Three months after Timothy's death, Jasmine slowly made her way through the cemetery to his grave. She held a small bundle of sweet peas. She carefully lowered herself to the ground and stared at the maker. She traced Timothy's name with her finger and sighed.

"Tim, it's been three months since you left me here to deal with this alone. I can understand that you were scared of the police but why did you have to kill yourself? It didn't help anyone, and it's only made it harder for me... Oh, Tim... I needed you to help me."

Jasmine wiped away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks.

"You have no idea how shocked I was when Mark told me what you had done. And you will never know how mad I was at you afterwards!" Jasmine took in a large breath and let it out slowly. "How mad I still am at you. And no matter how hard this is for me to say, I know I need to say it. I will not hold what happened against you. I will never forget the pain, the hurt, the suffering that you've put me through... but I need to forgive you for what you've done and try to move on."

Jasmine looked up as thunder crashed over head. She got up slowly then turned and walked back to the car. Alyson squeezed her daughter's hand. "Feel better, Jazz?"

Jasmine smiled, sadly. "Yeah... thank you for bringing me out here."

Alyson smiled and hugged her daughter. "I'd do anything to see you happy again."

Tears welled in Jasmine's eyes again as she hugged her mother tighter. "Thank you, Mom."

†

Late one night, Mark and Tina were awakened by the phone. Mark cleared his throat a few times before answering with a groggy, "Hello?"

"Hi, Pastor Mark. This is Zoë. Sorry to wake you, but I just wanted to tell you and Tina that we are at the hospital right now and Jazz has gone into labor."

"Thanks, Zoë. We'll be down."

"What's the matter?" Tina asked as Mark hung up the phone.

"Jazz is in labor."

†

Esther was just finishing a late breakfast when her pocket began to vibrate. "Hello?"

"Hey, this is Pastor Mark."

"Hi, Pastor! What's up?"

"I just wanted to call and tell you that you're an aunt, Esther."

"I am!? Jazz had the baby?"

"Yes. Lilly Katherine Burke was born August 30th at 6:35 am, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 11 and three quarters inches."

Esther let out a scream and began laughing. "I'm an aunt! I'm an aunt! I have a niece!"

"Wow! Auntie Esther is excited!"

"Of course I am! Is Jazz there? Can I talk to her?"

"Sure, hold on."

"Hello?" Jasmine's weary voice came over the phone.

"Jazz, congratulations!" Esther couldn't contain her excitement.

"Thanks, Esther."

"How are you?"

"Tired... and sore."

"Was it that bad?"

"You don't want to know," groaned Jasmine.

"What does she look like?"

"Tina keeps insisting that Lilly is beautiful and looks just like me. I totally agree with the former but am not so sure about the latter."

"Oh, Jazz, I can't wait to see her."

"Don't worry, you should be able to see her soon. Mark and Tina are bringing her home later today."

"I can't wait. You get your rest, okay?"

"Yes, auntie."

Esther laughed, "I'll talk to you later."

†

Jasmine leaned back in the hospital bed with Lilly in her arms. Mark and Tina had gone out for a few hours and Jasmine was suppose to be resting. Jasmine sighed as she brushed her fingertips gently over Lilly's soft, pink cheek. She stroked the little fingers and Lilly grasped her mother's finger. Tears trickled down Jasmine's cheeks.

"Oh, Lilly. I wish I didn't have to give you away. But it's for the better."

Jasmine leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. "God, help me get through this. I don't want to part with my daughter, this precious gift. But I know I have to. I know I can't give her what she needs." The tears flowed freely down Jasmine's cheeks. "Is this what it felt like to give up your Son?" She let her finger trace Lilly's hand. "Is this how much it hurt? If it is, dear God, help me. Help me be able to let her go." Jasmine brushed her tears away and whispered, "Help me do what's right." Jasmine laid her head down and cried herself to sleep.

†

Later that afternoon, Mark and Tina prepared to take Lilly home. Jasmine held her daughter close. She leaned over and gave Lilly a feathery kiss on the cheek before handing the warm bundle to the Burkes.

"Thank you, Jazz," Tina said tearfully, as she hugged Jasmine tightly.

"Take good care of her, Mark," Jasmine said, as she hugged her youth pastor.

"We will."

Tina took Lilly into her arms and she and Mark walked out of the room, closing the door silently behind them.

I hope you understand why I did what I did. I wanted to ensure that you would have a wonderful home with loving parents, something I didn't experience. I will never forget you, my dear Lilly, and I will always love you.

Cesalie Chase: Thank you for the suggestions, the reviews, the EVERYTHING! Thank you also for being my reader and helping with my upcoming project.

Marie Ellen: Thank you for reading! I read your profile and am amazed that you reviewed not only once but twice! I'm honored! Sorry for the confusion... I changed the layout for the whole story!

To all my readers: THANK YOU! This is the last chapter of "For Lilly." I couldn't figure out how to post the surprise in here so I made a forum. Click on my profile and the link under forums!

May 7th, 2007

From the author who brought you, "For Lilly" comes a sequel

"Esther's Journal."

Read an exclusive excerpt from this exciting, new, loooong...

Oh dear, my announcer just quit. He got tired of reading. Anyway, I wrote another story and will post it next week! Here is a little part of it.

December 18th

Today we had a dress rehearsal of the Nativity Scene. It went really well until the sheep started singing “While By My Sheep” really loudly at the shepherds who felt compelled to yell at the sheep. Then the angels thought they should try to yell the shepherds down. Then the wise men tried to rap and break dance in their costumes. All in all it was not very successful. And we’re doing it next week too! I’m worried, but as Tina keeps reminding us, it’s not for the people it’s for God and He doesn’t care that we make mistakes.

Jazz still hasn’t told anyone what’s wrong. I’m starting to think I might know, but I’m afraid to say it. I think it’s because I don’t want to believe it. I don’t think Mom or Dad suspect anything yet. Mainly because they aren’t home that much, only on the weekends and even then they’re off doing their own thing. I really need to pray for Jazz.