//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: What Have I Done 
// by Timelordderpy 
//------------------------------//

It had been three hours since Chess went into the ER, but finally after all their waiting a doctor came into the room. But the news was not what they all hoped for. The doctor asks to speak to the parents alone in the hallway, so Sally waits inside the room.

In the hallway Nancy is the first to speak up,

" Well... How is she? Is Chess going to be alright?"

The doctor took off his glasses. a worried look in his eyes, aware that the news he is about to give are not what any parent wants to hear. He took a deep breath,

"Her burns weren't as bad as we had thought. Fortunately they won't leave any permanent scars. A few of her wing's feathers were burnt off but those will heal and grow back in time..."

Now for the bad news.

" However... There's a 50-50% chance of survival."

Both parents gasped in horror.

"B-but how?"

Joe asked.

" She inhaled a lot of smoke and it did some damage to her lungs. But we are not yet sure if the damage is permanent or not. All we can do is wait. I'm sorry."

With that he walks off, leaving the two parents broken-hearted. Joe pulls himself away from Nancy

"Nonono! (Sniff) This is all my fault (Hic!) How could I have been so stupid? I never should have left Chess all alone. And it was all for what... Homework! It was just one assignment. Chess is a straight A student she can afford to miss ONE little paper. And she wanted to go to that Wonderbolts show so much. But I didn't let her. I made her stay home by herself. All because of one STUPID paper. (Sniff)(Hic)."

Joe sits down in a chair in the hallway face buried in his hands and tears streaming down his face. Nancy started crying even more than before she just can't bear seeing husband like this.

"I am a horrible father."

Her eyes shot open at hearing those words.

Horrible Father.

No it's not true, Joe is a great father he just makes a few mistakes but who doesn't. Nancy stood up from her seat she's not going to hear her husband tear himself up any longer. She walks right in front of Joe, looks him in the eyes and says.

"Now you stop right there mister! I refuse to hear anymore of this. You are an amazing father and no one can say otherwise. Not even yourself. You have a big heart and an incredible mind. You care about all of us and always go beyond your limits to make sure we're safe and happy. You've taught our girls so much and worked hard to make sure they achieve greatness. But you do tend to push them a little too hard. And that's OK it happens to a lot of fathers that want their daughters to be happy in life. Then they learn from their mistakes and always find a way to make things right. You've made a lot of mistakes because you want Chess to be perfect but no one's ever perfect. I know you understand that now."

She bent down and cupped his cheek

" And I know you'll find a way to make things right with Chess. I also know that she'll be so happy to see that you're trying and could never stay mad at you. (giggle) Because if I know my daughter."

Using her thumb to wipe away his tears

" Is that she will always count on her father to be there for her."

Joe smiles, wiping away the rest of his tears and pulling Nancy into the biggest hug ever says

"Thank you Nancy that's just what I needed to hear(Sniffle) Thank you."