Down For The Count

Ice Cream Dates @ (3) AM: Part Two

"Buzzkill." Alex laughed as her and Violet continued to endlessly chatter, and I eventually slipped into a cozy sleep...for now at least.

DREAM/FLASHBACK

"Daddy?" I asked, not understanding what the huge suitcase was for. Were we going on vacation and no one told me? Maybe this is the birthday surprise Mom was talking about! Maybe we're going to Disney World!

"Hey bug." Dad said softly, smiling a little. He sat down on the bed, wiping his eyes. "Come here."

I slowly walked over to him and he lifted me up, sitting me on his lap. I looked at him, noticing his eyes were all watery.

"Daddy...you're crying." I observed. The only time I've ever seen Daddy cry was last year when he found out that Grandma died.

"Yeah...I am babe." Dad whispered, biting his lip as more tears fell down his face. "I...um...I've got to leave for a little while."

"Like...like a vacation?" I asked, feeling extremely confused. Dad's whole face fell and he shut his eyes tighter.

"Yeah...yeah, like a vacation." Dad said, smiling a little. I frowned, wondering why Dad was taking a vacation by himself and not taking me and Mommy.

"When are we leaving?" I asked curiously. I really really really hope it's Disney World! But...if we're going to Disney World then why did Dad look so upset? He should be happy!

"Actually...this is a...a trip that I need to take by myself." Dad said quietly. I frowned, leaning against Dad's shoulders.

"I'll miss you. When are you gonna be back?" I looked up at him.

"It's hard to tell..." Dad trailed off. I nodded, understanding what he was saying.

Daddy's a surgeon. He's really smart too, and he goes on business trips all the time to speak at conferences and do all these surgeries. One time, Daddy took a business trip to Nevada and he was gone for two weeks, but another time he took a trip to Maine and was only gone for two days. It all just depends.

"I'm gonna go to bed then. I'll see you when you come back." I smiled, hugging him tightly. And jeez did he hug me tight. I giggled a little, assuming that it was just because he was going on a business trip and was gonna be gone for a while.

God was I wrong.

END OF DREAM/FLASHBACK

I sat up abruptly, sighing in relief when I realized that I was indeed in Alex's room. I looked over beside me to see that Alex was still sound asleep next to me and Violet was...weirdly draped over our legs but...was asleep?

Ehm

I plopped back down, burying my head in my hands. These dreams they...they keep getting worse ever since I...

I visited him. In California. It wasn't even like we met we...well we kind of did but...he didn't even recognize me so it's all good! But I just...he had this conference thing that he was speaking at and I just wanted to see him because I forgot everything and...

And if Lin and Vanessa ever find out, I'm screwed.

But luckily, I...am an excellent liar.