My Past: Part 2 of 2- Change of Plans

Our life went from one big happy family to, why did it have to be us? We got the news a few weeks after Isabella's yearly examination that she had breast cancer. We were devastated to hear the news and spent that night crying in each other's arms.

Isabella had to get surgery to remove the lump and everything was fine until a year later. The lump came back and this time she didn't want another surgery. She wanted to make the best out of the time she had left.

"I want you to watch over our daughter. Make sure she's always loved."

"Why can't you just do the surgery? You'll get better and we can be one big happy family again."

"Because it's my time, Jackson. This is God's doing, to bring me to the other side. I can't stop what is meant to happen to me. Just know I will always love you."

That day she left me and I fell to the floor, holding her cold hands in mine, while the tears fell from my eyes.

~*~

The months that followed I fell into a deep depression. I locked myself away from the outside world, never leaving the house for anything. My brother-in-law did stop by to check up on me every once in while but mainly to see if Izzy was still okay and that the house hadn't burned down yet.

"Come on Jackson snap out of it. It's been six months. You need to be there for your daughter. My niece. She's getting older and she's gonna start wondering what's wrong with her daddy."

"Just leave Sam. I'm in no mood."

"You know Jackson, Izzy asked me the other day if her daddy was gonna be seeing mommy soon. You're just sleeping all day and doing nothing, she thinks you're sick like Isabella was. She's doesn't want to lose her daddy too."

"What am I supposed to do? Act like I never lost her and everything is okay? I can't, I just can't."

"No, but my sister would have wanted you to be happy and move on. At least get out of the house and do something with your daughter."

"Alright fine. I'll take her to the park."

"Good boy. I'm gonna go. You think you're gonna be fine by yourself?"

"Yeah. Yeah."

That afternoon I took Izzy to the park. I sat alone on one of benches while my little girl played with one of her favorite toys- werewolf bear. She loved that bear, she loved all things werewolves.

My eyes looked up from Izzy when I heard laughter in the distance. There just 5 meters away was a young mother with purplish hair, playing with her daughter, or at least I think it's her daughter. I instantly thought of Isabella playing with Izzy like that. Riding one of those spring riders, playing, and having a great time. I shook my head and looked back at Izzy. I didn't want to risk breaking down here, at the park where everyone could see and pity me.

I was concentrating so hard on making sure I wouldn't think about Isabella that I hadn't noticed anyone sit next to me on the bench.

"Adorable little girl you have. Where's her mother?"

"Gone." I said it quickly, hoping to make whatever conversation this random woman was bringing up end.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked. It's none of my business."

I looked up at the woman for the first time and saw that she was an older woman, around 40 maybe, I don't know. I've never seen her before which made me assume she was a visitor or maybe a tourist even. There's always new people coming and going on this little island.

"It's okay. I lost her about 6 months ago. We always wanted a big family but since she passed I lost all hope on that dream." I had no idea why I said this to a total stranger but there was something about her that made me want to trust her; like was my mother or grandmother or someone I could truly trust.

She gave me a warm smile, one a grandmother would give a grandson, and said, "Why give up the dream?"

"Ah, well I'm in no condition to start up another relationship, or even find someone who shares the same interests and have that special connection with like I did with my wife. Plus a lot of women nowadays don't want large families. They're always settled on 2 or 3."

The woman released a small laugh that was almost like whisper and looked at me like I was some clueless child. "There is no need for another relationship to have the big family that you want. Have you ever heard of the 100 Baby Challenge?"

I looked at her surprised. I've heard of the hundred baby challenge but something like that had never crossed my mind when I dreamed of a big family, besides I always dreamed of me and my kids playing on the front lawn of our house. "100 baby Challenge? But that won't help me at all. I want to keep my child, not have a bunch of children in a bunch of different challenges."

Again she released another low laugh. "Young man, I was referring to the male 100 Baby Challenge, not the female one."

"What? There's a male version? I've never heard of such a thing. That's insane! No man would want to do something like that."

"Oh there are men who would. In fact there are several."

I just sat there for the longest time thinking about what the woman had told me. What man would be crazy enough to have 100 children without a wife? Certainly not a man like me.

~*~

It was a long tiring day at the park but afterward Izzy was happy about seeing her father doing something other than sleep and cry all day. I came back with new found knowledge about baby challenges I never knew before, but the challenge was something I wouldn't even consider doing- ever. I planned on having a big family with Isabella, no one else. If I can't have a big family with her, then I'm not having a big family ever.

I closed my eyes and sleep came to me instantly.

I awoke a few hours later on the beach. It was light out and I could hear the sounds of the ocean and the animals. I rubbed the crust from my eyes as I looked at my surroundings. Where was I? How'd I get here?

I pushed myself off the ground and brushed the sand from my jeans, that I don't remember myself wearing when I fell asleep hours before.

I looked up and was shocked to see another person on the beach. She wasn't there a minute ago and I didn't even hear her walk up. It took me a few seconds after seeing her to realize that it wasn't just some random woman, it was Isabella.

I ran to her side and pulled her into a loving embrace. I was so happy to see her that I didn't think anything of why she was here and alive.

"Isabella, I'm so happy to see you. My gosh, Izzy gonna be so thrilled to see that you're well and no longer sick."

"Jackson no. I came here to talk to you, to help you. Understand?"

"Understand? You mean you're still sick?"

"No Jackson. I'm not sick. I'm fine. This is a dream, it was the only way for me to communicate with you."

"You mean none of this is real?"

"Of course it's real Jackson. It's really me visiting you in your dreams."

"Why'd you come?"

"I came to tell you that you need to do the 100 baby challenge."

"Wha-what? Why?"

"Cause I want you to move on Jackson. I want you to have your dream of a big family, so I'm telling you to do this. You need to heal and get over my death."

"But, you're the only one I want to have kids with."

"Jackson, all the children you have will be mine as well."

"But how do you know about the challenge Isabella? Did you send that woman to me? Did you tell her to tell me to do the challenge? Isabella I only want you."

"Jackson you will always have me. I will be with you always. I will watch over you as you do the challenge. I will protect you and all of your children."

"But-"

Isabella said nothing and pulled me close and gave me a long passionate kiss. It was so great being with her again and having her in my arms again, but that feeling melted away when she released her hold on me and started stepping backwards- still keeping eye contact.

"Isabella," I whispered, as my hand reached out to her, but she kept putting more and more distance between us.

"I will watch over you Jackson. You and all your children."

Those where her last words before she turned around and headed out towards the ocean, vanishing as she walked, until there was nothing left and I was alone once again.

My eyes opened and I was back home, in my room. I could still hear the sound of the ocean lingering in the air and I quickly looked to the clock on the bedside table.

3:00am.

I got up from the bed, hopped in the shower and put on a change of clothes. I started to pack my things and many other things as well. I needed to move, I couldn't live in Sunlit Tides anymore.

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Part 2 was a lot longer than part 1, so I hope known of you mind that and I hope you enjoyed what you read.
Thank you for reading and please comments are much appreciated. :)

Please stay tuned for chapter 1 which will come out sometime after Seasons is released. Thank you all!