"Honey you hungry now?" I asked Alistaire as we were watching the dolphins. We are now in the dolphin show. She's really enjoying the dolphin's tricks.
"No." She mumbled. Alistaire woke up by six in the morning and she's still crying and looking for her mom. I texted Althea last night and she replied on me that she's fine. By this time, she must be here. She texted me a while ago that she's with her husband and they're going here. It's already one in the afternoon, where are they?
"Baby. Where's Althea? They must be here." I tapped Jason's lap while looking around the area.
"Maybe there's a traffic. They will be here." He smiled. I nodded then turn back to the dolphin's show.
The rest of the show was good. Alistaire cheerfully clapped and watch amusingly. We were now heading to the restaurant to grab some lunch.
"Good afternoon Mam, Sir.. Table for how many?" The lady crew asked
"Three." Jason snapped. She nodded and guided us to our table. I put Alistaire in front of me as Jason sat beside me. I ordered three different dishes that can save us from hunger.
"You eat everything on your plate okay honey?" I said to Alistaire. She smiled to me like an angel. She's really pretty. I was about to eat when my phone rings. I quickly pulled it out from my bag then answer.
"Hello." I said
"Steph. Please go home now. Something happened. Please make sure that Alistaire's okay." Lucy said with rambling words. I heard loud crying coming from the background of her.
"Mom wait. Just take it slowly. What happened?" I asked. Jason looked at me a little confuse and i just shrugged. I fixed Alistaire's plate and put her food in the middle of her plate.
"Althea.. and Jeremy .. A car accident happened. Please be home now." She said as i heard her cry. A tear fall down from my eyes, as i glanced at the little girl eating her food happily. How am i suppose to tell her? How will i react with this?
"Steph. Just be home. Please." Lucy begged. I heard that my mom stole the phone from her. I close my eyes as i try to sink in every words that Lucy's saying. I don't know what to do.
"Honey. Be home. And please take care of Alistaire." My Mom said. I don't want to cry in front of Alistaire. I really don't know what should i say.
"We'll be there. We'll just fixed our things." Then i hung up. I looked at my phone, is that true? I asked myself.
"We need to go home." I whispered to Jason.
"Why?" He asked. He noticed a tear forming in my eyes, he quickly wiped it.
"Honey you done?" I asked Alistaire as i turn to her
"Let's go back to our suite so we can dress up we'll be meeting Mama Lucy." I smiled at her. She quickly nodded and got up from the stool. Jason paid the bills and we stepped out the restaurant.
"Can you call Manager Strands?" I asked the receptionist as we entered the hotel. She nodded and quickly talk to someone. As i saw Manager Strands, i asked her to get the things from Althea's suite and we really need to go home. I didn't explain to her why, but i think she knows that something happened. We ride the elevator, i still not tell to Jason what happened. As we reached the 30th floor, i quickly swiped the keycard to our suite and let them enter.
"Put Alistaire to bed. Her milk was on her bag. We need to talk." I said as he was still carrying Alistaire in his arms. He nodded then made his way to our room. I hope he understand. I really don't know how to say to him or even to Alistaire. Althea and her husband on a car accident? My gosh how can i say that to a little girl without hurting her?
I stepped inside our bedroom. I rushed towards our closet and packed everything in our luggages. Toiletries, gadgets and clothes that were scattered on the floor i quickly put it in the bags. I glanced at the bed and saw that Alistaire was already sleeping and Jason was lying beside her.
"Baby. Let's talk now." I tapped his shoulder and he climbed out of the bed quickly. I pulled him in the living room and push him to sit on the couch. I sit on his lap to lessen the tension that i am feeling.
"We need to go home baby.." I said in a very calm tone
"You said that a while ago. We need to be home for what?" He asked as he grabbed my waist and turn me around to face him.
"Althea and her husband on a car accident.." I said it without breathing. I don't like to cry or anything. I need to be strong for them. He looked shock as i said those words to him. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead into mine. A teardrop falls on me, it's coming from him. I hugged him in the most comforting way i can. I rubbed his back smoothly. I heard him sob and murmuring something.
"I don't know what exactly happened but that's all they said, we need to be home and take care of Alistaire." I said while i tucked my head on his shoulder.
"Tell her everything when we are home." He said in a shaky voice. I pulled out from the hug then started to wipe his tears by my thumb.
"You can drive baby?" He nodded.
"Don't cry. We need to be strong for Alistaire. I don't like seeing my fiancè crying. Please stop." I begged. I wiped his tears cause it keeps on falling. A man crying in front of her fiancè? His really comfortable on me that's why he can do whatever he wants.
"Aww. My baby is so cute while crying. I love you." I smiled just to change his mood. I get up from his lap then pulled him up from the couch.
"What if they died because of the accident. What are we going to do with Alistaire?" He simply asked as we were walking back to the bedroom.
"Hey don't say that. We really don't know what happened to them." I opened the bedroom door and saw that Alistaire was still sleeping.
"Yes i know. What if baby? What if?" He asked. He pulled our luggages then placed it in froont of the door. What are we going to do with Alistaire?
"We'll adopt her." I snapped. He looked at me with his wide eyes.
"You serious?" He asked.
"Yes. What we'll do to her? Put her in the orphanage?" I said. I pulled the clothes of Alistaire from her bag. I'll be putting her in a shower before we go home.
"Is it okay for you?" He asked before he stepped inside the bathroom. I nodded. We really don't know what happened, but we need to be ready. And we really need to think for the best and positive way for Alistaire.
I pulled out our clothes from the luggages so that we can change our clothes before going home.
"Mommy.. Mommy Steph.." a voice coming from the little girl.
"Ohh. Hi honey. You ready to go home?" I smiled at her. She nodded. Good that she's not crying when she woke up.
"After Uncle Jason, you shower okay?" I said. I put our clothes above our bed. I glanced at Alistaire that was still sitting above the bed, how can i say to her?
"Your turn Alistaire." Jason smiled. Alistaire jumps on the bed then launch herself on to Jason. Good that Jason wasn't showing a sad mood towards Alistaire.
"Come on now honey. Shower time." I grabbed her from Jason and carry her in my arms. I put her in the tub as we entered the bathroom.
"Ohh. Remember Ariel in Little Mermaid honey? She swims like you." I said happily. I rubbed her with her baby shower gel then put the baby shampoo on her hair.
"Yehey! Our mermaid's done." I quickly wrapped her body with a big towel. Stepping out, i saw Jason with his phone. His totally dressed now.
I put Alistaire on the bed. I reach for her bag to get the powder and diaper. I tuck her diaper then put her blue flared dress. I let her slipped on her white flops.
"Don't move your head. It's gonna be quick." I snapped. She keeps on moving her head as i put her hair in a pony tail. Jason was not paying attention to us, i don't know why. His really busy with his phone.
"I'm going to shower. If it's okay, can you watch Alistaire." He just nodded and still didn't look at me. I made my way in the bathroom. We need to be home so, ten minutes shower will be good. I dried myself and put on my light blue dress. I slipped on my flops then put other stuffs that i need.
"You alright honey?" I asked Alistaire. She was playing her Ipad, but she's frowning.
"Yes.." She mumbled. I carry her in my arms then pulled out my luggage with my other hands. Jason wasn't looking at me or even giving an attention. I stepped out of the bedroom with Alistaire on my arms. I put her in the couch and turn on tv as i called the receptionist. I asked them to send a crew here to help us with our luggage.
"They already carried our luggage to your car. Can we go now?" I asked as i open the bedroom door. He nodded then get up from the bed.
"Come on honey. We're leaving now." I said to Alistaire. I put her in my arms, so sad that Jason still didn't bother to talk to us. I don't know why his acting like that.
"Give Alistaire to me. I'll carry her." He said as he tapped me on my shoulder.
"No it's okay. I don't know what's bothering you, but i hope it can't affect later when you drive." I turn around and walked towards the door of our suite. His just walking behind me.
"Mommy Steph. We will be back here tomorrow?" Alistaire asked. She's playing my hair while i'm still carrying her. We stepped inside the elevator and Jason remained silent.
"We'll be back here but not tomorrow. You can swim at our house. You can be a mermaid in our pool." I giggled at her.
"Yehey! You're the best!" She kissed me on my cheeks. I hugged her tight. I really love Alistaire. She's easy to be love because of his charming looks.
We reach the lobby area and i talked to Manager Strands. I told her to arrange everything here and i thanked her for the good service they gave to us. Our car was already parked in front of the main entrance.
"Honey don't remove the seatbelt okay?" I said to Alistaire as i tuck her seatbelt on her. I put her in the back seat, because i'll be sitting in front beside the moody Jason.
"Put on your seatbelt." He mumbled. I didn't notice that i didn't put my seatbelt on. My mind was so focus to Alistaire.
"Ohh." I put it on and get my bag. I checked my phone and i noticed that Mom has so many text on me. I didn't make a reply on her, i don't know how can i deal with them when we go home. Jason start the engine of the car and started to move.
It's a five hour drive going home. Good thing that Alistaire was not making her tantrums.
"Not hungry honey?" I asked Alistaire as i turn my head to her.
"A little Mommy." She smiled at me. She's really busy with her Ipad.
"Is it okay if we drop by at Mcdonald's? If not. It's okay." I asked Jason. He drives really focus on the road.
"Alistaire you want fries?" Jason asked. He smiled at me.
"It depends to Mommy." She smiled then point at me. She's still playing her Ipad. My gosh, this girl really called me Mommy. We stopped as we hit the red stop light. I pulled out my Ipad, well i like to take a photo of the three of us.
"Honey can you look here on the Ipad?" I said to Alistaire. She nodded. I placed the Ipad at side and i quickly take a photo. Jason smiled, Alistaire pouted her lips and I smiled widely.
"Wow. Alistaire was so cute here baby. Look." I show him my Ipad.
"Yea she is. I love you princess." He holds my hands and squeezed it lightly.
"I love you too baby!" I said to him. The stop light hit green, time to move again. He released my hand then start to drive again. I posted the picture on my account well of course with a great caption.
Ohh! Going home from the beach. Look at our lovely baby and my hottie fiancè. Moments with them: PRICELESS❤️
We've been in the car for four hours. Alistaire was still playing at her Ipad while Jason was still focus on the road. We are near to the fast food now. Gosh! I'm really starving and it's really getting dark now. Jason parked the car on the parking space in front of the fast food chain. I jumped out of the car and opened the door on the back seat.
"Come on honey. Play your Ipad later. We will eat now." I said as i pulled her out of the car. I grabbed her Ipad and put on my bag. Jason get her from my arms.
"What do you want?" I asked. We are now standing in front of the counter.
"Fries and mcflurry." Jason said.
"Alistaire?" I asked as i hold her hands.
"Fries too Mommy." She said. I nodded. I ordered four large fries then three mcflurry. We decided that we should eat at the car. We really need to be home, it's now seven in the evening. We eat at the car for the rest of the drive.
"Baby. Where are we going? Your house or ours?" Jason asked upon entering the village
"Our house." I snapped.
"Alistaire, fix your self. We're near to our house." I said. She quickly fix her hair and clean up her clothes. She really understands me.
Our gate was open so Jason quickly parked the car. I jumped out then get Alistaire from the back.
"Baby. Leave the things there." I said to Jason as he attempt to pulled out our things from the car.
"Alright." He mumbled. He get Alistaire from my arms then put his arms on my shoulder. We stepped inside our house. The loud crying that i'm hearing. The busy maids roaming around.
"Evelyn. Where's Mom?" I asked as i saw her.
"She's in the garden Mam." She said. She quickly made her way to the kitchen. They are so busy. We made our way to the garden. Mom was comforting Lucy. Gosh! What happened?
"Mom.." I said as i approached them. I kiss my mom then Lucy. She return a hug to me. Jason put Alistaire on my arm as Lucy released me from the hug.
"Honey kiss my mom." I said to Alistaire. She kissed my mom then tuck her face on my shoulder again. Lucy was whispering something on Jason's ears. She's really crying hard.
"Kiss Mama Lucy." I mumbled. I really want to change the mood here. Lucy released Jason from the hug then turn to Alistaire.
"How's my baby Ali?" She said as she quickly wiped her tears.
"I'm good. Mama why are you crying?" Alistaire said. She wiped Lucy's cheek then kissed her.
"I just miss you." Lucy answered. Alistaire nodded. She tuck her face on my shoulder again.
"Steph. Put her into bed. Ask Evelyn if someone can be her nanny. Come on. We need to talk." I nodded with what my mom said. I left Jason with them. I stepped inside our house then look for Evelyn.
"Eve, can you assign someone to be Alistaire's nanny? I need it now. I'll wait here." I said without breathing. I was standing in the kitchen doorway and really waiting for Evelyn.
"Mam Steph. Here's Lea she can be her nanny." I looked at Lea and nodded. Lea was one of our maids. She use to take care of Sandy before, so i think she can do it.
"Lea, this girl is Alistaire. Put her on my bed. Change her clothes. Her bag was in the car, Evelyn kindly get it." Evelyn nodded and made her way towards the car.
"Then, here's the key to my room. I'm sorry if it's this quick. I really need to talk to them. I know you all know what happened." I said sadly.
"It's okay Mam Steph. Can i have her so she can rest?" Lea asked. I nodded.
"Alistaire listen to Mommy Steph. I'll just talk to Mama Lucy and i will follow you on my room. Lea will take care of you. She knows about Little Mermaid. Right Lea?" I wiggled my eyebrow to Lea then smiled.
"Ohh yes Mam. I know Little Mermaid's story." Lea smiled. Gosh. Good that she knows why i wiggle my brows.
"See.. You sleep now okay? Mommy Steph loves you very very much." I said to Alistaire. She lifts her head from my shoulder then kiss me on the cheek.
"Love you Mommy. I'll be good to Lea." She kissed me again then hug me.
"Ohh. Love you too honey. So go with Lea now." She nodded i put her in Lea's arms then kissed her on the forehead. They made their way to my room and i go back to the garden where the others are staying.
They are talking seriously to each other. I sat between Jason and my mom.
"Steph.." Lucy mumbled
"Yes mom?" I asked. They are all looking at me. My gosh it's getting me more nervous.
"Jason told us that it's okay for you to adopt Alistaire." Lucy said in a low voice
"Yes, it's okay to me. But Althea's still alive. The car accident was just minor right? Where is she? Can we go to her?" I said as i stand up from the stool. They just look at me. Lucy started to cry again and Jason close his eyes. Can they just say to me what really happened?
"Mom.. Just tell me what happened to Althea!" I said between my tears.
"Althea and Jeremy was on the main road. Main road going to the beach." My mom said as tears fall down from her eyes.
"A ten wheeler truck.." She continue. I was listening as tear was still running down on my cheek.
"We got the actual footage from the camera on the main road. The ten wheeler truck lost it's break.." Mom said. I was really crying hard now. I remained standing cause i really can't breath normally. I have a history of having an Asthma when i was a kid. And every time that i'll cry it turn out that i can't breath normally.
"It lost it break then spin around the road, then they hit the car, where Jeremy and Althea was. The people around the vicinity immediately called an ambulance. They bring them to the hospital, but they are dead on arrival." Mom was crying hard while telling that. Jason stands from the stool as he heard me crying. I never thought that it was happening. Althea was very kind to me. She promised me that she will make my wedding gown. How will i say to Alistaire that her mom and dad died? I don't know. I wish it's just a bad dream. Bad dream that can be pulled out of my mind.
"Stop crying baby." Jason hugged me. I felt a tears coming from him too. It's really hard to lose someone. Very hard.
"Mom.. How can we say this to Alistaire?" I asked as i wiped my tears.
"I'll help you when you're going to tell her." Jason said behind me. Lucy stopped crying as well as my mom. But i? I stay being stiff and lost at the moment. Is this really true? Can you just slap me and wake me up in this bad dream?
"The funeral will be held tonight up to tomorrow afternoon. Then after that the cremation will be held." Lucy said as she hold her tears. I walked towards her. I hugged her. I know this hug can't replace what she lost, but it can help. It really can.
"We will be arranging everything tonight. Steph.. Jason.. Take some rest. Just take care of Alistaire please." My mom said.
"We will." Jason mumbled. I released myself from the hug. Lucy stand up ftom the stool as well as my mom.
"We need to go now. We will call you if where will be the funeral. Have some rest." Lucy said. We nodded. They kissed us both and made their way to the car. I really don't know what to do? I just want to stand here.. to cry. Alistaire was really my main concern now. I really don't know how to tell her.
--------------------------
We are now on the living room. We feel so exhausted, down and sad. We will truly miss Althea and Jeremy.
We are now sipping our teas. The funeral last night up to the cremation a while ago, it was full of grieving. Family members and friends are there, praying for the souls of the couple.
Lucy told us not to bring Alistaire there, so we just follow her. I was about to sip my tea when Alistaire run towards me, i quicky put my cup of tea at the table.
"Hey honey. How are you?" I smiled on her. Everyone on the living room eyed on me. I saw Lucy wiping her tears, cause she promise to me that she will not cry in front of Alistaire.
"I'm good. I played with Sandy. She has lot of barbie Mommy." She said while her hands are making actions. I glanced at Jason and he nodded at me. He walked towards the garden, this is the time that i need to follow him.
"Ohh. Really? We will buy stuffs like those alright?" She nodded.
"Come on. Let's go to the garden, i'll tell you a secret." I whispered on her ear. She giggled then nodded. I carry her in my arms and made our way to the garden.
Jason was sitting there, in his deep thought. I place Alistaire on the table then sat beside Jason. She was infront of us and wiggling her legs.
"Alistaire. Is it okay if you listen to Mommy Steph?" Jason asked and she nodded.
"Honey. You know where heaven is?" I started to asked her. It's really hard to start this.
"Yes. Jesus lives there." She said as she points up.
"Yes that's right. Jesus called your mom and dad in heaven. Jesus needs kind people to live with him." I was holding back my tears. It's the only way to say to her without hurting her.
"Why did they leave me here? They didn't love me?" She make a sad face and wiggled her feet.
"They love you of course. But they have work to do in heaven." I place my finger on her chin and lift it. Jason rub my back smoothly for support.
"So i will not see them anymore?" She asked in a little voice
"You will see them soon. But not now. When Jesus calls you that's the time you can see them." I said. I hold her hands and she was looking in my eyes.
"If they are not here, who will be my mom and dad?" She close her eyes then sighed. She can really feel what's really happening.
"I'm here and Jason's here. We can be your mom and dad. Right Jason?" Jason nodded.
"But you'll be having a baby soon." She said. Maybe she remember what Jason told her when we are at the suite.
"Yes. And you'll be the big sister." I smiled at her. I glance at her and saw a glow coming from her eyes.
"We can play at the beach? We can watch the princesses?" She asked amusingly.
"Of course. So is it okay if we will be your mom and dad?" I asked her. Jason squeezed my hand, this is what we are nervous of, if Alistaire can accept us being her parents.
"Yes!!" She said then kissed me on the cheeks and Jason on his cheeks too.
"You will call me Mommy and you will call him Daddy." She nodded then clapped her hands.
We didn't expect that it will be like this. She accepts us. I told her everything in the safest way i can, not to hurt her feelings. We will adopt her not to start a family now, but to let her feel that she has family and she's not alone. We will file the adoption papers when we reached eighteen. But for now she will be in Lucy's hand, we will wait until we can finally adopt her.
