A/N: Here we have a flashback to the morning to sort of help you understand the position I've put Laura in.
Laura had to admit, when it came to attacking an intruder her violin bow wasn't the best option. There was a broken curtain rod in her room, she should have chosen that. Sneaking into the kitchen she found a five year old trying to make a sandwich. "Oh Gods," She cried out as she turned on the lights. "Sophie, what are you doing?"
"I'm hungry Mommy," She sighed.
"It's two o'clock in the morning Soph," Laura sat down next to her and took the knife off her. She pressed a hand to her daughter's forehead. "How are you feeling Baby?"
"My head's hot," Sophie muttered as she held Laura's hand closer. "Can I sleep in your bed?" She moved to sit on her mother's lap, laying her head on her shoulder.
"Do you still want your sandwich?"
"Yes please," Sophie whispered.
"Okay," Laura spread the smallest amount of peanut butter on a slice of bread and folded it in half. "Hop up, I'll go get your teddy and put him in my bed."
Yawning, Sophie moved off her mother's lap and grabbed her sandwich. She nibbled at the crust before discarding it all together. "Mommy?" She called out, slipping down off her chair.
"Mommy!"
"What's wrong Sophie?"
"I don't want any more sandwich," She muttered as Laura reappeared in the kitchen with a bucket. "I go sleep now."
"Alright, it's okay Baby," Carefully Laura picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. She placed the bucket by the bed and tucked Sophie in. "Are you all snug?" She asked quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I want a snuggle," Sophie pouted.
Laura climbed into bed next to her and pulled her close. She felt Sophie wriggle against her to get comfortable and she smiled. "I love you Soph," She pressed a kiss on the top of her daughters head.
"I love you too Mommy," She sighed and tried to drift off to sleep. But thoughts ran rampant in her mind. "Mommy?"
"What is it Sophie?" Laura managed to ask as she yawned.
"Is Biks coming home today?" She murmured, pulling her teddy bear up between them.
"We'll pick her up when I finish work…"
"And Isaac?"
"He'll be with Biks, Sophie," Laura muttered, trying her best not to fall asleep before her daughter did.
"When's Angie coming home?"
"Three more sleeps," Laura yawned again and pulled Sophie closer to her. "I think, I'll check in the morning. Go to sleep Sophie."
"Mommy?"
"Mmm?" When there was no reply, Laura cracked one eye open to find Sophie fast asleep. She smiled and brushed a few strands of the child's hair out of her face. Pulling the blankets up around them, she slowly drifted off.
--
It took a little while longer to focus as she woke up. There was an alarm ringing near her head, and an unbearable pain taking over her chest. She tried to move but it wasn't as easy as usual. Her hand reached out and knocked the alarm off the bedside table, and she opened her eyes to find Sophie lying on top of her. Carefully she rolled her over and climbed out of bed.
"Mommy?"
"What's up Baby?" She muttered as she rubbed her eyes.
"I'm still tired," Sophie sighed, somehow managing to find her teddy bear with her eyes closed.
"It's not time for you to get up yet," Laura assured her, pulling the blankets up around her shoulders. "You can go back to sleep." She brushed Sophie's hair out of her face and kissed her cheek. After making sure she'd fallen asleep again, Laura quietly moved into the bathroom to start her day. She bit her lip as the pain increased and she held her hand against her breast. Closing the door, she staggered to the toilet and threw up.
It was not going to be a good day.
Her stomach grumbled as she sat on the floor, and the last thing she wanted to think about was food. Still her stomach persisted and she pulled herself to her feet. Turning to find the door had opened and Sophie was standing in the doorway.
"Are you sick too Mommy?" She asked quietly, a worried look in her eyes.
"Just a little bit Baby," She watched as Sophie's bottom lip quivered and she quickly moved forward to hug her daughter. "Hey, it's not your fault. I don't have the virus you have, Honey, I promise."
"I don't want to make you sick," Sophie cried against her shoulder.
"Baby look at me," Laura held Sophie's shoulders and forced the child to look her in the eye. "They're two different things, okay? You didn't make me sick. Nobody made me sick. But I'm going to the Doctor and he's going to make it all better."
Sophie pushed forward and flung her arms around her mother, holding onto her tight. "Are you going to leave me?" She whispered.
Laura's breath caught in her throat and she held Sophie just that little bit tighter. Her fingers ran up and down her daughter's spine. Time was what she needed. Time was what Sophie needed, and she didn't know what she'd do if she took that away from her child. But ultimately it wasn't her decision whether she lived or died. "It's okay Sophie," Laura tried to assure her, but her voice was weak.
"Don't leave me Mommy," Sophie cried. "Don't leave me. Don't leave me like Papa did. Please don't leave me…" Her pleading continued, each word breaking Laura's heart.
"Papa didn't want to leave you Baby," Laura said slowly, trying to hold back her tears. "And I'm not going to leave you, I promise."
Promises…
They held special powers over a child. With a single promise a child could feel safe and loved. All their fears just wash away with those two words. I promise. It provided a safety net for any parent who didn't know the answers, and in truth no parent knows all the answers. So they make promises, most of which they can't keep, because they know their child trusts them. If Mommy and Daddy promise to keep you safe, they will. The innocence of a child, allows them to love and trust freely. They put their faith in others, no questions asked. But sometimes their trust is misplaced, and sooner or later they will be let down.