☀️She's Extraordinary ☀️

Let's Just Be Happy

"I'm not your Dad?" Elliot asked. He looked pretty upset. Okay, so that wasn't the best thing for me to say. I panicked and I didn't know how else to get him off my back. I didn't say another word. Elliot got us a cab and we started to head back to the resort. Neither of us exchanged words during that car ride.
"How was it?! You guys are back early!" Mom said with a smile.
"It wasn't good." Elliot grabbed a can and proceeded to go behind the RV to drink it.
"What happened?"
"I said something I shouldn't have."
********************
The RV (Olivia's Perspective)
"El?" He squashed his Bud Light with his hands before stomping on it.
"What happened, babe?"
"I asked Bella a question, a simple question, and she said that I'm not privy to her life because I'm not her father. I'm just- I had to just grab a drink because I love her Liv, you know I do, but God knows that she can be a pain in the ass sometimes. You need to talk to your daughter."
"Oh, she's my daughter now. What was the question?"
"I asked if she had a boyfriend." Elliot filled me in on this supposed argument that she had with this mystery boy (who turned out to be Axel?). The first thing that came to my mind was: Bella felt more comfortable telling Elliot about this than she did telling me?
"It all ended with her saying that me asking is the reason why she doesn't like to tell us things."
"I mean if she had to get so defensive there must be a reason."
"Right. I know that she's a teen and teens say these things, but even after raising so many kids, it's still not something that you want to hear."
"I know El."

7 years ago...
"Bella, what is it, honey? Why are you crying?" Bella has been crying for the past hour and it's killing me that I can't help her.
"Let Mommy help you, please."
"No, you're not my Mommy!" She pushed me away and went to her room.

^^^^^^^^^^^
"Bell?"
"Yeah?"
"El told me what happened. Let's talk." I sat next to her.
"Why did you tell Elliot that he's not your Dad? I think both you and I know that isn't true. He's been there for you through so much and played a great role in raising you."
"I don't know...I-"
"Take your time." Bella sighed.
"I didn't mean it, I just didn't want him poking around."
"Then you could've said that, Bell. This hot and cold behavior that you're going on with is pushing away the people that you love, and I know that you don't want that. Do you?" She shook her head.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" I doubt she'd answer, but it was worth a shot.
"No, I don't. Axel and I just got into a big argument. And I get what you're saying about the pushing people away thing. I've been pretty mean these days."
"As long as you know." I sighed.
"I'm proud of you for recognizing where you went wrong. You've been making some improvement in that area, but Bella, when you're upset it isn't okay just say the meanest things you can think of and push people away. You just told me the reason why you said what you did, and that's something you could've easily communicated. You could've said: 'Dad, I don't feel comfortable talking about that right now', it isn't hard."
"I know."
"Knowing and doing it are two different things."
"I feel really bad. I don't wanna go back there. Back when I was moody and mean to everyone. Pushing everyone away figuratively and literally."
"Then wipe your face, go find Elliot and apologize, because even though you were incredibly horrible to him, Elliot still loves you, darling. Let's end this trip on a good note." Bella went outside and I couldn't help but wonder if she was being truthful with me.
**********************
WonderWorks Inc. (Sunday, July 29th) (Elliot's Perspective)
Our trip was beginning to come to a close so we adults planned a couple more things to do before we left.
"I'm ready." Olivia stated while buckling herself.
"Are you guys sure this is going to work?" Eli asked.
"You guys are a little too old to be this adventurous." Bella remarked.
"You're never too old for anything. Alright, let's go babe!" We flew over the water and Olivia pretended that she was Wonder Woman.
"I never knew that I could fly!"
"You guys are ridiculous."
"Ridiculously fun."
"You guys are embarrassing." Noah said while shaking his head. Alright let me clear it up, we weren't flying. We decided to go zip lining today!
"Look, there's Leia!" Leia came over with our amazing guide, giggling.
"I loved it! It made my tummy feel funny in a good way! Can we go again?!! Please! I love zip lining!"
"Yes, we can go again!"
"Liam is coming! He's so brave huh?!"
"Yes, you kiddos are so brave for zipping your way over here." We were having the time of our lives. Everyone was getting along and laughing. It was starting to feel reminiscent of our other vacations.
"Oh, my word!"
"Mommy, Bella's doing it upside down!" Bella laughed her entire way over here.
"And you were talking about us! How was it?"
"Awesome! It's so much better upside down. You could feel the blood rush to your brain."
"Ew!" Leia said. Eli opted for the La-Z-Boy style. Using the air as his armchair.
"He's so silly, Liam." We were having a great time. Everyone else came over and we all opted for a couple more rounds.
"Look at them." Olivia remarked.
"I know. They're all so happy." Elena said.
"I don't regret this trip at all."
"Mom, look!" Noah made us all laugh by doing his starfish pose while zip-lining.
**************
La Belle Amie Vineyard (Olivia's Perspective)
"This is our Pinot Grigio, it has a mild fruity flavor and is best paired with seafood." I watched as the wine circled my glass and took a subtle whiff before drinking.
"I like this better than the other one."
"Me too, it's a bit milder." The girls and I planned a wine tasting, one last hurrah before the trip ended. We were catching up right now.
"So Eve, if you don't mind me asking, how's everything with Niko? I know that he was upset with you about the job."
"As long as we don't talk about it, we're fine. He wants me to be home more because the kids are getting older and we're going to be empty nesters soon, but I've worked hard to get where I am now. I don't get why he can't be supportive! I supported him when he had to work long hours and be away, but when I do it it's an issue."
"Men and their hypocrisy."
"Right?"
"Tell me about it."
"If it's okay for men to devote themselves to their work, it shouldn't be a problem of a woman does it. That's what we try to teach Julia." Addison said.
"I think that's what we need to teach our girls, that there's nothing wrong with being devoted to their jobs."
"I agree. I will add also that this generation is shaking things up, so I'm sure this wouldn't be too much of an issue for them." Everyone agreed.
"Off-topic, but Alex. Tell me more about you and Garrett! I mean you told us all so late! There must've been a reason!" She blushed.
"Ahhh, there wasn't a reason. I was just enjoying it. I told you all the moment I felt like it was right."
"Oooo, right? We already have one wedding on the horizon, is there to be another?" Alex laughed nervously.
"Hey, don't jinx it...."
"I like Garrett. I think he's perfect for you. You guys have a lot of chemistry, he's so kind to your kids....."
"I get it, Liv." We all laughed.
"You know what?" Elena said rather suddenly.
"What?"
"Let's just be happy! Like Alex!"
"Cheers to that."
**********************
Myrtle Beach, SC (July 30th) (Noah's Perspective)
"I can't believe they really left us." Bella said.
"They could've at least woke us up and told us they were going."
"They wouldn't because we're moody teens."
"You're not wrong."
"I'm bored. Wanna do something?"
"Sure!" We decided to grab some ice cream before going to the beach for a bit.
"Noah that's so gross, why are you putting chocolate syrup on strawberry ice cream?"
"Because it tastes good."
"You've been we stopped being so weird. Ugh." We paid and started making our way towards the beach.
"Are you and Dad okay now?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I apologized and we talked about it. I get too emotional sometimes."
"That isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"You're just trying to make me feel better."
"No, it's true. I like that about you. You help me to be less cold."
"I thought Morgan did that."
"Well she did, but before her it was you. I just didn't give two fucks about certain things, but seeing the way some things affected you made me want to be more caring. Even though you're mean to me." She laughed.
"I didn't know that." We continued to talk about some stuff, shows, conspiracy theories, other stuff until it started to get dark.
"My phone just went off."
"Mine too."
"It's Mom, we gotta go."
*********************
The RV (8:25 AM) (Tuesday, July 31st) (Leia's Perspective)
"Aren't you so excited for today, my love?" Mommy asked.
"Yes, we're gonna go to the water park! And I love the water park so, so much Mommy."
"You do?! Why?"
"Because I like it when we go on those rides where all of us can fit and it goes super fast!" I smiled. Mommy helped me get dressed and I had a question.
"Mom?"
"Yes, honey?"
"Remember when we talked about my family?"
"Yes, I do-"
"Daddy Elliot is not my real Daddy. Dashon is."
"Mhm." She started to fix my hair.
"Where is he, Mommy? Bella said that she met him! But I didn't meet him not ever." Mommy didn't answer.
"Mommy, what happened to him? Bella said that he's in a place because he did something bad. I wanna see him too." She sat me on the counter.
"Your father is in prison because he hurt someone."
"How did he hurt them?"
"I'll explain it when you're a bit older. But, you cannot go and visit him."
"Why?" I was confused.
"Why, Mommy?"
"Because of those bad things he has done. It isn't safe for you to visit him. Do you understand that?" I nodded. I guess.
"I wish he was a nice guy so I could visit him."
******************
Attica Correctional Facility (Wyoming County, NY) (Dashon's Perspective)
"How you hanging in there?" Marques asked.
"Man, I don't know. I'm lying low. I'm on that good behavior type shit."
"Listen, just keep doing what you doing so that you can get out of here soon."
"I'm trying. What you got for me?"
"Nothing. Nobody's been at the house for like a solid week. The most I seen is the mailman or some shit like that. Before it was the little girl in some ballet clothes or sum and the older one kissing up on some white boy."
"Interesting."
"Exactly what is the point of this?!? Them cops did sum to you?? They the ones that put you in here?"
"First of all, I ask the questions, not you. Second, my kids are in that house."
"Your kids?"
"What did I just say?"
"Sorry boss. I think they might be gone or something though, I don't know. No one has been in or out."
"Okay. Stay there in case they come back. And find out more about this boy. What is his name?"
"Jake or some shit like that."
"Find everything that you can on him."
***********************
Myrtle Waves Water Park (1:01 PM) (Bella's Perspective)
"Okay, Rock Paper Scissors to choose the next ride!"
"I better win, I'm not going on the Turbo Twisters." Lila declared.
"You shouldn't get too confident."
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
"Okay, Bella's out!" I rolled my eyes.
"It's either the Twisters or the Arooba Tooba."
"I'd take the Tooba anyway." Julia said. You know, this was like the second to last day of our trip, and I was having so much fun! This may not be Italy, but it's nice to spend time with my god-siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Mom told me to close off the trip nicely by remembering the motto: "Let's just be happy!". That's what we've been doing and things are going great. There may have been some bumpy parts, but this was a nice vacation after all.
"I WON!! THE TWISTERS! LET'S GOOO!!"
"I told you not to get too confident.."

A/N: Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁