Exactly seventeen days had passed since the accident, at first, it was a blur in front of the Hyde family's eyes. If it hadn't have been for the phone call that Leah had made in those moments they could've never been found, in the news, she was named 'Heroically Brave'.
The promise to herself about not playing games on her phone she had stayed true as even though the journey from the hospital had been painfully long, she didn't touch the games on her phone.

When they finally arrived at the house Leah's mother, Sophie, hopped out of the car quickly. As she followed her mother's actions she heard a snap followed by wheels crunch against the few leaves on the ground, looking as her father opened his door.

"Do you need any help dad?"

Kyle waved her off as he grabbed the sidebars of the wheelchair, trying to drag himself on but groaning and yelling in pain. Having both his wife and child lift him carefully and place him onto the wheelchair, his face scrunched up as he looked down at his legs.
"So this is it...?"
All of them laid their eyes on the little cottage, they were rather far from the closest town but it was worth it.

It looked like something out of a painting, with white bricks and a wooden door; a heart etched into the oak and garden stretching from the back to the right side, a large pine tree with a swing hanging from a think branch.

Even the forest looked like an enchanted world with beautiful wildflowers and a small grove of mushrooms, there was even a cherry blossom tree.
Sophie was smiling from ear to ear at the sight of it, despite it being completely different from their old home in the city.

"Well! What are we waiting for!?"
Leah nodded, pulling her scarf over her ears.
"It's cold out here..."

A lie, it was only just coming up to the end of summer and still rather warm but she didn't want to admit it.
Her father agreed as he rubbed his hands together, Sophie just rolled her eyes at their impatience as she grabbed the hand bars of the wheelchair and started to push.

The inside of the cottage almost matched the beauty of the outside; there was a beautiful fireplace in the centre and a sliding glass door to the garden, the inside smelt of lavender and the kitchen was modest but sufficient.
On the wall, there was a fishing rod along with a small kit and in the corner, there was a tv, a bit bulky and not like the newer ones but still a good one.
While Sophie spoke with Kyle about the moving truck, Leah started to explore the second floor.

The bathroom was rather big, a large tub that looked almost like a hot tub and a shower on the other side.

Every spot of the cottage was clean, there was only one bedroom on the second floor along with the bathroom though.
It was beautiful with soft sky blue wallpaper and a flower bedsheet, there was a theme of spring colours that made the room look like something from a dream.

Leah was more excited to see the attic which would become her bedroom, tugging on the string that let a ladder come down.
As she climbed into the attic she looked in amazement, taking a deep breath.

"Woah..."

The attic was the largest in the whole cottage, it had a window looking out to the forest and beyond that, the ocean.
Even as she opened the window she could catch the faint smell of the ocean, the distant squawk of a seagull. The louder sound of her mother calling downstairs sent her away, yet, her mind lingered on the wide expanse of water they were so close to.

"What were you doing up there?"
Sophie looked at her daughter who seemed to be deep in thought, repeating the question while tying an apron on. This time Leah answered,
"I was looking around upstairs, the bathroom is so much bigger than our old one."

She smiled at the young girl and offered the two bags of her things that didn't need the moving van, putting both her hands on her hips as she spoke.
"Well, I guess that means you'll want to start unpacking straight away!"
Even Leah didn't hesitate to grab the bags and huff with effort as she climbed the stairs, Sophie gently grinned before turning to Kyle who was rubbing the palm of his left hand.

"Does it still hurt?"
He shook his head, "Nah, not much...how are you feeling though?"
"Oh love, this place is wonderful—"
His eyes met hers as he interrupted her.

"Not the cottage Sophie."

Kyle only watched as she began to open her mouth but closed it a moment later, he only managed a sigh and closed his eyes as he spoke again.
"This place sure is quieter than the city, what do you think?"

It wasn't what he meant at all with his previous question but he knew she would speak to him when she was ready, it was too early for either of them to answer anyways. Kyle did enjoy seeing her smile again as she breathed in the air while opening the window, noting how it felt fresher than the busy London air.

He looked around the cottage from his chair, it was almost impossible to believe it was theirs now. So full of space and large, even the garden was as big as a park. Sophie started thinking about all the herbs she could start growing; maybe some vegetables as well, although, she wondered how they would get any firewood with Kyle unable to do anything strenuous.

The clock on the wall in the kitchen was already at three thirty-eight in the afternoon, it was at least an hour walk from the closest shop, none of them knew their way around yet. Then again, it was only a straight road from the cottage to there.

But she couldn't leave Kyle and Leah to deal with the moving van, they would be at the cottage within the time she would be halfway to the shop. But there was another option...

"Leah!"