The Greatest Showman #1171 - A Bee in One's Bonnet
A crisp, sweet voice pierced through the bright white lights of the room. A small, fleshy figure burst forward like a flame, rushing towards Renly with dazzling intensity. The sheer force of the embrace nearly knocked him off balance, forcing him to take two steps back before he could steady himself. As he bent down, cradling the little figure in his arms, a smile instinctively curled at the corners of his lips.
"Annie, Annie, careful! I'm about to fall. Stand up properly, Annie!"
The little one clinging tightly to him was none other than Anne Silliman. Like a ray of sunshine, she dispelled the shadows and gloom of New York's winter, bringing warmth that softened even the harshest ice.
Renly lowered his gaze, a self-deprecating smile flashing in his eyes. He had stayed in London too long. The pressure and expectations of the Hall family had subtly infiltrated his thoughts, drawing him into a world of suspicion and intrigue. Vanity Fair had left its mark on him, and without tangible proof, he had let his mind wander into unwarranted doubts. He shook off the negativity. Until the truth revealed itself, all he could do was wait and hope Jennifer was safe.
Taking a deep breath, he refocused on Annie. She clung to his knee with such force that he struggled to maintain his balance. Not daring to move too suddenly, he gently patted her shoulder.
"Annie, I'm falling. Be careful, you might get hurt."
"No! No! I don't want to!" Annie's voice trembled with the threat of tears.
Renly stiffened. "Annie, what's wrong? What happened?"
"You lied to me! You all lied to me!" Annie accused, her small fists pounding against him as she scuffled in distress.
Her erratic movements threw off his center of gravity, and before he could react, they toppled over. Instinctively, Renly wrapped his arms around her, cushioning the fall. His back hit the ground with a dull thud, but at least Annie was safe.
Startled, she wobbled before her forehead knocked against his chest. And then, with a heart-wrenching "wahhh," she burst into tears.
Panic surged through Renly. "Annie, are you hurt? Let me see—"
But the little girl pressed her face firmly against his shirt, her tiny body trembling.
"Annie, calm down. Talk to me," he coaxed gently.
After a long moment, her grip finally loosened. Renly eased her away to see her tear-streaked face—cheeks flushed, eyes puffy, forehead red where it had bumped against him. Strands of damp hair clung to her temples.
A single tear traced down her cheek, and Renly instinctively reached out to wipe it away.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? Does something hurt? Do you need a nurse?" He was scanning her for injuries, his heart pounding.
Annie shook her head fiercely. "You lied to me!" she cried. "You said Heather would come back! You said Alex would come back! Dad, too! But they're all gone! And then you were gone too! You lied! I hate you! I hate you all! Why did you lie to me? Why don't you come back? Why?"
Each word hit Renly like a dagger. He had no defense against them. He had no answers.
Tears welled in his own eyes, his throat tightening as guilt and sorrow swelled in his chest. Annie pounded her tiny fists against him again before finally collapsing against him, sobbing uncontrollably.
Renly wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back soothingly. "I'm sorry, Annie. I'm so sorry."
His voice broke, the weight of her grief too heavy to bear.
The nurses and volunteers nearby peeked in with concerned expressions, but Renly waved them off. "I can handle it," he mouthed.
And so he sat there, legs crossed, holding the fragile little girl as she let out all her emotions. He didn't move, didn't rush her. He simply stayed.
After what felt like an eternity, her cries softened. Exhausted, she drifted into sleep in his arms, her grip on him still firm.
Carefully, he adjusted his position, his limbs numb from holding her for so long. With the support of a nearby wall, he rose to his feet, Annie clinging to him like a koala. Even in sleep, she refused to let go.
With Anita's help, he finally managed to settle her into her hospital bed. She instinctively clutched a pillow, holding it tightly as if seeking comfort. The sight of her curled up, still fragile in sleep, brought another wave of emotion crashing over him.
While Anita stayed to watch over her, Renly headed to the locker room to change. His shirt was soaked with tears, sweat, and snot, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to his skin. In the frigid winter air, he could easily catch a cold, but right now, that was the least of his concerns.
Returning to Annie's room, he found her still sleeping soundly. Anita, watching him with a mix of sympathy and understanding, spoke softly.
"She never really talked about it. She asked about you sometimes, but we never had answers. You weren't in the news, and we had nothing to tell her. Every time, she was disappointed, but she never said much."
Anita glanced at the sleeping child. "Lately, she talks even less. Spends more time reading in the activity room. We arranged for a therapist, but... progress has been slow."
Renly's gaze remained fixed on Annie. "We always think children don't understand, but they do. More than we realize."
A small, bittersweet smile played on his lips.