A Far Cry Of Hope

Chapter 7: Afterward

Seven Years Later...

"Mummmy!!!" I heard her yell. Oh dear lord - what now? I got up from the counter and walked up the stairs and into the living room. Then I saw the mess, she'd made. "Oh for goodness sake Nessie!" I half yelled. My darling daughter had decided to decorate my living room, with poster paint and PVA glue. She was covered head to foot in red, blue, brown and green paint, with 2 paintbrushes caught up in her lovely bronze-haired locks. I sighed as her face crumpled.

"Don't you like it Mummy?" she said, her face pouting. I chuckled and walked over to her and gave her a cuddle. "No, you look so pretty when you pout sweetheart. Where is Marcus? Auntie Rose and Uncle Emmett will be here any minute. " I asked her. She scrunched up her face in concentration, a thing I remember her father doing. Sigh - her father. But I was interupted by the knock ont he door. "Why don't you clean yourself up alright Nessie? Then I can go see who it is." She nodded, gave me a kiss ont he cheek and ran upstairs to the bathroom.

I went back down to the bakery, and spotted Roaslie and Emmett from behind the glassed door. I laughed as I opened the door. Emmett had gotton himself a tie with 'I'm a player ....in BASKETBALL!' on it. He grinned. "You like?" He asked. "I love it!" I laughed. Rose gave me a hug. "It's so good to see you again!" she acknolledged.

"You only went on a month-long holiday." I muttered. Leaving your son with my daughter as well. I mentally added. She noticed that as well. "Where is Marcus?" she said and as she did Marcus came running down the stairs. "Marcus!" I scolded "What did I tell you about running down the stairs!" Roaslie laughed, knelt down and opened her arms and her 6 year old son flew into them. She hugged him tightly and inhaled his scent. "Mummy missed you sweetie" she whispered. "Hey!" Emett said. Rose let him go and Emmett grabbed him, swining him round the room.

"Hey! If his shoes fall off and hit anything on the shelf - your paying Emmett!" I warned, watching my shelf of special things. For some reason i felt I needed them in the bakery. Silly but I needed them around. One of the things was proberly my most treseured item. Rose grinned at me. She had long blonde hair, a kind round face and a smile to die for. She and Emmett were very tanned.

"So how your holiday?" I asked walking upstairs and they followed. We went into the living room which my daughter was trying to tidy. Bless her. "Nessie!!" Rose smiled. She jumped and an ear-spliting grin came on her face. "Auntie Rose! Uncle Em!" she screamed, dashing across the room. She too, like her friend flew into her aunt and uncle's arms. I chuckled, Nessie loved her aunt and uncle. But something, someone was missing.

Nessie turned to me "Can't auntie Rose and uncle Emmy stay round for the night?" she did her special puppy eyes. I smiled but thankfully Roaslie answered for me. "Sorry Nessie sweetheart, we only came round to see you and take Marcus home. We'll see you on Thursday ok?" Nessie sighed (again she looks like her dad) and shrgged it off. "Ok thenn!" and she hugged both Emmett and Rose goodbye. She gave Marcus a high five and followed me downstairs as we said goodbye.

"Do people like me just becuase I'm your daughter or becuase I'm me?" she asked, confusing me. I knelt down and kissed her on the nose "They love you because you are you. Your a special little girl!" She smiled warmly and her bright emerald eyes reminded me looking into the eyes of her father - who I seriously missed.

HOPE YOU ENJOY! :)