Okay, Mkcbunny prompted for a children's story, so here's mine. I would love any feedback anyone could give me, here or by pm or email. I really want to see this one published one day, so I'm open to honesty. Thanks.
HEARTPRINTS
by
Darla Paskell
Every day, Daddy comes home and calls, “Where’s my little angel?” Giggles and little footfalls disappear down the hall. “Daddy’s coming for a kiss!” he STOMP, STOMP, STOMPS down the hall. “What’s this? Angel footprints for me to follow!” The giggles grow louder, and soon Daddy has his little angel bouncing in his arms.
“Again Daddy, again!” she squirms down and races to another room.
“Daddy’s coming for a kiss!” he calls, STOMP, STOMP, STOMP. “Following angel footprints…”
Some time passes, and Daddy still comes home every day and calls, “Where’s my little angel?” Giggles come from somewhere in the house, and Daddy STOMP, STOMP, STOMPS to them. “Daddy’s coming for a kiss! Oh look, angel footprints for me to follow.” The giggles grow louder, and soon Daddy has his little angel snuggling in his arms.
“Again Daddy, again!” she shuffles to another room, and he soon follows, looking for his kiss.
Some more time passes, and Daddy still comes home every day and calls, “Where’s my little angel?” Giggles come from the nest on the couch, and Daddy STOMP, STOMP, STOMPS to them. “Daddy’s coming for a kiss, following an angel’s footprints.” He kisses the tip of her nose, and she giggles softly.
“Again Daddy, again,” she whispers. He carries her to another room, and STOMP, STOMP, STOMPS with her in his arms.
“Daddy’s coming for a kiss!” he calls, and cuddles her close.
Even more time passes, and Daddy still comes home every day and calls, “Where’s my little angel?” He STOMP, STOMP, STOMPS to her bedroom, breaking the silence with his warning, “Daddy’s coming for a kiss! Following my angel’s footprints.” He finds his little angel nestled in her bed, and kisses her gently.
“Again Daddy,” she murmurs. He goes back to the front door, and pretends he’s just getting home from work.
“Daddy’s coming for a kiss! Following my angel’s footprints.” She giggles from her room.
Even more time passes, and Daddy doesn’t come home calling for his angel. Instead, he visits her in the hospital, and asks every day, “Where’s my little angel?” He sits beside her bed and holds her tiny hand. “Following angel footprints to get my kiss.” He softly kisses her wrist, and feels the faint pulse on his lips, da dum… da dum… da dum…
One day, Daddy comes calling “Where’s my little angel?” He’s shocked to hear a giggle, and see her sitting up in her bed. “Daddy’s coming for a kiss,” he whispers, “following angel footprints.”
“No Daddy,” she says, “angel’s don’t leave footprints.” She places his hand on her chest, where he feels the strong beat, DA DUM, DA DUM, DA DUM. “They leave heartprints.”
A little more time passes, and Daddy comes home with his angel. “Here we are, my little angel.” He sets her down.
“But Daddy, I can’t be an angel. I leave footprints, see?” she points to the prints on the ground.
“Yes, you do,” he whispers, and holds her tight. “Yes… you do.”