I do not own anything, none of the characters portrayed in this story or the stories afterward. This all belongs to Brenda Hampton, well everything but the plot.
A WISH ON A CANDLE
BEN
Ben walked to the graveyard, and held his package closely, today like many days would be rough because it is another day that he had to remember that his mom, and his daughter did not live to enjoy this holiday with him. It was somewhat cold today so he wore his long leather jacket, and black sweater with a white scarf. He thought it weird how he lived in California and yet it too could get cold for the holidays, and be warm every other day of the year. but he thought to himself that must be the magic of the holidays. He carried the small bag with him as he stepped into the entrance of the cemetery and found what he was looking for two graves one with a large baby angel on top of it, and beside it a large grave stone with a rose on top. This was the place that he had visited often, to be with the two girls he knew would never hurt him. The graves of his mother Sarah, and his innocent daughter Mercy who never got to know life.
ADRIAN
Adrian walked into the church, with a sour expression she had not been in a church since she went to the hospital chapel the day after her daughter had died and prayed for it all to be a dream. Since then she had hated God for giving her all she had ever wanted and then taking it away in only a moment. First God had taken her first love Antonio from her after making her feel unwanted most of her life. Then God gave her Mercy, and Ben who both made her feel like she was truly blessed, and actually gave her faith once again, only to take them both away just as quickly as she had been given them. Even though she and Ben still talked and tried to stay friends it wasn't the same. She knew that she still had feelings for him, and he for her, but she didn't know how they could ever be like they were when Mercy was there.
BEN
Ben looked at the two graves and knelt between each one, and kissed the grave of his mother and hugged the grave of his daughter. He knew some people would find it silly a young man of eighteen hugging and kissing pieces of stone, but to him this was as close as he could get to kissing his mother again, or actually being able to give his daughter a hug, so who cares what others would think. He knelt on the ground and removed the items he carried with him. Two candles, a red box with a bow on it, also a bouquet of red holiday roses. He placed the roses on his mother's grave, and placed the gift box on the grave of his daughter. He also placed a small candle next to each grave. He sat there and thought how he wished he could have seen Mercy on this Christmas. He also wished that he and Adrian would be celebrating it together, but they were only friends, and he didn't know if they would ever again be anything more.
ADRIAN
Adrian had been agonizing over what to do this Christmas because she wanted to celebrate it with Ben, but she just didn't know how to ask him. This holiday was horrible as she remembered how miserable last Christmas was for them when they were both to depressed to celebrate after Mercy's death. Ben tried to make her feel better by decorating the condo, and even trying to put up a tree,. But she didn't care especially when she told him how some of the ornaments reminded her of how their daughter would never see it. She knocked the tree down and went into her room to cry, she appreciated his effort, and she didn't mean to hurt him, but she wanted to be left alone that day. What hurt her the most was that Mercy would have been one month old exactly on Christmas had she lived. Now to celebrate her daughters memory and Antonio's she decided that she would light a candle in memory of them both. She also wanted to pray that Ben would have a Merry Christmas this year even if they could not celebrate together.
GENERAL
It was at this moment that both Adrian and Ben took out matches and lit their candles and at that moment neither noticed a light shining down on them from a far. In that light stood a tall latino boy of fifteen years stood beside a small red haired woman with a bright smile holding a beautiful baby with curly black hair, and shining brown eyes. As the candles were lit Adrian and Ben both made a wish to celebrate the holiday just once with their beautiful daughter. It was in this instant that Antonio and Sarah both blew a kiss to Ben and Adrian as they both closed their eyes to pray.
BEN
In a flash of light Ben opened his eyes to be staring face to face with his mother, dressed in an ivory white dress smiling at him. Mom, Ben said as tears began to form in his eyes as he saw his mother looking more beautiful than he had ever remembered her. Yes, Baby its me, Sarah said as she opened her arms and her son gave her a large hug, one that both had been missing for so long. Mom, I've missed you so much and so has Dad, you have no idea, how good it feels to see you again he said holding his mother. Actually, honey she said breaking their embrace it's why I'm here, and its also why you're here as well, she replied. What do you mean, Ben asked looking at her quizzically.
ADRIAN
Adrian heard a sound and felt a sudden push of air and opened her eyes to see her first love Antonio in white, and smiling at her with broad grin. Long time no see Chica he said as Adrian rushed to him and hugged him tightly to her after so many years. Antonio, mi amigo it has been so long she said, as she began to cry as he hugged her. I know Adrian, and I have missed you even more than you have missed me, but we have little time and there is unfortunately no time to reconnect. What's going on Antonio am I dead, or something. No, Adrian don't be so silly. You are about to have your wish granted, he said as he looked deeply into her eyes. My wish what are you talking about she said looking at him with confusion.
"SARAH"
I know what you must be thinking and feeling Ben, but unfortunately we have no time to dawdle. Today you have been allowed one wish to be granted and this is a very special wish that many have, but very few are allowed to have granted, she told Ben. What wish Mom, I don't understand Ben replied. Ben, we know how you miss your daughter, and despite how she died your daughter misses you as well. So, for three days you will be allowed to spend Christmas with your family but I warn you this wish only last until the end of Christmas. Which means when the clock in the town square strikes twelve midnight on the new day after Christmas it will all end. So no matter how much you want to keep it. Everything will go right back the way it was from before you made your wish. But, Mom why, why was I allowed to have this wish. Because Benjamin unlike you want to admit, Mercy was not conceived by a simple mistake between to foolish people. Mercy was conceived by two people who had loving hearts, and were confused about their feelings. But, mom Adrian and I only slept together to get revenge on Amy, and Ricky we didn't deserve the happiness that came from that night, Ben replied looking guilty.
Ben, do you really believe that, Sarah asked. Whether you want to admit it or not you cared for Adrian, even more than you want to admit to. And out of every girl you could have given yourself too, you chose Adrian. It wasn't to get back at Amy it was because you cared about her, and wanted even if it were for a moment to be the man of her dreams. But, I wasn't mom no matter how I wanted to be, Ricky was the guy she wanted, Ben said hurtfully. Ben, Ricky might have been the man that Adrian wanted but you were the man she loved, and sometimes people like Adrian who have been hurt for so long, have a hard time accepting the love of others, and even the love they have for others. Sarah told him. But, after how I treated her, and what I said to her in the nursery, Ben implied. Ben, you were a young man who was hurt, and dealing with feelings of guilt, sadness, loss, and rage. Sarah said with loving eyes. No one expects you to be perfect, and unlike others sweetie, you took responsibility for all your actions. Which is why you are being given this opportunity. So let's stop arguing about this and get this ball rolling Sarah said, as she placed a kiss on Ben's forehead, which surrounded him in a cloud of white light.
"ANTONIO"
Antonio looked at Adrian with dark eyes and smile on his face as he looked at how much she had changed. Well it seems that life has not been as kind to you as I had hoped, but from up here some of it looks as though it is your fault. I know, Adrian said with a frown. But, after you left, and your mom called to let me know that you had died I didn't see the point anymore. So you thought letting yourself be used by all those boys would be better, Antonio said with a glare. Yeah, that was not my best decision was it, Adrian said with a guilt expression. No, it wasn't neither was believing that your life could change if you settled for a guy like Ricky. But, I loved Ricky and he knew me we were kindred spirits Antonio, Adrian said with sad eyes. Adrian you and I are kindred spirits, you have the kindred and I of course am the spirit, he said with a laugh. But having someone understands you doesn't mean he is right for you. Having someone who understands you, accepts you, and appreciates you is the person who is right for you, he said with a look of sorrow. You mean like how Ben did that she said with a frown coming to her face. Yes, Adrian like Ben.
But, after everything Ben and I went through cheating on Amy and Ricky, losing Mercy, and me with all I did. Adrian did you really cheat on Ricky to hurt him or was there more to it. Adrian looked away from Antonio's gaze because she knew what he was talking about. Adrian, you cared for Ben, and you wanted to be with him that night, you wanted to be with him even if Ricky and Amy had never kissed, and you know it. But, he never wanted to be with me, she said with sad tone. Adrian, Antonio said taking her face in his hands, if that were true do you really think he would have married you. But, he married me because of the baby, Adrian replied. Well, that is true to but he also married you because he loved you, and that was not just because of the baby, he told her. But, look how everything turned out, Adrian replied. Adrian, that is because neither of you were ready to be in love so soon, and so fast. You are both still trying to understand yourselves and your feelings. You more than anyone. Adrian I have known you and watched you for so long, and so has he. He, Adrian said looking puzzled. You know who I am talking about, Antonio replied.
Which is why we have decided to give you a gift he said with a smile which reminded Adrian so much of her times with him. A gift, she said even more puzzled. Adrian you and Ben are about to be given a gift that will hopefully allow both of you to move on with your lives. When you both lost Mercy, so suddenly it caused an affect on you both that made even heaven cry. Now you will be given three days to enjoy the power of heaven, he said. Antonio what are you talking about, Adrian said in confusion. Just know Adrian he said with urgency that this gift will only last till the end of Christmas. So laugh, celebrate, enjoy, and most importantly love. Because when the town clock strikes twelve midnight of the next day it will all return to back the way it was. But, Antonio Adrian said. Antonio gently placed his fingers to her lips to silence her, and said Adrian quiet. I have wanted to do this again for so long he said. He then pressed his lips to Adrian, and she also was surrounded by a cloud of white light.