Excitement and anticipation was all Selena could think about as she chopped the potatoes and put it in the water before turning the oven on. Afterwards starting up one of her husband's favorite meal, meat loaf as she diced the onions, added the seasonings and heard the beep to put it in. Getting more and more giddy as she was excited to tell the news, the secret she's been holding off all day to finally tell her husband having the present wrapped up and put on the table. With a cheery dance she was setting everything up, as serene and calm music playing softly in the background, the plates and drinks set out and desert; cupcakes set out on her favorite cupcake stand. The home felt warm and inviting with a beautiful look outside with the snow on the ground and trees. It was snowing harshly and doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon feeling antsy, Selena decided to text Adam telling him that dinner is ready and to get home soon. Everything was ready she thought while sitting at the table waiting to dine with Adam. 

10 minutes later than he normally is, she thought while checking the time. He must be driving carefully as it’s beginning to look more like a blizzard. As 10 minutes became 15 then 20 minutes she started getting worried sending message after message; Where are you? Why are you not replying? Are you okay? What's going on, call me back. Maybe he had to do more overtime and reviewed all of the clients documents and his battery might've died and he'll be back soon. 30 minutes already past and the pit in her stomach was sinking more and more in until after 2 hours she heard the door knock. As she rushed to the door to greet Adam assuming he might have his hands full and needed help she opened the door. Once the door opened her stomach dropped and felt her throat go tight she was only greeted by 2 cops at the door.

Are you Selena Smith? The cop that appeared to be in his mid 50’s and greying hair asked.

Y-yes I am, may I ask what this is about? Selena said getting more weary and feeling nauseous while looking at the badge showing his name as J. Garcia.

Can we step in for a minute? We have important information regarding Adam that you need to know about and it’s really not something to discuss at the door. Garcia said in a gentle way.

As Selena opened the door wider and stepped aside to let them in she closed the door and showed them to the living room to be able to sit and talk. 

Do you guys want any refreshments? I have water, lemonade, and soda.

No thank you Mrs. Smith, we are okay.

As Selena sat down and got comfortable Garcia started talking.

Mrs. Smith, I regret to inform you that your husband, Adam Smith, was in a bad car accident and unfortunately died from this accident. You have my deepest regards. 

Selena hearing the news started crying. 

How? How can this have possibly happened? She said in full anguish barely choking the words out. 

The blizzard caused the roads to freeze, when he was coming up the mountain and was turning, the car hydroplaned which made him crash into the forest and into a tree. We received a call later about this accident, by the time the paramedics arrived he was dead. He died a few minutes earlier. Garcia replied.

Why? WHY? WHY he didn’t deserve this-this can’t be true he was with me this morning he can't possibly be gone now. It could be someone else it must be. She said crying trying to deny what she heard.

Mrs. Smith, we ran the plates that came up under both you and Adam's name and when we checked the DL from his pocket we were able to identify that it was indeed Adam Smith. Garcia said sympathetically. 

Let me see him. I must see Adam. W-Where is he? Selena said in a whisper.

He’s located at the Charlies morgue that's 12 miles from here on Sunny and Robertson avenue. We can drive you there if you want. Garcia said.

As Selena took their offer and went to Charlie's morgue she saw him. Her teenage sweetheart, the one who fought for justice and peace to help people and fight against the predators in the courtroom, the one who saved with her and bought a house when they were 20 and fixed it up together, the one who was there every morning with a cup of coffee and his crooked smile, her Adam. 

After crying and staying with him for an hour Garcia and who she learned later as R. Hopkins drove her home and offered to call her friend or family if she wanted, in which she declined. Hopkins handed over a list of different resources she could contact if she needed help. As she waved goodbye to the cops and stepped back into her home now with the cold food on the table and left with a present he would never see; a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound showing 2 babies and a eucalyptus candle, the same type they got from when they first bought their house, with no furniture but a plan filled for the future and pure bliss. December 11 will be the day she felt time froze for her.