Lottie, or Lottie Havens is her name, who was born on the day her mother died during her birth. This tragedy left her family heartbroken. While her father cared for her lovingly, her five brothers blamed her for their mother's death and treated her...
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The family have been anticipating this for months now, the brothers eagerly waiting for their little sister's arrival.
The children sat outside of the emergency room. Ian, the youngest out of the brothers had a blanket wrapped around his little body. Leo, the fourth oldest was sitting beside Ian with his legs swinging back and forth with a nervous and excited expression.
Adam and Ace, the twins, were trying to take a peek at the window of the emergency door. Lastly, Eli, the oldest, who was pacing back and forth while waiting for their father to come back.
"This darn door..." Adam let out a huff. "Shouldn't it be over by now?" He asked his twin by his side, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah," Ace frowned, his pout visible to his face. "It's taking too long. I want to see my sister. What does she look like?"
His twin raised his eyebrows. "Are you a dummy? Of course she looks like us! We're her brothers," Adam earned an eye roll from Ace.
On the other hand, their father, Luke, was beside his wife, Clara. He was holding her hand like it was the last time they'll be together. He had done this five times before, and he had no doubts that she would succeed in giving birth to their first daughter.
But it was different this time.
The labor had been long and difficult. His wife's face is pale and drenched with sweat. The midwives moved in different directions on the bed, their expression betraying their worries that they tried to hide.
After what felt like hours, the cries of the baby echoed inside, but it was accompanied by tension and heavy silence.
Outside where the children were waiting were getting impatient. It all disappeared when their father walked out, but with a solemn and sad face. "Your mother.. she's gone."
The children's faces went pale from what they heard. Ian and Leo burst out crying and hugged each other. "That can't be real!"
The twins tried to hide their sobs, but the announcement was too overwhelming for them and they sat on the floor, crying. Eli was the most affected. After all of those years that he spent with his mother had just vanished.
The father called for them and they all hugged each other with a heavy heart. The doctor was standing inches away from them with a look of pity. It was better for him to not interfere.
★
The next few days passed in a blur. The house was filled with visitors offering their condolences and to Clara's family who were extremely sad to hear their daughter's death.
Eli stayed in his room the whole day, avoiding any conversations from people. Adam and Ace also did the same. They were the ones who comforted each other's backs. Leo and Ian also did the same to each other. They cuddled together to bring themselves to sleep.
The father was worried for his children and tried to visit their rooms and give them meals, which they accepted. He comforted them until they all slept. He left and visited Lottie inside of his shared bedroom with his wife who passed away. She was sleeping in her crib that both Luke and Clara bought together before.
Luke was dying deep inside, but he needed to stay strong for his children, for his family.
Though it wasn't her fault- everyone knew that- the little boys couldn't help but feel a sting of resentment towards their little sister. It wasn't fair, and they didn't understand why it had to happen this way. Why couldn't it be the other people instead? Why Clara?
Eli avoided looking at her, the sight of her face too much for him to bear. Adam and Ace pretended she didn't exist. Leo and Ian were the only ones who didn't know how to react, but followed their older brothers instead.
The father did his best to care for Lottie, but even so, he struggled under the weight of his grief. He hadn't expected to lose his wife, he hadn't expected to be the ones taking care of his six children alone. Yet, he had no choice but to carry on, even though life is hard for him.
And Lottie, even though she was innocent, she would always be the reminder of the pain, of how the family lost Clara because of her birth.
★
It's short, but I'll try to make a longer chapter next time! Anyways, QOTD! What's your favorite school subject??
