Text copyright © Kaddy™ 2014

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[A/N: Songs for the chapter:
- Mayday Parade // Terrible Things
- Taylor Swift // The Best Day
- Taylor Swift // Never Grow Up]

It was supposed to be the best birthday ever.

Daddy had planned our trip to Disneyland so thoroughly; claiming that his little princess would only turn ten once as he persistently ignored Mommy's feigned sighs.

He poked his tongue out at her, sneering because she had to work and couldn't join us on our magical trip. I wrapped my arms around Daddy, giggling hysterically whilst my parents were engrossed in their art of bickering constantly - always a pleasure to watch.

That night, I didn't catch a wink a sleep. I lay awake, tossing and turning with excitement, staring at my personalised Disney princess calendar as I prepped myself to cross out the final date: my birthday.

I woke up at five in the morning, quickly wolfing down a plateful of pancakes with my parents before washing it down with my all time favourite hot chocolate. Once I was ready, I waited in the hallway with Mommy whilst we waited for Daddy to bring our suitcase downstairs. Opening the front door, I let a pale, peach glow spill into the hallway before shielding my eyes from the rising sun.

"Hurry up Daddy! I want to meet Mickey Mouse and Cinderella!"

A deep rumbling laughter filled the hallway as Daddy tossed our suitcase down, earning a brisk yell from Mommy when it crashed to a halt at the foot of the stairs. He sloped down the stairs with the clanging tune of his rattling car keys.

"Easy there tiger!" He ruffled my chestnut curls as he squeezed past me onto the porch.

Peeking up at Mommy, I grinned at her dazed smile as her eyes followed Daddy to his car. She beamed at him with an all too familiar affectionate, loving and grateful smile that they often exchanged - that was the last time I ever saw Mom smile the same carefree grin she only let slip around Daddy. It was a special smile that only he could induce.

I tugged the hem of her nightdress, trying my hardest to get her attention.

"Yes honey?" She reluctantly tore her gleaming, pale blue eyes from her husband and gazed down at me.

As she crouched down, I pecked her cheek before letting her arms engulf me into a bear hug.

"Enjoy your weekend and look after your daddy. Sometimes he forgets that he's a grown man."

"I heard that! Ashley-bear tell your Mommy to stop being a meanie!"

Glancing at the towering man's approaching face, I let out a soft giggle when he flashed Mommy a mocking frown. A breeze softer than a feather's kiss made Daddy's shirt ripple as his chestnut curls shifted upon his forehead. The sunlight was directly behind him, highlighting each lock with a blinding light that made me shield my eyes.

"We're not kids anymore Jeremy."

Mommy received a mischievous grin in response to that.

"No, no, Jeremy stay away from me!" She squealed as Daddy dug his fingers into her side, his chest rumbling with a deep laughter whilst he buried his face into her pale blonde hair.

Whilst attacking Mommy, his honey gold eyes peeked up from the mess of her blonde hair and met mine with a wink.

"Your turn Ashley-bear!"

I screeched when warm hands grazed my neck and my sides.

"Stop ticking m-me!" I gasped breathlessly as I was hoisted from the ground and onto Daddy's shoulder, still a victim of his monstrous fingers.

"Jeremy, give her a break!" Another voice interjected my desperate squeals.

Tearing up and struggling to draw a breath, I flashed Mommy a pleading glance before shutting my eyes and snorting hysterically.

"That's enough," Mommy pried me away from Daddy and shot him a stern look.

A constipated look was followed with crossed golden eyes, making Mommy's pale blue ones melt as she held a hand to her mouth to prevent herself from laughing; but I starting giggling when Daddy peered at her from underneath his dark lashes with a sheepish smile.

"Aww lighten up Diane. It's Ashley's birthday!"

Mommy's resolve weakened when she was pulled into a bone-crushing embrace.

"We're not even thirty, yet you want us to act like old people," Daddy murmured in her hair.

Pulling away, he cupped her cheeks and stooped down a couple of inches until he was at an eye-level with her. All traces of playfulness were replaced by a serious look.

"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?"

Tearing her gaze from his, Mommy's eyes met mine with a smile before she nodded.

She looked at him with soft eyes. "Don't worry about me. Just enjoy yourselves."

If I had seen it coming I would've prepared myself but when his lips met hers I let out a shriek. Startled, they jerked back with sheepish smiles.

"That's gross Daddy!" I shielded my eyes as the image was forever etched into my mind.

"Oh don't be silly Ash! You'll have to put up with Tyler's kisses. I mean, the kid adores you and you obviously like him back and-"

Mommy silenced Daddy's taunts as my cheeks flushed. The mention of my best friend's twin brother made my cheeks flare up. I mentally slapped myself for even showing my parent's the Valentine's card he gave me seven months ago because now Daddy teased me endlessly whenever Taylor and Tyler Miller came over to play.

"Okay let's hit the road kiddo," He clapped his hands together and reluctantly untangled his arms from Mommy's waist.

Taking my hand in his, he led me to car humming softly under his breath. Just before he opened the passenger door for me, Daddy crouched down and cocked his head to the left as he stared at me affectionately.

"Wanna know a secret about being in love kiddo?"

I peered at the moss green ring around his iris, getting sucked into those molten gold lava pools before shaking my head fiercely in disgust.

"Love is for loooosers!"

"There's still much for you to learn," He laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder and before standing up to his full height. "There's really never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment..."

When he trailed off, his gaze flickered to Mommy who was dabbing her teary eyes and the goofy, wistful grin that stretched across his lips made me fake gag. Unable to make sense of his words, I repeated the words in my mind and still hit a blank wall.

Staring at him in confusion, I blinked once, then twice.

"Huh?"

"Never mind Ashley-bear," He let me climb into the passenger seat and then fastened my seat belt for me.

Winding down the window, I glanced up at the wispy purple-streaked, peach clouds, allowing the morning light warm my face. A daunting yet elated feeling of anticipation and excitement made me catch my breath as it dawned upon me again.

I was going to Disneyland! After all these year we could finally afford the trip of my dreams!

Just as the engine came alive Mommy padded towards the car and leaned through my window, making sure that my seat belt was properly intact before planting a final kiss on my cheek. Darting over to Daddy's window, she fussed excessively, bombarding us with questions. She tugged at his seat belt and exhaled with relief.

"Ashley, make sure your father keeps his seat belt on and his eyes on the road. We both know how he tends to start daydreaming at any given moment."

I laughed when those molten eyes met mine, crossed together with amusement.

"Diane, stop worrying we'll be perfectly fine. It's only a six hour drive," Daddy complained as Mommy fixed his hair through his car window.

"Only? How can I not worry when you have the mental capabilities of a teenager. You're reckless Jem," She paused and rubbed the crease between her brows until it disappeared. "Just remember to stay safe and make sure that Ashley eats everything in her packed lunch. Call me when you guys check into the hotel. Okay?"

"Okay Mom," Daddy imitated her anxious tone as she gave him one last lingering kiss.

"I love you Jeremy."

"Gross!" I interjected, looking away as Daddy traced his thumb over her cheek.

"I love you too Diane."

They were doing that gooey 'staring at each other in silence' thing again and it was irking me out.

Backing away, pale blue eyes met my golden ones. Taking a final glance at her dishevelled appearance, I committed my mommy to memory when she ran a hand through the blonde hair, sweeping it past her shoulders exactly the way Daddy liked.

"Look after yourself and your father. I love you Ashley."

"I love you too Mommy."

And with that, Daddy peeled out of the driveway, shooting her a wink as she yelled after the car.

"Drive safely Jeremy! Ashley, make sure you eat all the fruits in your packed lunch!"

We could still faintly hear her yelling as we turned the corner, laughing at her disappearing reflection in the rear-view mirror. Letting the breeze comb through my curls, I fumbled with the radio, trying to remember the correct station for Radio Disney.

After spending hours singing at the top of my lungs to the radio, I complained about needing the toilet so we made a stop at the closest gas station. Daddy waited in the store whilst I disappeared into the boxy bathroom. Once I emerged back feeling relieved, I caught a glimpse of a pair of glassy brown eyes watching me. I approached the toys section of the store and reached my arm out to grab the unblinking teddy bear.

Wow, I thought to myself as the snow white fur glided between my fingers. I traced it's pink ears and the outline of its easy grin that made me feel instantly at home. I turned the price tag over and gasped. Daddy definitely couldn't afford to waste about fifty bucks on a teddy bear, even if it was that amazing. I had heard Mommy complaining about the fortune that Disneyland was costing us.

I was perfectly aware that we weren't that well off compared to my best friend Taylor Miller. Her parents were lawyers who worked alongside the Supreme Court so the Millers were mega rich and their house was a palace compared to our cosy, two bedroom house.

"You want that teddy, kiddo?" Daddy asked from behind.

His voice made me jump and I quickly put the teddy down and shook my head, reluctantly dragging my eyes from its sleek fur. He arched an eyebrow but said nothing more as we returned to the car. As I opened the passenger door, I inhaled sharply as I stared at the furry white bear sitting in my seat.

"Daddy? What..." I choked, wide eyed with astonishment. "But how? How'd you know?"

My mouth hung open as I picked up the very same teddy bear I had seen in the store. I sat down and hugged my new furry friend.

"Happy birthday princess. Your daddy knows you a lot better than you think," He chuckled with a wink as he fastened my seat belt.

I exhaled heavily in awe as he hopped into his seat, fastened his seat belt and we set off again, hitting the highway and singing our favourite tunes.

"I love you Daddy," I grinned at him.

He ruffled my hair, his smiling eyes meeting mine with a wink.

"I love you more Ashley-bear."

I named my new friend Snowy, stroking the stark white fur in a comforting motion. A calm feeling spread through me as I leaned back into my seat and hummed along with the radio. Sparing me a glance, Daddy's eyes beamed with their usual sparkle and I couldn't help but feel happy at the affectionate smile that spread across his lips. Even as my hair flapped against my cheeks, I still held my his gaze as I was about to whisper my thanks.

Only I never got the chance because it was drowned out by a blaring horn. My lips were still moving, working soundlessly, yet all I could hear was the monotonous horn and my name.

Watching Daddy's eyes bulge out of their sockets, my eyes travelled to his mouth. Wondering what he was saying, I noticed his face scrunch up with agony as his voice finally reached my ears above the deafening horn.

"ASHLLEEEEEEYYYY!"

We had no time to react. No time to think. It just happened, unrehearsed and unexpected, a warning horn - a warning too late.

Only when the car began to somersault in the air did I start to scream, releasing Snowy as glass rained down upon us. The seat belt dug into my chest, cutting off my cries as we tumbled like clothes in a washing machine - twisting and turning in the air. The blaring horn continued, almost as loud as the blood rushing to my head. Suddenly my body jerked forward and my skull careered through the windscreen; jagged glass engraved multiple wounds into my head as I jerked violently back into the passenger seat. The blaring horn continued for several more seconds before it came to a halt.

Then all was silent.

Panic began to clog up my throat, restricting my breathing as blackness invaded my vision. It wasn't until I remembered that my eyelids were shut that I breathed a sigh of relief. They fluttered open at their own will, scanning the damage before realising that we had landed upside down.

Everything in my line of vision had a flickering orange tint to it.

Suddenly, I grew accustomed to what had just happened, stealing a glance to my left as my mind fought through the haziness. A piercing scream evaded my throat, breaking free as if it had been chained to my throat for a millennium.

"DAAAADDDDDDYYYYYYYY!" I screamed, fumbling with my seat belt, completely forgetting that we were upside down.

It clicked open after withstanding great resistance and I plummeted in the direction of gravity, my head slamming against the roof with excruciating pain. My vision blackened before returning; everything was blurred.

"DADDY, WAKE UP!"

I scrambled towards his unconscious body; inhaling sharply at the entire left side of his body which was crushed into smithereens. I retched at the sight of his limbs twisted within the car door - there was no end to where the metal started and flesh ended. It was a merging horror of red - dark, dark red.

An increasing tickle of heat made me squirm uncomfortable as I scrambled towards my daddy. By this stage, the entire car was lit up in a peculiar orange light as if we were in the midst of a volcano.

I spun around and another shrill scream leapt from my lips. Flames were licking the backseats of the car, climbing down the windows to get to us. Their ferocious claws were destroying everything in their path, devouring the leather seats as they clawed their way towards us.

"DADDY! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"

I opened my mouth to scream again but thick black smoke clawed its way into my lungs making me choke. Scalding tears streamed down my face and I swiped at them furiously, leaning over to unfasten Daddy's seat belt.

It was no good.

His entire left side, including the seat belt, was crushed into the car to such a degree that I turned my head to side, retched violently again and sobbed.

How was I supposed to get him out?

"SOMEBODY CALL NINE-ONE-ONE!" I heard faintly from outside the car.

The distant screams from outside failed to conceal the explosive grunts of the engine that made me jump into action. I scrambled out of the passenger window, wincing when the shattered glass bedded itself into my skin, leaving a trail of red behind. Glancing around for something sharp, I barely had time to acknowledge the masses of people watching me in horror, including the drunken lorry driver whose protruding belly was peeking out of his beer stained vest. His eyes were wide with horror, now sober and bulging at the sight of his vehicle wearing a large indent where it had hit our car.

"Oh my god, she's alive!" A female voice screamed.

I picked up a large shard of broken glass and scrambled back into the car, blinded by the clouds of black smoke. I could no longer see; my eyes were burning, crying tears of red as I felt around for Daddy's seat belt, stabbing at it continuously with the sharp glass.

"SHE'S GONE BACK IN! SOMEBODY GET HER OUT!" Somebody else cried from outside.

The seat belt was still jammed but I tried my hardest to cut it in order to free Daddy. The heat from the flames made me want to retreat away from the burning car as they began to lick his arms but I tightened my hold on the glass and worked faster. Blood rained down my palms but I only yelled in frustration as I tried to cut through the final fibres keeping the seat belt intact.

"Come on, come on, come on," I repeated in a whimper before screeching in pain as the flames jumped onto my bare arms, dancing up and down like a fast-paced tango.

I jumped, released the shard of glass in my hand and backed away, watching in horror as the flames licked every inch of Daddy, engulfing him alive.

"DADDY! DADDY! NO! P-PLEASE NO!"

I crumpled into a heap at the foot of the passenger seat, shoving Snowy out of my way as she watched my face crumple. Helplessly, I watched my beloved father disappear behind flashes of red, orange and yellow. I listened to the crackling flames, shuddering whenever the engine grunted explosively, ignoring the nearing sirens that skidded to a halt a few feet away.

"Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy," I repeated over and over again, attempting to reach into the scorching flames to grip his hand.

I wanted to hold his hand and look after him. I wanted to tell him everything was going to be okay even though it wasn't going to be.

"Daddy, we're going to Disneyland remember? Please...Please come out!" I whispered hoarsely, deluding myself into thinking that he'd hear me this one final time.

By now the entire car was a furnace as the flames crept out of the windows and crept along the exterior. The blistering heat made me flinch but I was frozen - frozen in place, frozen in time, frozen in a nightmare.

Suddenly, a hand curled around my ankle; pulling me away from the fire, pulling me away from the car and pulling me away from my daddy.

"Let me go!" I thrashed about, my limbs attacking the fire-fighter as he gently handed me to a paramedic.

"Shh, don't worry little girl," She said soothingly, her kind brown eyes entering my line of vision.

"You have to save my Daddy! You have to!"

She began to embark on the excruciating journey to the ambulance, racing me to her team.

"DAADDDDDYYYYYYYY!" I let out one last heart-wrenching scream before I finally gave in and let them take me away from him.

Just as they lowered me into the back of the ambulance, a voice pierced through my thoughts, clearing away the delirium that was manifesting my mind. I shut my eyes, trying to control my convulsive sobs as she repeated herself over and over and over again.

Pale blue eyes flitted across my mind, whispering the same phrase over and over and over again.

"Look after your daddy."

Hanging my head in shame, I watched the doors close in on me as the sirens blared overhead. Glancing up at the paramedic's kind brown eyes, she held my hand as her colleagues poked and prodded at me, inducing excruciating pain that made me sob harder. Overhead the continuous blare of the sirens made me grip my blood-soaked curls and belt out a heart-wrenching shriek.

"Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop!"

Her brown eyes widened a fraction, burning with intense sympathy as the sirens continued blaring.

In a broken voice, I whimpered, "Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop."

The sirens never stopped blaring.

"Please, make it stop."