Within The Shadows.✅ (WLW)

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"Sorry we're late, but the hickey on Mel's neck tells me we are just on time" Is the first thing Aiden says when I open the front door.

I just stare wide-eyed at him. That is when I saw the smirk on Ava's face.

"Aunty Mel!" I hear little Alex when he runs into the room. I bend down to his level to pick him up.

"Wel hallo little man," I say, tickling him. He bursts out laughing. I can see from the corner of my eye Ava smiling at us.

"What's that aunty? Are you hurt?" Alex asked touching where I figured it was my hickey.

"Hey little man, don't I get a hug?" Ava asked him before I could think of an answer. And just like that, she steals the little rascal from me.

"Ryan should be here any minute now," Aiden says. And not long after Ryan shows up with...alcohol, jump.

"Dinners almost ready!" I shouted from the kitchen, taking the chicken from the oven.

*Knock Knock*

I wonder who is at the door, so far, I know I am not expecting anyone else.

As I open the door, I am met with the same hazel-coloured eyes as my own.

"Mother, may I help you?" I ask folding my arms. A year ago, I made the choice. They could try and understand, or they would never see me or my children ever again.

They chose to not even try. To say the least, it did hurt but it is not that I expect any different.

"I know I'm probably the last person that you want to see, all I ask is for 10 minutes of your time." My mother says the look in her eyes. She looks almost, lost.

"I have guests at the moment. Are you staying nearby or at a hotel?" I can see a flash of hope through her eyes.

"Yes, your father is on a business trip till Monday." My mother says. She almost looks happy that my father is not home.

"There is a small coffee shop a couple of miles away from the university, Kate's coffee house, meet me there at 11 and we can talk." I know I should not be doing this, but she will always stay my mother, and I her daughter no matter what.

"Thank you. Have a nice evening." She says and I can see tears starting to form in her eyes. The next thing I know she is hugging me.

After she lets go and walks away, I walk back into my home.

I walk to the kitchen to serve the food when Ava comes from behind to hug me.

"Who was at the door?" She asked.

"My mother actually," I say, I know she does not approve of the way my partners treated me. Once upon a time, she saw them as family as well.

"Oh, what did she say?" She pulls away, I turn around to face her.

"She wanted to talk, but I told her I had guests, so we are meeting at Kate's for coffee tomorrow," I say, I do not know what Ava is going to think. I just know this is something I had to do.

"Do you want me to come with you?" She asks, but I know this is something I have to do alone.

"No, it's fine. You my dear fiancé can go grocery shopping; I'll make a list tonight." I say, putting my arms over her shoulders and kissing her.

"Hey! Where is this delicious food that we are smelling." Aidens asks while walking into the kitchen.

"Right. Let us eat!" I say as I get all the food and place it on the dinner table.

After dinner, we had cheesecake, as Aiden asked. I noticed that Alex was starting to get tired.

"Hey little man, are you tired?" I ask him and he just nods.

I pick him up in my area, he lays his head on my shoulder, and he is light out. I walk to my room and put him on my bed to sleep.

I walk back into the living room; I see all my friends laughing and enjoying their self.

I know this is where I belong and where I can be myself. I do not have to hide Within the Shadows anymore.