Edited and proofread by Angela Rasch

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The woman, dressed in black as she had been for the last four months, closed the door and turned back into the living room. She let out a deep sigh, and then crossed over to the mantle and picked up one of the pictures. She was everything. Words like wife, spouse, lover . . . only faintly described the roles, but not the person. They were soul mates.

The picture she had chosen was all the more valuable as it was of her, the children and him, looking at the beauty of the Grand Canyon . . . one of the many memories of the adventures the family had when the children still lived at home.

A light touch to her shoulder -- she looked up, smiled a wistful smile. "Oh, Harry. I love you."

***
The family was gathered for Thanksgiving dinner and she was surrounded by all of the grandchildren, laughing with them as they played hide and seek.

A daughter-in-law called out. "Come on in, dinner is on the table."

The dining room table was adorned with the good china, the "company" silver, and crystal glasses for each. The room was permeated with the tantalizing smells of the delightful dishes awaiting them.

When everyone had taken their seats, she asked their oldest son to propose a toast.

He raised a glass and said, "Happy Thanksgiving. Let us be thankful for this time we can spend together, and drink to those that we wish could be here with us still."

Feelings of love shared overpowered even the aromas of the meal, as she turned toward her soul mate's place at the head of the table. She raised her glass. "Happy Thanksgiving, Harry; Happy Thanksgiving to all my loves."

***
She sat in the first oak pew on the left in the rustic old church, which had been lovingly cared for. The minister waited with the groom, the ushers, and the bridesmaids, as their oldest granddaughter walked down the aisle.

A son solemnly matched his daughter in hesitation step, to the strains of "The Bridal Chorus."

The proud grandmother dabbed the happy tears with her handkerchief. "Harry, isn't she beautiful?"

***
She rested peacefully in the hospital bed, drifting in and out of consciousness, knowing what was coming.

A son was holding on to her wrinkled hand.

"Harry, my darling Harry, I love you."

"I love you, too, my dear."

All too soon, the son gasped. "Oh Mom!"

He cried as he placed her lifeless hand on her chest.

The doctors and nurses came in and the minister took the son's hand and led him out of the room.

A moment later, a shimmering light surrounded her body.

Waiting with joy as both lights, the soul mates were rejoined, and they became one. The merged energies shimmered in delight to be whole once again.

The combined light found its way to their son; he was with the rest of the family. The soul mates stopped and touched each of their family in comfort.

Their light dimmed briefly. "Goodbye loves. . . ." They mentally called.

Then, brightening, the light drifted towards the ceiling, out through the roof and up to the stars. Soon the light was lost as it danced with the heavens.

***
A time later, an eternity, days, or hours depending on point of view, the light came back toward the earth. Dividing into two parts, it thought, "Ready to play again?"

"Yes, my love, but this time I want to be female."

"Ahh. . . ."

"You were the last two times my dear; it's my turn!"

"I'll pout. . . . Oh, okay. . . . Don't play too hard to get this time!"

The lights went back toward the earth… and in different parts of the United States, two babies were born. Soul mates, on a new quest.

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Authors Note:
Many thanks to Angela Rasch for her great advice, as well as to my other pre-readers, Jennifer Brock, Mutabilis and Drea who helped me make sure I was not giving too much away along the way!

Kristy

Copyright (c) 2011. All Rights Reserved.