Kaya laughed out loud. It was endearing to see this jovial side of him brought out by the antics of a four-year-old girl. He reminded her of her father and the fun times they used to have before he disappeared from her life. She was just a few months older than Alyssa the last time she saw him. So young to lose the most important man in her life. It saddened her to know that Alyssa had to experience a more permanent loss, but she was consoled that her niece had her uncle Bryce to fill the void Michael’s absence had created.
Yes, there was a definite bond of love and trust between Bryce and his godchildren, she thought, easing into the big, comfy chair near the crib and arranging Anastasia on her lap as she’d seen Bryce do. If she took these children away from him, they would see her as the mean old dragon for breaking that bond, just as she’d thought of Nadine for driving her father away.
You’re nothing like Nadine. You would never hurt these kids. The fact that you are willing to fight for them proves you’re different.
“I brought you a present, too, Jason.” Bryce’s voice reclaimed Kaya’s attention.
“What?”
“A set of skate skis and a snowboard. They’re the fastest and most popular on the market. All the kids in Europe are going bonkers over them. They’re black and chrome. I think that’s the color you wanted.”
“Yes, it is. Thanks, Uncle Bryce. You’re the best.” He wrapped his arms about Bryce.
Bryce hugged him close, but the grim look on his face told Kaya that he dreaded the next few moments.
He cleared his throat. “So how are you, son?”
“I’m fine. Why didn’t Mommy and Daddy come home with you? Are they having too much fun on the Alps?”
Bryce inhaled deeply and sharply.
Kaya shuddered. Jason’s heart was about to be broken.
“Jason, your parents didn’t go to Switzerland with me.”
“Yes, they did. Daddy said he and Mommy had such a good time when we all went before that they were going back again. I know they’re still there. You left them there, like you left us the last time when you had to come back home for business. Right?”
Bryce hesitated, swallowing, as if fighting his own affirmation, as if trying to find the right words for the little boy who wanted so much to believe the impossible.
He took Jason’s hands in his, and stared into his eyes. “Jason, listen to me. Your mom and dad didn’t go to Europe with me this time. And I didn’t leave them behind. They were in a terrible car accident two days ago. They died, son. They died.”
“Noooo.” Jason shook his head, his eyes wide with negation. “Noooo. Why are you lying, Uncle Bryce? Mommy and Daddy aren’t dead! They wouldn’t ever leave us. They promised. They promised they would never leave us.”
“Have I ever lied to you, Jason?”
He shook his head.
“Then believe me now, son. Your mom and dad are really gone. They didn’t want to leave you and your sisters. They didn’t want to break their promise to you, but it wasn’t their fault. They’re not ever coming home, Jason,” he reiterated.
Jason closed his eyes and his lips trembled as the words sank into his heart, crushed his young soul. “Why?” he wailed, trying so hard to make sense of a loss he didn’t understand and couldn’t accept. “Why did they have to die? Did me and Lyssa and Stasia do something wrong?”
“No! You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Then why did God take them away from us? Why did He take the two of them? Couldn’t He have left us just one?”
“I don’t know, son? I don’t know.” Bryce’s voice trembled with his own anguish and helplessness.
Tears rolled down Kaya’s face as Bryce hugged the child to his chest. Jason’s astute questions rang in her ears. Why did God take both of them? He could have left them one. She had wondered the same thing. Why did they both have to die?
“It’s not fair.” Jason’s body rocked with sobs. “It’s not fair. I want my mom and my dad back, Uncle Bryce. Please, bring them back home.”
“I wish I could, Jase. I really wish I could.”
“I hate God. I hate Him for taking them away from us.”
Bryce pulled the boy’s hands from around his neck and stared into his face. “Jason, I never want to hear you say that again. Promise me you won’t.”