Anne Wheeler x Phillip Carlyle

Chapter 19

Phillip POV.
Today, we were having a baby shower for our new baby daughter. After we lost Elissa, everything came into perspective for me. Even a life that was so short, it changed many people's lives. My experience with Elissa will always remain with me, and she will always be my daughter.
We named our new baby daughter Six. We called her this because Elissa died on the 6th June (6/6). It was the number that ended Elissa's life, but it would start a new one. I'm sure that Six would live a long life.
"You know, I was so excited to meet my niece." W.D sits down next to me.
We're in the Barnum's back garden, all the woman in dresses and squealing and laughing and rubbing Anne's stomach. The men where more relaxed, sitting on the sofas drinking beer, like me. The children ran around laughing and screaming and telling Anne how much they couldn't wait to meet Six. When Helen and Caroline asked where Elissa was, we told her that she had gone into the sky because she had decided she didn't want to be down here. Both girls instantly started talking to the sky, to try and 'persuade her to come down'. It was heartbreaking to watch.
"You know, I was so excited to meet my daughter." I say back to Anne's brother. He sighs and looks down at his feet.
"Well...hopefully Six will be around for longer." He says. I think he is trying to be nice to me just because I lost my first daughter.
Next we have the speeches to Six, our daughter. Helen and Caroline, the little girls, go up first.
"Hello everybody, we just wanted to say that we are SO EXCITED to meet our new cousin. Mummy and Daddy said she could be our cousin!" Caroline starts off, before motioning to Helen.
"Yes, we are so excited to play with Six. And I am sure she will be so cute, even Elissa might change her mind and come back from the sky!" Helen finishes off. Caroline, her older sister gives her a weird look. I think Caroline understands that Elissa is dead. The look on Helen's face nearly brings me to tears.
Next, it's Charity's turn.
"Good morning, my friends. Before I start I would like to give congratulations to Anne and Phillip on their new baby daughter Six Olivia Carlyle." She says, bending down to me. Everyone claps while I am awkwardly lying down on a sofa, with Anne on top of me.
"Anyway, I am sure everyone is so excited to meet her. I certainly can't! She will be the most loved baby of all time, and she is so lucky to have parents as such as Anne and Phillip. Thank you!" She finishes, curtsies and walks off the platform.
A number of people come up to give speeches next; Lettie, W.D, Phineas Barnum, even Tabitha Louise, Anne's new best friend (them too are always together)! Tabitha's speech is good and says (as she is also pregnant) she is sure her daughter and Six will be great friends, which makes me smile. Six will need a great friend.
After Tabitha, it is time for Anne, my wife to say a speech.
"Hey, everyone. So...um, first of all I would like to say thank you for all the gifts. I love them, Phillip loves them and so will Six. So thank you." She says, stuttering. She shoots me a nervous glance and bites her lip, which makes me burst out laughing.
"Six is just like a miracle for Phil and I. She is just what we need, a baby. I think Elissa...I think Elissa will always be in my mind because she was my daughter. I will love her the same as I will love Six, and any other child I will have. I think Elissa would have liked a sister, so we're giving on to her. And even though Elissa Rose Carlyle is not seen, she will be heard during my life. And Six Olivia Carlyle, she will be seen...and hopefully not heard too much," she pauses again, and everybody laughs. Trust Anne to find humour in such a sad topic.
"Elissa, we love you! Six, we love you, too! Because they are both my daughters and we are all one family."
She bows and walks off the platform, before planting a kiss on my cheek. Everyone stays silent, then I realise it is my turn to speak. Beet red, I make my way to the platform and clear my voice.
"So, I don't have much to say. Only one thing. In death, there is always re-birth. In Elissa's death, there was her re-birth, her spirit of our daughter. I don't think we need to welcome anybody. Because every person that you love and cherish in your life has already made their way to you. Elissa will always be in my heart, but it's time to focus on Six's life. We can't stay hanging around Liss' death forever. Her death meant that Anne and I would grow strong, that we would never give up and try again for Six. Therefore, I cannot say that I miss Elissa. I can only say I love Six."
Everyone is silent for a second before everyone stands up and starts clapping. I see 99% of the people wiping their eyes, brimming with tears. Today, we celebrate a lost life and a new life.

That was really long lol, anyway writing this made me really upset about Elissa so I tried to think of something deep and put it into Phillip's speech. (RIP Elissa, welcome Six)!
hope you enjoy this!!
- Alice