FanStory.com - Miracles - Chap 28by Begin Again

Rebecca sat in the hospital bed, her trembling hands clutching a bundle of yellowed letters. Tears streaked down her face as she looked up, startled to see a figure standing at the foot of her bed. She rubbed her eyes at the shimmering vision and looked closer.

"You're the girl in the photo," Rebecca whispered, her voice breaking. "It can't be." A chill ran down her spine as she stared in disbelief.

Allie smiled gently, her presence radiating calm. "It's me, Rebecca. I'm Allie, your sister."

"But you're —"

Allie chuckled. "I am, but I think you've already discovered there are spirits all around you who are here to help."

Rebecca's hands tightened around the letters. "I —I don't know if I can handle this," she cried. "It's too much." She stammered, "These letters, the truth — everything. It feels like my entire world has turned upside down. And now —" Her eyes widened, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Am I — talking to a ghost?"

Allie stepped closer, her gaze soft and understanding. "I know, Rebecca. It wasn't easy for me, especially when I learned about us. But by the time I learned the truth, I was already on this side. I didn't have the weight of the living world pressing on me anymore."

Rebecca shook her head, anger flaring through her grief. "How could our mother give us away, Allie? How could she tear us apart? We should have had the chance to know each other! To grow up together! It's not fair!"

Allie nodded slowly, her expression pained but calm. "You're right. It wasn't fair. But we weren't in their shoes, Rebecca. We didn't live in their times or face their struggles. I've had a long time to think about it, and I believe they did what they thought was best for us. It doesn't make it right, but it gave us each a life."

Rebecca's shoulders sagged, her anger giving way to a bittersweet sorrow. "I did have a good life," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Until the inheritance, I thought my life was great."

"Then hold onto that," Allie urged, stepping closer. "Be grateful for what you've had, but more than that, be grateful for what we have now. We've found each other again. It's not how we might have wanted, but it's something precious, right?"

Rebecca wiped at her tears, nodding slightly. Allie paused, her expression growing tender. "And one more thing, Rebecca. Accept Garth's love."

Rebecca looked up sharply, shaking her head. "Allie, I can't! He loves you."

Allie raised her hand, silencing her. "Listen to me. Garth is a wonderful man. He was the love of my life, and I can't imagine anyone I'd rather see him find happiness with than you. I don't want him to mourn me forever, Rebecca. I want him to be happy. And you — you can make him happy. You can give him the love he deserves."

Rebecca's tears fell as she met Allie's gaze. "But how do I — how can I?"

Allie smiled, a bittersweet warmth in her eyes. "You'll figure it out. Just trust your heart. Trust him. You both deserve a second chance at love."

As Allie's form faded, her voice lingered in the air.

"Be happy, Rebecca, for both of us. I must go now, but remember, I'll always be in your heart. And if you need me, look up and talk to me." Her voice grew strong once more. Rebecca, there's one more person, our grandmother, who needs to talk to you. Please listen with an open heart. She's waited a long time, and now her time has come. She needs you."

"Our grandmother? The one they — "

"Don't think of the past. Look forward, dear sister. Until we meet again."

Rebecca clutched the letters tightly to her chest, their fragile edges brushing against her skin as if they carried words and whispers from another life. Exhaustion and emotion overcame her, and soon, she drifted into a deep slumber.

Her dreams were vivid and bittersweet. She saw rolling vineyards stretching endlessly under a golden sun and two identical girls — herself and Allie — running barefoot through fields of wildflowers, their laughter echoing across the horizon. Unfamiliar faces, warm and kind, bent down to embrace her, their eyes brimming with love as they softly told her she was cherished. She felt the faintest memory of belonging, a life unbroken, where she and Allie had never been apart.

She stirred, her lips curling into the faintest smile as a strange peace settled over her, like a balm soothing a long-festering wound.

"Rebecca," a familiar voice called gently, pulling her from her dream.

Her eyes fluttered open, the vision of vineyards fading into the soft light of the hospital room.

"Eleanor?" Rebecca murmured.

"You have a visitor. She's waited a long time to meet you."

Rebecca's hand flew to her mouth, the letters slipping from her grasp as recognition and a lifetime of questions washed over her.

"My grandmother?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Allie told me she would come."

Miriam stepped forward, her smile quivering but radiant. "My darling girl." Her eyes shimmered with emotion. "Rebecca," she said gently, "I have waited lifetimes to see you, to say what should have been said long ago."

Rebecca clutched the letter she had been reading, her voice thick with emotion. "You left my mother behind. I don't understand how —"

Miriam nodded, sorrow etched into her ethereal features. "I did. Not because I wanted to but because I thought it was the only way to save my family. I was young and afraid, and choices were made that left wounds I never thought could heal. But those choices were made with love — though it was a flawed love."

Rebecca's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know if I can forgive you. Those choices steered so many lives down different paths." She gulped and turned away, murmuring, "I never knew my sister, my twin."

Miriam's gaze softened. "I don't ask for your forgiveness, my dear. Only for your understanding. And for you to know that you were always loved no matter the choices made. By your mother and by me."

Rebecca looked down at the letter in her trembling hands, her heart pounding against her chest. She took a deep breath and looked up. "I don't know if I'm ready, but I'm willing to try."

A serene smile graced Miriam's face. "That is all I could ever hope for."

The golden light surrounding Miriam began to intensify, growing warmer and brighter. Rebecca gasped, her tears turning to wonder as Miriam's form shimmered.

"What's happening?" Rebecca asks, looking at Eleanor.

Eleanor smiled through her tears. "She's been waiting for this moment — for peace. She remained, by choice, in this limbo, waiting. By coming to terms with you, Rebecca, she's finally free to move on."

Miriam turned to Eleanor, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for reaching out to me. You were the guiding light when I was trapped in darkness."

Eleanor nodded, her tears falling. "It was an honor, Miriam. And thank you for saving Matthew. We will be forever grateful."

Miriam squeezed Eleanor's hand. "He's got a rough road to travel, but because of him —" She glanced at Rebecca before meeting Eleanor's eyes. "His troubles brought us together. I pray God blesses the boy with happiness."

Miriam turned back to Rebecca, her voice a whisper. "Live your life with love, my beautiful granddaughter. Break the chains of pain that bound me. You deserve happiness."

As Miriam's form faded, her expression was one of peace. Rebecca reached out instinctively as if to hold onto her. "Will I see you again?"

Miriam's voice was barely audible. "I will always be with you, in your heart and in the love you share with others." She paused and continued, "I saw your young man. He struggles, but his heart is filled with love. It's yours."

And then she was gone, leaving behind a sense of serenity that filled the room.

Rebecca wiped her tears, looking at Eleanor. "She's at peace now?"

Eleanor nodded. "She's finally free."

Rebecca leaned back against her pillows, holding the letters close to her chest. "Maybe — maybe I can find peace, too."

Eleanor reached for Rebecca's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You will."

The door opened, and Eleanor smiled as she stepped aside to let Garth into the room. "I'll go check on Jenna," she said, her voice gentle. "You two have some time to talk." With a reassuring glance at Rebecca, she quietly left, closing the door behind her.

Rebecca's gaze locked on Garth as he drew near, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice quivered as she confessed, "I didn't know. Your heart must be in such a storm."

He moved to the side of her bed without hesitation, leaning down to wrap his strong arms around her. Pressing a tender kiss to the top of her head, he whispered, "For now, but we're going to be okay. It will take time for us to understand, but —" He pressed her hand against his heart. "Inside here — there's nothing but love, and I want to share it with you."

Rebecca pulled back just enough to look at him, her face searching his for answers. "Garth," she said, her voice cracking, "she was here."

His expression softened further, his hand cupping her cheek. "I know," he said quietly. "She was with me in the atrium too. It was her gift to us."

A tear slid down Rebecca's cheek as she rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. At that moment, their shared grief bound them together as she whispered, "Together — you and me."