Alternate Stacie Death Scene

Joe says: This deletion is my fault. Blake wrote this lovely scene, but unbeknownst to him, I'd written practically the exact same Psalm 23 scene in another one of my books, with an author I collaborated with. I explained it to Blake, and when he read the scene I'd mentioned, he was shocked at how similar they were. This isn't the first time Blake and I have written similar scenes independently of each other. It's eerie, really. Blake was kind enough to switch it with the other scene, which I believe was also lovely.

Stacie

IT was like someone dimming the lights from inside her head.

No pain, but so dizzy.

She could still sense her daughter lying asleep in the crook of her arm, though she couldn't feel a thing.

There was noise all around her, but Adam--sweet, wonderful Adam--his voice cut through, lips pressed against her ear.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."

Thinking, I cannot be dying. This is not happening. I'm a mother now.

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Please God, undo this.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

There's so much I want to experience.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

Nothing to do but latch onto his voice as the darkness flooded in and unconsciousness loomed like both the heartbreaking end and the answer to so many questions.

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I love you Stacie."

His voice fading.

"I love you Stacie."

She could feel herself slipping, and she didn't fight it anymore.

"Always, Stacie."