Gabis Journey (Updated to Chapter 31 27th April) -- (Author) RojasPuraVida

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 13, 2024 at 6:39 AM
Content: Hi everyone. I felt inspired after reading some of the stories here so I thought I'd give it a go myself, killing two birds with one stone practicing writing in English (not my native tongue) and killing some time during a few video conferences with my job.

Any comments/ideas/suggestions will be gratefully appreciated. I've really enjoyed the writing process so far so will definitely be continuing this in the coming days.

Enjoy!
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This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Trigger warnings: Themes of hospital/medical environments. Themes of divorce/separation.
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Chapter 1

Rain hammered down from greying clouds on the cold October afternoon, rays of sunshine poked through the cloud layer only to be extinguished moments later. Typical weather for the English midlands.

“Looks like we’re not going to get to play outside then” Gabi sighed looking to her classmates. It was the last day until they broke up for the half term.

“Still, not long to go until half-term” chimed a boy sat across from her. “Less than an hour”.

Gabi rolled her eyes and brushed her fringe carelessly aside before glancing up at the clock on the wall. “Much less than an hour. Thirty-seven minutes to be precise Adam” Gabi replied in a mocking tone.

Adam chuckled to himself before he teased “Oh okay precious” parroting the nickname bestowed upon her by her dad.

“You don’t get to call me that, it’s Precocious to you. But I doubt you know what that means do you?” Gabi shot back taking the teasing in her stride, trying for as long as she remembered to brush it off remembering a conversation she had with her Dad on her first day at this school. Not meant as encouragement but that was always the way she remembered. “You might not be like the other children there precious”. Gabi replied cheekily “No, I’m better than them”.

Gabi smiled to herself before returning to her book, soon enough the day drew to its close and she deposited her book into her rose-coloured shoulder bag.

Marching out of the door into the playground she made eye contact with her Dad stood beneath a shelter a few feet away. She held out her arms embracing her father’s warm hug before looking up at his green eyes happily exclaiming “I missed you today Daddy”.

“I missed you too precious” he replied before taking her hand and walking out to the car park.

“Guess what?” her Dad asked playfully, glancing down at his daughters face.

“Whaat?” Gabi dragged.

Her dad let out a cheeky grin before replying. “Two things to guess, something new and a trip to somewhere you’ve never been before?”

Gabi rolled her eyes not wanting to play the guessing game with her Dad. He had a tendency to do impulsive things, not all of them Gabi liked. Some of them actually made her feel uncomfortable, or stifled like the time he surprised her with new shoes, only for them to be velcro-fastened pink trainers. A far cry from the smart lace-up leather shoes she would have chosen for herself.

“What have you done?” Gabi enquired.

Her dad could sense from her tone that she wasn’t in the mood and replied more directly.

“So we’ve got a nice new car and we’re going on holiday for the week to Paris” he replied merrily before continuing “See, not as bad as you thought?”

Gabi beamed almost unsure this was true. It must be a dream the girl thought to herself. She nagged her to Dad for months about visiting Paris after watching a television program about France. “Are we really going to Paris Dad?” she enquired.

“Yes we are young lady. Bags are already packed and in the new car, we’re catching the ferry at 8pm so plenty of time to stop for a snack on the way. I’ve even downloaded an audiobook we can listen to on the drive if you want?” he replied sensing his daughters happiness increasing as he went.

Gabi smiled and held out her arms stating clearly “I love you Daddy”.

Her father whisked Gabi up into his arms and embraced his daughter again before they walked out to the car park to see the shiny white Volvo parked near to the gates.

“You like it?” the man enquired looking down at Gabi and gesturing towards the new car.

Gabi nodded excitedly before her father handed her the keys and told her to take a look while he stood making small-talk with the dad of another girl in her class.

Gabi tossed her bag onto the back seat before noticing something different, a new car seat; a black, rear-facing car seat trimmed with the same rose-colour as Gabi’s other accessories. But surely it wasn’t for her. Her seat faced forwards, she was seven years old after all. But it was the only car seat in the back of the car.

Gabi looked to her father and before she could say a word he started, seemingly unaware as to why the girl would show such reluctance. “Soo” he dragged “What do you think? Looks comfy, don’t you think?”

Gabi scoffed sarcastically; surely this whole matter was a joke. “Yeah, really comfy Dad, so where’s my seat?”

Unamused with his daughters reply, Dan replied with certainty. “That is your new seat Gabi. Your old one was too small and when I went to the garage to get the new car, they offered me this. It’s meant to be much safer and more comfortable”.

Not wanting to make a scene in front of her friends Gabi climbed into the seat and sat as her father fastened the straps and buckles snugly. He had always been safety conscious; outlet protectors here, child locks there. Not to mention Gabi had only ever used a seat with a 5-point harness, something that most of her peers had outgrown years before.

Dan sat in the driver’s seat and adjusted the mirrors before setting off into the rain. A couple of moments passed in silence as Gabi tried to comprehend the new seat. On one hand, it was comfortable, very comfortable, but she couldn’t get past how baby-ish she felt facing backwards rather than forwards.

“So, what do you think?” Dan enquired trying to keep emotion out of his voice and pre-empt Gabi’s response.

“Of the new car seat or the new car itself?” Gabi replied knowing her fathers’ game.

“You pick” Dan replied pausing for a moment before continuing “I’m only playing about with the seat you know. It spins round to face forwards, the guy from the garage said his little girl preferred to face backwards. I didn’t think you’d give it a try otherwise. You’ll be too tall to sit facing backwards in a few months anyway”.

Gabi’s unimpressed face changed to a shy smile as her cheeks turned to a pale blush, embarrassed that she DID in fact prefer the new seat, and facing backwards.

“I love the car it’s so big and shiny” Gabi replied emphatically, pausing before she continued “And the new seat is really comfy. But face it forwards before I go back to school. I don’t want anyone to think I’m a baby”.

Dan smiled and reached his hand over to fuss with Gabi’s hair affectionately before replying.

“I’m glad you like it, I’ll turn the seat around whenever you ask. I was just making a point, try everything precious. You might miss out on something you’ll love if you don’t give it a try”

Gabi replied happily “I love you Dad”.

“I love you too Gabi” Dan replied while simultaneously blowing a kiss to his daughter.

Gabi fussed in her seat attempting to find a comfortable position to rest her head until the subtle soundtrack of the rain combined with the dull, quiet vibration of the car along the road sent her into a light sleep.

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Chapter 2

Gabi was awoken by the car slowing to a stop in the car park of a motorway service station.

“Where are we?” Gabi enquired sleepily keeping her eyes open only for as long as it took to ask the question.

“We’re in a service station. I thought we could stop for a snack and you could put on some comfier clothes. I can’t imagine you’re very comfortable in your uniform still?” Dan replied while reversing into a parking bay.

“How long was I asleep for?” Gabi asked as she awoke.

“Less than an hour” Dan replied as he left his seat, removing a black backpack with pink cords from the front passenger foot well.

Gabi clenched her eyes shut in reaction to the bright sun behind the white, now rainless clouds as her father opened the door. A cold breeze blew slightly outside almost to guide them towards the shelter of the service station.

Dan unfastened Gabi’s buckle and lifted her down from the car seat onto the pavement before taking her hand as they walked into the bright, yet rundown building. An assortment of smells greeted them from various restaurants and coffee shops.

Gabi let out a cheeky grin before looking up and making eye contact with her father, trying her best to get his attention.
“Is everything okay?” Dan enquired.

Gabi smiled widely, fluttering her eyelashes in the process then proceeding to take an abnormally long time to enunciate her speech.

“Daaadddyyy”

“Yes precious” Dan asked, knowing that his reply would be followed by a request for something that he wouldn’t ordinarily agree to.

“Can we have a KFC?” Gabi asked gesturing with her other hand towards the restaurant a few feet away.

“Well, I don’t normally love it when we eat junk food” Dan started sensing Gabi’s disappointment as she slowed her walking pace “but seeing as we are on holiday” Dan continued before being interrupted by his daughter.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you” Gabi replied as she clambered into Dan’s arms embracing him with a warm hug.

“I love you sweetie it’s your favourite isn’t it” Dan whispered into the girl’s ear before giving her a kiss on the cheek and lifting her back onto her feet.

“But first we need to get you out of your school uniform and into something more comfortable. I’ve packed a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie as well as your fluffy pink pyjamas in this bag because it’s still another 4 hours until we get to the ferry terminal and then about 2 hours on the boat before we get to the hotel in Calais. Which would you prefer?” Dan asked.

“Pyjamas please” Gabi replied.

They stopped in the queue for the baby-changing room as Dan removed the pyjamas from the bag and handed them to Gabi.

“If you go in and get ready I’ll wait right outside okay? Just fold up your uniform so I can put it away ready to be washed when we get home. I don’t want it all scrunched up like normal” Dan stated.

Gabi rolled her eyes waiting in the queue before eventually it was her turn.

“And go to the loo while you’re in there sweetie, it’s a long drive” Dan continued before Gabi proceeded into the bathroom.

“Yes okay Dad, I’m not three” Gabi scoffed before closing the door behind her.

A few moments later she emerged with a bundle of half-folded scrunched up clothes in her arms which she handed to her father proudly.

Dan rolled his eyes but didn’t respond, he could see how happy his daughter was, happier than she had been at any point over the last couple of years, since before her mother left even.

“Do you still want KFC or would you prefer to go somewhere else?” Dan enquired glancing down at Gabi.
“KFC please” Gabi replied smiling before taking her father’s hand walking towards the bright, red restaurant.

“Would you like a burger or chicken on the bone?” Dan asked while they queued at the counter.

“Burger please Dad” Gabi responded.

“And would you prefer a fruit-shoot or a fizzy drink?” Dan enquired giving a cheeky wink in the process. He ordinarily forbade fizzy or sugared drinks however sensing his daughter’s unusual happiness and holiday mood; he felt a treat may be deserved.

“Just a fruit shoot please” Gabi replied looking up at her father.

“Are you sure? They’ve got Pepsi, Fanta and 7-up if you would prefer?” Dan replied surprised at the sensible choice.

“I’m sure. You said it’s a long drive, I don’t want us to keep stopping so I can go to the toilet” Gabi replied smiling at her father.

“Okay sweetie, as long as you’re sure” Dan replied before they were called forward to the counter and placed their order, a children’s box meal with a burger for Gabi and a 2 piece meal for himself with a white coffee.

A few moments later they were handed a tray of food before sitting across from each other on a 2 seat table near a floor length window overlooking a small fenced-in play area featuring a set of swings, see-saw and slide with climbing frame.

Dan laid out a paper napkin before placing Gabi’s food down beside her drink proceeding to lay his own food out in the same manner discarding the plastic tray on an adjacent empty table. Dan leaned forward and tucked a paper napkin around the girl’s neck to protect her clothes from the crumbs and inevitable spillages of ice cream, Gabi rolled her eyes hating to be treated like a small child.

Gabi sat for a few moments staring off into the distance, seemingly distracted before Dan noticed and enquired.

“Tuck in” the man said smiling.

Tears begun to fill Gabi’s bright blue eyes as she silently began to cry. Dan wiped his daughter’s eyes before placing reaching his hands across the table to comfort her.

“What’s the matter precious?” Dan enquired in a soothing voice.

“I’m not upset” Gabi sniffed, attempting to smile.

“Then what is it, have I done something?” Dan enquired, thinking to himself what might of upset his daughter.

“No, I am not upset” Gabi snapped back, taking a breath before continuing. “I’m angry. Whenever you bring me to KFC you give me bad news. I remember the time we were in KFC it when you told me we weren’t going to live with Mummy anymore. And then we moved to a tiny house and now I have to go to a new school which I hate”
Gabi’s anger turned into a sob before she continued “And now Mummy doesn’t want to see me, I’m supposed to stay at her house at the weekend but she never picks me up and when you drop me off she’s not home. She didn’t even tell me happy birthday this year”.

Gabi begun to wail as Dan stood up and lifted the girl into his arms before returning to his seat and begun soothingly stroking her forehead with his fingers.

“Oh precious, I know you’re upset aren’t you?” Dan soothed, cradling Gabi in his arms.

Gabi nodded as Dan dried her tears with the sleeve of his shirt.

“It’s just not fair, why doesn’t Mummy want to see me anymore, is she mad at me?” Gabi sniffed, looking to her father for an explanation.

“I’m sure she does, I think she’s just busy” Dan soothed, trying to remain composed and hide the truth from her.

Beth, Gabi’s mother had not returned his calls now for over twelve months or made any effort to keep to the visitation schedule set up in court after they divorced, a fact he tried to keep from his daughter to spare her feelings.

Gabi wriggled herself into an upright position on her father’s lap before leaning across the table for her ice-cream sundae proceeding to feed herself a half-empty spoonful of the melting treat.

Gabi ate a few more spoons of ice cream before Dan let out a shy smile looking down at his daughter before speaking joyfully.

“Is the ice cream making it better?” Dan asked.

Gabi nodded finishing the desert before standing up and returning to her seat, taking a large bite of her now cold burger.

“I know it’s hard for you sometimes, but you can talk to me about anything. I know I’m only one person, but I’ll always be here. It’s okay to feel upset or angry” Dan paused, taking a breath to regain his composure before continuing. “It’s normal to feel the way that you feel. But I want you to know, you’re the bravest person I know”.

“Do you really think so?” Gabi enquired smiling.

“I don’t think so, I know so” Dan replied, stroking Gabi’s empty hand as she proceeded to grab a handful of fries with the other.

“Do you like your new school any more now? I know that Vanessa isn’t in your class anymore” Dan enquired trying to change the subject while keen to probe into his daughter’s mental state more. It has been three months since the last similar breakdown down.

“I don’t really like it. There’s a weird new girl now too. Her name’s Trixie. Short for Beatrix” Gabi replied finishing her fries.

“Oh yeah. Weird how?” Dan probed, not disclosing that Trixie was a co-workers daughter going through a similar situation to him and Gabi.

“She’s really weird. She just sits in the corner and doesn’t talk to anyone. She threw a pen at me” Gabi replied.

“Did you ask her why?” Dan enquired.

“Yeah, she told me to go away and threw another pen at me. She’s really weird like that” Gabi replied.

“You should try talking to her; you might find that she just needs a friend. You might have more in common than you think” Dan replied, hopeful that the girls could bond over their shared experience.

“No. She’s really weird” Gabi emphasised.

“Go on then, what else does she do?” Dan queried.

“Well, she doesn’t talk to anyone. And did I tell you, she kept wetting herself in class. Now she has to wear pull-ups to school. She’s such a baby” Gabi countered.

“Usually precious, when people are like that it’s probably because something bad is going on in their lives and they don’t know quite how to deal with it. She probably needs a friend. Remember how you only wanted to sleep in my bed after Mummy left” Dan replied, watching as Gabi’s cheeky smile made way for a regretful blush, almost embarrassed that she was mean to Trixie in class.

“I remember. I was really mean to her as well. I didn’t mean to be I promise” Gabi replied remorsefully.

“I know you didn’t mean to. It’s why I’ve always told you to give things and people the benefit of the doubt. Like with your comfy new car seat” Dan replied, taking a sip of his coffee before continuing “If you want, I can ask Trixie’s dad if she can come over to our house to play when we come back from our holiday. You might find that you have more in common than you think” Dan offered, watching Gabi’s expression as he spoke.

“I guess that could be fun” Gabi replied unsure.

Dan smiled before responding “I’m proud of you sweetie, you know that don’t you”. Gabi nodded before Dan continued “Right, shall we hit the road then. This ferry isn’t going to catch itself”

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Chapter 3

After a quick pit-stop in the bathrooms, they proceeded back towards the car. Dan lifted Gabi into her seat before fastening her buckles and taking his seat in the front of the car.

“So, I downloaded two different story books we could listen to. Naughty Amelia Jane by Enid Blyton, that’s the same person who wrote the Far Away Tree books we read together at home or the Fabulous Mr Fox” Dan took a breath before enquiring “Which should we listen to?”

“Can we not just sit and talk for a bit?” Gabi enquired.

“Of course we can sweetheart” Dan replied.
They chatted as the journey progressed from motorways to country roads to motorways again, the intermittent rain kept them company as darkness emerged and the moon rose punctuating the black, cloudless night.

“Dad, we talked before about how I was upset that Mummy left. Can I ask you a question?” Gabi asked curiously.

“Ask away” Dan replied.

“Are you upset? I cry sometimes when I’m upset but I’ve never seen you cry” Gabi asked, the rearward facing car seat prevented her from seeing her father’s expressions as she asked so she felt alarm when he didn’t reply.

A moment passed before Dan responded in a calm tone “Can I tell you a secret?”

“You said I could tell you anything so it’s the same, you can tell me anything. And just like you I’ll listen” Gabi replied.

“I was really upset. Your Mum told me she wanted me to leave when you were at school. She had mine and your bags packed and she carried them down into the hallway. That was the week we stayed in that nice hotel before we moved into our new house, remember”. Dan paused for a moment to compose himself before he continued “She and I talked for a while and then when it became clear that she didn’t want to change her mind, I drove to Aunty Sammie’s house and I sat on her driveway for about half an hour bent over the steering wheel crying”.

“What did you do then?” Gabi probed, almost surprised that her Dad who was usually so stoic had been so upset.

“I told myself that I would do everything I could to make sure that you was always happy and that you had everything you could want, I rented us a new house and arranged for our beds and our furniture to be delivered and then I picked you up from school and that’s when we went for KFC and I told you what happened” Dan replied.

“I love you Dad and I’m proud of you. You’re the best Daddy ever” Gabi replied, pausing before carrying on speaking “I know it’s been a long time but do you ever cry now?”

“Sometimes, but when you’re in bed so you don’t have to see it” Dan replied honestly. Unsure whether or not he should disclose this to his daughter, especially at such a young age. But since it was over three years since they divorced, he felt Gabi deserved the truth.

“Don’t do that Daddy. I cry sometimes at night too. If you promise you’ll come and tell me when you’re crying, I’ll do the same” Gabi responded.

“I love you Gabriella. Whatever did I do to deserve you” Dan replied, purposefully not committing to showing her his true emotions.

The rain intensified to a thunderstorm as the car continued into the night along the unlit dual-carriageway. The pattering of the rain soothed Gabi, tired from the difficult conversations and long week at school, into a deep sleep.

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Chapter 4

Gabi woke disorientated as a dark-haired woman wearing blue hospital-scrubs shone a flashlight into her eyes, trying to speak she noticed a tube in her mouth preventing the words from leaving. Gabi attempted to raise her hands to her mouth to remove the tube however was prevented by two soft cuffs restricting her movement preventing her from removing the tube.

Looking around bewildered she began to cry silently until her eye’s met those of her father stood beside the bed grasping her hand, his head bandaged. Gabi squeezed her father’s hand tightly unsure and frightened by her surroundings as a rhythmic monitor was beeping in time with her heartbeat.

“She’s awake” Dan exclaimed to the doctor.

“Gabriella, we’ll get this tube out right quick okay. Just squeeze your Dad’s hand as hard as you like; it will all be done soon” the doctor soothed making eye contact with Gabi.

Nurses soon flooded the brightly coloured room; Gabi still unsure of her surroundings tried to lift her head but was encouraged down onto the pillow by the doctor as the tapes holding the tube were removed.

“Keep her head still” the doctor said sternly to one of the nurses who stood behind the bed and used both of her hands to keep the frightened girl from moving.

Gabi squeezed her father’s hand tightly digging her nails in through fear.

“She’s frightened” Dan said to the doctor.

“It’s okay precious, Daddy’s here” Dan soothed.

“Daddy” Gabi moaned weakly moments after the tube was removed.

“I’m here precious” Dan soothed

“Where am I?” Gabi replied weakly.

“We’re in the hospital. We were in an accident but you’re okay now” Dan replied relieved.

“What happened?” Gabi enquired.

“You were really hurt in the accident so these doctors and nurses have been looking after you. They had to give you some medicine to put you to sleep while you were getting better. You’ve been so brave. I’m so proud of you” Dan soothed still holding Gabi’s hands.

“Such a brave girl” cooed the doctor “You did so well”

Gabi smiled before speaking weakly “Obsequious”

The doctor placed an oxygen tube underneath Gabi’s nose and fastened it to her face with tape causing her to sneeze as slobber covered the doctor and Gabi’s face. Gabi instinctively went to wipe her face but was prevented to by the restraints.

“I think she’s going to be just fine” announced the doctor proudly.

“I can see someone had a word-of-the-day calendar for Christmas” a nurse added jokingly.

The room erupted into laughter as Dan released Gabi’s grip to hug the doctor.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 13, 2024 at 6:39 AM
Content: Chapter 5

“Can you take these cuffs off?” Gabi enquired frustrated about her lack of mobility, now fully awake and firmly tugging at the restraints.

“They’re there so that you don’t take off any of the wires or tubes for our monitor’s sweetie” the doctor soothed.

“I won’t I promise. I just want these cuffs taken off” Gabi insisted.

“She won’t doctor, she’s just uncomfortable” Dan pleaded making eye contact with the doctor.

“We can see how she does without them. But she’ll have to have them back on when she goes to sleep. It’s quite normal for kids to wake up in the ICU dizzy from the meds and try to take off the wires” The doctor replied sternly before unfastening the restraints.

“Excuse me doctor, can I ask you a question?” Gabi enquired frustrated.

“How can I help?” the doctor replied coldly.

“Why do you speak about me, and not to me? It’s like I’m not even here” Gabi snapped.

Taken back the doctor sighed before pulling up a stool on wheels beside the bed.

“I’m sorry Gabriella; I didn’t mean to upset you. I promise” the doctor replied.

“What happened?” Gabi enquired. Pausing for a second before continuing “And tell me the grown-up version, not the little girl version. If I don’t understand I’ll tell you. But I can understand a lot”.

“I’m sure you can” the doctor replied, looking at Dan for permission before continuing “So, as I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, you’re in the hospital. You were in a car accident, the other car hit yours and then your car rolled over. Do you want me to continue?”

Gabi nodded approvingly, grateful for the honesty.

“You were trapped in the car for a little while and the fire-fighters had to cut you out. You and your Dad were brought here in an ambulance. Your dad was okay, he just had a few scrapes but you were quite poorly when you arrived. Do you want me to carry on?” The doctor replied, checking that the girl understood.

“Yes please, I want to know what happened to me” Gabi replied, annoyed that the doctor had taken such a long time to get to the point where she could say to Gabi what happened.

“So when you arrived, you had a really bad head injury. We had to help you breathe which is why you had the tube in your mouth. You also broke your left tibia, that’s the bone in your calf in your leg so we had to give you an operation to help it get better” the doctor replied soothingly.

Gabi lifted her head and sat up for the first time since arriving in hospital to see her left leg in a purple plaster cast from just above the knee, feeling around with her hands discovering wires connected to stickers on her chest and tubes connected to machines beeping all around her.

“Dad said you had to give me medicine to put me to sleep while I got better. How long was I asleep for?” Gabi enquired.

“Five days” replied the doctor.

“Cool. I have so many questions” Gabi replied cheekily.

The doctors faced dropped slightly and she let out a sigh glancing over at Dan.

“Sorry” Dan mouthed silently.

“Ask away” replied the doctor, frustrated but also bemused at the questions.

“So, if I was asleep for five whole days, how did I eat? And how did I go to the bathroom?” Gabi enquired.

“Okay” sighed the doctor, glancing again at Dan for permission. “Because you were asleep, you couldn’t eat through your mouth, so we put a little tube from your nose all the way down into your tummy so you could be fed”

“And how did I go to the toilet?” Gabi asked curiously.

“Your turn” the doctor mouthed silently to Dan.

“So actually Gabi, you wore a nappy while you were asleep” Dan replied shooting an evil glance to the doctor for dropping him in it.

Gabi sat bolt upright and ran her hands along her crotch feeling the tape-on nappy beneath her hospital gown before lying down dejected.

“So that’s how I went to the bathroom then” Gabi replied disappointed. “Can you at least take it off now?”

“Not just yet, you might need to carry on wearing the nappies for a while. Your head injuries were pretty bad and we’re not sure how much you’ve healed yet” the doctor replied soothingly as Gabi begun to weep.

“But I won’t need to wear them when we go home will I?” Gabi wept.

“I’m sorry precious, we don’t know yet. You should be able to walk again once your legs better and the cast is off. But we don’t know about the nappies, not yet” Dan replied cautiously.

Gabi took a deep breath, holding back her tears before turning to the doctor.

“Be honest with me now, I want the grown up version. How long before I won’t need to wear them anymore?” Gabi asked.

Dan nodded giving the doctor permission to speak honestly to the girl.

“We don’t know for sure. You might just bounce back after you get your cast taken off, but it could be a few weeks, or a year or two” the doctor paused sensing Gabi’s disappointment and sadness as she spoke.

Gabi wiped her face with her hand and took a deep breath before replying.

“What’s your name doctor?” Gabi asked.

“My name is Dr Clare Kilgannon” the doctor replied.

“Well Clare. Thank you for taking care of me. And thank you for telling me the truth. Lots of people think that I can’t understand because I’m just a little girl” Gabi smiled as she replied, taking a breath before continuing “And please don’t call me Gabriella. It’s Gabi”.

Taken back again the doctor blushed, unaccustomed to having such conversations with a child so young.

“I’m just doing my job Gabi” the doctor replied before she smiled “Do you want me to get you some ice cream?”

Gabi nodded happily. Ice cream makes everything better she thought to herself.

--
Chapter 6

The doctor soon left before returning with a generous helping of chocolate ice cream haphazardly presented in a plastic bowl dressed with sprinkles, nuts and a large dollop of sauce depositing it on a pull out table over the bed.

Gabi’s eyes lit up seeing the treat and she quickly begun shovelling overfilled spoons of the ice cream into her mouth while chatting with the medical staff, the entirety of whom were engrossed in conversation with the pre-teen. Still weary and somewhat un co-ordinated from the effects of the medication, as much ice cream entered her mouth as was painted down her hospital gown.

“You mucky pup” Dan chided smiling.

Gabi blushed finishing her ice cream wiping her mouth with the back of her hand which was already stained brown from the desert only intensifying the mess.

“I think we might need to get you cleaned up now young lady” Dan stated.

Glancing down at the chocolate painted gown, Gabi turned a bright red shade through embarrassment upon seeing her state.

“Umm I think I need my nappy changed too” Gabi stated shyly retaining her blushed complexion.

Dan smiled stroking the girl’s forehead, silently reassuring her that everything would be okay.

“Everyone out” Dan proclaimed gesturing for the crowd of nurses and doctors observing the girl to give her some privacy.

Gabi smiled speaking up as the crowd departed.

“Who changed me while I was asleep?” Gabi enquired curiously.

“Just your Dad sweetie. He insisted we leave the room every time too even when you were asleep” replied one of the nurses, seemingly frustrated at Dan’s attempts to preserve Gabi’s dignity.

“He was here the whole time sleeping in that chair over there” Another nurse added gesturing at an uncomfortable looking folding conference chair in the corner of the room.

Growing annoyed at the crowd’s slow dispersal, Dan scowled and waved his hands out of frustration gesturing in a not-so-subtle way for the remaining nurses to leave.

“Well, I enjoyed our chat Gabi. I’ll be back in a couple of hours to get you settled for the night” Dr Kilgannon stated before leaving, closing the door to the small room before finally departing.

Dan removed a fresh nappy, a tin of cream, wipes and a clean gown from a drawer before placing them at the foot of the bed.

“So we’re really doing this then?” Gabi enquired shyly.

Dan smiled reassuringly before wiping the ice cream from around Gabi’s lips causing her to giggle, reminiscent of how she would giggle as a toddler. For years now, Gabi’s cute giggle was replaced by a dry, semi-silent laugh.

“Right, arms up” Dan implored chuckling to himself.

Gabi raised her arms as Dan reached behind her neck and unfastened the one-piece gown lifting it above her head.

“Right then, nappy time” Dan announced.

Gabi blushed again, sighing at the undignified manner of her situation. She was seven after all, she should be running around playing, not led having her nappy changed like a toddler.

Dan sat in the stool the doctor had left beside the bed and proceeded to unfold the clean nappy, placing it to one side before drawing closer to his daughter. Carefully unfastening the tapes before opening the nappy.

“Ewww!” Gabi gagged before continuing “That smells horrible”.

Dan chuckled to himself seemingly unfazed diligently wiping before applying a thin layer of cream, folding away the soiled nappy discarding it in a bin across the room.

“You’ve done worse trust me” Dan joked “Now, lift up a bit”

Gabi complied as Dan snugly fastened the clean nappy in its place as her blushed red complexion gave way to a coy smile. This wasn’t as bad as she thought observing her father’s thoughtful attention to detail.

“Arms up” Dan requested holding the clean gown, pulling it over the child’s arms before tying it in place behind her head.

“How was that precious?” Dan enquired while applying hand-sanitizer.

“Liberating” Gabi replied smiling.

Gabi sat for a moment, totally unsure what to say next. On one hand, she yearned to be back to her old self; bossy, cheeky and totally precocious. But something had changed inside her, she felt something different; she actually enjoyed being taken care of, though she would never admit it. In, what could only be described as an awful situation, she felt liberated.

Dan sat equally puzzled. What happened? Surely something was amiss. Gabi tolerated that much more readily than he presumed, especially after being visibly upset at finding out she had to wear nappies again, even if only for a short time. Was she delirious from the medication? Understandable if she was, but she seemed perfectly lucid chatting away to the nurses.

Dan devised a test, he would offer Gabi the chance to do something she would surely jump at the chance to do.

“So, now that you’re all clean. Do you want to try changing yourself? Surely a big girl like you can handle it” Dan enquired, trying to gauge Gabi’s reaction.

“Do I have to?” Gabi replied, visibly disappointed.

Dan sat puzzled again, fiercely independent, Gabi would normally baulk at any kind of personal care from anyone, even her Dad. For over a year now Gabi had forbidden her father from helping her in the shower or even from choosing her clothes for her.

“Is everything okay precious? I wouldn’t have thought you would want me to help you like I did just then?” Dan replied sensitively knowing that Gabi may be embarrassed.

Gabi smiled while blushing simultaneously, embarrassed yes. But not in the way Dan had grown accustomed to from Gabi. This was different; she wasn’t embarrassed to be babied like when she first saw the new car seat, she was embarrassed that she actually wanted her Dad to help her; lapping up the attention and care pulling an expression Dan hadn’t seen since she was a toddler.

“I want you to change my nappies Dad” Gabi insisted, devoid of her usual eloquence.

Dan smiled before nodding in silent agreement. Taken aback by her request, but willing nonetheless to do whatever he needed to in order keep his little girl happy. If she felt safer, more comfortable being changed by him rather than by herself, he wasn’t going to argue; at least not until he figured out what was really going on.

--
Chapter 7

Dan and Gabi chatted for a while the room slowly darkened, the natural light from the sun departing as the sun retreated in place of the moon.

“Does Mummy know I’m in hospital?” Gabi enquired to her father.

“I tried to call her as soon as we got here but she didn’t answer. I left a message explaining what happened and I said she could come to see you but I think she must be really busy because she hasn’t called back” Dan soothed.

“She doesn’t want to see me” Gabi replied, before Dan could excuse his ex-wife’s behaviour, Gabi continued with an unfamiliar resolve. “And that’s good because I don’t want to see her either. She just makes me sad. She doesn’t deserve me”.

Unable to lie to his daughter any longer, Dan chose silence instead wrapping his arms around the girl embracing her into a comforting hug.

The door opened shortly thereafter as Dr Kilgannon entered pushing a trolley cart with a selection of labelled syringes, gesturing for Dan to meet her out of Gabi’s earshot before she met with Gabi’s bright blue eyes.

“Doctor Clare” Gabi exclaimed, dispensing with formalities.

“You look happy” the doctor responded knowing that she lost her opportunity to speak with Dan privately without Gabi knowing. “I’ve just dropped by to let you know that it’s bedtime now so we need to get you ready”.

The doctor stepped towards the bed untangling the soft cuffs from the blankets.

“Do I have to wear those?” Gabi enquired.

“Sorry Gabi” Clare responded remorsefully “While you’ve still got the wires hooked up, it’s probably for the best. But if you want, we can put them on after we’ve done everything else”.

Gabi nodded in agreement as the doctor made notes of the readings from the various monitors dotted around the bed before removing a small plastic cup containing a bright pink liquid from the trolley placing it in front of Gabi on the pull-out table.

“What’s that?” Gabi enquired holding the cup in her hand.

Clare sighed to herself before taking a seat beside Gabi’s bed knowing that a simple explanation would not suffice, not for Gabi.

“It’s some medicine to help you fall asleep sweetie. When they’re in the hospital, lots of people struggle to get to sleep at bedtime. But you don’t have to take it if you don’t want to” Clare replied, taking care to include Gabi in the decision.
“Will I wake up with a tube in my mouth like I did earlier?” Gabi enquired.

The doctor shook her head smiling. “No sweetie. It’s just to help you fall asleep”.

Satisfied with the explanation, Gabi swallowed the medication and swiftly entered a deep sleep.

The doctor fastened the cuffs onto Gabi’s wrists before pulling the stool near to the chair where Dan was sitting.

“So, about Gabi. I really need to ask you something?” Clare started, making eye contact with Dan before continuing “Given her mannerisms and vocabulary, it’s obvious that she’s very bright. It’s just…”

Dan furrowed his brow visibly perturbed by the doctor’s questioning before interrupting.

“It just what exactly Doctor? And shouldn’t we take this outside” Dan retorted.

“Don’t worry she’ll be out of it for a few hours now” The doctor replied without any sensitivity before continuing “Have you ever considered that she might be autistic?”

“I’ve spoken at length to a psychologist about this. She’s not autistic, she’s been through trauma. When she was four, we left the only home she had ever known when my ex-wife and I divorced. She changed to a new school, her mother didn’t make any effort to provide her share or to keep up contact even after the court ordered her to. She’s seen Gabi all of five times since we left and not at all for the last eighteen months at least” Dan replied, sad at the trauma his daughter had faced, taking a moment to compose himself before continuing “But today she actually told me that she’s not sad about her Mum anymore”

“Oh my God. I am so sorry, I had no idea” Clare replied.

“So, about Gabi again. Can I ask you something?” Dan enquired using the same probing tone the doctor herself had used moments previously.

“I’m listening” replied the doctor.

“Well, you’ve seen how she is. She describes herself as precocious for heaven’s sake. She’s usually this fiercely independent , sarcastic, whip-smart little thing” Dan took a breath, carefully considering what to say next, considering whether or not even to share Gabi’s change of personality in light of what happened when he changed her earlier. “It’s just earlier after I changed her, I offered her the chance to learn how to do it for herself. She would normally jump at that. But she told me that she wanted me to. She actually seemed to enjoy having me take care of her. Is that normal?”

Clare smiled to herself; it was not unfamiliar ground after all having spent the past twenty years working in paediatrics.

“It’s perfectly normal, nothing to worry about” the doctor replied reassuringly. “Especially given the trauma from her parents divorcing and now the trauma from the accident. It’s not unexpected for her to show some signs of regression. She’ll likely be a bit different from her usual self once you get her home, you’ll both find your rhythm soon enough”

“Any advice then?” Dan enquired, visibly reassured that this was, in all likelihood, a normal turn of events.

“Just give her what you think she wants from you. That’s all” Clare replied “It might not feel natural though, especially with what you say she was like before the accident”.
--
Chapter 8

After a few nights in the hospital, it became time for Gabi and her father to leave for home. Disappointment and shock were replaced by acceptance from Gabi for her injuries, and the consequences of them. She still had questions, but at least she understood that it wasn’t her fault what happened, and that she would soon enough walk, and run, and do almost everything she did before. Even if that didn’t involve using the toilet.

The sunny, windy November morning came when it was time to return home, Dan carefully dressed Gabi in a summer dress that, while totally inappropriate for the weather conditions, it didn’t interfere with her cast and allowed for easy changing of her nappy.

Sat in a wheelchair Gabi insisted to be allowed the chance to say goodbye to Dr Clare.

Meeting the eyes of the doctor in the hallway, seemingly forgetting about her injuries attempted to stand before realising and instead reaching out her arms for a hug.

Reciprocating, the doctor scooped the girl into her arms and hugged her tightly before returning her to the wheelchair.

Proceeding through the labyrinth of bleach-scented corridors and lifts, Gabi and Dan eventually found their way to the multi-story car park before a realisation hit Gabi.
“How are we going to get home if our car was in a crash Dad?” Gabi enquired.

Dan chuckled before responding, awaiting the moment that she would ask.

“I’ve got a bit of a surprise for you. The guys from work all had a whip round so combined with the insurance money from our old car, we’ve got a new one again” Dan replied before continuing “I think you’ll prefer this one though, we’ve just got to find it”.

“What car is it? Is it a Volvo like before” Gabi replied.

“Not a Volvo sweetie, don’t worry, you’ll know it when you see it” Dan replied.

After a few laps down different rows in the multi-story, the new car came into view as Gabi’s eyes lit up brightly.

“Is it that one Daddy?” Gabi asked hopefully pointing at a shiny car parked a few feet away.

Dan nodded and smiled at Gabi as her face descended into a happy smile.

Reaching into the exhaust pipe where the key had been stashed, Dan unlocked the car before turning to Gabi.

Seemingly unable to contain her excitement, Gabi glanced into her reflection in the door. It was her dream car. A bright pink 4-door Porsche coupe adorned with a muted purple stripe down both sides.

“Do you like it?” Dan enquired, gesturing towards the car.

“I don’t like it. I love it” Gabi replied happily.

Dan opened the back door and went to lift Gabi into her car seat, the same model as before but now in bright pink with purple trim matching the car.

“Can I not face backwards again Dad?” Gabi asked, noticing the car seat was facing forwards unlike before.

Dan continued lifting her into the car seat before replying.

“Not while you’ve got your cast on sorry”

“It’s okay Dad” Gabi smiled, seemingly engrossed looking at all of the nooks and crannies of the Porsche.

--

Chapter 9

The bright late-Autumn sun shone brightly through the car windows as stop-start traffic hampered progress. The roads were really busy, busier than Gabi was used to growing up in a small Midlands city and unfamiliar landmarks peppered the side of the road.

“Where are we Dad?” Gabi enquired.
“We’re in London, we’ve just left Great Ormond Street hospital” Dan replied, unaware until now that since the accident, his daughter didn’t know where she actually was.

Gabi looked out the window enchanted by the lights and bustle of the shops and restaurants that littered the streets, it was her first time visiting London, although she couldn’t help but wish that it happened due to different circumstances.

“Can we have a look around? I’ve never been to London before?” Gabi asked.

“Are you sure you feel up to it? If I was you I would prefer to get home and get some rest” Dan replied, trying to spare her feelings.

“I just want to feel like a normal girl. I didn’t like all of the machines and wires in the hospital” Gabi opined upset.

“I suppose a quick whistle-stop tour couldn’t hurt, but we’ll stop off at the supermarket to get you something warmer to wear first” Dan replied.

Gabi grinned as the car emerged from traffic soon pulling into the car park of a nearby Tesco supermarket.

Dan proceeded to remove the folding wheelchair from the boot and assembled in near to the back passenger door before, instead of opening her door; he went over to the other side and sat in the other rear seat beside Gabi.

“This might be a bit overwhelming; the first time being out in public after being in hospital, and the first time out sat in a wheelchair. Are you sure you’re okay?” Dan enquired sensitively.

“I’ll be fine” Gabi replied cheerily.

Dan carefully lifted Gabi into the wheelchair before proceeding into the supermarket in the direction of the clothes section.

After deliberation, Gabi selected a range of brightly coloured clothes, entirely dissimilar to what she would normally choose. Less muted tones and floral themes; more bright colours, cute designs and looser fitting or one-piece outfits.

“Are you sure this is what you want precious?” Dan asked, surprised at the selection.

“Don’t you think they’re cute?” Gabi replied.

“I do, but aren’t they a bit different to what you normally like to wear?” Dan responded surprised.

“That’s the point. Lying in the hospital after the accident, I knew that I would leave there totally changed from when I went in. I want a fresh start, no more getting upset or looking what might have happened” Gabi responded determined.

Dan tussled her hair out of pride as Gabi selected a range of accessories to match the new clothes; cute bobbles, hair pins and a set of bright pink and blue sunglasses.

Dan proceeded to crouch beside the wheelchair and took Gabi’s hand making eye contact for a moment.

“Now precious, we need to go and get some other things for you. Nappies, wipes, stuff like that. Is that okay?” Dan enquired, trying to be discrete and save what was left of his daughter’s dignity.

“Why wouldn’t it be? I need them don’t I” Gabi responded, taking a moment surprised at her father’s reticence “Ooh can I choose which ones to buy? And can we get a new bag for them too”

“Sure, if that’s what you want” Dan replied.

“Dad, why are you being so quiet about all this. I told you I wanted to feel like a normal little girl. You weren’t like this when I was three and still potty training. Why be like it now? I’m not embarrassed” Gabi retorted, almost frustrated.

“I’m sorry sweetie. I didn’t want you to think that you’re being babied or for you to feel embarrassed. I know it must be hard for you” Dan soothed, unsure as to how genuine Gabi was being as to her acceptance.

Gabi furrowed her brow and scowled at her father, frustrated that he didn’t understand. She wasn’t going to let the accident hold her back.

“It’s not hard. What’s hard is that you don’t understand. You said to someone on the phone once after Mummy left and told them that you were living your best life. I’m doing that now” Gabi responded, visibly cross.

--
Chapter 10

Proceeding, clothes in hand to the baby aisle, a surreal feeling washed over Dan. What was he doing? He had a precocious, strong willed seven year old who, less than two weeks ago would have baulked at the suggestion that she would have to wear any of the infantile clothing she so proudly selected. Much less seem nonchalant and unbothered at the prospect of being in nappies indefinitely.

Gabi sat in the wheelchair excitedly running her fingers over the wide stiches of a pair of pink, sequin studded dungarees she had selected.

“I think I’ll wear these ones first” Gabi announced proudly.

Dan smiled looking down at Gabi.

“So Dad, I know my clothes and shoe size. But what size nappies do I need?” Gabi enquired shamelessly.

“The pull-up style ones are all packaged according to age so just pick which ones you prefer” Dan replied, cautious not to draw attention still remaining concerned for Gabi’s dignity.

“Won’t they be harder to change though if I have to take all of my clothes off whenever I need a fresh one?” Gabi replied.

“I don’t mind sweetie” Dan replied

“I actually would prefer the baby ones like I have now. They’re comfy” Gabi replied, unconcerned at the connotations to her words.

Dan stepped away from the wheelchair and handed Gabi a large packet of size eight pampers.

“These are what you’re wearing now. Are you sure these are what you want?” Dan spoke sensitively, allowing Gabi to decide for herself.

Gabi nodded emphatically before they went towards the checkout area.

A surprising yet exhilarating feeling washed over Gabi as she sat in her wheelchair at the checkout. She had abandoned her preferences and personality traits becoming what she jeered and mocked, yet, sat there grinning from ear to ear. In the moment where she had no control over her destiny, she reclaimed it attempting to forge a new identity. Gone was her precocious, opinionated past self; giving way entirely replaced with brave yet determined acceptance.

“You look happy sweetie” Dan mentioned matching his daughter’s smile with one of his own.

“It’s the new me” Gabi proclaimed.

Gabi then winked cheekily at her father before stating without any embarrassment.

“I think I need to be changed Dad”

--

Chapter 11

Dan wheeled Gabi into the baby changing room and spun the wheelchair so that Gabi faced the door. The man’s breathing increased slightly in speed, something Gabi had learned her father would do when he was nervous.

“What is it?” Gabi enquired chuckling to herself.

“No, no it’s okay” Dan insisted.

“How many times out of ten did you change me when I was a baby?” Gabi enquired smiling.

“I’d say about four out of ten times between your mum and nursery” Dan replied, curious as to what Gabi was trying to work out.

“And how old was I when I was potty trained” Gabi enquired again.

“You were potty trained fully two weeks before you turned three” Dan responded.

“So using easy numbers, if I needed to be changed five times every day, you would have changed me twice. So two times three fifty is seven hundred, times that by three is one thousand four hundred take off two weeks before I was actually three but add on two weeks I was in hospital” Gabi muttered before proudly announcing “you’ve changed me one thousand four hundred times”

“How did you figure that out?” Dan enquired.

“Maths is fun” Gabi replied smiling.

Dan bent forward proudly kissing Gabi’s forehead before removing his jacket and lying it across the changing room floor as a make-shift change mat proceeding to lift Gabi into his arms.

“You’re not going to lay me on the floor are you? It’s gross” Gabi fussed.

“I thought it would be less embarrassing for you” Dan soothed.

Gabi shook her head and pointed at the wall-mounted changing table beside them as her father lifted her onto the changing table instead; stashing his jacket hastily beneath the wheelchair holding out the dungarees for her approval.

Gabi stretched out her arms and folded her hands behind her head before gesturing for her father to start changing her remaining emotionless as Dan quickly replaced her nappy before sliding the dress over her head and replacing them with the dungarees.

“If I sit you back in your chair do you want to put your new socks on?” Dan enquired holding out the rainbow striped, knee length socks Gabi selected.

Gabi shook her head and gestured for her father to continue as he placed the socks over her feet and tucked them into the denim of the dungarees.

“Ready?” Dan enquired.

“Can you put my hair into pigtails please with the new rainbow bobbles” Gabi asked.

Dan sighed silently before delicately threading her soft hair through the bobbles, proceeding thereafter to lift Gabi into the wheelchair.

“You look…” Dan stated before being interrupted.

“I look like I’m three-years old” Gabi announced, her indifferent gaze replaced by a smile as she saw her reflection in a mirror mounted on the door.

“How do you feel about that? I was going to say that you look adorable” Dan scoffed.

“It’s the point, it’s the new me” Gabi started, pausing momentarily before continuing “I was sad for a really long time about Mummy, and then I was sad about the accident. But I’m not going to be sad anymore”

Dan smiled pushing the wheelchair out of the supermarket towards the car before helping Gabi into her seat.

############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 18, 2024 at 7:23 AM
Content:

BabyLucifer said:

Keep up the good work. You have a great story going so far.

[End of quote]

Thank you so much! Much appreciate the kindness. Any suggestions or ideas?

############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 19, 2024 at 6:22 AM
Content: Chapter 12

The mid-morning sun peered from behind the clouds exuding hopeful rays across the horizon. Gabi sat forward in her seat feeling light as air, enchanted by the bright lights and bustle taking place outside of the car’s warm cocoon.

“Daddy” Gabi enquired “Can we go to Oxford Street?”

“Why? Do you not want to see the sights?” Dan replied.

“I want to go shopping” Gabi announced with a cheeky grin.

Unwilling to disappoint her, Dan agreed secretly glad to be granted a reprieve from the unrelenting traffic that lined the streets.

After a few moments driving, Dan selected a parking space within a multi-story car park and proceeded to lift Gabi into her wheelchair.

“Excuse me!” Gabi shouted noticing a lady passing by.

Unsure if she was being called, the lady turned her head to meet with Gabi’s eyes acknowledging the girl.

“Can you take mine and my Daddy’s picture please by our new car?” Gabi asked smiling with widened eyes.

“I’m so sorry” Dan uttered to the woman handing her his phone.

“Don’t be. My kid’s always doing this kind of thing” The woman replied chuckling gesturing for Dan and Gabi to pose in front of the car.

Gabi giggled as Dan held her on his knee perched in front of the Porsche while the woman snapped a dozen candid photos. Silently reading Gabi’s cue not to capture the cast.

“Let me walk you to the lifts. This place is a maze” The woman smiled as Dan sat Gabi in the wheelchair following her lead towards a set of double doors at the end of the car park handing the girl his phone to inspect the photos.

“Thank you” Dan commented emphatically, grateful for the woman playing along seeing Gabi’s delighted expression while reviewing the photos.

“Don’t mention it, I love the car by the way” The woman replied meeting Dan’s eyes brushing her messy brunette hair out of her face. “I’m Carmen by the way”

A realisation soon dawned on Dan and he was faced with a dilemma. She was flirting with him, and was that a good thing? He had refused any kind of romantic interest since divorcing Gabi’s Mum, determined to keep his focus on Gabi alone. On the other hand he thought, she was gorgeous; deep brown eyes with soft, flowing brunette hair and of a similar age to himself, if perhaps a couple of years younger. Would it be a bad thing to ask for her number?

“Well, I’m Dan and this is Gabriella” He replied gazing into the woman’s eyes. “Or Gabi for short” Dan continued noticing Gabi’s disapproving look after being referred to by her full name.

“He likes you Carmen. And his real name is Danilo” Gabi joked giggling to herself.

Dan and Carmen shared a look between themselves chuckling silently.

“So, what brings you two here?” Carmen enquired flustered trying to change the subject.

“We were going to Paris, but then we had a car accident” Gabi started, gauging the woman’s reaction as she spoke. “I was in hospital for two weeks; I even spent five whole days asleep”. Carmen was lapping it up, wholly engaged following along as Gabi continued. “Do you like our new car?”

“I love the car, so pretty in pink. And I think you were very brave after what had happened” Carmen soothed, sharing another glance with Dan.

“Your turn. What are you doing here then?” Gabi enquired cheekily.

“Well, I had to drop my little girl off with her Daddy for the week. We don’t live together anymore” Carmen replied, instantly realising that perhaps she said too much as the group entered the lifts. Glancing at Dan before remarking. “Sorry I’m a bit of an oversharer”.

Dan smiled to himself for a moment, processing what to say.
“It’s not oversharing if it’s true. Besides, it’s just the two of us too. Gabi’s mum and I are divorced” Dan replied, reciprocating the candid honesty.

As soon as the lift reached the ground floor, Carmen waved the pair off slipping her business card into Dan’s jacket pocket, mouthing silently for Dan to call her.

“So are you going to call her then?” Gabi enquired cheekily having noticed the business card and the silent imploration from Carmen.

“Let’s go shopping” Dan announced changing the subject, pushing the wheelchair through a crowd in the direction of the bustling shops a few feet ahead.

---
Chapter 13

The sun broke free from the cloud cover embracing the crowd of shoppers and tourists with a warm ray of hope, entirely unexpected on what was an otherwise entirely gloomy day in London.

Puzzled by his interaction with the gorgeous stranger, Dan walked in an unusual silence contemplating the moment. It felt unfamiliar to him; after all, since his divorce, his sole focus had been on Gabi exclusively. A barrage of questions filled his mind, entirely unsure of himself on how to move forward. On one hand, it would be nice to see someone again and have some welcome company. On the other hand however, he couldn’t help feeling some sense of guilt pondering how fair it would be to divert his attention away from Gabi in her most vulnerable state.

After trawling through a variety of clothing shops, Gabi selected for herself an entirely new wardrobe populated with practical, bright coloured attire filling four shopping bags which hung from the handles of the wheelchair, her father obliging every selection grateful to witness the girl’s happiness.

Having contemplated Gabi’s regression, Dan slyly slipped a few choice items into the shopping baskets while perusing the shops making sure to keep them hidden from Gabi until the right moment came along, not wanting to unduly pressure the situation, but equally wanting to accommodate his daughter. Besides, it’s harmless he thought to himself.

“Daddy, can we stop in there now?” Gabi enquired pointing at a coffee chain a few feet ahead.

“I don’t see why not precious” Dan replied manoeuvring the wheelchair into the coffee shop towards a low table near the window.

Taking a seat beside the wheelchair Dan smiled reminding himself of the strength his daughter had shown since their accident seemingly taking the events in her stride.

“Would you like your usual?” Dan enquired. It had become a routine for them to stop in a coffee chain and Gabi always had the same order; a decaf latte with salted caramel and a slice of coffee cake. A combination she was so fond of that Dan had bought Gabi her own coffee machine replicate the drink at home along with baking supplies to make her own cakes.

Gabi took a moment to think before shaking her head.

“Can I have a hot chocolate please Daddy?” Gabi announced smiling. “With cream and marshmallows too”

“Okay precious, and would you like a snack as well?” Dan enquired, bemused at Gabi’s change of habit.

“Okay, just surprise me” Gabi smiled replying.

A few moments later Dan returned carrying a tray of drinks and snacks, setting the tray down on an adjacent empty table before placing the hot chocolate in front of Gabi watching her face light up with a wide grin.

“So, I thought I’d let you choose” Dan started, moving a plate and a bowl onto the table. “They had a very nice looking slice of coffee cake, but they also had chocolate ice cream. Which would you prefer?”

Gabi smiled grabbing the bowl of ice cream and filled the spoon with a generous amount of the treat.

Dan smiled and winked at Gabi “Just one second sweetie, I remember the last time you had chocolate ice cream young lady, you ended up painted in the stuff” Dan uttered softly before removing a pink muslin towel from Gabi’s bag tucking it into the collar around her neck to function as a makeshift bib.

Gabi giggled as the towel was being fastened prompting a smile from Dan.

“Thank you Daddy” Gabi affirmed smiling, seemingly enjoying herself before devouring the ice cream.

Gabi quickly finished the ice cream making less of a mess than when she was in the hospital, but still covering herself in droplets of the sugary brown desert.

“So Gabi, I’ve been thinking about what’s happened and I know that you must be feeling some different things, and that’s okay” Dan started, taking care with his tone to convey understanding.

“What do you mean?” Gabi enquired.

“Well, you’ve picked out all different clothes. And they’re really cute, but they’re not really what you would normally like are they?” Dan probed, hoping that Gabi would offer some explanation. “I just want to know what I can do to help keep you happy and comfortable”.

Gabi smiled, grateful for her father’s efforts while remaining confused that, despite her making it pretty clear what it was that she wanted.

“When we were in the supermarket, I remember you being quite happy when you saw yourself in the mirror. You said you thought you looked like a three year-old. So, when we were shopping, I picked out a few things that you might like. Just some things that go with your new clothes, I remember you loved all of these things when you were actually three. Do you want to see them?” Dan enquired.

Gabi’s eyes lit up and her face descended into a wide smile as she nodded with excitement.
Fishing through the bags Dan removed a bright pink sippy-cup and placed it in front of Gabi watching carefully for her reaction.

“These used to be your favourite when you were little. I remember for about a year you would only drink from one of these” Dan smiled reminiscing.

“I love it, thank you Daddy” Gabi replied.

“Do you want to see what else I picked?” Dan enquired.

“Yes please” Gabi replied, her face visibly excited.

“Now, I want you to guess okay?” Dan begun, waiting for his daughter to acknowledge as he fished through another bag. Gabi soon nodded excitedly.

“This is something that you were really upset about not having anymore. Remember we told you that you couldn’t have these anymore before you started nursery?” Dan enquired, holding the item below the table out of sight from Gabi.

“What is it?” Gabi enquired, not sure what he meant, but excited nonetheless.

Dan silently placed a plastic package containing two pink and purple dummies in front of Gabi, remaining emotionless awaiting her response.

Gabi lifted up the package curiously inspecting the items within before smiling widely again.

“Are they really for me?” Gabi enquired, seemingly in disbelief that not only had her father acknowledged what it was she craved, but had used his own initiative to accommodate that.

“Yup” Dan replied smiling.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you”. Gabi responded visibly happy.

--

Chapter 14

Gabi soon finished her hot chocolate and then they proceeded to leave the coffee shop into the now darkening streets as the sun begun to sink.

“Dad” Gabi enquired looking up at her father. “I think I need a new nappy”.

Dan smiled in acknowledgement proceeding into a nearby McDonalds restaurant hastily walking towards the baby changing toilet.

Now more attuned to Gabi’s wished and lacking the reticence from before, Dan unfastened Gabi from the wheelchair and lifted Gabi onto the changing table.

“Ready?” Dan enquired removing the changing bag from the wheelchair.

Gabi nodded as Dan removed a clean nappy, cream and wipes before unfastening her dungarees.
Gabi’s blushed as Dan un-taped the nappy diligently wiping and applying a thin layer of cream before sliding it’s replacement beneath her and fastening the new tapes snugly before re-fastening the dungarees over the top.

“I think that smelt even worse than the last one” Gabi joked as Dan discarded the soiled nappy.

“You’ve still done worse” Dan replied cheekily “You used to get really bad diarrhoea when you were teething, now that smelt bad”

Gabi chuckled to herself, satisfied after a fun day shopping before changing the subject.

“Dad, are you going to call Carmen? It seemed like she really liked you” Gabi enquired.

“I don’t know precious. How would you feel if I did? It might be hard for you” Dan responded sensitively.

“Why would it be? You’ve not had a girlfriend since we stopped living with Mummy. Doesn’t that make you sad?” Gabi enquired.

“Aww precious” Dan replied stroking Gabi’s forehead. “That doesn’t make me sad. I just haven’t looked for anyone because I want to put you first”

“I still think you should call her. It might be fun, she said she has a little girl too. You said before you were upset sometimes about Mummy and I was too. Then you said that upset people need friends. Maybe they both need a friend” Gabi replied parroting her father’s reasoning.

“Fine, I’ll call her when we’re in the car. But shall we get going, we can even grab a drink for in the car on the way back, anything you like” Dan responded changing the subject again.

Gabi giggled to herself as Dan pushed the wheelchair out of the changing toilet towards the counter.

“What’s so funny?” Dan enquired while tussling Gabi’s hair.

“Well at least I’m not going to ask to stop to use the bathroom” Gabi responded in laughter.

Drinks acquired, the duo proceeded through the restaurant and back out onto the street, crossing over to the entrance of the multi-story car park and swiftly retreating from the cold into the car.

Dan fastened Gabi into her car seat before placing the shopping bags and folded wheelchair into the boot and taking his own seat.

“So are you going to call her then Dad?” Gabi enquired playfully.

“Are you sure you want me to?” Dan replied sensitively holding the business card in his hand.

CARMEN SUAREZ – INVESTMENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER – BLUESTAR EQUITY

Gabi nodded emphatically as Dan typed the number into the car, awaiting the dialtone with anxiety.

“Hello Carmen speaking, can I help?”

“Hi Carmen, it’s Dan. We met in the car park earlier” Dan responded nervously.

“Gabi’s dad” Carmen chuckled. “I’m really glad you called. The amount of people that run a mile when they find out I’m a mother”

Dan and Carmen proceeded to chat as he drove weaving through the traffic lined streets towards the motorway as Gabi drifted off to sleep, discovering that, while her ex-partner lived in London, Carmen and her daughter actually lived in the same town as Dan and Gabi. Noticing Gabi smiling and feigning being asleep, Dan promised to call back when he had more time to talk and ended the call unknowingly smiling to himself.

“Stop pretending to sleep Gabi. I know you heard every word of that” Dan chuckled.

“I was asleep, promise” Gabi blushed.

“So you didn’t hear the part where she had a seven year old girl too then; or that they live down the road from us? No?” Dan joked.

“Can we have a playdate?” Gabi enquired cheekily glancing at her father.

“I can ask, if that’s what you want sweetie” Dan soothed, unsure if Gabi had thought her request through in light of her current situation following the accident.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 19, 2024 at 6:27 AM
Content: Thanks everyone for reading so far. There's a few different directions I could take this in so I've made a poll and would love to know where you think this should go. I intend to cover both angles in due course but interested to see what everyone thinks.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 22, 2024 at 4:43 AM
Content: Chapter 15

It was near midnight as Gabi awakened slightly as the car pulled into the drive. Still tired, she clenched shut her eyes as her father opened the car door inviting the icy wind into the cosy car. Dan proceeded to gently unbuckle the child from her seat delicately threading her soft-skinned arms through the straps before placing her over his shoulder embracing her beneath his brown leather jacket as Gabi rested her face atop her father’s shoulder.

Dan hastily fished through his pockets retrieving the keys and swiftly unlocking the porch door followed by the main door into the hallway proceeding to kick off his shoes into the porch before firmly shutting the door insulating the duo from the fierce late-Autumn winds.

With Gabi still in repose, Dan proceeded to lay the girl on the corner sofa tucking her beneath a soft rose pink comforter before leaving her to rest as he proceeded quickly to retrieve Gabi’s supply bag from the car boot and silently dashing up the stairs collecting a set of princess-themed pyjamas led out on Gabi’s bed pausing momentarily remembering his thoughts before departing for Paris prior to Gabi’s accident; a quick moment of forward planning setting out clean and comfortable pyjamas before departing for Paris anticipating Gabi would likely be asleep upon their late return.

Regaining his thoughts Dan proceeded down the stairs into the living room silently stood at the doorway watching for a moment as Gabi slept peacefully turned towards the soft grey back of the sofa beneath the blanket before proceeding over to her, silently placing a kiss on the child’s forehead before removing the blanket and lying her flat on her back across the sofa.

“Daddy” Gabi whined wearily.

“Ssshhh. It’s okay precious, we’re home now” Dan soothed fussing Gabi’s hair as she drifted back to sleep.

Dan proceeded to unfasten and remove the dungarees placing them in a messy pile beside the sofa as he removed a clean nappy, cream and wipes from Gabi’s bag, careful to make as little noise as possible before slowly unfastening the girl’s nappy and sliding it out from beneath her before gently sliding its replacement beneath her applying a thin layer of cream before snugly fastening the tapes.

Dan continued preparing Gabi for bed by gently placing her legs and feet within the rolled up pyjama bottoms sliding them up her legs over her nappy proceeding to raise Gabi’s arms and position the pyjama top over her head pulling it down over her stomach. Dan sat for a moment before raising Gabi gently into his arms and carrying her up the stairs into her awaiting bed leaving the door to the hallway open proceeding down the stairs to fill a glass of water and place it beside her bed before closing the door, blowing a kiss and whispering “I love you” to Gabi and proceeding down the stairs.

Dan continued into the living room before sinking down into the sofa where, moments ago, his daughter slept so peacefully as he prepared her for bed; feeling a lead-like weight compress his weary body down into the soft cloth sofa.

The man sat for a moment before removing his leather cased phone and a packet of cigarettes from the inside pocket of his jacket before removing and folding it placing it hastily beside him as he withdrew a cigarette and a lighter tucked within the packet.

Tiny sparks flew as Dan ignited a cigarette taking a deep breath savouring the moment of catharsis as he mentally planned his next steps; endeavouring to carry the shopping into the house and hang it up in Gabi’s wardrobe in the spare bedroom before taking a shower and heading to bed.

Dan’s peace was interrupted by the vibration of his phone, removing the folio-cover noticing that he was being called by an unsaved number, but one that he recognised to belong to Carmen.

Chapter 16

“Hello” Dan enquired wearily, caught off guard receiving a call from her at twenty-five to one in the morning.

“Hi, it’s me. I know it must have been a long day for you” Carmen begun, speaking quickly while out of breath, pausing briefly before continuing. “I just really need to talk to someone. You can hang up if you like”

Dan held his tongue for a moment contemplating whether to engage in the conversation or whether to arrange a more appropriate time given the ungodly hour at which she called.

“No, no it’s okay. We’ve just gotten back” Dan replied cautiously.

“Oh shit I’m so sorry” Carmen replied trying her hardest to veil her desperation “Do you want me to go?”

Continuing to observe the quickening of her breaths while speaking, it soon became apparent to Dan that something wasn’t right.

“It’s okay” Dan replied, deciding in the moment to continue the conversation wherever it might lead. “I’ve gotten her off to bed, she’s sleeping like a baby”

“Bless her, how did it all go. The first night home is never easy” Carmen replied, trying to quickly dispense with pleasantries. “So I nee…”

“Honestly” Dan interrupted. “It hasn’t hit me yet. She was out of it asleep by the time we got home so I carried her in, put her in her pyjamas and tucked her into bed” Dan paused for a moment taking a deep breath before continuing. “I’m just sat now having a smoke in the lounge, I might make myself a coffee in a minute I’m just trying to make sense of it all. What’s new in your world?”

Relieved to have found an opening within the conversation, Carmen took a breath before beginning as a loud click from a cigarette lighter cut off her words through the microphone.

“Everything okay?” Dan enquired having not been able to decipher the woman’s words.

“Yeah sorry just lighting a cigarette. I just had a really, really shitty time and I need to talk to someone” Carmen begun, pausing for a minute. “And honestly I don’t know who else to call”.

Carmen continued as her voice broke into a cry lasting for a couple of seconds, long enough for her to be able to pass it off as a sneeze, but long enough for Dan to know that something wasn’t right; after all, they had only met ten hours ago.

“Are you okay?” Dan enquired.

“Not really” Carmen rebuked. “My ex just called me, Lara, my daughter, is with him now. But he’s just told me that he wants to go back to court and stop his contact because he’s having a baby with his new partner. She’s heard this and just totally broken down. Lara’s so upset now he’s told me that I need to go back tonight and pick her up rather than him dropping her to school on Monday like we arranged. I’m just so stressed right now”

Carmen continued, regaining her composure as she spoke, gradually dialling back the speed in which she was speaking.

"Look, I’m really sorry. You’ve had a car accident and your kid’s in plaster. My problems are none compared to yours” Carmen pleaded, momentarily gathering her thoughts before proceeding. “I guess I just needed to get that off my chest. You know when, you just really don’t know what to do?”

“First off, don’t apologise. I needed some conversation too” Dan started, simultaneously walking into the kitchen and turning on the kettle. “For the last two weeks, my conversations have been either with Gabi’s doctors, or the police, or the insurance company”.

Carmen reassured Dan of the validity of his emotional needs, not revealing much more about her own situation while not probing for anything more about Dan’s.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what actually happened in the accident?” Carmen probed, seemingly eager to find out more about the situation, but in reality she wanted to learn more about Dan himself. “Gabi said in the car park you were both going to Paris”

“Yeah, I went in to Volvo in Coventry on the Friday it happened. I traded in my old estate car for an XC90 a couple of years old” Dan rambled before returning to the point. “I had a look and just spur of the moment booked for us to spend a week in Paris catching the ferry. I messaged work and told them I was going to be off, I’m basically furniture there now so they’ll let me get away if I need to without much fuss. I picked Gabi up from school and surprised her about the trip. We stopped at the services for lunch and just the other side of the M25, you know when you’re on to the A roads out towards the ferry port” Dan recounted, pausing as his tone darkened, recalling the moment everything changed for him and his daughter. “Then as we were on our way, we were chatting and then Gabi dozed off. I was driving down listening to some Alicia Keys song on the radio as some idiot swerved right in front of me, I slammed on the brakes before” Dan paused momentarily. “BANG!”

“Oh my God. That sounds horrible” Carmen reassured. “What happened to Gabi? I know she said she was in the hospital. It sounds like she was pretty hurt”

“Yeah” Dan sighed, taking a moment before continuing. “The airbag didn’t go off so I hit my head on the steering wheel really hard. I came to as all the blue lights pulled up. I walked away, I had a gash to my head that the ambulance bandaged up for me, the firefighters had to cut Gabi out of the car, she was totally unresponsive and they took us to Great Ormond Street hospital. I remember when we got there they rushed her into theatre pretty much straight away. I was just sat there in the waiting room for thirteen hours. The police came in and told me that the other driver walked away unharmed, some woman in her fifties who got drunk at an office party and decided to drive home, they breathalysed her at the scene and she was more than double the drink driving limit”

Dan took a sip of the coffee scalding his tongue for a moment silently whimpering in pain.

“That’s awful” Carmen soothed, sensing the difficulty Dan had in retelling the event.

“Eventually the doctors took me through to see her. She just looked so tiny; she had a breathing tube in, a feeding tube in and these little straps to stop her pulling out the tubes when she woke up. Her lower leg was in plaster, it was just surreal to see her there like that, you know?”

“I wish I didn’t, but I know exactly what you mean” Carmen replied.

“They said that she had a serious head injury causing swelling to the brain so they had to put her in a coma. Originally they said they would have to operate to reduce the swelling but in the end it went down on its own” Dan begun, wearily sipping his coffee at the same time. “She fractured her tibia as well which they had to operate on. But she’s on the mend now, she’ll have her cast off in the next eight weeks and they say she’ll be able to walk again pretty quick” Dan paused again for a moment before adding. “The funny thing though that the Doctor’s told me, if it wasn’t for the new rear-facing car seat I bought with the car, she probably wouldn’t have made it out”.

“How’s she coping with the cast? I remember when Lara…” Carmen enquired.

“Oh that’s a whole story in itself” Dan interrupted, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts, unsure about whether he should share the details of Gabi’s shift in attitude regarding her situation. “They did a few MRIs when she was under and they said that there’s some nerve damage in her lower back and abdomen so she would probably have some toileting issues when she was discharged” Dan continued, pausing as he decided to reveal Gabi’s regression to the woman. “So now she’s back in nappies, for how long, we don’t know. The damage could be temporary, or permanent. And she’s decided for whatever reason that she wants to play the part so-to-speak”

“What do you mean?” Carmen enquired, seemingly resigned to Dan’s desire to get everything off his chest.

“Well, she’s gone from this whip-smart confident, headstrong, independent girl who would refuse to let me pick her clothes or help wash her hair” Dan paused before switching to a lighter tone. “You know, little miss look at me I drink decaf coffee and wear a ball gown to go shopping kind of girl; to…”

“To what dare I ask?” Carmen interrupted having become enthralled by what she was being told, purposefully waiting longer than necessary to share her perspective with Dan.

“Well, she’s been out and chose herself a whole new wardrobe. Gone are the days of black dresses and leather jackets. Dungarees are back this season, so are pigtails and bright pinafore dresses” Dan started. “She’d rather wear Pampers over pull-ups, drink from a sippy cup and take a dummy”.

“Yeah that’s regression” Carmen chimed in a tone that was more chipper than Dan would have expected. “Her parents have split up, she’s had a really nasty accident and a stay in hospital. She’s been through trauma, and this is a coping mechanism. She’ll grow out of it before you know it”.

“You sure?” Dan replied sounding almost relieved at the affirmation first from the doctor and now from another parent of a similar aged child that Gabi’s behaviour was normal.

“Ha! Maybe she can teach Lara some tricks. She’s a nervous wreck at the best of times now, since Jack and I split, she’s biting her nails, getting in trouble at school and now, she’s started having accidents at school and at night. She’s refusing to do anything about it” Carmen paused for a minute, reciprocating Dan’s openness with her own. “She won’t even let me carry spare clothes. I’m dreading picking her up and having the conversation about her Dad with her”.

“Shit Carmen. That sounds hard. Is there anything I can do?” Dan begun adding a playful lilt to his tone.

“Shall we chat in person? I can be with you in five minutes” Carmen jibed, taking a moment before adding “I can bring wine”.

Chapter 17

The early morning sun rose above the clouds piercing the bedroom blinds as a shouting pierced the silence of the house.

“Dad” Gabi pleaded from her bedroom adjacent to her father’s.

“Two seconds precious” Dan shouted back.

Dan glanced at his phone on the bedside table noticing an ashtray full of cigarette butts and two empty wine glasses beside the device.

Acknowledging the time was now half-past nine in the morning, he noticed an unread message from the number he recalled being Carmen’s.

7:44am: Gone to pick up Lara from her Dad’s. Back with you by 2. Gabi fast asleep still. Thanks for a great night, can’t wait to see you later, C xx

“What have I done?” Dan muttered to himself hastily putting on his pyjamas discarded on the bedroom floor before entering Gabi’s room.

“Morning precious” Dan soothed noticing Gabi propped up in bed clasping her glass of water.

“Morning daddy” Gabi replied smiling wearily.

Dan held out a nappy which he left in Gabi’s room the previous night beside a packet of wipes and a tin of cream silently asking whether she needed changing.

Gabi nodded sluggishly, still exhausted from the events since she was last home.

Dan led Gabi across her bed and raised her legs above her head, pulling down the pyjama bottoms and removing the noticeably wet nappy. After applying a layer of cream, Dan replaced the nappy and fastened the tapes providing a snug fit before pulling Gabi’s pyjama bottoms back up and lifting her into his arms.

“Are you still tired? Do you want to snuggle up with Daddy and watch a movie?” Dan enquired softly sensing that Gabi was too tired to wish to start her day, but not tired enough to sleep restfully in her own bed.

Gabi nodded in agreement as Dan carried her into his bedroom before tucking her beneath the duvet cover handing the child the remote for the television mounted on the bedroom wall. Dan proceeded to collect the wine glasses and ash tray from the bedside table before continuing downstairs into the kitchen.

Dan took a moment in the kitchen placing the glasses and ash tray sloppily on the draining board before preparing a hot chocolate later cooled down with a generous pour of milk, a mug of strong coffee and two plates, each containing two slices of buttered toast. Dan contemplated for a moment before decanting the hot chocolate into the pink sippy cup acquired in London, keen to keep Gabi comfortable knowing that it may have been difficult for her on her first night back in her own bed since the accident.

Proceeding back into the bedroom Dan set one plate and the hot chocolate filled sippy cup on the bedside table next to Gabi before walking around to the other side of the bed placing the remaining plate and coffee beside himself.

Dan climbed into the bed and stroked Gabi’s forehead briefly before picking up the coffee and taking a long sip of the warm beverage.

“Who’s is this?” Gabi enquired playfully holding a snakeskin purse in her hands showing it to her father.

Gabi opened the purse to reveal a stack of the same silver-trimmed business cards that she saw deposited into her father’s pocket the previous day along with a driving licence and two or three debit cards each reading Carmen’s name.

“Did Carmen come here last night?” Gabi enquired again agitated at her father’s apparent lack of attention for her.

“How’d you figure that out?” Dan responded, distracted by responding to Carmen’s message and not noticing the purse Gabi was holding until after she had enquired twice regarding it. “Oh yeah… Carmen came by last night when you were asleep for a cup of coffee”

“Okay” Gabi responded satisfied with her father’s response. “Can we have a playdate then?” Gabi enquired cheekily.

Dan smiled at Gabi trying to affirm her request while simultaneously taking a bite of the toast.

“Yes” Dan choked, taking a sip of coffee before continuing. “Yes you can precious. They’re coming over this afternoon, if that’s okay of course? I can tell them another time if you’d rather just relax today”.

“No it will be fun” Gabi smiled finishing the last mouthful of toast following it up by gulping down a large mouthful of the hot chocolate through the sippy cup.

Dan smiled proud of his daughter’s confidence and perseverance in light of what had happened before setting an alarm on his phone to sound at half past twelve, plenty of time to get ready before they arrived, but still allowing time for them both to nap he thought to himself as Gabi begun the film, turning to embrace her father.

Gabi led her head on Dan’s chest and watched silently before her eyes fell heavy and she begun to lightly doze. Dan quickly texting Carmen to request that she call when she was an hour away as a final safeguard against oversleeping before closing his own eyes running his hands through Gabi’s untied hair soothingly willing her to rest shortly entering a light sleep himself.

Chapter 18

“Daddy” Gabi moaned wearily. “Your alarm’s really loud”

Dan woke and hit the snooze button before raising himself up on the pillow, taking care to preserve Gabi’s sleep.

“Morning sleepyhead” Dan soothed looking down at Gabi now asleep again with her head on his chest.

Gabi mumbled unintelligibly before Dan sat her propped up on the pillows beside him handing her the sippy cup now half-full.

Over the next few minutes, father and daughter both came around and discussed the plans; or at least what Dan could remember about them.

Dan proceeded to carry Gabi to the kitchen and led her on a towel across the marbled work surface hanging her head over the sink after first removing her pyjamas, activating a gentle stream of warm water which he encouraged through the girl’s hair. After gently massaging a sweet smelling shampoo and rinsing the suds through, Dan proceeded to sponge Gabi’s torso and face before sitting her up on the work surface and swiftly drying her, the unpredictable movements of the towel eliciting a happy giggle from Gabi as she squirmed through joy.

Dan wrapped the towel around Gabi before carrying her upstairs and laying her across her bed.

“Do you have any ideas what you would like to wear today precious?” Dan enquired.

“Do you remember the pink and purple tartan jumpsuit we bought from H&M?” Gabi responded.

Dan replied in the affirmative leaving the room briefly to return with the dress along with a selection of accessories for Gabi to choose between; holding out the dress on his return to confirm that he had collected the one that Gabi wanted.

“Now, what do you want to wear with your outfit sweetie?” Dan enquired holding out the selection of different coloured leggings and tights, allowing Gabi to select a pair of yellow cotton leggings along with some rainbow hairgrips.

“Well I need a new nappy first” Gabi joked.

Dan proceeded to caringly replace Gabi’s nappy before dressing her in her selected clothes, gently threading her limbs into their correct places.

Once dressed, Dan carried Gabi into a chair set up in the spare bedroom in front of the dressing table, smiling at Gabi before removing a white faux-leather bag labelled Gabi’s Hair Stuff from atop a nearby wardrobe.

“What are you feeling today then precious? Bun? Plaits? Curls?” Dan enquired, listing off Gabi’s three favourite hairstyles. It had become a routine by now that Dan would style Gabi’s hair every day after she dressed, even in spite of her usual precocious nature this was an activity she always seemed to enjoy.

“Can I have two French braids please?” Gabi enquired cheekily, knowing that this was the one style that took the longest to implement. “And can you curl the tips please after?”

Dan chuckled to himself before agreeing and beginning to run a soft brush through Gabi’s hair.

--

Chapter 19

The sun climbed over the hill and had begun its slow decent by the time that a white BMW pulled up on the driveway beside the Porsche. Dan clad himself in a grey buttoned shirt with blue jeans paired with a slightly intoxicating amount of aftershave, having Gabi the opportunity to select his clothes.

A fast knock reverberated through the house as Dan lifted Gabi into his arms embracing her before setting her back on to her chair at the kitchen table to resume her colouring.

“Hi, we’re here at last” Carmen announced excitedly as Dan opened the door revealing her and Lara stood in the porch. “Aren’t you going to say hello cutie?” Carmen implored glancing down at Lara.

Lara blushed and hiding her green eyes behind her fringe before shyly waving at the man.

“You coming in? Don’t just stand there” Dan implored to Carmen.

Proceeding into the dining room, Lara pulled a seat beside Gabi as their parents chatted in the adjoining kitchen over a cigarette.

Gabi smiled brightly before making eye contact with Lara, confidently announcing “I’m Gabi, what’s your name?”

“I’m Lara” the girl replied blushing.

Gabi proceeded to hand Lara a set of pens and invited her to continue colouring the picture she had started while awaiting her arrival.

“How was the drive?” Dan enquired.

“Traffic was okay going down, picked Lara up, stopped at McDonalds for breakfast and told her, you know…” Carmen started, pausing to take a drag from her cigarette as Dan silently offered her a mug of coffee. “…about her Dad. She bawled until we got onto the M1 before I eventually calmed her down and she told me she didn’t want to see him anyway and the only reason she did was because she had to. How was your morning? Hopefully better than that”

“Sounds horrible. Happy to report my morning was lovely, Gabi woke up at half nine, made us both a quick breakfast and we fell asleep watching a movie until past twelve. By the way you left your purse here” Dan replied, pausing before enquiring. “How is Lara doing now?”

“She seems okay now bless her” Carmen chuckled in her reply; drawing attention to Lara and Gabi happily colouring together in the adjoining room, the atmosphere periodically brightened by giggles and laughter.

Dan and Carmen continued to chat amongst themselves for a while regaling each other with light-hearted tales and gossip about clients in common from their adjacent careers. Discovering Carmen worked in Investor Relations for a hedge fund while Dan was a Financial Advisor, wistfully watching their children play happily in the adjacent room, in sight but not in earshot.

“Lara” Carmen scolded gesturing for the girl to come to her side.

“I couldn’t help it Mama” Lara replied tearfully lowering her head to see the leg of her pink joggers had a wet patch where she had an accident.

“I know you can’t help the accident’s cutie. You’re not in trouble, we just have to go home now because you wouldn’t let me bring any spares for you” Carmen soothed, guilty at the fact that she had snapped at her daughter.

Not wanting to interfere in their private conversation, Dan continued into the adjacent room embracing his own daughter before Carmen summoned them into the dining room; where, by now, Lara had begun to sulk gripping onto her mother’s leg, her face turned a bright red shade through embarrassment.

“I’m really sorry, we’re going to need to nip back to get Lara comfortable” Carmen advised, apologetic having enjoyed both her conversations with Dan and watching the girls happily playing, showing their carefree nature which had been displaced by the trauma of their respective situations.

Gabi silently implored Dan to lower her onto the floor where she sat beside the fretful Lara.

“I have accidents too. I even had one when we were sat at the table” Gabi started, making eye contact with Lara.

“But you’re dry” Lara protested, unsure whether or not she believed Gabi.

After all, especially to a seven year old, lots of the things Gabi was saying didn’t make much sense. “How could she sleep for five whole days?” Lara thought to herself awaiting Gabi’s response.

“I know I’m dry. Do you want to borrow some of my clothes? And I’ll tell you how I’m dry if your Mum lets you stay for dinner” Gabi asked, her eyes dancing between her father, Carmen and Lara trying to seek each person’s approval as she spoke.

Still confused, Lara reluctantly agreed as Gabi held out her arms for Dan to carry her upstairs to her bedroom as Lara and Carmen both followed.

Lara stood beside Gabi’s bed awaiting some magical solution, how could Gabi really have had an accident and still be wearing dry clothes, curiously flicking her eyes around the room until fixating on a life-sized portrait of Gabi wearing a blue dress on a canvas behind her bed.

“So how are you not wet then?” Lara enquired sceptically.

Gabi gestured for Dan to remove one of her nappies from the drawers before handing one to Carmen and one to Gabi herself.

Gabi chucked for a minute before proudly announcing while holding out the nappy unfolded. “That’s how”.

Lara stood for a minute reaching out for Carmen to hand the nappy to Lara for her to inspect it, carefully running her fingers along the Velcro tabs before feeling the soft material inside.

“Are they comfy?” Lara enquired shyly having returned to her same blushed complexion as before. “It feels so soft”

“More comfy than my big girl pants” Gabi replied chuckling.

It was at this moment that Carmen noticed something; Lara was actually giving the idea the benefit of the doubt. She had run out of the room crying when Carmen herself had presented the idea of Lara wearing pull-ups again but upon seeing her new friend shamelessly discuss wearing a nappy, at seven years old no less, Lara had begun to open her mind. Carmen crouched down beside her daughter and made eye contact while grasping the child’s hands in her own.

“Look kiddo, and firstly you don’t have to if you don’t want to. But if you try doing what Gabi does, I’ll take you both out anywhere you want to go. Bowling? Cinema? You name it” Carmen pleaded, desperate for her daughter to have an easier time instead of being limited by where they could go by her frequent accidents.

Lara reluctantly agreed before carefully looking through the chest of drawers with Gabi eventually selecting a pair of pastel-pink jeans and rainbow t-shirt.

“So how does this work then?” Carmen whispered to Dan making sure that Lara didn’t hear their conversation.

“Same way it did when she was a toddler. There’s towels in the airing cupboard; nappies, wipes and cream in the top drawer underneath Gabi’s TV” Dan replied, smiling out of bemusement from Carmen’s question.

“Meet you downstairs in five” Carmen responded before re-entering Gabi’s room.

--

Chapter 20

“All good?” Dan asked Carmen as she entered the kitchen trailed by Lara.

“Surprisingly so” Carmen responded.

Lara proceeded to sit again beside Gabi before pulling out a sheet of clean paper, writing down ideas with Gabi as to where to go; after all, they could go anywhere they chose.

Again out of the girl’s earshot, Carmen and Dan reconvened in the kitchen as Dan offered more coffee.

“Well, that was surreal” Carmen muttered.

“What, putting a nappy on your seven year old” Dan replied.

“Well, that…” Carmen paused to light a cigarette, taking a long drag before continuing. “…and the fact that she’s fine with it. She actually seemed almost happy about it”

“Gabi’s the same. The first time I changed her in the hospital after she was awake, she described the experience as liberating. Now trust me; that was not how I expected her to react” Dan replied attempting to reassure Carmen.

“Mum” Lara called from the table.

“Where are we going then cutie?” Carmen enquired smiling.

“Beach” Lara and Gabi both announced simultaneously.

Glancing at each other chuckling silently, Dan and Carmen both looked to each other agreeing to keep their word to the Lara.

“Who’s driving?” Dan enquired winking at Carmen.

“I really don’t care as long as we can take that Panamera of yours” Carmen replied chuckling.

Dan chuckled sharing a glance with Carmen, his eyes and hers both meeting expressing a different feeling. Something in that moment they both realised they had been lacking and desperately craving for as long as they each could remember.

“I’ll move the car seats and get Lara in, meet me out there with Gabi when you’re ready. Pack a bag” Carmen pronounced, glancing for Dan’s approval.

Dan winked at Carmen before collecting Gabi’s bag, which was packed and at the foot of the stairs, and carrying the girl out to the car.

“Right then, you girls both ready?” Carmen enquired, tilting back the rear-view mirror glancing at Lara and Gabi, who were both too engrossed in a video playing through Lara’s tablet to respond.

“Aww. Looks like we’re not going then if they’re not ready” Dan jibed playfully to Carmen while adjusting the passenger seat, having agreed without argument to let her drive the new car.

“Ready” Lara and Gabi replied in sync before the engine started and the car pulled swiftly out into the road.

Navigated alone by her intuition and gut feelings, Carmen manoeuvred through the winding country lanes leaving behind the Warwickshire countryside for the fast moving motorway, spending a short while passing the slower moving traffic while engaged in conversation before merging off the motorway onto the A road that would carry them to the coastal fun they would soon enjoy.

“Mum” Lara enquired shyly. “I need the toilet”

“Just use your nappy” Gabi whispered.

“Don’t worry; we’ll get you changed when we stop kiddo”. Carmen affirmed.

Lara went silent for a few moments, blushed and embarrassed trying to divert attention away from herself while watching a film on tablet with Gabi before returning to conversation.

After another few minutes, the pace of traffic slowed as the sea became visible on the dimming horizon. Dan pointed at a coffee chain beside the road and gestured for Carmen to stop.

“New nappy?” Dan and Gabi both said almost at the same moment sharing what was, by now a knowing glance as Dan lifted the girl into his arms, deciding against using the wheelchair for such a short excursion.

“Can you change mine please Mum?” Lara asked pleadingly looking at Carmen, her bright-red blushed complexion returned.

Carmen replied in the affirmative before Dan handed her a spare bag he had packed for Gabi containing changing supplies and spare clothes.

“Shall we race?” Dan enquired playfully to Carmen.

“Last one out pays for the petrol?” Carmen shot back.

The four then broke into laughter at the prospect prompting a peculiar look as the remaining occupant of the adjacent baby change toilets left.

A few moments later, Gabi and Dan emerged into an empty hallway, realising he had won Dan smiled, likely more visibly than he intended prompting an enquiring glance from Gabi.

“Me and Carmen decided to have a race, see who could get out the quickest” Dan advised chuckling to himself.

A few moments passed until Carmen and Lara finally emerged from their bathroom to reveal their disappointed faces seeing Dan and Gabi already emerged.

“Loooseeer” Dan and Gabi playfully jibed winking at Carmen who responded playfully shoving Dan’s arm before herding the children towards the car.

“It’s not fair” Carmen laughed before continuing. “Lara had umm… how do I say?” Carmen paused for a second.

“I pooped” Lara whispered loudly unembarrassed.

“Yeah” Carmen sighed holding her daughter’s hand. “You did didn’t you?”

“So did Gabi; but we were out of there a good two minutes before you. Better hope that Porsche has a small fuel tank”. Dan joked before strapping Gabi back into her car seat.

--

Chapter 21

Soon enough they arrived on the promenade as the sun begun to set, the burgeoning darkness pierced by vibrant flashes of light from nearby arcades and fairground attractions that peppered the street.

After the car had reached a stop, Dan thoughtfully unstrapped Gabi from her car seat and lifted her into the wheelchair, hanging her supply bag onto the handle.

“Are you okay precious?” Dan enquired, making sure Carmen and Lara were out of earshot.

“Yeah. I’m having fun” Gabi replied nodding emphatically. “Are you?”

Dan beamed seeing Gabi’s mature and caring nature shine through.

“It’s nice isn’t it?” Dan replied rhetorically. “I’m proud of you. Do you know that?”

“Why Daddy?” Gabi replied confused.

“You were really mature today, you put your own feelings aside to help Lara” Dan replied before kissing Gabi’s forehead lovingly.

Seconds later, Carmen and Lara approached the duo from behind the car as Gabi decided to wheel herself to keep up with her playmate allowing the adults a moment to speak.

“Got to ask; did you two rehearse that?” Carmen enquired in a half-whispered tone.

“Rehearse what?” Dan replied confused.

“You know, back at yours with the nappies after I told you last night about Lara’s problem?” Carmen responded, seemingly irritated that Dan hadn’t picked up on her cue, pausing for a moment before continuing. “A few hours ago, she would have kicked off at the thought of me bringing spare clothes and by now she’d be crying curled up in a ball somewhere. Now look at her, she’s happy. Not a care in the world”.

“They both are” Dan added pointing at Gabi laughing with Lara, Who by this point Gabi recruited into propelling the wheelchair.

“And so are you two!” Gabi shouted, seemingly surprising the adults that she could hear the conversation.

Dan and Carmen shared a proud, parental look between themselves following a pace back from the girls allowing them space, but also supervision.

Eventually after an evening of beach-side fun in the arcades followed by a slap-up meal from Nando’s served with a generous desert of cakes, ice cream and other sweet treats; the party headed for the car intent on returning towards their respective homes.

Dan fastened Gabi into the car seat before folding the wheelchair depositing it into the car boot and taking the driver’s seat.

--

Chapter 22

After an uneventful, late evening drive the car pulled up onto Dan’s driveway.

“Coffee?” Carmen enquired, almost pleadingly not wanting the evening to end.

“Yeah, sounds good” Dan replied agreeing lifting Gabi into his arms, carrying her through the hallway into the living room, sitting her comfortably on the sofa before handing her the remote control for the television for her to be joined at her side by Lara.

Carmen lit two cigarettes handing one to Dan while perching on the kitchen work surface after turning on the coffee machine.

“I had fun today” Carmen announced quietly, making eye contact with Dan.

“Me too. Thank you” Dan replied, staring intently at Carmen’s bright eye.

“Still though, I’ve got no idea how to handle Gabi’s school. She’s got some hospital appointments later in the week so it will be another couple of weeks before she’s back” Dan started, hoping that Carmen would suggest an idea. “The wheelchair, the cast, the toileting…”

“How about you don’t?” Carmen rebuked letting out a delinquent chuckle, sensing Dan’s intrigue before continuing. “Let’s face it, the insurance pay out for her injuries must be nearly seven figures. Knowing what I know about you I’m willing to bet you’ve got a princely sum tucked away in some ISA somewhere too”

“What’s your point?” Dan probed, trying unsuccessfully to veil the fact that he was somewhat uncomfortable discussing his finances.

“Now this is something I’ve always wanted to do with Lara. Just bundle what we need into the boot and jump on the ferry. I just think of how much she would develop, learn, heal, just the two of us being able to be somewhere sunny, no more work or constraints from society” Carmen started, sensing Dan’s engagement at the idea, watching his eyes dance about her body as she explained her plan. “Okay, I’ll put it another way. If we look at cash on hand, you and I we’re in about the same place. Even in an instant-access account, if we pooled our resources we could hit the road spend whatever the hell we wanted and not look back until the kids are our age”

Dan took a minute to consider what Carmen was suggesting. He knew well the legalities of the matter, in the UK after all they were well within their rights to withdraw their children from mainstream education in favour of something else. Beth wasn’t going to cause any problems, or bother to answer the phone to be told for that matter and from how Carmen had described her situation, Lara’s Dad would cause no problems either. Then pausing to recall how happy and unencumbered Gabi had seemed while they were out that day, and recounting how miserable she had been at school since the divorce.

“It’s a nice idea isn’t it?” Dan sighed, finding it impossible to disagree with the woman.

Carmen took a moment herself before responding, at the most unexpected moment, she’d found something she didn’t know she needed recounting mentally the change in her daughter having met Gabi and the fantasy of being sat on the beach somewhere with Dan, watching the children play in the water unbothered about their own trauma.

“What do you say then?” Carmen enquired tentatively, pausing for a moment sensing Dan’s reluctance. “You can’t tell me the girl’s wouldn’t love it?”

“Oh they would” Dan chuckled. “But how are we going to do it?”

Dan and Carmen sat at the dining room table and pulled out a piece of paper, scheming together about their ideas for a shared future.

“Dad” Gabi called from the adjacent room prompting Dan to leave his seat and attend to the girl, followed shortly thereafter by Carmen.

“Everything okay precious?” Dan enquired crouching down to make eye contact with Gabi sat on the sofa.

“Can Lara have a sleepover tonight?” Gabi enquired cheekily.

Dan gestured for Gabi to ask Carmen; after all it was her decision.

“Can we?” Gabi enquired, widening her eyes turning to Carmen.

“We can if you want to cutie” Carmen enquired to Lara.

“Thank you Mama” Lara exclaimed jumping up and wrapping her arms around her mother.

“Now, do you two want to share a pizza?” Dan enquired, returning to the kitchen after both children decisively agreed.

“We’ll let you two have fun then, but it will be bed time after you’ve eaten” Carmen added lingering at the doorway.

--

Chapter 23

Six blissful weeks had now passed since the events of the day on the beach, plans were provisionally formed for the near future and a new routine had taken hold. By now, Dan had resigned from his job, Carmen’s notice period running out the following week before she too was free. The new couple begun quietly packing up their respective homes into a rented garage and both girls were de-registered from their schools. Like a duck to water Dan embraced his new found role as teacher, not just as father to the two children who themselves began to see each other as the closest of friends; nearer to sisters even.

The bright winter sun penetrated both the Saturday morning clouds and the blinds into the bedroom.

“Good morning my love” Carmen greeted sweetly, handing a cup of coffee to Dan and placing a letter beside the mug that had arrived that morning.

Dan clasped one hand around the mug hastily opening the letter with his other, anticipating its contents.

FAO: The Parents/Carers of Miss Gabriella Lopez

“Eight am on Wednesday Gabi can get her cast taken off” Dan announced.

“That’s great news. We can hit the road as early as next week then” Carmen exclaimed, trying without success to moderate her volume.

The couple embraced each other in bed for a moment excitedly discussing their trip, slowly coming around to their new reality, not just as a couple; but as a blended family.

“Shall we tell the girls then?” Carmen enquired making eye contact with Dan, until this point they had both kept tight lips about the planned trip until they had a firm date when they could set off.

“I need to ask you something first” Dan begun, pausing as he fished his hand through the top drawer of the bedside table, clutching a metal object in his fist before proceeding to crouch on one knee on the floor “I love you Carmen. I cannot imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?”

“YES!” Carmen squealed unable to control her happiness as Dan slid the diamond studded ring onto her finger before wrapping her arms tightly around her new fiancé.

“I love you so much” Carmen exclaimed, choking back joyful tears.

Dan and Carmen embraced for a few moments before the quiet was broken from a sound from the adjacent room where their children slept.

“Yay!” Lara shouted.

“Woohoo! Congratulations!” Gabi added as the girls both clapped and squealed in excitement.

Silently acknowledging the fact that their moment of peace had ended, Dan and Carmen both entered the children’s room. Carmen perched clumsily on Lara’s bed frame while Dan sat cross legged at the foot of Gabi’s bed.

Gabi’s double bed was displaced by two twin beds positioned adjacent to each other in the room her and Lara had decided to share.

“So, I’m guessing you two heard then…” Carmen begun before being interrupted.

“You and Dad are getting married then” Lara exclaimed excitedly.

Silence befell the room as Carmen, Dan and Gabi all turned to Lara none of them wanting to draw attention to the girl’s remark.

“What did you say?” Dan enquired of Lara, trying to veil his pride at that moment in case she mis-spoke.

“We call you both Mum and Dad to each other. Not Carmen or Dan” Gabi interjected rescuing Lara from her father’s questioning.

Carmen and Dan shared a glance for a moment, acknowledging that both girl’s had a desire for two strong parental figures and, without prompting, had come to see them both as such.

“You can call us whatever you like” Carmen reassured the children.

“I love you Mum” Gabi proclaimed holding out her arms to Carmen.

“I love you Dad” Lara added gesturing for Dan to embrace her as she climbed onto Gabi’s bed.

“And we love you both very much” Carmen started, pausing for a moment to silently seek Dan’s approval to reveal their plans. “We’ve got some exciting news too”

“But first, Gabi, you’re getting your cast taken off on Wednesday in the hospital” Dan interjected, watching the relief on his daughter’s face as he spoke.

“That’s right” Carmen continued. “We thought that, seeing as you’re both learning at home now, rather than at school…”

Carmen paused for a moment and gestured for Dan to take over.

“And seeing as we’re not going out to work anymore, there’s really no point staying here in the cold so we were thinking that we would go and see some new places” Dan added, watching as Lara and Gabi both visibly became excited.

“How long for?” Lara questioned.

“For as long as you two want” Carmen responded smiling. “This is a new chapter for us as a family”

“It’s time for us to look forward, not backward” Dan added.

The group then embraced each other in a hug before proceeding downstairs for breakfast. Dan positioned Gabi at the kitchen table where Lara took a seat beside her as their parent’s prepared breakfast.

Chapter 24

After breakfast, Dan carried Gabi upstairs and sat her on her bed removing her changing supplies from the drawer before taking a seat beside her.

“How are you feeling precious?” Dan enquired, trying to take a moment to check-in on Gabi’s feelings regarding the morning’s events.

“I’m really happy” Gabi replied beaming. “I can’t wait to get my cast off”.

“I’m glad. I’m happy too. Do you know what will happen in the hospital?” Dan enquired, not sure how much information Gabi had retained from her conversations with the doctors when she was in hospital.

“I think so” Gabi replied unsure.

“So, when we go into the hospital, they’re going to put you to sleep again while they’re taking the cast off because they want to check everything is healed and do some scans. But we’ll be out and home the same day. Do you understand?” Dan responded sensitively.

“That’s fine” Gabi replied.

“And how do you feel about me and Carmen getting married?” Dan enquired.

“I’m really happy that you and Mum are getting married” Gabi replied, emphasising the fact that she had chosen to see Carmen as her mother.

“I love you Gabi” Dan responded proudly before enquiring “Shall we get ready then?”

Gabi nodded with certainty as Dan promptly changed her nappy and helped her dress into a simple, comfortable outfit comprised of a looser fitting pair of white jeans paired with a purple t-shirt before quickly threading her soft hair into pigtails restrained by two matching purple bobbles.

Proceeding down the stairs the duo were met by a faint sweet smell wafting through the house before entering the kitchen to find Carmen and Lara preparing pancakes at the hob.

“That smells yummy” Gabi announced as Dan lifted her onto a dining chair.

“I figured we could all use a snack, you can only get so far with toast and cereals” Carmen chuckled in response.

Lara left the kitchen a few moments later leaving Dan and Carmen to chat while the snack was being prepared. Dan removed a tub of chocolate ice cream placing it on the worksurface along with two plates.

“Gabi’s favourite I see” Carmen stated.

“Ice cream makes everything better” Dan retorted chuckling, pausing for a second before enquiring. “So how do you think that went then?”

“With the kids?” Carmen checked before continuing. “I think that went better than we expected. Look at them, they’re over the moon. I honestly can’t believe how happy little Lara’s been since we met. She adores you, you know”

Dan smiled, proudly looking over at the girls playing on the dining table.

“My two daughters” Dan muttered, louder than he anticipated causing Carmen to hear.

“It’s okay. You can say it” Carmen responded. “You think I don’t see Gabi as mine? Of course I do”.

Dan and Carmen shared a glance for a moment. This was the first time either of them had addressed how the children may perceive their relationship, having not discussed the matter previously.

“Gabi actually asked me a couple of nights ago if she could start calling you Mum. I was always going to, but it’s what made me propose today rather than when we started our trip” Dan shared.

“Well, I’m glad you said that. Lara asked me the same thing last night. I was just waiting for the right moment to say something” Carmen responded smiling before embracing Dan into her arms.

Suddenly the loving, playful buzz of the home was interrupted by a loud knock at the front door.

“I’ll get it” Carmen announced. “It’s probably that new phone charger I ordered from Amazon”

Carmen unlocked the front door to find a woman stood in the porch clad in a white suit with the same brunette shaded hair as Gabi.

“Can I help you?” Carmen enquired after a moment of stunned silence.

The woman stared belligerently into Carmen’s eyes for a moment before announcing. “I’m Beth” pausing for a moment before adding coldly. “Gabriella’s Mum”.

############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 22, 2024 at 4:46 AM
Content: Thanks again to everyone for reading. Hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I am writing this,

As always I am most grateful for any suggestions or feedback that you have.

############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 23, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Content:

Growler0128 said:

i hope gabi s mom is going to be nice and not mess up their plans

[End of quote]

I'm keeping tight lipped until I've gotten chance to upload the next batch of chapters this week.

But without giving too much away, Gabi's Mum's reaction might surprise you - in a good way!

############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 23, 2024 at 5:09 PM
Content:

Tina said:

That was a lot more to your story. I mean the many chapters you wrote. Wow. Some writers write 3 lines and call it chapter. You continue and bring a small book. *smile*
You made such a nice story. I like it and thank you for the big continueing and the many time you invested in the story. I had a nice time reading and escaping the real world.
I hope you'll write more and would be happy to read more from Gabi.

[End of quote]

Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying reading this as much as I did writing this. In my mind I'm only about 50% through where I want to take this so plenty more to come!

I've been bored to tears in virtual meetings at work for ages now so this is a fun way to pass the time. My job is like 20% work and 80% talking about the work haha

This is actually the first time I've written any fiction in English, I have a couple of Spanish language novellas published when I was in my teens; not at all ABDL related but similar still in themes (coming of age kind of stuff), if there's any demand I might translate them into English at some point; I should probably add that Dan (Gabi's Dad) was the protagonist of my first novella and it covers his marriage to Gabi's mum.

Any suggestions or ideas for Gabi's Journey?

############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 27, 2024 at 6:15 AM
Content: Chapter 25

Dan hurried to the front door upon hearing Beth’s voice, unsure what to say, unsure what she had to say. It had been over a year now since Gabi had last seen her, how would she respond now everything had changed. Not just with the accident, but with Carmen and Lara living there now, and their plans to travel.

“Let’s head outside” Dan insisted to Beth, refusing to hide his anger at the uninvited visitor.

“Do you want to go and stay with the kids? But don’t say a word to Gabi, I’ll be back in a moment” Dan pleaded to Carmen who agreed readily.

“I’m really sorry” Beth started, breathing deeply before continuing. “I know I’ve left you both out in the cold”.

“Did you get my messages?” Dan enquired, trying to ascertain whether or not Beth was aware of the accident. Reaching the conclusion immediately when she shook her head.

“We were in a car accident. Gabi broke her leg and had a really bad head injury. She was in a coma for five days. You should have been there” Dan continued angrily.

“I’m really sorry. Is she okay now?” Beth pleaded.

“She’s going to be fine. She gets her cast off next week” Dan replied briefly, feeling this was neither the time nor place to reveal the true extent of Gabi’s condition.

“I’m glad” Beth replied coldly, removing a cigarette box from her pocket offering one to Dan before lighting up herself. “Who answered the door? And who’s kids. Last I knew you were single and only had Gabi”.

Before Dan had a chance to respond, Beth cut him off and continued. “And don’t tell me it doesn’t concern me Danilo. I have a right to know who our daughter is spending time with”.

“I wasn’t going to say that. Carmen answered the door, my fiancé. She has a little girl from her first marriage a couple of months older than Gabi. We’re happy, not that you care” Dan replied.

Beth sighed for a moment glancing through the living room window seeing Carmen playing with the two girls, noticing Gabi’s bright, happy smile; taking a moment to realise the life she left behind.

“I didn’t come here for a fight Dan” Beth started, realising that at this point, her daughter’s best interests must override all else; and Gabi was clearly happy. “I’m happy for you both, really I am” the woman continued, wiping a solitary tear from her eye with the sleeve of her dress before carrying on. “How does Gabi feel about Carmen? Just be honest with me, don’t bother trying to spare my feelings”.

“You really want the truth?” Dan enquired, realising that the truth would likely hurt Beth.

Beth sighed before silently gesturing for Dan to tell her.

“Carmen and Gabi adore each other. Gabi’s really come out of her shell since the accident. But I’ve got to tell you something…” Dan replied before being interrupted by Beth.

“Gabi’s calling that woman Mum isn’t she?” Beth enquired, having heard through the open window the playful conversation between the two.

Dan nodded reluctantly in response.

“I’m glad. You said you and Carmen were getting married. Going forward; if Gabi tells me that it’s what she wants, she doesn’t have to see me again. I’ll leave the four of you in peace” Beth enquired, pausing for a moment before continuing. “But I need to speak to Carmen. I need to ask her something”.

“Just come in, but come into the kitchen. I will not have you upset Gabi” Dan pleaded.

Dan led Beth into the kitchen before pouring her a mug of coffee. Leaving momentarily asking for Carmen to join them into the kitchen.

“I’ll be back in a minute girls, I’ve just got to see what Dad wants okay?” Carmen spoke softly.

“Okay Mum” Lara and Gabi replied in unison returning to their game.

Carmen entered the kitchen to be handed a cigarette and a mug of coffee by Dan before perching up on the work surface.

“Carmen, this is Beth. Beth, this is Carmen” Dan advised.

Carmen took a moment to take a sip of the coffee, uneasy at the situation looking to Dan pleadingly for reassurance. Beth proceeded to walk up to Carmen before grabbing the woman’s hand to inspect the ring on her finger.

“I love the ring. I see I taught you well Dani” Beth joked before explaining to Carmen that she was a jeweller.

“I just want you to know, my intention isn’t to split your family up Beth. I love Gabi like she was my own flesh, but I’m not going to get in your way of being her mother” Carmen pleaded making eye contact with the woman.

Beth smiled and chuckled silently, pausing for a few moments intent on making Carmen uncomfortable before continuing.

“Believe it or not, I’m happy for you both. I hope that the four of you have the life that you deserve together” Beth insisted.

“Why are you here then?” Dan demanded, until this point Beth’s intentions were totally unclear.

“I wanted to see my dau…” Beth started, pausing to correct herself realising the nature of the situation “I wanted to see Gabriella. But actually, I can see that she’s happy without having to stress her any more. I cut contact because I could see the bad effects I was having on her. I’m the one who ended the marriage and it wasn’t either of their faults. It’s up to you both whether or not she knows I’m here. It’s clear to me that Gabriella sees you both as her parents now. Not I.” Beth continued making eye contact with Carmen.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re a bad mother” Carmen replied, surprising Beth with her response. “Walking away when you’re causing people pain shows strength of character. If you stuck around causing trouble, then I would say you were a bad mother”.

“Do you know what really happened?” Beth rebuked, Carmen shook her head as Beth continued. “I fell in love with another man and then I told my husband and daughter to leave their home so that I could make mine”. Beth paused for a moment before enquiring. “You love Gabi like your own daughter you said?”

“I do. And I’m sorry if that hurts you” Carmen replied.

“It doesn’t. I’m glad that something good has come from this. I want you to make it official. When you marry Dan I want you to adopt her as your own, if of course that’s what Gabi wants” Beth pleaded, trying to perform her last act as Gabi’s mother with some semblance of grace and dignity.

“I would be lucky to” Carmen replied brushing away happy tears.

The room was filled with a stunned silence; Carmen, Beth and Dan all glanced at each other not knowing exactly what to say next.

“Why are you crying Mum?” Gabi enquired, her arm wrapped around Lara supporting her weight as she held her plastered leg up keeping the other on the ground.

“Oh cutie it’s okay” Carmen fussed, rushing to lift Gabi into her arms before entering the kitchen. “They’re happy tears”.

Gabi’s face dropped upon seeing Beth stood in the kitchen previously out of view as the girl proceeded to press her face into Carmen’s shoulder.

“Shall we all go into the living room?” Dan pleaded seeing no sense in continuing to hide the situation from the children.

Carmen sat on the sofa cradling Gabi in her arms soothing her evident discomfort as Lara decided, not wanting to feel left out, to climb onto Dan’s lap while Beth sat opposite them.

“Hi sweetie” Beth chimed crouching down beside Gabi.

Gabi elected not to respond instead to further bury her head in Carmen’s shoulder.

“I need my nappy changed” Gabi whispered into Carmen’s ear.

“Just going to take Gabi upstairs and get her comfy again” Carmen advised discretely while making eye contact with Dan simultaneously seeking his approval to tell Gabi about the situation.

Carmen carried Gabi upstairs setting her down gently on to her bed.

“Everything okay cutie?” Carmen asked gently as Gabi begun to weep.

“Why is she here?” Gabi enquired choking back tears as she spoke. “She’s not going to take me away is she?”

Gabi then begun to quietly cry, her face crumpled and tears streaming down from her eyes. Carmen sprung to action cradling the girl in her arms while soothingly stroking her open hand.

“No of course she’s not cutie. No-one is going to take you away I promise” Carmen soothed as Gabi’s cries begun to soften.

“Why is she here then?” Gabi enquired as Carmen wiped away her tears.

Carmen paused for a moment to decide the best way to approach Beth’s request.

“Your Mum said…” Carmen started only to be interrupted swiftly by Gabi.

“You are my Mum. The lady downstairs is Beth” Gabi insisted correcting the woman before wiping away her remaining tears.

“Now Gabi, you know that I love you like you were my own daughter right?” Carmen started, taking care with her tone before continuing. “And you know how I and your Dad are getting married soon. Well, Beth wanted to know if you wanted me to adopt you when we get married” Carmen paused taking a breath while checking that Gabi understood what she was saying. “You don’t have to say yes at all, certainly not now if you want to take some time to think about it or to ask me, or your Dad, or Beth any questions. It’s up to you”.

Gabi dried her face, her sullen expression giving way to a wide smile lighting the room.

“Really? Can you?” Gabi enquired in disbelief.

“Of course I can as long as you’re sure” Carmen replied now smiling while embracing Gabi in a hug.

“How about Lara? Will Dad be able to adopt her?” Gabi enquired nosily.

Taken aback by the question having not discussed it with Dan, or Lara’s dad, or Lara herself for that matter; Carmen paused for a moment speechless.

“That would be fine with me. But it really depends on what your Dad, and Lara and Lara’s dad have to say” Carmen responded.

Gabi smiled making eye contact with Carmen enjoying their moment together.

“I still need my nappy changed you know?” Gabi responded cheekily.

Carmen chuckled to herself smiling at Gabi.

“I just thought you didn’t want to be downstairs? Do you actually need it changing?” Carmen enquired cheekily.

Gabi nodded approvingly as Carmen removed the changing supplies from the nearby drawers carefully laying them out on the bed.

“Are you ready?” Carmen enquired gently.

“Yep” Gabi shot back smiling, folding her hands behind her head as she led down.

Carmen proceeded to unfasten Gabi’s jeans before removing and folding them neatly on the adjacent bed before raising the girl’s top to reveal the nappy, gently unfastening each tape before gently lifting Gabi by the ankles and beginning to wipe Gabi clean.

“Eww!” Gabi spluttered holding her nose. “That smells terrible”

Carmen chuckled to herself unfazed before sliding the clean nappy beneath Gabi and applying a generous layer of cream.

“What have you eaten I wander?” Carmen joked while playfully tickling Gabi’s chin prompting the child to giggle loudly before fastening the clean nappy snugly in place.

“Would you like to take a nap?” Carmen enquired gently noticing that Gabi had been yawning for the past few minutes simultaneously trying to spare the child any possible further upset that Beth may bring.

Gabi nodded wearily as Carmen removed a set of pink cotton pyjamas from Gabi’s drawers proceeding to lift the child gently by her ankles and pull the pyjama bottoms up over her legs and around her waist.

“Arms up cutie” Carmen requested.

Gabi smiled as Carmen removed her t-shirt and slipped her arms through the soft, cotton pyjama shirt before fastening up each button.

Carmen then lifted Gabi gently into her arms proceeding to pull back the duvet before lowering the girl down wrapping her cosily beneath the covers.

The woman then proceeded to remove a pink dummy from the nightstand placing it gently into Gabi’s mouth before crouching down and placing a kiss on the girl’s forehead.

“I love you. Sweet dreams cutie” Carmen whispered before backing gently out of the room.

“Love you too Mum” Gabi responded wearily as her eyes grew heavier, soon drifting into a peaceful sleep.

--

Chapter 26

Carmen took a deep breath stood in the upstairs hallway processing everything that had happened as a complicated torrent of emotions washed over the woman.

Deciding that she needed to compose herself before returning downstairs, Carmen entered the bedroom she shared with Dan and sat at the foot of the bed pulling her mobile phone from her pocket and dialling a number.

Carmen sat anxiously fiddling with her hair as the dial tone continued. After what felt like an eternity, the phone was answered.

“Hello Jack speaking, can I help?” The man’s voice enquired.

“Jack, it’s me. I need to tell you something” Carmen started, pausing for a moment before continuing. “Before you start, this is nothing to do with maintenance. I don’t know if you know, but I’m getting married again”.

“Well, once you do I’m off the hook for child maintenance and spousal support” Jack replied coldly.

“Well, I needed to ask you something. It’s just Dan’s ex-wife showed up…” Carmen started, being interrupted immediately by the man.

“Is everything okay? She’s not done anything stupid has she?” Jack enquired anxiously.

“No, no nothing like that. She wants me to adopt Dan’s daughter when we get married” Carmen replied, hoping not to have to explicitly ask the question.

“And you’re calling me asking if your fiancé can do the same, right?” Jack replied chuckling before continuing. “How does Lara feel about him then?”

“She adores him, and he adores her. He’s amazing with the kids; I just wanted to be able to ask Lara if she wanted to be the same as her step-sister. It’s up to her if she accepts” Carmen responded, taking care not to anger the man.

“It’s fine” Jack replied, pausing for a moment before continuing. “Good luck. The pair of you are not my problem anymore”.

Carmen disconnected the call after bidding farewell to the man before returning downstairs, observing Dan and Beth awkwardly making small-talk while Lara sat on Dan’s lap playing with an iPad.

“Is Gabi okay?” Dan enquired.

“All good, she just got a bit overwhelmed with everything going on so I got her cleaned up and put her down for a nap” Carmen replied.

“Did you tell her about what we discussed?” Beth enquired attentively making eye contact with the woman.

“She said wants me to” Carmen replied smiling before beckoning Dan into the kitchen to speak privately leaving Lara to continue playing on the iPad.

“Are you okay?” Dan enquired now in the kitchen lighting a cigarette.

Carmen paused for a moment, deciding how to explain her interaction with Gabi and her subsequent phone call with Jack to the man.

“Yeah all good. Gabi was a bit upset with Beth being here, I told her what she asked, she agreed” Carmen started, smiling proudly before continuing. “I love that kid you know” Carmen affirmed.

“I got her changed into her pyjamas and tucked her in for a nap. She’s knackered bless her” Carmen added.

“I’m surprised she took Beth being here as well as she did and she didn’t you know… have a meltdown” Dan replied smiling.

“I called Jack after Gabi went to bed to tell him about everything” Carmen begun before being interrupted by Dan.

“Why?” Dan enquired, smiling purposefully to mask his range of emotions regarding Carmen’s ex.

“He told me that he’d be fine with you adopting Lara. I know this is something the three of us need to discuss, but I wanted to check so she didn’t feel left out or anything” Carmen replied, seeing a proud smile form on Dan’s face. “I don’t know… how would you feel about that?”

“She’s my daughter. Whether it’s official or not” Dan replied proudly prompting Carmen to embrace him in her arms.

“So you’ll talk to Lara then?” Carmen checked, kissing Dan’s cheek after he nodded decisively confirming before adding “I changed Gabi for the first time when we were upstairs just so you know”.

Dan smiled proudly locking his eyes onto Carmen’s before crushing out his cigarette placing it in an ash tray beside them on the kitchen work surface.

“Did it go okay?” Dan enquired curiously.

“She’s nothing like Lara” Carmen replied chuckling, pausing briefly before continuing. “She’ll never admit it, but deep down she loves every minute of this doesn’t she. Being the centr…”

“Being babied” Dan interrupted prompting Carmen to laugh.

“I wouldn’t have put it like that” Carmen responded in laughter. “She’s adorable though, super confident, loves the spotlight. I love her to bits. And her giggle” Carmen added proudly, pausing briefly before continuing. “I just can’t believe some people would leave all that behind… and for what exactly?” Carmen fumed gesturing showing that she was referring to Beth in the other room.

Dan smiled sharing a glance with Carmen before adding “I just don’t understand some people” pausing for a moment showing Carmen a photo he snapped of himself and Lara pulling funny faces stood by a post-box beaming with pride. “How could someone just walk away from all this?”

“Their loss” Carmen jibed before gesturing for Dan to return with him into the living room.

Stood at the doorway into the living room, Carmen held out her arm prompting Dan to look inside silently revealing Beth sat on the floor patiently explaining the meanings of different stones on her bracelet.

“What do we do?” Carmen enquired curiously observing a side to Beth totally different to what she perceived from Dan and Gabi’s descriptions of the woman’s nature.

Dan paused curiously observing Lara’s interest in the jeweller’s words before walking into the room.

“You two having fun?” Dan enquired.

Without acknowledging the man’s presence, Beth removed two jewellery cases from within her inside suit pocket, opening one showing it to Lara revealing a rose gold bangle rimmed with scores of tiny sparkling diamonds.

“I bought two the same, I was going to wear one and give the other to my sister” Beth explained carefully engrossed in conversation with Lara, neither of them having noticed Dan or Carmen’s presence. “I want to give them both to you; and I want you to give the other one to Gabi when the time is right” she explained, tussling the child’s hair before standing up.

“You don’t have to do that” Carmen explained making eye contact with Beth.

“Please, it’s nothing. It’s just my way of letting go” Beth pleaded, wiping away a tiny tear before walking towards the door. “It’s time for me to leave, but I wish you all”

“That’s really kind of you” Dan added, gesturing for both women to join him in the kitchen.

“Lara’s absolutely brilliant you know. Bright as a button” Beth mentioned quietly, making eye contact with Carmen.

“Thank you” Carmen responded proudly.

Beth’s face descended into a bemused smile, taking a deep breath before speaking.

“I heard your conversation upstairs” Beth started, pausing for a moment before continuing. “First with Gabriella; you’re better with her than I could ever dream to be. In that moment, you gave her exactly what she really needed; love and reassurance. You make her feel safe”

Carmen smiled gratefully in stunned silence, not sure exactly how she should respond, glancing at Dan to say something, anything.

“And then with, who I’m guessing is your ex” Beth continued. “You take absolutely no prisoners when it comes to both children, you’re an amazing mother. The three of them are lucky to have you”.

Dan lovingly embraced Carmen into a hug, he knew more than anyone that everything he had just heard was true.

“It’s me who’s lucky to have them” Carmen responded amid happy tears.

Beth headed for the door and swiftly left, leaving the family to continue their lives together, happy that; while she would no-longer be a part of Gabi’s life she was happy, and part of a unit where she belonged.

--

Chapter 27

The cloudy blanket moved aside letting the afternoon sun peek through the net curtains watching soundly over Gabi as she begun to stir.

Placing her dummy on the bedside cabinet, Gabi swivelled her legs over the side of the bed and attempted to stand, not realising her leg was still in plaster, maintaining balance for a split-second before dropping to the floor bashing her face on the wooden side of Lara’s adjacent bed.

“Dad” Gabi wailed, unsuccessfully trying to sit up as tears mixed with blood streamed down her face. “Help” Gabi wailed again, hearing no movement from downstairs.

Dan and Carmen simultaneously burst into the room seeing Gabi sprawled across the floor.

“Oh my precious what happened?” Dan soothed lifting the sobbing child into his arms.

“I f-f-forgot I had my cast on” Gabi spluttered amidst her cries.

Carmen ran into the bathroom and returned with a dampened hand towel passing it to Dan who used it to wipe Gabi’s face revealing a wide gash on her forehead spewing bright red blood in equal amounts onto the man’s shirt and onto Gabi’s pyjama top.

“Where are you hurt?” Dan enquired softly, gently brushing Gabi’s hair away from the cut.

“My head and my mouth” Gabi replied spluttering as saliva mixed with blood impinged on her ability to speak, using her index finger to point out where she bit her tongue.

Dan exchanged a glance with Carmen; silently discussing the seriousness of the child’s injuries and the best plan of action.

“Shall I take a look?” Carmen enquired, providing a welcome burst of authority over the situation.

Dan nodded in agreement before raising Gabi back onto the bed, laying her down gently propping her head on two pillows.

“Gabi, I’m just going to get everything checked out and get you cleaned up, okay?” Carmen soothed gently, removing a bandage from a green first aid kit that Lara retrieved from the kitchen on her instruction.

Gabi nodded hesitantly before wincing in discomfort as Carmen tenderly applied an anti-septic onto the wound before placing a large sticky dressing over the gash as bleeding begun to slow.

“Shall we take you downstairs then young lady?” Dan enquired to Gabi before raising the child lovingly into his arms, positioning her on the sofa beneath a blanket.

Carmen entered the living room a few minutes later carrying a tray containing a slice of pizza and a Gabi’s sippy cup before placing the tray on a fold out table for easy access.

“See, everything will be okay” Carmen reassured. “Do you two want to cuddle up and watch a movie?” Carmen enquired handing the remote to Lara.

“Can I have a snack too Mum?” Lara enquired cheekily.

Carmen nodded in agreement before leaving for the kitchen; Dan followed her moments later after reassuring himself that Gabi was okay.

“Thank you for that upstairs” Dan uttered slowly, still composing himself after the incident. “How did you… just know, what to do?”

“Don’t mention it. My office sends one of us on a first aid course every year, this year I was the unlucky one to go. Never thought I’d get the chance to use it though” Carmen laughed, handing the weary man a cigarette. “Besides, when she was three, Lara had to have surgery on her hip joint and was in plaster for three months. I’ve been here before”

“I owe you one” Dan responded smiling before embracing the woman in a grateful hug.

“Glad you offered” Carmen jibed playfully before handing Dan two nappies and their associated supplies. “I’m willing to bet the kids need changing by now” proceeding to tap Dan’s nose whispering cheekily “And. You’re. It”

Dan chuckled for a moment before returning to the living room.

“Right then” Dan announced loudly getting both girls attention. “I’m willing to bet you two need changing. Who’s first?”

“Me” Lara proclaimed, clambering from beneath the blankets before running up the stairs prompting Dan to follow, proceeding to lie on her bed.

“Lara precious” Dan started, pausing for a moment deciding subconsciously to tell Lara about Gabi being adopted by Carmen, and to offer to do the same for her. “I need to ask you something” Dan paused again taking a seat on Gabi’s bed opposite the girl.

“What is it Dad? Is everything okay?” Lara enquired anxiously.

Dan smiled reaching out tussling Lara’s hair reassuringly.

“Remember Beth who came here earlier, do you know who she is?” Dan enquired, taking care for Lara to understand the situation.

“You used to be married to her didn’t you?” Lara responded smugly, subconsciously following Gabi’s lead to refer only to Carmen as her Mum.

“That’s right. She came here this morning and she told Mum that she can adopt Gabi as her own daughter. Do you understand?” Dan explained patiently, carefully watching Lara’s reaction; after all, despite being so in-tune with how Gabi might react to certain situations, he was unsure how to approach such a sensitive topic with Lara.

“So that’s why she gave me the sister bracelet to give to Gabi then?” Lara responded, pausing for a moment before smiling widely having realised what Dan was getting to. “Are you going to adopt me too Dad?” Lara enquired while smiling hopefully.

“Do you want me to?” Dan enquired keeping a straight face, careful not to sway the child’s feelings in either direction.

“Yes please” Lara replied happily before announcing “I love you Daddy”

“I love you too precious” Dan replied proudly, scooping the child up into his arms hugging her tightly.

Dan and Lara sat hugging on the bed for a few minutes before Lara wriggled free and led down again on the opposing bed.

“I still need changing you know” Lara added cheekily.

Dan acknowledged her request before carefully raising Lara’s dress and lowering her tights, lifting her ankles into the air as he un-fastened the used nappy.

“Sorry” Lara uttered blushing shyly, clenching shut her eyes out of embarrassment.

“What for?” Dan rebuffed as Lara darted her eyes in the direction of the nappy. “You don’t need to be sorry precious” Dan reassured as he wiped Lara clean before applying a thin layer of cream, proceeding to raise her ankles again as he slid a clean nappy beneath her, snugly fastening the tapes.

Lara blushed bright red again, prompting Dan to enquire “Are you okay precious?”

Lara shook her head remaining visibly embarrassed.

“It’s okay, tell me what’s on your mind” Dan insisted gently.

“It’s just…” Lara started, pausing for a few moments to gather her thoughts. “Most of the time I use my nappy it’s not really an accident”.

Dan comforted Lara for a moment as he decided mentally how to respond to the child’s confession.

“Okay. And what would you like to do about that? Do you want to stop wearing them?” Dan enquired sensitively.

“No. No. I still want to wear them. I still have accidents sometimes plus they’re really comfy” Lara insisted.

“Okay, then what’s the matter?” Dan enquired; confused to why Lara would be revealing this information. “Would you prefer it if you changed your own nappies?”

Lara shook her head blushing; trying to articulate her thoughts.

“It’s just… I actually really like wearing them. It makes me feel safe” Lara begun meekly, taking a moment before continuing. “But I feel mean getting you and Mum to change me every time when I don’t really need to wear them” Lara continued, her breathing increasing in its frequency as her blushed tone became darker still. “But I really like wearing them. And I like it when you and Mum change me, you make me feel safe and taken care of”.

“Lara. Don’t worry. It’s up to you what you wear; and where or when you do your business. And it’s mine and your Mum’s job to keep you comfortable” Dan reassured the child. “I know you still have accidents sometimes, and I think you’re really brave wearing the nappies. And I think you’re really brave for telling me”.

“Dad, can I give Gabi her bracelet now?” Lara enquired happily as Dan disposed of the soiled nappy into the bathroom bin.

Dan nodded in agreement as Lara excitedly ran downstairs beaming in joy.

“Gabi! Gabi!” Lara squealed running into the living room. “We’re going to be real sisters”

Gabi responded exclaiming in excitement before Lara presented the bracelet to Gabi as she placed her own on her wrist.

“She seems happy” Carmen muttered standing up from the sofa before taking Dan’s hand.

“I told Lara about you adopting Gabi, and like we discussed I asked her if she wanted me to adopt her” Dan replied out of earshot of the two children.

“No prises for guessing her response then” Carmen joked.

“Welcome to life as a family of four then” Dan added before sitting beside Gabi on the sofa, embracing her, Lara and Carmen in his arms.

--

Chapter 28

The moon shone brightly on the cloudless night eclipsing the brightness of the stars as a cold draft ran through the house.

Lara and Gabi giggled to themselves chatting while watching a movie as both parents entered the kitchen sent in pursuit of snacks.

“I need to tell you something” Dan started aware that Carmen must know what Lara revealed to him while being changed.

“You know you can tell me anything” Carmen replied.

“When I was upstairs changing Lara, she told me that she’s not having as many accidents now during the day, but that she wanted to carry on wearing the nappies” Dan started, pausing briefly before continuing “How do you want to handle it?”

Carmen lit a cigarette and perched on the work surface as Dan boiled the kettle, chuckling to herself silently.

“So that makes two of them then. When you were changing Lara, Gabi told me the exact same thing, she said she can feel when she needs to go now. But she told me she doesn’t want to stop wearing the nappies. I told her she should tell you in her own time and that you would understand” Carmen replied.

Dan sat for a moment puzzled, on one hand; the girls were seven years old, why should they continue wearing nappies if they didn’t have a medical reason to? But on the other hand; they both obviously take some form of comfort from wearing them and the changes to them both were remarkable. Since her accident, Gabi had become much more self-confident; and Lara’s anxiety had all but ceased.

“What are our options then?” Dan enquired, hoping that Carmen had an idea.

Carmen leaned over and took a large sip of Dan’s coffee, silently contemplating her reply.

“If they were going to school, I’d say that they needed to stop wearing them. But they’re not” Carmen started, pausing for a moment as she contemplated what to say next. “We could just do nothing and hope they grow out of it”

“I don’t like that idea” Dan replied. “But I don’t think it’s really right that we take the nappies away either”

“Does what they’re wearing really hurt anyone? It’s not like they’re going to get teased in school about it. I propose we just tell them that we’re onto them. We know that they don’t really need to wear the nappies anymore so put the ball in their court” Carmen replied.

Silently agreeing, Dan and Carmen re-entered the living room before placing a large bowl of popcorn between the girls.

“Thank you” Lara and Gabi replied in unison as Carmen paused the movie.

“We need to talk to you both about something” Carmen started, making sure that she had the children’s attention. “Now, neither of you are in trouble. But you’ve both said something quite interesting to us and we need to talk about it”.

“Is this about the nappies?” Gabi enquired.

“Yes it is” Dan responded calmly. “You’ve both told us that you don’t really need to wear them all the time now, but you would like to anyway. Is that right?” Dan enquired sensitively.

Gabi and Lara looked at each other before nodding sheepishly in agreement.

“We’re both very proud of you for being honest” Carmen started, pausing briefly while noticing that both girls looked surprised at her reaction. “It’s up to you both what you wear. We’ll carry on buying the nappies if you would like us to. But we don’t have to. It’s up to each of you”

“We’ve seen a lot of good changes in you both since we’ve been living together and you’re both able to make these decisions for yourselves” Dan added.

Dan glanced at Carmen as Lara and Gabi sat smiling in stunned silence, not exactly sure how to respond.

“Are you happy?” Carmen enquired.

“Is it really okay for me to keep wearing my nappies?” Gabi enquired in disbelief. “Even after I have my cast taken off?”

Dan playfully tussled Gabi’s hair before replying “If that’s what you want, of course it’s okay precious”.

Chapter 29

The sun remained hidden in the blue inky abyss of daybreak on Wednesday morning. A cold wind blew outside the cozy home as a vibrating alarm beneath his pillow woke Dan from fretful sleep realising that the time had come to prepare Gabi for her cast to be removed.

“How are you feeling?” Carmen enquired with her eyes remaining shut.

“I’ll feel better when it’s all over” Dan replied shakily.

Carmen rose up in bed and placed her hand on Dan’s shoulder.

“You’ll both be fine” Carmen soothed while lighting a cigarette. “Did you sleep at all?”

“For about fifteen minutes” Dan replied groggily. “I just kept thinking about her led there in that bed after the accident”.

Carmen embraced Dan in a hug before responding sensitively. “She’ll be fine. You’ll be home tonight, Gabi’s tough”.

Dan smiled before climbing out of bed, dressing himself in a chequered shirt and black jeans before entering the children’s room, silently lifting Gabi into his arms taking care not to disturb Lara’s sleep, carrying the sleeping girl into the master bedroom placing her gently on the bed.

“Can I have a drink of water please?” Gabi enquired groggily.

“I’m sorry precious, remember you can’t have anything to eat or drink until after your cast is taken off” Dan replied gently, soothing Gabi back to sleep.

Dan proceeded to gently remove Gabi’s pyjamas and change her nappy before pulling a set of soft, pink jogging bottoms over her legs continuing as he pulled her arms through a purple cotton t-shirt resulting in Gabi beginning to fuss as she woke.

“Are we going to the hospital now?” Gabi enquired more coherently.

“Yes precious. It’s time to have your cast taken off” Dan replied gently embracing the child in his arms wrapping a fluffy white blanket around her.

“Good luck Gabi” Carmen soothed as she planted a kiss on the child’s forehead. “You’re so brave”

Dan proceeded to lift Gabi into the car gently strapping her into her car seat before setting off into the darkness as Gabi fell back to sleep.

Chapter 30

The bright autumn sun rose above the horizon as the car pulled into the multi-story car park attached to the hospital.

“Are we here?” Gabi enquired nervously.

“We’re here. Try not to worry, everything will be fine” Dan soothed holding Gabi in his arms before lowering her into the wheelchair, gesturing for Gabi to raise her arms as he gently threaded a purple woollen jumper over the child’s head.

Dan pushed the wheelchair into the reception area handing the letter to a middle-aged receptionist who directed them to a waiting room.

“Gabriella Lopez” A woman’s voice called gesturing them into a nearby office.

“Dr Clare” Gabi exclaimed realising she was to be seen by the same doctor who treated her after the accident.

“Hello Gabi” the doctor replied jovially. “How are you feeling today?”

Gabi sat lost in thought for a moment deciding subconsciously that she did not wanting to engage in conversation about her feelings before responding mustering as much fake joy as she could. “I’m excited to get my cast taken off”.

“I’m glad to hear it. Are you feeling nervous at all?” the doctor enquired.

Gabi shook her head emphatically as Dan pushed the wheelchair up to the doctor’s desk before taking a seat beside his daughter.

“Well, today is the day, no more cast for you” Dr Clare announced to Gabi smiling before turning to Dan. “So provided all goes well, you should both be out of here within an hour or two after the cast’s off. As I explained in the letter we’re going to do a CT and an MRI just to check all is well following her head injury and I’ll talk to you about the results before you leave”.

“This is for you young lady” The doctor added before placing an itchy plastic wristband over Gabi’s wrist. “Now I can see there’s no metal on your clothes so it’s up to you. You can stay wearing what you’re wearing or you can have a gown like what you wore when you were here last”

Gabi smiled before responding “Gown please”.

The doctor proceeded to place the folded gown in Gabi’s lap before advising she would call her and Dan through when it was time for the procedure.

“Just need to ask you a few questions Gabi is that okay?” Dr Clare enquired patiently. “So, how does your leg feel? Are you in any pain?”

“None, it’s really itchy though” Gabi responded.

“Have you had any dizziness or have you seen any spots or bright lights?” Dr Clare enquired again, now trying to ascertain Gabi’s recovery from her head injury.

“No” Gabi replied happily.

“And how have you found going to the toilet?” Dr Clare enquired, quieting her voice.

Gabi blushed before making eye-contact with her father, silently imploring him to respond on her behalf.

“She’s told me that she’s able to feel when she needs to go now but that she’s more comfortable wearing the nappies” Dan replied gently.

The doctor smiled to herself before responding. “That’s fine” taking a moment before turning to Gabi. “Now, I just need to know, if you weren’t wearing your nappies, do you think you could make it to the toilet?”

“In the day I think I could. I know when I need to go but I like to wear the nappy still” Gabi responded blushing sheepishly. “Do I have to stop wearing them?”

The doctor glanced at Dan silently gathering that this was a discussion that was had already.

“That’s for you and your Dad to decide” The doctor replied, pausing for a moment before continuing sensing Gabi’s relief as she turned to Dan. “That’s really all I needed to know. The nerve damage was likely only temporary but make an appointment through your GP if she starts having accidents or if there’s any of the signs we discussed regarding her head injury. And call 999 straight away if there’s any seizures or if there’s any signs of a stroke”.

Gabi smiled obliviously before starting to play with her bracelet, the glinting of the diamonds in the sunlight catching the doctor’s attention.

“That’s a pretty bracelet Gabi” Dr Clare mentioned.

“Me and my big sister have matching ones” Gabi replied proudly.

“I didn’t know Gabi had a sister” the doctor enquired as Dan and Gabi were leaving the room.

“Step-sister” Dan replied smiling, showing the doctor a video of the girl’s playing together.

“For some reason I thought it was just the two of you” Dr Clare replied, pausing for a moment studying the video. “The other girl, has she ever had anything done to her hip? I’m just looking at her walking gait”.

Dr Clare gestured for them all to remain in her office for a moment awaiting Dan’s reply.

“It was a few years ago, before we met. But Carmen mentioned she had surgery on her hip joint” Dan replied confused. “I’m sure she said Lara had hip dysplasia”.

“It’s probably nothing, but she would benefit from an x-ray on her hips again. You know, just to be sure” Dr Clare replied, realising by now that her conversation was inappropriate. “I’ll call you in when it’s time for Gabi okay?”

Dan wheeled Gabi into the bleach-stained waiting room before removing his phone from the inside pocket of his jacket anxious to call Carmen and relay what the doctor told him.

“Are you calling Mum?” Gabi enquired excitedly.

Dan nodded and promised to give Gabi the chance to say hello while anxiously listening to the dial tone.

“Hi, how’s it going?” Carmen enquired.

“All good here. We’re just waiting our turn now” Dan started, pausing for a moment as Gabi tugged his jacket sleeve. “Can Gabi say hello?”

“Hi Mum. I miss you” Gabi announced.

“Miss you too brave girl” Carmen replied before Gabi returned the phone to her father.

Dan chuckled at Gabi’s brevity before starting, taking care to be as sensitive as possible. “So we saw the same doctor who treated Gabi after the accident, Gabi mentioned she had a sister and one thing led to another and I was showing the doctor that video of the kids playing with the shaving foam in the park”

“Oh my God! That was so messy! It even got between Lara’s toes” Carmen replied chuckling.

“It’s just something the doctor said when I showed her the video” Dan started, pausing for a moment as he returned to the point. “She told me Lara’s should get an x-ray on her hips”

Carmen went silent for a moment prompting Dan to enquire “Are you still there?”

“Not this again. I’ll take her in to be checked and call you back okay?” Carmen replied. “I love you both, good luck in there”.

Dan took a breath before placing his phone back in his pocket, glancing towards Gabi enquiring anxiously “Should I not have said anything?”

“Lara told me her legs were hurting last week. I told her to tell you but she wouldn’t” Gabi replied.

Dan hugged his daughter tightly as they were called into a side room by a nurse.

“Time to face our Waterloo” Dan replied jokingly.

--

Chapter 31

After retelling Gabi’s details to a number of doctors, nurses and other personnel, the two were eventually ushered into a small, windowless room with a trolley bed taking centre place, a mass of machines, hoses and wires dotted about as a nurse prompted Dan to sit on the edge of the bed holding Gabi outwards facing in his arms.

“So, I’m going to put this mask over your face now and before you know it, everything will be over” A doctor soothed, smiling reassuringly to Gabi. “You just need to take some deep breaths”.

Soon after, the mask was placed over the child’s face smelling like a mixture of strawberries and nail polish remover. Gabi became disorientated and fussed in her father’s arms before becoming more agitated whimpering as she tried to remove the mask, furiously spinning her head as she became dizzy.

“Deep breaths” a nurse cooed as Dan stroked Gabi’s hand in a futile attempt to calm her.

Eventually Gabi fell unconscious and Dan led her on the bed before being ushered into the waiting room by the nurses.

“We’ll take good care of her” A nurse insisted before leaving Dan to wait his daughter’s return.

Refusing to remain calm, Dan paced in the waiting room before deciding to call Carmen to update her.

“Hello” Dan started shakily.

“How’s it going?” Carmen replied.

Dan took several deep breaths before responding nervously. “They’ve just put her to sleep. She really fought it as she was being put under bless her” Dan continued before brushing away a single tear in his eyes.

“She’ll be absolutely fine” Carmen reassured Dan, pausing for a moment before continuing anxiously. “We’re at George Elliot hospital now, Lara’s just had her X-Ray, we’re waiting to hear back”.

“That was quick” Dan replied. “Is everything okay? Do you know?”

“Not yet, I’ll keep you posted” Carmen responded before ending the call, leaving Dan alone with his thoughts.

Dan took a coffee from a vending machine and sat facing the window observing the torrential rainfall and grey skies outside, waiting as seconds turned into minutes and into what felt like eternity.

After what was close to two hours, Dr Clare entered the waiting room and gestured for Dan to join her in her office.

“Everything is fine. You can breathe” the doctor started while smiling. “She’s coming into recovery now, her MRI was absolutely fine. She’ll be a bit woozy from the anaesthetic for the rest of the day so just take it easy but she’ll be back on her feet before you know it”

Dan tightly hugged the doctor, repeatedly thanking her for her care of his daughter.

“She’s got absolutely no lasting damage from the accident. Other than a three inch scar on her leg, you would never know it happened” Dr Clare added. “Do you want to go and see her now?”

“Thank you so much” Dan replied following her into the recovery room.

Dan sat on a stool beside the bed and took Gabi’s hand as she slept deeply, whispering quietly “Daddy’s here”.

Gabi stirred and grabbed at her face trying to remove the mask that now wasn’t there.

“She’ll probably be a bit dizzy for a while” Dr Clare soothed while stood in the doorway to the room.

Gabi begun to weep and kick her legs as the anaesthetic slowly wore off before she eventually opened her eyes. Her vision remaining blurry as she fixed her eyes in the direction of her father before mumbling weakly. “Daddy”.

“It’s okay precious, Daddy’s right here” Dan cooed. “You were so brave”.

Eventually Gabi woke and sat up in the bed chatting with Dr Clare and her father as a nurse brought in a chocolate ice-cream sundae and placed it on a table beside the bed.

“When can I go home?” Gabi enquired excitedly, feeling her bare leg where the cast once was. “And can I walk now?”

“You’ve healed really well, for now, just take it easy when it comes to walking. But you’ll be back on your feet in a day or two” the doctor replied smiling.

Gabi embraced the doctor in a hug and thanked her before sitting down looking longingly at the ice-cream which was just out of her reach.

“Can I go home now?” Gabi enquired.

“You can go home after you’ve done three things Gabi, do you want to know what they are?” Dr Clare joked smiling as Gabi nodded curiously. “You need to eat. You need to pee and you need to poop”

The room erupted into laughter as Gabi messily devoured the ice-cream covering the white gown in droplets of the treat.

“Shall we get you cleaned up then?” Dan enquired once Gabi finished her dessert.

Gabi winked before swivelling her legs over the side of the bed and stood un-aided, remaining shaky on her feet as Dan held out his arms a few inches ahead of her.

Gabi took several small steps before collapsing into her father’s arms. Dan embraced the child proudly before announcing “Well done! I’m so proud of you!”

“Obsequious” Gabi replied cheekily as Dan carried her into a changing toilet while the medical staff applauded her.

Dan lifted Gabi onto the changing table mounted on the wall before removing a packet of wipes, clean nappy, cream and Gabi’s clothes from the bag, placing them atop the toilet cistern before wiping the ice-cream from the girl’s face prompting her to giggle.

“Can I wear my big girl pants to leave the hospital Dad?” Gabi enquired. “And do I have any other clothes?”

Dan removed a black charmeuse party dress from the bag holding it up to show Gabi.

“Yes please” Gabi agreed excitedly as Dan returned to the changing table and un-taped the nappy.

“Eugh!” Gabi choked. “That smells terrible” as Dan wiped her clean before lifting her onto the floor as Gabi dressed herself for the first time in weeks.

“You’ve still done worse” Dan replied chuckling as Gabi climbed onto his lap.

“Can you plait my hair please?” Gabi enquired as Dan thoughtfully threaded her hair through his fingers creating a single, elegant plait before taking Gabi’s hand as she wearily exited the bathroom.

“Well, you look like a million bucks” Dr Clare exclaimed, surprised at Gabi’s appearance.

“It’s how I normally looked before my accident” Gabi replied smiling, confidently stood beside her father. “I think I’m ready to go home now”

“Did you…” Dr Clare enquired before being cut-off by Gabi.

“Yep. I’ve pooped, peed and eaten” Gabi replied proudly.

Gabi confidently walked to the shiny pink car before fastening herself in the car seat, beaming with self-confidence placing a pink-tinted pair of sunglasses over her eyes as Dan snapped a photo to send to Carmen.

“How are you feeling precious?” Dan enquired slinging the changing bag into the passenger foot well.

“Like I’ve been hit by a car” Gabi replied sluggishly. “That was only a show for the doctors so they would let me go home. Can you stop so I can wear something more comfortable?”

Dan smiled before responding soothingly. “Of course we can. I didn’t want to say anything while we were in there but I did a feeling you…”

“Hated every minute of that” Gabi interrupted prompting Dan’s laughter. “That’s enough being precocious. Did you pack my pink dungarees?”

Dan nodded before pulling out of the hospital car park onto the main road, cruising through the bustling city roads before turning into the same supermarket car park where they stopped after leaving hospital the first time.

“I love you Dad” Gabi announced as Dan lifted her into his arms, carrying her into the changing toilets.

“I love you too precious” Dan replied kissing Gabi’s forehead.

Dan proceeded to lift Gabi onto the changing table before slipping the black dress over her head.

“Nappy or pants?” Dan enquired sensitively.

“Nappy” Gabi replied emphatically. “Definitely a nappy”.

Dan chuckled before removing the changing supplies and Gabi’s requested outfit from the bag, carefully dressing her before packing the dress into the bag, proceeding to carry Gabi back to the car and fastening her snugly into her car seat.

Dan started the engine and proceeded along the road as a call came through the hands free from Carmen.

“Hi, how did it all go? Gabi looks amazing” Carmen started, attempting to mask an obviously upset tone in her voice.

“All went well. Gabi’s fully recovered from her head injury now” Dan responded proudly.

“How’s Lara?” Dan and Gabi enquired in unison.

Carmen took several deep breaths attempting to compose herself before responding coldly “Well, we’ve just got the X-Ray results back”

“What’s happened?” Dan enquired gently.

“Lara needs surgery on her other hip” Carmen replied choking back tears.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 27, 2024 at 6:16 AM
Content: Thank you all again for reading.

Please share with me any suggestions or feedback you have.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 27, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Content: Right now in my mind, Gabi's Journey is about 70% completed.

Once I've finished with this, I've been considering writing a prequel 'Lara's Journey' to cover her backstory - is this something people would be interested in reading?

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 27, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Content:

MrDiaperLoverUK said:

I don’t normally read stories on here but since I have been reading this one it really good so I would be interested in reading the next one after you done this one

[End of quote]

So glad you're enjoying reading! It's great fun to write this too

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 27, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Content:

Growler0128 said:

hoping she agreeable to her daughters clothing choices and possible furniture changes in her room.

[End of quote]

If you see the newest chapters I've uploaded today;

she doesn't even make it into Gabi's room, she realises what she's lost and leaves the four of them in peace with a parting gift

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Apr 29, 2024 at 12:58 AM
Content:

BabyLucifer said:

I love this story as you have written it. A prequel could be interesting. You can even take the current story all the way upto collage or beyond.

[End of quote]

Aw thank you! Really appreciate the kind words.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Oct 1, 2024 at 1:09 AM
Content:

MrDiaperLoverUK said:

Are you planning on doing more chapters on Gabis Journey soon?

[End of quote]

I have a few chapters which I wrote a few weeks ago and never got round to editing let alone uploading them. I intend to publish them here in the next couple of weeks if time allows. Thank you for your continued interest, it bought a smile to my face to see that this is still being read.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Jan 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Content: Chapter 32

Gravel crunched beneath the shiny pink car as Dan reversed haphazardly onto the driveway preoccupied with a million and one swirling thoughts and introspective questions.

“That wasn’t very neat was it now Dad?” Gabi admonished. “Mum’s car is parked straight”.

“Surprisingly so” Dan muttered glancing back at the house. “Before we go in I need to talk to you about something”

“Okay” Gabi smiled her face slightly paler than its usual hue. “Is Lara okay?”

“Why would you ask that?” Dan probed. “You’re not in trouble, I’m just curious”

“Curiosity killed the cat” Gabi sniggered.

Dan shut off the engine and slid his seat as far back as it would go as he started “Did Lara ever tell you about her poorly hips?”

“Hip dis-play-see-ah” Gabi enunciated carefully. “She told me. I think it means that the big bone in her leg doesn’t fit properly into her hip socket. Is that right?”

“I don’t know” Dan stuttered. “The reason I’m asking now is because Mum took Lara to the doctors today and they said that she needs an operation on her other hip so when we go in Lara might be a bit upset. I think it’s probably a good idea to give her some space if she wants it”.

“I understand” Gabi complied, pausing for a moment to unfasten her straps before climbing out from the car.

“Are you...”

“I’m fine Dad” Gabi insisted. “I can walk. My leg’s fine now”

“I know that” Dan chuckled. “But I also know that a few hours ago you were put to sleep in hospital, I don’t want you to slip. Can I at least hold your hand?”

“Nope” the child dismissed as she scampered forwards quickly opening the front door. “I’m fine, I promise” Gabi reiterated glancing back at her father.

The house wasn’t cold, but it felt like the heating hadn’t been turned on since the old king died. A grey, tense fog loomed like particles of ash as Gabi trotted into the living room where Lara’s tiny eyes were red from an inestimable volume of harsh, salty tears as she nestled her head into Carmen’s lap.

“How are you feeling?” Gabi checked gently as she haphazardly climbed up onto the sofa beside them.

Carmen ruffled Gabi’s hair releasing a small, involuntary smile. “I’m okay cutie”

Gabi’s eyes darted quickly to the ceiling before returning. “Don’t lie to me. I don’t lie to you” she paused for a moment as Carmen stammered before she snipped “You were told your daughter needs an operation. You’re not okay; you’re scared for her and probably a little bit scared yourself”.

“Well...” Carmen dragged, slowly stroking Lara’s soft hair “I suppose you’re right, I think we’re both a bit frightened aren’t we?”

“I’m not” Lara hissed. “I don’t have a choice about it, so...” she paused for a moment before giggling “I might as well face my firing squad with a fucking smile”.

“Where did you learn to speak like that?” Carmen hissed. “You might be frightened cutie, but that’s not a way to speak”.

Dan shared a sly grin with Gabi before hushing “Maybe not the time, emotions running high and all that...”

“Stay out of it” Lara and Carmen shot back in unison, sharing a sly grin of their own before the quartet burst into laughter.

Quickly Dan pounced scooping Gabi into his arms holding giggling bundle upside down as Lara tickled the girl’s abdomen. Gabi freed herself turning to Lara muttering “Your turn sis”.

“No chance!” Lara snorted diving behind the sofa bracing herself with a cushion before Gabi leapt across the sofa in hot pursuit.

“Don’t be rough” Carmen shouted half-heartedly before grasping Dan’s hand, her fingers slightly trembling as they slipped into his easy grip, although that was a grasp that was arguably fleeting and feminine.

She couldn’t quite get the measure of him, but their eyes locked as Carmen urged “I love you”. The woman paused for a moment before smiling wearily “What a day”.

“I love you too” Dan grinned, pausing for a moment before continuing. “Let’s have a coffee and we’ll talk through our options”.

Carmen agreed quickly as she slunk out of the room, barely noticing the world around her as she stared vacantly at the blue framed mirror in the hallway. Disappointing wafts of instant coffee and cigarette smoke joined the void as a tiny voice whispered “I think we should run”.

“I do too Gabi” Carmen whispered conspicuously making eye contact with the tiny child below her waist. “I do too” she repeated lifting the girl into her arms squeezing for a second before releasing her to the ground.

Gabi slithered off into the living room as Carmen trod wearily into the kitchen. “I don’t even know what to tell him” she whispered silently, her lips making imperceptible ripples where she wanted to scream it at him. She had no idea what to say.

“So, today was a fucking washout” Dan sighed handing Carmen a lit cigarette and an invitingly warm of grey-brown coffee tasting sludge.

“I hate this shit” Carmen grimaced, her lips slightly tugged upwards as her eyes shot playful sparks of faux happiness. “I want the real thing” she pined, jovially stomping her feet prompting her partner to let out a warm grin as he tugged her into his arms.

“Let me ask you a question” Dan started, his voice captivating the vulnerable being wrapped within his soul. “How long did they tell you she’d have to wait?”

“A year” Carmen sighed. “At least”

“So it can’t be that serious then can it? Why don’t we go and find somewhere nice for her to recover?”

“You’ve got a point” Carmen conceded, taking a long drag from her cigarette her lips drying beneath the silky paper as she spluttered “Alors en danse?”

“Where’s your passport?” Dan probed, his lips tugged upwards into a blushed chuckling smile emulating a schoolboy upon being handed a bag of sweets.

“Glovebox” Carmen grinned. “Where’s yours?”

“Nightstand” Dan whispered. “How quick can we be wheels up?”

“How long are we going for?” Carmen returned, her eyes pleading that the day be a mere hypothetical.

“Oh darling” Dan giggled, sweeping back Carmen’s messy fringe. “We’re never coming back”.

“Let’s tell the kids” Carmen smiled, grabbing Dan’s hands to be tugged back into his arms as he flicked his fingers across a pair of buttons releasing an audible click followed by a slow guitar mumbling beside slow piano chords, his eyes locking with Carmen’s as she spun effortlessly in her arms, her fears being displaced by love.

“Everything will be okay” Dan and Carmen simultaneously reassured the other, their words heartfelt and brimmed with fizzy excitement.

“Who wants some real coffee?” Carmen cheered as Gabi and Lara leapt into her arms.

“What?” Dan giggled, sweeping Lara into his arms. “Did you really think we’d let your hips stop our fun? There’s hospitals everywhere, there’s no point waiting around here with you all scared”.

“Really!” Lara squealed. “But I’m not scared” she insisted after. “Gabi taught me that, I don’t think Gabi knows what fear is”

“When do we leave?” Gabi enquired.

“I don’t know” Carmen smiled turning to Dan. “How soon can we get packed and in the pink car?”

“Can we leave tomorrow?” Gabi asked.

“I was thinking can we leave in an hour” Dan giggled, pointing up the stairs shouting after the girls who quickly clambered away excitedly. “Get packing”.

“So we’re really doing this?” Carmen checked nervously.

“We’re really doing this” Dan emphasised as he planted a tiny kiss on Carmen’s lips before leading her by the hand upstairs. “Do you want to pack or get the girls dressed?”

“We’re really doing this!” Carmen squealed.

Chapter 33

“And now we go to our correspondent Tina Higgins in London where Alex Ruiz is making his first speech after his landslide win in the general elec...”

“Shut this crap up” Carmen hissed as she fussed about the radio controls.

“No prizes for guessing who you voted for then” Dan chuckled as he muted the monotone voice leaving behind a faint backdrop of wind noise and snoring from behind his seat.

“Gabi” Dan hushed, trying gently to wake the child slumped in her car seat, before repeating slightly louder “Gabi”.

“She’s asleep Dad” Lara scoffed rolling her eyes back before giggling “Do you want me to wake her?”

“Please” Dan smiled as he gestured for Carmen to hand him another cigarette.

“GABRIELLA LOPEZ WAKE THE HELL UP!” Lara screamed, the edges of her lips tugged upwards as she burst into subsequent laughter noticing Gabi’s startled expression.

Carmen shared an expression with Dan before shooting a scolding expression back at the girl.

“That’s one way to do it” Dan sighed as he pulled into a layby. “Gabi, are you okay?”

“I’m fine” Gabi giggled. “Why have we stopped?”

“We’re about to drive down the same road where the accident happened” Dan started, pausing for a moment as Carmen clasped the man’s shaky hand between hers. “It’s up to you what we do now” he continued, hesitating briefly as he remembered that night and everything that came after. “If you want me to, I can take a different route”.

Gabi smiled briefly before responding “Please don’t” the girl paused for a moment as she brushed away a single salty tear from the edge of her eye before fussing for a moment removing a spiky eyelash from her eye “I want to see where it happened, all I remember is falling asleep in the car and waking up five days later tied to the hospital bed”.

“Do you want to hold my hand?” Lara queried, extending her fingers from her palm inviting her sister to take her grip. Gabi smiled as she took her hand, the engine soon roared to life as Dan powered the saloon along the anonymous stretch of tarmac.

Rows of tall trees lined the edges of the road, Gabi’s grip tightened slightly as Dan begun “I remember coming down here and I saw some headlights coming around that corner way ahead in the distance” he paused for a moment taking a long drag from his cigarette before tossing it from the window. “The car that came around the corner swerved in front of us, I swerved trying to miss them around where that blue sign is just ahead”.

Dan checked his mirrors before quickly turning in each direction while his lips remained sealed.

“What happened next?” Gabi probed curiously.

The silence continued before the car spun about it’s axis, a cascade of loose articles and drinks flew about the cabin. Petrified screams forced out of the children’s lips as a conspicuous aroma of burning rubber penetrated the air.
After less than a second the car came to an abrupt stop on a patch of gravel beside the road.

“I thought it would be easier to show you rather than tell you” Dan chucked as Gabi’s lips tilted upwards revealing a flustered smile. “We actually ended up a bit further down” he continued as he merged back onto the road.

“Again! Again!” Lara squealed. “That was sooo fun”.

“How did you learn how to do that?” Carmen queried while adjusting her hair. “I mean, how did you learn how to do that without crashing?”

“I suppose it’s easier without another car hitting us” Gabi chuckled. “Are you feeling okay Dad?”

“I’m fine precious” Dan smiled, glancing briefly at Gabi through the rear-view mirror.

“How long until we get to the ferry terminal?” Lara fussed. “My legs are sore”

“Do we need to stop so you can have a little walk about?” Carmen soothed.

Lara nodded as her face became flushed with a red sweaty wave, her eyelids crumpled as a stream of tears flowed down leaving tiny wet patches on her white cardigan. She drew a long, deep breath through her teeth releasing an audible hiss prompting Carmen to turn back.

Quickly she noticed her daughters state and reached out her free hand to comfort the child as she started gently stroking her knee. She turned to Dan before hushing “Can we stop?”

Dan realised from her tone that it wasn’t a request and soon found an inviting village not far beyond the fast carriageway, the backdrop of wind was replaced by a dull clatter as a few stray branches scratched along the roof of the car from the hedgerows beside the narrow lane. He parked quickly beside a small park, as soon as the wheels stopped turning Gabi leapt from her car seat and bounded towards a tall, shiny slide.

“Do you want five minutes?” Dan checked as he climbed out of the car before shouting to Gabi “Stay where I can see you please”

“Okay, love you Daddy” Gabi shouted in response as she blew her father a kiss before zipping down the slide.

Carmen lifted Lara from her car seat into her arms before returning to the front of the car cradling the child in her lap, holding her just tight enough that she didn’t feel alone but not tight enough for her to feel trapped. After almost eight years, Carmen knew that sometimes all Lara needed was some space to cry it out.

“Mama’s here” Carmen hushed gently stroking the child’s hair. “Mama’s here” she repeated.

Lara’s cries intensified slightly, enough for a few people passing by to shoot a glance at Carmen.

“We’re good” Carmen mouthed at an greying woman walking past clutching her terrier dog’s lead between her fingers.

“Don’t you want to know what’s wrong?” Lara sobbed, her fingernails embedded beneath the skin of her palms as blood trickled down her wrists.

“You know I’m here and I’ll always listen” Carmen soothed. “I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready”.

Over the space of a few minutes, Lara took a series of slow, rhythmic deep breaths as her face slowly returned from its involuntary rouge to its usual hue.

“It really hurts” Lara whined deeply still digging her fingernails deeper.

“Can you show me where it hurts cutie?”

Lara gripped her mother’s hand before placing it on her right hip, her brow crumpled yet again as she winced in pain.

“My poor baby” Carmen purred. “It’s really sore isn’t it?”

Lara nodded weakly as she desperately tried to stem the tears flooding down from her tiny bloodshot eyes.

“Do you want Mama to help you get comfy again?”

“Okay” Lara mumbled as Carmen pulled out a small leather backpack from behind her seat.

She placed the backpack on the drivers seat, clumsily unzipping it with her left hand while Lara clutched the other. Carmen removed a nappy, a half-empty packet of wipes and a tin of cream and a pink fleece onesie before zipping the bag and replacing it behind her seat; she then placed her handbag in the same position and removed two small boxes placing them on the driver’s seat adjacent to the comfortable attire.

“Arms up cutie” Carmen instructed as she removed Lara’s cardigan, placing it in her footwell before repeating the process with the child’s patterned pink t-shirt. “I’m going to take your joggers off now, is that okay?”

Lara nodded as Carmen lifted her into her lap and gently removed the joggers before untaping Lara’s nappy.

“Sorry” Lara wept quietly as obvious waves of embarrassment rolled down her face in the form of tears.

“What for cutie?” Carmen rebuked, her lips tugged slightly upwards into a motherly warm smile as she wiped Lara clean before applying a thin layer of cold cream.

“For all of this”

“All of what?” Carmen probed carefully. “You’ve not done anything wrong cutie”.

“This isn’t what you had in mind though was it?” Lara returned as her mother dispatched her tears with a quick flurry of wipes.

Carmen carefully positioned the new nappy beneath her daughter as she fastened the tapes before guiding her legs into the onesie slipping the soft pink garment beneath her daughter before guiding her arms through their holes.

“Before you were born, I never could have imagined loving anyone as much as I love you” Carmen smiled warmly. “I would do anything for you”.

“This doesn’t bother you?”

“Should it?” Carmen queried. “The way I see it is that you’re comfortable and happy. Do you think Gabi feels embarrassed about it?”

“No” Lara insisted as her eyes glanced over at Gabi fearlessly going down the slide backwards.

“So, why should you?”

“You’re right” Lara smiled.

Carmen quickly fastened Lara’s buttons before lifting up the one of the two boxes. “Do you remember what these are?”

Lara shook her head as Carmen explained patiently “It’s been a while since you’ve been this sore, but that’s okay because I’m going to help you get comfy” she paused for a moment before removing a brown glass bottle from the first of the two boxes. “This is the one that will stop things from being so sore, you always said it tasted really bitter”.

“I remember” Lara gagged as she swallowed a small volume of the liquid from a dosing syringe.

“It takes a little while to kick in, but you’ll feel better soon cutie I promise”

“It really hurts Mama” Lara squeaked as her eyes drooped down pointing at her hip.

“I know it does cutie” Carmen soothed as she gently stroked Lara’s palm revealing the deep gouges where she dug her nails into her palms. “What happened here?”

“My hip really hurts Mama” Lara pleaded, her eyes begging her mother for forgiveness.

“It’s okay cutie” Carmen lulled, as she removed a similarly sized brown glass bottle from the other box. “Do you remember why you need this one?”

Lara shook her head wearily as she brushed away her tears with the sleeve of her onesie.

“It’s up to you if you want to have it or not” Carmen started, pausing for a moment to decant the opaque liquid into a dosing syringe “This is the one you said tasted nice before, it will help you get some sleep if you think the pain is really bad”.

Lara paused for a moment as she glanced at Gabi playing care-free in the park as an uncomfortable feeling washed over the girl. She felt... different and she didn’t like the feeling.

Lara once again wiped away her tears before pleading “Okay Mama, I’ll have the other one too”.

“Ready” Carmen checked. “Open wide cutie” she instructed gently before squirting the artificially sweet liquid into the child’s mouth.

After Lara swallowed the liquid, Carmen packed the brown bottles back into their boxes replacing them in her handbag before wrapping both of her arms around Lara.

Slowly, Lara felt her eyelids becoming heavier as a black fog crept into her view, her breathing slowed as the medication begun to take effect. Carmen began singing a subdued, lullaby version of Lara’s favourite song as the child lost consciousness, her head resting against her mother’s chest.

Carmen’s eyes filled with tears as she tightly gripped her lifeless child, the helpless feeling that washed over her forced masses of adrenaline to coarse through her veins.

“I’m sorry cutie” Carmen whispered as she planted a kiss on Lara’s head before delicately placing the child into her car seat. “Sweet dreams” she added before placing another tender kiss on her forehead.

“I love you Mama” Lara mumbled weakly.

“I love you most” Carmen insisted before gently closing the car door. She lit a cigarette before walking around to the curb scanning the park trying to locate Dan and Gabi, eventually noticing Dan pushing Gabi on the swings.

“Dan” Carmen called, a moment passed without acknowledgement before she shouted louder “DANILO!”

Dan lifted Gabi out from the swing before walking towards Carmen. “Is everything okay?”

“Can we go?” Carmen pleaded.

“Yeah, let’s get going” Dan smiled. “I don’t want to miss the ferry”.

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Jan 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Content:

HappyNappin said:

I think a few chapter's have been lost from the server corruption.
I just want to say again just how much I'm enjoying this story and can't wait for more stories from you.

[End of quote]

Thanks for bringing this up to me. I've reuploaded the chapters that were lost.

I've got another chapter which is almost complete which I intend to upload soon. Stay tuned

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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Mar 5, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Content:

HappyNappin said:

Ok, I patiently waited for a month, now I think I might start pestering you.
I know your a busy guy, but you've got a real talent for writing and I'd love to read more from you, did you manage to make much progress over the last month?
Feel free to DM me, I think I'd like chatting with you.

[End of quote]

Dm sent! Sorry for delay.

New chapters coming soon, apolgies my son is in hospital currently so everyone is upside down.