text: 16 years before I had just gotten off work more tired than usual. I was out of town for the next week because of work and that meant I had no idea what to do when I wasn't working. I didn't know anyone and didn't know any good places to visit, so I just sat on my couch watching TV and eating the snacks I had brought with me. When I went to the fridge to grab a soda, I realized I was all out. Which supermarket was the closest? I turned on my computer and searched. Turned out, there was a Walmart a couple blocks away. I got my keys and got in the car. The voice of the GPS lady was starting to annoy me, so I turned it off for the road. I entered the Walmart and started looking for the beverages section. I found it quite quickly and grabbed other groceries I needed to the motel room. As I was getting ready to pay, I noticed the cashier. She had liquid blonde hair rolling down her shoulders and her blue eyes were looking back at me. She scanned the items delicately, even though they weren't fragile, and I tried to get the courage to say something. Unfortunately, all I could do was say thanks and get out of there. That same day, at night, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met, and she had the most soothing voice Ihad ever heard. In that moment, in that day, I decided I'd ask her out. So, for the following week, I went to that same Walmart everyday hoping to see her and every day I would ask her for her phone number. She'd say no, always smiling, until the last day. In that day, as I was getting ready to say goodbye, she said she would give me her phone number and get a coffee with me, but only if she could bring a friend. I went home that day with the biggest smile on my face. She'd said yes! I delayed my return for a couple of days so I could get to know her. On our first date, I had asked the waiter to put a rose on her seat and some on the table. Thanks to my car, I was late and when I got there, she was sitting at another table. I smiled and said, "That's not the right one.". She looked at me confused and then I pointed at the other table. \- "That one. That obvious one with roses."- I said laughing. \- "Oh, I thought that was for someone else."- she giggled. We ate, we talked and then, at the en of the night, I kissed her. It took all my courage to do that, and I was scared she wouldn't like it, but for my relief, she kissed me back. I was reying to sleep that night, but I couldn't. I couldn't believe how well the date had gone. We spent the next days texting each other, and we'd go out every night. When I had to go back home, I called her and arranged a date. \- "These last few day have been amazing."- I said, trying to hide my anxiety about what I was going to say next.- "Unfortunetly, I have to go back home. I know we've only mat a few days ago, but I would really like if we could keep talking. What do you say?" She took some time to answer which made me almost open a hole on the floor and escape through it. \- "I'd love that as well."- she finally said.- "It's not everyday I meet someone as nice and funny as you. I'd love to keep talking." After a few weeks, we started dating. I was over the moon the whole time. She was so funny and delightful. I literally couldn't have asked for someone better. I'd visit her at least once a month and she'd do the same when she could. After a year, we agreed it was time for us to live together. We rented an appartment on the city I lived in since I couldn't quit my job. It wasn't the best appartment, but it was great with her living in it. On the first day we slept on the appartment, I woke up earlier and made breakfast. Then, I brought it to bed and surprised her. I started doing that every weekend as our relationship progressed. I was a little messy and was scared that she wouldn't like it and that it would lead to an argument, but she didn't mind. She'd make jokes here and there about it and I got better at it along the years that passed. She'd sing while cooking, cleaning and basically while doing anything. She had a beautiful voice and sometimes I'd just stop whatever I was doing and listen to her. She was trying to be a singer but hadn't had any success. I didn't understand how, though. She was absolutely amazing. I remember when I asked her to marry me. We had been together for 4 years and we were on one of the best stages of our relationship. We were close, intimate and had complete trust in each other, so I thought it was a good time to ask. I did it on a date nate. We had made reservations at a really fancy restaurant which made me think that she knew I was going to propose. We entered the restaurant and set on the table. I spent a good minute looking at her, admiring her beauty and she obviously got confused. \- "What's wrong?"- she asked. \- "Nothing. Just looking at how beautiful you are."- I answered. She blushed and avoided eye contact as she always did. \- "So, I have amazing news."- she announced. \- "What is it?"- I asked nervously, because the only thing I could think of was that she was pregnant. \- "I got a gig!"- she yelled. \- "What? Really?"- I asked, surprised.- "That's amazing! Congratulations!" \- "Thank you. You'll see it, right?"- she said. \- "Of course, I will. I wouldn't miss it for the world."- I answered. We ate, we talked and, at the end of the night, along with the desert, it had arrived the time to ask. \- "So, the last few years have been amazing..."- my voice started to crack because I was so nervous.- "Everything thanks to you. And I hope they have been the best of your life as well."- she nodded with her head yes.- "And so, as to prolong our journey and this happiness..."- I kneeled on one knee and she quickly realized what was about to happen and blushed again.- "... I would like to make you my wife. Anna, will you marry me?" She jumped out of her seat. \- "Yes! Of course, yes! Oh my god!"- she yelled and everyone in the restaurant started clapping. We kissed and hugged and told each other we loved one another. That night I went to sleep as the happiest man alive. I couldn't believe I was going to marry the girl of my dreams. I couldn't fell asleep and when I looked at her, she wasn't sleeping either. I guess the adrenaline of everything kept us both up. We spent the whole night talking and laughing. It was the best day I could ever have asked for. A year later, I found out she was pregnant. I was going to have a kid! I spent the whole nine months talking to the little guy and doing all sorts of stuff to make Anna as comfortable as I could. I'd cook her breakfast, pull her hair up when she was throwing up from morning sickness, went to all the appointments, etc... I had an image of what my son was going to be like and what personality he would have. I already loved him even not knowing him. Nine months later and on a random day at work, I got a call. \- "Hey, hon. Come home, please. I think my water broke." \- "What?! How are you so calm?!"- I said, clearly freaking out. \- "Calm down. I've read all the books and have watched some of my friends go through this. Just please come home. I don't want to be alone when the contractions start."- she said. \- "Of course, honey. I'll be there in 10min, I love you." \- "Love you too." I arrived home to find my wife wiping the floor. \- "No, no, no, no. You can't be doing any of that; we have to go to the hospital!"- I said. \- "Not yet. The contractions have to be 5min apart, I think." \- "You sure?" \- "Yeah." A few minutes later and she was screaming bloody murder. I grabbed her bag, and we went to the hospital as quickly as we could. The little guy would take 10 hours to come out. I spent the whole time with her. At 4am, she went into the delivery room. \- "Ten centimetres. You'r ready to go."- said the doctor. \- "Oh, God. This is it. Can he come?"- Anna asked. \- "Of course. It's actually better if he comes. You'll feel slightly more comfortable." \- "Good." My heart was pounding. I had absolutely no idea what to do. I had read all the books about what to do, but as soon as we entered the delivery room, all that knowledge went out the window. I was shaking. So happy I was going to meet him. \- "Push, sweetie. C'mon, you can do this. On three. One, two... three!"- I said. She was pressing my hand so hard I was afraid she was going to break it. She was yelling and suddenly... she stopped. Her hand went weak. I could only hear the doctor. \- "Wait, someting's wrong."- the doctor said.- "Help me, she's bleeding. She's bleeding a lot." My heart stopped. The nurse went to help the doctor. \- "I can't stop the bleeding. At this rate, we'll only be able to save the baby." The delivery room was full all the sudden. All I could hear were doctors and nurses talking, almost yelling. Abruptly, the ECG machine stopped beeping and started to make the most horrifying sound. I looked at it. My wife had flat lined. \- "What's happening?! Please save her."- I pratically yelled at the doctor while grabbing him. \- "Someone get him out of here, please! Mark, help me here! I'll try to save the baby."- the doctor shouted. \- "NO, NO, NO. Save her, please."- I cried. I ran to my wife. Somehow, I had gotten her blood on my hands. I was crying. I didn't know what to do. As I looked at the love of my life, I saw her empty eyes looking back at me. She wasn't moving anymore. Someone had taken her life way and mine went with hers as well. I looked behind me and saw the murderer. He was crying, yelling, completely oblivious to what he had done. I felt sorry for him, but I felt the rage pulsating through my veins. How could I ever have cared for him? Men carried him away while I cried uncontrolably on the floor. That day, that faithful day... that was the day I met the murderer of my wife. My son.