Snow Angel’s and Second Chances

Acceptance

{Elodie’s POV}

After I got Hattie to bed, I got washed up and began digging through my closet, trying to find the best attire for the job. A personal assistant, at a contractors firm.. not sure if I do business, or casual, or business casual. I grabbed my phone, and the papers Xander left me, finding his cell phone number written down. I added him as a contact, and quickly replied. “What am I supposed to wear? Casual? Business casual? Or Business?” I asked, looking through my carefully organized closet.

Soon a message popped up. “Business casual is fine, anything you’re comfortable in, I of course will be wearing a more business style because I’m the owner of the firm, but you, you can wear whatever you feel like.” He replied.

“Alright.. I’ll see you tomorrow morning then.” I typed back, staring at the screen, pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth, a nervous habit I’d always had. “Also.. thank you, Xander, for this.”

He replied quickly. “No problem El, now go get some rest, we have an early day tomorrow.”

I set down my phone, turning back to my closet. I picked out a white button up shirt, with a black pencil skirt, a pair of black stockings and a back pair of pumps. I was ready, I could do this.. I knew I could. It’s time to get out there and pick myself back up off the ground. I sighed, flopping backwards onto my bed. I could do this.. couldn’t I? I could still give Hattie a good life.. despite everything. Despite Caleb.. despite what I’d done.. I shook the thoughts away, but they stayed, engraved in my mind, the memory carved into me. I’d never be able to forget.. I’d never be free of it, and neither would Hattie. Caleb would always haunt us.. even from his grave.

I laid there, rolling, tossing, turning, trying to sleep, knowing I needed it, but also realizing that my body just wouldn’t allow it. I sighed, giving up somewhere around four in the morning. I decided to go to my bathroom, and take a nice hot shower, shave my legs, and try to get ready for the day. After my shower, I grabbed robe, tying it around me, and taking my blow dryer out of the box. I quickly dried my hair, and put on a simple makeup look, pulling my hair up into a bun, leaving my curtain bangs down. I looked in the mirror, my long dark brown hair pulled up this way made me look a bit older than I usually did, but I didn’t mind it. I slipped on my round frame glasses, and blinked a few times to adjust to them. Then headed into my room and got dressed. Once I was ready, it was about 5:15. I went into Hattie’s room and gently woke her up, pulling her into a hug. “Good morning Hattie, it’s time to get ready for school.” I smiled, looking down at her.

“It’s too early mama..” she whined.

“I know, I know, how about you go back to sleep, and I’ll get you ready over at Xander’s place.” I said, setting her back down.

“Okay mommy..” she whispered, drifting back off to sleep.

I picked out a nice pair of thick jeans, and a pink long sleeve shirt, along with her favorite pink high tops. I grabbed her coat, and packed it all in a duffle back, before grabbing her brush, and the pack of hairbands, and other hair accessories. I packed it all, and lifted her from her bed, grabbing my phone and purse, as I headed out the front door. I pulled on my coat, wrapping it around both Hattie and I, then left the apartment, locking it behind me, before putting Hattie in her car seat, and getting in.

The ride there wasn’t too long, it’s the biggest building in town so it was easy enough to find. Once there, I packed Hattie into the lobby, a man was waiting at the door and opened it for me. “Thank you!” I smiled to him.

“No problem Miss Elodie, Mr. Jones is on the top floor, though he may still be asleep, so quiet as you go up.” He smiled, he was old, his hair white, his face worn with wrinkles, a man who’d lives a long life, but his smile, his smile was genuine, and I knew he was happy to see me.

“Thank you sir.” I smiled back st him. “I’ll be sure to be quiet.” I said, making my way to the elevator. Once there I pressed the button to the top floor, and a box opened up with a keyhole. I grabbed the keys he gave me yesterday, finally turning the lock, as the elevator doors closed, and began moving up. Once they opened, I found myself walking out into a massive room, with floor to ceiling windows across the side wall that showed the cityscape below. Everything was dark, and gloomy, not at all what I’d expected. I walked to the couch, lying Hattie down on the couch. I walked to the kitchen and pulled out all of the ingredients for a big Southern style breakfast and began cooking. Soon the smell of bacon began to waft through the mansion, and I turned to see Hattie beginning to sit up, looking around a bit dazed.

“Good morning sleepy head, it’s about time you wake up. There’s a bathroom right there.” I smiled, pointing to the open door adjacent from us. “Why don’t you go on and get your clothes on, and your teeth brushed.” I smiled. “I’ll fix your hair for you when you come out.”

She nodded to me, without saying a word, before turning and leaving the room, rubbing her sleepy eyes. I couldn’t help but smile at her.