Serenity | Fragile Hearts

chapter 1- rainy days

Aila

Tiny drops of water coated the cafe windows. The difference in temperature caused a slight dew to appear, creating a foggy look.

My gaze focused on outside as people rushed along the busy sidewalk in Chicago, umbrellas in their hand as they hurried to escape the storm.

Many people hated the rain. In fact, most preferred sunny skies so they can enjoy outside more.

I was the opposite.

Stormy weather made me content. It brought me a sense of peace and serenity in it's own chaos as it downpours. Something about it makes eveything seem calm for a period of time.

A tap on my hand brought me out of my trance. "Mommy, I'm finished." My daughter Sofia announced with a small smile.

She was my life. Everything I did, I did it for her.

Thanks to the cards we were dealt, it was just her and I against the world.

"Good job, sweetheart!" I told her as I grabbed a napkin and began to wipe away some left behind crumbs from her cookie.

We were at a cafe celebrating my nursing school graduation. I had yet to ever step foot in here, as the prices weren't something I could afford. But everytime we passed by it, my daughter's face lit up. She never once asked to go in, so I figured it was the perfect place to celebrate.

With everything thrown my way, I would be lying if I told you I didn't feel accomplished.

Now I'd be able to provide a better life for my daughter.

I didn't have any family as most of my fellow classmates did. A twinge of sadness striked through me as a plethora of proud families congradulated and celebrated their scholars.

My only family was my daughter.

And it was all I needed.

So here we were celebrating with two coookies with each other. It wasn't the most, but it was enough.

I quickly passed a napkin through the table one more time, making sure it was clean, before I picked up Sofie and began to make our way out. Before we left, I stopped and bent down, making sure her jacket was zipped up all the way. Between the rain and the chilly weather in Chicago, I didn't want her getting sick.

And of course nursing school has given me my fair share of horrors with things I've seen, further fueling my anxiety.

I grabbed my umbrella and bent down.

"Okay Sofie, I need you to hold my hand. As soon as we get out there, it's going to be very busy. People are going to be rushing everywhere. Make sure and hold mommy's hand so you don't get lost." I told her softly as  brushed a few pieces of hair away from her face.

"Ok mommy" she said with a small smile. Everything could've gone wrong in my life, but the one thing that went right was her. She was an amazing child. Always listened, very intelligent and beyond caring.

I looked at her in adoration. "Thank you, Sofie, I love you princess."

"Love you too mommy"

I grabbed her hand and opened the umbrella and we made our way out. As soon as the door opened, it was much colder than I anticipated.

The sidewalks only got busier in the short amount of time, making it seem like madness. I gripped Sofie's hand much tighter as I tried to manuver us throught the crowd.

Since Sof was so small, people kept on bumping into her. I decided it was best to just carry her, so we could escape this faster. My apartment wasn't too far from here, but it would take longer with all this rain.

I made my way through the crowds as best as I could. The rain began to pour much harder, making our raincoats useless. I decided it would be best to stop for a little, to let it calm down.

I approached this big, tall building with a little overhang. When I looked up, I immediately cringed. Of course it was the one building people avoid like the plague.

No wonder no one is seeking cover by it.

Rumer has it that these people are mafia, causing a shiver to creep down my spine. I didn't have a choice though, it was too cold and pouring cats and dogs now. Sofie had her head nesteled into my neck, making me hug her tighter. As we approached the overhang, I put down my umbrella and made my way to take a seat on the step.

As I sat down, I readjusted her accordingly so that she was still sitting on me, but now my jacket would provide extra warmth for her.

"Are you okay, peanut?" I asked her softly as I snuggled her closer.

She nodded with a small smile. One I could easily see through. She may say she's okay, but I could see her teeth chattering. Her skin was cold.

I needed to get her inside.

I turned around and looked at the double doors behind me. Contemplation ran through my mind.

I had to enter. I didn't want my daughter to get sick.

I stood up and reached for the handle to open the door. As I did, someone pushed it out as if they were leaving, causing me to loose my balance and tumble down.

Before I could make sense of what was happening, dark brown eyes found mine.