Fixing a broken heart

That day of every year

⚠️Angst!⚠️

Breanna sighed as her alarm went off. She didn't want to go to school today. Today was a pretty sad day for the tanned teen.

And Toni. The brunette always had a hard time on this day of every year.

Blake, her late ex-husband, died on this day.

Now, Toni would usually hide in her room, just until the day is over. Until she feels that she's okay.

But now that she has Cheryl, Alex, Sophia, and Breanna. She knows that she'll get through the day.

Toni shuffled into the kitchen, Breanna not too far from her.

"Can I stay at home?" The girl mumbled, feeling extremely sad.

Toni turned to her and frowned at her daughter's state. Breanna didn't bother to brush her hair or wash her face. The only thing she did was brush her teeth.

Toni nodded, kissing her forehead. "You can. I know how your feeling, baby." Toni sighed, laying her head on the girls gently.

Breanna gives her a sad smile once they pulled away.

"Do you want breakfast?" Toni asked.

"No. I'll just stay up in my room." Breanna mumbled before going back upstairs.

Toni sighed, leaning against the counter. Cheryl entered the kitchen with Alex and Sophia who was excited to go to school today.

"Then we're going to do sing along!" Alex cheered.

"Sounds like a great day is ahead of you two." Cheryl smiled.

"Good morning, babe." Cheryl said, kissing Toni's cheek.

"Morning." Toni smiled, starting breakfast.

------

It was around 11 AM now. Toni and Cheryl decided to stay home with Breanna, just to comfort the girl.

"Hey, Bre. I got you a sandwich." Cheryl said, knocking on the door gently.

"Come in." Breanna said, pausing the TV.

Cheryl entered the room. "How are you feeling?" Cheryl asked, giving her a sympathetic smile.

"I'm doing better than I did this morning, " She said, gently taking the bag with her food in it.

"How mom doing?" Breanna asked.

Cheryl sighed, "She's sleeping now. But I could tell she's a bit upset. She doesn't like seeing you this way." Cheryl explained.

Breanna nodded, leaning up against her headboard.

"Sometimes when I mourn a loved one, I talk about the good things they did. Want to tell me about him?" Cheryl asked.

"Sure. I guess that'll help." Breanna said with a small smile.

Cheryl smiled, letting the teen cuddle into her.

"I remember there was this one time he took me and Mom to this diner..."

3 1/2 years ago

"Dad, I'm pretty sure mom doesn't eat at diners." Breanna teased.

"I do so, tell her babe." Toni objected, looking at her husband.

"Don't underestimate your mother, Bre." Blake chuckled as they entered the diner.

Blake led them to a booth. "Isn't this amazing. Just family bonding time?" Blake smirks.

"Hush, Dad. We know your hiding something." Breanna said, eyeing her father.

Blake rolled his eyes. "Okay... So I got some good news from the doctor." He smiled.

Toni smiled, happy to hear. "Really?! What is it? Are you okay?" Breanna asked frantically.

"Well, They said that some of the cancer cells are shrinking, which is good news." Blake smiled.

"Really? Oh my God, that's amazing, babe!" Toni smiled, kissing his cheek.

"And now, I want to enjoy my day with my two favorite girls." Blake smirked, wrapping his arms around their shoulders.

Present time

"He sounded like an amazing father, Breanna. I'm sure he's very proud of you." Cheryl whispered.

"I guess, " Breanna sighed.

"I know I could never replace your father, but I promise that'll be there for you whenever you need me." Cheryl said, kissing her forehead.

Breanna nodded, wiping some tears. Cheryl squeezed her tighter as the girl cried into her chest.

-----

"Okay, okay, I'm coming!" Cheryl said as the doorbell ringed frantically.

Cheryl opened the door to Leah. "Oh, Hey, Leah." Cheryl smiled, letting the girl in.

"How is she?" The small redhead asked. She knew how and Breanna gets on this day.

"She just finished crying, you can go upstairs." Cheryl smiled.

"Thanks." Leah nodded before walking upstairs to her best friend.

"Hey..." Leah whispered.

Breanna looked up, smiling slightly at the sight of her best friend.

"Hey, Le." Breanna whispered, eating some more of her food.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Better now that I let it all out." Breanna said, sitting up.

Leah sat down with her. "How's Mrs. TB?" She asked, referring to Toni.

"Haven't seen her since this morning." Breanna shrugged.

-------

Toni sat at the end of the pool, her feet in the water.

She watched videos on her phone she kept for Blake.

"No! Babe! No!" Toni giggled while Blake threw the whole flour bowl on her.

The man giggled at his wife's state. "Look Bre, She looks like a ghost." Blake chuckled, holding their 4-year-old daughter.

Breanna giggled along with her father, not noticing that Toni grabbed the whole bag of flour.

"Ah, babe!"  Blake said, spiting flour of his mouth.

Toni laughed, wiping a few tears.

The back door opened, revealing Sophia.

"Hey, Momma. Whatcha looking at?" She asked. The small blonde saw her sitting there so she thought she would check on her.

Toni looked up at her with a watery smile. "My ex-husband." Toni said, patting the floor.

Sophia sat down, tucking her legs under her bottom.

"Is that Breanna's dad?" She asked.

"Yeah, She looks like him, right?" Toni chuckled.

"A lot. But why are you sad?" She asked.

Toni smiled. "Because today 3 years ago, he passed away." Toni explained.

"He died?" The small girl asked.

"Yeah. He was sick." Toni said, swiping through more videos.

"He seemed like fun." She smiled.

"He was." Toni mumbled.

"It's okay to miss him. I would too if I knew him." Sophia said.

Toni giggled, turning to her adoptive daughter. "When did you get so smart, Babes?"

Sophia is adorable🥺 how are you guys today?