You're Worth It

"I love you ,Daddy!"

Paul's POV*

"Wheeee!" giggled Ally who was sitting in my dented cart as I raced down the block with her. I had just gotten done with collecting today's cans and I coldnt wait to go home to Beth. As I reached to the corner of our alley I slowed and Ally whined. "Again. Again, daddy." I shook my head at my precious daughter and said,"No, not again. We gatta go to mommy. She should be done with dinner soon." I strolled into the alley and parked my cart next to our home made of cardboard, sheet metal, and tarps. I grab Ally and duck into our home. Beth is sitting at the little fire with a rack and pan. Inside the little house was filled with the smell of tomato soup. Beth turned and smiled,"Welcome back darling, dinner should be done in a second." Ally reached towards her mother. I set her down and she stumbled towards her mommy and wrapd her arms around Beth's back from behind. Ally snuggled against her mother and giggled,"Thank you mommy, I love you." Beth picks up her toddler and gives her a heart-warming hug and a kiss one the cheek."No problem my lil pansy. Mommy loves you too. Now go sit down and mommy'll feed you." Ally nodded and stumbled again towards a pile of blankets that was our bed. Beth took a spoon and scooped some of the soup into a styrofoam cup, and brought it to Ally. Lifting small spoon fulls of soup to her mouth, blowing on the steamed soup, and choo-choo training it to Ally's lips. As Ally ate I sat on the ground next to the fire and warmed up my chilled hands. I look to the pan and see that only half was left. Itd been two days since Ive eaten ,but one more day couldnt hurt. Beth deserved it. She would get the last bit of food. When Ally was done she bundled herself in her blankets and asked Beth,"Mommy, story, please." Beth set the cup aside and settled herself on her bottom, cross legged. "Of course, babygirl." she smiled. Ally's eyes brightened as Beth began,"Once upon a time, there was this little kitten who lived with her mama and dada. They were a happy family. They lived in the basement of a nice old lady's home. The old lady would bring them rich cream in a saucer and sometimes sardenes in a can. The little kitten loved to play. She chased mice, rabbits,and roaches but she never hurt them. The kitten grew up to be strong, smart, and beautiful. She was agile and swift. She was respected by all animals. The kitten whom grown to be a cat found herself a new home with a partner. They loved eachother and then had their own small litter of adorable kittens and they live happily ever after." Beth fininshed telling her tale as Ally dosed off. She watched Ally's samll,gentle breaths. I kneel beside her and tuck a strand of her short ,dark hair behind her ripped ear. It had been ingured from a dog attack. She take my hand and kisses it."Wanna go to bed ,sweetie?" I ask her softly. She nods looking up at me with her tired, doewy eyes. We crawl into bed next to our sweet angel. It was a cold night. Large gusts of winds and frost nipped at our home. I was just beginning to  stirr in my sleep when a large crash had rung through my ears. I didnt wake up though. I was too tired. I just let it be. Then the next morning I  yawned and rolled over but to only see Beth hunched over her ,breathing into her mouth...