Dying Wish

Chapter 25

"It's really sweet, the way so many people are praying for Laura," observed Amberley the Angel.

"All My children know that's the best thing to do," said God, nodding in agreement.

"Funny how the humans sometimes think You aren't listening or don't answer, but You remember every single prayer and answer every single one," she said.

"Well," said God, "they don't always feel Me, and that's when Satan goes in their mind and perverts everything. He makes them believe that they are alone and that I don't pay attention to them, which couldn't be any farther from the truth. Also, sometimes I answer prayers in a way they weren't expecting, or how they wanted. It's just important when My children put their faith and trust in Me."

"For sure," Amberley agreed.

It felt like God wasn't there anymore. Steven just began to think his life was going to get back together. He was going to build a relationship with his daughter, and maybe even start over again with her mother. But now, Laura was dying and he may not even get to see her.

"God, why?" He questioned. "I thought you were going to get my life put back together!"

He thought a while, and supposed he didn't even really deserve to have his life put back together. He hung his head in despair. Maybe I should've just ended it all that night. Easy. Done and over with, he thought. Immediately once he realized what he was thinking, he shook the thought off and shivered. He never really wanted to do that, he was just in so much emotional pain and hurt.

I wish I could hurry up and get over there, thought Steven while packing suitcases. Or better yet, I wish my daughter wasn't sick. He stopped for a moment at that thought. My daughter. It was funny to think he had a daughter. Sure, he was always her biological father. For sixteen years he'd had a daughter. But for sixteen years, he also ignored it and never even met her. If there was anything he regretted, it was running from fatherhood. Many of his friends now were having little ones, and all over his social media feeds there were pictures and videos of sweet moments with their children. All sorts of firsts. First time eating solid food, first time standing, first time talking, walking. Birthdays, first days of school. He missed it all. Now he had a dying sixteen year old and he never got to see her do any of that, because of his dumb decisions. For that, he didn't think he could ever forgive himself.

The biggest thing that haunted him, though, was why he didn't at least try to come back sooner. Maybe he could've given them money for more treatments, and she would've beat the cancer by now. He would be a real daddy to her and have those special moments with her. Getting Laura her first puppy, taking her to school, teaching her all he knew. Eventually, they would have more sweet moments, like taking her off to college, walking her down the aisle, babysitting their grandchildren for her. He would miss it all. Not just what already didn't happen, but would never happen.

He broke down and cried. "I'm sorry, Laura. I'm so sorry my sweet Laura."

He then got on his knees and prayed. God, if you're out there, help me connect with Laura. I've...I've made some pretty big mistakes, but that's nothing you don't know. Please fix this. Amen. He wasn't really sure how to pray, but he hoped that was it.

Be still and know that I am God. Said a Voice. Chills ran down Stevens spine, and after a long pause, he continued packing his bags, assuming he'd really heard nothing. Superstitious, he thought.