It's been an hour. Alice stares at the front door hoping Polly will walk through it. Anxiously rubbing the stitches on her cotton pajama shirt, she holds back her tears. Could it be? A knock on the oak door? She waits to confirm what she thinks she heard. Silence creeps over her for a moment; then she hears another thud against the door. Alice races to the door and swings it open. Standing in front of her was not her daughter, but a tall, burly figure instead. She lifts her head slowly to meet his gaze.
She whispers to herself, "FP…"
He had no words. FP tried his best to prepare what he was going to say on the ride there, but nothing came out. All he can say in return is a soft whisper, "Alice…"
Alice bursts into tears and falls to the ground. FP quickly reacted and caught her limp body. Alice screams, "My baby!" Tears run out of her eyes like a stream, "My baby is dead!"
FP strokes her hair and tries to soothe her by rocking her, "I know… I know, Alice." He had no idea what to say. He couldn't imagine losing one of his kids. He wraps his arms under her legs and around her back to lift her. They couldn't stay in the open doorway. Slowly walking towards the couch he tries to avoid the toys from the twins lying on the ground, "It's gonna be alright. You're gonna be okay." He places her softly on the couch and stretches to close the door. FP squishes beside her and tries to comfort her to the best of his ability.
"FP…" Alice places her shaky hand on his jaw. She pulls her face closer, "FP, I killed my daughter." Alice tries to quiet her sobbing as to not wake the twins.
Her hand drops and FP takes it with his. Looking into her eyes he asserts, "This is not your fault, Alice." He embraces her body, "No way in hell is this your fault." Continuing to rock her, "You couldn't have stopped it. Alice makes a fist and bangs it against him as she lets out her muffled screams. FP lets himself be the punching bag, "Hit me. Get it out, Alice."
She tries to catch her breath and maintain eye contact. With tears still coming out, she rests her head on his, "How can I live without her, FP? She's my baby?"
FP caresses her cheek trying to wipe her tears away, "It's gonna be hard, Alice, but you have to. Polly would want you to be an amazing Grandma to the twins. She would."
She takes a deep breath and pulls her face away from his only slightly, "It's been 7 years FP… Why are you here?"
"Alice…" FP looks into her icy blue eyes. The two look into each other's teary eyes. Alice leans closer to FP. His hand moves from her waist to her blonde locks of hair where he brushes it behind her ear. FP's cracked lip lands on hers. Alice closes her eyes and pushes herself closer to FP. FP moves his hand to the back of her neck. She rests her hands on his shoulders as they continue to kiss.
Alice pulls away slightly and whispers in his ear, "I love you, FP."
FP grins, "It's been a while since I heard that." He backs away and holds her hands, "I love you."
Alice cracks a small smile and rests his head on his shoulder, "Can you just hold me for a while?"
FP wraps his arm around her slouching body, "Any time."