Wish Upon A Sunset

Please Wake Up

Emma

The Day Of The Accident...

Grace's piercing cry shattered the stillness of the car as I pulled into the driveway.

"Okay, baby. Let's get you in the house and laid down for a nap. How does that sound?" I murmured, trying to soothe her. I needed to get her inside and comfortable as quickly as possible.

Her only response was another heart-wrenching cry as I scrambled out of the car and unbuckled her from her car seat. Her cheeks, streaked with tear tracks, looked utterly miserable. I cradled her against my chest, feeling the dampness of her tears through my shirt as I hurried into the house.

Grace had been under the weather for the past few days, and our visit to the pediatrician had brought little relief. The doctor had attributed her lethargy, lack of appetite, and occasional vomiting to the flu that was making its rounds. He advised pushing fluids, giving her baby Tylenol, and ensuring she got plenty of rest. If she didn't improve within a week, he warned, I should bring her back right away.

As I stepped inside, the warmth of the house enveloped me, chasing away the autumn chill that clung to my coat. I didn't even bother to remove it as I headed straight to Grace's nursery. The familiar scent of baby powder hit my nose, a slight comfort after being out all day. It was a fragrance that had become synonymous with my two little ones, the only bright spots in a life overshadowed by trepidation.

I inhaled sharply, the air a cold shock against my surprised lungs as I rounded the corner of the living room.

Zack was standing next to the stove in the kitchen, gazing at a pink bakery box filled with cupcakes that I had bought beforehand to surprise the kids.

It had been an impulse buy, and I had been eager to see Tristan's face when he saw the cupcakes after getting home from school. My "mom guilt" had been the driving force that prompted me to buy them. His big, blue eyes absorbed every detail of the arguments Zack and I had over the week. No kid should have to see that, and though I knew the sugar wouldn't erase what he had witnessed, he deserved to have a little something to brighten up his day.

There was no excitement on Zack's face, though. He wore a deep frown and stared at the box of cupcakes as if it was a poisonous snake. "What the hell is this?"

A cold dread settled in my stomach, twisting my insides and leaving my heart a leaden weight.

"Um, cupcakes." I murmured. The rebellious side of me, the one I tried to never show him, fought to add "duh" to the end of that sentence, but self-preservation won out.

"I know what they are, Emma. What are they doing here?" He glanced over at me where I was standing next to the couch holding Grace.

"I bought them. As a surprise for the kids." His intense gaze made me squirm with discomfort.

He nonchalantly leaned his hip against the island counter and crossed one foot over the other, the beige slacks that he wore always perfectly creased. He crossed his arms over his dark blue dress shirt next. His muscles were so tense, the matching beige and dark blue striped tie bunched under the pressure.

"The kids don't need these! They're pure sugar!" he grumbled, "It's going to give them a sugar high and you know I hate it when they get too loud!"

"Well, I wasn't planning on giving them the entire box, Zack." Without thinking, I snarked back in return. I mean, honestly, one little cupcake wasn't the end of the world. They're kids. They should have some joy in their life. I knew I sure needed some.

Zack ran a hand through his hair in agitation, and my heart rate escalated.

All of his focus was on me now and I swallowed hard, my mouth dry.