Christine catapulted herself out of bed, feeling cold sweat trickle down her body and her heart pounding against her chest. After a few deep breaths, she burst out into soft sobs.
'How pathetic' she thought to herself 'Even though it's been a year since his death, I'm still crying!'
He had gone for a small business trip, a week, he promised. But word got out that the ship had tragically sunken during the voyage, claiming the love of her life alongside the others.
She remembered it all too clearly. Christine felt her knees becoming weak and her world crumbling. She would never see him again. Never hear his comforting words, feel his gentle hugs, see his warm and tender smile. The beacon of light that guided her out of the darkness was gone. Forever.
When she first found out, she had cried for days which had turned into weeks, and into months. Nothing or no one had been able to console her, she was trapped in this immense numbness and pain she hadn't felt ever since her father's death. Sometimes, she would wake up screaming for Raoul's name, only to find herself sobbing profusely.
On one of those nights, however, she was surrounded by darkness. Her head was aching and she took sharp breaths. The young woman attempted to propel her aching body upwards and looked around.
"Hello?" she asked rather timidly as her eyes adjusted to the dark.
"Christine…" a familiar voice called out. She stepped forward hesitantly before stepping away.
"No! You're just an illusion! This is a cruel trick!" she shouted to the empty air, shaking her head in disgust and fear.
"It is me, Little Lotte…" a ghostly figure emerged from the shadows, facing her. It can't be…
"Raoul!" She felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks, putting her hand to her lips as he used her childhood nickname. She felt her knees buckling as she let it out. "I miss you… I miss you so much!"
"Shh…" he comforted as he attempted to caress her, however, his body slid through hers "It's okay, Christine… I missed you too."
"I… I didn't know if I can continue…" she whispered hoarsely "What would life be without you? Take me with you!"
"You're much stronger than you think…" he whispered into her ear "Can I ask you for a favour?"
Christine looked up and nodded "Anything, my dear!"
"Don't blame yourself for my death," he began "And… live your life to the fullest so you won't regret anything…"
"I promise…" she nodded, wiping away her tears, quite possibly the last time for a long time. "I love you. I will love you for all eternity…"
"And so will I," he smiled sadly before finally giving each other one last kiss.
"I must go now but I will forever be in your heart," he began as he parted from her, fading away "It won't be long till I see you again."
"See you soon," she smiled, waving him away before he faded.
She felt a heavy weight being lifted from her chest ever since that dream. And she didn't feel alone anymore, she could feel his presence wherever she went.
A few months later, she had felt strange things going on inside her. Her stomach felt heavier and she grew nauseous. At first, she didn't know what was going on and dismissed it as feeling ill.
However, she soon found out that she was pregnant. At first, she was rather shocked but eventually, grew to love the child in her heart. It turned out to be a boy whom she happily named Gustave, named after her father.
A few years later, Christine found an abandoned baby outside her doorstep. Unable to find her parents, she named the baby Amelia and decided to take her in. The Girys and her friends occasionally lend a helping hand whenever possible.
As the years passed, Amelia and Gustave grew to be happy and healthy children together and were almost inseparable. And when they were of age, she told them stories of their father and grandfather.
Several years passed and the two had become adults. However, the time had come for Christine to go. Tears were exchanged between them and she smiled tenderly at the two, promising to be in their hearts forever before she finally took her last breath.
Christine opened her eyes, looking around the vast space before she found a figure in front of her.
"Raoul!" she smiled as he reached out his hand, prompting her to accompany him hand in hand for the unknown future.
"Shall we go?"
She nodded as she placed her hand in his. And at long last, the two souls would be reunited for eternity…
