by Pam Johnson

Created on: April 29, 2009

A Bargain made

It wouldn't be long now. Soon the dark angel would claim Nina, leaving Judd Hyet alone after forty years. Alone with the shattered dreams of his youth and no hope of a second chance.

It was too late. Had been too late since he'd listened in stunned disbelief to Nina's terminal prognosis. And soon, more than likely, today, his beloved wife, his reason for life, would pass from his cherished care.

He turned away from the window, taking care to tuck the curtain back into place. The light tended to bother Nina's eyes when she was awake now, which wasn't very often anymore. She was tiring easily, drifting in and out of sleep at all hours.

An exhausted groan poured from deep in his throat as Judd padded on silent feet to stand over his wife. Keeping a serene face had aged him inside, but Nina didn't need to know his terrible grief. His suffering would make the passing all the harder on her. It wouldn't be fair, adding to her burden.

"Judd?"

"Yes, my own," his voice broke in a raspy whisper.

"Judd, are you here?" Nina's hand trembled as she reached out for him.

"Here," Judd gingerly took her paper-light hand in his, afraid he might crush the fragile bones. "Can I get you anything?"

Death clouded eyes opened. Her ravaged features brightened. Blue tinged lips turned up in a quivering smile. "I don't need anything, Judd. Except a promise."

"A promise?" Frowning, Judd unbuttoned his dark gray suit-coat before he settled in the chair next to her bed, never once releasing her hand.

Nina drew a shallow, wheezing breath. "You always look so nice, Judd. I can't remember a day you were not dressed to the tens."

"You mentioned a promise, love?"

"I did, didn't I?" She hesitated and smiled again. "When we met, dear Judd, you spoke of writing. You dreamed of writing a novel."

Judd grimaced. "We did a lot of nonsense talking back then, my dear."

"But... it wasn't nonsense, Judd. It was your dream and I want you to do it. I want you to realize the dreams you shared with me in our youth."

"Let's not go into that, Nina."

A spark of stubborn determination gleamed in her faded blue eyes. "Promise me you'll try."

"I have tried," Judd brushed a stray lock of silver hair from her eyes. "I can't do it. I don't have what it takes."

"But you do, Judd. It was me who turned you away from your dreams. Me who couldn't live with the uncertainties. I denied you the life you wanted. The life you deserved. That's why you have to try. Please, try again."

"All right," Judd said quickly, not wanting to upset

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