Living Again

Living Again by L.L. Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: Living Again by L.L. Collins Read Free Book Online
Authors: L.L. Collins
still made her sad. However, the crippling pain of losing Alex was farther away every day. Kayley didn’t feel guilty when she laughed anymore. She loved spending time with Emily, Trevor, and their other friends again. She had even gotten rid of the things of his in the bathroom (though the clothes in the closet she wasn’t quite ready for).
    “Earth to Kayley!” Emily’s voice broke through her daydream. She was holding a very squirmy, cake-filled Lexi up for Kayley to take and clean.
    “Thanks Em,” Kayley laughed, trying not to get cake all over her but hold Alexis at the same time. Emily and Trevor’s daughter, Cate, who was 3 now, laughed at the sight of Lexi.
    “She’s dirty, Auntie Kaywey,” Cate declared, scrunching up her little nose.
    “Yes she is,” Kayley put Lexi next to the sink, attempting to clean off layers of cake and icing from every part of her body.
    “There you go, little girl,” Kayley placed Lexi on the floor, clean enough but definitely needing a bath later. She promptly ran after Cate. Cate was like her big sister and the girls loved each other.
    “I can’t believe she’s one,” Emily murmured from behind her, watching the two little girls play with one of Lexi’s new toys. Kayley shook her head.
    “I can’t believe we made it through this year,” Kayley smiled. “A year ago, I didn’t know how I was going to survive without Alex, raising a child on my own.”
    “And look at you now,” Alex’s mom came up next to her and hugged her tightly. “You’re every bit the mother I knew you would be and more.”
    Kayley hugged her mother in-law back, absently feeling for her wedding ring before realizing it wasn’t there anymore. She had finally taken it off and put it away about a month ago, on the anniversary of Alex’s death. That was a day that she would rather not relive. As hard as it was, it was one step closer to her admitting he wasn’t coming back and she had to keep living. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you,” she said, looking at her in-laws, her best friend, and her parents.
    “We’re always here for you and Lexi,” Kayley’s mom stepped up, hugging Kayley tightly. “We all wish Alex were here, but we know he is looking down on all of us.”
    Tears filled Kayley’s eyes at her mother’s words, but she was determined not to cry today. Today was happy, it was all about Lexi. She smiled at the people that meant the most to her.
    “I will love Alex until the day I die. There are days when it’s so hard to look at Alexis and know what she will miss out on. Alex would’ve been the greatest dad. But I’m okay. I think, finally, I am okay.” Kayley turned her head to look for Lexi.
    “Lexi?” she called out. Just as she did, Cate rounded the corner, her eyes wide.
    “Aunt Kaywey? Wexi no feel good,” Cate pointed to the hallway. At her statement, Kayley and Emily headed straight for the hallway to find Alexis laying on her back in a pool of vomit. Her small body was shaking uncontrollably.
    Kayley knelt next to her daughter, watching her daughter convulse on the floor. She had no idea what to do but she turned her to the side and held her head to keep her from hurting herself. “Call 9-1-1!” she screamed. Emily knelt on the other side of her, concern all over her face.
    “No, this cannot be happening,” Kayley cried, smoothing Lexi’s curls from her face as her body started relaxing. “Baby girl…” As Lexi’s body calmed, Kayley held her in her arms. Alexis’ eyes were closed but she was breathing and her heartbeat was strong. After what seemed like forever, Kayley’s parents led the paramedics to the hallway.
    “Ma’am, what happened?” the one paramedic asked as the other started doing her vitals. Kayley watched, unable to speak, as they lay Alexis on the board they had brought in. She didn’t stir when the paramedic started the IV, and Kayley knew how much Alexis hated needles. Her baby was not coherent. She could not lose

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