Journey to Love

Bonus chapter + update

Update: 

Good morning, everyone. I just wanted to give you all an update on everything. I have just finished my first year as a primary teacher! Which has inspired me to go back through this book. I am honestly wanting to rewrite it to add some more chapters and really make the relationships between some of the characters way more solid and fluent. However, there will be no timeline to this, I will just be doing it when I feel motivated. In the meantime, here is a bonus excerpt I've been meaning to publish: 

Sorry if there's mistakes, I have not edited this. 

About 10-11 months later:

The sound of gentle Christmas songs drifted quietly throughout the house. Layla awoke softly to the tunes that seemed to caress her into the real world. 

Layla rummaged to the side of the bed, fingers guiding along the bedside table until she found her glasses. Putting them on, she scanned the bedroom, looking at all the different objects and furniture that now decorated her room. 

Despite awakening in this room for the last 10 months, Layla still felt a sense of joy as she sat beneath the dark blue blanket covering her from the cold that could surely be felt outside. 

It was snowing this year, sprinkling down in soft waves. 

She could vividly remember praying last year for the pain and the terror to stop. Now looking out into the winter weather she could happily say she woke up feeling safe and loved, and maybe a bit excited. 

Layla quickly jumped out of bed, and began making her way towards the Christmas tree. Her mother, Anita and her therapist had said that she had been a great kid. They had reassured her and convinced her that Santa would most definitely be dropping into her house this year. 

And just to be sure that he wouldn't get lost like the other times, she and Anita dropped in at the shopping center to give Santa her new address. 

Layla was quick and quiet, a habit that has caused her to accidentally sneak upon Anita on more than a few occasions, as she flew down the stairs and into the living room. She peeked around the corner, and much to her delighted surprise, there were presents littered beneath the Christmas tree. The tree that she and her new family had put up on the first of December. 

Layla stepped into the room, absolutely amazed by the mass of presents that were stacked under and in the tree. The most amount of presents she had ever seen. 

A small thought bubbled into the back of her brain, questioning whether any of the presents were for her, but she knew. She knew that she had been good, her mum had even said so. She and her therapist had helped her learn that her old foster parents were wrong. They were abusers who had hurt her for their own enjoyment. She wasn't bad, she had never done anything bad. 

"Good morning, sweetheart," her mum said from behind her. 

Layla turned around with a gigantic smile decorating her face, as she jumped into her mother's arms, "Good morning, mum! Merry Christmas! Can you see all those presents Santa got?" 

"Yes I can sweetheart. It seems like everyone has been really good this year!" her mother responded with the same energy. "Why don't we go sit down while we wait for your dad, Kieran and Nate to finish up in the kitchen." 

Layla nodded her head in excitement before barreling into the loungeroom. Though once she got inside she was unsure as to what she should do. Sit on the couch? Sit on the floor? Layla wasn't sure. Instead she watched her mum's movements as she sat on the floor by the tree. That was enough encouragement for Layla to follow suit, and she plopped herself beside her mother. 

It took the boys another minute before they too came into the room, plate full of pancakes and fruit. Layla was in awe. Her father- (NAME) entering last. He had come early this morning to help make breakfast with Kieran. Layla smiled up at him as they locked eyes. She was happy to see him again, he had been coming to see her 3 times a week and he'd take her out. At first it was with her mum, but now they went on their own, doing their father-daughter dates. 

"Good morning Layla, I hope you slept well," Kieran smiled down at her. Both Kieran and Nate sat down opposite of Layla and Anita, allowing them all to be around the tree. While her dad came and sat by her. 

Layla couldn't keep the smile off of her face. This new, exciting endeavor made he want to jump and scream, however, she kept it to herself, instead wiggling on the floor. 

Layla watched as Kieran began handing out the wrapped assortments, giving one to everyone, including her. While her dad started handing out plates for breakfast. Once they had all eaten their overly sweet pancakes, they picked up the present that was sitting before them. She watched quietly as everyone around her began unwrapping the presents, caught in the moment she stayed frozen. A small nudge from her mum had her realising that she could open her present too. With methodic fingers, she peeled back the paper, revealing a blue dolphin plushie hidden beneath. 

"Layla" she heard Kieran say just as she took it out of the wrapping, causing her to look up and see him holding a camera. Layla smiled at the camera, holding the plushie up to them as it flashed. 

A nice and safe moment to remember her first Christmas with her family. With everyone she loved and cared for sitting around her, smiling and laughing, just like she had always dreamed. 

So, as the morning ticked on, and every present she opened, she was photographed by either Kieran or her dad. Evidence they said, to remember such a happy and memorable day, causing her face to lighten up every time. By the time all the presents were gone, Layla had a stack of gifts that she'd unwrapped. Ranging from plushies, to clothes, toys and jewelry, she had gotten so many things from everyone in the room. So many things she had no idea what to do with it. 

Her dad had gotten gifts too, from her and from their family, which brought a bigger smile to her face. Everyone was in such a joyous mood, Layla did not once think about what her other Christmas's were like. 

When the sun had gone down, and it was time to say goodbye to her dad, she found herself not wanting him to leave. Her eyes were pooling, her fingers curled into fists as he stood by the front dor. 

Her father smiled at her, that caring and safe smile, kneeled down and said, "It's okay sweetheart. I've spoken to your mum, we are going to start doing sleepovers at mine, okay? So we can spend some more time together". 

Layla jumped into his arms, nodding her head quickly, holding onto him like he would never come back, "can we stay up late and watch movies until its midnight?" 

Her dad laughed, " of course, and we can play some games to, yeah?" Layla nodded her head against his chest. Her body loving the way his arms held her safely into him. How his body kept her warm, how his hand found its way into her hair and he just held her to him. When they did part, his hands gently clasped her shoulders, his hazel eyes staring into replicas of his own. 

"I love you so much kid, I'm so glad you are happy"

Layla jumped into his arms again, holding him tight, "I love you too dad."