HIATUS, POSSIBLE DISCONTINUATION - Losing You

Chapter I

George pursed his lips, trying to figure out a way to get his daughter to put on her dress.

It was Easter, and Karl and his family were holding a small cookout at Karl's place. George was invited and figured he would go, maybe try to get Alora to play with a few of Karl's younger cousins.

But said six-year-old daughter, Alora, didn't want to put her pretty pink-purple flowerty dress on. So, George was stuck with less than 20 minutes to get Alora dressed, out the door, and to the cookout.

He thought for a minute, and, knowing he would probably regret this and ruin her dinner, said, "I will get you your favorite cookies?"

She opened one eye, her arms crossed, and then opened the other. She seemed to think about it for a second, then said, "Ok!" and smiled.

She started to get up off her small bed when George said, "But! You have to put on this dress first. If you do t put on the dress, then you can't get your cookies."

She hesitated, but eventually gave in and started to fit the dress on.

15 minutes and two cookies later, they were on their way to Karl's family Easter cookout.

When they arrived, George quickly got out and pulled the glass bowl of mashed potatoes from the passenger seat, before glancing into the back and seeing Alora hesitate.

He gave a small smile and said, "Alora, honey, it's alright. They're nice people and you know that. There's a few children here around your age that you can play with. Only as long as you want to, alright?"

Alora nodded and unbuckled, sliding out of the vehicle. George was almost instantly greeted by Karl at the back of the house and the dish was taken from him. Alora trailed behind him, glancing at the other kids almost longingly. George gently pushed her back, and when she looked up at him, he nodded. She went ahead and walked carefully toward the children, and they all welcomed her. She was soon smiling along with them.

George was similarly greeted. Karl walked over to one of the few tables set out and was greeted by Karl's parents, who immediately asked how Alora was.

Eventually, small talk led to just Karl and George talking. Both were omegas, so it made sense. They were the most comfortable around each other. There were a few other friends of Karl's parents around, but George didn't know them personally.

"So, how have you and Alora really been doing?"

George looked up at the man, surprised for a split second. He smiled shyly and shook his head.

"I was telling the truth to your parents, y'know. She really is doing well in school and I've managed to maintain a well-paying job for a while now. We're doing fine."

"Okay, but you know I just have to check up on you."

"I know, I know. But I think I would tell you if something was going on."

"No, you wouldn't."

"Yes, I would."

"No, you wouldn't!"

"Yes, I would!"

"Wouldn't."

"Would."

"Wouldn't."

"Yeah, you're right."

Karl gave a smirk before moving on.

"So.. nothing from... you-know-who?"

"Nope. And I'm glad for it, really."

There was a flash of something like unbelieving that flashed through Karl's eyes before he said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. If he doesn't bother you, then I guess your stability will maintain, yeah?"

George hummed in agreement. He watched his daughter play with the other children, following them around and speaking a bit softer than the rest.

He had been glad to have named her Alora because the name reminded him of aloe, cooling and calm. She acted around the same way.

Alora was a dirty blonde, but you could tell that the ends of her hair were always a shade or two darker. Didn't matter if you cut it, the ends would turn darker. Guess she got that from George himself. She was heterochromatic, like her mother, with one bright, emerald green eye, and one light, sky blue one. She had flecks of brown in both, almost seeming an amber color in the sunlight. She tanned much easier than George but preferred to stay inside most of the time, her nose in a second grade level book, though she was in first. She was soft spoken, but when she got excited about something, you couldn't stop her from ranting on and on. Something akin to her father...

George snapped back to attention when there was suddenly silence, just then realizing that Karl had been talking, but stopped and snapped a finger in front of him.

He blinked and looked back at the other omega.

"Sorry. Spaced out a bit."

"No kidding." Karl giggled. "I said, it's getting darker and we may need to take the children inside or get leaving. I don't want the bugs getting to them, y'know?"

"I see what you mean. I should probably get ready to le-"

George was cut off by a small scream, instantly realizing who it was from. Alora had screamed, but she wasn't any hurt. One of the other children had thrown some dirt and, because it had rained the day before, had stuck to the little girl's dress.

Alora immediately came running up to George.

"Mama! Mama! I'm sorry, I got mud all over my dress! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to."

"It's alright baby, it can be cleaned. There's no need to be sorry, it was an accident, wasn't it?"

"...sorta. I-it was one of the boys.."

George glanced at Karl and the other nodded subtly. Karl got up from the small table and headed over to the other children.

"Alright, lemme get a napkin and I can get a bit off of you, how 'bout that?" He smiled, and she nodded. He got up, clasped Alora's hand, and made his way to the food table with a few napkins.

Karl reached the few children and they all stopped for a second to see the newcomer.

"Hey guys, I have a small question."

He watched as they all looked around at each other before looking back at him. He continued.

"We're you all playing in the dirt earlier?"

They all nodded in unison.

"Ok, well, we're you throwing it at al-"

"We didn't mean to get dirt on her dress mister Karl. We were all messing around and as we all ran around, she tripped over my foot. She fell in the dirt. That's when she ran to mister George."

Karl smiled at the boy's honesty. He thanked him for his honesty and walked back towards his and George's table. Alora was sitting sideways in George's lap, her head resting against his chest. Her eyes were fluttering open and closed as she battled sleep.

"I should get going. Alora is tired and we both need rest. Thank you for the invitation, Karl, it was wonderful hanging out with you again."

"Anytime George. You know you're always welcome."

George smiled and walked away, carrying Alora carefully.

When they arrived home, they changed, and, as soon as Alora's head hit her pillow, she was out like a light. He gently kissed her forehead and went to get ready for bed himself. He only wished that he could get to sleep as well as she could tonight. It may have been six or so years, but that didn't mean it didn't still hurt to think about sleeping alone. Without him.

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1248 words

Ayyy welcome :)

This is my first Dnf book, so please, I will take any constructive criticism. I will not stand for hate tho, that's a little far.

Anywho, hope you enjoy!