Soon, it was a week to my delivery, he suddenly came to me, hugged me in the living room, and thanked me. “You are giving me life even in death, Diana”. He said with so much emotion. I couldn’t bear it, it was too much, I just missed him telling him sweet things, “Jade, not having this time with you would have killed me, because I have always loved you. I thank the universe for giving me this opportunity, my love. Each time your sister, parents, and other relatives come around, I see the pain they mask. They spent the most time with you; not having this time with you would have killed me, my love.”

“Thank you so much.” He said, kissing me deeply.

He gave me a customized gold necklace that has a love-shaped pendant. And another one that was supposed to be placed inside another two to make a love shape.

I have no idea what it was until he explained that he told me to open it; it was actually a locket that had a picture of both of us.
When we put the ones he got for the twins together, it formed an almost loved shape with the center missing. The one he got me fits perfectly in it. I was speechless, and I simply burst into tears.

Thank you so much.
He smiled and held my hands, pulled me to sit with him. And said what I have been avoiding, “Gabriel is in on all of this, he helped me with all of it. He loves you so much and has asked to take the paternity of the twins when I’m gone. He’s going to make a big proposal when you are ready. I feel so sad that I stole you from him, but we are closer than that, and he is most affected by my illness, Diana. I hope getting together with him will be smooth.”

He caressed my hands and lovingly looked deep into my eyes and said thank you again.

Jade waited with us till the twins arrived. It was ceremonious and beautiful. The whole family was present, including my parents. It was truly memorable. Jade’s sister did a documentary of everything; she cried all through.
Jade simply held himself together for us. It was obvious he was already leaving us.

Jade’s sister and mother stayed with us to nurse the twins while everyone came and left.

Two months later, Jade was almost gone. He stopped talking, simply lay down, and was moved back to the private center. For the past three days, I haven’t left his bedside. Gabriel has been sitting just outside the door.

Today, Jade’s sister and mum brought the twins to the hospital; they won’t stop crying, so they were brought here.

It felt like he was waiting for them to come, cos he then opened his eyes when they were brought in. They, in turn, quieted when they were brought in.

These are really his children.
He woke up then and asked for water. He asked to be helped up. When he eventually spoke, he sounded so much like his old self.

I have never seen the twins smile, but they shared a moment with Jade. Children are indeed spirits.

He was made to lie down when he complained of being tired. Then, in the evening, when everyone had left to do one thing or the other, leaving just me with Jade, he coughed slightly and asked me for help to urinate in the container made for that purpose. I made an effort to help him up; it wasn’t hard because he was already frail. Then he hugged me and said thank you, and then I waited in that position for a while. Then it hit me, the airy atmosphere, and the gust of wind coming in and leaving. Something was awfully wrong.
“Jade,” I called quietly. “Hey, Jade? Jade! Oh my God, no”. He was gone, right in my arms. Gabriel came in in a rush, then the nurses, and Dr too. The rest of them were restricted from coming in. The hard part was getting me to leave him because I wasn’t letting go. No, he can’t be gone. I believed he was going to make it.

I told myself everything was going to work. No matter what, it was supposed to work. I didn’t say it out loud, but I had hoped for a miracle.

It was Gabriel who lifted me eventually. He carried me out because I had fainted. When I woke up, I was crying like a baby.

I had to be strong for our children and everyone.

Burial arrangements were made overnight. Jade had wanted it to be swift.

I had cried enough, only hanging on to Gabriel at the burial service. I had no strength to talk.

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