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| "Evie, I can't sleep." Evelyn sat up in her bed when she heard Maddie. She patted the spot in between her and Serena. Maddie smiled and climbed onto the bed. "Ni snores," she explained. Evelyn giggled. "I know he does, but that's not the reason you came in here, is it?" "No," Maddie said, snuggling closer to her big sister. "Why did Gramma have to die?" Evelyn was quiet for a few minutes, trying to think of a way to explain death to a five year old. "Maddie, that can be a very hard question to answer. I think it's because people need to be in a better place to watch over their families." "I see. Gramma couldn't watch over us all when she was here. We were far away. Now she's by us and even Grampa?" "You're right. It's going to be sad to think that we won't be able to see her anymore, but you have pictures, and you can always talk to her. Gramma will always be here," Evelyn said, patting Maddie's chest. "In my heart!" Evelyn smiled. "In your heart." Maddie let out a big yawn. "Come on, lets get some sleep." The little girl nodded and they laid down. "Evie." "Yeah?" "Is Daddy going to be okay? He can't see his Mommy." "He will be eventually, but lets try to make him remember the good times he had with Gramma. Deal?" Maddie nodded. "Deal!" ************** Nicholas found his father standing on the front porch talking with Serena. He glanced down at the soccer ball in his hands. He thought this would be a good way to let off steam. Nicholas knew that Harm would not only be upset, but angry. Hey, he was 10, not stupid. "Anyone interested in a game of soccer?" he asked with a grin. Serena smiled at him, and looked up at Harm. "What do you say, Dad? Me and Nicholas against you?" "Sure," Harm replied, "sounds like fun." Harm needed to lift his spirits as well as his children. And nothing made Serena and Nicholas happier than playing soccer with him. He followed them out into the grass. "You two kick off." Mac stepped outside to see Serena and Nicholas giving Harm a run for his money. She laughed as Nicholas slide tackled his father. "That's the way to do it, Ni!" Harm looked up at her. "You know, wives are supposed to cheer for their husbands." "Where does it say that in the rule book?" she replied with a grin. ************* Maddie cuddled up next to Evelyn as they watched Harry Potter. It had become one of her favorite movies. Hagrid was explaining to Harry how the bad guy (she couldn't remember his name) killed his parents. Maddie's heart jumped into her throat. Her Daddy lost his Mommy last night. Harry lost his parents when he was a baby. What about her? Was she going to lose her Mommy and Daddy too? She didn't like those thoughts at all! Not one bit! She couldn't breath, couldn't think. Where was her inhaler? She felt around for it, then noticed that Evelyn was saying something to her. "Maddie!" Evelyn exclaimed. "It's okay, Maddie, everything's going to be all right," she said as she looked around for the little girl's inhaler. "Maddie, where's your medicine?" Tears coursed down Maddie's cheeks as she tried to catch her breath and shake her head. She just didn't know where it was. Oh, was she going to die too? She didn't want to die! She knew how sad it would make her family. "MOM!" Mac rushed into the house, Harm, Serena, and Nicholas following. The twins and Frank came from upstairs. "Evie, what happened?" Mac asked, kneeling next to Maddie, trying to calm her down. "I can't find her inhaler." Mac looked up at everyone. They all nodded, and ran off in search of it. "Maddie, baby, it's okay, just look at Mommy's face. That's my girl." Mac placed Maddie's hand on her chest. "Good, now breath just like Mommy. You can do it." As soon as Maddie locked eyes with her Mommy, her vision went black. The voices sounded further and further away. *No,* she cried out to herself, *I want my Mommy and Daddy!* "Maddie!" Mac looked up at Evelyn. "She's not breathing!" |
