Brittany O'Neill and her family packed up everything and moved to Berkeley, California for a fresh start. Her brother and she were excepted into Berkeley University and she thought it would be the great college experience. With little to no stresses...
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Chapter Twenty-Two
My eyes fluttered open, and I sat up, looking around. I was still in the chapel. I was still in the hospital, but everything felt different. Everything felt... lighter, brighter, calmer. Slowly, I stood to my feet and began walking back to Jayden's room. I reached for the handle of the door to open it when something shined brightly from behind me.
I turned to see a small glimmer of glowing light the size of a circle. Confused, I slowly inched towards it. I stopped a few feet away from it. The closer I got, the more at peace I felt. I no longer felt angry or afraid. Strangely, I felt happy and safe. The light became mirror-like. I shielded my eyes as the light became brighter, so bright it was almost blinding. Then, just as it appeared, it was gone. I removed my hand, gasping at the sight in front of me.
A familiar-looking man stood before me. He was wearing a white robe and held the gentlest smile on his face. His light brown eyes remaining me so much of Jayden's gazed down at me with such love and affection, yet I could see a hint of sorrow behind them.
His dark brown hair was in wavy curls, shielding his forehead; just like Jayden's when he was younger. But this man wasn't Jay. He was an inch or two taller and was more build in size. I didn't remember much of the man who was taken away from us too soon when I was a child, but in my gut; I knew I knew this man standing in front of me.
"D-daddy?" I whispered, barely audible.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. How could he be here? The smile on his face grew, as did the surrounding light. How was he here?
"Hey, baby girl." He said in the deepest, beautiful voice I'd ever heard.
"What's going on? How are you here?"
He chuckled. It was the most heartwarming sound, almost like honey. I remembered parts from my childhood where he would sing with the same warm voice.
"Come here, child." He said, and I did as he asked.
Once in front of him, he placed the palm of his hand on my cheek. Instantly, I felt an overwhelming warmth flow through my veins. My mind became clear, and I leaned into his touch.
"I've missed you so much, Daddy," I whispered.
He gave me a genuine smile. "I've missed you too, baby. You and your mother and Jay. I've missed you all so much."
A tear fell down my cheek, and he wiped it away. "You've missed so much. I wish you could have been with us. Mom misses you dearly, and Jay and I are going through so much. Jay-he... he's in a coma and the doctor says he will not make it! Daddy, I can't lose him. Not like we did you."
He brought me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me tightly. "Shh, my child. Don't fret. Everything is going to be okay. You will not lose your brother, and your mother isn't going to lose her son."
