Little Child Lost
Disclaimer: I really don't own it, I just like to 'fall in love' with characters or plots every so often.
Author's Note: I'm glad that people generally like this so far, thank you for your reviews!! ^_^ Reviews make me smile. I'm warning people now, I'm going to be kind of mean to poor Dennis in this story... (oh, and I apologize for any inconsistencies with the movie, like in the first chapter, but this is just what popped into my head and I'm enjoying writing it.)
As the images and emotions swam into Arthur's head, he realized part of what it must have been like for Dennis. Luckily for Arthur, however, no physical pain accompanied any of it. And then, the story in the picture formed into something tangible...
*
Marie smiled happily at her new son as they took him home for the first time. With a slight yawn, the baby blinked his bright blue eyes at her and Emily giggled from the back seat.
"He's really cute, Mama!" the little girl cooed. "Do we get to keep 'im?"
She chuckled, looking back at the 3 year old. "Of course we do, Em. Dennis is your new brother."
Dan smiled at his family in the rear-view mirror. They were life's perfect gift. All the problems of the past seemed to have completely vanished and the future seemed bright. The little boy in his wife's arms let out a small whimper-coo and Dan laughed softly. "Sounds like someone's impatient to see his new home."
Marie laughed as well, and Emily joined in, although she didn't know what was funny. "Well, we're almost there, little guy."
When the car pulled to a stop in the driveway, the Rafkins' neighbor hurried over to see the new baby. "Well, isn't he just precious?" Mrs. Jenks cooed, before turning to the boy's mother. "Oh, Marie, he's adorable."
"I know." She beamed proudly.
Emily pulled on Mrs. Jenks' sleeve, handing her the camera that her dad had given her for Christmas. "Miss J, take a picture? Please?"
"Of course, sweetie," the old lady grinned. "Okay, all three of you smile at that beautiful little boy!" There was a click as the camera took the picture, freezing a frame of happiness that wouldn't last. But, for that moment, all was right with the world and Dennis Rafkin was untouched by the sorrow that would rule his life before his second birthday.
*
The flash accompanying the second photo brought Arthur back to his office, staring at the photograph he had just been looking at. He knew what was behind it, had seen part of Dennis' life as a baby. Arthur realized he was sweating and closed the album as he heard the front door open and close.
"Dad? We're home!!" Kathy's voice echoed cheerfully through the hallway and she went into Mr. Kriticos' study. "Dad?"
She was instantly concerned when she got a glimpse of her father's distressed face. "Dad? What's the matter?"
He looked up and smiled at her. "Nothing, just thinking."
She didn't seem completely convinced, but let it drop. Her father occasionally had 'bad days' after his wife's death, and after the incident... Noticing the album he held, her interest was shifted, however. "Hey, what's that?"
Arthur blinked down at it. "A lawyer showed up today, a Mr. Miller." He saw the quick flash of uncertainty that shot across his daughter's face and hurried to reassure her. "Don't worry, he was Dennis Rafkin's lawyer. He'd left everything to Cyrus, and it consequently came to us." He held up to book in his hand. "This and some books."
Kathy didn't exactly understand everything that had gone on with Rafkin that night in the house, but she knew that he had somehow saved all of them. She also knew that Arthur had seen the psychic get killed by one of the spirits in an attempt to save Arthur himself. Kathy never asked, but she realized it seriously bothered her father and let it drop.
"I'm going to go cook, okay? I'll call you for dinner." She left, casting a worried glance at her father.
Arthur realized with surprise that it was almost 6, and wondered just how long he had been in the office. The smell of rosemary chicken wafted into the room (Kathy was learning how to cook for real) and he placed the photo album into one of his desk drawers. He'd think about what had happened later, but now he was going to be with his family. Arthur left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
*
Well, that was shorter than I'd though. I hope you enjoyed it. Review, please!!
Disclaimer: I really don't own it, I just like to 'fall in love' with characters or plots every so often.
Author's Note: I'm glad that people generally like this so far, thank you for your reviews!! ^_^ Reviews make me smile. I'm warning people now, I'm going to be kind of mean to poor Dennis in this story... (oh, and I apologize for any inconsistencies with the movie, like in the first chapter, but this is just what popped into my head and I'm enjoying writing it.)
As the images and emotions swam into Arthur's head, he realized part of what it must have been like for Dennis. Luckily for Arthur, however, no physical pain accompanied any of it. And then, the story in the picture formed into something tangible...
*
Marie smiled happily at her new son as they took him home for the first time. With a slight yawn, the baby blinked his bright blue eyes at her and Emily giggled from the back seat.
"He's really cute, Mama!" the little girl cooed. "Do we get to keep 'im?"
She chuckled, looking back at the 3 year old. "Of course we do, Em. Dennis is your new brother."
Dan smiled at his family in the rear-view mirror. They were life's perfect gift. All the problems of the past seemed to have completely vanished and the future seemed bright. The little boy in his wife's arms let out a small whimper-coo and Dan laughed softly. "Sounds like someone's impatient to see his new home."
Marie laughed as well, and Emily joined in, although she didn't know what was funny. "Well, we're almost there, little guy."
When the car pulled to a stop in the driveway, the Rafkins' neighbor hurried over to see the new baby. "Well, isn't he just precious?" Mrs. Jenks cooed, before turning to the boy's mother. "Oh, Marie, he's adorable."
"I know." She beamed proudly.
Emily pulled on Mrs. Jenks' sleeve, handing her the camera that her dad had given her for Christmas. "Miss J, take a picture? Please?"
"Of course, sweetie," the old lady grinned. "Okay, all three of you smile at that beautiful little boy!" There was a click as the camera took the picture, freezing a frame of happiness that wouldn't last. But, for that moment, all was right with the world and Dennis Rafkin was untouched by the sorrow that would rule his life before his second birthday.
*
The flash accompanying the second photo brought Arthur back to his office, staring at the photograph he had just been looking at. He knew what was behind it, had seen part of Dennis' life as a baby. Arthur realized he was sweating and closed the album as he heard the front door open and close.
"Dad? We're home!!" Kathy's voice echoed cheerfully through the hallway and she went into Mr. Kriticos' study. "Dad?"
She was instantly concerned when she got a glimpse of her father's distressed face. "Dad? What's the matter?"
He looked up and smiled at her. "Nothing, just thinking."
She didn't seem completely convinced, but let it drop. Her father occasionally had 'bad days' after his wife's death, and after the incident... Noticing the album he held, her interest was shifted, however. "Hey, what's that?"
Arthur blinked down at it. "A lawyer showed up today, a Mr. Miller." He saw the quick flash of uncertainty that shot across his daughter's face and hurried to reassure her. "Don't worry, he was Dennis Rafkin's lawyer. He'd left everything to Cyrus, and it consequently came to us." He held up to book in his hand. "This and some books."
Kathy didn't exactly understand everything that had gone on with Rafkin that night in the house, but she knew that he had somehow saved all of them. She also knew that Arthur had seen the psychic get killed by one of the spirits in an attempt to save Arthur himself. Kathy never asked, but she realized it seriously bothered her father and let it drop.
"I'm going to go cook, okay? I'll call you for dinner." She left, casting a worried glance at her father.
Arthur realized with surprise that it was almost 6, and wondered just how long he had been in the office. The smell of rosemary chicken wafted into the room (Kathy was learning how to cook for real) and he placed the photo album into one of his desk drawers. He'd think about what had happened later, but now he was going to be with his family. Arthur left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
*
Well, that was shorter than I'd though. I hope you enjoyed it. Review, please!!