Short story

He opened his eyes, blinking a few times until the room came into focus. Rolling onto his back he reached for her... for one brief moment he'd forgotten. She was gone, the reality hit him like a physical blow. Grief consumed him, he grabbed her pillow, crushing it to his chest.

His wedding band glittered in the sunlight, her face as she promised to love him forever, flashed before him. She'd looked up at him, radiant, so happy. She'd placed one hand over his heart as she'd made her vows. He heard the shouts and laughter of their families and friends when she'd impatiently whispered to the vicar, "Can we kiss now?"

The bedroom door opened. "Daddy, when is mummy coming home?" He got up and scooped their little girl into his arms. Huge dark brown eyes looked up at him, "Mummy is with the angels, sweetheart. Remember?" he stroked her dark tousled hair and tried to hold back the tears as she wrapped her little arms around his neck. "No she's not daddy." she whispered. She placed one hand on her heart, the other on his and smiled, "She's right here."