The Christmas Wish

Chapter Two

I can't help the sobs that come. My chest heaves as I try to breathe. I fight to get the breaths in as a panic attack hits me. Did I just talk to my husband as he died? Oh god, what am I going to do? I can't breathe and I do the only thing I can think of. I pick up my phone and dial.

"Hello? Laura, are you there?" I hear Brandon call out nervously. I try to push the words out and they get stuck in my throat as the tears fall down my cheeks.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

The words finally escape my throat as I whisper. "Luke....called....loud....boom......line.....went.....dead."
"I'm on my way."

He quickly hangs up and I head to the living room. The tears flow and I can't stop them. I try to be as quiet as I can so I don't wake Keely. I don't know what to tell her. It wasn't too long and I heard a knock at the door. I quickly jump and head to the door, ripping it open. He walks in with his arms outstretched and I quickly fall into them as he wraps them around me.

"I'm so sorry sweetie, but don't give up hope just yet. It could have just knocked out the satellite feed. He'll be okay."
"I don't know. I have a bad feeling about this. I can't do this. Not without him. Keely will be devastated. Oh god, Brandon. What should I do?"
He squeezes me tighter and kisses the top of my head, before he picks me up and carries me to the couch and sits me down next to him. He doesn't say anything as I sob into his chest clutching at his chest. He never says a word, just sits quietly as he rubs my back and every once and a while kisses the top of my head. I don't know how long I sat there with him but eventually I woke up and I am in my bed. It's dark and I realize it's late. I get up to use the bathroom and see that I am still in my clothes. I quickly do my business and quietly walk downstairs. I see Brandon asleep on the couch and I grab a blanket to cover him up and walk back upstairs, stopping to check on Keely before stepping back into my room. I change into my pajamas and head back to bed. I tossed and turned for a while before I fell into a fitful sleep. My eyes finally opened and the sun was pouring into the bedroom. I stretch and pull myself out of bed. As I get up and head to the bathroom, I hear laughter coming from downstairs. I head downstairs and find Brandon and Keely in the kitchen making breakfast. She is sitting on the island as he makes eggs and sausage. She turns and sees me walking in.

"Good morning, mommy. I found uncle Brandon on the couch this morning. He said he wanted to get an early start to get the tree."

I looked over at him and he quietly shook his head. I silently thank him for not telling her the real reason.

"Yes he did, bug. That way we have more time to decorate. Isn't that right, Bran?"
"It sure is. Getting out early you find the best trees."

He smiles as he turns off the stove and plates our food, putting everything on the table. He picks up Keely and places her in her seat and we eat. She excitedly talks about what she wants to do today and getting the tree. After we finish eating I clean up. Keely runs up to her room to start to get ready.

"Thank you for not telling her about last night." I say as we clean up once Keely is out of sight.

"I couldn't break her heart like that. He hung the moon for her and I can't just crush that. I feel like he is okay and going to come back to you. That man loves you with everything he has and will find a way to get back here to his girls."

"I'm glad you have faith in it, but I am so scared that something bad has happened. Christmas will be here in a few weeks and I want to be strong for her. I can't ruin it."

"I feel like he is still out there. That nothing has happened and he will come back."
"I hope you are right. I have an extra toothbrush and you can borrow some of Luke's clothes."