With You Through Letters

Prolouge

Layla gasped as she woke up. Her lungs begged for more oxygen. Slowly they were given what they ached for.

She looked over to her side. Her husband Jude was sleeping peacefully. She got out of bed quietly and slipped on her soft pink slippers.

She wrapped herself in her silk robe and stepped out of their bedroom as she smiled softly but sadly to herself.

She walked to her daughter's bedroom. 10 year old Lucy Heartfilia was sound asleep. Layla sat beside her and admired the sleeping beauty.

Layla saw it all. She knew what was coming. Her fate. She would die in about 4 months.

She didn't wake up from just some bad dream. She woke up from seeing the future. How Layla would die she knew but she knew much more. Layla saw Lucy's entire life till the end.

Every date and event she saw was now engraved in her mind.

"Shh...mommy's here." Layla softly said as Lucy stirred in her sleep.

She wouldn't let Lucy alone. She refused to. Layla knew how Lucy's life with her father would be.

She got up and went to her office which was separate from Jude's. Paper ready and pen in hand.

Layla began to write the date for which the letter must be opened and continued to do this for several weeks until her day finally came.

"Mom! Don't leave please!" Lucy cried.

"Lucy...come closer. I need to tell you a secret." Layla managed to whisper.

Lucy hugged her and moved her ear closer to her mother's mouth.

"In your room you...you will find a box with-"

Layla stopped to cough.

"-With golden trimmings. Letters are inside. Open them according to their date. Don't tell your father about this ever. Promise me you will do this." Layla whispered.

"I-I promise. But don't leave me alone!" Lucy choked out as salty rivers made their way down her cheeks.

Layla cupped Lucy's face and wiped her tears away with her thumbs before placing her forhead against hers.

And so she spoke her last words.

"I'll be with you through letters."