Title: Don't let go

Author: MysticDragon

Rating: PG

A/N: this is a reply to a doxymom challenge to begin a 5 minute challenge with the phrase: "Don't let go"

Disclaimer: They belong to Tribune and not me

"Don't let go!"

Three simple words, yet at the moment they were so important.

"I won't, I promise." He told her quietly, sincerely. "I will never let you go."

She gripped his hand tighter, cutting off the circulation. He didn't feel the pain however; all he felt was her touch, warm and reassuring.

"Come on baby! You can do it! Just a little bit more!" He encouraged.

With a sharp cry of pain, she gave it her all. Another cry joined hers, this one softer and much more welcome.

"It's a girl. We have a daughter and she is beautiful, just like her mommy." He said softly, taking his wife's hand once more.

"Don't let go."

"I won't. I promise." He said holding on to the small bicycle tightly.

His daughter began to pedal, slowly at first but then more quickly as she gained momentum. He waited until he thought she was going fast enough before removing his hand from the seat. She rode steady for a bit but then began to falter. He quickly caught up with her, grabbing the bike and steadying her once more.

"Easy there, tiger. Take it slowly." He said with a laugh.

"You weren't supposed to let go yet." She pouted. "I will tell you when, okay Daddy?"

"Okay, sweetie. It's your call." He said, turning and smiling at his wife who was watching from the side of the long corridor where they were practicing.

"Okay but until I say so don't let go."

"Don't let go." He whispered, grasping his daughter's small hand in his own.

"Oh, Daddy. It will be okay, I promise. I love him and he loves me. We are going to be happy together." She said with tears in her eyes.

"I guess I am just not ready to let you go. You have always been my little girl. Now I am expected to give you away. It's hard." He said, wiping away tears of his own.

"I know. But I will always be your little girl. And someday, I will be giving you a little granddaughter or grandson to hold on to." She said with a smile.

The wedding music began to play softly. Looking down the aisle, he saw his friends and family watching happily. He sought out his wife and saw her standing at the front of the room, tears gleaming on her beautiful face. Turning his gaze back to daughter, he nodded once.

Standing on tiptoes, she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Let's bring it." She whispered mischievously, linking her arm with his.

"Don't let go."

He heard her whisper in his ear and tried to focus on her voice. It was the voice of an angel and it had been his steady rock for almost three decades.

"Don't leave me. Please." She whispered.

"I will never leave you." He managed to whisper. "I will never let you go."

He felt her place a loving kiss on his withered cheek. Reaching up with an unsteady hand, he found her hand and gripped it gently.

"I won't let go." He said, taking one final, cleansing breath.