One Day // Daniel Ricciardo

CHAPTER 22

The week felt like it was an entire year dragging in. I spoke to Daniel every day between texting and facetiming. I missed him a lot.

I never told him I was going to my brothers; race day was stressful enough without adding my own stresses to it that was the main reason I came home.

I walked the small distance to their house and knocked on the door. They had bought one of the new builds a few streets way and it was beautiful.

Solid oak doors, double garage, bay windows, honestly if I could drool over a house, it would be this one.

'Jess."

"Mark."

The door had swung open and my brother, who I hadn't seen in years, was stood in front of me.

"Fuck I forgot you were coming."

He wasn't exactly one for warm welcomes and it showed. It was actually a little bit painful.

"Okay listen Jess, before you come in there's something you should know. Mum's here."

"Hallie? Is Hallie here?"

I tried to take a step inside but he blocked the door with his body.

"I don't want you to cause a scene, it's Olivia's birthday this isn't about you."

"Emily invited me, she said you wanted nothing to do with her."

"She came for the kids; she's just leaving please don't cause a scene."

I took a step inside and walked through in to their living room. It was full of people I barely even noticed my Mum standing in the corner talking to Emily who could barely be bothered with her.

My niece Olivia was standing in the kitchen talking to her friends, she was so grown up she practically looked like a teenager already.

It hurt a little when I had to remind her who I was and how I never really got a typical aunt welcome but I'm glad I saw her.

My Mum said her goodbyes in a typical grand exit and left, without Hallie.

"She's napping in Elliot's room." Tom gripped on to my arm as he found me watching out the window at our Mum who was walking away.

He led me upstairs to a closed door with a large 'E' painted with toy trains and cars.

When I walked Inside Hallie stood up on the travel cot and peered through the mesh. She cracked a big smile when she saw someone was coming to save her from the dark room and I nearly fell to the floor.

"Mum never saw you come; I told her not to disturb Hallie."

"She never was observant of us." I responded, not taking my eyes away from the little blonde hair baby in front of me.

It hadn't been long, only a matter of weeks but still I felt like it had been years and there was a proper child standing in front of me.

I leaned down and stroked her hair before picking her up and squeezing her. Tears fell from my cheeks on to her little dress but she just tucked her head in to my neck and cuddle in to me.

"I don't care if you're having a little moment sis, I have to put the race on behind you."

He turned the TV on in the corner and put on today's race, turning it down so we could still talk.

"Mark, I've missed you."

We were so close growing up; he was the typical older brother I could count on when things went wrong, he was always looking out for me and I missed that. Him and Daniel got on when they were together, almost better than him and I did.

"Life's been shit, I needed an escape, Jess. It wasn't personal to you. You're still my sister whether its blood or not I just couldn't do it anymore."

"I understand." I nodded. Hallie sat on my lap touching my face and giggling.

"It's not too late you know; I want to help you get Halie back. It doesn't excuse what I did before but I should've done a lot more."

I asked him to take a picture of Hallie and I on my phone so I could send it to Daniel later.

"I've sent her visitors letters but she refuses." Mark said, referring to our sister but refusing to use her name.

"I couldn't. I saw her in hospital but after she chose Mum over me for Hallie I couldn't."

"I don't think she did. She's fucking crazy but she's not stupid she knows what's best and I don't think she chose Mum."

"6 months I think before I can fight for a reappeal. I definitely will, 6 months later than I would like to but I want her back. We were almost a little family, me, Daniel and Hallie. Okay, we weren't together at the time but we are now and we would've been, it was what we wanted."

"I didn't realise how isolated I made you, I have a lot of regrets."

Losing my brother, my best friend, in the middle of all the family problems we had was probably on the same level of pain as losing my dad. I was hurt but he had a deep look of regret on his face.

"I have so much gone on Mark... I just want my big brother back."

"I miss my running partner; god forgive Emily was to run anywhere and mess up her hair."

"Last time I went running I spent the majority of it throwing up behind a tree, Dan was not amused." I giggled, "He's coming home tomorrow but if you're free can you come round? I have a few things I want to ask you."

He agreed and embraced me on a hug and then left me to spend some time with Hallie. I snapped a picture of us and sent it to Danny.

Surprise! We miss you lots, your good luck charm is watching from home x

She played with her toys on the floor and occasionally walked over to me and handed the blocks. Her hair was much blonder in comparison to the last time I saw her and she was practically getting taller by the second. Her little chubby cheeks melted me and all four front teeth grinned wide.

"Mum's back, Emily's going to take her down I'm sorry Jess."

I looked up to see Emily and mark come through the door. Emily held her hands out and Hallie dropped all her blocks and ran over to her.

I stayed where I was, the sadness hitting me again like a ton of bricks and let the two of them leave.

"It's not forever, I'll promise you that."