Becoming Mrs Prescott

New Beginning

Mia’s POV

Five years had crept away since I left behind the wreckage of my old life and moved to a new city, but it seemed like it was only yesterday that I packed up everything I owned and made up my mind to start afresh. Time truly had a way of slipping by unnoticed.

As I walked into our modest two-bedroom bungalow, I couldn't help but reflect on how much things had changed, and how much some things have also stayed the same way.

Life here was a lot harder than I ever envisioned it to be, jobs were scarce, and even if you got one, the chances of retaining that job for a long span were slim. Then the cost of living was outrageously higher than one could ever imagine for a small city like this.

Yet, through everything I have faced, the love and support of my little angel, Chloe, and my mother, Grace, were the only things keeping my sanity in check.

I had just returned from another long day of job hunting, like I earlier said, retaining a job position was hard over here, and I was just fired from my job, pushing me back to go over the cycle of job hunting for the fourth time over the years. The weight of the disappointment in all the places I checked on pressed down on my shoulders.

As I placed the groceries I had bought on my way back on the kitchen counter, Grace, who was coming out of the inner room, announced to Chloe about my arrival. “Chloe, mummy is home!” she screamed, walking into the kitchen. Chloe, who was playing with her dolls in her room when I left, giggled, on hearing what Grace said, her laughter echoing through the walls of the small apartment and bringing a smile to my sullen face.

“How did it go today?” Grace asked, her voice masked with concern.

I shook my head, trying to keep the tears at bay because I didn't want Chloe to stumble into the kitchen and see my frustration. “No luck Mum, Just a series of rejection,” I replied quietly, “Every single door I try opening slams shut in my face.”

Grace reached out to grab my hands that were resting on the counter and squeezed them softly, “Don't lose hope Mia, I am sure you will find something soon,” She said, obviously trying to cheer me up, but it didn't work.

I sighed tiredly, looking down at the few groceries I was able to pick out with the severance pay the manager of my previous job offered me to use to sustain myself till I got a new job. The money wasn't much, a few more grocery shopping and that would be the end of it.

“I hope so Mum,” I continued, “Our savings are drying up as this goes by, I don't know how much longer we can keep up with this.”

“Don't worry over things that are beyond your control and focus more on the things within your reach,”

“Sometimes, I regret moving down here without a solid plan, at first it felt like I was doing the right thing, but now,” I paused and exhaled deeply, “It feels like I am just dragging you and Chloe deeper into the mess I have made of my life.”

Grace's eyes softened with understanding, “Mia, you did what you thought was best for Chloe and yourself. You wanted a fresh start, and that is not something to start regretting just because of a few rough starts,” She stated.

“You call five years of hard labor with absolutely nothing to show for it a few rough starts?” I asked before letting out a weak laugh, “Come on mum, things ought to have started getting better by now if it wasn't a wrong decision.”

“We will get through this together, just like we always have,” Grace replied softly, “I believe it is a matter of time before things get better for us.”

“It doesn't seem like that to me because, with every single minute that drags by, things keep getting worse,”

“I don't mind going out to the street to get a menial job to support the family in the meantime since everything is slowly beginning to overwhelm you,”

“But mum,” I said, my voice breaking, “You are already working too hard in trying to take care of Chloe and the house while I am out, and it kills me to see you that way,” I sniffed in noisily, “You should be enjoying your golden years, not worrying about making ends meet.”

“I am not complaining about that, am I?” Grace asked.

“You don't have to start complaining before I know how much I have failed you and Chloe who deserve so much more than I give her,” I answered.

“Oh no! Baby, you don't have to say that,” Grace exclaimed pulling me into a tight hug, “Chloe is happy because she has you, that is what matters most. And as for me, I would rather be here with you, facing these challenges than anywhere else,” She continued softly into my ears.

“Mum,”

“I want you to know that I don't see you as a failure, and neither are you dragging us down in any way. We are lifting each other, that is how I see things.”

I clung to her, feeling my hot tears rolling down my cheeks, “I just wish I could do more for you both mum, is that so much to ask of life?”

“No, it isn't,” Grace replied firmly, pulling back to look into my teary eyes, “You are a strong, loving mother who after everything she has been through is doing all she can for her daughter. We will find a way through this Mia, I promise.”

Before I could give a response, Chloe came running out of her room, a wide smile on her face as she cheered excitedly. “Mummy!” She squealed, wrapping her tiny arms around my leg.

I quickly wiped off the tears with the back of my palm before she noticed them and bent down to bury her in a hug. Her innocence and joy had kept me grounded despite all my struggles over the years and did not fail to soothe my aching heart. “Hey my little angel,” I whispered, kissing the top of her head.

“Mummy, remember you promised to take me to the new park that is opening today?” Chloe asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I know sweetheart, but I have arrived that I would have to cancel that plan as I am tired and need to rest,” I replied.

“No mummy, you can't just back out of the plan now, you already made a promise and you have to fulfill it,” Chloe went on, the excitement on her face giving way to a tearful expression.

“Don't you want mummy to rest, do you want her to fall sick and then end up not being able to go out to work for more money to get you new toys and chocolates?” I asked, trying to gaslight her.

“Taking me to the park wouldn't make you sick, and you can come back home afterward to rest your head, it isn't that hard,” She dragged on.

“Chloe, it is harder than you think, I am extremely tired honey,” I went on, still trying to be soft.

“Mummy please, please,” Chloe tugged at my shirt, close to tears.

“Come on Mia, I am sure taking her down to the park wouldn't make any difference in how you feel,” Grace chipped in, “And besides, it is just around the neighborhood.”

I sighed, now that Grace had backed Chloe up, it would be difficult to say no to her proposal and I also couldn't bear Chloe being disappointed. “Alright sweetie, let’s go to the park.”

“Yay! Thank you, mummy!” Chloe exclaimed, jumping around excitedly.

We set out for the park, Chloe skipping ahead of me, her joy was contagious, but I was too tired to get infected by it. The park was a short walk from our apartment, about five to six buildings away. As we approached, I could see it had been colorfully decorated for the grand opening ceremony.

Children ran around with painted faces and balloons in the air, chasing each other and screaming at the top of their voices, their laughter filling the air.

Chloe held my hand and started dragging me to the ice cream stand like she always does anytime we go to the park. We pushed through the not-too-rowdy crowd till we got to the ice cream van. “Mummy, can I have my favorite? Strawberry with sprinkles!” She said with her eyes widened with delight.

“Of course sweetie,” I smiled, reaching into my bag for some money. My attention was diverted a little while from Chloe as I placed our order to the ice cream man and bought two cones of ice cream before turning back to Chloe to hand hers.

My heart stopped. Chloe, who was right behind me, wasn't there anymore. Panic immediately surged through me as I rolled my eyes frantically across the crowd searching for her tiny figure. “Chloe!” I called out, my voice trembling with fear.