Whispers of the Night

Scarlett's Compassion

[Video above is relevant!!]

{Zak POV}

I hung around the hospital, like a bad smell waiting to catch the second shift of workers. Seeing Avari skipping along side my mom, I smiled and sat up from the bench I was slumped against.

"Pumpkin!" I called waving at her.

My mom released her hand letting Avari rush over and jump into my arms.

"Where were you? Mommy is sad again. You make her happy." She spoke looking up at me with trusting eyes.

"Me and mommy fell out again."

She frowned "Zak, you have to say sorry, make mommy happy. Then I can live with Gracie forever."

I laughed gently with my mom who sat beside me on the bench listening. "I'm sure mommy would have something to say about that." My mom spoke.

"No, she likes Zak. Lots. He bought her a sea horse."

I smiled "She kept it?"

"Yep!"

My phone began ringing, seeing Aaron's name, I quickly answered and passed him onto Avari.

"Hey big!" She sang sitting on the bench opposite us chatting.

"Are you okay?" My mom asked softly.

I rubbed my face "Everything, everything is such a mess mom. I hate her, I hate her for leaving but I-"

"But you love her?" She questioned.

"I don't love. Life is easier." I grunted.

"Do you love Avari?" She whispered.

My eyes lifted to the little girl jabbering away on the phone to Aaron as if a six year old holding a phone almost as big as her was the norm.

"With every fibre..." I stated.

"But it brings up the question of how could dad not make contact with me? I have tried."

My mom nodded "Your father makes his own choices. As do you, what's important is that you've built a bond, with your little girl."

"I know."

"And whether you like it or not, you love Scarlett, maybe not in the relationship capacity but you love her for being Avari's mom. Like she loves you for being her father." My mom nodded in Avari's direction.

"You both created a life, a wonderful, clever, witty little girl, who is so much like you, I ask myself if the last 34 years has really happened. I feel I've got you back again. Running around my legs." She smiled.

"Is she too much?"

"No! No, I love having her around. Keeps me young, now from what you've told me. Scarlett has only ever wanted you to build that bond... Son, it's there. You have it, what else does your heart want?" My mom asked.

"Her, I want her mom. And I don't know how or what kind of way. I just know I can't let her go again. Because this time? She may not come back and that idea..." I shook my head.

"Then you fight for her preferably when she's better. Because an hour after she's came around and high on morphine isn't the time."