Your whole life's here, so don't forget to breathe.

~Breathe by Alexi Murdoch~

Carolyn knew even before her eyes opened. She could no longer feel his presence in the house. After all, it was larger than life; just like the man. Frankly, it was surprising he had stayed as long as he had. He had never promised her anything and she had known better than to ask. Those first days after the crash didn't count. If he stayed, she wanted it to be on his own terms. Not because she had begged him to. She had barely been able to speak at all last night for fear of doing that very thing. Begging him to stay. For her. For Jackie. For the baby she was almost certain she was carrying.

Rolling over to face his side of the bed Carolyn opened her eyes and reached out to touch his pillow. She heard Jackie leave her room and go running down the stairs calling his name. That's when the tears finally started. Jackie had worshiped the ground Riddick had walked upon. The thought that he had left her behind would crush her. It wouldn't matter that Carolyn and Imam were still here. Jackie would feel completely and totally abandoned by the fact that he had not taken her with him. Carolyn wondered if the child would ever forgive him.

Carolyn heard her come back into the house and slowly climb the stairs. She watched as she entered her room and walked towards the bed. Carolyn held up the bedspread silently, inviting her to get in. Holding onto Jackie's small shaking body Carolyn knew it wouldn't be long before she would leave her as well.

Jackie never mentioned his name again after that morning so neither did she or Imam. They both felt helpless not knowing the magic words that would make her want stay. Carolyn went to wake her for school one morning, instead finding only a note that she was going to look for him. And just like that she was gone.

When Carolyn didn't show up for work that day Imam came looking for her. He found her in the rocking chair on the front porch holding onto both of their letters and a framed picture of the three of them taken that last night they were together. Imam took a seat in the chair next to her and she handed him the note without being asked. He took her hand in his and read it.

"Oh Carolyn, I am so sorry. I feel as though I have failed you all."

She stopped rocking and looked at him.

"What?" he asked. "What is it?"

"I'm pregnant."

"That's excellent news!" he exclaimed.

Tears were in her eyes, "Oh Imam, what am I going to do?"

Grasping her hand, he tilted his head and looked at her. "You're going to be happy. We will pray that the little one comes back to us to share in the joy of this new life. It is a gift from Allah. A true miracle. A new life out of all that death."

Carolyn smiled wistfully at him and leaned her head back against the chair.

"What is this?" he asked touching the other letter slipped inside a ring of silver.

"It's from Richard. He left it the night he left."

"May I ask what it says?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, I've never read it."

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Would you do something for me?" He finally asked.

"Of course, anything for you."

"Read his letter. He went to the trouble to write it. You should go to the trouble to read it."

She looked between him and the letter for a moment and then nodded her head taking a deep breath.

"Afterwards, come to my house and we'll have lunch. I'll contact your employer and let them know that there was a family emergency and that you'll be back tomorrow."

He squeezed her hand and took his leave. She sat watching him for a few minutes and then gathered her things and went to her room. If she was going to read the letter she wanted to do it where she felt closest to him. In the middle of their bed. She pulled his pillow into her lap. Taking the ring off of the letter she inspected it. It was just a simple silver ring. Nothing more, nothing less. The only finger it would fit on was her thumb. She slipped it on and gently unrolled the letter.

Carolyn,

Take care of the girl. I worry about her.

Go to the holy man. He has some things for you.

And lastly, know that I would die for you.

R

She traced the lone R with her finger and proceeded to indulge in a long overdue pity party before managing to pull herself together and heading to Imam's. It was a mild day and he had his double doors thrown wide open. Letting herself in she found him in the kitchen.

He ushered her to a chair, "Sit and we'll eat."

"He told me to come see you. That you had some things for me. He told me to take care of Jackie as well. I failed him miserably there."

Imam nodded thoughtfully. "As for the child, we are all to blame. As for the other, we will take care of that after we eat."

He put a plate in front of her and they ate. After they had finished their meal he helped her from her chair leading her into his office. Sitting in a chair she watched as he pulled a folder out from among some other papers. After fingering it for a moment or two he finally looked at her.

"Imam?"

He came around to the front of the desk leaning against it and handed her the folder. "With several short term investments, we were able to do wonders."

She opened it skimming the top page. Had she not been sitting down she would have needed to.

"He wanted to make sure that you and Jackie were well taken care of."

"This is all legal?"

"Yes, I assure you, it is."

Carolyn was speechless. Added to the money that she already had, if spent carefully it would last her for the rest of her life. A lone tear rolled down her cheek. She would never be able to thank Richard for his generosity. He had no idea what this would mean for his child.

The months passed and her pregnancy progressed. Her heart ached for her lost family and her arms ached to hold the child inside her.

His child decided to come in the middle of the night. Carolyn had to laugh. She was sure there had to be some dark meaning to it all but couldn't figure it out if there were. Lajjun and Imam came as soon as she called bringing the midwife with them. Carolyn had refused all suggestions by Imam that she stay with his family as her time came near.

Carolyn wept as the baby was put into her arms. She was so beautiful. A creamy complexion with a head of honey blonde hair and the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen on a baby. Carolyn knew that they were her father's eyes.

Lajjun brought Imam in a few minutes later. "Ahh, another daughter I'm told." He said grinning from ear to ear as Carolyn placed the baby in his arms.

"Yes" she smiled back. "Hopefully she and Jackie will meet one day."

"Tell me. What name have you decided on for Riddick's daughter?"

Carolyn smirked. "Aurora."

Imam let out a deep robust laugh. "The ancient Goddess of the Dawn."

Carolyn nodded. "I never want her to know a moment of darkness in her life."