"I never thought you would slip away, I guess I was just a little too late"

*Brent POV*

All I could hear was her screaming as she cried out in pain. The delivery was getting so bad that the doctor asked me to leave the room. I sat in the chair outside the room, shaking nervously. My surroundings started to fade as my mind racer, fearing for the worse.

Suddenly, there was silence. It was too sudden. My heart raced as a doctor walked towards me, her head down.
"Mr. Smith?"
"Yes?"
"I'm so sorry"
My heart broke right there. I lost two loves that day. I broke down crying, not caring if anyone stared.

Barry has to come pick me up. I knew there was no way I could drive home.
"I'm so sorry Brent" he said softly. I just kept crying. Nothing could fix this. Barry kept trying to comfort me, but nothing helped. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear from this dark world.

I spent the days leading up to the funeral in bed. I didn't eat, I didn't sleep, I just cried until I couldn't anymore. The day of the funeral was the hardest. I laid on the floor, staring at the ceiling, when Eric came in.
"Come on man" he said as he helped me up. He pushed me into the shower and left me alone as he got my suit ready.

After he helped me get dressed and ready, he drove me to the funeral. I still didn't speak a word.
"Hey man, don't forget we're all here for you" he said. I just stared out the window, feeling numb.

Family and close friends filled the funeral home. Everyone gave me their condolences but I didn't want to hear it. It wouldn't bring them back. I stared at the casket, wishing it wasn't them. This just isn't fair.

"Brent" I heard her call out. I panicked and looked around. Nothing. After taking a deep breath I decided to step outside. On the way out I saw her, holding our baby girl in her arms. Or at least, I thought I saw them. When I ran towards them they were gone.
"Brent, are you okay?" Zach asked. I looked at him before hearing her voice again.
"Over here Brent" she called out. I turned my head and saw her disappearing down the hall. I ran after her, hoping to hold them one last time.

I ran into an empty room where I saw them. She stood in the middle of the room, holding our girl tightly.
"Stay strong baby, for us" she said. I ran to them but they disappeared as soon as I wrapped my arms around her. I fell to the ground crying. When I opened my eyes, I saw a locket sitting in front of me. It was the locket I gave her when she announced her pregnancy to me. I picked it up and clutched it against my heart, hoping to keep them close.

That's when my alarm woke me up. I jolted up, terrified of the dream I just had. I looked over at the picture sitting on my bedside table. We took that picture days before that terrible day, her baby bump showing so clearly. Years have gone by, but I still missed them dearly. I clutched the locket I wore around my breath and smiled.

I had to stay strong. For them.