I BLINK STARING AT her with a feeling of dread. Between her time at the hospital and therapy she's never ask this question. And now, now I have no choice but to tell her.

"Where's mom?" Her eyes are wide, questioning as she stared at me.

Swallowing I sat down on the floor, crossing my legs. There's a good few feet between us, my movements are slow and calculated, so not to scare her.

"Baby, I need to tell you something really important." I said softly rubbing my hands against my jean. "Alia."

Her attention has snapped to the window, her eyes staring at the bird littered around. She seems to take interest in every living thing that moves. Even if it's the same bird she has seen before. Like a child.

"Alia." Her eyes snapped to mine. "I need you to listen to me."

"I am."

God. Closing my eyes I pinched the bridge of my nose. My chest tightened, I can't do this. Fuck!

"Your father said he's coming over a little later." I gave her a forced smile.

She smiled back her eyes lighting up slightly. "With mom?"

I nod quickly standing up. Telling her I'll be downstairs I walked out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind me I let out a sigh leaning back against it. How am I going to do this?

__________________

THE HOUSE IS SILENT. Alia fell asleep a few minutes ago, Nathan left for work. I licked my lips grabbing my phone before taking a seat at the table. Dialling Michael's number I ran a hand through my hair.

"Hello?"

"She wants to know about her mom." I said softly my eyes moving to the stairs. "I can't tell her Michael, I just-"

I broke off. He said nothing for a while.

"I'll be over in ten minutes." He said softly before hanging up.

Getting up I locked the door before making my way upstairs. I pushed the bedroom door open fully, my eyes scanning the room. Alia laid in the corner of the room curled up in a fetus position.

Walking over to the bed, I pulled back the sheets and removed the extra pillows. I made my way over to Alia gently picking her up. Her eyes instantly snapped open staring up at me.

"Stephen."

"Yes baby?" I smiled down at her carrying her over to the bed.

"Stay." She whispered wrapping her arms around my neck.

Lowering her to the bed, I pulled the sheets over her before straightening. Walking over to the other side of the bed, I laid down facing her. She's back. My angel, my Alia. But it's not her. This girl is someone else, a stranger.

"Stephen?"

"Mm?" Reaching out I placed my hand on hers.

"My parents are still coming right?" Her eyes searched mine, the blue depths begging me to answer.

"Yes, baby."

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I STOOD SILENTLY IN the doorway watching them. My heart is beating erratically in my chest, palms sweaty. Michael sat on the bed smiling at her, Emma giggle along with Alia at something he said.

Her eyes moved pass them, searching before falling on me. I gave her a small smile stepping further into the room.

"Anyone want something to drink?"

They shook their heads the room falling silent. My eyes locked with Michael's for a second before moving to Alia. Her shoulders are slumped, eyes filled with sadness. Our eyes locked, the question flashing through them.

Where's my mom?

Emma moved closer taking her sister's hand. I kneeled next to Alia taking hold of her other hand. Looking at Michael I have him a slight nod.

"Alia, sweetheart. I need to tell you something." He paused, swallowing. "Stephen said that you've been asking for your mom."

"I want her to come visit me."

"She can't sweetheart."

She's frowned glancing between us. "Why?"

Michel sucked in a deep breath closing his eyes briefly. I squeezed her hand keeping my eyes on the floor.

"Alia, you mom is dead."

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SHE HASN'T SAID A word, no reacting whatsoever. Her eyes are glued to the window, she's curled up in the corner again. I follow Michael and Emma out of the room and downstairs.

He pauses at the door glancing up at the before turning to me.

"Will you call me if-" He frowned shrugging. "Just call me if something happens."

I nod watching them walk over to the car. A few seconds later the drove off leaving us alone once again. I closed the door turning the lock before making my way into the kitchen. My mind flashed back to her reaction.

She's froze, her eyes slowly turning blank. Then she walked over to her corner without a word. It's not normal.

Making her a cup of tea, I carried it upstairs.

"Hey, I made you your favourite tea."

My body froze. Waves of fear washing through me, it made my stomach turn. Sweat broke out over my skin, the cup slipping from my fingers.

"Alia." I breath taking a step forward.

"It's my fault." Her voice is low, barely a whisper.

"It's not your fault."

What do you do in a situation like this? We were trained to do this, as a cop, yet my mind went completely blank with panic. Panic and fear a deadly combination.

"I should have answered the phone." A sob fell from her lips, tears dropping from her eyes onto her hands. "If w-we talked then s-she wouldn't be dead."

"She was sick Alia." I took another small step forward. "It isn't you fault."

"It is!" She jumped up from the bed turning to face me.

"Alia, give me the gun." My voice shook, eyes dropping to the gun in her right hand.

"I should be dead, not her!" Alia cried lifting the gun and pressing it against the side of her head. "It's my fault."

"Baby, please." My throat is starting to close up. "Give it to me. Alia please."

Her finger moved over the trigger. Cornflower blue tear filled eyes locking with mine.

"It's my fault. I'm sorry."

"No!"

I moved one hand grabbing her wrist with the gun the other wrapping around their waist.

BANG.

Her knees gave way, so did mine. I sank to the floor pulling her onto my lap. Dropping the gun to my side I wrapped my other arm around her. Tears fell from my eyes as I held her against my chest.

"Why would you do that?" I asked shakily pulling back to stare at her. "Why Alia?"

Cupping her cheeks I forced her to look at me. "Baby.."

"I wanted to see her. To tell her I'm sorry." She cried. "I should have called her, I should have."