Chapter 1
Hanging in the balance
Present-day
Three and half weeks to Christmas
Oliver and Jordan were in the air flying 50,00 feet from Colorado to New York, Jordan seeing Oliver lost in thought gazing over the sky view of his window seat. Jordan knew he was thinking about Shane and their Christmas wedding.
Oliver was indeed thinking about Shane; their last embrace, their last kiss, their final moments before left it has been minutes, and he already misses his dear Shane.
Jordan was happy that God leads Shane to Oliver and Oliver her. Jordan felt bless in bringing souls like Oliver and Shane together would make God smile. But right now, God in tears for his child Gabriella needs him and Oliver. And Jordan must have Oliver know that.
"Oliver, I am sorry about leave Shane and your wedding behind."
"Jordan, you sent me her didn't understand this whole you wanted us together, and now we finally have the chance to be a man you steered me in a different direction why now. Jordan."
"Because a life hangs in the balance, Oliver."
"Whose life? Jordan,"
Jordan took deep and told Oliver Gabriella's story while praying that they are not too late to save her life.
In Queens cemetery in New York, a now 21 Gabriella stood over her mother's grave humming the song she would sing to her before going to bed. After the humming subsides, which is overtaking by tears, Gabriella tries talks to her mother, trying to ignore the darkness of a shadow that looms over her,
"Miss you, momma, the moments we did, and we're supposed to have, we're taking away from us, and I blame God for that. I prayed every day for us to be loved and happy, but what did I get. We got torn part I wanted you to come with me. But you got left behind with daddy, for I knew he would hurt you causing your death, and now here I stand…"
Gabriella sobs sink on her knees, grasping her hands in her mother's tombstone. Pleading and screaming to God for everyone to hear.
" Why her, she didn't go like not without me, why did take her away for me!"
" Babe, come on, stop it. You are embarrassing yourself,"
Gabriella's boyfriend, Diego, tells her as he was touching her shoulder, but she shutters away from his touch and as that didn't make him happy.
Diego hissed at Gabriella,
"Find that is the way you want it; you can walk home; I am not dealing with messed up emotional baggage. I am heading to the bar. Don't wait up."
Diego walks away from Gabriella. Gabriella tries to catch up to him and pleads for him to wait for her and apologize, but it too late. She watches him speed off in his car without her. Diego left Gabriella to fend for herself in the cold and to walk three miles to her apartment with Diego. She couldn't do that, not in the state she was in. Fortunately, Gabriella had someone to call and get and take her home. A good friend the one good thing she had left in this world if she ever needed help no matter what.
As she waited for her ride, she got her notebook and started to write a song that came to her head. She loved writing songs, what she loved, who she was, and what was going on in her life. Her theme was the most precious part soul connected to what her mother and mother loved. That was music. Her mother would walk to the church choir and sung without a care of who heard them.
The memories of their love for music made Gabriella warm despite the pain and cold she was feeling from Diego deserting her. She was writing out her pain in the song that was called Forgivable.
Back in Denver main branch post office in the DLO. Rita came back to the bathroom, still clutching her stomach in pain. Norman sees her concerned and worried for his wife asks,
"Rita, are you alright?"
Rita uses her freehand not clutching her stomach to touch Norman's cheek tells him,
"I am okay. It is just stomach, maybe something I ate."
Rita then looks at her best friend, Shane. Shane was swaying back and forth in Oliver's chair, missing him now that he left weeks before their wedding for the particular Santa project with Jordan.
Rita then asks Norman,
"How is she?"
Norman confused,
"How is she what?"
Rita was trying not to giggle, for the giggle might her stomach clenched.
"Oh my dear, Norman, our friend, is missing her fiancé. Let's cheer her up ."
Norman asked,
"How?"
Rita stood up straight, being healthy and confident tells her husband,
"Follow my lead."
Norman, as a devoted husband, follows her lead. They walk over to Shane as Rita asks Shane,
"Hey Shane, do you want the upper hand?"
Shane turns Oliver's chair facing Norman and Rita with a confused look on her face asked,
"The Upper hand on What, Rita ?"
"Poker lingo, we taught Oliver poker while you were away now it's your turn.
You can learn with the twins weekend, what do you say?"
Shane was about to say no, for she wanted to be basted alone, missing Oliver, and plan their wedding. But Rita assured her,
"But don't worry, my friend, as your maid of honor, we will plan your Christmas dream wedding. So no excuses."
No excuses Shane was going no if's or buts from Rita. Rita was happy to make her friend happy and not be sad, missing Oliver, but the pain in her stomach rattled, Knowing she would have to rush to the bathroom. Norman was worried for Rita despite her omissions that she was fine and that it is just a stomach bug. But Norman being the husband, we make sure to help and support his wife, Rita, as much as she wanted him to.