Distorted Hourglass Part 3

Stephan gets up off of the cold, tile floor and gazes at his daughter, just barely hanging onto life!  His little girl.  He notices a lot of his deceased wife in her.  The shiny black hair, the slender build, the ever-captivating hazel eyes.  Stephan pinches himself to be sure that he is not dreaming.  A knock on the hospital door averts his attention1

"Mr. Lockhart?  It's me, Jose? Sir, Charisse left this to me to give to you.  I hope she makes it, I really do!"  Jose says and walks away.2

Stephan opens the note ever so carefully.  It reads:3

Hi Pop,4

If you are reading this now, then hopefully I am in heaven with my mother again.  I pray that I am.  I could never tell you what I was really feeling inside of me for fear that you wouldn't really understand what was happening.    I had so many things going on inside of me I really didn't know what to do.  I guess I decided to take the cowards way out!  I didn't know how to explain to you how I was feeling because it seemed that the words seemed inmeasurable to describe my pain inside.  I was sick all the time if you hadn't noticed.  You were always at work doing cases and I was home by myself most of the time.  Thank gosh Jose was there to help lessen my pain and grief.  I also forgot to tell you that I was pregnant!  Yes, I was five months along and it was to be a little boy.  His name was to be Bayli Joseph after his father.  Yes, dad the person who gave you this note was his father.  Yes, Jose is his father.  And I am sure that Jose would have loved him and me.  He even gave me a ring and promised to love me and the baby and be there for us.  You might be wondering why in the world I would try to commit suicide when I was supposed to be happy?  I couldn't take it.  Anyway, dad, I am truly sorry for what I put you and mom through when mom was alive.  I truly am.  Maybe with me gone, you can go back to living your life.  I am sorry and I hope that someday you will understand.5

I love you Dad6

~Charisse~7

Stephan stands right in the spot he is at and is frozen to the floor.  He is in total shock.  He was gonna be a grandfather.  He could picture holding that tiny little baby and bouncing him up and down on his knee.  All of a sudden, you see a paper flutter to the ground.   Stephan gets on his knees right next to her bed, and does something he hasn't done in years.  He prays.8

Dear Lord  I know that I don't praise your name much and that I haven't prayed in a LONG time, but if you could just let my little girl live, then I swear to you, I will praise you everyday until the day I die.  I swear I will.   I ask this in your name.   ~Amen~9

Down Stephan's face slides a single tear that lands on Charisse's bedsheet.  If you look real close at her hand, you will notice her fingers starting to twitch.  Her eyes are starting to flutter their way open. 10

"Daddy?"  Charisse says?11

" Oh Honey!  I want you to know that I do understand.  I really do."  Stephan says as he slides his armsleeve across his skin to reveal marks from repeated attempts at slitting his wrists!12