Aliana and Nikaila - King Long Gone by @Leia (Leia Michaels)
Aliana pulled Nikaila close, the weight of a burden she had pushed aside several times back to haunt her once more. The seconds that seemed to drag forever as her husband had gasped for air... the way her heart seemed to stop as his had continued to speed... the heat and the smells... the touch of his hand, as he feebly reached for hers one last time....
For a moment, she couldn't face her child as the helplessness and pain swept over her. Moreover, she couldn't bear that she couldn't answer the simple question: When's daddy coming home?
Artwork © Copyright 2003 Leia Michaels
Swear you should be an author, sometimes... holds back a sniff
I think Ali's expression captures her emotion pretty well. Good detail in the cloth and folds, too. I like how you're experimenting with backgrounds, also.