If Addie Lost the Fight

Chapter 14: Destiny and the Turtles

A few years later, Addie still wasn't able to leave to see her family, but she had learned to be alright with it. She was able to talk to Eric in her mind and occasionally on the phone when Cody wasn't paying attention. By this point, Destiny was three years old. She was growing up to be a very bright and happy girl and was having fun enjoying life and going to preschool. One day, she played with her stuffed animals in Addie's room because Addie didn't like to let Destiny out of her sight. Addie watched over her as she created a story about a dragon-taming princess meeting a handsome prince and they get married and open a dragon sanctuary. After a bit, her face scrunched up as she seemed to think of something. She looked up at Addie. "Mommy? Why do you and Daddy fight all the time?"

Addie sighed. It wasn't the first time Destiny had asked that. "He isn't your daddy." She said gently, trying to use a voice that would help Destiny understand.

"Then who's my daddy?" Destiny asked curiously.

"It's... Complicated." Addie said.

"What does compli-macated mean?"

Addie chuckled lightly. It was adorable when she said words wrong. "It's grown-up stuff. I'll tell you when you're older."

"Okay," Destiny said. She waited a moment before asking, "I'm older. Now, will you tell me?"

Addie laughed. "No, sweetie. You're still too young."

"Okay, Mommy." She continued playing with her stuffed animals.

***

That night after dinner, Addie was talking with Destiny in her room while Destiny played with her toys again. "How was your day at school, sweetie?"

"It was fun. We had animal crackers for snack time and I met this new girl at recess. She was really nice."

"Oh, you made a friend?" Addie asked. "What was her name?"

"She said her name was Jane. She was wearing ribbons in her hair and I thought it was pretty. Can I have ribbons in my hair tomorrow?"

Addie smiled. "Of course you can, sweetie. I would love to do that."

Crayon ran up the turtle ramp onto the nightstand and tried to catch his breath. "A-Addie! The eggs. They're hatching."

Addie gasped and smiled. "Come on, Destiny. The baby turtles are being born." She picked up Destiny with one arm and Crayon with her other hand and carried them both over to the small house in the corner of the room. Addie opened the sidewall of the house and set Crayon inside to be with his wife as their children were born. Addie and Destiny lay on their stomachs just outside the house so they could watch.

"Which one of them moved again?" Crayon asked Victoria.

"That one," She said, gesturing to the middle one of the three eggs.

Destiny started to reach her arm in the house. "This one?"

Addie grabbed her arm gently and said to her, "Honey, we shouldn't touch the eggs. We could accidentally hurt them, okay?"

"Sorry, Mommy. Sorry, Victoria."

Victoria chuckled. "It's alright, Darling."

Addie let go of Destiny's arm and she pulled it back out of the turtle house. "So there will be baby turtles soon, mommy?"

Addie smiled. "Yeah. And I can't wait to meet them."

Destiny yawned. "I'm excited." Her eyes started to close slightly, and Addie smiled.