Hope

I watch her, silent tears tracing a path down her face; her back held straight, every fibre of her being warning everyone to stay away. But I could not stay away. I knew I was responsible. I knew the cause of the tears could be traced back to me. I had, however, done nothing directly to harm her. I had not harmed her physically, hurt with my words or my actions, yet I was responsible. I was the one that sent her on that case. I was the one that knew the details, knew how it would affect her, yet knew that there was no-one better for that case, knew to assign it to her. And as I stand here, the tears slowly cease; my pain lessens slightly as hope rises from the last of her tears. Hope for the victim, hope for her, my Catherine, that in solving this she will grow ever stronger.

Hope

He knew they'd be friends from the moment he first saw her. She had a presence, an aura that drew him to her. She exuded a sense of belief that was infectious, a virus that invaded him, refusing his attempts to cleanse it from his system. When there seemed no way to progress, no lead to follow, her presence, her energy would demand one; hope would not fade or die while she was present. That hope became contagious; contaminating him, encouraging him to fight on, look harder, seek the justice that was deserved.

He wondered sometimes if the victims knew of their great champion. He feared not, for surely if they did, they would work to ease her life from the next one rather than add greater burdens to it.

Hope

For her, he knew hope was wrapped in the daughter she cherished. Her hopes for Lindsey's future often drove her to the end of her patience; despair being her scant reward for her outpouring of love. But as a spectator to such scenes, he could see the hope she wished for, a secure future for Lindsey, flourish. He saw the expectation of her actions rewarded in Lindsey's eyes, masked from her mother after years of practice, but to him, a witness to their lives, he saw the love shining back, a beacon of respect for a mother's actions born out of love.

Hope

When the endless hours of the slowest nights start to close in on him, as the paper mountain he is trying to conquer seems to grow before his eyes, it is the mere sight of her that gives him the strength to continue. She seemed to perceive when he was about to implode under the bureaucracy his position dictated, and be there ready to settle him, take him away from his desk, sometimes for a few brief minutes in the break room, a shared coffee break, sometimes for a meal, concern evident in her features over his lack of self care and appetite. Hope breathed into him, his resolve in his position, his value restored once more by her simple act, faith in his abilities reborn through her care.

Hope

The smile that lit her face sent the wings of hope beating with renewed vigour. The smile was something he cherished, something he stored away in his heart, reliving it in his dreams. It was what kept his belief alive, that he would have the courage to face her and one day tell her his feelings. He knew she had a smile especially for him and revelled in each appearance it made. It was this smile above all others that gave life to his hope of a future, with Catherine.

Hope

As her head rested against his shoulder, as he softly stroked her back, hoping to soothe her emotions after their argument, after he had confessed his love for her, he heard the words she tried to hide through a whisper. "I love you Gil, always have, I always will."

Hope surged forth from him with each breath he exhaled. Set free, it seemed to dance before him, around them taking with it all their earlier doubts and fears. And as it completed its hypnotic ballet, he could not help but smile. A feeling of contentment completed him. He was certain of her love and was determined not to shatter what hope had nurtured.

Hope

As he gently slides the simple gold band onto her finger, vowing to give her his life, his love, his body, he makes a wish for their future. A wish for happiness, for long life, for togetherness. The love he sees reflected in her eyes is his hope for that future. A solitary tear escapes her eye and a smile lights up her face, his smile, and with it hope once more bursts forth, reassuring him that his wish for their future will hold true.

He leans forward, his forehead embracing hers and whispers for her ears alone. "I love you with all of my heart. You have every part of me, we are now one and for the first time in my life I feel complete. I love you Catherine."

Their lips meet, oblivious to the applause of the congregation as they seek the closeness that was denied the previous night.

Hope

He was afraid and only hope can steady his nerves. He stands beside her as she is lying on the examination table. They entered marriage with hopes of a long future together; his Catherine, Lindsey and himself, they had not considered this eventuality. But now it had to be faced. He could lose her because of this and he was not ready to do that. But he knew she is not ready to lose the life they had made. A conundrum they needed to conquer with the assistance of hope, it had not failed him in the past and he prayed it is not about to now.

As the doctor completes the initial examination assuring them that Catherine's health is good, he felt that flutter in his heart. The monitor is placed on her expanded stomach and he can feel his wife's grip on his hand tighten, they seemed to hold their breath in unison until the joyful sound of a healthy heartbeat greeted them. The smile from their doctor reflects their joy. There is more good news to add to their bliss, the tests results indicate they have a healthy new member of their family to welcome in a couple of months. The image on the scan is their lifeline, their unexpected miracle, a child they will teach to value the virtue of hope.

Hope

His hands are clasped around his love's. His eyes seek no other sight but her eyes. He sees the fear, he sees the love, he sees the hope. He can hear the monitors, he's aware of the medical staff as they bustle around his wife, but his silent prayer is for his Catherine, that whatever may happen within the next few minutes she is not lost to him. She is about to become a mother again, and he a father again, yet his greatest fear is the thought of having to do this alone without her. He hears the doctor's reassurance; he squeezes her hand tighter, hoping that if he holds her tight enough she surely cannot lose her way.

An indignant squawk, which develops into a cry, erupts, shattering the silence between them. Their eyes work as one to seek out the source of such passion, a small gasp escapes as their daughter is placed on his wife's chest. She immediately settles, comforted by her mother's touch. He can see once more the light of hope as it spins around them, enveloping them with its love, sheltering them from the evils of the world as they share the purity of this moment.

"Hello Nadia. " His wife smiles.

"Nadia?" The nurse questions, "That's a pretty name."

"Yes." He replies. "Nadia means hope, she is our little miracle."

Hope

It's good to have my family back together. Lindsey is asleep down the hallway, tired out after trying to alternately look after her mother and her baby sister. Nadia is asleep in a bassinette beside our bed. My wife is curled up next to me, her head resting on my shoulder, my arm around her shoulders, cradling her to me. The house is silent. In this silence I send out my hopes for our future together, for love, for happiness for longevity. We have been blessed in so many ways, two healthy daughters, our love, which just seems to grow stronger. My hope as I finally close my eyes is that we will find love, trust and hope for all eternity. For with the help of hope all things seem possible. I thank the angels above for sending me hope, love, Lindsey, Nadia and above all my love, my life, my very being, Catherine.

The End