AIO 3 • THE CHILD

ALEXANDRIA

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" Wow these are...lovely "

I commented shoving the last piece of Mrs Whiskers cream pie into my mouth.

" At least I've found something you can't decline "

She smiled proudly quirking her eyebrows.

I wiped my mouth with a serviette and dumped it - taking the saucer to the sink and washing it.

" And you also need to try these brownies!"

She beamed handing me a bag filled with homemade brownies.

I knew better than to start an argument or decline Mrs Whiskers' offer so I accepted it with a 'thanks'.

" I'll see you some other time Mrs Whiskers "

I assured her walking out of the store.

I adjusted my coat with my free hand and walked along the familiar street. I entered the narrow alley leading to my house.

There were no gangsters today which I smiled at.

Albeit, I sensed another presence in the alley keeping me alert. I decided to ignore it and continue walking when I heard some shuffling inside a wall opening.

Curiosity killed the cat.

I took placid steps towards the opening and was surprised at what..whom I saw - a kid.

" Hello child. What are you doing in here?"

I questioned her maintaining my distance.

" Where are your parents and how did you get dirt all over yourself? "

I pressed again with utmost curiosity as to why a little child was all alone in a place so dangerous.

" What's your name? "

I couldn't give up if I want to get information about her.

" I don't have one "

She replied bluntly staring at the bag of brownies I held.

" Do you want one?"

I questioned kneeling on the concrete whist I tilted my head observing the child.

She nodded and looked up to me. I gave her a warm smile and shoved my hand into the bag pulling out a wrapped brownie and handing it to her.

She took it and gave me a curt nod and I couldn't help but smile as she reminded me of myself as a child.

" Now run along child. I believe your parents must be waiting for you"

I got up and dusted my jeans, adjusting my coat.

" So long child "

With that, I continued to tread away from the area - approaching my humble abode.

Once I reached my apartment, I set the bag on the table and shrugged off my coat, setting it on the desk.

" You did quite a great job being quiet child "

I said not needing to look behind me to confirm the presence of a little vixen.



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CAOLAN HAYDEN

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There are some things in life which are quite confusing and hard to understand.

" What came first? The chicken or the egg?"

I muttered for the umpteenth time today. It was a question my child asked me and she kindly gave me time to think about it.

" Still thinking about it, aren't you? "

My child asked looking up at me with a little smile.

" It's complicated. The chicken?"

I questioned with uncertainty rubbing my day old stubble.

" Conas a rugadh é ansin?"

She questioned in Irish with her little laughter.

"The egg?"

I asked again still racking brain for an explanation.

" Conas a leagadh é ansin?"

She questioned tilting her head with a sigh.

"Is ceist í nach bhfaca mé féin an freagra uirthi go fóill"

●It's a question I haven't seen the answer to yet●

I surmised because it was quite hard.

It was during moments like this I cherished because aside from work and worrying, I could spend time with my child.

"The day you figure out the answer papa, is the day you get to know that there is someone greater than all of you"

She asked the question when we were making scrambled eggs this morning.

'Ding Dong'

I got up with my heart trying to jump out of my chest. I was a little bit afraid of who might be behind that door.

I peeped through the door hole and saw Aiden standing at the other side of the door. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and opened the door.

"Caolan"

He breathed with a curt nod and I returned the gesture with another nod.

"Can I come in?"

He cooked a brow. Only then did I notice he was holding a bag with a picture of bears on it.

"Sure"

I replied as he walked in. I shut the door behind me and locked it turning to face Aiden who was already approaching Alex.

"Hey Alex..look what I got you"

Aiden cooed showing her the bag with a smile on his face. Seeing that she wasn't making a move to collect the bag from him, he began taking out the contents of the bag.

A box of chocolates, a bear, a single rose flower and a huge lollipop.

" Thank you Mr Aiden but the only thing of relevance here is the rose. I detest sweet things and I don't think I need a bear to help me face any sort of fear "

She informed him taking the rose flower. Aiden looked quite taken aback at what she said.

"Thank you Aiden"

I intervened to ease the hurt he felt as he gave me a nod and got up.

" Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness, know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again."

Me and Aiden shared a look and shifted our gazes back to her.

" Although Mr Aiden, I love only two sweet things; brownies and sour cream cakes or sour cream pies "

She informed him with a lopsided smile before running off.

" She is truly a copy of Andrea"

Aiden stated shaking his head in disbelief.

"I couldn't agree more"

#6arbie#

The door is more than it appears, it separates who you are from who you can be. You do not have to walk through it....

You can run.

- Franklin Richards (of the Fantastic Four)

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UP NEXT

"Andreɑ!!"

I yelled with ɑ joyous smile..my beloved wɑs stɑnding right in front of me.

"A Little bird told me thɑt my mɑle wɑs crying his heɑrt out...hmm..whɑt should I do ɑbout thɑt?"

She tɑpped her chin ɑnd nɑrrowed her eyes ɑt me.