Bella

Pale, early morning light streams through the windows and I wake to someone shaking my arm. A poke to my face causes me to turn and blink blearily at Sally. "Hello," I say groggily.

Her curly hair is a mess of tangles around her face as she stares down at me with bright eyes. "Have you seen daddy?" she asks, her words lisping.

"No, I haven't." I say slowly, confused.

"Oh," she frowns, her whole countenance falling, and looks down at her hands.

I sit up and hold my arms out to her, She climbs into my lap, "Where did your daddy go?" I ask gently.

She shrugs, "I don't know. He went out one night, and never came back. Mama doesn't know neither." She looks at me hopefully, "Can you look for him? Maybe you can find him?"

I blink, "I don't know, Sally."

She grips my shirt, her big eyes pleading, "Please? I miss him. He,” she hiccups, “he went outside, it's not safe outside at night. Please!" Tears spill down her face, her lips quivering.

I put my arms around her and hold her. She clings to me, whispering 'please' over and over as she sobs. I stroke her hair and whisper soothingly,"It's okay, it's okay."

I hold her until she falls back asleep, still sobbing softly. With some careful maneuvering I stand up, holding the young girl to me as I make my way toward the back of the house.

"Hello?" I call.

A door down the hall bursts open and Sarah comes out, "Sa-" she cuts off when she sees me holding Sally. "Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry." She reaches out to take Sally from me.

I transfer Sally into her mother's arms, "It's all right.."

"She didn't bother you too bad?" she asks.

"No, she just..." I hesitate, "She asked me to look for her father."

Sarah blanches and shakes her head, "You don't need to do that." She says hurriedly, "H-he's not coming back."

I regard her for a moment, "Does Sally know that?"

She looks away, "Not exactly." She shifts the child's weight in her arms, "I... I've tried to explain, but I don't want to scare her; she doesn't really understand."

I nod, then say softly, "It's hard to lose a parent, no matter the age. I hope you're able to help her understand." I reach up and brush a hair off Sally's face, "She's very sweet."

Sarah nods, "She is," she swallows then says, "Would you like to help me with breakfast?"

"Of course."

"All right, I'll be right back." She disappears down the hall.

I make my way to the main room to stoke the fire.I frown; the embers are almost cold. I grab some firewood from beside the hearth and throw it on the coals wincing when the tiny flames start to go out. I look around, making sure the space is empty, then whisper softly to the hearth, "Come on lovelies, don't die on me."

I feel a pulse of magic at my words. The embers flicker back to life and begin consuming the log.

I shake my head to clear the fog left behind and get to my feet. Sarah returns moments later and we set about making breakfast.