Chapter 1: New beginnings
1339 Words
Seraphina and her little daughter Maternae were getting ready to leave Woodstock, their quiet countryside home in Vermont for the bustling city of San Francisco. Her parents, Alvira and Andrew, had spent the morning helping her pack. As soon as they were done, the family drove together to Burlington International Airport.
“Mom”, Seraphina called gently, squeezing her mother’s hand, “we’ll find time to visit you and Dad I promise”.
Alvira who was already on the verge of tears wiped her eyes and nodded weakly. “I know you will, but I will miss you and my granddaughter so much”.
“Seraphina, if city life gets too tough for you to handle, know that you can always come back”, Andrew, her father said, trying to remain tough.
“I know, Father”, Seraphina replied, managing a small smile.
Maternae who was quiet the whole time suddenly wrapped her tiny arms around her grandmother’s legs. “Don’t worry, Nana. I’ll take care of mommy so you don’t have to worry”, she said sweetly.
Alvira picked her up and kissed her plump cheeks. “My little pumpkin, I’ll miss you so much”.
“I’ll miss you too, Grandma. Mommy and I will visit when we have time. Stop crying okay?”, she said, wiping her grandma’s tears with her small hands.
Alvira quickly rummaged in her bag and brought out a bucket hat. “Here pumpkin, I got this for you”.
Maternae put it on and smiled. “Thanks, Nana! I love it already”, she said and kissed her cheek.
“Let me hold my granddaughter before she leaves”, Andrew said, holding out his arms. Maternae opened her small arms, ready to be carried by her grandfather.
“My sweet girl”, he said hugging her close, “Grandpa will miss you so much”.
She hugged him tightly. “I’ll miss you too Grandpa”.
“Promise me you’ll look after mommy and always listen to her”.
She nodded. “Yes, Grandpa I will”.
He booped her small nose and she giggled. “Good. That’s my little pumpkin”.
A female voice on the intercom suddenly chimed. ‘PASSENGERS TRAVELING TO SAN FRANCISCO, PLEASE PROCEED TO BOARDING’.
“That’s our cue to leave now”, Seraphina said with teary eyes. They hugged each other one last time with tears streaming down their faces before Seraphina took her daughter’s hand and walked towards the gate.
When the plane finally touched down at San Francisco’s International Airport, Maternae’s mouth opened in awe. The glass walls of the terminal showed the breathtaking view of the city, with its tall skyscrapers that reached into the sky.
“Wow, Mommy, this place is really huge and beautiful”, Maternae said.
“Of course, my love. San Francisco is everything they say it is, and more”.
Her phone buzzed. “Hey, Mark”, she answered.
“Hey, Seraphina. You’re at the airport now right?”
“Yes, we just landed”.
“I’ll be running a bit late to come pick you up. Please bear with me”.
“Of course, no problem. Maternae and I will just have a look around pending your arrival”.
“Oh great, see you soon then”.
Mark and Seraphina were distant cousins who had grown up together back in Vermont. But as soon as he finished high school, he left for the city with his parents where he furthered his studies. For Seraphina, this move was a step to giving her daughter a better future.
“Sweetheart, are you hungry?” she asked
“Yes, mommy”.
“Okay, let’s get you something to eat”.
They sat down and ordered for a simple meal at the airport’s cafeteria. While they ate, Seraphina’s chest tightened as Maternae pushed her broccoli to the side of the plate. Her daughter’s eating pattern reminded her of the child’s father, Anthony—they had the same eating pattern and hated vegetables. The man who once owned her heart. The same man she had nearly died saving after giving a part of herself to him.
Sometimes, she wonders; would he have still abandoned her if he’d known she was pregnant? Or would he have stayed even just for the child’s sake? She blinked rapidly, but the hurt she felt still brought tears to her eyes.
“Mommy, are you crying?”, Maternae mumbled through a mouthful of food.
“Crying…what…know”, she said forcing a smile. I just…something just entered mommy’s eyes”.
She tilted her head. “You don’t have to lie to me, mommy. You miss Nana and grandpa don’t you?”
Seraphina was relieved her daughter had that thought. “Yes baby, mommy already misses Nana and grandpa”.
“Me too”, she said feeling sad.
“Don’t feel too sad okay? If we miss them too much we can always go back”.
She beamed, “Okay, mommy”.
Seraphina kissed her forehead. “Now finish your food before it gets cold”.
While they were still eating, Maternae spotted Mark up ahead.
She tapped her mother and pointed in his direction. “Hey, mommy, look… It's Uncle Mark!”, she said excitedly. She got down from her chair and ran to him, hugging his legs.
“My cute Maternae”, Mark said picking her up with a smile, “you’ve grown so much since the last time I saw you”.
“Yes. I’m a big girl now”.
“Of course you are”. Then he turned to Seraphina. “Hey, Seraphina”, he hugged her warmly and pecked her cheek. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to urgently deliver a painting to a client”.
She smiled. “You don’t have to be sorry, Mark I understand”.
He brought a hand to his chest. “Phew…I’m forgiven”, he said and set Maternae on her chair.
“Alright, please help me look after her while I go check if our luggage put in cargo has arrived”.
“Yeah sure, no problem”.
Seraphina bent down and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Sweetheart, mommy will be back soon. Stay put and listen to Uncle okay?”
“Yes, mommy”.
While Seraphina went ahead to sort out their luggage, Maternae swung her feet and engaged Mark in a discussion.
“Uncle Mark, your hair looks really nice”.
“Thanks sweetie, I love your hair too”.
“You mean you like my two ponytails?”
“Yes, it looks good”.
She wrinkled her nose. “It looks childish. I just let my Nana style it that way because she thinks it’s cute”.
Mark stifled a laugh. He knew Maternae was not like every other kid. Sometimes she says things too big for her age.
“Well, how would you like your hair to be styled next time?”
Her eyes lit up. “I like bouncy curls”.
“Wow! That’s a fantastic choice. We’ll do that next time for you if your mommy permits it okay?”
“Okay”.
Maternae grinned and reached for her hamster backpack, unzipping it and pulling out a black face mask which she slipped on. “Uncle Mark, I look like a ninja now right?”, she asked, putting on her bucket hat again.
Mark chuckled lightly. “Yes. The cutest ninja I’ve ever seen”.
She giggled, and almost immediately, his phone rang.
“Hold on, sweetie, let me quickly take this call”. He stepped aside, answering quickly.
When he got back minutes later, he froze.
The chair was empty.
Maternae was gone.
- Writer
