They laid Emma to rest on a Friday morning. The sky an unusual gray, no sun shining through, as if God knew sunshine would do little to ease the pain of her grief stricken parents. Ann stood at the graveside, Harris on one side and Bobby on the other, holding her to keep her from collapsing. She'd barely said two words the last few days. Bobby was at a loss never feeling more helpless. He knew only she and Harris understood what the other was feeling. He wanted to take her pain away but felt like anything he tried to say or do would only make things worse. How could he understand? What did he know about losing a child? His son was alive and well. Watching his wife become a shell of her former self broke his heart. It was just the three of them and Christopher and Sue Ellen. Judith was still in prison. For the first time her power and influence failed to get her out of a situation. John Ross knew better than to show up after everything that happened. The minister said the final prayer and the three of them walked up to casket as it was being lowered in the ground and threw roses into the grave and Ann felt her legs give way again and Bobby grabbed her and she buried her face in his chest and sobbed uncontrollably. He caressed her back, not saying a word, as she purged herself of the overwhelming grief. After a few minutes the small group returned to their cars.
Harris approached her, tears still in his eyes, "Annie, I...I."
She looked at him, her blue eyes vacant and lifeless, "Don't, Harris."
"You know I never..." He began
"You never what, Harris?" She snapped, "You took her away from me twenty years ago. You're the reason I never really had a relationship with her. Don't act like you care now."
"Annie..." Bobby cautioned
"Be quiet, Bobby." She snapped again then turned to Harris, "If you hadn't been so stupid she'd still be alive and I might have a chance to have a relationship. But you took that away from me for good."
"I know..." He tried again
"No you don't know!" She yelled, "You have no idea how I feel. No idea. So save your apologies, Harris, they're a waste of time." She turned away and got in the car
"She's hurting Harris." Bobby said, "Just leave it alone."
He sighed heavily, "I've got to testify against the cartel. I don't know how that will go. There's a chance I might have to go into witness protection. I just don't want to leave things like this."
"It's going to take time." Bobby said and got into the car
/
Ann sat at Emma's grave like she did most days. It was the only thing that gave her any comfort.
"Oh Emma." She sighed, "How did it all go so wrong?"
She reached out and touched the letters on the gravestone, 'Emma Judith Ryland March 5 1992-August 31 2014.'
"All those years we lost. All the time wasted once we found each other. I know you resented me still but we should've had the chance to make it right. I could sit here and blame your father for it and hate him but I know he's hurting too. I just wanted so much for us. All the things that will never be."
"Mom." A voice said from behind her
Ann's head snapped and there was Emma, in a beautiful white flowing gown
"Emma." She breathed out as she stood up
"It's okay, Mom." Emma said coming toward her, "It's really okay. Heaven's an amazing place."
Ann stood there speechless
"Grandma said to give you a message." She said
"Grandma?" Ann asked
Emma nodded, "Your mother. She knew who I was. She told me to tell you that you have someone else to love."
"What do you mean?" Ann asked
"She said to tell you everything would be okay and that I really hadn't left you at all."
"I don't understand."
"You will, Mom." Emma said and kissed her mother's cheek, "You will."
And with that she disappeared
"Emma." Ann called out
"No!" Ann sat up in bed with a start
"Annie." Bobby said rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, "Are you alright?"
She nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay."
He put his arm around her, "It was the dream again."
She nodded again, "I don't understand it, Bobby. She keeps telling me I have someone else to love. But what does that mean?"
"Honey, it's just a dream. It's just your subconscious getting all mixed up." He assured her
"But it seems so real." She said
He kissed her temple, "Come on, let's lay back down and try to get back to sleep."
She rested her head on his chest and for a few moments they lay in silence, breathing in rhythm with each other.
"I love you, Annie." He said rubbing her back, "and I'd do anything to take the pain away."
"I know." She looked up at him, "I love you, too." She kissed him and settled back in his arms
/
The morning light streamed in and Bobby awoke reaching for his wife but found the other side of the bed empty, which was not unusual these days. He looked around and found the doors to the balcony off their bedroom open. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he got up and saw her standing on the balcony overlooking the ranch.
He came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, "How long have you been up?"
"For a while." She said with a smile, taking a deep breath, "I do love this time of the mornin'."
"I thought women in your condition needed their sleep." He caressed her rounded abdomen
She placed her hand over his and laughed, "That's what afternoon naps are for."
"Have you thought of any names you like?" he asked
She turned around to face him, "I like the name Eleanor, Ellie."
"Honey, I'm touched but we don't have to name her after Mama." He said
She smiled, "I know. I want to."
"If you're sure." he said
"I am." She insisted
"Okay but I get to pick the middle name." He said
"And just what did you have in mind?" She asked
"Ann."
"Eleanor Ann Ewing." She said testing how it sounded, "I like the sound of that."
He smiled, caressing her abdomen, "What do you think, Kiddo? You like your name?" The baby kicked in response
Ann smiled, "I think that's a yes."
He pulled her close, "It's good to see you smiling, Annie."
"It still hurts, Bobby." She admitted, "It always will."
"I know, Honey." He hugged her close
"But now I understand the dream." She said
"The dream?" he asked
She pulled back, "The dream where Emma told me I'd have someone else to love." She caressed her belly, "She was telling me about Ellie. As Emma exited my life Ellie was entering."
Bobby wasn't sure he believed in such things but he couldn't deny the timing of it all. A baby out of the blue at their age. It certainly seemed like a miracle. He nodded and smiled, caressing her cheek.
/
Ann had been in labor for about five hours and becoming exhausted already and felt like giving up.
She flopped back on the table, breathing heavy, "I can't do it. Just let her stay in there."
Dr. Bright laughed, "Come on Ann. She wants to meet her mother. She just needs a little extra push."
"Honey, just one more push." Bobby encouraged
"Shut up, Bobby!" She snapped
"Ann, let's go. One more time." the Doctor said
Ann gave one more push and the delivery room was filled with the cries of a newborn. She collapsed back on the table.
"You did great, Honey." Bobby said giving her a kiss
"You want to cut the cord, dad?"
Bobby wiped his eyes and nodded. The doctor handed him the scissors and he cut the cord.
Bobby cradled the baby gently then laid her on Ann's chest, who overwhelmed, bursts into tears, "I can't believe she's here and so absolutely perfect." She held Ellie close, "Hello, little girl. I'm your mommy." She whispered
"We need to get her cleaned up." The doctor said, "So let me take her and we'll get you in your room."
"No." Ann said, "I want her with me."
"Honey, they'll bring her back." Bobby assured her
"What if something happens?" She asked
"Nothing is going to happen, Ann, I promise." Dr. Bright said, "We'll take good care of her and bring her to you in a little while."
"But..."
"Annie, they're just doing their job. It'll be okay."
Ann looked down at the tiny baby on her chest and back up at the doctor, "Okay."
"Okay, we'll get you up to your room and Dad you can let the family know the good news."
"I'll be right there, I promise." He kissed her and they wheeled her out of the room
A short while later Ann was settled in her room and Bobby was there with Sue Ellen and Christopher.
"She's beautiful, Ann." Sue Ellen smiled
"Who would have thought I'd get a little sister after all these years." Christopher joked
Ann couldn't take her eyes off her daughter who seemed to be sleeping through all the hoopla, totally unaware so many were fawning over her, "She's so perfect. Everything about her."
"Well, I think we should let you two get some rest. I'll come by tomorrow." Sue Ellen kissed Ann on the cheek, "See you tomorrow, Ellie." She whispered
"Honey, do you need anything?" Bobby asked
"My mouth is still pretty dry. Could you get me some water?"
"Sure."
Ann watched them leave the room, alone with her daughter for the first time, "Well, not that we're alone I just want you to know I love you so much my precious girl and don't you worry, I'll never let you go."
The End