This is my first story that I have ever published. I really hope you like it.
It take place after the supernatural series and is kind of like a spinn off. My hope if that this story will grow and continue and I would love to get feedback and ideas how to continue.
English is not my first language so I apologies for any misspellings or if the grammar is wrong, I'm trying my best.
Ida leaned against the cold window, gazing out at the concrete parking lot below. Her mother was away, undergoing some tests, and Ida had to wait in the hushed hospital room. It had only been three months since her mother received her cancer diagnosis, and time seemed to be slipping away rapidly. Her mother's condition deteriorated with each passing day, and Ida had a sense that she might not have much time left with her.
A tear traced down her cheek, and Ida quickly wiped it away. She couldn't afford to cry now; she had to stay strong for her mother.
Ida looked down at the picture and note in her hand. Before her mother left for the tests, Jenny gave her daughter a photo and a letter. It was a picture of Ida's father, taken on the night her parents met. Jenny had kept it all these years, anticipating the day when Ida would inquire about him, but that day never came. Ida had never shown much interest, though she had thought about him on several occasions, especially when her mother shared stories from the night they met. However, Ida never dared to ask anything herself. She knew her father was unaware of her existence, as Jenny discovered it months later, halfway through her pregnancy, back in Sweden. Attempts to reach him at the provided number proved futile; it was no longer active, and investigating from across the Atlantic was challenging. Instead, Jenny decided to move forward, raising Ida on her own.
Now, facing the reality of her limited time, Jenny decided to share everything with Ida. She recounted the night they met at a bar during her post-graduation road trip in the U.S., how they spent the magical night together, and how he bid farewell the next day without being callous. Both knew it was a one-night affair, parting as friends. Of course she didn't go into details but Ida understood well what her mom meant.
Jenny occasionally thought about him afterward, but the idea of reaching out never materialized. She continued her journey through the U.S. for a few more months before returning to Sweden. It wasn't until she had been home for a while that she realized she was pregnant. Despite the challenges of being a 19-year-old single mother with no family support and an absent father, Jenny never considered terminating the pregnancy. She embraced the idea of becoming a mother, and a few months later, Ida came into the world.
Ida traced her finger along the picture of her father. His head was turned toward her mother so it was hard to see all his facial feature but Ida could clearly see his jawline and the fact that he was smiling. Her mom said that he had the same green eyes that Ida had but despite that, Ida was mostly a reflection of her mother, as she had been told throughout her life. She couldn't get a clear picture of exact how he looked like but the picture did give an idea and it changed everything. It make him more real.
Ida never told her mom how much it hurt growing up without a dad. She always tried to be strong to her mom. She loved her mom, she was her best friend and the idea of loosing her hurt so much. Ida tried not to think about her dad much and never asked, she didn't want to get disappointed. But now she was standing her with a picture and a name.
Jenny entered the room, smiling at her daughter. Ida's blonde, wavy hair covered most of her face as she sat, lost in thought.
"I think you should find him," Jenny suggested.
Ida looked up in surprise, her moms face pale and lifeless, yet a faint smile lingered. Her hair was disheveled, indicating the need for a shower, but energy had been scarce in recent days.
"I didn't hear you come in," Ida said, standing to assist her mother to the bed. "Did you walk all the way yourself?"
"Don't be silly," Jenny brushed off her hand, completing the journey to the bed on her own. She was determined not to show her illness. "You should find him," Jenny continued, nodding toward the picture in Ida's hand. "He deserves to know, and you deserve to get to know him."
"Mum, he might not even want to know me," Ida protested, sitting in the chair beside the bed. She was terrified of finding her father and discovering he wanted nothing to do with her.
"Of course, he would," Jenny placed her hand over her daughter's, smiling. "He'd be overjoyed to meet you."
Ida smiled back, looking down. She didn't even want to think that, get her hoped up. She closed her eyes, cleared her throat, and then looked up at her mother again. "Regardless, I'm not going anywhere right now." Ida stood up, reaching for the remote on the nearby table. "Midsomer Murders is starting soon." She turned on the TV and repositioned her chair for a better view.
Watching Midsomer Murders together had been a tradition for Ida and Jenny for years, one of the shows they followed together. British crime series always hit the spot.
Jenny shook her head with a smile, recognizing that Ida was trying to steer the conversation away. Now wasn't the right time to push the matter. Instead, she leaned back, stealing glances at her daughter. She was grateful for Ida and would do anything to make her happy.