☀️She's Extraordinary ☀️

Heartfelt Convos & Serious Endeavors

Friday, November 4th (Avenues: The World School) (Bella's Perspective)
"Finally, school is over." Leah said.
"Right, we've been doing tests all week. I'm so glad that it's Friday." We also got out early today which is a plus!
"Ooo, guys I know what we should do today!" Julie said.
"What?"
"How about we go to the movies? We've been wanting to see A Lone Star for a hot minute."
"Ooo, that does sound good." I usually keep 50 dollars in my phone case just in case, now's the time to use it I guess!
"Wait, which movie theater should we go to? The one on 72nd or the one near Columbus Circle?"
"That's tricky...well the one on 72nd is better.." Hannah said.
"But the one on Columbus is a bit closer to home." Eva said.
"What are you guys talking about?" Nate asked. The girls filled him in as we exited the building. When we got outside I noticed Elliot's car. Well, that's great. He waved in my direction.
"On second thought, I can't come. My Dad's here."
"Ugh, now we can't watch our movie!"
"Sorry, text me!" I hugged them and walked over to the car.
"Hey, how was school kiddo?"
"Fine. Just had a couple of tests today."
"Think you did well?"
"Yeah." I wish he didn't pick me up. I'd much rather watch a movie with my friends instead of having this awkward convo.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see." I sighed.
^^^^^^^^^^
Becca's Creamery
"Isn't it too cold for ice cream?" I asked.
"Never." You know I'd be completely okay with getting ice cream if I knew why we were here.
"Hello there, how can I help you guys today?!" The employee asked.
"Can I get two scoops of chocolate ice cream with some caramel syrup and gummy bears?"
"Of course! And you?"
"May I have three scoops of Cookie Monster ice cream with Oreos, cookie dough, and chocolate syrup please?"
"Certainly! Your total is 17.89." To be fair if I'm going to be treated to ice cream I deserve to go all out.
"You're trying to make me broke." Elliot commented. We got our ice cream and sat at a table in front of the window.
"Am I in trouble?"
*******************
Becca's Creamery (Park. Ave) (Elliot's Perspective)
"You're not, I took you out here today because I wanted to talk to you." I said while smiling and having a bit of my ice cream.
"I don't know how you eat that, chocolate ice cream is so gross."
"It's not gross, Bella. It's a classic." She laughed softly.
"What do you wanna talk about?"
"Us. I know that lately we haven't been...the closest and I want to fix that. You barely called when I was undercover and it broke my heart, you avoided talking to me. Why is that?" I asked. Bella put down her spoon and sighed.
"I made a vow in therapy to be more honest about my feelings...so here we go." She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"I've tried telling you several times but nothing has changed. Both you and Mom. You guys both kind of treat me a certain way when I do normal things for my age. You said you'd stop and you don't. So I kind of don't want to talk to you to avoid you getting upset with me and then we argue and then I slam doors and then I get grounded." She paused.
"I find it a lot easier to just...not talk to you, honestly. Which isn't good because I live with you and you're family." She strummed her fingers.
"So yeah that's it. We've had this conversation a lot but it hasn't gone anywhere." She said. I admired Bella's calmness and honesty. Lucy and Olivia were really spot on about her maturing.
"I'd ask what to do, but you've told me. I wrote it down. Be more accepting, listen to you more, don't rush to conclusions, and give you more chances to explain. I can do those things, Bella, especially now that I'm home. I can show you that I'm making the effort, but you've gotta keep up your end of the deal. Right?"
"I can try."
"You can try?" I said while laughing.
"No attitude, communicate, follow the rules, be honest. I can do that but it's kind of hard to not have an attitude or communicate sometimes."
"I guess you have a point. I guess we have to make some exceptions."
"Yeah." Bella giggled.
"Speaking of listening to you more, why don't you tell me about what I've missed?"
"I'd love to."
*********************
(Saturday) Harrison Family Recreational Park (3:35 PM) (Leia's Perspective)
Right now, Mommy, Daddy, Eli, and I were at the park near our house because I was going to learn how to ride my big girl bike! For my birthday last year, my Dad bought me a bike with training wheels but that was super easy to ride so Mommy bought me a big girl bike! I'm excited to ride it but I'm also scared too. What if I get fall and get hurt?

"When I started riding my bike I fell and I got this boo-boo right here! See!" Bailey pointed to the scab on her leg.
"Ouch! Did it hurt real bad?"
"Really bad! Especially when Mommy put alcohol on it."

"Okay baby girl, put on your helmet." I put my helmet on and Daddy tightened it a bit. That squeezes my chin a little.
"Look at you all ready to ride!"
"Can I go to the bathroom, please?" I asked Mommy. 
"Of course honey, let's go quickly. Daddy is waiting." We walked toward the bathroom and when we got close I opened my mouth.
"Mommy, can I go by myself? I'm a big girl." I told her.
"Okay, go in baby I'll be out here waiting for you, okay?" I nodded. I went into the stall. I didn't have to use the restroom, I just wanted Mommy to go away. I'm really nervous! What if I fall off of my bike in front of everyone? That would be embarrassing.
"It's okay, Leia! You dance on stage in front of a lot of people for competitions! Riding a bike will be a piece of cake!"
"Huh? Who are you?" I asked.
"I'm Catalina! I'm a mermaid." She sat on the toilet and I was really confused.
"I thought mermaids were supposed to be in the water."
"Well, I'm half mermaid so I can be a human too! See!" Catalina's pink tail disappeared and she had on purple overalls and sparkly silver shoes.
"That's cool."
"Yeah! But Leia, you should go learn how to ride a big girl bike! It's a lot of fun when you learn how!"
"Not when you get boo-boos and embarrass yourself." I told Catalina.
"Boo-boos go away after a while! It won't be bad, I promise." I shrugged.
"Leia, is everything alright, love? Do you need some help?" Oh no. Catalina disappeared.
"Lei?" Mommy knocked on the stall.
"Can you let me in?" I opened the door and Mommy came in. I bowed my head.
"Leia, what's the matter?" I began to cry because I didn't know what else to do!
"Leia honey, what happened?" Mom looked around the stall.
"I wanna go home. I don't wanna ride the bike anymore."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm gonna get hurt."
"Leia....we don't know that sweetheart and even if you do take a little tumble it's okay. You just get right back up and try again. It's all a part of learning. One time when Bella was younger she was trying to perfect her backhand spring. She fell and got quite upset. I told her the same thing that I'm telling you and look at where she is now."
"She's a good gymnast now."
"Exactly! So come on, let's get riding!"
^^^^^^^^^^
"Pedal, pedal, pedal!" Daddy said while pushing me. This is a little bit easy. I kept pedaling. Daddy was starting to run a little bit because I was going fast!
"Alright, go, go, go!" Daddy let go and I was riding the bike all on my own!
"Good job, Lei! You're doing awesome!" I kept pedaling and stopped once I got to the gate.
"Look at you, Lei! You can ride without training wheels now!" Eli said while giving me a high five.
"That was awesome, I knew you could do it." I saw Catalina smiling in the background. I did it.
"Can we come back and ride again tomorrow?"
"Awww, we can't sweetheart, remember Mom and I are having our little date night tomorrow?"
"Ohhh... Are dates fun?"
"They are." Mom and Dad smiled at each other.
********************
The Master Bedroom (Olivia's Perspective)
Getting ready quickly, I brushed my hair and put some lip gloss on. Heading downstairs, Elliot gasped.
"You look.." Elliot was speechless. Walking towards him, I kissed him.
'Did you enjoy your run babe?' He nodded.
'The food smells great.' He admired my outfit.
'You always amaze me.' As he headed upstairs, I sorted out the dinner. We were really good at the moment. The kids adored him. I wasn't so afraid anymore. Getting 2 glasses out, I poured some wine. After so long, we could still be romantic. The way he spoke left my stomach in flutters. I would just want to have him all to myself.. and tonight that was truly happening.
"Hey." I turned to look at him. He was in a t-shirt with some jogging bottoms. I smiled.
"And dinner is served." As we ate, we spoke about various things.
"I can't believe how fast Noah has grown up. Leia is a little angel. And Bella is very independent." I agreed. The thing with Bella is that she was so independent, that when she had a flashback, she was starting to figure out how to communicate. That made me happy as her mom.
"Leia loves being around you. She's definitely a daddy's girl!" He giggled. After dinner, we washed up.
When we sat in the living room, we cuddled up. He stroked my cheek.
"I would love one more child." I gasped.
'Really?' I smiled.
"Yeah. Do you babe?" I loved the idea.
"The way you're looking right now Stabler, I don't think I am able to control myself." He kissed me so much that my insides burst.. taking his hand, we went upstairs.
"I love you." His hands then touched my cheek.
"I love you too." He took my hand.. and lead me into our bedroom.

A/N: LaurenLove18 wrote this lovely section! Thank youu!! 💕💜