Our Deadly sin

Chapter One: Daddy, Please Wake Up

Belladonna’s POV

The hospital smelled funny.

I didn't like it.

It smelled like the place where Daddy King brought me when I got a little fever.

But this time...

It was different.

Because Daddy Quin was here.

And he wasn't talking.

I sat in the big chair beside his bed, my little legs barely reaching the edge.

Daddy always told me I was growing too fast.

He said I was going to be taller than him one day.

I didn't want to be taller than him.

I wanted him to wake up.

I looked at his hand.

The one I always held.

The one that used to pick me up and spin me around until I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.

I reached over and grabbed his fingers.

"Daddy..."

My voice was quiet.

"You gotta wake up."

I waited.

Like maybe he was just pretending.

Like when we played hide and seek and he would wait for me to find him.

But he didn't move.

I frowned.

"Daddy, I had preschool today."

Nothing.

"I learned my letters."

I smiled a little.

"I told them my daddy is a superhero."

My eyes started feeling hot.

Because Daddy Quin wasn't a superhero who wore a cape.

He was my daddy.

That was better.

---

The door opened.

I looked up quickly.

"Daddy King!"

King walked inside carrying a bag of food.

He smiled when he saw me.

But his smile didn't reach his eyes.

Daddy King was always happy when he saw me.

But since Daddy Quin got hurt...

He looked tired.

Like he didn't sleep.

He walked over and kissed my forehead.

"Hey, Princess."

I hugged his legs.

"Did you bring food?"

He laughed softly.

"Of course I did."

He sat the bag down.

"How was preschool?"

I climbed into the chair beside him.

"It was okay."

"Just okay?"

I nodded seriously.

"My teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grow up."

King smiled.

"What did you say?"

I looked at Daddy Quin.

Then back at him.

"I said I want to be like Daddy."

King got quiet.

"Which Daddy?"

I tilted my head.

"Both."

His eyes got shiny.

I didn't like when Daddy King looked sad.

So I reached up and touched his face.

"No crying."

He smiled a little.

"I'm okay, Princess."

---

We ate together.

Daddy King helped me with my food because I still got messy.

He always said I ate like I was fighting my plate.

I didn't know how plates fought back.

After I finished, I climbed back into Daddy Quin's bed.

I brought my stuffed wolf with me.

The purple one Tank gave me.

Daddy Quin loved wolves.

He said they were strong because they stayed together.

I liked that.

Because we stayed together too.

---

A little while later, the door opened again.

"Princess!"

I turned.

"Ace!"

Ace walked in carrying my tablet.

Behind him was Uncle Jordan.

I smiled.

"Did you bring my games?"

Ace laughed.

"Of course."

Uncle Jordan shook his head.

"You spoil her."

Ace shrugged.

"She's my little sister."

I liked when he said that.

Because I had lots of brothers.

Ace.

Marcus.

Rico.

Leo.

They all told me they would protect me.

I believed them.

---

Ace sat beside me.

"I brought your drawing app."

I grabbed it.

"I made Daddy a picture."

King looked over.

"You did?"

I nodded.

I opened the picture.

It was me.

Daddy King.

Daddy Quin.

And a big purple heart.

There were a lot of circles too.

Because circles were my favorite.

Daddy King smiled.

"That's beautiful."

"I made it for Daddy."

I looked at Quin.

"So he wakes up."

Nobody said anything for a second.

Then Uncle Jordan looked away.

Ace rubbed his eyes.

I didn't understand why everyone got sad.

I just knew Daddy needed to wake up.

---

When it got later, Daddy King helped me get comfortable.

He tucked the blanket around me and Daddy Quin.

I curled up beside my father.

My head rested against his arm.

"Goodnight, Daddy."

I whispered.

"I had a good day."

I looked at his face.

"You missed it though."

A tear rolled down my cheek.

"But it's okay."

"Tomorrow I'll tell you again."

I grabbed his hand.

"I'll tell you everything until you wake up."

---

Daddy King sat on the other side of the bed.

He watched me.

"Belladonna."

I looked at him.

"Yeah?"

"He can hear you."

I looked at Daddy Quin.

"Really?"

King nodded.

"I believe he can."

I smiled.

"Then I'll keep talking."

King smiled sadly.

"I know you will."

---

I closed my eyes.

The hospital was quiet.

But I wasn't scared.

Because Daddy King was there.

Daddy Quin was there.

And my family was still together.

I held my father's hand tighter.

"Wake up soon, Daddy."

"Your birthday girl needs you."

And before I fell asleep...

I whispered the one thing I hoped he could hear.

"I love you."