It Could Happen To You - Part 3
Chandler turned to look at his wife. He stared at her, not quite comprehending what had happened. Shaking his head, he seemed to snap out of his trance. Slowly he walked over to her, knelt down and gently cradled her head in his lap and tried to wake her up.
The policeman felt really awkward. Glancing over at Paddy he mouthed that he was going to go. Paddy nodded and walked over to the door to hold it open. After seeing the policeman out he glanced over to Denny. Denny was sitting on the sofa, staring at his mum. Paddy knew that seeing her faint was making him upset and if she saw him upset it would make her upset. Grabbing Denny by the arm he pulled him to the playroom.
The playroom was probably the second biggest room in the house - the biggest room was the living room. Also the playroom was the only room which could be a bit messy. In the playroom was everything a child could ask for. There was a television and video, comfy chairs, a children's art set and easel, a dolls house, a play town with cars and trains, lego, barbies and action men. The children loved it and often spent lots of time down there.
"What's wrong with Mummy?" Denny asked his big brother.
"She's upset." Paddy told him.
"Why?"
"She heard some bad news."
"What?"
"You ask too many questions. Go and build something." Paddy ordered. Denny eagerly ran to the building bricks and labouriously took them out of the box one by one. Once they were all out he sorted them into colours, red, blue, green and yellow. Then he started building. A red square, 5 blocks wide byt 5 blocks square. and then yellow on top of that, and then blue on top of that and finally green. After admiring his master piece he jumped up and ran out into the garden. Paddy got up from a chair and followed him.
When Monica opened her eyes Chandler leaned down and gently kissed her. She smiled up at him and he leaned down again to kiss her on the lips. Helping her to her feet they walked over to sit on the sofa together.
"You don't think it's Ellie, do you?" Monica asked the moment they sat down.
"No, I don't think it is. I'm hoping that it isn't." Chandler smiled sadly.
"I don't know what I would do if it was her."
"I know what you mean."
There was a knock at the door. Remembering what had happened last time they had opened the door, they looked at each other a few times before Monica got up and walked bravely to it. As she opened it, a small, grubby hand thrust a bunch of daisies at her. Mystified she took them and then looked to see who had given them to her. Denny was standing there with a hopeful look on his face.
"Paddy said you was upset so I picked some flowers for you." He told her, shyly.
"Oh! They are beautiful!" Monica exclaimed and bent down to give him a kiss. "Thank you, darling!" She looked at her watch. "Young man, I think it's time for bed."
"Nonononononononono!!!!!!" Denny shrieked. He ran around and around. Monica just watched him. Normally she would laugh but not this time. Chandler noticed and went over to scoop Denny up. Chandler carried him on his shoulder, like a fireman, to the door and then turned to look at Paddy.
"I think you'd better go to bed too."
"Ok, night Mum, night Dad." He walked over to both of them and gave them each a kiss before making his way up to his room. He had wanted to stay up but decided against arguing with his parents.
Once Denny had been washed, brushed his teeth and gone to the toilet, Chandler was finally tucking him into bed. After reading him Thomas The Tank Engine, Chandler stood up to leave.
"Where's Ellie?"
"S-She's staying at a friends." Chandler told him. Denny seemed satisfied with this answer and rolled over to go to sleep. Checking that Paddy was in bed - and he was, reading a book, Chandler left, leaving the door open a crack. Walking downstairs, he glanced into the living room and decided that Monica had gone to bed. He turned around to go back upstairs then he remembered the dirty dishes in the sink. As he washed the dishes, tears were rolling off his cheeks and into the hot water.
It was probably at around 7.30 that the doorbell rang. Muttering to herself, Monica climbed out of bed, donned her dressing gown and walked down the stairs. Opening the door she was faced by two official looking people - one man, one lady - wearing smart clothes. The pulled out their badges and held them up to her face.
"Agent Edward Tiquan." The man said.
"Agent Regina Folie." The lady said.
"FBI." They told her in unison. Bewildered she held the door open to the them.
"Who are these people, honey?" Chandler asked. He had also heard the doorbell and had followed her downstairs.
"They're from the FBI. Um, how can we help you?"
"I'm very sorry to tell you this but the body in the lake is your daughter's. We did a blood and DNA test. I'm very sorry." Regina told them.
Monica stood there, trying to take the news in. Chandler walked over and wrapped his arms around her. Tears were streaming down his face but no tears came to Monica's eyes. Her expression was blank.
"Shall we tell them now?" Edward whispered to Regina. Chandler looked up, sharply.
"Tell us what?" Chandler asked through his tears.
"I know that this probably isn't the best time to tell you but your daughter's...death wasn't an accident."
"What?!"
"She was murdered."
Authors Note: Sorry so short! The next ones will be longer.