Angel

We walked home from General Hospital, our hearts in the clouds as we thought of our sweet, precious angel who grew beneath my heart. I couldn't wait to meet the little one who grew inside of me. Seeing that tiny face in the ultrasound photo had somehow made it all real. I squeezed Kim's hand as we walked along the docks. A chilling breeze rose up from the water, but there was nothing that could cool the warmth as I gazed into Kim's dark eyes.

"I can't believe this is real... and you're seven months along," Kim said as we stood there near the edge of the water.

"We better start getting the baby's room ready."

"Oscar's going to be so happy when he hears he's getting a little sister."

I realized I had been holding my breath. This was really happening? I was with Kim and we were having a baby?! It was like a dream come true.

"You are okay with that, aren't you? You and I being together, raising Oscar and your little girl?" Kim asked with a hint of uncertainty in her tone.

"I am more than okay with it, Kim. Nothing could make me happier," I said, giving her a hug, followed by a tender kiss.

Gently she brushed her fingertips against my dampened lips as she stared into my eyes. "Good. Let's head on home. It's cold and I'd like some hot chocolate."

"That sounds delicious," I agreed with a smile.

Grasping onto Kim's hand, I walked along beside her, but little did I know that the ground beneath my feet had become so slick. A patch of ice made me slip and although I tried holding onto Kim's hand, I was falling abruptly, right into the icy water beside the dock.

I cried out as I hit the surface. It felt like shards of glass were piercing into my skin. "Kim!" I screamed, trying to keep my head afloat, but it felt like the water was dragging me down along with my heavy coat. I was struggling desperately, but I feared I wouldn't last much longer.

"Arielle!" came Kim's painful cry. "Hold on!"

She jumped into the icy water, intent on saving me. I had swallowed far too much of the frigid liquid. My lungs felt full. I was sinking.

"Don't die on me, Arielle. Please," Kim said but her voice sounded like a far away whisper.

I don't know how, but somehow she managed to pull me from the ice-cold depths. I lay on the docks as she tried breathing air into my lungs, but I was no longer inside my body. I was floating above, watching the whole thing unfold while feeling entirely helpless but also at peace.

I had become an angel.

I looked down at my pregnant body as Kim did everything in her power to revive me. Tears slid down my cheeks when Kim begged, "Don't you die on me! Please, Arielle. I cannot lose you!"

From far away I could heard the sirens. They were coming for me... for my body. Where was I to go?