For Katy, with love.

The Gift

Molly sat holding on to the pink blanket looking out the window of her bedroom. Her baby was gone; died before she took her first breath. We'll have other children, Arthur reassured her. It's for the best, others said as they tried to comfort her. How could they possibly know that, she thought bitterly. How is losing a child for the best? She shut herself away in her bedroom to mourn.

Her other children, Bill and Charlie weren't aware of what had happened. She was barely pregnant anyway, but she knew this was the girl they had prayed for; a little girl she was sure they'd never have again. Arthur told the boys to be quiet; mum wasn't feeling well. She'll feel better in the morning, he assured them.

Molly closed her eyes for a moment when she heard her door open quietly. She kept her eyes closed, praying that Arthur would go away if he thought she was sleeping, he wouldn't bother her and she had to be alone right now.

"Mum?" a small voice said. It was Charlie, her youngest.

"Not now, dearest," Molly said, "Mummy's trying to sleep."

"I brought you something," he said quietly.

She opened her eyes. Her four year old red headed boy was standing next to her. In his chubby little hand was a pink feather that he held out for her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she took the feather. "Where'd you get that? It's very unusual."

He shrugged. "I don't know, Mum, I guess the angel left it for you."