1 PROLOGUE[ The strong bond of friendship]

Before she was born, Camille's dad, Joshua Dickinson made a vow to his wife, Laila Mathews that he would forever and always be there for her and their unborn little princess, and that he wouldn't let anything bad come their way so they would feel pain.

Hearing Joshua speak in a manner that Laila thought of as sincere and beautiful gave her a whole lot of hope that her husband would eventually shun away from his drinking and smoking habits and pull all of his focus to their unborn child and her.

On that day, August 11, 2008, at St.Jonas' hospital, where Laila had been admitted and monitored until her time of delivery was due, they romantically held hands and smiled at each other, spoke a few words to each other which led to a long impeccable kiss.

"I love you so much, Laila, and our daughter, Camille," he touched on her belly to feel his daughter. "and all of the bad things that I do, that cause you so much pain, I won't do them anymore. I promise." Josh said convincingly.

There was a long pause after Josh's strong words. They were still holding hands and looking into each others' beautiful eyes.

"I didn't know you gave her a name." Laila broke the silence. " I thought you'd wait until she was born.?"

" Camille. Such a wonderful name, isn't it?" Josh asked and kissed Laila on her forehead.

At this point, it all seemed to Laila Mathews that her husband had already started trekking on the right path—one that would give him total freedom from alcoholism and his smoking habits.

"You know what it means?"

"No, darling! It just came to mind and I thought of calling her Camille." Josh explained lovingly.

A few minutes later, Doctor Welkins walked right in. It was noon and he needed to check on Laila. He was accompanied by Keisha White( his favorite nurse).

Keisha and Laila Mathews became close. Keisha was gentle towards her and very motivating. Laila appreciated her true generosity.

"Am I interrupting something?" Welkins spoke gently and strolled towards them. Josh stood up and reached out for a handshake."Josh, Laila's husband." He said looking in Laila's direction. Welkins shook his hands and politely asked him to move out for he needed to check on his wife.

"I will wait outside then. please, I am one call away...if you ever need me to be here."

Doctor Welkins checked Laila's heartbeat and her eyes. Everything was the way he wanted them to be. He was done but left Keisha some notes having medicines that should be administered to Laila. While he walked away, he talked with Josh.

After a few days of quitting, Joshua had returned to his old ugly habits. Laila heard of it because Keisha White made her aware of it. She wanted to speak to her husband so badly, to tell him how much she loves him, and to plead with him to stop drinking and smoking for her and her daughter's sake. But he wouldn't show up at the hospital. His condition aggravated and he was getting out of control.

All that Laila could do was moan and blame herself for tying the knot with a guy she didn't know too well. He was a smoker, a drunkard, a good-for-nothing piece of thrash and she couldn't realize it.

She had to cry and cry so much that her beautiful eyes turned ruby red. Joshua died eventually at age thirty-five.

Laila spent the remaining seven months out of her nine months grieving and thinking deeply about her lost husband. Though she hated Josh for his habits to their very peak, she still couldn't erase his visage from her memory.

Whenever the moon appeared out of the dark clouds, she would turn on her cell phone and listen to all of the lovely voicemails he sent her until she fell asleep.

She was weak and it didn't help as far as the condition she was in was concerned. The feeling was disturbing and agonizing. Keisha should have been silent about Josh's atrocious condition. But why must she be? What comrade would Laila label her if she found out herself? She would get berserk, call her a traitor, and all of the bad names one could ever think of.

As wise as she could be, she didn't want to put herself in a tight corner. She loves Laila and wouldn't hurt her so their castle of friendship would turn into detritus.

Many may have seen Keisha White as a loudmouth, and her actions as interfering. After all, it was between two close people: a husband and a wife, and no third party was needed. But her conscience never allowed her to keep silent.

"I'm so glad you told me, even though I couldn't talk to him, I couldn't save my husband. The worst part of all of these was he making me fictitious vows: that he would always and forever be available when we needed him." Laila spoke angrily. She began to sob and Keisha had to do a motherly job of consoling.

"Don't eat yourself up, Laila. He understood the pain you're in, and yet he didn't care. That should ring a bell. He chose his path, Laila. If he doesn't want to take responsibility, you can't compel him to. Just hope it's all gonna be fine."

"After I am dead?" Laila asked, looking deeply into Keisha's eyes.

"And why would you think that way? Even if you wished for that, what about Camille? You're not gonna die. You will live to take care of yourself and Cami. Don't forget I am always here for you." Keisha said encouragingly.

It was nice listening to Keisha speak. All the words that came from her mouth were very warm like the ember, wrapping gently around her heart so she would feel no cold and scared and lonely.

It was evening and the moon was huge. Keisha had administered the evening drugs to Laila. She said farewell and was heading for the door.

"Don't go!" Said Laila weakly. "I want you to be by my side. I don't want to sleep alone. Don't wanna hear voices in my pillow." She added.

Keisha White was weary after the day's work, and she needed to sleep. But having Laila in the picture, she would not walk away when her friend needed her the most. She dropped the pain of medicines on the table nearer to Laila's bed and sat beside her.

"I am going nowhere. I promise you." She said truly.

It was 10 pm. After telling her friend a few stories, she eventually fell asleep. It was so beautiful watching Laila sleep. Her eyes were childish and her posture was innocent. Keisha also slept in the long run. How beautiful!

The bond between these two grew stronger by the day. They had begun sharing with each other their stories, stories that no one had ever heard of.

Lying in Keisha's wide arms felt like dwelling in paradise. She could feel protected and happy. Her agony died down and all that was joy rolled deep inside of her like never before.

And with all these Josh's issues that were in the picture, she was no more troubled

Yes, Keisha White was right. As grown as he could be, Joshua Dickinson had made his decision, made Laila and Camille aware of the fact that he didn't care. He went away when he was needed the most. What kind of father and husband would do such a thing? Was Laila Mathews asking so much that he couldn't bear the pain?

All night long, Laila dreamed a beautiful dream. She saw herself dwelling in paradise, in roses, and feeling God's radiant light falling on her. Her soul was happy.