"Morning Sunshine."
Diana shot her son a slightly scolding look for mocking his sister like that, but he just smirked, and Diana couldn't resist that hypnotizing glow in his blue eyes. She'd let it slide, for now. Gabe had referred to Natalie as that ever since he began coming back since his death, when Natalie was 4 or 5 years old. After Nat's bath each night Diana would wrap her in a towel and sit her on her lap on the toilet and rock her back and forth singing...
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
There was a short time that Diana had been a true Mom to Natalie, and loved her full out. A few months after Natalie was born Diana started getting treated for her depression, and for a couple of years, everything was pretty normal. Everyone was pretty happy, on the surface. And that's all that mattered to Dan because his 4 or 5 year old daughter could only see the smiles on Diana's face, not the heartbreak in her chest.
12 Years Later....
Goodman, Natalie
Discovered unconcious at home
Overdose on prozac
Noted as an attempted suicide
CPR was indicated at the site, IV antibiotics,
overnight stay, discharge to father Dan Goodman in 48 hours
Diana had been gone for 6 months, with a total of 5 phone calls to Natalie. All lasted uner 20 minutes. Natalie couldn't take it. Dan and Henry sat in the hospital waiting room, heads down, tears being blinked back, each believing it was their own fault. Diana walked in quietly.
"Hello boys." She whispered. They both looked up, shocked.
"Um, hi Mrs. Goodman." Henry said hesitantly. "It's good to see you."
"You too sweetheart, of course not under these circumstances." She repleid rather calmly, and then turned to Dan. "How is she?" Dan was boiling over with anger. "How do you think she is?" He spat. "Uhm, she's asleep right now, their only letting immediate family in." Henry said quickly, not wanting to face the awkwardness of Natalie's parents fight in front of him. "Okay thank you, did you go in?" She asked Dan. "Yes." He said quickly. Diana nodded. "I'll be back." She said, putting her purse and coat down in the chair next to Henry and walking towards Natalie's room. Her daughter lay, pale and asleep. She looked so peaceful. Diana took the seat next to her and stroked her head. A tear fell as she realized that she was the cause of this. She kissed her daughter lightly and sung while sobbing.
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy when skies grey
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Natalie's eyes fluttered open and she smiled lightly at her Mom, who squeazed her hand and smiled back.