Broken Angels MC Book 5
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Riki Leigh Bishop
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30
Chapter One
MACI
FIVE YEARS OLD
Today’s the day we’re heading to Florida to visit SeaWorld. I’ve been dreaming about this trip forever, but Mommy and Daddy always said I was too little.
They told me I wouldn’t remember much because I was so young. I didn’t really get what they meant, but I think I’m big enough to remember now.
I can’t wait to see all the animals and go on as many rides as I can. Mommy thinks I might be too small for some of them, but that won’t stop me from trying the ones I can.
I love going on trips with my mommy and daddy. We do it every year for my birthday. Tomorrow I turn five, and I’m so excited because we’ll be at SeaWorld!
“Sweet pea, time to get up. We’ve got a plane to catch.”
I love flying. I love staring out the window, watching the clouds vanish and then reappear.
The first time we flew, Daddy said I cried a lot because my ears hurt. It wasn’t my fault. I was only one.
“Get up if you want to go to SeaWorld, birthday girl.”
“I’m up, Daddy.” Daddy chuckles and walks over to my bed. I’m not really up, it’s too early for that.
I hate waking up early. That’s why Mommy gets mad in the mornings during school—I just don’t like getting up.
“Come on, sweet pea, Mommy’s got your clothes ready. Just get dressed and you can sleep some more in the car. I promise.”
I leap out of bed at the promise of more sleep. The faster I get dressed, the sooner I can go back to sleep.
“Will you carry me to the car, Daddy?” I love when Daddy carries me. He’s so strong and he always smells good. He makes me feel safe.
When Daddy’s around, I know Mommy and I are safe, no matter what. He’s my hero and he’s Mommy’s Prince Charming.
It’s gross when they kiss, but I don’t really mind because I know they love each other.
“Of course, I will, Princess.” Daddy leaves my room and I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and put on the dress Mommy picked out for me. I love this dress. It’s blue and sparkly.
She even got out my favorite flip-flops. She’s the best mommy in the world. Once I’m done in the bathroom, I rush out of my room and into the kitchen.
“Good morning, my little pea pod,” Mommy’s cheerful voice greets me when I enter the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes, Mommy. Daddy woke me up too early and now I’m starving!” Both Mommy and Daddy laugh at my dramatics.
“Sit at the table and I’ll bring your plate over. I made your favorite.” I jump into my chair and wait patiently while Mommy serves our plates.
We always wait until everyone has food in front of them before we start eating. Daddy sits at the head of the table, Mommy sits to his right, and I sit to his left.
“Are you excited to go to SeaWorld, Daddy? I’m excited.” I’m bouncing in my seat.
“I’m excited to share this new adventure with you and your mom, sweet pea. Now, eat up so we can catch our flight. We don’t want to be late.
“We need to stop by the hospital before we go. I need to check up on Gavin before we leave.” Daddy says that last part to Mommy.
Once we say grace, I dig into my blueberry waffles with strawberry sauce. It’s my favorite. I love blueberries and strawberries.
“How are he and his family doing, dear?”
“They’re all doing just fine, sweetheart. I just want to check on them.
“It’s hard seeing any new parent go through this, even if it isn’t their first time. Each experience is different.”
“Speaking of babies, should we tell her, sweetheart?” I look up from my waffles to meet my mommy’s eyes. They’re sparkling with joy. She always looks at me that way, even when I’m being naughty.
“What is it, Mommy?” I ask as I lick the strawberry sauce off my lips. It’s so good.
“Well pea pod, Daddy and I have some news. You’re going to be a big sister.” Mommy looks at me while I try to figure out what she means. I mean, I am only five.
Seeing my confused face, Mommy chuckles. “Daddy and I are having a baby. You’re going to be a big sister. Mommy has a baby in her belly.”
“Does that mean I won’t be the only princess anymore?”
“You’ll always be our princess, sweet pea, but we’re just adding to our family. It could be a little boy, so you’d have a brother.
“And even if you do have a sister, you’ll always be our big girl. Nothing will change in our eyes.”
I look at Daddy and take in what he said. Do I want to be a big sister? I like being the only one in Mommy and Daddy’s life, but having someone else to play with would be fun.
I could teach them all the stuff that Mommy and Daddy have taught me. I give them both a big smile.
“I’m going to teach them everything that you’ve taught me so far. I’m going to be a doctor just like Daddy when I grow up.”
We finish breakfast and once everything is cleaned up, it’s time to go. I’m so excited that I sprint to the car. I can’t wait to be there already!
As soon as we're in the car, I grab my tablet from the holder Mommy has fixed on the back of the seat. I get lost in a game and before I know it, we're at the hospital.
“Sweet pea, do you want to go in or stay out here in the car?”
I glance up at Daddy, tilting my head the way I always do when I'm deep in thought. If I go in, I'll get to see all the babies. But if I stay in the car, I can play on my tablet longer.
I decide I should see the babies. I need to know how tiny they are so I can figure out what I can and can’t do with my little brother.
I just know Mommy’s going to have a boy. He can be the Prince since I’m the Princess.
“I’ll go inside, Daddy. I want to see the babies. I need to figure out what I can do with my baby brother when he comes to live with us. You know, after the stork drops him off.”
Mommy and Daddy chuckle. Mommy steps out of the car after Daddy opens her door and then he helps me out of my seat. I take one of Mommy’s hands and one of Daddy’s hands as we walk into the hospital.
We reach the area where all the babies are kept, and Daddy asks me and Mommy to wait outside.
I watch as Daddy talks to a couple sitting with a tiny baby. The baby’s really small. He has wires and tubes everywhere. “What’s wrong with that baby, Mommy?”
“He was born early, sweetheart. That’s Gavin, the baby Daddy came to check on.” Mommy crouches down to my level.
“You know, before you were born, Daddy and I were expecting another baby. He was born way too early, but unlike Mr. and Mrs. Landon’s baby, our baby didn’t make it.
“This is why Daddy takes cases like this, because it’s close to his heart. He loves all of his patients, but the cases like Gavin’s, he is there each and every step of the way.”
I’m not sure what she’s talking about, but I do understand that they had a baby, but he’s not here so he must have gone to Heaven.
“I’m sorry, Mommy.”
“That’s okay, sweetheart. You’ll understand better when you’re older. Look, Daddy’s coming. Are you ready to go on our trip?”
“I’m ready, Mommy. I can’t wait to see the penguins, the whales, the dolphins, all of the animals, and ride the rides!”
“Well, let’s go, sweet pea. I’m done here. Everything is going just great with them,” Daddy says.
I take each of their hands and we head back to the car. Once we’re on the road, I quickly fall asleep. I’m not a morning person and I’ve been awake way too long from being up so early.
The next thing I know, I’m jolted awake as our car flips. We flip and flip and flip some more. Mommy is screaming, Daddy is cursing, I’m crying. We just keep flipping.
“Mommy! Daddy!” We stop flipping, but Mommy and Daddy aren’t saying anything. They’re not moving. “Please wake up, Mommy. Daddy, I’m scared.”
I don’t know how long I sit there, hanging upside down in my car seat before I hear the sirens. Mommy and Daddy haven’t moved yet, even though I’ve been calling them.
My throat hurts from crying and calling out to them. I just want my Mommy and Daddy to wake up.
“We’ve got three in here, Captain,” a voice comes from beside the car. “Two possible DOA, no movement on either adults, and a child, she’s responsive.”
“Help my Mommy and Daddy please. They’re not moving.”
“Stay calm, sweetheart, we’re going to get you all out of here,” the man dressed like a firefighter says. He seems nice, even though he’s a stranger.
The car gets surrounded by people, people I don’t know, but are here to help. I know they are because Daddy always said that if I’m ever in trouble the people in uniforms would help us.
It feels like forever until I’m out, but I can’t take my eyes off of my Mommy and Daddy. Why aren’t they moving? They should be talking to me. They always talk to me when we’re in the car.
I don’t understand what’s going on. We were supposed to be going to SeaWorld.
“Come here, sweetheart. Let’s get you over to the ambulance. They’re going to make sure you’re okay. I need you to hold on to me while we get out of the car.”
I do as he says and cling to his neck tightly. We get out of the car, and then he takes me to the ambulance.
“What about my Mommy and Daddy?” I whisper.
“We’re going to get them out next, sweetheart. Don’t you worry. We’ll get you all looked at.”
The nice fireman rushes back to our car, and I’m placed in the ambulance. We start to move after they place me onto the gurney.
“It’s going to be okay, sweet girl. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but it will be okay,” the lady next to me says. I don’t answer her; I just lie there and look out the window.
My mommy and daddy aren’t coming back. I just feel it. They weren’t moving. They weren’t even talking. I know something bad happened.
I just wish I knew how much my life was going to change before we left the house today. Maybe we should have stayed home, then my mommy and daddy would still be here with me.
