Hey guys! I did it! I finally wrote the first chapter of the sequel! I'm so sorry for the wait! This chapter was originally Futurenovelist887's idea and the title of this story is anynomous reviewer (Bob)'s idea. Thank you both SOOO MUCH! Please review! I'm also working on another story, so please forgive me if the updates aren't as frequent! Thanks! : { )

Carter POV

I'm not sure how to explain it. Mom's usually such a happy, carefree person. But today…today all I see in her blue-grey eyes is in-depth sorrow. Her posture is tight and tense and she didn't even bother to apply makeup this morning.

I thought this as I stirred around my Cheerios this morning. She stood in front of me, scrambling eggs in the frying pan. Her wavy, dark brown hair that I had inherited, framed her pale, angelic features. She wore a simple, yellow sundress that clung to her skin and bordered her slender hips.

Mom had slid a lock of her hair behind her ear and distractedly flipped the yellow eggs into the air. With my eyes never leaving her, I took a sip of my orange juice. Mom let out a huge sigh and I knew I couldn't leave the topic alone any longer.

"Hey, Mom?" I asked.

Mom jumped, flinging a spoonful of eggs across the kitchen. "Oh. Oh, yes, Carter?" She stooped to clean the mess off the blue checkered flooring.

"Are you okay?" Mom stood up and dumped the dirty food in the trash can. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked panicked. "Nothing, sweetie. Why do you ask?" "Well, you just look so distressed and sad," I told her, carefully watching her facial expression.

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

I shrugged. I'll find out somehow. "Okay, then," I said, jumping off the bar seat. "I'm going to go upstairs, now and get dressed." "Alright and tell you sister that her eggs are ready!" Mom called as I raced up the stairs and entered the hallway. I knocked on the first door on the right and opened it.

"Hey, Rosie!" I shouted into the quaint bedroom of my eleven year old sister.

In the midst of the crème and fuchsia coloring themed bedroom, stood Rosie. She was combing her shoulder length blonde hair. She turned on me.

"What, Carter?" she said. "I'm trying to brush my hair." "Mom says your breakfast is ready!" I screamed. Then, in a much lower voice, I whispered, "There's something wrong with Mom. She's all depressed and upset and I don't know what to do." Rosie ran over to me, her white skirt billowing around her scrawny knees and her pink t-shirt clinging to her chest and stomach. "What?" she cried. "Oh, poor mommy!" "Calm down," I told her. "I need you to distract her-" "Why?" Rosie wanted to know.

"Because I'm going into the attic-" "The attic?" gasped Rosie. "Carter, you know Mom doesn't like us going in there." "I know. But there must be something pretty important stashed up there or else Mom would let us go in, don't you think? Now, just keep her in the kitchen until I come down. Alright?" I said.

Rosie rubbed her elbows. "I don't know. Mom wouldn't approve." "You want to cheer up Mom, don't you?"

"I guess," sighed Rosie. "But if I get in trouble, I'm blaming it on you." I laughed and ruffled my sister's hair. "Thanks, Rosie!" I know a lot of siblings don't get along. They bicker and such, but it's kind of impossible for us to do with a mom like, well, Mom. She makes us appreciate the bond we have and she has such a…unique way of making us happy with what we have.

I glanced down the hall as I neared my bedroom, making sure Rosie had gone into the kitchen. With that, I pushed open my door. My room is a lot messier then my sister's. I have a bunk bed that stands tall over the huge desk piled with paper and spare bronze, below it. On the wall, are inventions I created. The carpet is cluttered with filthy clothes.

I darted over to my desk and dug through the huge pile, searching for my screw driver. I found the slender gold rod and tucked it into my pocket. I flipped off the light and raced out.

With a frantic look over my shoulder, I pulled the cord at the end of the hall and watched as the staircase slid down. I scrambled anxiously up the stairs and shut the door behind me.

I inhaled the musty scent and nearly choked. The air was stale and rancid, clouded with dust. Boxes piled throughout the whole room, blocking out the early morning sunshine.

I covered my nose with the collar of my shirt and sifted through the first box. I squinted as I held up a torn and yellowing picture. My mother was in a strapless magenta dress, her brown hair blown back by wind. Beside her, was a tall man with rippling muscles. His huge hand held her waist close to his as he peered lovingly into Mom's eyes. Behind them, a gorgeous pastel sunset glittered over the calm ocean blue.

I cocked my head. Could this mysterious man be my father? Mom never talked much about dad, except that I had hands like his. I bit my lip and tucked the picture into my pocket as I moved to the next box.

Written on the top in Sharpie was 'Hospital Memories'. I tore the brown tape off and ripped open the flaps. I pulled out a moth-eaten teddy bear with a pink ribbon tied around it's neck. The box also contained several notebooks, a photo of Mom at seven years old, a broken pencil and a birthday hat.

I sighed. Nothing in there. Just as I took a step forward, something bright orange caught my eye. A beanie hat. I lifted it out, tenderly caressing the gentle stitching. White paper peeked out from inside. Letters.

I crouched on the filthy wooden floor and opened the first letter. I skimmed to the bottom. 'Love, Rose'. Rose? As in, my sister, Rose?

I flipped through the rest of the papers and found the signature at the end of every one. My heart was beating fast as I stood back up and picked up one of the notebooks. I turned to the last page. The date is June eleventh…That's today's date.

Rose is gone. I can't write much. Too sad.

Christi

Gone? As in…dead? I decided that this newfound discovery is too much to bear. I gathered up the letters, notebook and beanie and race down the steps of the attic. "MOM!" I screamed, barreling into the kitchen.

"Carter?" Rosie said, her eyes flickering between Mom and I.

"Honey, what's wrong?" demanded Mom, untying her apron and racing over. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the items I held in my hands.

- Christi POV

The second I caught sight of the neon hat and crumpled papers, I couldn't breathe. "C-Carter," I spat out. "Where did you get those?" "The attic-" "The attic?" I cried. "I've told you numerous times not to go in there!" I rarely yell at my daughters, but the fact that they deliberately denied my warnings, really makes me mad. Especially considering what Carter found.

"Mom, I'm sorry," Carter said. "What's this stuff? Who's Rose?" I felt tears coming on and turned to face the wall. "Go to your rooms," I told them flatly.

"But Mom-" protested Rosie.

"Go!" I shouted.

Rosie and Carter exchanged sorrowful glances. "Here." Carter placed the letters and hat on the countertop and followed Rosie up the stairs.

I take a couple minutes to compose myself, sucking in air that taste vaguely of bacon. Finally, I scrounge up enough courage to finger the edges of the letters that taught me so much…yet starved me of contentment.

The letter on top sends me into an immediate and vivid flashback.

I was sitting in a rocking chair, cradling four month year old Carter. The plush white room is only illuminated by faint moonlight. I move a tuft of fuzzy brown hair out of Carter's closed eyes and climb slowly to my feet.

My foot bumped something and I look down to see a box that has neglected to be unpacked. I laid Carter in her crib and knelt to quietly pry the tape off the top.

My breath hitched as I saw several unopened envelopes. I lifted one out softly and read the title. First Child.

Before I knew what was happening, my fingers had broken the close and had pulled the crisp, white letter out. I forced myself to read it, despite the fresh tears that blossomed in my eyes.

Christi,

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! You had a baby! A BABY! Oh, congratulations! I wonder if it's a girl or a boy…You have been blessed with one of the greatest honors; You've given life. You've created another human being whom you can pass on the life lessons you have learned, yourself.

Not only will this child carry on the human race, but it will also teach others what you have learned. Pretty soon, the baby will have a family of it's own. And then your grandchildren will have families of their own.

Face it, Christi, you're only a couple years away from being an old lady! I'm just kidding. I truly hope that you're doing well in life. I know you will raise your child to the best of your abilities…I just regret I was unable to be there. Best of luck.

Love,

Rose

I smiled and pressed the letter to my heart, just as Carter's cries erupted the peaceful air. I rushed to her side and murmured, "It's okay, baby. I love you." I lurched out of the agonizing memory and pressed the letter once again to my heart. Then, taking a deep breath, I walked up the stairs. It was time to explain the meaning of life to Carter and Rosie.