had this whole life laid out in front of her. The big house, the fancy cars, the beautiful wife and daughter. But it wasn't hers. She wasn't her.

"Momma!" Ella says happily as she holds out her hands towards her

Rosie turned around and gave her a soft smile, "Good morning." She says

"Good morning... is there anything I can help with?" She asks hesitantly unsure what to do with herself

Ella wiggled in her arms and Rosie set her down. Tiny feet pattered towards the older woman and small arms wrapped around her leg and looked up at her with a toothy grin. Jennie gave her a warm smile and ruffled her curls.