The Dunhams (Sequel to Better or Bad - Lizzy Walker)

I Have a Goddaughter?

Lizzy POV
My eyes widened. "Daughter? Simone has a daughter? What the hell?" I asked. Bryce sat on the counter, pouring a champagne fluid of wine.
"Babe, I'm sure there's one logical explanation." He said. I looked at him while raising an eyebrow.
"And what is it?" I asked. He smiled sheepishly and sighed. "Sorry, nothing. I've been feeling like having some wine after a while." He told me. I fake smiled before grabbing the bottle and grabbing myself another cup to pour. "Simone would've told me first if she was planning to have a kid." I said.
He downed the cup and shrugged. "You can't be angry for it's her decision to make with Zack. We made our decisions and we have three kids. Just like you, she probably had to keep her a secret from the media. Besides, would you freak if Meadow was bringing home a child?" He said. Hm. He does have a point there. I'd be extremely happy for Simone being a mother. We all had dreams of becoming parents when we were little and had silly conversations about what names to give our kids. Bryce turned off the TV which still played TMZ. I downed my cup and smiled. "I guess you're right. I'm just really shocked yet...happy. She is my best friend sister and we've always talked about having our own families. The silly thing is we talked our naming them." I told him. He slightly chuckled and wrapped his arm around my waist. "It would be good for you to meet her. Bet she's told her all about you and the kids." He said. We shared a quick kiss and parted. I smiled. "First..." I trailed off. I poured a little more wine in my cup. "Let's have some wine!" I cheered. He laughed and put his cup out for me to pour more. We clinked our cups before sipping carefully. My phone buzzed. I picked it up from the counter and answered. "Hello?" I said. "Lizzy, it's Simone. Do you mind coming over to my house tomorrow? There's someone I want you to meet." She asked. I fake smiled. I'm sure you do. "Sure. What time?" I asked. "1pm. Bring Bella too." She quickly said. Probably to introduce her to her new god-cousin. I smiled. "Alright! See ya girly!" I said and hung up. Bryce hummed in response. "Are you invited to meet their daughter tomorrow?" He asked. Excitement fulfilled my body. "Especially Bella." I added. He smiled sweetly. "Aww! Great! That should be fun. Maybe her and Bella would get along." He said. I laughed, pouring more wine. "We'll see. Bella isn't really into meeting new people." I said. He scoffed and poured the last bit of wine into the sink. "I don't blame her. She had to adjust to our outside hype, her illness and even going to a new school. Meeting new people is one of them." He said. Bella seemed to be adjusting quite fine. She hasn't been having seizures, doing well in school and ignores paparazzi whenever we go out. Sometimes it concerns me because the flashes could inflict her a seizure. I smiled confidently. "Well, I think she's doing great lately. My strong big girl." I said. Bryce smiled and kissed my cheek. "Good luck tomorrow." He said.

The Next Day.

I was coming downstairs and placed my phone in my pocket. My keys hanging between my fingers. This is my outfit:

"Bella! Cmon! We're gonna be late!" I shouted. I checked my purse if my phone was in there and waited impatiently by the door. Dang, this girl likes to take her time. Breanna and Jace were at their friends's houses. After I'll be picking them up, we can stop at Walmart. Bella walked downstairs wearing her new outfit:

(Without the sunglasses and backpack)

She smiled. "It's been a while since we seen Aunt Simone." She said. I returned the gesture and remembered the discovery of her daughter yesterday. Bet so. "Yup. Got everything?" I asked. She quickly nodded. "Ok. Let's hit the hay." I said. Bella looked at me weirdly. "Mom, this is 21st century." She told me. I looked at her confusedly. "Yes and..." I trailed off. She smiled sheepishly. "Nobody says hit the hay." She said. I rolled my eyes as we walked out and I locked the door. "Is Uncle Zack's home?" She asked. I nodded my head no before honking the car. "He's with his friends. It'll be just Aunt Simone and someone else..." I trailed off and honked my car. We got inside, making me start the engine. I pulled away from the driveway and onto the road. Bella crossed her legs and fiddled with her fingers. I know she does that whenever she's nervous. "What's wrong?" I asked. She looked at me confusedly. "What do you mean?" She asked. I scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "Bella, you're my daughter. I'm aware of your good and bad habits. You cross your legs and play with your fingers when you're nervous. Why?" I said. She inhaled a deep breath. "All I'm nervous about is if my song doesn't get anywhere." She told me. I smiled. "Sweet, music is music. It doesn't matter whether a song is popular or not. What matters is people love listening to it and enjoying it. Some people will like it, some people won't. What also matters is how you like it." I said. Bella suddenly began taking deep breaths. I looked at her worriedly. Sometimes she does that when she's preparing for a seizure. "Are you ok? Seizure?" I asked. She nodded her head no and rolled down the window. "I just need to calm down. You know they could come if I'm stressed or too nervous." She said. I nodded in agreement. "Anyways, thanks Mom." She said, smiling. My heart fluttered. I mentally cheered once I was on the recognizable road to Simone's house. Oh! I forgot to mention her daughter to Bella! I almost spoke until she put on earbuds and listened to music. Guess she'll know later.

******

After parking in her driveway, we got out the car and walked to the doorstep. The earbuds weren't in her ears. "Now, there's someone Auntie Simone want you to meet. It's her daughter, probably your god-cousin." I told her. She groaned. "Don't tell me she's Breanna and Jace's age." She whined. I laughed and nodded my head no. "I don't think so." I said. I rang the doorbell twice. We waited a minute until it opened, revealing Simone. She smiled widely. "Hi!" She beamed. We laughed. I hugged her. She hugged back. "So good to see my L girl!" She said. We parted. I chuckled. "Same here Mone." I said. Her eyes widened toward Bella. She playfully screamed and hugged her tightly. Bella laughed, hugging back. "My beautiful goddaughter!" She squealed. "Hi Aunt Simone!" She said, giggling. They parted and we came inside. Their living room was absolute beautiful alongside a staircase to upstairs. "How are you two? How's Bryce and the kids?" She asked. I smiled. "They're fine. What about you three?" I asked. Bella almost spoke until footsteps were heard from upstairs. A girl around her age came in the kitchen. Simone cleared her throat. She saw us and smiled. "Sorry I didn't see ya'll there!" She said, giggling. I laughed. Simone chuckled. "Kaylee, this is your godmother Lizzy and your god-cousin Bella. Bella, this is your god-cousin Kaylee." She introduced. They smiled and shook hands. "Hi!" They said in unison. I returned the gesture. "Why don't you two head upstairs while me and Auntie talk?" I asked. Kaylee nodded as they left the room. Simone inhaled a deep breath. "Now, what?" She asked. I said nothing but pulled their wine bottle from the cabinet. She cheered. "Thank lord!" She whispered. We laughed more.

Later, we chilled on the couch with empty champagne fluids on the end table. I didn't drink wine because I needed to drive so orange juice can work. Simone sighed happily. "I've been meaning to ask. How's Bella really?" She asked. I shrugged. "She's been doing well lately. Haven't been having seizures in a while." I told her. She playfully rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you're a bad liar. I know it hasn't been easy since her song is gonna be released- I cut her off. I nodded. "Truth is I'm hopeful it doesn't affect her health. School, promoting the song, keeping up with her health. I don't know how she'll manage it. She can't take on too much so young." I said. Simone set her cup on the table. "So, put that on hold. The song. It's the school year so it'll mess with her homework. It's more important. Probably summer it can be released. Just not quickly now." She told me. Wait! That's a good idea! Bryce can put it on hold until summer. Bless my best friend. I breathed a breath of relief. "That'd be perfect. She'll be angry I know it." I said. She scoffed. "You're the parent." She said. We laughed, clinking our cups.