Forever

by Wanda Boyd

Before Fatima go away, leading to Clarinha to sleep, Alana insists on taking a picture. Ignatius sits in bed with Clarinha on his lap and I hold the Inácinho.

  - It was beautiful this photo - Magno comments and see tears in his eyes. - Your family is beautiful, son.

  - Thanks Dad.

  *

  Two days later, as I was good and Inácinho also, the doctor gave her release, and went home.

  I confess that I put my son in the cradle, while he sleeps soundly, give me a relief and peace.

  It had been difficult to reach this day, I went through a lot of struggle.

  For five years, I felt incomplete, lost, alone and now I do not feel anything. I mean, I feel love, I feel that I'm complete, it's like I finally thought my place in the world.

  Step by Clarinha the room is empty now, since she said she had a pajama night with her aunt and was very, very, muitoooo important it was, we let go. I have no idea what the two walk up to, but I will give my vote of confidence for Alana.

  - What are you thinking, cowboy? - I ask, sitting in the lap Ignatius, who smiles and gives me a kiss.

  - I do not know how I lived this long without you in my life. For five years, I lived incomplete.

  - I felt the same way, but now it seems that everything is as it should be.

  - You in my arms, our son sleeping in the room and our daughter getting ready with her aunt. - He smiled. - Nothing could be better than that, is not it?

  - Do not know. Maybe better. - I shrug, and he stares at me. - One day we will have our grand kids and playing life, giving us grandchildren and increasing family.

  - I love you, Ceci, I know I made some burradas when you were away. I missed the course of my life, I went out with other women. But it was a way of trying to fill a hole, a way of trying to hurt you, because he thought that the fault was his, for my pain. But now I understand that I was lost, that instead of hurting you, I was hurting me. I think I can never ask enough excuses.

  - Do not ask, my love. I already forgave you long ago.

  - Ceci, I want to ask you something.

  - What?

  - A few years ago, I asked the same thing, but the circumstances were different. Had their parents pressing and trying to separate us, we had a new life growing inside you, and I could not do things right, or as you dreamed. So this time I want you to have it always deserved.

  - I do not understand, love - I ask, looking into the beautiful eyes of the man I love.

  I see in Ignatius look how much he loves me and how much you care for me and I know I would do anything for this man.

  - Will you marry me again, Cecilia Barreto?

  Epilogue

  When I went up on the altar, all I wanted was to see the mistress of my heart joining me for our new and definitive "yes," but I did not expect the excitement I felt when she pointed at the chapel door and our eyes they crossed. All the hard times passed, vanished from my mind, the loneliness I felt when she disappeared from my life, seems to have happened during a bad dream. When she is with me, nothing else matters. It is the sun that illuminates my days, the joy that makes me want to live. Without it, I'm just a shadow, a dry tree. Because she completes me, we are one soul. And I love him, while I breathe and beyond, far beyond.

  *

  I was very nervous, but when I showed up at the church door and he looked at me as if I were the only thing that really matters in the world, a happy tear slid down my face, and I started to walk toward him.

  Along the way, familiar faces in watching and dropped interjections of happiness and surprise, because I went with her Magno church. The owner Fatima was at the altar, with Inácinho in her lap. Clarinha was behind the door, accompanied by Luzi. She was waiting to enter alliances.

  Well, I ended up anticipating the Mari and turned Clarinha in little bride before her, but there was no claim for part of it, just squeals of happiness when he heard that I and Ignatius would get married again.

  There are small parts of my life that I do not remember, but I know that, like all the others, they will appear at the right time.

  My life was not always a bed of roses, but to move all spent, meant having to live today a different life I live, ah! I would live all over again. All worth it! With my family I am full and it's like I always say, I do not remember everything I experienced, but I've never been so happy.