Happily Never After

Summary: This story takes place ten years into the future. The characters in this story are as following; Will Vandom, Susan Vandom, Irma Lair, Anna Lair, Tony Vandom, Tom Lair, Taranee Cook, Theresa Cook, Lionel Cook, Peter Cook, Elizabeth Hale, Harold Hale, Lillian Hale, Chen Lin, Joan Lin, Hay Lin, Cornelia Hale, Cassidy, Emily, Yan Lin, Mira Lin, Kadma, Halinor, Chris Lair.

The girls have grown up and married, hoping to live happily ever after. But sadly, as reality tells us, there is never a happily ever after. Now the girls must live without a husband and an unborn child. Can they deal with this and still find true happiness? Or is their world forever lost in darkness?

PS: For my good buddies Cassidy the Water Sage and Cassidy Herrera, I added Cassidy to this story. She is a main character, so she goes under the whole summary. Unborn child? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

Chapter 2: Irma's Tragedy

Tom Lair drove his car up to his driveway. But strangely enough, there was another car parked right in front of the house. Tom arched an eyebrow, but shrugged off his shoulders.

Perhaps Anna invited a friend over, Tom thought mildly to himself as he opened the car door.

But, when he walked into the house, he heard soft crying.

Who could it be? Tom asked himself.

"Hello, everyone! I'm home!" Tom hollered, just like he normally did.

The crying stopped and Chris ran out of the living room, his face plagued with sadness and sorrow.

"What is it?" Tom asked his son as soon as he was in front of him. Chris lowered his head and mumbled something undetectable. Tom asked again, only louder. "Christ, what happened? What's going on here?"

Chris looked up, tears welling in his blue eyes. "Irma's home."

Irma? His daughter who he hadn't seen in what seemed like forever?

"What happened?" Tom asked, his voice cracking in fear. "Who was crying?"

"It was me," a familiar voice spoke from behind Chris.

Tom looked up to see Irma. Her cheeks were tear-stained and her eyes red from crying.

"What happened?" Tom asked as he rushed over to his daughter.

Irma's lips trembled for a bit, then she threw herself into her father's out-reached arms and sobbed heavily.

Anna stepped out of the living-room, her eyes also tear-stained.

"Martin's dead, Tom. He was killed in a car accident," Anna answered softly.

"Martin's . . . How . . . How did this happen?" Tom stuttered. Irma stirred in his arms and said, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't been in the car with him, if I hadn't asked for him to go, he would still be alive."

"Wait! You were in the car with him when the accident happened?"

Irma nodded and continued to sob in his arms.

Tom looked helplessly at Anna, his eyes pleading for an answer.

Anna sighed, then explained, "Martin and Irma were at home when she had a sudden craving for pizza. The nearest pizza place was ten miles down the Interstate, so Martin, being the sweet-heart he was, decided to take Irma since she is pregnant . . ."

"Hold on, Anna! Irma's pregnant? Right now?!" Tom interrupted, looked curiously at his full grown daughter.

Irma straightened up and Tom realized it was true.

Her belly was bulging out, probably six months.

Anna cleared her throat and continued, "As I was saying, Martin decided to give Irma her wish. They were driving down the Interstate when a semi went out of control and hit their car."

"I was lucky. Martin saw the danger and shoved me out of the car. I can only thank God that my car door wasn't fully shut. But, Martin didn't get out in time," Irma choked, hugging herself with her head lowered in defeat.

"Oh, Irma," Tom cooed, wrapping his arms around Irma gently.

"We invited Irma to stay here until she could find a job. Is that okay with you, Dad?" Chris asked, interrupting the moment.

Tom nodded without hesitation and whispered into Irma's ear, "We're here, Irma. Don't worry. We'll take care of you. Everything's going to be alright."