For My Daughter, Hanna

Poppy's POV

I always loved the feel of a soft, warm breeze. Usually there was one perfect day in the summer time that produced that kind of weather. And usually that meant many people spent their days outside, mowing their lawns or heading to the beach. Normally I would take Hanna out to do something on a type of day such as this but, her sick little body didn't even have the effort to get out of bed. Her small figure lay curled up on her enormous queen size bed. Her pale complexion almost camouflaged her in with the light cream color of her sheets.

I inched my way into the room with a wet wash cloth and a glass of water, hoping not to wake her just yet. I sat down beside her making sure my weight was on the edge of the bed so it didn't shift her. Being gentle I set the wash cloth against her forehead and held it there. She stirred, rolling closer to me. "Shh. Morning sweetheart." I planted a soft kiss on her cheek as she cracked her eyes open. "Want me to open the window?" Small beads of sweat rolled down the sides of her face. Before she could even open her mouth to speak I was up and unlatching the locks on the window. I pushed it open, letting the breeze rustle my hair.  

"Momma?" Hanna's weak voice turned me around, pulling me back to the bed. "Is daddy gonna be home soon?" she asked, her shaking fingers wrapping around mine. Many memories flooded into my head and the emotions I was feeling were clear in my eyes. Sadness, confusion, and the overpowering them all; lonliness.  

"Poppy, I love you...But I never should have married you. We were young and immature. I hate to say this but," his voice shook and I knew he was going to say something he would regret. "Hanna was a mistake." The air seemed to get colder and my body stiffened.  

"Our daughter was not a mistake!" I finally erupted, my voice echoing in the small car. I'd never known what kind it was and I didn't bother asking either. Daniel's eyes avoided mine and it was probably best they did. "I can't believe you said that. How about you say that to her face and break her little heart." My voice was surprisingly quiet, different from my angry voice before.  

"Is it even possible for her heart to break? It's already messed up." Once again, my muscles tensed and my face grew red with fury.  

"Oh! So now it's alright to talk like that?! She is your daughter. Our daughter! When we had her we made a promise, remember?!" Daniel nodded slightly, almost unnoticeable. "We would take care of her no matter how she turned out! It's not like we can help the fact that her heart is too small!" My own heart seemed like it would bust seeing as it was beating quickly and practically smacking my ribs. Before I noticed our car pulled up to our small, baby blue house. My sister was watching Hanna while we were out with a few friends. Daniel's hand slipped onto mine, rubbing it soothingly. His thumb traced small circles which he knew calmed me down.  

"Let's just go inside and get to bed. It's late. Hanna's probably already in bed." The time on the clock in the car read 11:05 p.m. I pushed the door open with my free hand, hesitantly pulling my other hand away from  

him. He reached down and grabbed my purse from under my feet, stepping out of the car. We both walked side by side to the door, our voices completely silenced. Daniel reached into my purse and he opened the door.

Daniel's POV (The night he left)

I gently pulled my arms away from the sleeping Poppy, making sure not to wake her. My plan was to leave and head straight to Grendy's house. My bags were already in the trunk of the car. All I need to do was leave. I looked at Poppy, biting my lip. She was beautiful. But she could do better than a man like me. I'd left my money on the bed side table so she could care for Hanna for a good 6 months. She wouldn't have  a car but knowing her, she would borrow her sisters. I leaned down, kissing her forehead gently, pulling away after a few painfully long seconds. "Goodbye."

 My voice was soft, as were my footsteps. I walked out of the room, through the living room and out the door. The car was sitting in the driveway, just waiting for me to get in and leave my wife and child. Everything I was doing was practically killing me but I had to do it. For Poppy's future. "Goodbye." I whispered, repeating myself again. I turned the car on and backed out of the driveway.

I started to regret even thinking of leaving her but she deserved better. I wasn't giving her enough. I couldn't pay for medical bills and I didn't know how to handle a sick child. This probably wasn't the smartest of ideas either. She would have to be a single mother taking care of a sick child, paining bills on the house, and possibly even having to get a job. But, my plan might help her with money. I was going to get a job and send her money every month. But what am I good at? I could..There is always the idea of working at a resteraunt. It probably wouldn't be much pay but it would bring in some money. And maybe I could get another job on top of that.

Grendy's house was only two and a half hours away and I had managed to make it 20 minutes on the road without turning around. A few times I almost did but I stopped myself. I watched the houses go by, everyone giving me the same rememberance of our house. Our house had been owned by my great grandmother Hanna's friend. Both old women were sweet and were easily loveable. Just like Poppy.. I thought to myself, sighing out loud. I turned the radio up in hopes of blocking out my thoughts.

I stopped at a gas station and filled the tank up in the car. As I waited I watched a mother and her child ordering ice cream. The little girl was to short to reach the counter so the mother hoisted her up in her arms. They were both smiling and giggling together and once again I was reminded of my wife and daughter. I never knew it would be this hard to keep them out of my life. I peered at the womens hand but didn't find a ring. She's like Poppy? Once my gas tank was filled up I grabbed my credit card out of my wallet and walked into the building to pay. My eyes wandered to the girls as I paid. Maybe I could just say hi.? I hesitantly walked up to the women and greeted her with a smile. Maybe I don't have to miss them anymore?

Poppy's POV

"Daddy's going to be gone for a while. But you don't need to worry. He'll be back soon." I always told 

Hanna not to lie and I sure wasn't doing a good job at teaching that lesson. "Oh hey, guess what? Aunt Carol got you this." I stood and walked to the dresser, grabbing a plush stuffed monkey. I saw Hanna's eyes light up, the light from the light bulb twinkling in her chocolate eyes. I laid on the bed beside her, tucking the monkey into her arms. "We can call her later and thank her."  

"Can we call daddy and tell him?" Her words were like knives.  

"Daddy lost his phone. But he'll call when he gets a new one." I gave her a phony smile before pulling the washcloth away. "Mommy will be right back." My feet hit the carpeted floor and I left the room, listening to  

Hanna's squeals of joy. I walked to the bathroom and tossed the washcloth in the sink. I stopped in front of the mirror and looked at myself. My eyes were red, purple bags lining underneath them. My normally curly blond hair stuck in every which direction. When I looked at myself in the mirror I was a whole new person. A different person. I reached out, grabbing the brush and raking it through the knots in my hair. When my hair was it's normally curly the brush lay in it's normal place. I can't do this alone. Not for long at least. I need him back.. She thought. He's with some other women, I'm sure of it! Carol always spoke negatively about Daniel, and quite frankly I didn't care. I will be strong for as long as I can. I just need to remember to be confident, strong and understanding.

This is my first story on here so mind me if I did something wrong. This is also my first time really writing in Point Of View so just..bear with me. Uh..Comments, votes, and suggestions would be nice. Tell me what I'm doing wrong or what I'm doing right. I'm sorry it's kind of jumpy..It goes from like present, to past, then stays past for Daniel's POV and then goes back to present.. Oh! And if people like this, I will post the second chapter or second part of it.

Thanks for reading!