How It Should Have Been

Chapter 2

Hailey and Makayla were seated at a diner near the hospital, enjoying breakfast. They both ordered pancakes, Hailey regular, and Makayla chocolate chip. Makayla had hot chocolate while Hailey had coffee. It had been a long few days, and the last time Hailey ate a proper meal was before this whole case. She ate while Makayla told stories about school and her best friend, Charlotte.

"Charlotte and I had so much fun on our last play-date."

"Oh yeah!" Hailey exclaimed, "What did you guys do?"

"We played house. I was the mommy, Charlotte was the Baby, and Charlotte's little brother Sam was the dog."

"Oh wow, that sounds like fun."

"Mhmm...And Charlotte's mom made us cookies."

"Ooooh, what kind? Hailey asked.

"Chocolate Chip."

"Yummm, that's my favorite!"

"Me too! Kim and I always make it whenever I'm sad."

Hailey smiled at the end. "Oh that's sweet."

"Where is Kim? Adam said that she was at the hospital. Is she okay?"

Hailey sighed. She didn't know how to explain to a 7-year-old that their adoptive mother had been shot. "Sweetheart, Kim is...she got hurt the other day, really hurt."

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she will be. The doctors are going to do their very best to make sure that Kim can get back home and make chocolate chip cookies with you soon."

"Who hurt her?"

"Umm...well, a bad guy your mom and us were trying to find hurt her." Makayla's eyes widened. "But now your mom is going to be okay."

"Can I see her?"

"Of course...how about you finish your pancakes, and then we can go and see her. And I bet, when she sees you, she will be so happy." Makayla smiled and continued with her pancakes.

The two finished their meal and headed back to the hospital. Hailey bought sandwiches from the diner for the guys and Trudy, knowing they probably haven't eaten anything since this case. Hailey and Makayla walked through the halls trying to locate Kim's room. They heard familiar voices talking and giggling when they got near her room. They walked in and were surprised by the sight in front of them.

"KIM!!" Makayla yelled and ran from Hailey towards the bed. She jumped on the bed and gave Kim a big hug. Kim was awake and looked a lot better. The surgery had helped, and she was doing much better.

"Makayla...Hey, munchkin." Kim said, squeezing Makayla with all her strength she had. "I'm so happy to see you."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah honey, I am now with you here." Kim squeezed. "Where were you?"

"I was with Hailey. We went to eat the best pancakes in Chicago."

"What...without me." She said with a pretend frown.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, we can go again later." She looked up at Hailey and smiled. "Thank you"

Hailey smiled back. "Of course. How are you feeling?"

"Better, A little sore though." Adam squeezed her shoulder. After a slight pause, Kim spoke up again. "Did you guys find Roy? He's the one that shot me."

Adam looked at her, not knowing what to say. "Well, not quite. He's still in the wind."

Kim's face fell, and the entire room went quiet.