Baby Bella was a month old.
I felt myself weaken every passing day, Charlie moved in with me two weeks ago. I needed help getting out of bed now, help getting dressed. I couldn't cook or even get myself a glass of water. I had been able to hide it from Bo, but I agreed with Charlie that it was time to tell her. She and the baby were safe and loved, so it was only right.
It was time
Charlie and Chris were in the living room, changing the baby's diaper, leaving Bo and I alone in the kitchen after having dinner.
"Is Grandpa living with you now? Does he need help to get around?"
"Does he look like he needs any help?" I asked with a chuckle.
She shook her head and laughed.
"Listen Bo; I've been keeping some things to myself. Your Grandfather doesn't need help, but…"
All of a sudden, something felt wrong.
My chest didn't feel right; I wasn't able to keep the rhythm of my breathing, coming in short, quick gasps instead.
"Dad?" She asked, getting to her feet and coming to my side.
"I have to tell you." I persisted. "I didn't want you to worry, but you're happy now, grown, safe. You have a beautiful daughter… but I haven't been well."
My words came out, though they sounded wrong. Even to my ears, they were all jumbled together, letters coming out in the wrong spot.
"Daddy?" She yelled, and I could hear feet running into the kitchen.
"Oh, Edward, not yet!" Charlie cried out, grabbing me and telling Chris to call an ambulance.
"Daddy?"
My eyes drifted open and I saw Bo sitting beside me, the baby in her arms. What she wasn't able to see was my Bella standing behind them, smiling softly down at me.
"I'm so sorry." My voice was weak and more of a whisper.
"It's okay, Daddy; Grandpa talked to me and told me everything. I'm not very happy with you." Her voice cracked, reaching out to hold my hand.
"Forgive me?"
She stared at me for a moment, then looked at her baby, before returning her gaze to me.
"Always." She smiled.
I patted the bed, silently asking. She laughed, though tears streamed down her face, and got up, settling the baby beside me before crawling in on the other side. I wrapped an arm around them and felt Bo's around my waist.
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, Little Bo Peep. I always have. You've made me so proud. But I'm so tired, and I want to be with my wife. I've missed her so much… Grandpa and Chris will be with you and the baby, but I have to go now, Bo…"
I closed my eyes and drifted off, hearing Bella's voice faintly in the background.
…Little Bo-Peep fell fast asleep,
And dreamt she heard them bleating;
But when she awoke, she found it a joke,
For they were still all fleeting….
When I opened my eyes again, everything else had disappeared, and in my arms, was Bella.
"Bo, are you all right?" Chris asked softly from my father's bedroom doorway.
"I'm just finishing up; there are several journals in the desk I've never seen before."
I opened one, the fading scent of my father's aftershave filling my senses.
With hesitation, I began to read…
"Dear Bella..."
Fran, thank you so much for all your help through this story and the time you put into it! Thank you to all the readers and reviewers, for giving such a different story a chance.