Eli carried Erin out to the car as she still slept on his shoulder. Clare walked behind to watch her; still afraid something might happen even though the doctors assured her she was fine. Erin moved her head from side to side as Eli bent down to put her in the backseat of his car. Clare had gotten into the front passenger seat groggily, still tired and sad. Once Eli got into the driver side he smiled reassuringly at her before he started to back out of the parking lot.
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Erin slept the whole ride home and even after Clare had brought her in and set her down on the couch. Eli said he had to go do something really quick and then they would move her somewhere more comfortable. Clare sat by Erin as she slept and rubbed her back to keep her that way. Touching her and feeling her heartbeat helped Clare remember that she was still there, still alive.
"Clare?" Eli whispered, snapping Clare out of her thought. "I got the room all ready. Do you want to bring her in?"
Before Clare could speak, Erin turned around and cuddle up against a pillow on the couch, hugging it tightly to her body. Clare smiled and Eli smirked behind her. Of course Erin would do something so cute at a time like this. She always brought some happiness to people.
"She's happy here and I don't want to wake her." Clare whispered.
Eli nodded as Clare snuggled down behind Erin and held her close. They had spent every night like this. Close together on a little space, aching for warmth. But this time they were in a nice clean house, with Eli draping a blanket over them. He rubbed Clare's arm, resisting the urge to
kiss her again, before leaving to sleep in his own room.
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"Eli? Eli."
Eli woke up to see Clare calling his name and shaking him like she shook Erin.
"What's up Clare? Everything alright?" he asked, sitting up lazily.
"Yeah we're fine. I just made some dinner and was thinking you'd want some. I hope you don't mind that I took quite a bit of food."
"No, I need to go grocery shopping anyway. What did you make?"
"Just some soup." Clare shrugged.
"Oh, it sounds great." Eli yawned, stretching before getting up follow Clare downstairs.
"Hi Eli!" Erin greatly excitedly, from on the couch.
"Hey, cutie." Eli smirked, sitting next to her.
"Are you going to eat with us?"
"Yep."
"Mommy makes the best soup." Erin smiled cheerfully at Clare as she served us the bowls.
"Oh really? Well I can't wait to try some." He smirked at Clare, making her blush.
Eli, Erin, and Clare ate in silence while the T.V. was turned on, playing Nickelodeon. Erin was laugh at Sponge Bob and Patrick, while Eli and Clare had a slightly less interest in the show. Eli was very much enjoying his soup and couldn't have his mouth empty. It had been so long since he had a nice, home-made meal.
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At the end of the dinner Eli was in the kitchen rinsing the plate before he was going to put them in the dish washer. Clare came in with Erin and hers plate. She took the rag from the sink and started to wash them, but Eli stopped her.
"I can do it Clare."
"No, I like it."
"You like washing dishes?"
"It's easy and calming. It reminds me of when I was little and did this with my mom." Clare explained.
"Oh, well don't let get in the way of your fun."
"You know, maybe I could pay you back by doing some work around the house?"
"Well, there's not much to do. I keep the house pretty clean."
"It's harder if you have a kid running around."
"If you want to. All I need is meals cooked and maybe some laundry done."
"I just want to do something."
"Well, I guess I better head off to bed. Erin has school in the morning and I want to drop her off. You need a ride?"
"That would be nice, yes."
"Alright, good night."
"Night."
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Erin was dropped off at school in Eli's car. Her mommy said it was a hearse and that it was what people who had passed away were driven around in. normally thing like that would scare kids, but Erin thought it was just a fun car. Eli made it fun. He sped up a little when driving, switched his foot to the gas and then break over and over, and he played whatever song she wanted him to, but he refused to sing with her. He said he would later. Now Erin was in school, sitting on the rug with Thomas the Train on it, in a big circle with everyone else.
"Alright class remember next week Friday is a Fun Day. Does anyone know what the Fun Day theme is?" her teacher, Mrs. Brice, asked.
"Bring your Daddy to School Day!" the class said in unison, all but Erin.
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During snack time Erin sat alone at the end of a table, not eating her crackers and milk, but looking down sadly and trying to hold her tears in. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Mrs. Brice walking over to her. She knew she looked upset all day, ever since it was made known about the theme for next Friday. She didn't want to talk about it. Whenever she was sad and her mom knew it she would talk to Erin. Talking made Erin cry and Erin didn't want to cry, she wanted to be strong for her mommy.
"Erin sweetie, why aren't you eating and why do you look so sad?" she asked sympathetically.
"I'm not sad." Erin choked out.
"Yes you are now tell me why."
"I don't want to." Erin cried, a few tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Please Erin? I promise I won't tell anyone. It'll be our secret. I just want to help you."
"I don't have a daddy." Erin whimpered.
"Oh, Erin I didn't know. Well what if we made bring a parent to school day?"
"No, my mommy can't get off work and everyone will know if you change it."
"Well, what do you want to do Erin?"
"I don't want to do anything," she cried, "I just want a daddy."
