Tears of Heaven - A Love Story

Tears -

Eighteen

Sergei

Sergei is in pain, but he says nothing. He will not interrupt this beautiful moment he is sharing with his wife, so he will keep silent until the doctor or nurse comes. He closes his eyes and continues to soak in her warmth.

He had promised to keep Heaven safe, and he had kept that promise. She is safe now. Ross is dead at his hand. He feels remorse over taking a life, but he would do it again to protect his wife. The painful bullet hole in his chest is no great sacrifice to him. He would give his blood and more for her.

He thinks back to the first time he opened the door and saw Heaven. He remembers the guarded look in her eyes, the vulnerability her exquisite face expressed, but he also remembers the strength that radiated from her. Having been told ahead of time by her grandparents what she had been through, that strength won him over and she captured his heart that very day, and he knew he would never get it back. Even still, he had been determined not to push her in any way. He would simply be a friend to her because he knew that was what she'd needed.

God had then smiled on him through that friendship and had soon blessed him with the gift of her love.

He pulls his thoughts back to the present. He moves his hand down and presses it against Heaven's flat stomach. She draws back slightly and he looks into her beautiful eyes and smiles. His heart is singing because his child is growing inside her, and he is now experiencing the ultimate feeling of peace. His eyes trail over her face and his lips follow. Holding her close and pressing his face into her hair, he closes his eyes and offers a prayer of gratitude to the heavens for the life he has been given, for the gift he is holding in his arms, for the privilege he has had of drying Heaven's tears and offering her comfort, for the future blessings that will come from loving her and making her smile. He has one goal in his heart, a goal he will do everything in his power to fulfill–to make sure the tears of Heaven will never again be ones of sadness–they would only be ones of joy.

Epilogue

Almost a year later.

I sit on the sofa in the family room with Sergei's arms wrapped around me as we gaze down at the sleeping little boy in my arms. I smile contentedly as little Nikolai stretches his chubby little arms and yawns softly.

“I can't believe how big he is getting,” Sergei says, touching his soft cheek.

I smile up at him. “I know. It seems like only yesterday we brought him home. At the rate he eats, he will be as big as a toddler before he's even six months old.”

Sergei laughs. “My mother says he is taking after me. I was also nine pounds when I was born.”

“So,” I say teasing, “I have you to blame for our baby's giant genes, huh?”

“I am afraid so.”

“Well,” I say, pressing a hand to his face, “considering how amazing his father is, I hope our Nikolai  continues to take after you.” Sergei leans down and kisses me warmly and I add, “Nothing would make me happier.”

As he rests his lips against my brow, I close my eyes and I offer up another prayer of gratitude for my life. Looking back on my life and remembering the rejection and pain I had felt when I was younger, I'd had no clue of the path it would take.

As I think about the painful experiences of my youth, as well as part of my adulthood, and then think about the love that interceded with each experience, I am filled with renewed awe. Because I really do have a reason for being here. My life does have a purpose, and I really am worthy of being loved. And that knowledge most of all, is what brings me the most joy.

Yes, God had known what was best for me after all.