Alex
Kate put her hand on my hand then said ‘Alex it is OK … the portrait of Emily, belongs they’re not mine and I don’t mind at all because this is her home, she made this house a home … so I don’t want to change or do anything … all I want is you and my children that’s all’
Kate smiled to reassure me that it is fine with her that I still lives in past, and I did not love her… is that even true?
Kate is right that Emily’s touches are everywhere, in this house but its Kate who has made this a home, but I did not say anything because I do not know where my emotions are, and I might say some things which I am not ready to say…
Kate said ‘ OK just put this thing aside and let’s sleep we both are very tired’
I hold Kate’s face’ I know I do not deserve you, but you are incredibly special to me Kate …
Kate emotional smiled, she said ‘ and you’re my everything Alex ‘
With that we fall asleep.
Kate
I was preparing the lunch when I saw Alex was holding something in his hand… I said ‘ hi … you back early… no work today ‘
He replied ‘ yup today was Saturday… so, it was little to do so I thought I should take a half day and join you for lunch ‘
I smiled ‘ that’s great I just made some spaghetti and for dessert we have leftover cake so you’re in luck… by the way what’s in your hand’
He nervously replied ‘ yeah… its … it is for Aria … I thought I should give her since she wanted the gift from both of us’
I stopped doing everything I looked lovingly and a little emotionally to him… he brought something for Aria for the first time … I replied ‘ Alex… I… it’s great… she will be so happy … she is in our room watching cartoon movie … ‘
He said ‘ actually I was thinking you should give that to her’
I suddenly replied ‘ I can but you are going to room to change then its better you give her… she will be so happy… please
I do not know why I said please but at this time I want Alex and Aria to have a little bit time to themselves… he awkwardly says OK then went…
I pray to God that may be this initiative of Alex’s can bring them together … I was lost in my thoughts when Emma. came and said could she help … I smiled and gave her salad to mixed it.
Alex
I do not how long I stand outside the room… I have no idea why I am so nervous … come on she a three old kid …. I am going to give her the gift and get going like nothing happen… yeah, I can do that… I saw Aria eyes were stuck to the LCD screen … she was dress up in short and t shirt… her hair was all over the place like she just woke up from sleep… but she looks cute like that … she was clapping and singing something whatever it was showing in TV… I went and sat with her on the bed… she looked at me then turn to TV, but she suddenly turns and looked at me then said softly’ daddy’
I was looking at her pink cheeks I smiled at her cuteness and shocked expression but then I remember why I am here I replied ‘ hi Aria’
She replied ‘ hello daddy… you back early’
I said’ yes and I brought you this’
She excitedly looked at the bag she put her hand inside the bag to pick it out… when she looked at the doll, she yelped and said ‘ oh daddy it is so beautiful… I love it … it is so big, and she has my hair’
I try to control my laugh,’ yup that’s why I brought it… it a birthday present to you’
But Aria was busy opening the packaging in which doll was enclose… I said I will open it for you… she gives to me, then she stands in the bed and stands at my back while holding my shoulder for my support… I felt again a pulling protective feeling when Aria does this… I sigh and open the doll to give it to her… she picked the doll… then starts looking at her with her big blue eyes…
Then she sits in my lap and hugged me said ‘ Thank you… thank you daddy… this is the best present even… I love you ‘
My hands wanted to hug her too, but I stop… I gently removed her and put her on the bed then I stand ‘ yeah… you’re welcome’
And with that I went to the washroom.
Kate
I do not how long it will take to reach Helen’s home for lunch, but it already feels like hours… may be its me who feel like that… because I am still not comfortable with Helen and her mood swings… I just hope today will go OK and without any trouble… I sigh loudly
Alex looked at me then said ‘ I know you do not want to go, and I wish we can stay at home… but I cannot say no when she asked for lunch and a small get together…. secondly, she said many times to bring you…’
Ah the get together means my father and mom is also going to be there …
I replied ‘ I know … and I can understand … it’s YOU know (I looked at girls who were busy watching cartoons in iPad) how things went with us … so I’m little cautious… maybe I’m overreacting’
Alex nodded ‘ I get that babe but relax its going to be all fine today… and looked we are here’
I opened the back of the car to pick up the chocolate strawberry pie and Potatoe salad that I made for Helen’s lunch… I saw Alex was getting the girls out of the car… since Alex give the doll to Aria, she was incredibly happy and always hold that doll with her… even when she falls asleep… I smiled at her when I saw the head of brown, blonde head of doll that Aria was holding… she really likes that doll…
When we enter Helen’s Garden it was already crowded with some guests… some guests I know like my parents and Alex parents … but some I have no idea, who they are… when Helen saw us, she gives us a smile ‘ oh look they have come thank you so much for coming and especially Kate I’m so happy you came here’
I replied ‘ its pleasure to be here… I brought this for you I hope you like it’
She said ‘ oh Kate you do not have to do that but thank you so much …. just like Emily she used to bring all this stuff when she visits us … me and Alex used to tease her for her sweet tooth… oh I do not mean in that sense I am sorry if you mind’
I do not know what it was a genuine slip of tongue or a bait but
I kindly replied ‘ not at all… we both sisters got that kind of sweet tooth thing’
Alex broke the awkward moment’ so cousin what have you made us today … because I am hungry’
She laughed ‘ you and your big appetite… come we, were waiting for you the lunch is ready’
Alex saw some of his old friends and went there to chat… I was meeting with my parents ‘ hello daddy and Mommy ‘
They replied hello … I asked Mommy ‘ Mommy how is your health …?
She replied ‘ I’m fine ‘
Emma and Aria came to meet their grandparents … my father picked Emma and kissed her forehead ‘ how is my favourite. girl … I miss you so much’
Mother said ‘ give her to me… I want to see my Emily child’
It hurt that she still says this to make me feel like that so that it shows that I am not Emma’s real mother… while Emma was with mom… Aria came’ hello grandpa…’
She looked at my father hesitantly… my father awkwardly says, ‘ hello Aria’ and turned … my little girl eyes become sad … and I became sad for her…. I saw Alex expression across the garden … he also saw that how my parents treated Aria… his expression looks angry then sad but then he guarded those expression….
After lunch everyone was talking … I was with Alex’s mom …. and like me she wanted to know about any different with Alex and Aria’s relation… when I told her about doll that he gifted her… she became so happy that I found her eyes to be misty with tears… then we heard a scream…. a child scream… everyone stopped their chats and stand to look what happen… we went to children play area where we left them with a Helens nanny …. but I saw I stopped dead at my track…. it was Emma. on the floor … with blood oh god …. what happened… I screamed ‘ Emma. oh god Emma. … my baby what happened …’
Emma was unconscious… and not moving
Alex came running and picked Emma up and roughly said ‘ Emma … baby wake up… fuck… somebody fucking call the doctor…’
I was crying heavily’ Alex please do something… she is bleeding … Alex please awake her…’
Alex replied ‘Kate … I do not know what to do… let us take her to the doctor … I do not how long the doctor will take to come’
Helen ‘ it will take a lot of time for you Alex. I have already called the doctor he is on his way… let us take her inside… and clean her up… and you Nancy (the nanny) and kids come inside we want to know how it happened’
After 10 minutes the doctor came and checked Emma, he then bandages her forehead he said ‘ she is fine… it was a shock that made her faint… but she is fine now’
I said ‘ please check her again…. why she is not wake yet… and is everything OK with her head’
Alex also said ‘ yeah she is not wake… she should be’
Doctor said ‘ relax Mr and Mrs Robbins… I give her pain meds that is why she is sleeping … hopefully, she will be up by few hours… so relax’
When the doctor gone… we kissed Emma’s cheeks and wait outside …. Helen came and asked about Emma, we told her everything… Then she said ‘ Alex I asked the nanny and the kids what happened …. its better you listen from them’
Alex and I passed a confused look ‘ OK where they are….
Helen replied “in the living room’