Disclaimer: I don't own What Dreams May Come


Albert looked at Annie and Chris.

"I have to be very honest with you. I don't think that rebirth is the best thing for the two of you. You two are soulmates. You are meant to be together forever in the here and now. What we can do instead is send you back in time to live this life. You can still make different choices. This time though you'll know each other from the beginning."

"You can do that?" Annie asked, her eyes widening in shock.

"Easily," Albert replied.

"This time I want to be the oldest," Marie said.

"I'm cool with that," Ian replied with a smile.

"Okay," Albert said, "So you'll have nine months here. Annie will be born on April 18th and Chris will be born on April 20th. There are some rules you'll have to follow. It's really important that you remain positive."

"Absolutely," Chris said softly.

"You will be tested. You'll be pushed to your limit but do not give into negativity. That will push beyond the limit. Don't ever act in a way that is hurtful."

"What about when we're scared," Annie asked.

Albert shook his head.

"Never act in a way that's hurtful," he repeated, "Scared or not it will be dangerous."

"Will we remember this," Chris asked.

"You will," Albert promised.


Annie was born on a beautiful Spring Day. She didn't need a head start because she was born crying from right out of the womb. Her parents, Cyndi and Frank were surprised but delighted that they had a girl. Frank's father, Odin was disappointed that Cyndi didn't have a boy and as much as said so.

"Next time," Odin said, "Try harder to have a boy."

"There won't be a next time," Cyndi said sadly.

She had a difficult labor with Annie and had to have her uterus removed. Odin just glared and Frank asked his father to leave.

Two days later it was Chris's turn to be born. He was a C-section and born at exactly 4:18 PM weighing 5 ½ pounds. He, like most babies, had not been born breathing so he had to get a head start.

His mother, Rachael was a single mother and best friends with Cyndi. In fact, they were hospital roommates. Chris had been a surprise. The moment he saw Annie though, he stopped crying.

"Wow," Racheal said, "Your kid is amazing. She got Chris to stop crying."

Cyndi laughed.


Chris and Annie became friends right away. By the time they could talk all they wanted to do was spend time together. One time Chris got in trouble. He had to sit in the corner. Annie walked over and sat next to him.

"Well, that didn't go as planned," Rachael said as she watched the two children laughing and talking.

"Na," Cyndi replied, "Punishment never works."

Rachael nodded thoughtfully. Just then they heard a thud.

"Kids," Cydni said, "Go outside with Rachael and play."

"What was that noise mommy," Annie asked.

"Mommy's going to go find out," Cyndi promised.

Rachael took the kids and hurried them outside. Cyndi ran into the bedroom where she was horrified to discover that Frank was dead.

It was an hour later that she came outside.

"Rachael," she said, "Please take Chris and go back home. I need to talk to Annie about something."

"I DON'T WANT CHRIS TO GO," Annie yelled.

"It's okay Annie," Rachael said, "We'll come back tomorrow."

Chris hugged her goodbye.

"What's going on," she asked her mom.

"Honey," Cyndi said, "It's about daddy. He's in heaven now."

"Okay," Annie said, "Can I send him a balloon?"

Cyndi started to say no but then she thought better of it. The ME was coming to pick up Frank's body. She didn't want Annie to see that.

"Sure baby," she said, "I'll call Rachael and have her take you and Chris to pick up a balloon to send to daddy."


Two years passed. Chris and Annie were now five years old. Annie was ecstatic to find out that she and Chris, were in the same kindergarten class. Annie spent as much time as she could with Chris. She loved kindergarten and excelled at art. Her drawings looked like they could be hung in an art gallery or museum. When Cyndi came to pick up Annie from school her teacher, Ms. Flowers talked to her.

"Mrs. Collins your daughter is an amazingly good artist"

"Yes. I always thought she was talented."

"This goes beyond talent. Let me show you some of what she has created."

Ms. Flowers showed her a picture of Chris. It literally looked exactly like Chris. She showed her several of Annie's 3D art.

"I would love to enter Annie in the art show," she said to her mother, "First prize is $1,000."

Mrs. Collins' eyes grew wide. She knew her daughter was talented, but she had no idea that she was that talented.

"Of course, you can enter her in the art show," Cyndi exclaimed, "That would be wonderful. Thank you!"

Ms. Flowers entered all of Annie's drawings into the art show. A few weeks later Rachael, Chris, Cyndi and Annie were getting ready for the art show.

"This is so exciting," Annie said.

She paused.

"I probably won't win though," she added, "The other artists are older than me."

"But you're better," Chris said, "You're the best."

Annie grinned.

"What are you going to do with the money if you win," Chris asked.

"Spring break is coming up," Annie replied, "I want us to go to Disney World for Spring Break if I win."

"That's a great idea honey," Cyndi told her daughter.

Cyndi got a text message from Rachael.

That will cost more than $1,000.

Cyndi caught Rachael's eye and nodded. If Annie won, she was going to put the money away in a bank account for her but let her think she was treating for the Disney World trip.

"I want Chris and Rachael to go on the trip too," Annie added.

"Is that okay with you," Cyndi asked Rachael.

"Yeah, I'm going to go with a big YES," Rachael replied, "For one thing I can't imagine Annie and Chris being apart for 2 weeks. It's hard enough when they're apart for the night."

"Can we share the hotel room," Chris asked Rachael.

"If Annie's mom is okay with that, I'm fine with it too," Rachael said.

"Sure," Cyndi replied with a smile.

"Yay!"

Annie won the art contest. She was shocked but super excited.

"I can't believe I won," Annie exclaimed.

"I believe it," Chris said, "You're the best artist around."

Annie hugged him.

"Thank you, Chris," she said.

He kissed her on the forehead. Then he whispered something into her ear. She giggled and whispered something back to him.

"What do you think they're talking about," Cyndi asked Rachael.

"I don't know but… Chris told me the other day he loves Annie."

"Annie loves Chris too," Cyndi said, "I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up together someday."

Annie and Chris grinned at each other.

"Mommy," Chris said, "Could Annie and I go see the Little Mermaid?"

"But you don't like that movie honey," Rachael reminded him.

"I know but Annie does," Chris said.

"I'll drop you at the movie theater later," Rachael said.

"We wanna see it in 3D," Annie told Rachael and Cyndi.

Chris and Annie had their first "date" at age 5. They went to see the movie. Annie really enjoyed it. Chris found it boring, but Annie liked it. That was the important thing to Chris.

"How did you like the movie," Annie asked after it was over.

"I loved that you liked it," Chris said.

"Next time we'll go see something you want to see," Annie promised.

Rachael and Cyndi were waiting out in the hallway of the movie theater to pick them up.

"Can we go to Nathans for dinner," Annie asked Cyndi.

"Sure," Cyndi and Rachael said at the same time.

Both Annie and Chris got the same thing. They got two hot dogs and a large Fries. They hurried through their dinner and asked if they could play the games in the arcade.

Chris and Annie were a couple ever since that night. They had always been inseparable but even at the tender age of five they were in love. It wasn't much of a surprise. They were soulmates and knew each other long before this 'rebirth.'

Rachael and Cyndi knew that their children were… together and decided not to make a big thing out of it. Rachael loved Annie like a daughter and Cyndi loved Chris like a son. They didn't want to push their children out of each other's lives.


Cyndi decided on the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. She booked one room for four people. It was in the center of Disney World. They'd be spending 2 weeks there, so it came to $1,400.

"How old are the people in the room ma'am," the clerk asked.

"There are two five-year-old's and two 26-year-old's," Cyndi said, "My daughter and I and my friend and her son."

"Do you want the bunk beds for the children or-"

"GOD no," Cyndi said, "Neither of them like height."

Rachael was responsible for booking the tickets. She got first class tickets.

"So, my name," she said, "is Rachael Neilson. My son is Chris Neilson. My friend is Cyndi ((she spelled Cyndi for them)) Collins and her daughter's name is Annie Collins."

"The children are, how old ma'am," the salesman asked.

"They're both five," Rachael said, "Annie was born on April 18th and Chris was born April 20th."

"That will be $68.00 round trip," the salesman said.

Rachael gave him her credit card number.

"Enjoy your trip," the salesman said.

"Thank you," Rachael replied before saying goodbye and hanging up.

The next day Annie, Cyndi, Chris and Rachael packed to leave.

"Let's take a MIMMO," Annie suggested.

"You mean a limo?"

"Yeah," Annie said, "I gotted $1,000 from winning the art show."

Cyndi called the limo company.

"How much would a limo be to the airport," she asked.

"How many people?"

"Four. Two adults and two children."

She gave them the address.

"That'll be $15.00"

The limo was here a few minutes later.

"Are you a lesbian couple," the driver asked.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, you two are women and you have two children so-"

"First of all, we're friends," Rachael replied, "And second why is that any of your business? Your here to drive us to the airport. Do your job and I won't call and complain to your boss."

The driver bowed his head ashamed then opened the door for Rachael, Cyndi, Annie and Chris.

"Mommy," Chris asked, "What is a beisbein couple?"

"Lesbian honey," Rachael said, "It's when two women are in love with each other."

"So only a boy and a girl should be in love with each other," Annie asked.

Rachael shook her head.

"The world is full of all kinds of wonderful people," she said, "Don't judge someone based on who they love. In a perfect world everyone would love everyone else, but this is not a perfect world, and we need to celebrate love."

"Is it okay that I love Annie," Chris asked, "We're only five."

"Of course," Rachael replied, ruffling her son's hair.

"Some might say no," the driver said, "Children are-"

"Some might say it's none of your business," Rachael quipped back to the driver.

"I'm just trying to help," the driver said.

"We don't need help," Cyndi shot back, "Our children are fine– healthy and happy."

The driver was silent the rest of the way to the airport.

"Thank you," Rachael said, paying him the $15.00.

"No tip?"

"Here's a tip," Rachael said, "Don't assume friends are a lesbian couple and that they're doing something wrong with their children. It makes passengers uncomfortable. Annie and Chris have known each other since they were born. We are both single mothers through the death of our partners."

"I honestly had the best of intentions," the driver said apologetically.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions," Rachael said, "I accept your apology."

Chris caught the look on Annie's face when Rachael mentioned "hell". He squeezed her hand. Annie relaxed.

"Come on kids," Cyndi called.

Annie and Chris hurried out of the limo. They got in the airport. ½ an hour later they were on the plane.


Fifteen Years Later

Annie and Chris were out on a date. Suddenly Annie went pale.

"Annie," Chris asked, "Are you okay?"

"I… look I have to tell you something. I've been worrying all day about how to tell you."

"Whatever it is," Chris said, "You can tell me. We'll figure it out together."

"Okay," Annie said, taking a deep breath, "I found out today I'm about 3 months pregnant."

That wasn't the way it happened in the past. Annie and Chris were 24 when their first child was born and 30 when they had their second.

"We're gonna have a baby," Chris asked grinning.

"You're not mad?"

"Mad? I'm thrilled."

"It's just that in the past we were older when the kids were born," Annie said.

"In the past we didn't know each other until after this point," Chris reminded her.

He paused.

"The baby is mine right," he asked.

"Of course," Annie replied without a second's hesitation.

He kissed her not yet 3-month pregnant belly.

"I love you Annie," he said.

He knelt down in front of her on one knee.

"Annie," he said, "Will you marry me?"

"Oh my GOD," Annie exclaimed, "YES! Of course, I'll marry you."

They shared a sweet kiss.

That night at dinner Annie spoke first.

"I have an announcement," she said, "First of all I'm almost 3 months pregnant and Chris and I are getting married."

Cheers and applause were heard.

"That's wonderful," Rachael said.

"Congratulations," Cyndi added, hugging her daughter.

"Did you pick names," Rachael asked.

"Not officially," Annie said, "But I was thinking of Marie Nicole for a girl and Ian James for a boy."

Chris grinned at her.

"I love those names," he said.

"What are you hoping for," Rachael asked Chris and Annie.

"I don't care," Annie said, "As long as he or she is healthy."

Chris nodded in agreement. He didn't say that he was wanting a girl. If they had a boy, he didn't want Annie to feel like she failed. One of the things Chris loved about Annie was that she was sensitive. It was also one of the things that most concerned him about her.


June 21st at 2 AM, Annie went into premature labor. Marie Nicole Neilson was born at 4:33 in the morning weighing 4'2. Chris was immediately in love for the second time. Annie was also, but she was terrified. Marie was so tiny. Annie was only 5 and ½ months when she went into labor.

Chris assured Annie that their baby would be okay. Annie trusted him. He was a pediatrician after all. He had to know what he was talking about. Baby Marie spent almost 4 months in the NICU. She was 6'8 when she was finally able to come home. It was the best day of their life. The happiness didn't last long, however.

Baby Marie developed Double Pneumonia. It destroyed her lungs. One day the doctor told Chris and Annie that their daughter would need a double lung transplant. Annie practically lost her mind.

"THIS IS MY FAULT," she sobbed and yelled.

"Annie," Chris said gently, "It's not your fault."

"I shouldn't have gone into labor when I did," Annie said, "I'm the reason Marie is going to die!"

"Marie is not going to die," Chris said firmly, "She'll have the transplant. She'll get better."

Annie trusted him.

"I'm sorry for yelling," she said, "I'm just so scared."

"It's going to be okay," he said hugging her and rubbing her back.

Baby Marie was put back in the hospital. It would be a long time before she was able to leave.

Five days after Marie turned 3-years-old Chris called Annie on the way to the hospital. He was ecstatic.

"Annie," he said, "I just got the call. A 3-year-old died in a car accident. His lungs are a perfect match to Marie's. She's getting her new lungs!"

Annie cried with happiness and relief. She didn't miss the irony that she and Chris were celebrating the death of an innocent child. That child was the savior of her child. If it weren't for his death their child may not have gotten a new set of lungs until it was too late.

Chris arrived at the hospital 5 minutes later. Annie nearly collapsed in his arms. He held her tightly. Rachael and Cyndi showed up a few minutes later.

The surgery took 12 hours. It started at 1 PM and ended at 1 AM the following morning. Chris immediately rose up when he saw the surgeon come out.

"She sailed through the operation," the surgeon said, "There were no complications."

"When can we see her," Annie asked.

"She's in recovery," the doctor replied, "She'll be in there for a few hours. After which you can see her. I do need to warn you. She'll be in the PICU for about six months. She's a strong little girl though. I have no doubt she'll pull through this."

"Thank you so much," Chris said.

The surgeon smiled.

"You're welcome," he replied.

Six months passed very slowly. Annie and Chris stayed with Marie every moment they could. The medication Marie was on was awful. It made her throw up. She would always cry and apologize. One night, when Chris and Annie were in bed Annie asked Chris how long it would take before Marie adjusts to the medication.

"I'm not sure," Chris admitted.

"Isn't there anything that would be easier on her," Annie asked.

"There is and I'm trying to get it for her, but the team says no because she's too young."

"Do you have access to it," Annie asked.

"If I did," Chris said, "She would have it."

He thought for a minute and then had an idea.

"Let me make a few calls."

The next day a year's supply of the medication came to Chris' office.

"How did you do it," Annie asked.

"I called my old boss," Chris said, "The first guy I interned under. He's a dear friend now. He spoke to the team."

Chris put in a line in Marie so the medications and blood draws wouldn't hurt. She was asleep when he put it in, so she didn't feel a thing.

"What's in my arm daddy," Marie asked when she woke up.

"It's just a way to get your medicine and blood into and out of you so it doesn't hurt," Chris explained, "It's a new medicine. It won't make you feel bad."

Marie smiled weakly.

"When am I going to be out of the hospital," she asked.

"Soon baby," Chris said, "Real soon."

Marie was released a week later.


Four days after Marie's seventh birthday Annie woke up with a sharp pain in her stomach.

"Chris," she whispered, "My stomach hurts really badly."

He sat up in bed.

"Where does it hurt," he asked.

She showed him where the pain was.

"Did you feel this way before?"

"Once," she said, "Seven years ago when I was in labor with Marie."

She paused. What if she was having a miscarriage?

"Oh GOD," she exclaimed, "Chris do you think I could be pregnant and losing the baby?"

Chris hugged her.

"I think," he began, "We need to check you out and make sure you're okay."

She automatically started to push. Not a minute later the head of a baby emerged followed by his shoulders and the rest of the body came out too.

Suddenly the pain stopped. Annie breathed in relief.

"What's going on," she asked Chris.

Chris tugged at her pajama pants and as it came down, he instantly saw the baby

"Chris," Annie asked, "What is it?"

"It's a boy," Chris said, "We just had a baby."

Annie's eyes couldn't have gotten any wider without falling out of her head.

"WHAT? IS HE ALRIGHT? Wait. Is he alive first of all?"

"He's perfect," Chris said, handing the newborn to his wife after wrapping him up in a towel. He cleaned her up. Soon he cleaned up the baby too.

"What should we name him," Annie asked.

Chris grinned.

"How about Ian James," he suggested just as Annie had 7 ½ years ago.

"That's perfect," Annie grinned

They were a family now. They were all together. They were a perfect family.