A day later Steve awoke alone in his room. He looked around slowly and remembered the events of the past few days, feeling empty. Not having the need or desire for company he used the bed controls to raise his head. Staring blankly at the wall across the room he didn’t see or hear Rudy enter. Surprised that Steve was already awake he greeted his recovering patient, “How are you feeling?”

Steve blinked twice before answering in a quiet tone, “How am I suppose to feel knowing my wife is gone.”

“Who told you Jessica was gone?” He didn’t want to provide information either way.

“Jessica did.” He stated plainly, still staring at the wall in front of him.

“Jessica?” Rudy was in disbelief.

With his voice empty he could hardly hold back the tears that threatened to fall, “Yeah, I saw her on a beach.” He paused remembering the moment. “She told me she couldn’t be with me anymore. That it wasn’t ‘my time’ yet.” The tears could not be restrained and began to fall unceremoniously down his cheeks unabated. He choked out a question as he looked at his friend, “She’s dead isn’t she?”

The lost look on Steve’s face was almost too much to bear. Rudy wanted nothing more than to tell Steve he was mistaken and that Jessica would recover but knew he needed to be truthful for Steve’s sake. “She was declared brain dead the morning after the shooting.” He waited for a reaction but didn’t get one. With confidence that Steve could handle the rest he continued, “Even though she has a Living Will we are keeping her on life support because…’

Steve interrupted him, “The baby.”

Rudy locked eyes with him surprised at his thorough knowledge of Jessica’s condition considering his limited awareness the past few days. Steve filled in the information Rudy was searching for, “She told me that too. She said I needed to come back for our daughter.” Another stream of tears assaulted his face as he thought of raising the child without her.

Rudy couldn’t believe what her was hearing, thinking Steve might be delusional. Steve read his face, “Rudy I’m not crazy.” Steve rested his head in the pillow, setting his gaze on the ceiling until his weary body and mind could not remain awake.

The distraught father-to-be slept for two days, his body struggling to heal itself. After waking in the evening it was no surprise to Rudy that Steve had no appetite. Fortunately the I.V. was left in to provide the nourishment his injured body required. He greeted his despondent patient with a half-hearted smile, “Are you feeling rested?”

When he didn’t get a response after several seconds the doctor just went about checking Steve’s vital signs. He was surprised when Steve finally spoke, “I want to see her.”

“I think you need more time before that.”

“Rudy don’t make me drag myself down there.” Obviously Steve knew she was in close proximity.

Rudy just sighed seeing nothing but desperation and determination in Steve’s face, “Okay I’ll get a wheelchair.” He left the room only to return a short time later to help his emotionally numb friend into the chair.

In Jessica’s room there was an eerie silence as the two men entered. Steve picked up her limp hand and held it to his cheek. He knew in his heart that she was no longer a part of this world but his mind, after seeing her with his own eyes, would not comply.

The knowledge that he might have a part of her with him in their child did nothing to lessen the grief that overwhelmed him. The rush of tears returned, with his head resting on the cool metal bedrail he sobbed for his young wife and the future that was stolen from them in a random act of violence. Rudy quietly left the room but remained outside the door should Steve need him.

Returning to the bedside 20 minutes later he saw Steve had gained some control over his emotions but looked spent. He began to coax Steve into returning to his room knowing he was too weak to be out of bed. Steve spoke in a quiet voice, as if any higher volume would wake his wife, “Rudy are you sure the baby is alright?”

Rudy, not being knowledgeable in obstetrics, could not answer the question with certainty. He did promise Steve that he would have the obstetrician visit Steve in his room as soon as possible to answer all his questions. With that the patient conceded the fight to stay at his wife side, too tired to argue with his doctor.

Arriving back in Steve’s room Rudy noticed his patient not making any movement to exit the chair, remaining bent slightly forward, white knuckled hand on the armrest. Gently pushing him back in the chair he was shocked at his friend’s appearance and labored breathing. His face was beaded with sweat and ghostly white, his jaw clenched tightly and the front of his hospital gown stained a crimson red. Rudy immediately called out for the nurse who appeared awaiting an order.

“I need some morphine and a sedative quickly.” She retreated as Rudy’s attention returned to Steve, “Can you stand?”

Steve gave a feeble nod still not catching his breath. Rudy assisted him into the bed and swiftly reattached his I.V. line. The nurse entered with the two vials and syringes, handing them to Rudy who injected them into the line. His eyes remained on his distressed patient knowing he was close to going into shock. He couldn’t believe Steve did not inform him of the excruciating pain, caused by the past 20 minutes of sobbing at his wife’s bedside. Steve was staring at the ceiling wishing the end would come. Rudy ordered the nurse to redress the chest wound. While she went about her duties Rudy grabbed the oxygen mask that was close-by. He flipped on the machine, set the level to four liters then held the mask over Steve’s nose and mouth with one hand, his other hand was busy checking his rapid pulse. He urged his exhausted patient to try and relax waiting for the medications to take affect. As they did the doctor saw his eyes close as his body relaxed and breathing become easier. He removed the oxygen mask and took a deep breath, thankful a more serious situation was averted. When the nurse was gone Rudy just stared at Steve mentally kicking himself. Oscar, standing in the doorway, interrupted Rudy’s thoughts by asking what had happened.

Rudy confessed, “It’s my fault. I allowed him to see Jessica. I should have known it was too soon… he was too weak but…”

Oscar finished for his guilt ridden friend, “But Steve would have found a way to see her anyway, with or without your approval, even if he had to crawl.”

Still gazing at the patient Rudy just nodded knowing Oscar was correct but that didn’t lift his burden, “He just sat there, holding her hand and sobbing. I should have known his chest wound couldn’t take the physical strain. By the time I got him back here he was in so much pain he was going into shock.” Rudy’s eyes left the patient and locked onto Oscar’s, “He never said a word that he was in that much pain.” There was a silence before Rudy made a decision, “I think it’s time to get Helen and Jim here.”

“I’ve been calling them regularly since the shooting but there’s been no answer. I’m wondering if they are on vacation. I’ll keep trying.” With that he headed to the nurse’s desk to make the call. He finally made contact with the Elgins who just returned home from a 10 day stay in Maine. Horrified by the sad events they were taking the next flight to Washington. Oscar had a car waiting for them at Dulles Airport. They arrived eight hours later and planned on staying at Steve’s apartment. Fortunately their son had been so busy he hadn’t moved his belongings to Jessica’s house yet and his rent was always paid 3 months in advance because of his frequent traveling.

Rudy met with them in his office and explained the situation facing their only child including Steve’s decision to maintain his wife on life support with an attempt to save the baby. Helen’s tears were immediate at the knowledge of Jessica’s condition. Rudy also shared the fact that he was notified by the local police that the man who did this to their loved ones was arrested and it was expected he would spend the rest of his life in prison. That did not lessen the anger and sadness that permeated the room. After all the information was provided, Helen asked if Rudy truly believed the pregnancy could be maintained with Jessica’s condition. Rudy shared with the potential grand-parents the obstetrician’s expectations, and explained that the first trimester of any pregnancy is precarious. He told them that with Steve’s help they were able to estimate, within a day or two, when Jessica became pregnant, and she was now in her fifth week. With their immediate questions answered Rudy took them to see Steve. After placing a tender kiss on her child’s cheek Helen ran her fingers through his brown hair while Jim stood behind her holding Steve’s hand and offering comfort to his wife. Rudy explained the reason for keeping Steve sedated but assured them physically, in time, he would recover.

Steve medical status was slowly improving the past five days and Rudy was meeting with his parents to discuss his expected discharge in three days. The doctor could not stress enough his concern for Steve’s emotional state for the next several months until the distressing situation would be concluded. Initially Steve was not eating and lost a significant amount of weight. Since Rudy negotiated with him Steve only reluctantly choked down the food because it was the only way Rudy would allow him to see Jessica. It may have been considered cruel but it was the only way to get Steve to eat. The doctor was concerned that once Steve was out of his control his depression would overcome him. Helen and Jim understood the doctor had Steve’s best interest in mind but assured him that they knew him well enough to handle him at home. Jim inquired if Steve had received any psychological help since the shooting. Rudy shared with them his attempt to provide such assistance. “Steve imbedded his breakfast tray in the wall and threw the psychiatrist out of the room; in fact if I hadn’t intervened he would have literally thrown him out of the room.”

Helen was confused stating that didn’t sound like her easy-going, level-headed son. The doctor shared that he had seen Steve, on very rare occasions, fly into a rage. Since Steve had never experienced such a devastating loss as this before there was no way to know if he could handle it. That was why he was concerned about them taking him home.

“Don’t worry Rudy I know we can handle our son,” Were Helen’s final words on the subject.

Rudy felt it unwise for Steve to return to the home he shared with his wife right now, preferring he go to his apartment with his parents but Steve was adamant about the house being his home now. The concerned doctor accompanied his patient and parents to the home to get Steve settled in. Jim immediately carried the suitcase to the master bedroom while Helen and Rudy watched intently, in silence, as Steve slowly walked around the familiar environment. Occasionally he would pick up something only to place it absently back down. Both observers held their breath not knowing what to expect when they were joined by Jim. Helen mentioned she had collected all the mail and placed it on the desk. Steve began sifting through the envelopes, not really seeing them and suddenly became interested with a small envelope that was unusually thick. After breaking the seal and moving the contents into view his body sank heavily into the chair. When Rudy asked what he was looking at Steve’s voice was without emotion, his eyes staring at his find, “These are our wedding photographs. The couple who stood as our witnesses took them and promised to send them to us.” Helen let the tears flow freely for her sorrow-filled son. She walked to him and placed a comforting hand on his back. Steve stood, stating he was tired and retreated to the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. The other three remained in the living room and shared a silence, hoping they hadn’t made a mistake bringing Steve home. Meanwhile Steve curled up on Jessica’s side of their bed and hugged her pillow tightly to his chest, inhaling her scent.

The following months went by and an emotionally detached Steve fell into a routine schedule that gave the appearance he was functioning, just going through the motions of everyday life with heart-laden apathy. He spent every day 7 days a week with Jessica absently watching her belly grow each week but never discussed the baby. Every morning he would sit with her from 10: 00 a.m. to noon. Then he would return home and eat lunch with his parents then return to his wife’s side from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It was the same everyday. Any deviation in the routine sent Steve into a tailspin. Since the structure was working for now Rudy, after consulting with a psychiatrist, asked that it be kept up. He was well aware that Steve was barely keeping up his façade.

On this day unfortunately Steve had an appointment with Rudy at 1:00 p.m. Since it didn’t make sense for Steve to drive all the way home he convinced his parents that he would eat lunch alone. Leaving Jessica’s side at noon he spontaneously decided to take a walk in the park and get some fresh air. While aimlessly throwing pebbles into the pond he glanced at his watch, surprised that it was almost one o’clock. When he turned to exit the park his eyes fell upon a couple on a nearby bench. His feet were frozen in place and he was unable to turn his gaze away. The woman was in the late stages of pregnancy and her husband, with a hand resting on her enormous abdomen, giggled and laughed, both enjoying the bond of impending parenthood. Something in Steve just snapped. He quickly left the park not knowing where he was headed.

By 3:00 p.m. Dr. Wells contacted the Elgins to inquire about Steve’s whereabouts. Jim informed the doctor that they had not seen him since 9:00 a.m. and thought he was with the doctor getting a check up. Wondering if Jessica’s condition had changed and Steve might have stayed with her, he contacted the nursing desk near Jessica’s room and was informed Colonel Austin departed at noon. By 6:00 p.m. they were out of places to look. Oscar had an A.P.B. put out on him by 8:00 p.m. Rudy was with Steve’s parents trying to contact his friends to see if they had heard from him. When Rudy went to the kitchen for some much needed coffee Jim confronted him, “Do you think Steve is so depressed he would hurt himself?”

At first Rudy did not know how to respond to the valid question then replied, “I honestly don’t know Jim. He’s been doing okay these last few months I would hope he just needed some time alone.” Jim just nodded absently when Rudy interjected, “I don’t see any items for the baby in the house. Does Steve ever talk about his child?”

“No, not to me or Helen. When we bring it up he shuts down or changes the subject. It’s like he doesn’t believe it’s true.” Rudy was afraid of that.

The vigil lasted all night. No one slept waiting for news to come from anywhere. At 9:00 a.m. Rudy left Steve’s distraught parents and went to Oscar’s office where they discussed any sinister reasons that might explain Steve’s disappearance. While there Rudy received a call from St. Luke’s Hospital, Steve had arrived as his usual time. Rudy placed a call to the Elgins before he and Oscar left for the hospital.

Jim was furious to find out Steve had appeared out of nowhere and did not even notify them of his whereabouts, allowing his mother to be worried sick. His patience was worn thin. Throwing on his coat he told Helen he was heading to the hospital to confront Steve. Helen was shocked at Jim’s unusual display of anger towards their son. He asked her to remain home until he returned and she reluctantly complied. It was time someone gave their son a stern talking to. On the drive to the medical facility Jim understood his son was in agony these past 9 months but knew he had to try to yank his son out of his despair for his wife and child. If his actions failed he would lose his son but he felt he needed to do it for his daughter -in-law and grandchild.

Oscar and Rudy were talking with Steve in the hallway. Steve explained his experience at the park. “Rudy I just can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.” He stated in a distant monotone voice leaning against the wall and staring at the floor. His friends tried to provide the support needed realizing that Steve was near his breaking point and they had no hint as to how to help him. They suddenly saw Jim Elgin quickly exit the elevator, his face tense with anger, heading straight for them.

“Oscar, Rudy, I need to speak with my son.” He swiftly reached between them and grabbed Steve by the arm pulling him toward Jessica’s room. Steve didn’t resist him. Rudy and Oscar exchanged worried looks as they weren’t sure what Jim had in mind but with Steve’s fragile state of mind weren’t sure his interaction would benefit Steve. They followed overhearing Jim’s reprimand before the pair even reached the room

“I’ve had it Steven! I am an extremely patient and tolerant man but your actions last night were the last straw. You had your mother in tears worried sick. When are you going to get it?” Steve just looked at his father before he was nudged towards Jessica’s bed. Oscar stood at the doorway while Rudy felt the need to be in the room in case he needed to intercede.

Nose to nose they stood Jim’s brown eyes glared at Steve’s dull blue ones and spoke in a barely controlled voice. “I’m not going to walk on eggshells anymore and I’m not here to give you some quaint fatherly advice. I’m going to talk to you man to man, husband to husband. I know you love Jessica with every fiber of your being. I won’t pretend to understand what you are going through but what I do know is you would cut off your left arm with a dull rusty knife if she asked you. You would die for her, that’s how much you love her.” He stared at Steve trying to elicit some reaction but Steve was numb, the light gone from his once expressive eyes. Steve didn’t comment which let Jim know he needed to push further.

Taking his frustration and tone of voice to a lower level he continued, “You made a promise to her, for better or for worse and my God this is probably the worst there is but you took a vow. She is depending on you to keep your promise and I have never in my whole life known you to break a promise especially one of this magnitude!”

“Dad, I…can’t.” Steve choked down the large lump forming in his throat.

“Don’t tell ME you can’t! Tell her! This isn’t between you and me it’s between you and your wife. Go ahead, look at her and tell her!” Grabbing Steve’s arm he turned his son’s toward his helpless wife.

“I can’t.” Was his tearful reply that began to break his father’s heart. Steve was drowning and Jim knew he had to stay strong to save his son from the downward spiral he was in.

“Then it’s time you took some responsibility. This child will not be an orphan Steve. Do you hear me? Jessica is expecting you to take responsibility. She’s depending on you, no one else, to raise this child. Any day now you are going to be a father, it’s about time you begin acting like one. That means pulling yourself out of this dark hole and being here in the moment both physically and emotionally.”

“Dad…you don’t understand…” Steve voice held all the pain he had been carrying since the shooting. There was a moment of silence in the room that was deafening. “I couldn’t save her.” He looked down at his wife, “I’m so sorry Jess. Six million dollars worth of hardware and I still couldn’t save you.” He began to sob and Rudy thought Jim had just crushed the last piece of sanity Steve was managing to hold onto. He worried that Steve may retreat farther from them in his attempt to stop his pain.

Jim stared at him worried that he just destroyed his only son when he got an idea. “Rudy, hand me that stethoscope.” Rudy handed it to him suddenly understanding. Jim handed the instrument to Steve who wore a confused look. “Put those in your ears.” Steve complied as Jim gripped the back of Steve’s neck and leaned him forward over his wife. Jim picked up the amplifier end of the stethoscope and placed it on Jessica’s lower abdomen. All Steve heard was a thump, thump, thump, thump…

“What is it?”

Rudy answered with a small smile, “It’s you baby’s heartbeat.”

Steve just froze listening to the beats as his tears fell upon his wife belly. He slowly removed the stethoscope from his ears and handed it to his father. He sank heavily into the familiar bedside chair and touched his wife’s face, whispering softly, “We’re going to have a baby Jess...Oh God, I’m so sorry. You know there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” He laid his head on her shoulder and cried. Rudy and Jim walked into the hallway giving Steve some time alone to sort out his emotions.

“Jim you had me a little worried there. In fact I’m still a little worried.”

“I’m sorry Rudy. I don’t know if that was rougher on him to hear what I said or on me for having to say it. Sometimes my thick-headed son needs to be confronted head-on.”

“I know. I tried that several times the past few weeks but it didn’t have any affect.”

“Maybe he just needed to here it from his father.”

“I guess so.”

They were interrupted as Steve exited the room, his head low. Taking a slow deep breath he looked at his father and friends with red puffy eyes, “I’m sorry I’ve been having such a difficult time getting my head above water. It has just been an overwhelming chain of events.” looking directly at his father his eye held their familiar light, “Thanks Dad.”

“You’re welcome son.” He wrapped a supportive arm over Steve’s shoulder, “Come on your mother wants to see you.” They headed down the hall together.

Earlier this morning Steve met with Oscar and Rudy in Oscar’s office. After the initial pleasantries Steve went right to the reason for calling the meeting and handed Oscar his written resignation. Oscar had a feeling it would be coming soon but having it in writing saddened him. Steve explained to his closest friends that with raising a child alone he could not continue as an operative for the O.S.I. He was taking a year off to be a father. After that he would decide what he wanted to do. Oscar read the formally typed letter, all the way down the signature at the bottom before commenting. He told Steve he appreciated his years of loyalty and friendship. He also stated he had no difficulty accepting his resignation under such unfortunate circumstances. Steve was relieved as he didn’t want to fight over the subject. Oscar asked if he could call on Steve from time to time, for consultation purposes only, on projects and such. Steve agreed knowing it might be nice to feel productive on occasion. Steve also offered Rudy his services for any advances he might want to try regarding his bionic limbs. It was a solemn meeting to say the least.

Now Steve was pacing the waiting room with Rudy, Oscar and his parents by his side offering unwavering support as he became both a father and widower in the same hour. Jessica had carried the child, with the help of medical science, to full term. The baby, from what they could tell, was full-grown and healthy. She was taken into the operating room 30 minutes ago. Steve was looking haggard from the lack of sleep the previous night. Rudy had waited until the day before to tell Steve the Cesarean section would take place saving him the suffering of anticipating his wife’s removal from life support.

In the last 2 weeks since Jim intervened, Steve had slowly adapted to the role of father-to-be in every sense of the word. He went with his mother to pick out the much needed nursery items. Everything had to be pink. No one could dissuade Steve that it wasn’t a girl. He knew, Jessica had told him, they would have a daughter.

His incessant pacing was interrupted when a nurse came to escort him and his entourage to the nursery. He was handed an adorable black haired, button-nosed bundle. She was absolutely beautiful. Steve beamed with pride as he stared at his baby girl when his father asked, “What’s her name?”

“Jennifer Marie Austin.”

“Oh Steve that’s beautiful,” His mother beamed as Steve explained, “Jennifer was Jessica’s favorite name and Marie was her mother’s name.”

Time seemed to stand still as Steve delicately traced the familiar face with his fingertip but his happiness was short-lived as Dr. Scanlon approached him from behind.

“Steve it’s time.”

Silence hung heavy as Steve just nodded and handed his daughter to her grandmother, accepting a comforting, one-handed hug from his mother. He walked heavy hearted with slumped shoulders to the operating room where he could hear the beeping of the respirator. He sat at Jessica’s head and stroked her hair. The bandage on her head long since gone but the intrusive tube remained, she appeared as if only sleeping, looking beautiful and angelic. The staff distanced themselves giving him some private time with his wife to say his final words, “Jess you did it. Our daughter is absolutely beautiful. She looks just like you, black hair, button nose and everything.” His tears flowed steadily as he choked out the rest of his thoughts, “I promise I will tell her all about you and us. You will never be forgotten. I love you always.” He kissed her forehead and nodded to Dr. Scanlon, who was standing a few feet away, who stepped forward. As Steve held her hand and stroked her face the neurosurgeon flipped the toggle switch and the respirator was silenced. Steve watched the heart monitor, the sound was turned off but he could still watch the pattern on the monitor as her heartbeat continued for a few moments longer. Occasionally a distant sniffle was heard from staff, who knew and cared for Jessica Conrad-Austin for almost a year. Steve didn’t notice them. He kept his eyes and hands on his wife, as if they were the only two people on the earth, until she passed on.

He wiped the tears that stained his face with his hand as he exited the operatory and headed down the hall, his friends and family waiting for his return. The wails of his new arrival pierced his ears and his heart, which was struggling in the aftermath. As soon as he stepped to his mother side she handed the crying baby to her father. The instant she was tucked in his arms she quieted. Oscar commented with a warm smile, “She definitely knows who her father is.” As Rudy, Oscar and his parents shared a nervous chuckle they watched as Steve gazed at his offspring. Steve agreed, “Yes, she is definitely ‘Daddy’s little girl.’

Two weeks later, Steve stood at Jessica’s grave staring at the pink marble heart-shaped headstone. He was adjusting to her death about as well as he was adjusting to single-fatherhood, one day at a time. He looked up when a long shadow fell upon the grass. He was surprised to see Dr. Jason Scanlon standing before him.

“Steve, how are you doing?”

“Okay I guess. I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Well your mother told me you were here when I stopped at your home earlier.”

Steve stood waiting for the explanation as Jason eyed the gravestone and asked, “She is a difficult woman to forget isn’t she?”

“Yes she is.” Steve agreed with a sigh.

“Steve I wanted to talk with you…about her.”

“What about?”

“While she was in a coma for the past 10 months I felt compelled to protect her right to privacy and now that she is gone I feel the need to share some things with you that might help you deal with this situation.”

Steve was intrigued where this was going. “What information might that be?”

“Steve, Jessica had a brain tumor,” He said bluntly.

“Brain tumor? Why didn’t she tell me?” His disbelief showing on his face.

“Because those of us who came before you didn’t handle it all that well.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Jason took a deep breath before continuing, “Steve, Jessica and I were in a relationship for 2 years during her residency. She began having blackouts and I finally convinced her to get testing done. An aggressive tumor was found and treated but it slowly came back. I couldn’t help but want to protect her and I guess I began to smother her and it ruined our relationship. We separated but she requested I become her neurologist. After awhile she met Philip and when they were getting serious she came to me asking if she should tell him. I felt she should and she did. He, too, became very over-protective and she broke it off saying he wouldn’t allow her to live the life she wanted. When you came along she told me she was deeply in love with you and she didn’t want to tell you feeling you would react the same way. Even though it hurt me to hear about her feelings for you I supported her. Please understand she didn’t do this to hurt you, she just didn’t want to be treated differently because of her medical condition.”

“I see” was all he said assimilating the information. After thinking it over he responded, “She was right I would have reacted the same way.” He looked at the handsome surgeon, “You still loved her didn’t you?”

“Yes. Yes I did.” After an uncomfortable silence the doctor continued, “I think you should know she got 2 of her 3 wishes.”

“What were those?”

“She wanted to die quickly. She was terrified of a painful lingering death. That’s why she had the Living Will drawn up. If the brain tumor would have grown larger she would have been lingering in pain. I know she would have preferred it this way if given the choice between the two. I can assure you Steve she was never in any pain, I made sure of that.”

“I appreciate that. What was her other wish?”

“She wanted to bring a child into the world.” Steve’s gut twisted at his statement. He choked out his final question, “What was the third wish that she didn’t get?”

“She wanted to live a long life. You are a very lucky man. You have her daughter and that’s more than any of us got. Enjoy her for both of you.” With that he made his exit as quietly as he came.

Before he got too far away Steve called out, “How long would she have lived had she not gotten shot?”

Jason turned to answer, “Maybe a year.” He saw Steve was struggling for control.

“So no matter what has happened she would still be gone.” Steve said more to himself then Jason

“Yes.” Was the doctor final word before leaving Steve’s presence.

Steve grief quickly resurfaced and he cried for his wife’s untold struggle. Touching the cold stone he quietly told her, “I don’t blame you for not telling me. I know why you did it. I love you Jess.”

He walked to his car thinking of the gifts Jessica had given him, herself and their child.