Isabella

Chapter one

Antonio

How did my life come to this? Standing in the baby aisle staring at boxes upon boxes of diapers that I know nothing about," Omg ".

Exhales, which one should I choose from? This isn't how this is supposed to be, my wife should be to tell me which one and which size is the right one for our two-month-old daughter, I have been trying to escape this day, when the boxes of the gift we were gifted the Baby shower would run out. And I would have to get my ass down here and make my first mistake as a parent. But if I don't want my kid wearing a washcloth as a diaper, I have to figure out this. I'm staring at the books when a figure approached me.

She cleared her throat."um, excuse me?" I raised my head only to see a young woman approach me. She probably knows the exact diapers she needs and I am in her way.

"Oh sorry ", I stuttered trying to move the cart from her way carefully enough to avoid waking the baby up.

She giggled a little," No" I am here to help you I saw you struggling with the diaper thing, so I decided to help. Anyways I am not a parent but I have nieces and nephews who always come around a few times so I have to have like an emergency diaper to avoid stressing my sisters.

I turned to get a good look at her average height, wearing a light blue scrub, her long blond straight hair pulled up in a ponytail. Her hazel eyes have dark circles under them. showing that she must be exhausted.

I could relax now from the help I finally got from a kind stranger even if she is just taking pity on me.

"Any suggestion you give to me would be amazing." Her face lighten up in a warm smile and I gotta be honest, it's probably the highlight of today.

Not a lot of smiles going around in my house on daily bases.

"Do you know what brand your little one is wearing now?" She asked and I tilted my head backwards a bit. I probably looked scared, I have a newfound respect for this girl stopping to offer me help.

"hmm, honestly? No." I said that with an apologetic smile and she giggles at me.

"Do you mind If I check?" She asked politely pointing at the car seat, I motioned for her to go ahead.

" Do me the honor" but if she wakes up you have to take care of her yourself. I warn and she smiles, probably she thinks I'm joking.

I'm not.

I love my little girl more than my life, but she is a lot to handle when putting her to sleep.

She moves my daughters' clothes slowly, then moves to the shelves.

"This is the brand and size she is wearing now, although they look a little snug so you should get ready to go up the size soon. "She says handing me the box but looking into the car seat affectionately.

" she is so cute, what is her name?" she asks.

" loreal" I responded taking the box from her and adding some wipes and powder.

"Seriously? That is the cutest name I have heard in a long time." She says her eyes brightening with joy. She gives the best compliment honestly.

"Thanks. Um… my wife picked the name. I say while trying to hide my emotions and not letting my voice crack.

The girl's smile never falters, confirming my suspicion she wasn't hurting me, just offering help.

Finally, I catch a break.

I'm surprised she sent you on diaper duty without detailed information. My brother came in one time with an adult diaper one time instead of baby diapers. And my sister sends him a picture of the box anytime he goes to the store.

We keep telling her that was two years ago, but she won't let it go. she says with a little laugh, showing affection rather than irritation at her sister's antics. I grunt and looked at my sleeping baby.

Anger overwhelmed me through my situation and I shouldn't take it out on a woman that just helped me out.

"Yea, uhm my wife died during her birth so tell your brother he is lucky. At least his wife is still breathing." I snapped at her and immediately regretted, I had to apologize immediately and leave as soon as possible, but she surprised me by responding first.

"Well hmm, that is unfair on you."

"What!, I asked" looking so surprised by what she had said.

"That your wife died." Is so f*****g unfair. She says with anger in her eyes. I gotta admit that the curse word from her sounds funny, and I couldn't help but laugh.

And damn it felt so good laughing.

"I'm just grateful that from the first time getting drops of tears from my eye is not from grief, but from laughing at how she said it.

"You're right .it's f*****g unfair," I say

" Thanks for saying that, At least you didn't come with the," Oh sorry for your loss, kind of s**t or "She is in a better place." And her eyes fill with something other than pity.

I must say it felt good speaking with her within these few minutes.

"She looked down at Loreal, and whispered some words to her a little smile appeared on her cute face". And seeing her do this you would assume she is her aunt.

" I looked a bit sober, she walked up to me and gave me a little hug." It felt so good and besides this is the first human contact I would have after I lost my woman I just had to relax in her arms.

I felt good after the hug trying to hold back my tears, I manage to get my emotions under control and release her gently.

"She smiles at me", and reaches for her bag bringing out a piece of paper and pen.

"I don't usually do this," she starts."But if you need help, a babysitter, or just someone to talk to, you can call me. I'm a nurse and infant CPR certified. You can run a check on I can also get you my last drug screen test I did at work. It wasn't too long ago. "You just look like…. You might need some help coming up soon". She said passing me the paper on which her phone number was written.

"You don't even know my name, why would you offer to help me." Oh, I am Isabella", she shrugs and holds out her hand.

"I take it and shake it gently."

"Antonio, I say and she nods."

"Well, now you know my name." And as for why I would love to help?" She points at my little girl in the car seat" HER". I looked down to Loreal and before I could stare up back she already picked up her basket and is heading down the cashier's way to pay.

"You have gotten my number." Don't be too proud to use it " she says over her shoulder, waving goodbye to me. "I stay rooted to the spot, I seem so shocked thinking of what to do until Loreal began to stir.

"I pocketed the number, heading to the checkout point." Hoping to get home quickly before she starts screaming like a banshee for a bottle.

"Well baby girl, I say as I looked down at her pretty face." I think you have made a new friend today."

"She yelled at the exit door again,

Don't be too proud to call me."