HIS REPLACEMENT BRIDE

LOOSING UP.

ARIANA'S POV.

It had been one week since the wedding, a whole full week and I hadn't seen my husband since then. I packed Zikorah's hair into a high ponytail as I pulled it back with a little gel. Today she had sports and was wearing her cute sportswear.

She did a lot of extra co-curricular activities for a five year old and I was definitely so proud of her.

“Mummy, did you pack my lunch box?” She asks as soon as I'm done with her hair, I reply with a nod as she smiles. “When will daddy be back? I miss him super much!” She exclaims as we walk down the stairs, I nod as I take my phone to type my reply; I don't know baby, I guess he'll be back soon. She nods, as we settle down for breakfast, “Mummy will you come pick me up today?” She asks and I nod pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. After breakfast I joined her in the car as the driver drove us down to her school. I kissed her forehead as she waved before getting down and joining the other kids entering the school.

I got back home as I wandered about, I had a few hours before I went to pick Zikorah up from school and there was nothing for me to do right now. I picked up my iPad as I called my brother, his face filled my screen as he accepted the face time. I smiled as I waved, “Hello chipmunk,” he said as I rolled my eyes. How is my nephew? I signed as I got comfortable “He's with his mum,” he replied and I smiled. I wish I could come over, I signed making him frown, “you're married now Ariana” he says. I know, I replied, He hasn't come home since that night, I understood that he doesn't want me but he should have at least called. I added, “I understand you Ariana, he'll loosen up to you soon so don't worry okay?” He says I hope so, he really loved Nera, I signed. I can still feel her all over the house, like small plants around the house kind of thing. I added, “Everyone ends up loving you Ari, it's like your goodluck charm” he says making me grin. This is exactly why I love you, you always make me feel better, I signed and he touched his chest. “I'm flattered,” he says making me laugh, “I miss hearing your voice” he says and I pause, “You used to bug me a lot with it, I wish the accident never happened” he says and I swallowed.

My accident had always been a very sensitive topic for me, it was my fault anyways. If I had listened to my dad about not going to the party maybe I'd still be able to use my voice, “Don't start overthinking Ari. Tasha told me about your nightmares so don't think about it, nothing is your fault” he says and I nod blinking back my tears.

“I'll hang up now, talk to you some other time” he says and I wave before he hangs up. I drop my pad on the bedside table as I lay down to sleep a bit, I'd go pick Zikorah once I wake up.

♡

I pack my hair as I add finishing touches to my outfit. I walked out of the room satisfied with what I wore before stepping out the house. Immediately the car rolled to a stop and I got out. Zikorah came running, “Mummy, you're here! You're here!” She squealed as I crouched before she crashed into my arms. Zikorah would always be so important to me even if her father didn't want me. I pulled away kissing her forehead, how was school? I showed her my phone. “Oh mummy I got picked for a recital!” She says excitement coating her words. “That's so nice baby,” I whispered softly as she nodded, “Mummy look! Kelly's mum let's go say hi” she says before pulling me towards her friend and her mother. “Hello Mrs Jones, look it's my mummy” Zikorah says as I give a polite smile to the lady who stood in front of us, she returned it. “Oh, it's so nice to meet you Zikorah has been telling Kelly a lot about you” she says and I smile before typing on my phone. You're too kind, your daughter is so lovely, I can't wait to have them over during the weekends. She nods, “I can't wait to bring her over either, Mr Orello had done a great job with Zizi,” she says “I'm sure she's happy to have a mother figure now” she adds and I nod. “I love mummy so much!” Zikorah says and I melt, I love you too. I signed and she beams, “Oh we usually hang out too, like a dinner or lunch date with the other girls' mothers ” Mrs Jones says and I nod, “You could join us for the next one” she adds. I type in my phone; I'd love too here's my number, before showing her. “I'm sure they'll love you, bye.” She says and I nod before waving at her and her daughter.

“See I told you mummy, my friends love you” she says as we enter the car. I smile, “Mummy can you talk to daddy? He never comes to my recitals” she says kneeling on the seat as she leans into my arms, I nod as I speak “Of course baby” I inhale sharply after that as my throat starts to itch. “Mummy!” She exclaims covering my mouth, making me frown, “Mummy you have to promise me something” she says and I nod. “You'll never use your voice, it hurts when you do that, remember?” She asks and I nod, “Promise you'll use it only if needed” she says and I smile before linking my pinky with hers.

“I also promise to learn my signs fast so I can understand you,” she says and I pull her for a hug.

We got home shortly after, I helped Zikorah out of her school clothes then we had a little snack and now we were watching a cartoon, Frozen and Zikorah? She knew every lyric and pause. I stood up to go check what they were doing in the kitchen. The head maid Clarissa had a deaf son so she understood my signs perfectly. I was about to leave the kitchen when I heard Zikorah's shriek, I froze and my eyes widened as I rushed out. I stopped seeing her in Nicolai's arms, she was giggling as he ticked her. ”Daddy stop! Stop daddy I'm gonna get hiccups!” She exclaims thrashing about in his arms, I stare at them with a smile, so he had such a soft side to him. Slowly her laughter died down as she hugged his neck, “I missed you so much daddy,” she said “I missed you too my darling princess and guess what?” He asked and she was already bouncing in his arms, “show me! Show me!” She exclaims as he chuckled. “Easy princess, slow and steady” he says and she nods, he kisses her cheek as she smiles, “Mummy! Look daddy's home” she says as he finally raises his eyes to look at me, my heart starts thumping in my chest as his eyes meet mine. Welcome home, I signed and he nodded, he was about to place Zikorah on her feet when she exclaimed. “WAIT!” We all paused before looking at her, “daddy you didn't give mummy her own kiss on the cheek” she said and I froze.

Zikorah was definitely going to be the death of me.