New Beginnings

Chapter 22

After dinner, Luca cleaned up as I helped Bella in the bath. She was so excited to wear pajamas that matched her doll.

Just before Emily was to arrive, Luca said his good byes and made his way to his own place.

Shortly after 8, Emily knocked on the door.

“Mommy!” Bella said, jumping into her Mom’s arms.

“Hi Baby girl. Where you a good girl?”

“The best girl.”

“I fixed you a plate if you are hungry.”

Emily looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “You didn’t.”

“I didn’t do anything. Luca cooked and he thinks he is cooking for a family of 12.”

“Mommy, see I have a bed and new clothes and look at my dolly that Luca got me.”

“What?” Emily asked, confused.

“Hey Bella. Why don’t you go and brush your teeth and remember to use the timer.”

I waited till Bella was in the bathroom.

“Bella mentioned you were sleeping in your car.”

Tears started to fall down Emily’s face. “I am not a bad mother. I just..”

“I think you are an awesome mother. Bella is healthy and happy and I don’t want somebody to find out and take her away. So the couch is comfy.”

The tears didn’t stop and I could feel myself wanting to cry with her. “You want us to stay here?”

“I do.” I said, sliding her my extra key.

“Why are you helping me?”

“I have seen a lot of bad in the world, but Bella reminds me of the good and I just want you both to have things a little easier.”

“My teeth are clean.” Bella said, bouncing back to us. “Mommy, come see my bed.”

I sat back as Bella showed her mom her new stuff. Emily got her ready for bed and tucked her in. It didn’t take long for Bella to fall asleep.

“So are you staying?”

“Yes and thank you so much.”

“Can I ask how you ended up in your car?”

Emily took a deep breath. “As you have heard, I got pregnant at 15 and had Bella right before I turned 16. My parents said if I didn’t get rid of the baby I had to get out of the house. I moved in with my boyfriend Jake….Bella’s dad.”

She looked over at Bella and smiled before continuing. “I managed to graduate and I really don’t know how….Jake was three years older than me, so it helped. About a year ago we started fighting and 8 months ago he kicked me and Bella out.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I just wish I had been smarter about it. He wasn’t working and every penny I made he took. So when he kicked us out of his parents' house, I was left with nothing.”

Have you been in your car this entire time?”

“No, we camped for a little bit and then I got us a motel but that was too expensive.”

“ The good news is you have a place to stay and I will help you so you can save and get a place on your own….but no rush.”

“I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

“I am sure some day I will need help.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over the next couple of weeks, the three of us got really comfortable together. Luca was still making an appearance almost daily. He did have to go back to Florida for a short time and I did miss him, but that wasn’t going to change my mind.

Bella, however, loved him and couldn’t get enough of him.

As for Jackson, he said he loved me but never came around and, honestly, I am happy he didn’t try to weasel his way back. I don’t know if I could mentally handle both him and Luca.

Thanksgiving was only 4 days away and we had first planned on it just being the three of us but Luca managed to get an invite from Bella.

“Marie….I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Sure Susan.”

“Can you make some sample wedding cakes for Colton and Abby?”

I smiled and nodded my head yes. I was afraid my voice would fail me.

“Thank you so much. I can’t get either one of them to make any plans to get this wedding moving.”

I nodded and started on my mission of baking a wedding cake sample for Colton and Abby.

Just before the end of my shift, Colton in all of his glory came in through the back door.

“Hey Marie.” He said, giving me a smile that made me want to melt.

“Hi Colton. Your wedding cake samples are boxed and ready to go on the counter.” I said, playing it cool.

I watched as he became uncomfortable and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I ummm don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Your Mom asked me to make some sample cakes for the two of you. Congrats by the way.” I said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Yeah I guess.”

“Well enjoy.” I said as I made my way to Susan’s office to grab Bella.

As I fixed Bella a snack, all I could think about was Colton. Yeah I guess? How was he not excited about getting married?

I needed to stop thinking about him. I had never been so physically attracted to a man before and I thought he felt the chemistry too.

I tried my best to focus on playing with Bella but my mind kept going back to Colton.

Thanksgiving came and went and I felt like for the first time since my Grandma passed away that I had a real family.

Emily was more of a sister and Bella had started calling me Aunt Marie.

It was about two weeks before Christmas when Susan invited the 3 of us to her annual Christmas party.

I didn’t want to see Abby and Colton together, but you can’t tell a 4-year-old no to a party.

Today we were shopping for new outfits. Bella was easy. She wanted a puffy red dress and we got her black dress shoes.

Emily decided on a simple black dress that had a pencil-like skirt that was knee-length. She picked gold heels to go with her.

I decided on a silver form-fitting dress with an open back and it was mid-thigh length. I paired them with red heels.

“Is Luca coming with us?” Bella asked.

“No, honey, he has to go back to Florida.”

“Why?”

“He has family in Florida,” I explained.

“Oh.”

“How about we pick out some jewelry to go with your pretty dress.”