The One...

Chapter 7.

LENORA (2020)
Newhaven > Manchester

The next morning I woke up early and packed my bags for Manchester. Vanessa was still sleeping so I crept into her room and gently woke her up. 'You'll be fine right?' I asked her. 'Si mamá, estaré bien.' She rubbed her eyes. 'Breakfast with mommy before she leaves?' I questioned her. 'Si, por favor.' She hugged me, rolling back.

I picked her up and we both made our way down stairs. I poured both of us some cereal in a bowl and then walked over to the fridge to get some milk.

'So first day at school today? How are we feeling?' I asked her. 'Ezekiel said he'll be there to show me around. He's cute.' Vanessa smiled, digging in the bowl. 'He's also very old, like an older brother.' I scrubbed off any trace of her having a crush on him. 'Exactly.' She seconded me. 'He's like the brother I never had.' She scoops up the cereal and shoves it in her mouth.

The doorbell rang and I excused myself and made my way to her. 'First day of school.' Susie shrieked from outside. 'It's not actually. She has a lot to catch up on. Oh God, will she be able to do that? There is a lot.' Susie started blabbering. I pulled her inside. She followed me to the kitchen where Vanessa had finished her bowl of cereal and was wiping her face.

'Good morning Vanessa.' Susie smiled at her. 'Good morning Aunt Susie.' Vanessa smiled. 'Do you want me to go get fresh and dress up for school?' 'Sure. We'll leave as soon as you are ready.' Susie smiled at her. 'If you leave before I come–' Vanessa pulled me down and kissed my cheeks.

'I won't leave without saying goodbye to you.' I knit my eyebrows. 'I think you should or you wouldn't leave. You'll start crying, like, right now.' She wiped a tear rolling off my cheeks. 'I'm leaving you for the first time.' I choked on my words. 'You've left me before.' 'Not like this.' I pulled her closer. 'I'll miss you.' She whispered. 'I'll miss you too, carinō.' I kissed her face.

'You promise mama, you'll be good. Don't trouble aunt Susie and uncle Theo.' I held her face. 'Also don't get in trouble in school. No bullying, No pranking. No fighting.' I spoke thoroughly. 'I won't promise.' She smirked. 'Oh I'm going to miss you, mija.' I pulled her in a hug again. I sniffed her hair.

'Maybe take a shower and wash your hair honey.' I rubbed her back before breaking the hug.

'Be smart and friendly,' She held her pinky finger out. 'Be honest and kind.' I smiled, linking my finger to hers. 'Be the best thing they can find.'

'Win the case for me?' 'Don't I always?' I ruffled her hair before I let her go. 'I wish my mother was half of this.' Susie pointed at me and Vanessa.

'You're mom was good.' I said, raising an eyebrow.

'Ok here's a list of things for Vanessa.' I pulled out a binder and handed it to her. 'Everything you need to know about her. Her allergies, her medications, her sleeping schedule, what she is allowed to eat, what she isn't. Her screen time and why she gets cranky or why she gets sad. I've noted it down. To the Z.' I slammed my finger on the binder.

'Ok– Geek.' Susie snorted. 'Susie, serious mom mode.' I looked at her. 'Ok.' She nodded and controlled her laugh.

'I'm trusting you with my daughter. Take good care of her and if there is even the slightest bit of a problem don't ever hesitate to call me. My personal number is—'

'In the binder in bold.' She had already opened and was looking at my contact number. 'Yes, that is my personal number, the one below is my home office, the one below that is Janet's number, she's my personal assistant and the one below her is Chris. Call him only if there is an absolute emergency and you can't reach me through the first three numbers. Only and only then.' I said, pointedly.