LAUGHTER

Chapter 6 She left

Annabelle's POV

Tears welled in my eyes."How… how did you two even remember?"I asked,my voice trembling.

Bella chuckled softly."I could never forget your birthday,my dear sister.Not after everything we've been through."

Alex smiled and lifted the cake slightly."And I remembered because one night,when you had a little too much to drink,you told me the date.I saved it on my phone's calendar.From that moment,I promised myself I'd never let it pass unnoticed."

I broke down,covering my mouth as the tears spilled freely."Thank you… thank you both,"I whispered, rushing into their arms.The three of us held each other tightly,and for the first time in a long while, I felt the warmth of true family.

We cut the cake together,laughing and feeding each other.Bella clapped her hands as Alex and I danced to the music playing faintly from his phone.

Then,just as I was about to sit down,Alex cleared his throat,his eyes glistening with a light I had never seen before.

He stepped closer,and with a shaky but determined voice,he spoke the four words that froze me in place.

"Will you marry me,my love?

I gasped,speechless.My hands trembled,and my heart pounded so loudly I thought they could hear it.Alex lowered himself onto one knee,his hands reaching for mine.

"Be the woman I see every morning when I wake up.Be my sunshine,my queen… Please,Annabelle" he pleaded,holding my hands tightly as though I were the only thing keeping him grounded.

I turned to Bella instinctively.She was smiling through tears,nodding her head in approval.That silent encouragement gave me the courage I needed.

Looking back at Alex,I gently helped him to his feet and whispered,"Yes… I will marry you."

He wrapped me in the warmest embrace,lifting me slightly off the ground as Bella cheered. That night,joy filled every corner of my heart.

Months passed quickly after the wedding.Life felt different,stable,secure,and filled with love.Yet,one morning,Bella came to me with a heaviness in her voice.

"Annabelle,"she began softly,"I have to go home. My village called… Mama is sick.I've cared for you for twenty years,but now it's time to care for her.She's old,and she needs me."

Tears threatened my eyes again,but I swallowed hard."Bella,I will let you go.You have been more than a sister,you have been a mother,a protector, my everything.I'll never stop loving you for that. Go and take care of Mama now.And don't worry, I'll come when I can."

She held my hands tightly,smiling through her own tears."That's no problem,dear. I'll take care of myself.Besides," she added with a playful glance at Alex,"I trust your husband will take good care of you."

I smiled,unable to stop the sob that broke from my chest.Hugging her tightly,I whispered,"I'll miss you, Bella."

As we held each other,tears soaking into our clothes,I realized that though our paths were separating for now,the bond we shared would never break.

Bella had given me everything,her strength,her love, her sacrifice.And as she left,I knew she carried a piece of my heart with her.