Rodger's pulse quickened and his knuckles whitened, holding fast to the steering wheel.   He cursed under his breath and wished he could get to the hospital faster.

                     “Please, come quick. I don't think Alyssa has that much time left.”  That was what his mother-in-law, Paula, said when she called.  The words kept echoing in his head.

                       I knew I shouldn't have left her!  Rodger thought, hitting the steering wheel.  But Aaron should have a chance to see his mother one last time.  

                       He peeked into the rear-view mirror.  His five-year-old son had closed his eyes, mouthing a prayer.

                       My poor Aaron.  Why does he have to lose his mother?

                       Rodger's vision blurred.  Alyssa had been battling leukemia for two years.  The doctors had been somewhat optimistic about her chances of survival, and she’d fought it valiantly.  Rodger had stood by her through the search for a bone marrow donor, the chemo and radiation therapy, and trial drugs.  Whenever her strength had faltered, he would encourage her not to stop praying for a miracle.  Everything had changed after her last relapse.

                       He recalled the doctor’s words to Alyssa.  “Your body has stopped responding to the treatments.  There isn’t much left we can do except to keep you as pain-free as possible.  I’m sorry.”

                       The past few months had been pure hell.  Watching his wife getting weaker and struggling to walk on her own had nearly killed Rodger.   It frustrated him knowing he couldn’t do anything but pray.

                        Rodger ran a shaky hand down his face and sighed.  How can I say goodbye to the woman I love?  She was the one who helped me, a cold-hearted man, to love.  She’s my heart.  How can I live without her? 

                        He glanced back at Aaron.  At least a part of Alyssa will live on in our son. 

                        Rodger pulled into a parking space in front of the hospital and cut the engine off.  He helped Aaron out of the car, and they walked up to the hospital together.

                        When they entered the lobby, he looked down at his son.  “Aaron, are you ready to see Mama?”

                        “Yeah.”  A second later he asked, his lip trembling.  “Is Mama going to Heaven now?”

                         Rodger swallowed hard.  “Yes, buddy, but she’ll be looking down on you.” 

                         “Like a guarder angel?”

                         He chuckled.  “That’s guardian angel.  And yes, she will be yours.”

                         They headed down the hall to Alyssa’s room.  When they reached it, Rodger saw Paula waiting for them. 

                         She wiped her tears with a handkerchief.  “Thank Heaven you’re here.”

                         “Thanks for calling."  Rodger rubbed his sweaty palm on his jeans, anxious to see Alyssa.  "Is she awake?”

                         “Yes.  Go on in.”

                         Rodger took Aaron’s hand and went into Alyssa’s room.  Lying in the hospital bed she seemed small and fragile, like she could shatter at any moment.  Her chest rose and fell as she took shallow breaths. 

                         “Oh, Mama,” Aaron said, tightening his grip around Rodger’s hand.

                         Alyssa turned her head.  “Rodger?  Aaron?”

                          Rodger and Aaron walked to the bed and kissed her.

                         “Hey, sweetheart,” Rodger said.

                         “Hey, handsome,” she said.  She turned her attention to her son who was in the bed on his knees.  “Hi, little man.”

                         Aaron threw his arms around her neck, and cried.  “Mama, please don’t go.  I love you.”                     

                         As Alyssa held him she breathed his sweet scent.  Rodger’s heart clutched, knowing it would be the last time. 

                         “Baby, I don’t want to,” she said.  “I love you and your daddy very much.  I need you to know I’ll always be with you.”

                         “I know,” Aaron said.  “You’ll be my guardian angel.”

                         “Yes.”  Alyssa caressed his hair, tears welling up in her eyes.  “Aaron, could you go to Meemaw?  I want to talk to your daddy.”

                         Aaron was reluctant to leave, but he scooted off the bed and sulked out of the room.

                         Rodger sat on the edge of the bed, took her hands in his and kissed them.

                         “I need you to do something for me,” Alyssa said.

                         He smiled, his eyes stung with tears.  “Anything.”

                         “Don’t grieve for long.  You’ll have Aaron to think about.  I want you to promise me you’ll go on with your life and find love again.”

                         Rodger stiffened and shook his head.  “I don’t know…”

                         Alyssa lifted her head, locking her gaze with his.  “Please, promise.”

                         Rodger sucked in a deep breath.  “I promise.”

                         “Thank you,” she said, placing her head back on the pillow.  “Remember that I’ll always love you...”

                         Rodger’s eyes widened as Alyssa closed her eyes and took her last breath.  Tears cascaded down his face.   He bent and kissed her forehead, and whispered, “Goodbye, my love.  You'll always be in my heart.”

                         After composing himself, Rodger rose and left the room.  Aaron was talking to a petite brunette woman, and he was smiling for the first time in weeks. 

                         He strode to his son’s side.  “Hey, where’s Meemaw?”

                         “She’s over there,” Aaron said, pointing to the nurses’ desk, “calling Granddad.  Jenna told me Mama will be better now in Heaven.”

                          Rodger inhaled a deep breath.  “Yes.  Your mama isn’t suffering anymore.”  He glanced at Jenna and smiled.  “Thanks for talking to Aaron.”

                          “No problem,” Jenna said.  "I'm sorry for your loss."

                          "Thanks."  Rodger choked back fresh tears.

                          “Hey, I made cookies and coffee for the patients and their families.  I can bring some to you.”

                          “I don’t want to bother you.”

                          “It’s no bother.”

                          “Well, thanks.”  Rodger noticed a pair of wings with the medical staff symbol on her collar.  “Nice pin.”

                          “Oh, thank you,” she said.  “It’s part of my uniform.  I’m a flight nurse.”

                          When Jenna walked away, Rodger looked down at Aaron. "Your mama is looking out for us.  She already sent us an angel."