Second Chances

Chapter 24

Last chapter. A sequel is planned.

Two days later Max's house was cleared to go back to. Max had been busy taking care of Kaylie and planning Darrian's memorial service. She'd already been cremated. Kaylie and Max had just gotten home. When they went inside, Kaylie was horrified when she saw the stain of Darrian's blood dried up on the floor. Max wasn't expecting it either.

"Ahhhh!!!" Kaylie screamed.

"It's ok honey, come here." He knelt down and hugged her.

"That's mommy's blood, that's mommy's blood!" She yelled.

Max took Kaylie to Kyle's so he could clean up the blood. As he cleaned the blood. In the middle of it he broke down crying.

"I told you I'd never let him hurt you again." He thought. "I let you down."  "I'm sorry."

Later that night Max was in bed. He couldn't sleep and was thinking of Darrian. He heard screaming coming from Kaylie's room. He ran into the room. She was sitting in bed crying. Max sat on the bed and hugged.

"Ssh, ssh." He said. "It's alright, it was just a bad dream."

"I want mommy." She said tearfully.

"I know." "So do I."

"I'm scared."

"Wanna sleep in the bed with me?"

"Yeah." He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He got in bed next to her.

"Try to get some sleep."

"Ok." She held his hand and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you, daddy."

"I love you too." She shut her eyes. Max knew he'd failed in protecting Darrian. He vowed he wouldn't fail again with Kaylie.