"She could still remember how she cried whenever her father would travel on an adventure, she was eight and she was so fond of her father and his adventures, he would gift her with a lot and tell her stories on what he had discovered, of course that was her favorite part.
Lilo was the only child of her parents, and they cherished her so did she.
Armstrong Gilbert was a popular writer and explorer, a kind and generous man, who was admired and loved by everyone, he was also known by his charitable character, helping people in need without hesitation, something that he passed on to his daughter, Lilo.
The city library was name after him after passed away.
When Lilo was eleven she would no longer cry, she got use to him traveling.
She looked out her window everyday, waiting for her father to return.
Momma, when will papa return? she would ask.
"Soon Lilo", her mother would say,
"Soon?" Lilo would asked.
Yes my child soon! just a little more time,okay?
Okay momma, but momma i'm scared..
Why are you scared?
"I don't know" Lilo replied
You don't have to be scared Lilo, your papa will be fine, okay! she assured her, Lilo nodded her head as her mother kissed her forehead, she hugged her. Mabel was worried that something bad had happen to her husband, Armstrong never take too long to return, not as long as this. It was a matter of time, he will return, she assured herself.
They continued to wait and it went from days to weeks until it passed eleven months.
"Armstrong finally returned", Lilo was looking out the window when she saw her father walk through their gate, "papa!" she called and she ran down the stairs and called out to her mother, momma! papa has returned, she said holding and dragging her mother hands, come on momma. They both ran through the hallway and opened the door to see Armstrong standing there with a wide smile gracing on his beautiful face.
Papa lilo called, a tear drilling down her face, she went to hug him so tight as if he would disappear.
I miss you papa, she said.
I miss you too my little Lilo, he said holding her tight.
Mabel stood there watching the both of them with a smile, he opened his arms for his wife as she went to hug him, they had missed him as much as he missed them.
Welcome home! Mabel said, kissing him his forehead, i knew you would come back to us!
Years passed and Lilo would ask her mother the same question, momma where did father go? hoping her father was still alive not wanting to believe the incident that took place that night.
Even though Lilo's father died in front of her eyes, she always thought it was just a terrible nightmare.
Momma i had a terrible nightmare last night about papa, she would say.
And what was it about, her mother asked
It was Papa, she said
And what about your papa?
He died in my dreams, and i keep having the same nightmares momma.
You'll be fine Lilo, it's okay, it's just a nightmare.
Mabel didn't want to add more fuel to the already existing flame so she consoled her until Lilo realised that her father was really dead and she will never see him again.
Mabel was lonely and so was Lilo but she didn't want her daughter's heart to be corrupted with solitude so she consoled her, giving her hopes that her father might still be alive. He's death had affected Lilo to an extent, there were sometimes when Lilo would talk to herself like a crazy person and sometimes Lilo would cry, it pained her to see her daughter like that.
She knew he was going to die but it was too soon she didn't expect it now.
The moment she saw Armstrong at the door, she had seen it in his eyes, she knew something was wrong, something had happened to him.
She was hurt and broken but she didn't want to show it to her daughter.
However, Mabel was happy that he came home to them because that's all that matters now.
* * *
"You came back" she said with a whispered and tears dropping down her cheek.
Don't cry Mabel, everything will be fine he said wiping her tears.
No, everything will not be fine, she's taking you away from us, why don't she reconsider, she said crying.
'I tried' he said wiping away her tears, it pained him to see her cry like this but there was nothing he could do to change it.
I know! it's not your fault, she said nodding her head.
Forgive me "my love" he kissed her forehead and hugged her.
What about Lilo? she asked
She will be fine, you will have to let her go someday, he replied.
I know, she nodded and she buried her face in his chest.
Lilo who was in her room walked in her parents room.
Father! momma! what are you doing laying on the bed, come on, you promised to tell me a story, she said
Of course "my little Angel" he said and she blushed and they both went to the sitting room leaving Mabel behind.
What Lilo didn't know was that her father had limited time and he was spending the last with her.