The Idea Book

Fences for Reasons

This is the first story I started writing. It's a sort of sad story with a lot of sappy near the end. That's how I planned it...anyway, I ran out of new story rush. I now have nearly five chapters written. This is only the first chapter. Still trying to write it out... :/ enjoy?

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Chapter One

@Cross Home

"Mommy, can I pretty please go to Annabelle's party? Pretty please with sugar on top? And icing?"

Grace Cross sighed heavily at the five-year-old's pleading. Her husband, Jacob Cross, kissed her forehead lovingly, then turned to his beautiful daughter with a stern tone. "Jodi, come here."

She stepped up to her father, her unique gray eyes gazing at her hero with adoration. Jacob took her hands gently but firmly, and shook his head. "Jodi, you know that your mother is going to have a baby soon, so she is not allowed out."

Grace wrinkled her nose at how utterly helpless she sounded.

Jacob ignored her and continued on. "...And you know that I am very, very sick."

Grace winced. Jacob had slipped on some icy stairs the other day and hit his head on the concrete steps, giving himself a bad concussion and leaving him immobile and unconscious. It was hours until he woke, with a case of hypothermia. Jodi had been away, visiting Jacob's sister, Alison. Grace came home later that evening, back from a check-up on the baby. She was horrified to discover her husband half-frozen on the stairs to the entrance of the backyard.

Jacob held her hand as well and spoke to a crestfallen Jodi. "No one can take you to Annabelle's party, sweetheart."

Jodi's eyes began to fill with crocodile tears. She let a few slip down her cheeks -then glowed with happiness on the inside when her mother caved in reluctantly. "Jacob, it's fine, I'll take her, darling."

Jodi raced up the stairs to her room to change, squealing with excitement, making her mother smile. "Jodi, go get your coat! It's cold out there."

Jacob grinned wryly. "Don't remind me." Then, touching his wife's swollen belly, he whispered anxiously, "You really shouldn't be out driving. You're seven and a half months pregnant. If something happens and the baby comes early on the road..."

Grace smiled heartwarmingly at the gentle, caring, love of her life. It was at times like these when she remembered why she'd married him. "Jacob, I'll be fine. I can drive. My record is completely clean. And our baby has been very quiet, though the doctor says he's growing just fine. Don't worry. Let's just give Jodi this before the hustle and bustle of a new baby boy comes our way, okay?"

Jacob's brow furrowed with worry, but he nodded, complying to his wife's requests as per usual. "Please, just be careful out there."

Jodi's voice floated through the doorway plaintively. "Mommy, hurry up! I'm going to be late!"

Grace smiled and repeated, "Don't worry." She kissed him sweetly on the lips, grabbed her purse and keys, and walked out the door with Jodi by the hand.

And that was the last time Jacob Cross saw his wife with any life left in her body.

The last time Jacob Cross looked at his daughter with any love left in his eyes.

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Chapter Two

@Car

Jodi wriggled in her carseat, restless with impatience. "Are we there yet?"