Finding Oriana

Prologue

PROLOGUE

"Nooo, mummy, Ori, not seepy yet. Peeze, tan I stay up? Just an ickle bit longer."
I don't want to go to sleep yet because I like Uncle Alex. He's funny, and he makes my mummy smile, too. I missed Mummy. I'd missed her a lot, but Nana May tells me she's not well. But Mummy says she's better now and I can come home now, too. I miss Uncle Darren though. He makes me laugh too, but I miss my Daddy most. Nana May said he's with the angels in the sky in heaven and I cried lots because he used to read to me at bedtime, but not anymore. Now, my uncle, Darren makes up stories for me when I ask he's so funny. We sometimes watch cartoons it's our favourite, but the bestest times is when we play with his Lego.

"Come on then, sweetheart. Let's go." Uncle Alex said before picking me up and carrying me to bed. Mummy said I have to sleep now, but I want to stay up. As he walks up the stairs, I'm cuddling into him. I am because I think he's nice. I like him a lot. He's my daddy's big brother, and he's got more brothers, too. I wish that I had a big brother because we'd have so much fun and he wouldn't leave me. I wouldn't be alone anymore because he would stay with me. I only have my Uncle Darren and he says we'll be best friends forever.
"So, little squirt, show me to your Jim, jams." My Uncle Alex asked, but I don't know what he meant.
"Unca Arex, what dim, dams mean?"
"Huh, you don't know what Jim-jams is?" He asked. I shook my head because I really don't know.
"Oh, okay, it's your pyjamas, sweetheart."
I smiled and told him they were in the top drawer of my wardrobe. Once dressed for bed, uncle Alex tucked me in. "Night night, little Squirt." He kissed my head, and it makes me giggle. I'm giggling because his beard tickles me.
"Unca Arex, read Ori a story? Peeze."
"Oh, a story, huh? Well, what would you like me to read?" He asked then I look at my book self and tell him I'd like the wizard of Oz. "It's my favets Unca Arex."
He reads a little of the story, but the more he reads the more felt sleepy. "Unca Arex, do you luff my Mummy?" He's looking at me but he looks funny his eyes are wide open. Oh, is he scared? But then he smiles making me smile, too.
"Yes, sweetheart. Yes, I love her very much. I also love you, too." I smile again when he said this because I love him and my Mummy, too.
"I luff you too Unca Arex." He kisses the top of my head again and then he makes me smile that's when I yawn again.
I'm yawning again. I'm feeling my eyes begin to close but I keep them open. I'd kept them open just enough to ask something else.
"Unca Arex"
"Yeah Squirt"
"Will you stay will you stay forever?"
His eyes fill with water it makes me sad. So I hold out my hand touching it to his fluffy cheek.
"Unca Arex, don't be sad. I'll ook after you. Mummy will ook after you too. My Mummy icks you, too."
I'm yawning again feeling so sleepy now.
"I like her too, squirt. I love her I love her with all my heart. I'll be here I'll be here for as long as you both will have me. I promise you one thing Ori I promise no matter what happens I'll always be here for you. I'll be here for you and your Mummy. Now then, it's time to go to sleep, sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning okay... I love you." He then placed a little kiss on my head again.
Eventually, I drift off to sleep while still smiling. Yet before I fall asleep, I tell him I love him, too.
"Tell mummy I luff her too Unca Arex."
"I will sweetheart I will."

~

"Oriana. Baby, girl,"
"Daddy, is that you?"
"It's me, Angel, I'm here."
"Daddy, are you tuming home now?"
"Oh, baby girl. I'm sorry, but I can't. I can't ever come back now. But just, remember I'll always be with you in your heart. And mummy will show you pictures of me so you can, remember me. You'll see us, me you and mummy together. Just remember, Angel, I love you. I'll love you for all eternity. You'll always be my little Angel."
"I luff you too, Daddy."
"Now, Ori, I need you to do something for me."
"What? What do you need, Daddy?"
"I need you to wake up and go hug your mummy for me. She's feeling a little cold, so she needs warmed up. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Daddy, I tan do that."
"Good girl. I'm so proud of you, angel. You're growing so fast and so beautiful too, just like your mummy.
Sweetheart, I need you to do one last thing for me. I need you to tell your mummy she has to make Uncle Alex stay. He'll take care of you because he loves you both. We'll both love you forever."
"I will daddy, I pomise. I luff you, Daddy.
I luff you so much."
"Oh Angel, I'll love you always and forever. Never forget, I'll always be with you and your mummy. So whenever you feel sad or lonely, just call my name. I'll be listening. Or look to the brightest star next to Orion's Belt I'll be there.
I love you, angel. Now be good for your Mummy, okay. And don't worry... one day, I'll see you again. Me, you, your mummy and Orion will be together again someday. But not before you live a full happy life.
I've got to go now, but remember... Always, remember that..."
"You luff me, daddy?" He smiled and nodded, "Always and forever, my sweet baby girl... Always and forever..."