I Should've Known: Book Two

Madeline

Christmas is almost here.

Hazel's birthday is almost here, too.

I should really talk to her. I haven't talked to her since she came here and said all those things to me. To be fair, she did apologize afterwards. I should give her a call.

But before I can dial Hazel's number, my brother's number appears on the screen. He said he would talk to our father anytime this week. This is it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Maddy. Um. I talked to Dad. He doesn't want to hear us try to convince him again."

He still sounds horrible. And now I let out an exhausted sigh at my stubborn father. "This is impossible. He is impossible! How can he not realize that our mother's life is on the line! Does he prefer to save the house than his own wife?! You know what? I'll call him right now. Thank you."

"No! Wait! Madeline-"

I hang up before he uses his logic on me and convinces me to not call our father. A hint of annoyance and anger runs through my veins as I dial for my father's number. Mateo comes out with Matthew wrapped in a towel and wet hair. They both give me shiny smiles but Mateo's smile disappear when he sees my firmness. I give him a slight smile and he knows to just dress Matthew himself while I take care of this nonsense.

My father finally answers and I don't wait for him to say hello. "Do you really care more about the house than mother's life?!"

"Hello to you, too, young lady."

I ignore his firm tone as I say, "Dad. This is an opportunity to save Mom! Who cares about the house! You can have a better one here! Sell it. Rent it. I don't know but Mom cannot die just because you have some sort of emotional attachment to that house—"

"I will have nothing left!" I stop to hear him swallow down a sob. "When your mother dies, that house...it's all I will have of her. We grow old there. We had our children in that house. We raised you and your brother there. We've fallen and grown stronger in that house. If I leave and it doesn't work...I won't have the last memory of her. I—"

A sob interrupts my father's words and I wish I was there to comfort him. His words start to sink in and I can't help but let out a small sob from deep down. I cover my mouth so Mateo doesn't hear. He's happily playing with Matthew. I can't have him lose his smile for me. I can't lose either of them.

I look up at my own house. Our own little world. I already have so many beautiful memories of our little family here. Would I be willing to let all of it go to go back to France?

Never.

I let out a small breath and wipe my tears away. "I understand, Dad. I understand."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, my dear. I just can't—I'm scared. I don't want to be alone—"

"No, Dad. You will never be alone. I promise I will do everything I can to keep Mom alive."

I can imagine my father doing his sad smile. "Oh my dear. You've always had a tenacious heart just as your mother does. I saw the shine of a fighter in your eyes when I first held you. I saw in your mother's eyes the moment I fell in love with her and she still carries it now even in her last moments."

Tears slowly start to slip away at my father's gentle words. It's like my heart shrinks with such warmth that a smile starts at my lips. "I love you, Dad. I'll call you when I get a hold of Dr. Sharpe. I'll find a solution. I always do."

He does a small chuckle. "I love you, my dear. I wish you luck."

These last words set my heart on fire with such determination from his approval. If I can set out all the pieces for him, then there is a chance he can come before Christmas.