Reasons You Are

Reasons You Are- Epilogue

I smiled as I knocked on the door, one little bundle in my arms, the other swimming over with her daddy. My mother answered within moments, and greeted my kids with a loving smile.

"Oh! How are my beautiful girls! And Thomas." My mother smiled at my husband, who only laughed. He wrapped one arm around me as our four year old swam eagerly to greet her grandmother.

"I know it still hurts to visit. But it's time to go inside. I can carry Deah if you want," he offered. I shook my head; I could hold my baby.

"No, that's alright. Come on, let's go in." I glided in, my tail sore from playing at the park earlier. My mom saw me and smiled, holding my little girl in her arms. They were staring at the mantle, and I suddenly felt scared.

"Leah?" She called me over, and my little girl waved.

"Mommy, grandma says you're in this picture!" She pointed to a family portrait in the center of the shelf. I smiled and nodded. My mom and dad sat in the middle, Gerald behind them, as Alex and I on either side of him. We were all so happy that day. Our smiled captured on the small canvas.

"Yeah, I am. Right there. And that's Uncle Gerry!" I smiled, pointing to me and my brother.

"He looks funny." My daughter wrinkled her nose, as she stared at the picture. It was true, he had looked and acted funny then, but Gerald, or Gerry as he liked to be called now, had definitely grown out of it. He looked much better, with broad shoulders, and his face had filled in so it wasn't nearly as skinny. He'd also left the dork phase far behind him.

I laughed. "Yes, he does."

"Who's that?" She pointed to Alex, and I stopped. Could I do this? I took a deep breath, and smiled at my daughter.

"That's your Aunt Alex."

My daughter squealed with joy. "Alex? Like me?"

"Yes, you're named after her. And while she may not be alive today-" I choked on the words, "while she may not be alive today, she's the reason you are."