Sweet Girl

Well, I Wonder Which Set Of Rooms Are Mine

"Bella, sweetheart, would you like to see your new room?" Stevie asked the girl, gingerly. She hadn't wanted to upset her by reminding her that she was staying somewhere unfamiliar. However, as she watched the clock above the mantle, she grew cautious of Bella's anxiety of the dark, she thought it best to introduce her to her new bedroom while it was still light outside.

Bella was withdrawn.

Stevie didn't know how to approach her. She was worried that Bella hadn't responded because she was trying to ignore her reality, and Stevie anticipated that this would eventually fall through the cracks. She stood up and knelt in front of the shell of a child.

"Honey," she gently shook Bella's arm.

"There's lots of toys upstairs, ready for you to play with! Shall we go see what we can find?" Bella nodded, expressionlessly.

"Okay, come on," Stevie smiled, holding out her hand.

She led the little girl toward the stairs and opened the gate she'd had Karen deliver urgently, last night. She guided Bella gently, touching the back of her head with her hand as she stepped over the bottom bar of the gate, holding her breath in case the little girl tripped.

Bella hiked up the black-carpeted staircase, which meandered as it ascended to the second floor, clinging to Stevie's hand.

Stevie closed the top gate behind them.

Bella, for the first time, seemed to absorb her surroundings. She gazed at the high ceilings and the elaborately textured walls. Disguised paisley climbed up the walls in between the bedrooms. She thought about touching it. The monochrome design, etched from the floor to the ceiling fascinated her.

Stevie noticed the little girl standing stagnant beside her. She stayed quiet and let Bella soak the environment in.

After a few minutes, Bella gravitated toward the door closest to her. She stood in front of the closed door, assuming that it was locked. Stevie observed quietly. Bella walked toward the door which sat on the far left of the landing and stared. Stevie watched her bounce a little, back down to the other end of the landing, to the door of her and Lindsey's bedroom.

"Do you want to go in the rooms, honey?" Stevie suggested, bending down.

"Look," she walked over to her bedroom doors and cast them open.

"This is mine and Lindsey's room." She caught a gasp escape from Bella as she froze in the doorway, staring with awe at the wide, ornate bedroom.

"You can come in, it's okay," Stevie assured, beckoning Bella to take her hand. Admiring her surroundings, the little girl toured the decadent bedroom. She pointed to the doors by the terrace to which Stevie sauntered over, and turned the key. She swung the doors open, fresh wind flew in, sweeping her draping garments behind her. She noticed Bella pointing to the garden. Stevie peered closer, finding Lindsey pacing the patio, smoking.

"Oh, " she smiled.

"Can you see Lindsey?" Bella nodded, unexpectedly.

She held Bella's hand while the girl observed Lindsey, then the gazebo, then the birds making the trees tremble. They stood in silence while Bella digested the view.

After a few minutes, Bella disengaged and trotted out of the room, holding Stevie's hand.

"What do you wanna see next? Shall we go find Bella's room?" Stevie proposed. The girl nodded, with slight, but distinct enthusiasm.

Stevie opened the door.

The night before, Lindsey and Stevie had renovated the room slightly, making space for a spare mattress, in case one of them needed to sleep in there for her first night. Upon entering the room, Bella did something Stevie would never forget.