Love Never Lost

     Justin Bloom stood in the graveyard with a bouquet of pink roses in his hands. The wind nipped at his face and swished his raven black hair as he brushed the snow off the stone in front of him. As his pale blue eyes read the name, a tear rolled down his cheek. Bella Marie Bloom, beloved wife and mother, October 1986 to January 2011. His wife, she didn't deserve to go. So young, she was only 25 years old.

"I wish you could be here my love.", he whispered.

     Justin and Bella met when they were 16 years old and for both of them it was love at first sight. He remembered borrowing his dad's pickup truck and going out on their first date. The classic dinner and a movie, Justin even remembered the movie, The Sound of Music. In the frigid air he reminisced of the good times and the bad. The arguments over silly little things, tears that strolled in now and then because they just needed to be let go, the laughs at corny jokes, and the love they shared together. The day they graduated high school, he proposed, and after college they became Mr. and Mrs. Justin Bloom. Why did she have to go so soon?!

     Bella was a caring, kind woman. She taught 1st grade at the elementary school in town. Oh how she loved kids. When she was little she always said, "I want a big family mommy!". Too bad it cost her her life.

JANUARY 8, 2011

It seemed like any normal day. Justin went off to work and Bella stayed home. She was 8 months pregnant with their first child. They were both so happy. Everything was done and ready for the baby. Justin watched her put her hands on her round belly as he backed out of the driveway. Three hours into the workday, he got a call on his mobile phone from the hospital saying his wife had just been admitted and was in a terrible state. Thoughts ran through his mind as he rushed to the hospital. He barely got the car in park before he jumped out of the car and ran into the emergency room.

"Where is she?!", he frantically asked a nurse behind the desk.

"Sir, what can I help you with?", she asked calmly.

"Bella Bloom. I'm looking for Bella Bloom."

She looked at him sympathetically, "Right down the hall, third door on the right. Room 122."

He ran down the hall to room 122 and threw open the door. Inside there was no one. Nothing lay in the bed, no heart monitor beeped, nothing at all except crisp white sheets and the smell of disinfectant. Where could she be? The nurse said she was here! Justin started to panic, she could be anywhere in the hospital. He turned around and stopped one of the nurses walking by.

"Ma'am, do you know where the woman that was here went?"

"She had to be rushed into one of the operating rooms."

"What's wrong with her? Is the baby okay?"

"Your wife had blood clots from the pregnancy and they got to her lungs. I can have someone take you to her if you'd like."

"Please?"

Another nurse led him down corridors and through doors until they stood in front of a pair of two large swinging doors leading into the room that held his wife. The nurse peeked her head into the room.

"They're finished, you may go in."

justin walked through the doors to see his wife being transferred on to a portable bed. He rushed to her side and took her hand in his. She was so weak, her breathing was staggered, she was practically gasping for air.

"Justin..."

"Oh Bella!", he cried out.

"Take care of her..."

"Who Bella? Please don't go! I need you! I love you!"

"Promise to take care of her...I love you"

"I promise...", he said as he watched her take her last breath. Tears started to run down his cheeks.

"Doctor, who was she talking about?"

"We were able to save your daughter. She's in perfect health in the prenatal unit down the hall."

He hated to leave her but he made a promise to take care of his child.

     At the end of the hall, through a set of door sat the prenantal unti. Justin walked up to the desk and asked to see his daughter. The lady behind the desk pointed towards a large window. He went over to it and looked in. His heart melted. Against the wall sat a little baby girl, 7lbs. 3 oz., wrapped in a fluffy, pink blanket with the name BLOOM on the front of her bed. A couple stood next to  him looking at their own child.

He turned to them and said, "That's my baby girl."

A nurse walked over to him and asked if he was the father of the baby and he said yes.

"Your wife never named her.", the nurse told him.

"Her name is Zoey. Bella wanted a baby girl named Zoey."

PRESENT DAY- JANUARY 8, 2016

     That was five years ago. It had been 5 years since he lost her. Five years and he still kept his promise.

"Daddy!", he heard behind him.

Justin turned around to the only thing that kept him going throught the years, Zoey Lynn Bloom. Zoey looked just like her mother. The same golden blonde hair and deep chocolate brown eyes.

"Daddy what are you doing?", she asked.

"I wish mommy could see you today."

"Will you tell me about her again?"

"Sure darling."

As he placed the roses on the grave, he thought to himself... A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives the flower. Just as a bit of Bella remained with Justin.