“Excellent,” she said with a smile. “I will be returning in an hour. I expect you to be gone by then.”
Avice looked up from her hands after a bit, tears streaming down her face. She stood up, heading inside to write the note.
Jack was asleep on the couch, the baby in his arms. Aubrey’s eyes opened when Avice reentered, but she didn’t cry, only gurgled slightly, shoving her fist in her mouth.
Avice gently picked up the baby, sincerely hoping Jack wouldn't wake. She brought her into the other room and sat on the edge of the bed. "I love you, Aubrey.. Don't forget that, okay? Your dad loves you, too. I love your dad.. I don't really have a choice here, so I'm sorry I have to leave you and your dad. I know you'll be okay. I don't know how long it will take, but everything will be okay. I'll be back one day, okay? Don't cry too much.." She kissed her forehead. "Be good for dad, okay?" Standing, Avice went back and gently rocked Aubrey in one arm, taking out a piece of paper and pen with the other.
She set down the pencil when she finished, going to pack as she was hoping to rock Aubrey back to sleep and leave.
Jack woke several minutes after she left, blinking sleepily. "Avice?" He stood up, holding Aubrey to his chest before he noticed the note. He walked over, his head tilted, and began to read.
It was obvious she had wrote it, despite the shakiness. The lead was dark, evidentally the pencil was pressed hard against the paper. "Jack, I love you. I'm so sorry. I have to leave, and I require that you don't try to find me. For your own sake. I know this is the worst time. I know it seems like I don't love you and Aubrey, but I do. I really, really do. More than anything really, but there's nothing I can do. I know you are a great father. You'll be okay. Everything is okay. Please don't worry. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me one day. I love you. - Av"
He froze, reading the note once. Twice. His hands started trembling and he couldn’t stop staring at the paper. Aubrey gurgled in his ear and Jack clung to her, his entire body shaking. A strange noise emerged from his chest, and he tried to breathe for a moment before his knees gave out and he fell, catching them with his free hand against the wall. Aubrey started crying, his sudden movement startling her and Jack wanted to soothe her, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the note. He held the baby to his chest, trying to calm his pounding heart. There was a knock at the door.
Avice adjusted the head scarf, feeling dreadfully tired as she tried not to glance back, her grip around the bag tightening.
-10 months later- The beach was beginning to get warm this time of year. Jack pulled Aubrey away from his chest, raising an eyebrow at her. “Now Aubrey,” he said sternly, buttoning up her sweater. “We’re not swimming today, okay? No swimming.” “Da,” she agreed, patting his face. “Yes. Da. And if you do go swimming, you will give your da a heart attack. Understood?” She giggled with glee, patting on his face again. He sighed and tentatively set her down, his face the epitome of worry. She made a strange, joyful noise in the back of her throat before moving through the sand, her eyes bright.
A woman sat on dry driftwood nearby, her hair falling just past her shoulders. Her face would not be visible to them, but it was sad. Her eyes watched wearily across the ocean, and she kept her hands folded thoughtfully on her lap.
Jack followed the baby attentively as she crawled determinedly ahead of him. He frowned as she veered off the course, heading for the driftwood and the woman on top of it. She got to the woman and rose unsteadily on her legs, patting the woman’s knees cheerfully.
The woman recognized the baby immediately, her hand hovering over her heart as she had a sharp intake of breath. "Oh.."
