The Gift

"Our Christmas gift will be a little bit early."

There was a soft smile on your face as you looked at me while we waited at the hospital. In a few hours, I will be giving birth to our child, a child that we have both been praying for the past seven years.

I smiled and looked at our hands resting on my baby bump. I can still remember your reaction when I told you the good news. But the joy that was written on your face when we counted our due date was beyond priceless.

The baby will be an early Christmas gift.

I felt another contraction hit me, which was more painful than the last.

"Are you okay?" you asked. Fear was written all over your face. You became a little bit too overprotective. But I never took it against you; you are, after all, my soul mate.

"Mrs. McCall?" my OB came to the room. There was a gentle smile on her face when she looked at us. Two people so in love, so in tune with each other. And now, a baby will strengthen our bond. "It is time."

You accompanied me to the OR, and before going inside, you said, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Christmas was never my thing. But when we met, you showed me how magical it was.

Christmas was not just about gifts, the extravagance of the things you give to others. It is all about giving, sharing, and extending joy to others.

And when your family accepted me without any fuss, it felt amazing. For someone who never felt love, those gifts you gave me were overwhelming...and I loved you even more.

"Doctor! I cannot stop the bleeding," a voice from one of the nurses suddenly broke the silence of the OR. "She is losing too much blood! We need to operate on her right now!"

I knew something like this could happen. It was, after all, my fate.

I could feel my lifeblood draining away from me as the doctor and nurses scrambled to save my life while doing their best to extract the baby from my body. I cannot help but remember the way our Christmas was spent.

You suddenly became a father to our housekeeper's children after her death. You let them experience the magic of Christmas and make them cry so they can mourn for their mom.

Those were the sweet moments that gave me a glimpse of what you will be as a father. You were thoughtful, careful, loving, and you made an effort to make them feel like they were part of the McCall family. The greatest gift? Adopting them, making them part of the McCall legacy. We were supposed to tell them together. But now...

The cry of a baby brought me back to consciousness. I could see Death, and he was smiling at me, giving me the final boost to make me alive just enough to see our child.

The OB was doing her best, she knew it was a battle that she would never win, and when I suddenly opened my eyes and sucked a deep breath, she said, "You have a baby boy." I could hear the tears from her voice. My baby, the gift both of us wanted, is finally in my arms.

I looked at Death. Even though his head could not be seen, I could feel that he didn't want to take me. He wanted to live, but my fate was out of his hands. He was just a guide.

"My husband?" I asked. One of the nurses dashed out of the OR, and after a few minutes, I saw him. The man that loves me without any bias, the man who gave me all and all I could do was cry.

"I love you, Nicolette," you cried, "please fight, please... Don't leave me, don't leave us..."I could only say, "I love you," as I took my last breath.

Then I was gone.

From Death's realm, I saw my husband cry. They had to sedate him to pull me away from my body. The baby was also crying. Maybe it felt the loss of the person who gave him life.

The baby still had no name. They were calling him baby McCall. He had been at home the day after my death. Even if Andrew was in pain, he did not prevent him from being a father.

The passing days were painful for me to watch. The whole family was in mourning, and with Christmas the next day, how can they celebrate?

December 24, Christmas Eve.

Andrew, Mayleen, Audrey, and baby McCall were all in the living room. I could see how painful it was to be together. They were sitting on the sofa looking at the tree we put up. It was all the things the girls wanted. A pink Christmas tree. Underneath were several gifts.

But what caught Mayleen's attention was a small box tied with a red bow. She plucked it and brought it to Andrew's side.

You gently unwrapped it and just choked on your tears as you read the first line...

My Love,

By the time you read this letter, I will be long gone, but it doesn't mean that I won't be around. Please don't blame our child for my death. He has nothing to do with it. He is the gift we always wanted: a gift we never expected, the same with our little girls.

Loving you, being your wife during the final days of my life was the best thing anyone could do. You brought me many worldly things, but what I cherish more was the attention you gave, the unwavering support with every project I do, and the overflowing love you gave me. Those are the gifts that you gave me that I will carry forever. And I want you to make our kids feel the same way without me by your side.

You are a wonderful father, Andrew. I wanted to live longer, to be with you, but fate had other plans. I wanted a bigger family, but I couldn't be around anymore. But you, my love, you could. Don't lock your heart, and my death is not yours. Live, love, and cherish every moment that you have with our kids. It is the only gift that will last till the end of time.

I love you. I love you so much... My death is not the end of your love. It is just another chapter of life that we have to overcome. My book is over, but not yours. Love again, my Andrew, I'm not saying right away, but don't shut your heart. Wrap it up, let it heal, because you will know when the time is right, your wounded heart will be the greatest gift any woman can have.

You are a gift, my love. So are our son and our daughters. They are treasures that will never be replaced. Be strong, be brave, be bold... but most importantly, just be you.

My Andrew.

I love you.

Always,

Nicolette

"Daddy, we should name him Nicolas. After mommy and Santa," it was Audrey who suggested it.

With tears running down your cheeks, you smiled and nodded, "Yes, Nicolas McCall," you kissed his head when he suddenly opened his eyes, and a small smile played on his innocent face.

"I love you, Nicolette. Thank you for your gift."

As the sound of the Christmas bells rang outside, the four people in the house could only listen and cry.

Life is a gift. Cherish each moment with the ones you love for once they are gone, all you have are memories of them. The best gifts are not the ones you can buy, but the ones you can never see.

Laugher

Acceptance

Peace

And Love.

Dedicated to all those people who lost a loved one...