Life with the ex-bad neighbor

Chapter seventeen - Where is daddy?

Emma's POV:

Mia is almost one year old. We'll have her birthday at my parents' house. I still live there. I wanted to move out like three months ago. My parents didn't let me. I know that they love their granddaughter. Well, I can't live with them forever. I will move out, but I don't know when. It's not like they will let me. I appreciate their help and support. It will be hard for me, but I know I have to do it. My mom moved out with my dad when she was pregnant with me. To be honest, I think that she did it because granny didn't like dad. Luckily, I don't have such problems. My parents liked Vince. I wish that he was here. Things were going to be easier. Also, he would play with Mia every day. Well, apart from the fact that he had to go to work. I don't think that Vince was going to do it. His whole attention would have been on Mia. I'm sure she was going to love it. The same is for me. He was with me all the time. Mostly because of Ricky. I'm happy that he is in jail. I have to say that I went to court, and his parents too. All of us were against him. Surprisingly, he admitted everything. I don't understand how he can be proud of that. My daughter doesn't have a father, and he is happy about that. I'm afraid that he might find a way to escape. If this happens, then I am in danger. Even if I move with my parents again, I don't think this will help me. I hope that nothing of this will happen. If he does something to Mia, I will kill him.

I woke up and checked Mia. She was sleeping in her bed. Today is her birthday, and I plan to bake a cake. She is only one year old, so I won't do many things. After all, she still doesn't understand most of the things around her. Well, I have to say that she learned to talk like two months ago. Also, Mia is walking. Most of the time, with someone by her side, but she tries to do it by herself. Let's say that it's hard for her to find the balance. I'm sure that soon she will be running around the house. The question is who will chase her.

I left Mia to sleep and walked downstairs. Mom was making breakfast. As I see, we'll eat pancakes. My mom makes them only when she has free time, or it's a celebration. I told her that I would do the rest. I know that this is her house, but I grew up here. Also, I won't leave her to do everything alone. Just because I have a kid, this doesn't mean I won't help her. The other reason is that I like spending time with her. During my teenage years, we argued a lot, so I want to make up for that lost time.

- Where is my birthday girl? - mom asked

- Sleeping in her bed. You can go and see if you want.

- I would love to.

Mom went to check on Mia, and I finished the rest of the pancakes. Soon dad came and sat at the table. I know men are hungry all the time, but he has to wait. When the last pancake was ready, I served all of them. Mom came with Mia and sat at the table. I see that she has dressed her.

- Here is my birthday girl.

- What is a birthday? - Mia asked

- This is the day when you are born. It's every year.

- Can I play?

- Yes, but after breakfast. We have pancakes.

Mia had never eaten pancakes before. When she was little, she needed soft food, especially before her teeth grow. Lately, I started giving her everything. Of course, the test is the most important. Let's say that she didn't like every food which she tried. Most kids are like that. I was the same. Now, I eat everything.

- Do you like it?

- It's tasty but hot.

- You have to wait for it to cool down. Otherwise, you will burn your tongue.

- How long do I have to wait? I am hungry.

- I'll give you one from the bottom. - mom said

After breakfast, I went to play with Mia. Dad made a swing for her in the backyard. That is probably her favorite thing in the house. I didn't buy her many toys because I was sure that she wouldn't play with all of them. It turned out that I was right. When she grows up, I can buy her more. I know some people like to spoil their kids, but I don't want to be one of them. Mia needs to know what a no means. She can't have everything that she wants.

For lunch, miss and mister Gray came. Also, I invited miss and mister Campbell. No matter that they are not related to Mia, both of them love spending time with her.

- How is my birthday girl? - miss Gray asked

- She is good. I made the mistake of telling her that there would be a cake. Now, she got excited.

- What do you expect? She is a kid.

- I know. Let's sit at the table. The lunch is almost ready.

- Can I take her? - miss Campbell asked

- Why are you even asking?

Whenever she is holding her, there are tears in her eyes. I know that she still feels guilty. No matter what I do, I will never help her to get rid of this feeling. All of us sat at the table. At least Mia is happy. With so much attention, who wouldn't be? I sat next to mom and started eating. The food was delicious.

- Mom, the food is delicious.

- I'm glad that you like it.

- It looks someone else is hungry too. - miss Gray said, looking at Mia

- At least she likes the food.

- Where is my cake? - Mia asked

- Soon, you will have it.

When everyone finished with the main meal, mom put the case on the table. Mia licked her lips, which made me laugh. I will never understand why kids love chocolate so much. I was the same, but with candies. If they weren't chocolate, I wouldn't eat them. Yesterday, I bought a candle. Dad put it on the cake and lit it up.

- Mommy.

- Yes.

- Where is daddy? Why is he not here?

That is the last thing that I expected. I still haven't thought about what I will tell Mia. Then an idea came to me. She is only one year old, and I won't tell her straight away. When she grows up, I will tell her everything.

- If you want, we can tell her. - mom said

- Don't worry. I got this.

- Where is he? - she asked again

- I want you to listen to me carefully. That is a secret, and only the people in this room know about it.

- Ok, I won't tell anyone.

- Do you know where the moon is?

- In the sky.

- That's right. Your dad is on a secret mission there. He had to go urgently and couldn't come for your birthday. No one knows when the mission will end. You have to be patient. One day, he will come back.

- How long do I have to wait?

- I don't know.

- Ok.

- Now make a wish and blow the candle.

- I want daddy to come home faster. - she said and blew it

I felt tears in my eyes but blinked a couple of times to make them go away. I know she is only a kid, but Mia deserves to know where Vince is. Not now. When the right time comes, I will tell her everything. I didn't say anything else and pulled her for a hug. A couple of tears fell.

- Mommy, are you ok?

- Yes, I'm fine. Let's cut you a piece of cake.

- I want the biggest one.

- Ok, you can have it.

I cut her one piece, and before I could give her a fork, she started eating with her fingers. Everyone started laughing. I can clean her, but I will leave her to eat. I will bathe her later. Surprisingly, she ate the whole piece. I don't know where she put so much chocolate. Mom wanted to cut Mia another one, but I didn't let her. She ate enough.

- Mommy, my tummy is full.

- This means that you need to stop eating.

- What about dinner?

- Until then, you will be fine. Do you want to take a nap?

- Yes, but with you.

- Ok, come here.

For some reason, Mia loves to fall asleep in my arms. Well, I love it when she does this. After all, she is my baby. I love her so much, and I know that Vince does too. I mean, even if he is not here with us. Mia quickly fell asleep. Whenever I look at her, I think of Vince. She is like a mini version of him. Exactly what I wanted. Moreover, she is the only good thing that left me. I love her more than anything.

- She sleeps cute. - miss Campbell said

- I know. Just like her dad. - I said and broke down

- Emma. - mom said and gave me a tight hug

- He was supposed to be here.

- Vince is here. He has never left.

- This is not enough. I want him here.

- Emma, you have to be strong. Do it for Mia.

- It's not easy.

- Do you want her to keep asking why you are upset? Kids have emotions too. If you are upset, she will be too.

What I didn't realize was that Mia was awake. I guess that she didn't sleep that much. She didn't say anything and gave me a tight hug. I love her so much. She has no idea how much this means to me. I held her as tight as I could. That is like a pain reliever for me. I'm so happy that I didn't give up on her.

- Now you know what we mean. - mom said

- I do. Thank you.

- Mommy, can we swing

- Yes.

- But I want you to do it with me.

- No problem.

- Can we eat cake for dinner?

- Sure, but first, you have to eat the main meal.

- Ok. Let's go now.

- Can we come? - dad said

- Sure. Mia, will you let grandpa come with us?

- Yes, all of them.

Mia makes me miss my childhood. She is living a happy life. I wish that I was like her. Well, my time for this passed a couple of years ago. Now I have other responsibilities.

- She is one happy kid. - miss Gray said

- It's better like that. - dad said

- I know. One day she will find out what reality feels like.

- Let's hope she won't have the same problems as Emma and Vince.

- Well, Ricky is not here.

- True, but no one knows what might happen.

- I think that she will be fine.

- Granny, come and swing with me. - Mia said

- Which one? - I asked

- All of them.

- I'll teach her to count one day.

- She said all of them. Let's make her wish come true. - mom said

The rest of the day, everyone was at home. I made dinner while everyone was playing with Mia. She was on the moon. I mean, who wouldn't like so much attention? It was her day today. Maybe Vince wasn't here personally, but I know he was with us. I don't know why, but I have the feeling that he will come back. It could be an illusion, but it gives me some hope. He might not be alive, but his soul is. I will always love Vince. He was the only one with who I wanted to be. Now he is gone, and I don't plan to date anyone else. I love you, Vince. I hope we can see each other again, even if it's not in this world.