Aftermath (The Deceptions Trilogy Book 2)

by Dana Mansfield

  . . .

  That night, after a chicken soup dinner since the rainy day was on the chilly side, the adults told the kids all the good news. They were ecstatic they would finally have cousins and all the girls were giddy at there being another wedding on the horizon. They cried, as did everyone else, when Millie told them the wedding would not happen until Jack and Penny were home. Natalya said it best. “Jack needs to be here for that happiness.” Matty then surprised Millie by getting down on one knee and asking her a second time if she would marry him. This time, he produced a small box and inside was an antique diamond engagement ring with an art deco setting. Millie cried as she said yes for a second time and Matty slipped the ring on her left ring finger.

  Summer returned the next day and the kids spent most of the time at the lake or going on hikes with an adult. Kids being kids, however, there were moments where the adults had to play referee during unwanted dunking in the lake and the boys chasing the girls with the worms for their fishing lines. Danny and Matty were in charge of the lake and hiking activities while Millie and Melanie, and by extension Little Sofie, were in charge of all the other activities.

  Mr. Cooper emailed Danny an estimate for putting in a security fence. It wouldn’t be a continuous fence as the property was just too large for that but he identified areas where sections could be installed to do the trick. The price was high but Danny decided to pay for it himself as a gift for Jack. Mr. Cooper and his men would start the day after Labor Day in the hopes of being done in about six weeks.

  A week into the vacation, poor Annie went down with increased nerve pain in her legs. It had been a while since her last episode but this one was a particularly bad one and Millie spent all of that second Friday holding a crying Annie. The medications she used during these situations only dulled the pain slightly and Millie felt so helpless. Dr. Melanie acted as the advocate between Millie and Annie’s specialist but he could offer nothing more other than a prescription pain reliever. Millie wasn’t sure about that as Annie was only seven years old. It was Matty who came to the rescue.

  Over the course of two hours, he entertained Annie with silly songs and jokes and games. He had her so focused on him her mind was taken off of the pain and she was able to fall asleep with a smile on her face. Matty’s caring interactions with her niece reinforced the love Millie had for him and she was moved to tears.

  “I love you so much,” she whispered to him as he sat on the edge of the bunk bed where Millie lay with Annie. “You are going to make a great father.”

  “And you a great mother.”

  Chapter 29

  Little Sofie’s birthday was August 30th. She would be turning five and it would be her first birthday since her papa was kidnapped. Millie wanted to make it as special as possible for her. She had done well at the cabin; the early awe she had at the place calmed down. Every day, Matty and Millie would take her on a walk around the lake and in the afternoons, she would sit on the end of the dock next to Millie with her little feet in the water. Teddy and the picture were put in individual Ziploc bags just in case and Millie was almost certain she saw her niece smile just the tiniest bit when the fishies nibbled at her toes. Danny took Little Sofie on small little hikes around the property to show her some of Jack’s favorite spots and when they came back, they always brought Millie a small bunch of wildflowers.

  The day started out beautiful. A light rain overnight left everything looking dewy and green. Millie made Little Sofie’s favorite breakfast – chocolate chip pancakes – and for lunch there were peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and plenty of cold milk. The afternoon was spent at the lake where for the first time, Danny took Little Sofie into the water. Up until that point she had just sat on the dock next to Millie but for her birthday, they put little water wings on her, double bagged Teddy and the picture, and Danny held her in his arms as he walked to where the water was about to his chest. He sang to her, danced with her and dipped her a little lower in the refreshing water. She had been in the pool back at the house and the summer before the kidnapping she would splash around the shallow end with Annie but this was her first time in the clear water of the lake that was named after the sister she would never know.

  “She was a little stiff at first like she was scared but then I felt her relax a bit,” Danny said and carefully sat her on the end of the dock where Millie and Melanie were sitting. “Did you like the lake, peanut?” he asked her and pulled himself up on the dock high enough so he could peck her forehead with a kiss. Of course, there was no answer from Little Sofie.

  They stayed on the end of the dock for a few minutes longer but then it was time to start working on dinner. Again, it was one of Little Sofie’s favorites – Penny’s lasagna. Matty held Little Sofie as Millie assembled two lasagnas and while they baked, she took Little Sofie upstairs and gave her a bath and dressed her in the special dress she bought for the occasion. When she saw it in Macy’s, she knew she had to have it. It was a sundress with pale blue flowers scattered across a yellow background. It reminded Millie so much of the dress Penny wore the day they met at the scholarship luncheon eighteen years earlier. When Little Sofie’s hair dried, Millie put two small ribbons in it and then slipped on new white sandals on her tiny feet.

  “You look so beautiful,” she said and gave her niece a hug. “I know Penny isn’t your real mama but you look so much like her.”

  All the kids, and the adults, dressed up for dinner and after filling themselves with lasagna, salad, and garlic bread, it was decided to open presents before having birthday cake and ice cream. Each present was presented to Little Sofie and unwrapped by the individual or individuals who gave her the gift. Millie and Matty gave her a pretty locket that had pictures of Jack and Penny and Danny and Melanie gave her a gorgeous snow globe with the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz inside of it. When it was wound up, it played “Over the Rainbow.” Annie’s gift to her sister was a new Candyland game to replace the one they used to play endlessly that was now missing several cards that were destroyed after an unfortunate apple juice incident. The boys pooled their allowance and bought their baby sister a pink, glittery tutu and a set of jigsaw puzzles to put together, something Little Sofie liked to do before she retreated. Karie’s gift, naturally, was homemade. She had done an ink sketch of Teddy, Penny’s bracelet and the photo of Penny and Jack. Just like her father’s nature sketches, she then added spots of color with colored pencil.

  “That’s so beautiful,” Melanie gushed as she looked at the honest piece of art in a simple frame. “You are so talented, Karie.”

  “Th… Thank y… you,” she replied, blushing.

  “Can we have cake now?” Leo signed and everyone laughed. Millie stayed up late the night before making Little Sofie’s birthday cake. It was a yellow cake with chocolate frosting, Little Sofie’s favorite, with plenty of sprinkles. There was a number 5 candle along with five single ones. Matty hit the lights as Danny set the cake on the table. The kids, especially Leo, had been warned not to blow the candles out until Danny gave the signal – Let’s all help Little Sofie blow out her candles.

  “Make a wish, Little Me,” Millie said into Little Sofie’s ear after everyone sang the birthday song, “and then blow out your candles.” They were going to give her a few seconds before Danny would give everyone the cue. Just as he was about to say the first word, Little Sofie quick leaned forward in Millie’s lap and blew all the candles out. Everyone stood stock still and was silent. Little Sofie then turned to Millie with tears in her eyes and did something no one expected. She spoke.

  “I maded a wish fow Papa and Pwetty Penny to come home.”

  . . .

  Millie sat on the couch, exhausted both physically and emotionally. Little Sofie was cuddled in her lap but not asleep despite the rest of the children having hit the sack already. Melanie an
d Danny were sitting at the kitchen table talking quietly while Matty was in the kitchen getting Little Sofie some juice and Millie water. The cabin was quiet except for Melanie and Danny’s hushed voices and Matty’s footsteps.

  “Here you go,” he said quietly as he handed Little Sofie a sippy cup.

  “Thank you, Uncle Matty,” she said in a super tiny voice. Little Sofie started sipping at her juice, hugged Teddy and the picture tighter, and cuddled closer to Millie.

  “You’re welcome, peanut,” Matty said, ruffling Little Sofie’s hair lightly and sitting down. He and Millie exchanged glances that said so many things – confusion, worry, happiness, even sadness.

  Everyone sat in silence but Millie’s mind wasn’t quiet. Question after question flitted around her head. Why did she speak? Is this temporary? Did it have something to do with the cabin? What do we do next with her? Matty slipped his arm around Millie’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. She thought back to the surprising night. After Little Sofie spoke, there was a protracted silence until Annie nervously broke it.

  “She said words,” she said.

  “That she did,” Danny replied. “Now, how ‘bout some cake and ice cream.” Everyone ate in silence; a near miracle when it came to the Petrov kids around a dinner table. Glances were exchanged, an occasional shoulder shrug, and several relieved smiles. Little Sofie clung to Millie while looking at everyone and eventually buried her face in Millie’s breast. Millie could feel her shaking and she quick signed some advice to those at the table. Let’s give her some space. Everyone nodded their understanding and Danny herded the kiddos upstairs after they polished off their cake and ice cream to get them settled down. Melanie and Matty disappeared too so it was just Millie and Little Sofie.

  “It’s just the two of us right now, Little Me,” she said gently and Little Sofie raised her head. Her eyes were a little red and puffy from silently crying. “I loved your wish and I hope it comes true really soon.”

  “I miss them,” she said and looked at the wrinkled picture and then hugged Teddy. “Papa gives me Teddy when I was fouw.” She then held her wrist out. “Pwetty Penny gives this to me when I goes to pweschool.” She looked up at Millie with her big brown eyes. “I want Papa.”

  “I know you do.” Millie made sure her tone was quiet and her words gentle. “You have been quiet for a very long time.”

  “I’m scawed wifout Papa and Penny,” she said, her little voice shaking. “I scawed the bad men will come and take me.”

  “Don’t be scared, sweetie. I’m here to protect you and so are Uncle Danny, Uncle Matty and Aunt Melanie. We have that big strong fence back at the house. The bad men won’t come for you. You are safe,” explained Millie.

  “I won’t be safe until Papa comes home,” she insisted. She hugged Teddy tighter. “Please don’t take Teddy away.”

  “I won’t, Little Sofie.”

  “I make messes. I’m afwaid to go to the bafwomb. I can’t sleep by myself. I’m afwaid to be away fwom you,” she said with much worry. “I can’t help it.”

  “I know but that’s okay. We all understand.”

  “But Mama yelled at me.”

  “Don’t worry about your Mama, Little Sofie,” Millie said, feeling her anger towards Crystal rise. A few tears fell down Little Sofie’s ruddy cheeks and Millie wiped them away with her left hand. Little Sofie touched the engagement ring.

  “You is having a little baby,” she said.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “You won’t love me.”

  “Nonsense, Little Me. There will never, ever be a time when I won’t love you.”

  “Pwomise?” If there was a next level after puppy dog eyes, Little Sofie was giving them to Millie.

  “I promise.” Millie gave her niece a huge hug and then moved over to the couch where they currently sat as the night sounds of the Poconos drifted into the cabin through the opened windows.

  Melanie and Danny came over and sat down in front of them on a couple huge floor pillows. Little Sofie shrank against Millie a little.

  “Happy birthday, peanut,” Danny said and lightly wiggled her big toe that peeked out from the end of her sandal. “Did you have a fun day?” Little Sofie nodded. “I’m so glad.”

  “I liked the lake,” she said quietly.

  “Should we play in the lake tomorrow?” he asked and she nodded. “I can’t wait.”

  . . .

  Millie blamed her on and off tears on the combination of being pregnant and Little Sofie’s ‘awakening.’ She woke up crying the day after Little Sofie’s birthday when she saw Matty quietly read Curious George to her in bed and as Little Sofie held her hand. She cried again when Little Sofie slowly fed herself scrambled eggs. She used her hands but the fact she even did that was something. She had to sit right next to Millie and hold one of her hands. Her big eyes often gazed around the table and the look of fear brought tears to Millie’s eyes again but she quickly shooed them away.

  The kids were gentle with her but this was so hard for Annie. Before the kidnapping, she and Little Sofie were very close and her sister’s silence was hard on her. Danny had to have a talk with her after breakfast when she was a little too aggressive with Little Sofie and caused her little sister to hide against Millie.

  “I’ve just missed her so much, Uncle Danny,” Annie cried in his arms after he talked to her. Seeing her cry caused Millie to cry and by the time the family was done with tuna and bagel sandwiches for lunch, Millie was exhausted. Both Melanie and Danny noticed.

  “Why don’t you take a nap while Little Sofie and I play in the lake?” Danny suggested. Millie looked to Little Sofie who had a worried look on her face.

  “I don’t know. Little Me might need me.” She and Little Sofie had been constant companions all morning. Before her awakening, Millie could hand her off to one of the other adults but that was no longer the case. The first time she tried, so she could go vomit from morning sickness, Little Sofie had a meltdown. The other adults tried to calm her but all she did was scream. Millie tried to vomit quickly. The incident just added to Millie’s exhaustion.

  “Peanut, is it okay if Aunt Millie takes a little nap while we’re having fun in the lake?” asked Danny. Little Sofie looked very unsure. “She’ll just be in the cabin; she won’t be far. You’ll be with me. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.” Millie had shared – via text – the conversation she had with Little Sofie about her being scared.

  “And if you get too scared,” Millie said, “you can come and wake me up. Okay?” Little Sofie appeared to really think this over and finally, slowly nodded her head. Although she had been vocal the night before, she hadn’t said anything all morning. She would answer in shakes and nods of her head, however, which still was a relief since she was interacting with everyone.

  Millie took Little Sofie up to change her into her swimsuit and then handed her off to Danny. Both Millie and her niece had tears in their eyes. She felt silly as she was the adult. Little Sofie was just going to be about a hundred yards from the cabin at the lake with the other adults and kids. When she got upstairs to the air mattress that was set up in the reading room between Jack’s bedroom and the kids’ room, she sank down onto it and bawled. It was just one of the many moments of the last nine months where the only thing she knew to do was to cry.

  Chapter 30

  It was time to go home; Millie was ready. She loved the cabin but she wanted a real bed, not a blow up one, and she also wanted to get Little Sofie back in the home environment. She did not retreat over the last few days of the vacation but she wasn’t very vocal. She would interact mainly with shakes and nods of her head. It was still somewhat of a relief to see her be interactive, though.

  Scho
ol started the day after Labor Day and Millie was actually torn to have the house so quiet. She missed the kids just as bad as when they were at camp but then the quietness gave her the time she needed to spend with Little Sofie and help her. Millie and Danny took her to visit Dr. Abraham after sending the kids off to school and he was hopeful Little Sofie’s emergence was a step in the right direction. She still had problems like messing herself and needing to be in constant physical contact with Millie. There were times when this was impossible and she would scream until Millie was out of the shower or done puking from the morning sickness. It was wearing on Millie but she ignored herself and remembered her niece was slowly coming back to them.

  The September days progressed with all the school kids fitting back into the school routine easily. Millie’s nerves, however, were growing more shot by the day. It was September which meant another video would be released. In the days after the last one, she was intensely worried about Jack’s health and found it so hard to eat or sleep but Danny calmed her down. Jack is important to whoever has him. They won’t let him die. She was holding Danny to those words but between her nerves, worry and the almost constant morning sickness, her eating and sleeping was hit or miss. Matty was worried about her health and so was her OB/GYN. At her monthly appointment, she weighed less than her first visit. She was trying to focus on herself but between Jack and Little Sofie, it was hard. Her doctor was giving her two weeks to see if the morning sickness calmed down before she prescribed something.