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I slowly started to open my eyes trying to realize where I was. The lights were bright and I was lying in a very comfortable and warm place, I wanted to stay there and go back to sleep. I was about to do that when I started to hear voices at the beginning they were just murmurs. As time went on I started to become more conscious of what was going on and the voices became more and more distinct.
I started to remember the accident and the memories flashed through my brain, the cars, the baby, my parents, the ambulances, everything. I got up smiling thinking that the voices were my parents. I soon realized they weren't, they were my grandparents, uncles, and cousins.
I start to look around trying to find my parents.
-Where's mom and dad?- the look on her face started to freak me out.- Come on guys what's going on?- I was smiling nervously, hoping it wasn't what I was thinking.
-I am so sorry sweetie.
The words came flying through my head, I know they are talking but I can't hear them. I start to shake my head, tears flushing down my face.
-No, no. your lying, they are here aren't they? It's just a nightmare or a prank right? Mom, dad, where are you? You can come out now.
- They aren't coming, we all want it to be a prank, but...
- No, they are going to pass through those doors and dad is going to be laughing at my face, right.- when they didn't say anything I realized it wasn't a prank or a nightmare it was real.- It can't be through I was with them a few hours ago we were watching a movie. Why does this have to happen? We were so happy, this isn't fare.
My grandma walked to my side as I broke down tears streaming down my face, I started sobbing, gripping her shirt.
-I know sweetheart.- my aunt said.
The rest of my family came by my side joining the hug, thousands of feelings, emotions, thoughts, and questions came rushing through my head, anger, sadness, uncertain, "What happened to the other car?", "Would have made a difference if I had called earlier?".
Maybe if I had gotten to their side earlier I could have saved them, maybe I should have spent more time with them instead of being on my phone or with my friends.
But there was one question running through my head constantly "Why did it have to happen to my family? We were happy, why us?".
In a few more seconds inside the cinema or the parking lot, I would be at home having breakfast with my family, not in a hospital bed with my parents dead.
DEAD...dead, my parents were dead. I would never see them again.
Everything was now a memory, the next time I woke up I would not smell breakfast, every competition, my graduation, my wedding they weren't going to be present. They would never meet my future husband or my kids.
My mom wouldn't be there to advise on my future relationships, and I wouldn't walk down the aisle with my dad in my arms. They wouldn't ground me for sneaking out or arriving home past my curfew hour.
All those moments will never happen because of a night that changed my life forever.
When I was more relaxed a nurse brought me breakfast.
My cousins stayed with me while my grandparents were talking to the nurses about my... about the whole situation and my uncles were getting food.
They were talking I know they were but I wasn't hearing a thing I think Liz was talking about her new play.
Liz, unlike my aunt who has blonde hair, has beautiful brown straight hair and brown chocolate eyes and was looking to be an actress in the future. Eric, my cousin, on the other hand, has green eyes and brown wavy hair. He is a copy of my uncle but with my aunt's eyes, kind of like Harry Potter. Eric, like me, is more of a sports person so he wants to be a hockey player.
-Emily, Emily. Can you hear me?- Liz asked
-What? Sorry, I zoned out. What were you saying?
-Forget about it. It was nothing important. I know you have a lot in your head right now.
-No, tell me. I need a distraction.
-I got chosen in the school play as the protagonist.
-That's amazing Liz. I'm so happy for you. Come here, give me a hug.-I said, opening my arms to hug her, which she accepted.- I needed this good news.
Although Liz and I have almost 3 years of difference we were super close, she was the sister I never had.
-There's more. What is it?- I gave her a knowing look
-It's nothing important.
-Look I know you want to make me feel good, but being quiet is not going to help I need a distraction from all of this- I waved my arms around to the hospital.
-I know, but you look so normal for someone who just discovered... You know what?
-Eric you can say it. My parents are dead, ok. The more I talk about it the better.- tears were flowing down my face, I cleaned my face and smiled back at my cousins.
-Ok. Eric, can you get out?
- This is one of the girl talks.
-Yep. Bye- Liz said waving him off.
-I turned to Liz with a questioning look.
-So... remember that boy I told you about?
-Yess...
-He is in the play as the protagonist's love interest.
-Omg, really?
-Yes, and I think he likes me.
-As soon as he asks you out come talk to me, ok?
-Of course. Hey, we brought your phone if you want to call Olivia, Chelsea, and Naomi.
-Ok, sure give it to me.
I picked up the phone what I didn't remember was the image on my lock screen, a photo me and my parents had taken when we went on vacation to France last year.
I stared at the photo for what looked like a really long time, tears threatened to make an appearance but I needed to hold them back and appear strong.
I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts "I'm ok", "I'm fine", "Everything is going to be ok".
I unlocked my phone but couldn't work up the courage to make the call.
-I should call them, shouldn't I?
-You don't have to if you don't want to, we already talked to them and I think they are going to pass by later so just call them if you want.
-I'm just not really in the mood right now, maybe later- the happiness from the last few minutes had already been despaired, replaced by sadness, emptiness, and missingness.
My thoughts got interrupted by my grandparent's arrival.
My grandma, Evelyn, has wavy gray hair and green eyes. My grandpa, Arthur, has deep blue eyes and gray hair. They both were glasses.
-The nurse told us that they will discharge you tomorrow afternoon, they just want to make sure that you don't have any concussion.
-We are back and we brought food- my uncle, Adam, has brown wavy hair and brown eyes.
-Emily, you didn't eat anything.- my aunt, Isabella, has blonde straight hair and green eyes, and although she has the looks of a supermodel she decided to be an architect. That's when she met my uncle, he was a chef in the hotel she was designing. So he was her consulting in the kitchen design, I guess it was love at first sight.
-I'm not that hungry- it wasn't true I was just afraid that if I ate anything I wouldn't be able to keep it in my stomach- I would eat later.- another lie, I wasn't, but nobody needed to know that.
-Here take a granola bar I'm sure it's better than hospital breakfast
-Thanks, Eric.
I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I took a bite. I devoured the granola bars in seconds.
-Do you guys know anything about what happened to the lady and the baby in the other car?- I have been dying to ask that question for a long time.
I was sure the baby was okay, I had been with her in the accident and she looked fine, besides that the paramedic didn't comment that there was something wrong with her. Her mother, on the other hand, I couldn't even see her so there were a million possibilities.
-No we don't, but we can ask if that's what you want.- My aunt had the face of someone who didn't want me to know, maybe because I would probably feel guilty.
-Yes, I really want to know. Can you call the nurse for me?
-Sure.
-Hi sweetie. How are you feeling today?
-I'm... I'm good, thanks. I wanted to ask you something.
-Ok, go ahead.
-Do you know anything about the mother and the baby in my accident?
The nurse looks at my family for approval before answering.
-Yes, the mother died at the moment of the crash and the baby is healthy and is waiting for the social worker to arrive.
-Social worker?
-Unfortunately, the mother was the only family left, so she will be inserted into the system.
-Do you think I can see her?
-I don't see why not. But only if your family allows it.
-I don't see why not.- Isabella said.
-Go ahead.- my grandma agreed.
-Can I get dressed first?
-Sure. I will be back in a few minutes. See you later
-Please tell me you bought clothes.- I asked turning to Liz.- These aren't the most comfortable thing in the world
-Of course. I made the bag myself.
-Thank god. You have the best taste in clothes.
-Here take this use that bathroom.
I quickly change into my outfit for the day- a new balance white crop top hoodie, jeans, and black and white all star.
One of the reasons was that I didn't want to make the nurse wait, but deep down I needed to know that something good happened when I called 911.
I couldn't save my parents but at least I could save that baby.
-Thanks for picking the outfit, Liz, is super comfortable.
-You're welcome. The nurse is waiting outside.
-Ok. Are you guys going home?
-We don't know yet.- My family didn't want to leave me alone, that's for sure, my aunt's feelings were planted in her face as she said that.
-If it is because of me you can go I will be okay, I'm sure you are all tired, and you need to take care of things for the funeral.- My voice was indeed trembling- I see you later.- I needed to get out of there quickly before they saw my tears.
I didn't want them to worry about me, they had a lot to think about already.
-You ok, darling?
-Yes. We can go now.
-Of course. This way.- I'm sure the nurse wanted to say something but she just gave me a reassuring smile and started walking.
The nursery was full of children: newborns, babies, and kids divided into different rooms.
We passed all the rooms and got to one with only a crib. And there she was crying her lung out for no apparent reason.
-Her she is. She hasn't stopped crying since she woke up, only stops to eat. I guess she misses her mom. But now one can make her stop crying.- The nurse passes me the baby.
As soon as I picked her up she stopped crying and looked at me with a serious face. When she recognized me, she burst out laughing and giggling.
-Hi there, aren't you a cutie? Looks like you just needed to see someone you know didn't you?- I bounced her on my hip as she giggled more- What's her name?
-Mia. I'm surprised she stopped crying.
-Me too. But a face like yours belongs to a happy girl, am I right Mia?- she smiled even more when she heard her name.- How old is she?
-6 months old.
-6?! It's crazy that we both lost our parents in the same accident.- My voice began to tremble, I could feel the tears threatening to make an appearance but I continued.- I met mine and will remember them forever, She won't even have memories of her mother and no one to talk about The tears had started to go down my face so I just cleaned them and put a smile on my face.
-I know, I think about it every time I see children alone in her, the good thing is she will most likely have a home soon.
Why do you say that?- Mia had just started playing with my hair; all I could think about was how much I wanted to take her home.
-Couples prefer babies and little children to older kids. Anyway, we have to get going is almost nape time.
I gave Mia back to the nurse, before saying goodbye to her and heading back to the room. Before entering the room I looked at the nurse and asked her something.
-Could you tell the social worker to come to my room, I...- shoot I needed an excuse to see the social worker.- I want to thank her for taking care of Mia in the meantime.
-Sure.-the nurse looked suspicious but didn't say anything
-Thanks, for everything.
-Of course honey
-I entered my room and was greeted by my family.
-I thought you were going home.
-We were but decided to wait for you to get back from the nursery.
-In that case, I need to talk to you about something.- I waited until I was back in bed before speaking again.-I know is a lot of responsibility and work and probably a little impossible but I would like to try. I want to adopt Mia.
When they didn't say anything I continued.
-It's just that when I say her I... I just can't leave her alone.
-Wait a minute who's Mia?- my uncle asked.
-The baby that was in the accident with me.
-I don't know if that's even possible.
-Gramma, I know it's probably that it isn't possible, that's why I asked the nurse to tell the social worker to come here when she arrives to take Mia. Of course, I will take care of her and even get a job to pay expenses if necessary, so you don't need to worry about anything.
-Okay, let's rescue a bit First of all we need to think about this very well. And if it's possible and we go on with this we will help you so no need to get a job or anything like that. And the school needs to accept or you will have to change schools.
-I will do anything whatever it takes, I just can't leave her alone.
-I'm okay with it, but you have to be 100% sure, no doubts. This is a permanent decision, after all, you can't just want now and don't want the next moment.
-I know aunt, my decision is final.
-Ok, so we talk with the social worker when she arrives but in the meantime, you have to decide where you will live when you are not in school.
-As much as we love you we aren't capable of helping you with the baby, if necessary. So I think is better if you go live with your uncles if they are okay with it.
-It's okay with us, you can stay in the guest room until you go to college.
-Okay, thanks.
-Of course honey.
Emily's outfit:
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