Girl in a Hoodie: Where the Future Lies

Chapter 51

Riley's POV:

Later that evening, the sun was setting a bright orange colour in the distance before us, with the rest of the sky a misty magenta, mixing with the clouds which floated in the air. Ellie was awake, lying on her back in the stroller whilst I pushed it and we walked through the park, passing many families whose children were riding their bikes and walking their dogs. 

It's strange to think that in only a couple of years' time, one of those children will be my own daughter with pink and purple tussles on the side of her bike handles and a basket on the front or back, with stabilises to stop her from falling, and I'd be watching or helping her to ride it. Or maybe James would be supporting her whilst I sat on the grass on a blanket, watching them both and cheerfully clapping to congratulate her, considering it would be rather hard for her to be so active when she has ASD. It's a crazy thought but it's crazier to know that it's something which could be happening very soon.

James was stood by my side as of right now, with his arm wrapped around the back of my waist while we continued walking. It was oddly quiet but peaceful all the same. Especially without the extreme noises of birds hawking from above or trees swaying aggressively. It was just a calm Saturday evening and it was... nice.

"You're really thinking of us going away?" I ask softly, bringing up the conversation from earlier this morning as I tilt my head to the side to look up at James who nods. "But we're both studying, Jay. Now's just not the right time to be going on holidays-"

"Even if it's just one weekend, Ri. We could go a couple of miles away from here and just spend some time together, away from everyone else. Isn't that what you wanted?" he asks in response with his voice sounding just as tender. It makes me sigh as I bit my lip, thinking of how to answer. 

It hurts because it's the truth. It is what I want. I just wish it wasn't. Because if running away is the only conclusion I can think of right now, it must mean there's something wrong. It's as if problems are just coming to me one after the other and I can't get away from it. Like with every decision I make, it's only taking me one step closer to some sort of trap.

To break the tension though, my phone starts ringing and vibrating against my thigh, so I push down the break of the pram to get it out but find it was Alexa calling me. I roll my eyes to myself, pondering over whether to answer or not but I feel James's hand move from around my waist to lightly being placed on my back.

"Who is it?" 

"Alexa," I sigh. "It's fine, we can just keep walking," I tell him, beginning to put it back into my pocket, but to my surprise, he shakes his head.

"You can answer it if you want. She probably needs you, right?"

"No," I respond profusely, brushing my hair back before taking his hand in mine with the other placed on the handle of the stroller. "She can wait. I'm with you right now." He smiles a little then kisses my cheek briefly.

"You still have your adorable blush whenever I kiss you, you know," he says, putting one hand into the pockets of his jeans whilst the other was still linked with my own. I smile humorously, scrunching my lips but remain looking at him which makes him laugh a little. "You're so cute, baby. I can see where Ellie gets it from." 

I chuckle and look down at our beautiful child as she slept. A baby blue knot headwrap was tied around her head as an accessory, keeping her small strands of brown hair intact, and she was wearing a matching long-sleeved top and bottoms. Although I may be biased, I'd say she was the cutest one month old baby to be born. But I'm her mum so of course I'd think that.

"It's crazy, huh?" James inquires when I realise we had both been staring inevitably at the little girl laying in front of us. "Remember when we first found out you were pregnant? And now we're here... with a five week old baby."