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Novel excerpts: Death of a child

by dead to me

Created on: April 14, 2008   Last Updated: April 28, 2008

Prologue
Dana turned around; her long midnight blue dress hitting the church floor, the last time she was here was for Harley's christening. She felt a tear roll down her cheek as she remembered the smile on her daughters face.
Only 4 years ago, she held her baby in her arms, the baby she carried for 9 months, was finally in her arms, the little daughter she dreamed of her whole life.


With her mothers golden curls, and her fathers Hazel eyes.

Dana looked up and down the church, the isle she once walked down holding her beautiful baby girl in a white silk dress, the same dress her little sister wore when she was christened.

Only a week ago, she could hold Harley; she would give anything to see her again.
Her baby girl now lay in a white coffin, her death finally came, the death they expected.

When she was born they diagnosed it, they predicted her death. It was her heart; it was not strong enough for her. Dana remembered the time it really affected her, all she wanted to do was play with the other children but she never got that chance, she was admitted to the Royal children's hospital in Sydney.
She never saw her home again.

Dana took a seat in the front as the funeral was about to begin. So many people flashed in the background, her tear stained eyes to much of a blur to see.
Her husband, Ryan, came and sat with her, grabbing her shaking hand.
The priest entered.
So did the coffin.

The funeral was quick, photos of a happy girl appeared on the screen.
That's my Harley thought Dana the happy beautiful girl.

When they carried the coffin out Dana couldn't stand it.
"Give my baby back" She screamed in-between sobs.
Ryan came behind her and pushed her sobs into his chest.
Dana cried, it was all she could do "They're taking our baby away, our little girl"
"She's our angel, she has wings to fly to heaven, and we will see her again" he whispered in her ear, tears rolling down his own cheeks.

The funeral ended with her small coffin being buried, her tombstone glowing of freshly inscribed lettering, Harley's photo smiling back at them from the coffin.
The words inscribed presenting a false hope of security.

"Never Forgotten
Always In My Heart
Forever There Since the Day You Part"




Dana wailed as her daughters' coffin was put in the deep dark hole of her grave, her voice sobbing with mumbles every time Harley's name was mentioned.

The wake was mournful; Harley was gone without living her life.
"Why not take me instead?" Dana asked her husband.
"I'm asking the same question, why Harley?"

They walked

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