Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

65

Hello, just wanted to let everyone know we appreciate readers. We're sorry that out plots can't please everyone, but it's extremely important to us that our characters and story lines are dynamic and that includes conflict and very imperfect relationships. That's life, and fiction is a reflection of life. We want to make readers think.

It's really disheartening to put time and effort into writing free fiction only to have people be annoyed with you that a plot isn't what THEY want. We have to write for us too.

We do try, and we also put a lot of time and effort into what we do share.

Anyway, here's the chapter!

***

Christian saw it in slow motion; his baby girl was playing jump rope while his sweet baby boy played in the sandbox that his uncle Collin got him for Christmas the day before. All of a sudden, his beautiful daughter toppled over, bracing her 3-year-old body on her wrists. Christian was already rushing over to her as she started to wail, holding her tiny wrist.

"Oh, sweet Ives. Are you okay, princess?" he said softly, pulling her onto his lap in into his arms.

"OWIE!!!" She screamed, crying into her dad's neck.

"Let daddy see, beautiful," he said softly and was so tender as he took her hand into his, frowning at the swelling and large bulge. "Let's go get mommy and take you to the doctor. They'll help you feel better, I promise."

His baby girl... she was in so much pain, and it just broke Christian's heart. He couldn't save her. She got hurt right in front of him and he did nothing. He was a terrible father.

Christian carried Ivy into the house and rested her on the couch before rushing back out to get Reilly.

"Elizabeth!" he called into the beach house, gently wrapping an ice pack around Ivy's wrist. He was on the verge of panicking, but he knew he had to pull it together. His princess was in so much pain. And it was all his fault.

"Hey," she smiled softly, hand on her lower belly. "What happened?" she gasped and went to crouch in front of Ivy, wiping the tot's tears.

"I think she broke her wrist. She was jump roping and fell... I... I wasn't fast enough to catch her. She's in pain because I'm slow," Christian whispered, eyes full of tears.

"Oh, Christian. She's okay, I promise. We'll get a cast on her and she's going to be okay, Chris," she wiped her husband's tears as well. "She's a kid. They fall, baby. You didn't do anything wrong. How about you go get her to the car and I'll get everything we need ready," she smiled and gently kissed him. One of them had to be calm for Ivy. Her heart was breaking, too, but she knew that Ivy and Christian needed her to be their strength.

Christian nodded, gently picking up his daughter and carrying her to the car, running a soothing hand through her curls. "Daddy's here, beautiful girl. You're okay," he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

Elizabeth brought Reilly and the diaper bag out, putting the boy in his seat and breathing deeply as a jolt of pain rocked her pelvis.

"Do you need me to drive, babe?" she said softly, gently rubbing his back.

"No no, I'm okay," he said softly, gently resting his hand on her belly and getting in the car. "Ives, we'll be at the doctor's soon. Hang tight, beautiful," he said softly, driving off and not noticing his wife's winces as he hit potholes.

***

After three hours, they were back home. Christian was napping with Ivy on her toddler bed, using his shoulder to elevate the limb wrapped in a lavender cast. Elizabeth knew how scared he was that his little girl was hurt, so she didn't mind doing the house work and getting Reilly down for his own nap.