This Is Me Trying

Chapter Twenty-Four

Danielle

"Morning guys." I said as I walked into the makeup trailer.
"Good morning sunshine. Where's your sidekick?" Dee asked.
"She should've already been here. She was due in thirty minuets ago." I told her.
"Maybe she's running late. Let's get your makeup finished and then you can go check."

Betty

"Betty!"
I looked up my book that I was reading.
"Hello? Is someone there?" I got off the couch and walked to the hallway.

"Biddy! It's me!"
"Dad? Where are you?" I quickly turned in a circle trying to find him.
"Hey Biddy." He smiled as my eyes landed on him.
"Dad!" I ran and tried to jump into his arms, but I was stuck in the same place that I was before.
"Look how grown up you are." He said while smiling at me.
"You look the same. How?"
"We don't age here. Come on." He walked out of the front door, and I followed him.
"Wanna play?" He handed a bat to me.
I smiled and walked up to the plate, getting in position.
"Are you ready Biddy?"
"Ready Dad!"

He threw the ball and I smacked it with the bat, sending it flying over the fence.
"That's my girl! I see you haven't lost your touch."
"I haven't played since... you died." My smile fell and I remembered he was really gone.
"But you're dead, how can you be here?" I set the bat down and walked over to him."
"The dirt isn't real." He smiled and walked away.
"What do you mean the dirt isn't real?" I followed behind him.
"You're too early Biddy. Too early."
"What do you mean Dad?"
"You're not supposed to be here." He turned and gave me a look.

"Is this heaven?" I looked around.
"Maybe. Who knows." He shrugged.
"That's helpful." I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
"Still the same old sassy Biddy." He smiled at me.
"Dad, what happened? You were fine one day, and the next thing I know you were gone?" I sat down on the bleachers.
"I can't answer that. You have to find out for yourself." He shook his head.
"What do you mean? Find out what?"
"The ball is the key."
"What the hell does that mean?" I asked.

"It's nice here, isn't it?" He leaned back in the bleachers and looked up at the sky.
"Yeah. It is. I feel... safe."
"The same way you feel with Danielle and Stefania, right?"
"How do you know about them?"
"I never left you Biddy. Sometimes, I'm right beside you, yelling in your ear."
"They're great people Dad. They would've loved you." I smiled sadly at him.
"They really are. They're great Moms to you. If I could thank them, I would. I'll figure out some way to get a thanks to them. You can't stay here Betty. You gotta go back to them. They need you as much as you need them. Tell them I said, Aurora Taylor, and that I'll make sure it happens in less than two years."

"Why did you want me to live with your parents? They're terrible Dad." I asked as we walked to the middle of the outfield.
"I didn't. It's a fake Biddy."
"It's what?"
"Just remember. The ball is the key."
"Dad?" I turned around and he was gone.
"Dad!" I cried out.

"She's coming back! Stopping compressions!" I heard a voice yell.
"Pressures rising, pulse is steady, we're in the clear."
"Poor thing. I can't imagine what she went through."
"She'll pull through. She's already out of the woods."

"Where's my daughter! I want to see her!" I heard another voice shout.
"Ma'am you can't go in there."
"Like hell I can't! Betty! Bambina, it's me!"

My eyes fluttered open, and I quickly shut them as the lights blinded me.
"She's responding. Hey honey, can you say something for me?"
"Let me through! That's my child!"
"Mamma?" I coughed out.
"Let us through now!" I heard someone shout angrily.
"Mom?"

"We're here Betty. We're here baby girl."
I opened my eyes a little more and saw Danielle and Stefania at the side of my bed.
"Hey bambina." Stefania gave me a teary smile.
"What happened?" I groaned.
"Are you in pain? Do you want something for it?"
"I'm just thirsty."

Stefania quickly poured a cup of water, and put it to my lips.
"We were so worried Betty." Danielle had tears running down her face.
"What happened?"
"You didn't show up for work. Stefania and I left, and went to your grandparents house. They refused to let us in, saying you were sick."
"It took us three days to get the cops involved. When they found you-" Stefania's voice broke.
"I thought I was dead." I whispered as I looked at my bruised and beaten body.
"You're okay baby girl. You're okay." Danielle leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"That's my niece in there! Don't pull that family only bullshit! We are family! You're not going to tell me I can't go in there!" I heard Jaina yell.
"You better go get her before she beats up the nurse." I whispered to Danielle.
She smiled slightly and left the room.

"Stef?" I asked.
"You're okay bambina. You're okay." She sniffled out.
"I was more worried about you and Dani."
"We're okay. As long as you're okay. You're all we need." She squeezed my hand gently.

"Mija! Are you okay?" Jaina ran in with Barrett following close behind.
"I'm okay." I gave them a small smile.
"We were so worried." Barrett squeezed my hand.
"I'm okay. I'm just ready to get out of here. I hate hospitals."
"You can be discharged tomorrow. We're taking you straight home."
"To our house?" I asked with a smile.
"Sì. You're our's bambina."
"I don't have to go back there?"
"No kid. You're officially Betty Spampinato-Savre. The judge granted emergency custody to us. And since we were already going to adopt you, she went ahead and ruled in our favor."

"Oh my God. Does that mean I can call you Mom and Mamma now?" I asked.
"Sì. You can call us whatever you want bambina. We're just happy that you're safe now." Stefania squeezed my hand gently.
"Thank you guys for being here with me. You really don't know how much it means to me to have a family." I felt a tear roll down my face.

"Oh mija. We'll always be here for you."

Danielle

"Okay kid. One more step." I helped Betty up the stairs to the house.
"I'm okay Mom. Really." Betty chuckled at me.
"I know you are. But you're my baby, I'm supposed to worry about you."
"I got the door." Stefania reached around and unlocked the door with her key.
"God, it feels so good to be home." Betty sighed as I helped her to the couch.
"We're just glad to have you home. Do you need anything? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"Mom. I just want you and Mamma to sit with me and watch a movie."
"Okay, okay. Just give me a few minuets and I'll be back." I gave her a smile and I walked to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me.

I closed my eyes and gripped the dresser in front of me. My girl is back home, why was I still so scared?
I jumped slightly when I felt arms wrap around me from behind.
"You okay bambina?" Stefania whispered.
"Yeah. I'm okay. I just needed a breather."
"It's okay to not be okay. I'm not okay. I'm still-"
"Scared?" I asked as I turned around in her arms to face her.
"Sì. I'm terrified. I'm so scared someone is going to come and take her away."
"Nobody's taking our baby. She's ours." I pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I know. Come on, let's get back to our girl."

AN: What do you all think of the story so far? Is there anything you want me to include? Comment or message me some ideas!

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