Remember, I told you

Walk Away

A/N: An early update this week! Let me know in the comments if you like it. New characters introduced. I hope you enjoy!!!

Their voices echoed in my ear as they yelled, "Come back baby, be a good boy..." The dog turned his head and began trodding back, but not before licking my face with a kiss goodbye.

I knew immediately who it was the minute I felt the collar, the frayed letters spelling 'Stitch' poking through. And there they stood, in front of me, with shocked expressions on their faces, Linda and James Daniels, Ryder's parents.

Linda hadn't aged a day since the last time I saw her, months ago. Her caramel-colored hair was still vibrant and full of life and her eyes, green like Ryder's, sparkled. She looked beautiful, freckles bridging her nose and the fabric of her sundress floating beside her in the wind. The only evidence that age had left on her was the slight gray glint in her hair.

And James was exactly the same. A mischievous smile forever splayed across his lips, the only thing different was the smile lines that found a permanent place on his face. His hair was a dark brown nearly black and crystal blue eyes rang clear.

I looked back at them suddenly aware of how ridiculous I looked. My Powerpuff Girl's pajama pants and "FEED ME" sweatshirt plus the haphazard bun that was bouncing in the wind made me look like a real hot mess. And here in front of me was my childhood dog and the second family I had let go of...

Before I could pretend like I didn't see them and awkwardly runoff, James yelled over the crashing tides, "Is that Rosie Epcot?"

Linda happily cheered, "James honey, it is her! Our favorite little singer!" and quickly began running towards me.

And damn did she run fast, the sand barely slowing her down. Stitch ran beside her as she quickly encompassed me in a hug, James's heavy hands quickly following in pursuit.

"Can't breathe," I muttered quietly, barely able to get the words out at as they squeezed the life out of me.

They both laughed as they gently let me go, their smiles quickly becoming contagious as they grinned down at me. That was something I always remembered, the Daniels always left me with a smile on my face...always.

I awkwardly mumbled out a greeting, "It's nice to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels. It's been a long time."

"Come on now Rosie, it's always James and Linda to you," James said winking at me. "And it really has been a long time. When was the last time we saw you..."

We all stood there for a moment trying to remember when I realized the last moment we spoke.

~**

It was the first anniversary of my family's death. It felt weird calling it an anniversary, something to be celebrated, but there wasn't really a better word for it. I guess that I tried to see it as a celebration of their lives, but with what little I had, it was hard to be optimistic.