Thankful For Her

Ariel pulls on my hair and then giggles. She’s going to be mischievous, just like her father. I can already tell. She blows a raspberry at me as I walk into the kitchen and heat her up some breakfast.

The sun isn’t even up yet as I place her in her booster seat at the table and she starts eating. Ariel is almost two. She’s still not entirely sure what happens on Christmas, but she looks adorable in her little Santa pajamas.

I start the coffee and wait for some liquid heaven to brew as I talk to her about what we’re going to do today.

“When Grandpa gets up, he’s going to take you outside to build a snowman. Then we can open presents and have chocolate chip pancakes.” Her eyes light up and she nods in agreement, and I can’t help but think how happy I am.

When I take my first sip of coffee, I’m startled by a sound at the front of the house. I place my mug down on the counter and glance back at Ariel before checking to see what it was. There’s a wreath on the front door that keeps falling off, so I’m sure that’s what it is.

I round the corner and when I see Hunter standing there in the dim light, I’m confused. I reach over and switch on the lamp before I turn around to face him.

“Hunter, baby, what are you doing out of be—” My words are cut off by the scream building in my throat.

It’s not Hunter standing in front of me. He looks almost identical to my husband, but his eyes are different. He’s built exactly the same—tall and broad shouldered—but I stand there frozen as I look at someone who could be his twin.

“Who are you?” he asks, his voice stern and cold. Nothing like my Hunter’s. “Why are you in my house?”

“Your house?” I almost shout, hoping Hunter hears me. “Who are you?” I throw back at him.

“I’m asking the questions, little girl.” He takes a step toward me, and this time I do scream.

He stops in his tracks and he holds his hands up defensively. “Wait, calm down. I just need to find my—”

“Vance, you’ve scared her.”

From out of the shadows behind him comes an older woman with gray hair and eyes that look exactly like my daughter’s. I’m frozen still as I look between the two of them. All the words I want to say as I stare at them are stuck in my mouth. It’s impossible, but I’m seeing it with my own eyes.

The woman comes closer and I don’t move. I’m trying to process what’s happening. I’ve seen their pictures, but this can’t be real. Before I know what’s happening the woman is taking my hand and looking down at the diamond on my left ring finger. The diamond that Hunter gave me on Christmas day when he proposed. The one he said was his mother’s.

“I hated leaving this behind,” she whispers as she looks at the stone.

Just then, thunderous booming comes from behind me and I flip around to see Hunter and Neil standing at the bottom of the stairs.

“Mom? Vance?” Hunter whispers, his face white as a sheet.

Neil falls to his knees beside him, putting his hands to his mouth.

The room is utterly silent as the truth of what’s in front of us is revealed.

To be continued… Christmas 2017