"Make a wish, Sarah!" I blew out the one candle on the tiny cake and cheered, watching with pleasure as my little girl's face lit up.

"Mommy! I with fo'—"

"Shh!" I quickly put my finger over her lips as my eyes opened wide in mock surprise. "You can't tell, or it won't come true!"

She giggled and wrapped her arms around my waist. "I wuv you, Mommy."

The smile that spread across my face was quick and broad, my heart melting again at her sweet spirit. "I love you, too, sweetie. You're Mommy's princess, did you know that?"

Her innocent laughter echoed across the park as she nodded enthusiastically, beaming.

I pulled her close. "And don't you ever forget it."

Being a mother at nineteen hadn't originally been in my plans for my life, but, as I looked back over the past two years, I knew that I wouldn't trade it for the world. My little Sarah Grace had been the greatest blessing I had ever known, and I paused a moment to thank God for her. I remembered the many instances of His faithfulness, even at my lowest moment, when I almost let others take my beautiful child away from me.

Shaking my head to clear the painful memories of the abortion clinic, I thought instead of the months afterward. Naturally, my mother hadn't initially been very happy when I told her the news, but she ended up being more supportive than I ever could have dreamed. It was actually through her encouragement, when it came down to deciding what I was going to do with this child, that I chose to keep her instead of going the way of adoption.

And Amity. My smile grew at the thought of my friend. She had been so much help both during the pregnancy and afterwards. Like she promised, she was there for me every step of the way. I could call her any time, night or day, and she would listen. When I dropped out of college because the situation became awkward, she came over almost every afternoon, just to keep me company. She went with me to the delivery room, and Sarah called her "Auntie Am."

I sucked in a quick breath. It was likely that I wouldn't be anywhere near the place I was today if not for her.

My daughter's small voice interrupted my woolgathering. "You can' get me!"

"Oh, yeah?" I giggled and began to chase her. She squealed and dashed away, and I allowed her to be one step ahead of me. That is, until she chanced a quick look behind her, and then I swept her up and spun her around. Her delighted laughter reminded me all over again of how precious she was to me.

Together we walked over to one of the large rocks that could be considered decoration for the park.

"I have something for you," I murmured. "A birthday present."

Her eyes lit up and her smile broadened.

Carefully, I pulled out a small box, wrapped in vivid paper, and handed it to her. "Happy birthday, sweetie."

She tore off the paper and discarded the lid, pulling out the one thing in there. A simple silver cross necklace. The one my father had given me. Sarah gazed at it in awe, her eyes growing wide. I helped her put it on, and she hugged me tight, her thanks spilling over.

It looked good on her, and it warmed my heart to see her wearing it. I thought again about how faithful and true the Father had been to us, and how my earthly father's gift was now able to bless the most wonderful gift I had ever been given. How fitting.

xxxxxxx

We spent the rest of the day at that park, the one that held so many memories. I counted while she hid in hide-and-seek, she clambered all over the decorative rocks with me by her side, and together we lay on the field and decided just what the fluffy clouds looked like at that moment.

By the end of the afternoon, we were exhausted, but I couldn't remember a time better spent.

And, as we walked home, I thanked God for the life He had given both of us, by being a Father to our fatherlessness. With Him by our side, we were going to be just fine.

Again, thanks for reading! It's good to see joy and smiles in Amanda's life once more. :) Please review, even if it's only one word!