Disclaimer: I don�t own these characters.
Danny and Michelle stood at the front of the prayer chapel, named in their baby�s honor. Today, it had been one year since the death of their baby. In their hearts, there was still sadness and pain, but they had discovered over the past year, that the sadness wasn�t only a reminder of their loss, but also of the joy Corey had brought to them, however brief it was.
They had come here, on this day, to promise their child, and themselves, that their life together would continue to grow. They had made so much progress in the past year. Michelle had gone back to college, and if everything went according to her plan, she would graduate in December, and go on to medical school. Danny was working as a corporate liason for Lewis Oil, a job that he worked hard at and was proud of. They had moved into their first home - a two story bedford stone house, on a two acre lot, located a few miles from town. It was a beautiful place, surrounded by enormous Japanese and Silver Maple trees, and Danny and Michelle had found such serenity there.
Outside the chapel, Ray and Drew stood, looking in at Danny and Michelle. After Danny divided the Santos family business activities among the other families, Ray confided to him that he hadn�t ever been totally sure about his decision to enter the priesthood. Ray had a giving heart, and it was in his nature to help those less fortunate than himself, but deep in his heart, he knew that he�d chosen to become a priest as a way of escaping the Santos life. Now that the threat was over, he could finally admit the truth to himself. He still worked closely with Father Tomas, and was involved in many benevolent activities in the parrish, but he was no longer a priest. And, it wasn�t long before he found romance, with Drew. Neither of them had been looking for romantic involvement. After all, Drew had only recently ended her relationship with Jesse, and Ray had just left the priesthood, but once it started, neither of them could deny it. They had fallen in love, and though they were taking things slow, Danny and Michelle were predicting a wedding by the same time next year, if not by Christmas.
"It�s just amazing what a happy life those two have built," Drew said to Ray.
Ray slipped his arm around Drew�s waist and replied, "I know. And it wasn�t easy. Tragedy could�ve torn them apart, but instead, they found strength in one another, and allowed the pain to bring them even closer."
"I�ve never been a big believer in a �higher plan� or anything like that," Drew said. "But standing here, looking at them, I have to believe that God was watching over them, protecting them. How else could something so good come from something so bad?"
"It�s truly unbelievable, I know," Ray answered. "I�ve learned a lot of things in my life, and one of them is to always appreciate the path we�re on, no matter how hard it becomes. It isn�t always easy, because so many times the road we�re traveling is a far cry from what we�d chose. But, in the end, if we allow it, something good can and will result from the bad times. Just look at me. I never thought I�d be this happy. I thought that in order to be safe and free of the Santos legacy, I�d have to remain in the priesthood for the rest of my life. I had accepted the fact that I�d never know real happiness, and the kind of love we have. But in just a few short months, my entire life has changed, totally and completely, and I have what I thought I�d never experience. And even though I had to endure years of fear and uncertainty, I wouldn�t change a thing, because those years taught me so much about myself, and about my life."
"Their tragedy brought us together, too," Drew said. "I know that it�s probably not a comfort to them, but I can�t help believing that their baby was meant to be. Corey�s life has touched so many people, in so many ways. Danny and Michelle are closer and stronger than they�ve ever been. You and I found each other. Carmen was finally punished for everything she�s done, and Danny, Pilar, and you are finally free of the Santos life. And you found your brother, Ray."
"Drew, I think it is a comfort to them," Ray said. "Corey isn�t just a baby that they lost, but a life that brought joy, to them, and to so many others. You see, Danny and Michelle have learned what we all must learn, if we�re ever going to have any joy and peace at all in this life. They�ve learned that no matter what the outcome, the joy is in the journey."
Danny and Michelle knelt at the altar of the chapel, hand in hand, saying the words of love that overflowed from their hearts.
"Corey, we want you to know that we love you, and we�ll always love you," Michelle said, as tears formed in her eyes. "You were our first child, and you are so special to us. We�ll always be sad that we didn�t get the chance to know you, but we promise to remember you for the rest of our lives. You will always be in our hearts."
Danny cried at the sound of Michelle�s voice, speaking so sweetly to their baby. How he had longed to hear her whisper soft words, as she rocked their little one to sleep. The pain of losing Corey would never go away, but Danny knew that their love for each other, and their love for Corey, would see them through whatever life handed them. He knew that remembering was the only way to truly deal with the hurt.
"Your life was precious to us," Danny said. "And now, your memory is our most precious possesion. Because of you, we�re different people, better people. Because of you, we will never take the blessings in our life for granted. Because of you, I am the man that I always wanted to be. We will always be grateful for the joy and the wisdom that you�ve given us."
As they stood to leave the chapel, Michelle looked up at Danny. "Can you believe everything that�s happened this year, Danny? Look at all the changes in our life. Look at who we are now."
"It�s because of Corey," Danny answered. "And because of our love."
"I would have never believed that so many good things would happen, as a result of our baby. But now, looking back over the past year, I can see so clearly how everything fits together."
"Our life is evidence of diving providence, Michelle," Danny said with a smile.
"After everything that we�ve been through, I can honestly say that there�s joy in the journey," Michelle replied.
"You�re right, Michelle," Danny said. "There really is joy in the
journey."