Married to a firefly • Completed

(1) We love you so much

Poppy

"Jesus, it's burning fast!" I screamed running down the stairs of my apartment above the garage and towards the house. "Call 911."

"I already did."

"Ok now, where are they? I can't see them." Looking around I felt my breathing getting faster as I was about to panic.

"Moooom!", I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Daaaad!"

"They're not out here. This is bad", Abbi whispered, not intending me to hear her.

"They must still be in there", I murmured. "I'll see if I can help them."

She grabbed my arm. "You'll do no such thing. Stay here."

"Rosie is in there. I can't leave her in a fire."

"The fire fighters will get her out as soon as they get here."

"It'll be too late and you know that", I cried out helplessly.

Before I had a chance to second-guess my decision I ran up to the front door and pushed it open. The inside was filled with smoke and flames and the heat was almost burning on my cheeks. I quickly glanced around the living room to the left and the adjoining kitchen ahead of me.

Further down inside the house the flames were eating at the staircase. And they were doing so determinedly. I had to be fast, if I wanted to get Rosie. I really hoped she wasn't upstairs since the fire seemed to have started up there.

"Rosie! Can you hear me? Yell for me, baby, so I can get to you! Rosie!"

I knew damn well that a week-old baby wasn't about to react to my commands. But with a little luck, she'd cry for help if she heard me. If. I waited a heartbeat to make sure she wasn't crying from upstairs. The heat was almost unbearable.

"Poppy! She's in her swing."

A cold shiver raced down my back.
"Dad?"

"Get her and leave."

I ran towards the narrow hallway next to the stairs leading to the small study in the back of the house. The skin on my left arm felt hot, but I couldn't react to it. I had to get Rosie.

When I reached the door and pushed it open I found Rosie fast asleep in her rocking swing. I unstrapped her with fingers numb from panic and fear. Just when I took her into my arms I heard a loud crack that came from the hallway. Looking back I saw that the staircase had broken down and was blocking our way out.

"Dad, where are you?" I yelled, so they could hear me over the sizzling noise of the fire. My throat already hurt from the emerging smoke but I had to make sure he was ok.

"Upstairs with mom. Get out already."

"But Dad! The staircase is-"

"Move it, baby. Get out. We'll be right behind you."

"Ok." I whispered.

I went over to the window and pushed it open. In the back of the house I heard a faint 'We love you so much, Poppy!'. I froze.

But when I saw the flames invading the study I raised my left arm to shield off the flames from getting too close to Rosie. Turning around looking for an escape I felt the heat on my skin again. It hurt like hell.

"Window it is, Rosie" I told her while climbing out with a firm hold on her. As I jumped from the windows sill I saw the fire slowly taking over the baby swing sitting in the middle of the room.

I stumbled backwards, until my back hit our fence. Mere seconds later the walls of the house gave in and the roof came cashing down.

"Nooooooooo!" I craddled that small bundle close to me to protect her from all the sparks flying around while screamed my lungs out.

When I heard sirens coming closer, my legs gave away and I fell to my knees, still holding little Rose in my arms.

"Mommy, Daddy, where are you?", I still sobbed when someone grabbed me by the shoulders and led me to an ambulance. As soon as I lay down I gave in to the darkness surrounding me.