What Life Stole From Me

Epilogue.

"Muffin." He called out. "Cathy have you seen Muffin? We are running late." He asked.

Cathy,who was standing before the kitchen island washing salad,turned to answer Him, "I think---"

"I'm here." She said,coming down the stairs.

He turned toward Her,leaving Cathy to Her kitchen work. "Muffin,where have you been?" He kissed her right cheek,and froze when He caught a closer glance of Her face.
"Muffin?"

"Sorry Daddy,I was making up." She answered. "How do I look?"

"Sweetheart,you cant make up,you are too young for that,you always look beautiful,with or without make-up." He said.

"Buy you said I could make up when I'm Eight." She said stubbornly.

"Yes,I mean,that was just to get you to shut up,then." He answered.

"So you lied?"

"No,I...."

"Yes You lied,Daddy."

"No,young lady. I did not."

"You lied you lied you lied." She said,with her hands resting on her waist.

"Alright young lady,go up and clean your face up. This conversation is over." He scolded.

"Of course it is. Because you lied." She rolled her eyes.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me,Muffin?" He asked.

"Yes,duh." She rolled her eyes again.

"Some nerves you've got,young lady." He countered as He raced her up the stairs.

"Got you." He said as she giggled,He caught her by the waist and sat her down on his laps.

"Daddy?"

"Uh-hum"

"Do you miss mummy?" She asked.

"Every second of every minute of everyday,Muffin." He answered. "But you are here,and I'm happy to have you,I love you equally." He kissed her forehead.

"I love you too Daddy. Don't be sad." She said.

"I'm not sad angel. Now come on,wipe that face off,I have something for you." He said.

Cherry rushed up to the mirror and wiped her face off.
She had the face of her mother,but the blue eyes of her father,everything else was Sarah's.

"Okay,done." She turned to her father.
He walked over to where she was standing,in front of the mirror and stood behind her.

"Close your eyes." He said,and she did.

He slid a pendant around her neck.

"Open." He ordered,and She did.

"Wow. Daddy,I love it. What is it made of? I love the label 'Muffin',thoughtful." She said,as she fingered her new pendant.

"Its diamond,Muffin. It was your Mom's." He answered,and She turned to face Him.

"Thank you Daddy. I love you." She said,looking into Her father's eyes,She saw sadness,and happiness. Such a contradiction.

On his side,Esteban was happy and sad. He's been sad since the day Sarah left Him. He's been happy since the day His daughter was born.

"I love you more than the world itself,Angel." He answered,now come on,lets go see Mummy. He swooped her up against His shoulder and took the stairs down.

"Bye Cathy." She shouted.

"Bye,Silly girl." Cathy answered.

They exited the building and got inside the white Mercedes that was parked outside,with Simon behind the wheel,they drove off.

                              *****

       The Cemetery was quiet,the noiselessness and absolute solitude exuding sadness,and serenity.

      With Simon behind Esteban and Cherry swooped up in her father's arms,they walked to Sarah's resting place.

    "Hey Muff." Esteban said. "Resting well? Look at your daughter,She turned Eight today. All grown up yeah?" He chuckled, "I know."

"She has taken after you,defiant,sassy,sweet,loving with a big heart. Every breath she takes reminds me of you." He paused. "I miss you. I wish you were here Muffin,life would have been so fulfilling,so different. Sometimes I feel lost,the only thing keeping me going is Cherry." He said.

"Talk to Momma,Muffin." He said to Cherry.

"Hey Mummy. Daddy shows me pictures of your everyday,I have a big one framed in my room,I talk to you every night before I sleep,are you happy where you are? Smile If you are." She said.

"Of course She is happy,Angel." Esteban muttered. "Mummy says happy birthday."

"Thank you Mummy. I love you."

"She loves you too. Come here." He dragged her into his arms in order to prevent her from seeing the tears that rolled down His eyes.

He never let her see him cry.
The cemetery had become his second home,he visited Sarah everyday since she left,unless he wasn't in New York.

They talked for another thirty minutes,and then finally,they left.

                            *****

"Daddy I want to go to Uncle Jake's." Cherry said.

"Muffin you'll see Uncle Jake at the Empire,there's a birthday party for you later."

"What about Grandma and Grandpa? And Aunt Judith?" She asked.

"They are on their way from Coastal town,they'll be here soon." He answered as He waited for the next questions. Cherry was an inquisitive child.

"What about my brother Josh? Grandpa and Grandma Australia?"
She had always addressed her paternal grandparents as Granpa and Grandpa Australia.

"They cant make it. We'll go next month,Muffin." He said,His mind wandering over to his late wife.

"Daddy?"

"Muffin."

"Are you sad?"

"No Sweetie,I'm not." He lied.

"Hold me." She said,and He did,kissing her hair.

"I love you so much Muffin. You mean the world to me,always have,always will." He said,staring into nothingness.
And at that moment,He couldn't tell wether He was talking to his daughter,or his wife,or both.

_______________________________
AN; Hi muffins. This is the last update we'll see from 'What Life Stole From Me',We have an even more intriguing story in 'Leap of faith',but we'll continue 'The Mask Of Sorrow' first. The story is short,very short,so if you haven't read the 3 chapters that are already published,go do that now.
Don't forget to add the story to your library so that you'll get notified every time there's an update.
I cant thank you enough,Thank you thank you thank you. ❤️😢