AN: This is just something that formed in my mind, and I had to put it to paper.
Disclaimer: Again, they aren't mine no matter how many times I've wished.
Ella
By: SentientMist
"Can I see Mommy now, Helen?" the tiny voice pleads.
Kneeling so as to be eye level with the three year old currently sitting on her bed, Helen gently tucks a stray lock of curly brown hair behind the girl's ear.
"Ella, love…"
Helen's chest tightens as she struggles to find the words.
"Ella…your Mommy had to go away."
"Is she coming back?"
She moves to sit next to the child, rubbing slow circles over her back.
"I'm afraid she can't."
Helen is surprised to hear the waver in her voice, but the revelation is quickly pushed aside as Ella begins to shriek, launching her tiny frame at Helen.
"No! I want my Mommy! Get my Mommy! I want Mommy!"
Pulling the little girl tightly against her, Helen murmurs meaningless words of comfort into her hair. And when Ella's eyes finally close in exhaustion, Helen lays down, cradling her to her chest.
She won't try to make it better. She knows she can't. But as long as Helen is able, Ella will always feel safe, loved. She had been responsible for Ally's death; the least she could do was look after her daughter.