As Delilah was making breakfast, Sonia walked into the kitchen and said, "I wanna go to the zoo today. There's a baby elephant and I love elephants."
Delilah smiled. "The zoo sounds like a great idea. But first, breakfast."
"Did Mommy and Daddy already go to work?"
"Yup, so you're stuck with me today."
"You mean you and Katia. The best kind of day."
"I'm glad you think so. Eat up and we'll get ready to go."
"Thank you for breakfast, Aunt Lilah."
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
While Sonia ate, Delilah changed Katia, who had just woken up, and got her dressed.
Delilah's phone began ringing with a FaceTime call and she answered. "Hi, Seb."
Sebastian waved. "How are you? I miss you two."
"We're good. I miss you as well, and I think Kati may also."
"We're going to the zoo today!" Sonia exclaimed.
"The zoo? That sounds like a lot of fun. What are you going to see?"
"A new baby elephant and other animals."
"A new baby elephant? That's exciting. Say hello to the wolves for me, okay?"
"I will. And the otters for Aunt Lilah. And lions and tigers and bears. What's Katia's favorite animal?"
"I don't think she has a particular favorite yet."
Delilah raised a brow. "I think she may. She squeals every time she sees a cat or a wolf. Something I'm blaming you for."
"Me? Why me?"
"Because of the endless pictures of wolves you show her."
"She likes them. You're the one who got the Loki your cat and the wolf plushie."
"Okay, fair enough."
Sonia looked between them. "Are you guys having a argument?"
Sebastian shook his head. "No, we're not. Don't worry."
"Okay, good. I don't like arguments. There's lots of yelling and mean looks. Sammy's parents argue a lot and they don't look at each other nicely."
Delilah ran a hand up and down her niece's back. "Sammy's parents are having a hard time getting along right now."
"I hope they stop yelling near Sammy and me when we play."
"Maybe they'll be able to talk things out," Sebastian said in a hopeful tone. He glanced back, hearing his name. "I gotta go, but I'll talk to you later. I love you, Del. Have fun at the zoo, okay? I can't wait to hear all about it."
Sonia nodded. "I'll renember everything."
He chuckled. "Okay, bye Del. Bye, Kati. Bye, Sonia."
Sonia waved. "Bye, Uncle Sebby."
Delilah waved Katia's hand and said, "Kati and I love you too."
He waved and ended the call.
Sonia smiled. "That was fun. Now we go to the zoo." She got up from the table and went to leave.
Delilah cleared her throat. "Missing something?"
Sonia frowned, then nodded. She put her plate in the sink and went to put on her shoes.
Katia, meanwhile, was making a mess of her mashed banana, smearing it everywhere. She'd eaten some, but was more interested in playing with her food.
Delilah cleaned Katia up and got her ready to go. She packed snacks, drinks and made sure she had everything she'd need for her daughter.
Sonia ran into the room and said, "I'm ready. Are you and Kati?"
Delilah nodded. "I think we are. Let's go."
Sonia climbed into the car and buckled herself into her booster seat while Delilah buckled Katia into her car seat.
Soon, the three were on their way to the zoo.
As Delilah made a turn at a green arrow, a car sped down the road, not paying attention to the light, and hit them.
Sonia hugged her cousin tightly as she screamed.
In a mere few seconds, it was over.
Katia was sobbing and Sonia wiped her own tears away.
She checked her arms to see no damage, but her buckle was hurting her.
The sound of sirens caught her attention. Normally she would have been excited, but she was more terrified at the moment.
It was then she saw her aunt. She wasn't moving and her eyes were closed.
Katia continued screaming and Sonia said, "It's gonna be okay, Kati."
A fireman opened the door and asked, "Does it hurt anywhere, sweetheart?"
Sonia nodded and pointed to where her belt buckle was. "Here. Is my aunt okay?"
"We have some of my friends checking her out right now. How's your little sister?"
"She's my cousin!"
The fireman nodded. "How's your cousin?"
"She's okay I think, but she won't stop crying. Did you talk to my mommy or daddy or my uncle? He's a superhero."
"I'm sure he is. Can you tell me your name?"
"My name is Sonia. That's my cousin Katia. I want to tell my uncle. He's the Winter Soldier. He's in another place right now. Can I call him? My aunt has his phone." She grabbed the phone in front of her and found her uncle's number.
Sebastian's voice soon came through. "What is it, Del?"
"It's not Aunt Lilah."
"Sonia? Why are you calling me? Why do you have your aunt's phone?"
"Aunt Lilah is asleep."
"So you decided to take her phone and call me?"
"No. I mean, yes, but a car hit Aunt Lilah's and we didn't get to the zoo."
"A car accident? Are you okay? What about Katia? Or Delilah?"
"Kati's okay, but she's really scared. And me too. Aunt Lilah is being checked on. Uncle Sebby, I'm scared. Can you come too? My mommy and daddy are too."
"I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?"
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye, kiddo. See you soon."
The call ended and Sonia looked at the policeman who'd walked up.
She and Katia were pulled out of the cat and as soon as she saw her parents, she ran up to them.
Devin picked his daughter up while Jemma held Katia, and the two kissed the girls.
"Are you okay?" Devin asked.
Sonia nodded. "We're okay, but what about Aunt Lilah?"
Jemma stroked her daughter's hair. "They're taking her to the hospital. The fireman who talked to you told us you had some minor bruising, so we're gonna get that checked out, okay?"
"Okay. I told Uncle Sebby and he'll be here soon."
"That was a good idea. Come on, darling."
"Can we have ice cream?"
"Let's make sure you're okay, and then we can talk about ice cream, okay?"
Sonia nodded and cuddled into her father's arms. "Is Aunt Lilah gonna be okay?"
Devin swallowed heavily, trying to keep from breaking down. "I hope so."
Katia's tears resumed and Jemma patted her back gently as she softly consoled the little girl.
Devin said under his breath, "Delilah, I swear to God if you don't make it, I'm gonna lose my fucking mind. I can't lose my little sister."
---
As Sebastian made his way to Harrisburg, he muttered to himself, "Please be okay, Del. I don't know what Kati and I will do without you."