The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25 dot com

Prompt: #15
Pen Name: MinaRivera
Characters: Edward, Esme, Bella, Renee
Rating: T
Word Count: 500

Beta: Ms. Walrus

Photo prompts can be found here:
thetwilight25 dot com/round-eight/prompts

Little Prayer

"Is she gonna be okay, mommy?"

Esme's heart clenched, not knowing how to answer.

How could anyone explain to a six year old that his friend was too sick and might die?

Esme set the mug of hot cocoa on the table. She had made it just like her son liked: thick, creamy, and with lots of marshmallow men on top.

She sat down next to him. "Remember what I told you that God has a plan for everyone?"

Edward nodded. "You said He put us all in this world with a purpoise."

"A purpose, correct," Esme praised her son. "Well, God has a plan for Bella, and all we can do is pray for her to remain strong through this time."

"But she's going to be okay, right?"

Esme, in that moment, wished her son wasn't as bright as he was to notice she hadn't really answered his question. She didn't want to give him false hope, but she also didn't want to break his heart.

"I think Bella will be okay, whether she stays with us or goes somewhere else."

"Like another hospital?"

"More like heaven, sweetheart." Esme bit her lip, watching her son's round green eyes fill with tears. "But remember that she will be happy and not in pain anymore."

"I don't want her to leave me, but I don't want her in pain either."

"We can pray for her if you want."

Edward nodded. "I'll ask Nene to take care of her and protect her," he said, referring to his grandmother.

Esme's mom had passed away last year, and Edward often said a prayer as a means to talk to her. Esme wasn't worried, though. It was his way of dealing with death, and the therapist said it was normal.

That night before bed, they both prayed that little Isabella Swan could make it out of her heart surgery all right, asking grandma Nene to watch out for her and keep her safe.

A week later, Edward and Esme walked inside the Isabella's room. Her surgery had been a success. While Renee and Esme chatted about what was coming next, as means of treatment, Edward was showing Bella the teddy he had bought her, through the glass that separated the girl's room from the small living room.

"I like it," she heard Bella wheeze. "Looks like Nene's."

Esme froze. "Nene?"

Renee smiled. "Bella had a dream while she had her surgery. She dreamed of a nice lady named Nene, who took her to a garden to drink tea and play."

Esme held back a sob and turned to look at Edward. He smiled up knowingly at her, still holding the white teddy bear. Esme smiled back and decided to not say anything.

Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to talk to Nene through their prayers.

Maybe it was all a coincidence.

Whatever it was, Esme sent a silent thank you to her mother for protecting this precious child and her son at the same time.

Thank you for reading. xo ~Mina