Torque

by anna snow

  “It’s a letter.”

  “Go on. Read it.” Luke said softly against my shoulder, then dropped a tender kiss there.

  I nodded and through watering eyes, read.

  Luke and Celeste,

  If you’re reading this, then I know that the last few months for you have been difficult. None of us can live forever, no matter how much we might want to.

  But rest assured, I lived to see the one thing I desired most in this world.

  The two of you together.

  I’ve known since the first day Luke set eyes on you, Celeste, that you were meant to be together. He never left your side. Even at the tender age of two years old, he would sit right next to you, hold your little hand, and rub your head for hours while your parents spent time together.

  Then when you were older, it was obvious that you adored him just as much as he did you.

  How your love grew and changed was obvious to everyone but you.

  Life has thrown you two more difficulties than you deserved, but in the end, I think it has given you the ultimate prize.

  True love.

  And you both gave me something that I will cherish in my heart while looking down on you from the heavens.

  Parenting is hard.

  Just remember, keep a level head, be serious but not too serious, and know that no matter what may come, they love you just as much as you love them.

  I love you both more than you could ever imagine, and I’ll be with you.

  Always.

  Love, Harry

  I dashed away a tear, refolded the letter, and slipped it back into the envelope.

  “I miss him every day.”

  Luke nodded. “I do, too.”

  Luke tilted my face up to meet his, kissed me tenderly on the lips, and then stood.

  He knelt down, lifted the wiggling bundle out of the car seat-carrier, and held her little body close to his chest.

  I smiled at the sight. How full it made my heart, but the moment was cut short when a squeal erupted from the second seat next to me.

  I bent down and lifted the fussing baby boy. He calmed immediately.

  “We should get these two home. The weather is about to get bad, and I don’t think getting stuck here would be a great idea.”

  I nodded and followed Luke as he made his way to our family car.

  He opened the back door and snapped the car seat onto its base. Then buckled our baby girl in.

  “I still can’t get over having twins.” He laughed, then settled a pink pacifier into Emma’s mouth.

  I repeated Luke’s actions.

  I peered down at little Harry and smiled. I’d never imagined that my life would turn out as full and happy as it had. I had an amazing husband, two beautiful babies, a successful career, and even though Harry was gone, he was still with me. I felt him in my heart every time I looked at my little family.

  Luke walked around the car, cupped my cheek in his hand, and kissed me.

  I smiled up at him. “Well, Harry always told me that if I was going to do something, do it right the first time.”

  He chuckled. “That sounds like Harry.” He smoothed the hair away from my face.

  “Let’s go home and put the babies to bed. I have the sudden urge to show my wife exactly how much I love her.”

  I grinned. “See you at the finish line.”

  The End.