LEFT BEHIND | Scarlett Johansson x Daughter.

CHAPTER 20 - 15.

14th February 2019. 

Today, well, today is my birthday. Finally 15! WOOO! 

Not.

This is my first birthday without my dad. It's weird. He has always been here for my birthday. Even at school, he would come and get me after my lessons and we would go out for dinner. 

It feels weird to be spending a birthday without dad and with mom instead. 

I haven't spent a birthday with my mom since I turned 11 I think...

So when my door bursts open and mom runs in jumping onto me on the bed, my face just stays blank. 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUG!" Mom screams. I put my hands over my ears to block out her singing happy birthday and then I try and push her off of me but she doesn't even budge. I try to push her again but she just stares down at me. I move my hands under her armpits and start tickling her. Her singing turns into loud giggles as she fights with me to stop. She falls to the side of my bed and I jump up off my head and run out of my room to Rose's across the hall. I jump into her bed only to realise she is still sound asleep. 

I hide under her covers and Rose moves into my side as she cuddles up to me. 

Never did I imagine I'd be spending the start of my 15th birthday tickling my mom and then cuddling with my little sister. The thought instantly makes tears fall from my eyes. I worry I'm going to wake Rose and I try to move out of her bed but her arms tighten around my waist and she whimpers in her sleep. 

It only makes me cry harder. It isn't long before mom quietly enters Rose's room. Her eyes land on me instantly. She is clearly taken back from what she sees, that being me crying my eyes out with my hand over my mouth in hopes of keeping me quiet. 

She moves across the room and tries to scoop me up but Rose grips me even tighter than she already was, I didn't even think it was possible. It makes me cry harder, another thing I didn't think was possible, but I do. 

Mom manages to pry Rose off of me and replaces me with one of her teddies. She doesn't protest then. 

Mom puts me in her arms and my heart swells. 

You wouldn't think she would be able to lift me, a now 15 year old girl, only 2 inches shorter than her but she does, and she does it effortlessly. 

I sink into her arms as she walks us out of the room back to my own. 

"I'm sorry I'm crying, I'm not sad I promise. I-I just love you and Rose so much and it's crazy to think I'm here right now when only just over a month ago I never thought that was possible" I sob into her chest before she can ask me what is wrong. She presses me into her chest and sways us side to side as I sit comfortably in her lap.

"We love you too, all of us. Including Colin." She replies. My heart feels full but it instantly drops when I realise the only thing I'm missing is dad. 

"This is my first birthday without dad..."I mumbled. Mom stays quiet as she starts to run her fingers through my hair. 

"I know baby, and if he could be here you know he would be. Let's try not to think too much about it and have a good day. I have so much planned for us bug!" Mom tries to turn my frown upside down and I decide to let her. I can't think about dad not being here or it will only ruin my day. I haven't got a clue what mom has planned but I'm excited to see what it is!

"Now get back into bed and pretend to be asleep or Rose is going to be really annoyed that she didn't get to wake you up!" Mom chuckles into my head as I slide off her lap back under my covers to get comfy again.