Part 13 (1/2)

”Yes. Come to find out, Becky is very fertile, which was good because I don't think she or Brent would have been able to go through that again. It took a few months, and it was extremely awkward in the beginning, but they were so grateful it worked they welcomed me to be a part of the pregnancy and Ally's life.”

Jase turns quiet again before saying softly, ”She's beautiful, Andrew.”

I smile at him, glad he feels that way. Ally and Jase are the two most important people in my life. I would love for them to get to know each other.

”Thank you,” I say, and straighten in my seat. ”Now, I have a question for you. The Skittles. How did you know about them?”

He laughs and says, ”Your tattoo kind of gives it away. You also call her Skittles. Not to mention all the Skittles packages you have in your glove box. I've never seen you eat them yourself, so I knew they were for someone else. Ally was the only logical person.”

I'm pleased he recognized the Skittles for what they are. I got the tattoo a year ago in honor of Ally. She was tickled pink when I showed her. Becky, of course, teared up. It was two years ago that I started calling Ally by that nickname. Again, she loved it.

My phone starts vibrating, and I pick it up off the table. It's a text from Chris, letting us know they are five minutes away from the hospital.

”Come on. That was Chris. They'll be at the hospital soon.” I take a last swallow of my now cold coffee and get up. I pay the bill while Jase brings the car around to the front.

Twenty minutes later, we're all walking up to Ally's room. Grabbing the handle, I pull the door open to find Ally in bed watching Sponge Bob. Becky is in the chair beside the bed, reading, and Brent's sitting on a chair on his laptop. I texted Becky an hour ago to let her know we'd be there soon.

Something seems off with the group though. I don't know if it's because they're getting ready to meet the daughter I've kept hidden, or something else is going on. Chris is jumpy and keeps frowning at her brother, Jaxon's features and body movements are stiff, and he's keeping a tighter hold on Bailey than usual, and Bailey, the poor girl, looks worried about something. Mac's quiet and seemingly distracted, while Mia has a scowl on her face. She's hasn't said a word as we make our way to Ally's room.

Jase notices too. We look at each other, wondering what has the others so disoriented.

When I stop at Ally's door, I turn to them and ask, ”Alright, what's going on?”

n.o.body says anything for a moment, just looks around at each other. Finally, Mac says, ”Nothing you need to worry about right now. We'll talk later.”

”Has something happened?” Jase asks, mirroring my own thoughts and concerns.

He takes a step toward Chris, who quickly looks up at Mac. After a second, she turns back to Jase, smiles, and says, ”Everything's fine. Let's go meet Ally and we'll let you know later.”

He takes a moment to contemplate pressing the issue, but eventually Jase nods.

I let the issue go myself for now, but later they'll tell me what the f.u.c.k is going on.

When we walk in the door, Becky and Brent get up from their seats to meet us.

”Becky and Brent, I'd like you to meet my friends, Mia, Mac, Jaxon, Bailey, and Chris.” I point to each as I say their names.

They all say h.e.l.lo, but I notice Mia standing off to the side, keeping away from the gathering. I know she's still hurting from my deception and I hope she holds no ill feelings toward Becky and Brent. Her eyes keep wandering to the bed. I notice them going soft. Out of all my friends, I knew Mia would hurt the most. She and I have always been close.

After making sure it's okay with Becky and Brent, I grab Mia's hand. ”Come meet Ally.”

Her hand squeezes mine tight, and I feel a slight tremble as I lead her over to the bed. Ally's lying there looking at Mia, unsure. She can tell something's off.

”Hey, Skittles, I've got someone here who wants to meet you. Actually, I've got a bunch of people here.”

She nods, but keeps her eyes on Mia, who is watching her in return. Emotions clog my throat when I see Mia swallow. Her eyes don't stray from Ally's, but I know she's taking in her haggard appearance.

After a few short seconds, Mia speaks hoa.r.s.ely. ”Hi, Ally, I'm Mia.”

”h.e.l.lo, Mia,” Ally says in a small voice. ”Uncle Andy told me about you. He said you were his best friend.”

I hear a gasp from Mia when Ally calls me Uncle Andy. When I look at her, shock is clearly written on her face, before it's quickly replaced with understanding, and then sadness. Tears glisten in her eyes.

”Are you okay?” Ally asks, pulling our attention back to her. ”Are you gonna cry?”

Mia lets out a strangled laugh before composing herself. Taking Ally's hand in hers, she tells her, ”No, baby, I'm not going to cry. I'm just so happy to finally meet you.”

”Okay, good. I know Mama, Daddy, and Gramma cry a lot because I'm sick. I don't want people to cry anymore. It makes me sad, too.”

f.u.c.k! This is hard.

My heart breaks at her words, and I know Mia's does as well. I can see her force the tears away. Becky steps up on the other side of the bed. I know she's holding back tears, too. I feel a hand at my back and know it's Jase.

”Honey, we're just all worried about you,” Becky says, laying her hand on Ally's cheek. ”We love you and want you to get better.”

”I know Momma, but G.o.d's watching me. The angel told me I'll be okay.”

We all stand there in stunned silence, not sure what to say. The others gather closer around the bed.

Finally, Brent steps up, takes his wife's hand, and asks Ally croakily, ”What angel?”

Ally smiles so big her cheeks puff up and you see her teeth. ”The one in my dream. I was playing in the sandbox at the playground and she came and played with me. She told me G.o.d was keeping me safe and to not worry. He was going to make me better again.”

Several gasps are heard throughout the room, all of us secretly wondering if we should dare hope this was some sort of premonition. I pray silently for all I'm worth that this isn't just a child's cry for help. That someway, somehow, G.o.d's looking down on Ally and has mercy for her. I haven't been to church since I was a kid, but I've always held faith that there is a G.o.d.

Becky bends and places a soft kiss on Ally's cheek. Pulling back, she says quietly, but loud enough for us to hear, ”You are going to get better. I know you will.”

I introduce Bailey and Jaxon next. Ally, being a child and not afraid to voice her thoughts, immediately notices Bailey's scar and says, ”It looks like G.o.d was looking after you, too. Did an angel visit you?”

Bailey gives her a watery smile and replies, ”No, I wasn't lucky enough to have an angel visit me, but I do believe G.o.d was watching down on me.”

Ally looks from Bailey to Jaxon, who has his arm around her waist, and then back to Bailey, before saying softly, ”I think maybe G.o.d did send you an angel.”

Bailey looks up at Jaxon, smiles, and then brings her eyes back to Ally. ”I think you're right.

Ally beams her brilliant smile and turns to Jaxon. ”You and Bailey have a baby, right?” Jaxon nods. ”Can I meet her? I love babies.”

”The next time we visit we'll make sure to bring her,” Jaxon answers.

Ally's grin gets bigger. She turns toward Chris. ”You're Chris, aren't you?”

Chris steps up to the bed beside me. ”Yes, ma'am. I'm so happy to meet you, Ally.”

”You're Jase's sister. Why do you have a boy's name?” Ally asks.

Chuckles are heard around the room. The stuff that comes out of kids' mouths is funny as s.h.i.+t.

Still smiling, Chris replies, ”It's just a nickname. My name is Christabelle. That's a lot to say, so my family decided to cut my name short to Chris.”

Ally scrunches up her nose and says, ”I like Christabelle better than Chris. Can I call you that?”