Change was in the air, she could feel it when she breathed in the cool crisp air of fall. It had been a few months since their annulment and she had reservations about signing the papers but she knew it was for the best. She had decided to take a few classes at PCU this fall and it was going well for her. On a break from her class schedule, she walked down to the park to enjoy the afternoon sun. She sat down on the park bench and enjoyed the view of children playing on the swings, she and Zander had talked about having children some day, the thought brought a tear to her eye as she listened to laugh of a little girl flying so high as her mother pushed her in the swing. She smiled at the thought of being a mom and wanting so badly for Zander to get the chance to be a daddy to a little girl just like that one.
She sat a while, watching the children play, when she noticed a young couple walking close by. Not close enough yet to see their faces, but close enough for her to see they belonged together. The holding of hands proved that they certainly cared for each other. The young woman was about 6 months along, she figured, she was a small framed woman and her pregnant form was obvious. Her young man was dark haired, looked like he surely be a loving father to the child his wife was carrying. As the pair approached her, their faces became all too familiar to her. She knew that Zander was on his own now but she had never realized that he may have found someone else to spend his time with. As they drew closer she could hear the laugh of the young woman and realized it was Elizabeth. The young man she was with was someone she'd never guessed it would be. They looked so happy together, her heart sank, as she sniffled back the tears. Elizabeth now had the life with Zander that she had always wanted. Her body filled with emotions, a mixture of anger, sorrow and pain, she didn't want to cause trouble between them, so she sat and just watched as they passed by, hoping that neither one would stop and say hello.
Zander didn't pay her no mind as they passed, but she did see a small smile come from Elizabeth. They had been friends for years, even before Zander entered their lives. She wanted so much to confront her friend and her ex husband, but knew it would only bring more pain to the situation. She sat trying to resist the urge as they walked further and further away from her.
She stood up from the bench and started to walk down the well worn path. As she approached the playground, the children were no longer playing on the swings, they had been replaced by Elizabeth and Zander just enjoying each other's company. Elizabeth sat on the swing as Zander stood behind her pushing her gently back and forth. Elizabeth's laughter echoed through the trees, and it was something that it would now be etched in her mind. Zander seemed happy with his new family, she had become the afterthought, and it broke her heart.
She hung her head as she passed by them, not wanting to look in their direction, the tears began to fall as she realized Elizabeth was living the life that she so desperately wanted. A man who loved her completely and a child of his on the way. Happiness that faded from her life because she took it all for granted, she wanted it all back but she knew she couldn't find that happiness again unless it was with the man she loved...the man who now was happy with someone else.