The Boy Next Door

Chapter 12

    I hit stop on my phone as my alarm clock for eight o'clock went off. I rolled over to see Tom still fast asleep, his curly hair messy and partially covering his face. I leaned over kissed his cheek and got out of bed. Our little family was moving to Montreal today and I couldn't be happier.

    "Good morning,Auntie." I looked up as the sleepy toddler wobbled into the kitchen. She outstretched her arms for me to pick her up.

    "Good morning, darling," I said kissing her forehead.

     "Auntie, I miss Mummy and Daddy. When will they be back?"

    I looked at as she fiddled with her teddy bear. "Well, baby, remember when I said they're with the angles?" She nodded looking at me. "You see,the angles are keeping Mommy and Daddy safe and they're very happy and they want to see you very much but they can't right now. The angles say it's not time for you to see them again. I know it's hard but you will see your mommy and daddy again. I promise." I bit the inside of my mouth not sure how well that explanation went. I sighed with relief as she mumbled an okay. I walked over to the living room and sat her on the couch. I turned on the tv and set out some bananas and cereal for Ella making sure she was distracted. I walked upstairs into the bedroom sitting on the bed next to Tom. He roll over to see me and smiles.

    "Hey beautiful," He said, his voice raspy. He leans up pecking my lips gently.

     "Tom, Ella asked where her mom and dad were this morning." He frowned at me as I walked towards the door facing away from him.

     "It's not necessarily a bad thing that she asked, at least she remembers them, that's what's important. She's going through a traumatic experience and we need to be prepared for these types of questions. Did you try and explain?" He got up walking over to me. I shrugged turning to face him.

    "I tried my best to," I said sighing, leaning onto his chest.

    "Babe listen, she's young and she needs a mother figure. You're her new mother figure. We will make sure that she never forgets who her mum and father were okay? For now we just need to try and answer her questions the best we can. When she is old enough, we will explain what happened correctly. But for now at least you tried your best. " I nodded smiling sadly and hugging him.

    "Auntie! Thomas!" I heard Ella screech from down stairs. My heart immediately started pounding as me and Tom both ran downstairs halfway before seeing three boys. I looked at the three boys standing staring at us confused

   "What happened while we were away?" Harrison laughed. I turned to Tom who was wearing sporting joggers and no shirt. He shrugged.

    "I forgot to tell them what happened." I turned back to the boys walking down the rest of the stairs grabbing Ella.

    "Boys, this is Eleanor, she was my sisters daughter." Ella squirmed out of my hands running to the the boys sticking out her hand to shake. She seemed more comfortable now which was a good thing. They all laughed and smiled.

     "What do you mean 'was'?" Sam questioned.

     "Ella, darling, why don't you go finish eating your food love." Tom motioned to Ella as she waddled away.

     "Eleanor is my legally adopted daughter now. My sister and her husband died in a car crash two weeks ago." They all apologized and I shrugged.

   "She's not American? I assume your sister was American. What about her father?" Harry asked.

    "His name was Rory, he was the coach for Manchester United for four years and he was going to be the coach for LA Galaxy. They lived abroad for for five years and so I guess she picked up the accent, not sure if it will go away though." It most likely wouldn't since Tom was from England, along with his brothers and friends, so she'd be around it almost everyday.