Crash

“Breaking news tonight outside of Paris as we go live to the scene of a plane crash. No word yet on injuries but authorities suspect the plane belonged to the McCartney family. International billionaires and owners of the world’s largest pharmaceutical company.”

Ethan hadn’t any intentions on watching the news. The fact it was on was pure coincidence. He had been flipping the channels when he spotted the familiar McCartney logo... in flames...

“Oh my god...” it felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs as he fumbled for his phone.

Kellen was on his way back to London after a meeting with his father.

“No. No. No.” he repeated.

‘Are you okay?’ He sent the text but then decided he needed to call as well.

The phone rang but went straight to voicemail. “FUCK!”

He threw the phone against the wall with such force it split in two.

Panic was setting in. “Fuck. Kellen. Fuck...”

Holden was there now. Holding Evie. He didn’t remember them coming in. His mind was clouded.

That was Kellen’s plane. He was sure of it.

“Daddy!” Evie’s eyes were wide and he watched Holden pull her away as if to shield her from Ethan in case he went off.

“Sweetheart...” Ethan’s voice was shaking and his knees felt like jello but he managed to steady himself with the edge of a bookshelf.

“We’ve just got word that Kellen McCartney and Sir Archibald McCartney were both present on the plane. A search is still underway for the pair.”

“Holy shit.” Holden spoke this time.

“What’s wrong?” The 5 year old’s face was full of uncertainty as she looked between her dad and uncle.

Holden moved quicker than Ethan and managed to shut the TV off before anything else was said.

They exchanged glances.

“Elaina!” They shouted in unison for their best friend.

While they waited for her to appear Ethan reached for Evie from Holden’s arms and held her close.

“Why did the lady say papa’s name? When will papa be here?”

Questions that Ethan had no answers to. He was learning the news at the same rate as everyone else in the world.

“I don’t know sweetheart. I’m not sure. Let’s find Titi and get you ready for bed. You’ve got school in the morning.” He planted a soft kiss on the child’s forehead and gave her another comforting squeeze.

“Okay...” the tiny voice spoke with reluctance.

It didn’t take long for the news to break that both Kellen and Sir McCartney were both dead. Their bodies found crushed beneath the debris.

The reports said engine failure was the cause — it didn’t make sense to Ethan. The McCartney family were always good about maintaining their planes.

He stared at Holden’s phone in his hands as the headline jumped from the screen and smacked him in the face.

He heard shuffling and saw a half asleep Evie and messy headed Holden come into the bedroom.

“Daddy can I wear my rainbow headband to school today?” She yawned as Holden helped her onto the bed they shared.

“How about we skip school today unicorn?”

Ethan looked at Holden and knew the other could tell the news was bad. Without saying a word he turned the screen where Evie wouldn’t see the picture of her father and grandpa.

“Yeah Evie, how about we have a movie day. We will get you lots of sweeties. How is that?” Holden offered without missing a beat.

The 5 year old was oblivious to anything and at that moment the only thing Ethan wanted was to protect her from the news for as long as possible.