Enamored

30

"Hey, River! Your hopeless daddy is here!" "What?!" (N) starts but stops as River runs over and hugs his legs. "I missed you, daddy!" Yuki smiles. "You're quite the doting dad. What are we going to do with your lame daddy River?" River looks up at her teacher and shakes her head. "Daddy is the coolest!" "That's my girl!" Yuki laughs and walks the two to the front of the school. "There's a letter in River's bag about sports day." "Sports day?" "Yup. Parents participate in some of the activities so you better start practicing Daddy!"
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"Of course, I'll come to cheer you guys on!" Clara smiles at (N) as Ash walks into the living room. River jumps up and hugs her legs. "Ash!" "Hey, River!" (N) turns around and examines the woman. "What's with the sweats?" "Sports day is coming soon so I'm training. It's gonna be an easy win!" "Aren't you too old to compete?"

"The principal has a bad back so Ash is taking place as the anchor," Clara tells (N) as Ash grins. "Heard you're on the parent's team. Get ready to lose!" Clara claps her hands. "This is so exciting!" "Wait hold on! I don't even know if I'm running in the relay race." (N) tries to reason as Ash points at him. "Clara. We gotta call the principal and make sure (N)'s the anchor for the parent's team." "Of course honey."

(N) sweats as he glances at the couple. "You guys are sick." Gently tugging causes him to look at River. "Good luck Daddy." (N) blushes and stands up. "Alright! I'll give it my all!" River pumps her fist in the air. "Yeah! Go, Daddy!"
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Takashi watches (N) run up and down the street. "What in the world are you doing?" "Training for sports day! I'm gonna win for River!" (N) yells back running past Takashi. Days passed and (N) trained nonstop he even had River sit on his back while he did push-ups. Until finally the day before the sports day arrived. Ash and (N) glare at each other. "So tomorrow's the big day. Ready to lose?!" "In your dreams old lady!"

Clara smiles at the two and turns as River enters the living room. "Are you excited for the big day tomorrow River?" The little girl pants with a flushed face. Everyone turns to her as she stumbles. (N) catches her and feels her forehead. "She's burning up!"
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Clara tucks River into bed as Ash sighs. "Just like Myles." (N) clenches his fist as he stares at his sleeping daughter. "I don't get it. She was fine yesterday." Clara leaves the room as Ash turns to (N). "Like it or not. You have to man up and be there for her." "...I know."
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(N) enters his room with a cup of water. River watches him from the bed with a flushed face. "It's sports day?" "Yup." "You're not going?" "Nope. I'm staying here with you." (N) approaches the bed with a soft smile. "I'm staying right here. No matter what." River nods and closes her eyes.
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One day turned into a week. Then a month went by and River stayed home. (N) resigned from his job even though Clara and Ash tried to talk him out of it. As time passed (N) thought about sending River to the hospital but the girl was happy to stay home. All he wanted was for her to be happy. "Alright, River it's time to change your pj's. Oh, wait! Don't get up."

River pouted and pushed away (N)'s hand. "I can do it!" River slides out of bed and stumbles. (N) catches her and sits her back on the bed. "It's okay. We all need help sometimes." River can't change herself anymore or go to the bathroom by herself. She can only eat soft foods. (N) sits on the edge of the bed as River plays with her dango plushie. "Is there anything you want? A new toy? Candy?" River turns over and smiles.

"I wanna go on a trip again!" (N) chuckles and gently squeezes River's leg. "You really had fun last time huh?" "Yup! Let's go again, Daddy. I wanna ride the train again!" "We'll go when you get better." River pouts. "But I wanna go now." "You have to get better first. Okay?" River nods her head and (N) turns to the dresser. A picture of him and Myles smiling sat at the top. 'Why's this happening? Why can't I grant our daughter's wish? First me. Then my family. It's like this town is playing with us. It gives us happiness one second then takes it away the next. No. I will save River. No matter what.'
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Ash places the grocery in her lap with a sigh as she slumps down on a bench. "Want one?" She offers a cigarette to (N). "No. I quit smoking." "Hmm. Guess I should too." (N) sits on the bench and watches as people walk into the hospital. Ash pulls out an envelope and (N) smiles. "I'm okay really." "She hums and places it back in her pocket. "If you're lying I'm gonna hurt you."

(N) looks up at the sky and sighs. "This town is always making sacrifices. Everything is changing."Ash turns to (N) as the man continues. "I feel like Myles was bound to this place...and now our daughter is bound to this place too." (N) looks down at his lap as Ash places a hand on his shoulder. "It's like this town is hurting. Because of the changes. Maybe their sickness is a reflection of it."

"Everything's going to keep changing. That's just the natural order of things. It's a hard lesson to learn. People dying. But that's why we keep building hospitals." Ash offers (N) a small smile.
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(N) nervously paces in his bedroom and flinches when River's eyes open. "Hey. Do you need anything? Water?" River nods, (N) helps her sit up, and drink from a glass. "It's good." (N) smiles and sets the glass down. "Daddy." "Yes?" "I wanna go on a trip." "We will. Once you get better." (N) flinches as brown eyes stare at him intensely. "We have to go now. We have to." "Okay. Okay. Let's go."
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River staggers and pants as she pulls (N) forward. (N)'s brows furrowed and he huffs. "C'mon. That's enough. Let's go back." "No. We...have to...go." River huffs and looks up as snow falls onto her face. (N) looks up with wide eyes. He looks back down at his daughter. "Do you like the snow?" "Yea...do you?" "I...I do." River breaths heavily and drags her feet forward. She trips and (N) quickly catches her. "River!" "Are...are we on the train?"

Tears roll down (N)'s face as he holds the girl to his chest. "Yea! We're almost there. Just hold on!" River wraps her arm around her dad's neck. "Daddy." "Yes?" "I love you." (N) sniffles and pats her beanie. "Daddy loves you too. So much!" River's arm goes limp as (N) cups her face. "River. River! God no! Anything but this!" (N) sobs loudly as snow surrounds him. "Please! Someone save her! Myles! Myles save River please!"