41



Fox rubbed his eyes after making funeral arrangements for Angela. It would be a small ceremony. He felt it was only appropriate. Angela was not exactly a saint, but she deserved a proper burial. Theresa walked up behind Fox and rubbed his shoulders. "How are you holding up?" She asked softly.

"I'm fine." Fox said. "I'm just worried about Belle."

"I know." Theresa said as she bit her lower lip. "I am too."

"Daddy? Mommy?" Fox and Theresa heard a small voice. Belle was in the doorway rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She dragged a teddy bear in her right hand.

"What is it sweetie?" Theresa asked as she immediately went to Belle.

"I had a dream about my other Mommy." Belle said quietly.

Theresa bent down and held Belle's hands. "Was it a bad dream?" She asked as she smoothed Belle's hair out of her eyes.

"She told me that she was going away and that I should be a good girl." Belle replied.

"Where did she say she was going?" Fox asked as he walked over to Theresa and Belle.

Belle sighed. "She didn't tell me. She just said she had to go away for a long time."

Theresa looked up at Fox. "Maybe we should tell her now?"

Fox nodded. "Belle, honey, let's go sit in the living room."

Belle followed Fox and Theresa and sat in between them. Theresa held one of Belle's hands as Fox held the other. "Belle, we found out something today about your other Mommy." Theresa said quietly.

"She- she died sweetie." Fox said quietly.

"Dead?" Belle repeated the word in a whisper. "That means that she is gonna sleep forever, right?" She asked.

Theresa nodded. "In a sense, yes, she's going to be asleep for a very long time."

"She's not coming back is she?" Belle asked quietly.

"No sweetie. Her spirit had to go away, like in your dream." Fox answered.

"Her spirit? But what about her body?" Belle asked.

"Well, her body is still here, but it's her spirit that had to go away." Theresa answered.

"Can I see her?" Belle asked.

"Are you sure you want to see her?" Fox asked.

Belle nodded. "Please, Daddy?"

Fox looked at Theresa. "You'll get to see her, Belle. We're going to have a funeral for her. Do you know what a funeral is?"

"That's when you say bye to the people, and they're in a big box thingy." Belle replied.

"Yeah," Theresa replied. "In fact, we're going to have one for her in a few hours. You can see her then."

"Who is going to be at the funeral?" Belle asked.

"It's just going to be us." Fox answered.

"Little Ethan too?" Belle asked.

"I- I might just have your grandma watch Little Ethan." Theresa replied.

"I want him to be with us. I want us to say bye to my other mommy with my new family." Belle replied rubbing her eyes again.

"If that's what you want." Fox began. "Then okay."

Belle nodded. "It's what I want."

~*~



Angela's coffin was set up in the middle of a dimly lit room. Belle stood at the doorway and warily looked inside. "It's kinda dark in there." She whispered to Fox.

"It's okay." Fox said comfortingly. "Don't be afraid."

Little Ethan held onto his mother tightly as the family entered the room. "She's in there?" Belle asked.

"Yes," Fox said. "Would you like to see her?"

Belle stared up at the coffin. It looked so large and ominous to her that it sent chills up her spine. She nodded and Fox picked her up so that she could get one last glimpse of Angela.

"She looks like she's sleeping." Belle said quietly as she looked down at her mother.

Belle reached out to touch Angela's cheek. She flinched when she felt the coldness of her cheek. Belle reached for Angela's hand. She slipped her hand in hers. Tears filled Belle's eyes. "She was a lot nicer when she didn't take her medicine all the time." Belle said. "She took care of me, and even though she was mean to me sometimes, I still love her." Belle admitted. "She was my mommy."

"I know sweetheart." Theresa said.

Belle sniffled. "You're my new mommy now." She said.

"I am." Theresa nodded. "And I promise I'm going to the best mommy I can be."

"Mommy?" Belle said to Angela. "I hope you're okay now. I hope you don't hurt anymore, and I hope that you don't need your medicine anymore." Belle said. "I hope you are in a happy place because I don't want you to hurt anymore. I love you. I promise I'll be a good girl. I have a new mommy and daddy now. I'll be okay, and I hope you'll be okay too." Belle finished as she blew one last kiss to Angela.

As Theresa watched Angela, tears filled her eyes. "She's such a sweet child." Theresa thought to herself. Little Ethan reached out his arm to Belle. Belle smiled at her future little brother. "It's okay, little Ethan. Everything's going to be okay." She replied.

Fox kissed Belle's forehead. "Yes," He said quietly. "Everything is going to be okay."

~*~