Until Death Do Us Part

The antique store was filled with warm sunshine streaming through the front windows and reflecting off many of the shiny surfaces. The result was something that looked like a garden of rainbows had suddenly bloomed and taken over the confined space. Desiree smiled to herself, enjoying the beauty of this magical moment.

Saturdays had always been spent driving to quaint local townships and exploring their offerings. Sometimes Desiree and Pete would stop for lunch at a local cafe that offered tantalising treats, sometimes they would sit in the park and enjoy a picnic lunch. There were no plans, no schedules, just time together to enjoy each other's company and to escape from routine.

Like so many couples do, they met while studying at university and immediately became enamoured of each other. Pete was studying architecture and Desiree was studying psychology. Now that they'd graduated from university, they both worked long hours and looked forward to their Saturday outings.

Pete had lied to Desiree but he knew it was for a good reason. She believed he had gone to the sports store to look at camping gear that he would need for his upcoming weekend away with his brother. Camping definitely didn't interest Desiree, so he had suggested she browse the antique store until it was time for lunch. Knowing she would be distracted for hours, he took this chance to walk to the jewellery store at the other end of town. He had called beforehand, and they were expecting him. Today would be the final payment.

Filled to the brim, and overflowing with all kinds of wonders, the antique store was waiting to be explored. Beautiful, exotic pieces of furniture filled nearly all the floor space; frames, mirrors, lamps, statues, vases, and decorations filled anything left over. Everywhere she looked there was a treasure to find. But it was the double glass cabinet at the back of the store that caught her attention. Every shelf was filled with an assortment of snow globes.

Snow globes held an innate fascination for Desiree, and she had been collecting them since her mother had gifted her one on her sixteenth birthday. The globe held an underwater scene, with a mermaid swimming through coral and seaweed, blue and green glitter swirling through the water. Having been a water baby since birth, this gift held a special place in her heart.

The cabinet held every shape, size and colour of globe imaginable, but one, in particular, called to her. The globe was large and sat upon a white stand embellished with exquisite silver scrolls and vines. The scene detailed a romantic winter wonderland, with two lovers holding hands and skating on a frozen pond. Large trees were covered in snow, the sky filled with a silver moon, and wild animals peeped from between the tree trunks.

Feeling a little unnerved, Desiree realised the skaters held an eerie resemblance to both her and Pete. Peering closer, she could see that the features and hair colours matched perfectly, with long dark curls cascading down the woman's back, and short blonde waves on the man. It really was kind of spooky, but it had to be a coincidence, she thought to herself.

Turning around, Desiree found the shop owner standing beside her and jumped in fright. She hadn't heard the woman walk up behind her. She must have been heavily distracted looking at the globe, or else she had read too many mystery novels. Hearing her heart hammering in her chest, she took a quick breath, and said, "Can I purchase that globe, please?" pointing at the one she wanted.

The shop owner tilted her head and studied Desiree for a moment. The woman had silver-white hair piled on top of her head in a loose bun, and her sharp green eyes, stared intently, almost looking like a cat who is about to jump on its prey. "Is it for a special occasion or a gift for someone?" she queried. "I'm only asking because this is a very special globe and it's not just for anyone to own".

"I collect snow globes. I find them beautiful and fascinating," answered Desiree. "I received my first one when I was sixteen, and I have been adding to my collection ever since. This one will hold pride of place on my mantle because it reminds me of my partner and I. The similarities are rather incredible".

"In that case, I think it is meant to be yours," said the woman with a knowing smile. "Let's carefully wrap it in paper so it doesn't get damaged on the way home. And don't forget to make a wish when you tip the globe for the first time. That is very, very important!" she said with emphasis, staring at Desiree to make sure she had been heard.

Desiree was feeling a little confused by the woman's behaviour, but she handed over the money, reaching for the bag, and replied, "Yes, I will remember to make a wish the first time I tip the globe". Desiree really didn't think this was important at all, but she would humour the woman until she could leave the store.

The shopkeeper didn't smile as she handed over the bag. Instead, she put her hand over Desiree's and stated, "Do not forget the wish, and be careful for what you wish. Sometimes the universe listens very closely". The woman's hand felt papery and dry, like old parchment, fragile and crumbling, and it took all of Desiree's willpower to not pull her hand away. Nodding her head yes, in agreement, she turned and walked quickly out the front door, hearing it clang shut behind her.

Pete had told her to meet him at the pier that overlooked the lake in the park, at midday. It was ten to twelve now, so Desiree headed in that direction, slowly following the path through the now in bloom gardens. Rounding the corner that leads to the lake, she saw him standing on the pier beside a table and two chairs. On the table was a bottle of champagne, and a meal that looked and smelt delicious. "What's the occasion?" she asked, with a smile on her face. "Did I forget something?"

"Technically, you haven't forgotten anything, but it has been three years since we graduated university, so I thought I would make today special", he grinned at her. He took the bag from her hand and placed it on the ground. Pulling out a chair, he gestured for her to take a seat. He poured the champagne and sat in the seat opposite. Raising his glass he said, "Here is to three years of having you stand by my side as we create a future for ourselves. I couldn't have made it this far without you," he said, as he looked at the woman who held his heart in her hands.

Leaning over the table, Desiree placed her hands on either side of Pete's face and kissed him intently. Pulling away she said, "It works both ways. I wouldn't be here without you either. It has been an incredible three years and I wouldn't change a thing, " she replied, feeling like the luckiest and most loved woman in the world. Pete smiled back at her as they began to enjoy lunch and each other's company.

Feeling relaxed and happy, Desiree watched as a pair of ducks swam across the lake, heading towards the reeds on the far side. The sky was pale blue and filled with sunshine, and the birds had begun to sing in the nearby trees. Moments like this filled her soul with joy, and she wanted to savour that feeling. Turning to face Pete, she found he had slipped out of his chair and was kneeling before her. It took a moment for her brain to register what was happening. In his hands was a small open velvet box, with the most exquisite diamond ring she had ever seen.

"Desiree McDonald, I have loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you, and I cannot imagine the rest of my life without you. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" asked Pete apprehensively. Looking at the woman he loved, he could only hope her response would be positive.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!" squealed Desiree in excitement, tears beginning to flow from the corner of her eyes. She leapt into Pete's arms as he stood up, and kissed him until they were out of breath. He held her hand before him and slid the engagement ring onto her finger. Pulling him close and resting her head on his chest, she said, "I am the luckiest woman in the world, and cannot wait to become your wife and partner. I also can't believe you pulled all this off without me finding out."

For the entire drive home, Desiree was deliriously happy and unable to remove the smile from her face. They discussed telling their parents and friends, and who to start with first. With all the excitement of the day, she had forgotten about her purchase and did not remember until they arrived home. Seeing the bag sitting on the back seat of the car she exclaimed, "Oh, my snow globe!" as she grabbed the bag. "I had forgotten about it".

Once inside, Desiree headed for the lounge room and stood beside the mantle above the fireplace. Carefully unwrapping the globe, she removed it from the paper and made room in the centre of the mantle. As she held the base of the stand, she felt something tickling her hand, and without thinking, she tipped the globe over. Underneath, glued on the base of the stand was a small piece of paper, lifting at the edges. Reading the paper aloud, she frowned.

"On the day I come home, tilt and turn, make a wish, for what you yearn. Careful your choice, do not choose foolish things, for the universe listens, and you must pay for what it brings".

"What the hell sort of wish is that?" she thought to herself. It sounded more like a threat than something good. Rather than tempt fate, she decided she would make a wish. Thinking carefully, she decided to wish for her and Pete to stay together forever, through thick and thin, and to remain happily married for their entire lives. "Now, how can that possibly be a bad thing?" she stated to herself.

Time passed quickly, and the next twenty-five years saw them get married, purchase a house in the country, travel far and wide, love each other madly, further both their careers, add two cherished children to the family, and be the envy of most other couples. Life had blessed them with everything they could possibly desire. But all that changed on Desiree's forty-ninth birthday.

Pete had been feeling under the weather and with a little encouragement from Desire, had finally gone to see the doctor for some tests. She was worried about him. Although he had always been fit and healthy, his appetite had reduced, and he was constantly tired. Maybe old age was catching up with both of them? The doctor had called asking Pete and Desiree to come into his office. Yes, it was urgent, no it couldn't wait.

They bundled themselves into the car, trying to stay warm as winter had arrived with falling snow, and a chill settling in. On the hour-long drive into town, they had pondered what the doctor might have to tell them. The office was bland but warm, with nondescript prints hanging on the wall and a random collection of magazines on the table in the corner.

Sitting down in front of the desk, Pete and Desiree waited for the doctor to speak, but neither were ready for what the doctor revealed. He looked down at the folder on his desk as if he was trying to decide where to start. "Pete, I am so sorry to have to tell you this, and I wish I could be the bearer of better news, but you have pancreatic cancer. From the tests that we have done, it appears it has spread into your lymph nodes and lungs. This means treatment will only help to extend your life, not cure the disease," said the doctor in a clear voice.

Driving home, the wind picked up, and snow started falling faster, swirling and obscuring the view of the road. It was getting late and a storm was coming. Desiree could feel the tears trickling down her cheeks and tried to pull herself together. "I love you, Pete. You are my best friend, my rock, my support. I cannot imagine the rest of my life without you. I would rather be dead. I don't know how to live without you. This is not the way it is supposed to be!" cried Desiree, her voice breaking and the tears falling uncontrollably.

In that moment, the universe heard her pain. Pete, driving on the outer lane of a mountain road, went around a sharp corner and was faced with a speeding truck crossing over into his lane. Reacting by swerving sharply to the right, to try and avoid a head-on collision, Pete felt the car begin to skid on the snow and ice, and the brakes locked. Looming in front of the car was the road barrier and the sound of metal scraping on metal was deafening. The car did not slow, passing through the barrier, and flying into the air before plunging towards the lake at the bottom of the cliff.

It happened so fast that Desiree barely had time to scream before the car hit the lake at full force. The impact caused them both to smash their heads against the windscreen and fall into unconsciousness. Less than sixty seconds later the car was gone from view, covered and hidden below the freezing grey waters of the lake. Not even air bubbles made their way to the surface. Everything was silent and still.

Somewhere in the countryside, sat a snow globe on a mantle, high above a fireplace. The winter wonderland scene suddenly came alive, as two lovers skating on a frozen pond, grasped each other in a fierce embrace, the ice below them cracking suddenly, plunging them into the dark, cold waters below. The glittered snow swirled within and then settled. Nothing remained of the couple who would forever spend eternity frozen together in a lover's embrace.

Remember, every wish has a price to be paid.

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