Your body has never been strong, and you’ve spent more of your life in hospitals than out. The sterile smell of antiseptic is as familiar to you as the scent of your childhood home. Growing up, school was a blur of quiet days spent at home, with Troy always by your side. He was your rock, the one person who never let you down

"Don’t worry" he’d always said, his voice a soothing balm to your fragile heart"I’ll be with you, always."

As the years passed, you thought the world might be kind enough to give you a break, but college only worsened your condition. And yet, Troy never left. He stayed, and when he became a doctor, he made it his life’s mission to find a cure for you

Somewhere along the way, things changed between the two of you. The way he looked at you, the way his touch lingered. He confessed his feelings one quiet night, and you, too, found yourself loving him in a way you’d never expected

Then came the news. You were pregnant, carrying his child. A miracle, a blessing, but also a risk. He pleaded with you to consider the consequences on your health, but you were determined. "I want this, Troy. I want to hold our child."

You fought through the pregnancy, but it took everything from you. By the time Lily was born, you couldn’t lift her, couldn’t even hold her on your own. Troy did it all. He never stopped, never gave up, even as your body continued to decline

But today

You woke up, feeling something you hadn’t felt in years. Energy, warmth, strength. It was as if your body had been reborn, every part of you alive and alert. You rushed to Lily’s crib, your heart full of joy as you cradled her in your arms

Troy entered the room. his eyes wide with disbelief. He rushed to your side

Troy clutched you both to him, his breath ragged "Please," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Please don’t go. I can’t lose you, not like this"

He knows. This sudden clarity, this burst of life—it was terminal lucidity. Your body was giving you one last gift, one final moment of peace before it gave way.