Annie awoke one morning to the strangest thing. Sandy was not in her bed, or in her room for that matter.

"Sandy? She called, waiting for her old friend to come into the room. Maybe he's in the nursery, she thought to herself, getting dressed and going to get Sam. She had taken the responsibility of getting Sam ready for the day some mornings, now that their mother was further along in her pregnancy. When she got there Sam was up and waiting for her, but no Sandy. She quickly dressed Sam and headed for the dining room. Where was Sandy?

Oliver was already down at the breakfast table when they arrived, followed closely by a very Pregnant Grace.

"Dad, Mom, have either one of you seen Sandy this morning?" She asked, giving Sam to Grace.

"I think I saw him out in the courtyard when I came down for breakfast." Oliver answered.

"Ok, I think I'll go check on him."

Annie started to get a bad feeling as she neared the courtyard. Why was Sandy out there?

"Sandy!" She shouted again, as she approached him. He didn't move. "Sandy?" She said, almost in a whisper, her eyes filling up with tears. She ran over to him. "Daddy!"

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Annie awoke, as she did every morning, except now without her best friend at her side. He had been there when no one else was, he was her best friend, and now he was gone. She went about getting ready, and then went to the tennis court. She had long since been better than the asp, but she still enjoyed playing with him.

After her game, she headed back into the house, carefully avoiding the courtyard. She couldn't go over there, even if it meant taking extra time to go around the house. Inside the house, Sam was playing with his blocks in the living room, while Grace was lying on the couch, reading a book. When Annie entered, Grace looked up from her book and smiled to her.

"Good Morning, Sweetheart," She started, sitting up on the couch and patting the spot on the couch next her. "Come sit down, here."

Annie sat down next to her mother, giving her a hug. "Morning, Mom." She said, looking at her little brother, who had abandoned his blocks and was now coming towards Annie. She opened her arms as he him jumped into her knees.

"How are you doing?" Grace asked, stroking the girl's hair.

"I'm ok." She lied. She did not want her mother to be worrying about her now.

"Annie." Grace said sternly, knowing that she was lying.



"I just… I just really miss him, mom." She finally admitted. "He was my best friend, and I knew that he wouldn't live forever, but…"

"I know. It's still hard." Grace finished for her, giving her a hug. After Annie had calmed down a bit Grace said, "Annie, why don't you go up and get changed for lunch?"

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Oliver, Annie and little Sam were in the library, Sam looking at a picture book, and Oliver and Annie playing cards. They were trying to keep Sam out of Grace's way. She was presently up trying to take a nap, but to no avail. Every time she tried one position, she was kicked in the ribs. So she would roll over, only to be kicked again.

"My heavens, how many legs does this child have?" She said to herself, sitting up and giving up all attempts at sleeping. It had been a long nine months, and it was almost time. She got up and made her way downstairs. Her back was in a lot of pain. A lot more than usual… As she went down the steps, she was overcome with a pain that made her have to sit down on the steps. Oliver had seen this from the library, and quickly ran over.

"Grace? Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.

"Oliver, I think it's time."