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Ava’s smiles and kicks her little legs. Otherwise known as let me down now.
I let her down, and Nik chases his babies down the hall and into his bedroom. Not a minute later, growls, roars, laughter, and baby squeals let us know they’ve been caught.
Tina laughs softly then turns to me. “Where’s Ceecee?”
My smile falls. My stomach drops. “I thought she was with you.”
Tina’s smile fades quickly. She calls out, “Ceecee? Honey, where are you?”
No answer.
My pulse spikes. “Ceecee, baby?”
Nothing.
Fuck.
Tina rushes to Ceecee’s room and throws open the door. She turns to me, eyes wide. “She’s not in here.”
I don’t wait to consult with anyone. My feet move of their own accord. I quickly check the kitchen, living area, and all the bedrooms.
Empty.
My heart races as I check the backyard. “Ceecee!”
My Mom rushes out of my room. “What’s going on?”
I snatch my car keys off the table and tell her, “Can’t find Ceecee. She’s gone.”
Fear fills me as I run down the hall and see the front door open. I whisper to myself, “Please God, no.”
I run as fast as I can, hearing Nik’s heavy footfalls behind me. On the front porch, Nik bellows, “Ceecee!”
My feet don’t stop. I run to my truck and jump in. I start it up and Nik jumps in the passenger seat. The tires screech as I take off down the driveway. Just as I’m about to hit road, Nik calls out, “Wait. Stop! Over there.” He points out the window on his side.
My racing heart slows. I see her. She sits there, at the front gate, staring over at our new house. I grip the steering wheel and lower my head onto it, hyperventilating.
Fuck. Shit. Fuck.
Nik pats my back. “It’s okay. She’s okay.”
So many thoughts go through my head. Ugly, disturbing thoughts.
What if she wasn’t okay?
I feel tears prickle my eyes, but I hold them back. I step out of the car, not bothering to turn it off. As I walk towards her on Jell-O legs, I hear Nik exit the car and get into the driver’s side. The car reverses away, leaving me with my daughter. I move to stand behind her, and I equally want to hug the shit out of her and beat her ass for scaring the crap out of me. I settle with resting my hand on her shoulder. She looks up at me, golden eyes sad, then looks back across the street. We stand there a while, and I’m glad for it. I need a moment to get my shit together.
Another five minutes or so, and Ceecee mutters, “We’re not very far, are we?”
My throat is thick with emotion from the ordeal I’ve been put through, so I clear it. “No, honey. We’re not far.”
She takes a moment to process this, then asks quietly, “And I can come here whenever I like?”
I reply on a squeeze of her shoulder, “Of course, baby.”
Another moment, and then she nods once, firmly. “Then…then I guess moving won’t be so bad.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
