A New Chance

Leah awoke feeling strangely warm and somewhat dry. She lifted herself up to find a blanket around her, and she was situated on another ship. There were many families crying, realizing that they'd lost someone special. Leah couldn't cry, she didn't want to, because she knew deep down that she wouldn't be able to stop.

She sat soon found herself seated next to four women. One was clearly in her thirties with her two daughters next to her, and the other woman had to be in her fifties. Leah paid no attention to them; she was too busy gazing at Tommy's ring that still lay upon her finger.

"Ah, married are you? Lost him in the sinking didn't you?"

Leah stared at her as a crewman came up to them, taking their names. By then, a light drizzle had begun to play upon them.

"Don't worry, they're never truly gone." The elder woman, who had just identified herself as Janice Montgomery said.

When the man turned to Leah, she simply started at the ring, before giving her answer.

"My name is Leah Ryan."

She would keep him with her always.

"Do you have a place to stay, dear?" Janice had asked her. Leah simply shook her head with a 'no'. "Well, dear, I'm getting old, and I could use some help around my house and in my family's store that's underneath. In exchange, I'll let you stay with me, just until you can stand on your own two feet. Would you like to help an old woman out?"

Leah was shocked. "Yes, of course, but why me?"

"Because dear, this is supposed to be the land of opportunity. Who am I not to offer the one I have to someone who needs it?"

Leah thanked her, for she was extremely grateful. She had a place to stay and work, maybe her luck was changing after all.

-Two Months Later-

Leah was happy to be working in Janice's store. Leah would be paid for the hours she put in at the store, and Leah was allowed to stay in her home if she promised to clean and cook. Life seemed pretty well, but something was missing. He was still missing in her life. She found herself imagining he was next to her in bed. She dreamed of the time they'd shared in her cabin. Him kissing her, touching her, moving inside her. She missed him.

Finally after a long day of work, she went up to her room and just collapsed. She let everything come crashing down around her. Sobs and tremors racked her body. All the emotion she was trying to push away was finally coming through; it was the first time she had allowed herself to cry. And like she had predicted, she found she couldn't stop. She cried herself to sleep, and her tears even carried over to the next morning.

Janice understood, and allowed her to stay in bed that day. She closed the store, knowing that one day wouldn't completely kill business. Janice too had lost a husband, and so she understood what Leah must have been feeling. They had talked about it when they met on the ship. That was why Janice felt drawn to Leah. She could tell Leah was young and in love, and losing that love could wreck a girl's entire world. She figured that they would be able to help each other as they put the pieces of their lives back together.

-Six Months Later-

Leah's knuckles turned white as she gripped the bars next to her bed. She groaned in utter agony as another contraction hit her.

"Come on dear, you can do this." Janice encouraged her.

"Janice, I can't." Leah panted, letting her head drop back onto the pillow.

"Sweetie, you can do this, please don't give up!"

Leah knew very well that she couldn't do this. How could she raise a child on her own? It wasn't fair. Tommy should have been there, holding her hand, about to watch his child being born. Leah then glanced at the ring that was still against her finger. He was still with her, he was still watching.

Leah pulled herself up. She continued to push, praying that the pain would soon end.

"Keep going dear, you're doing great. The head is just about free."

Leah gave a scream, as pain continued to hit her in waves, but she refused to give up. Tommy wouldn't want her to give up. With a death grip on the bars, she gave one last final push and the pain was suddenly gone. She collapsed onto the bed as the sound of crying filled her ears.

"Oh dear, it's a beautiful boy!" Janice squealed, wrapping up the baby and handing him to his mother. Leah's son was small and chubby, with gorgeous blue eyes, eyes like the ocean, and eyes like his father. "What will you call him?"

"Tommy, after his father." Leah sighed, kissing her child on his head.

Life went on after that. Leah took a few days to rest and to be with her son, but then it was back to work. She had saved up a good amount, but enjoyed working. Janice was a great help, and Janice even offered to watch the baby. As years past, Janice passed away; however, she left in her will everything she had to Leah. Leah had a home, she had a job, she had a family, and she had a life. She considered herself very lucky.