Well, this has been a right strange Christmas, to say the least, what with Jen being gone, and the kid’s lack of enthusiasm for the holiday…I never thought I’d see the day when my children weren’t up at the crack of dawn to open presents. No, this year, I even slept in a bit and was still first up. I guess it’s safe to say Jen’s absence has been the main reason for the strangeness. Thank God she’s finally coming home. I can only hope she’s going to drop this charade and tell me what’s really going on. I have to say I hope I’m not correct, frankly, but I think I have a fair idea what’s coming. We shall see…

“So what’s got you upset? Aside from just seeing her?”
“She’s gone back to Peters.”
“Changed her name, eh?”
“Yeah”
“I don’t suppose that’s too big a surprise, although the timing does seem a bit sudden. Is that what’s bugging you?”
“Yes, at least partially. I had built up in my mind that there was a chance we could make some progress toward reconciliation, but once I found out about the whole name business, I said I couldn’t stay and left.”
“I think I can understand that. And if she’s thinking clearly, I’d bet she can as well.”
“That’s the thing, I’m not sure what she’s thinking. And the other thing that’s bothering me, is she isn’t looking well.”
“Now that could be your imagination. Your subconscious looking for something that isn’t there. And even if what you’re saying is true, maybe it’s just the flu or something. As much as she’s been traveling, it’s bound to have worn down her resistance quite a bit.”
“True”
“Listen Dave, you hang in there. If anyone can make their way through this, it’s you. Just give it time. Everything will work out.”

Here I was, worrying about how Juliette has been dealing with everything that’s been going on, and I come home to find Drew; well, maybe I should say Gaby, sitting on the stairs in her mother’s things, in such an upset state! At this moment in time what my child is wearing is of little importance. What matters is my youngest is in pain, and I have to do something…anything…to make that pain go away.

“It’s alright…everything will be okay…I love you so much…shhh…don’t cry…I’m here now…” Dave sat there on that landing, holding his child, for who knows how long, just trying to comfort her with his words and his touch. When finally the distraught youngster began to calm somewhat, he helped her to bed, tucking her in, then picking up a blanket for himself and sitting down in a chair at her bedside, just in case his presence would be needed again.

“Night Drew, sleep tight.”

“Night Dad.”

This story is a fanfic based on Maddy Bell's Gaby series and has been available on Maddy's website for a while now, but I haven't really been able to get a feel for what readers thought of it. So I've decided to post it here and hopefully there will be a few souls willing to share their opinions. I'll be posting the subsequent parts daily until it's done. Thanks.