Kidnapped (Jemi Story)

Chapter 1: Gone Baby Gone

The day I lost Mia, was the day I had lost myself. I had lost my sanity. I just couldn't understand why. Why would somebody take my daughter? What did I do to deserve this? Were Joe and I bad parents? Did we deserve this? No, that can't be the reason because if it were they would've taken Lily as well. All these thoughts just kept running through my head. Just why Mia? Why? What did she do to deserve this? She wasn't a bad kid. She always listened to what we told her and always made sure to say please and thank you. Why would someone want to do this to such a sweet innocent little girl? Why?

 *2 days earlier*

 "RING! RING!" My alarm clock went off. That means it's 7:30 am and it's time to get the twins up to get ready for preschool. 

 Joe and I have twins, two daughters, who are four years old. They're names are Lily and Mia. Joe and I got married 7 years ago when we were 20, shortly after I spent my time in rehab for cutting and an eating disorder and working on recovering. Joe has always been there from the start. He was the first one who wasn't family who found out my issues and encouraged me to seek help. If it weren't for him, I probably would've never sought help and would be 10 times worse right now, or even worse, dead. I can't even think about that right now. I am so happy with my life. I am currently 5 years clean and it feels great. 

 After I woke the twins up, I got them ready and then took them downstairs and made them breakfast. Since it was their first day of preschool I made their favorite, pancakes. 

 "Thank you, Mommy." Lily said to me as I set them on the table.

 'You're welcome baby." I replied.

 After I cleaned up the kitchen and put everything away, I sat down at the table to spend some time with my girls before their first day of school.

 "You girls excited for your first day of school?" I asked with a huge smile on my face. My babies are growing up so fast, I can't believe it!

 "No!" Mia replied.

"Why not?" I asked a little bit confused. I thought most kids were excited to start school. I know my sisters and I were excited on our very first day of school.

"What if nobody likes me?" 

 "Baby, why wouldn't anybody like you?" I asked. I couldn't believe I was hearing this from a four-year-old. She's too young to be worrying about these things.

 "I don't know." She replied looking down at her pancakes about ready to take another bite.

 "Well, I know for a fact that you're going to make lots of friends." I said with a smile trying to encourage her.

 She smiled and finished her pancakes.

 20 minutes later the girls were done eating and we were heading out the door. After I dropped them off, I drove back home. As I walked through the door, Joe greeted me with a hug.

 "Hey, you're home!" I said with my arms still around his neck.

 "Yeah, they let me off early today." Joe said with a smile and then he kissed me again.

 "The girls and I have missed you so much."

 "I know, I know. I'm trying to get more hours off, it's just so hard because -" 

 "Because they need you, I get it." I said cutting him off.

 I took my arms off from around his neck and went into the kitchen.

 "Demi, it's not like that I promise! I'm trying, I really am!" Joe said while following me.

 "No, don't worry about it. It's fine" I said with a fake smile.