NOT JUST A GIFT

chapter 7

As Ariel's health improves, Charles couldn't help but feel a sense of relief over him. He had been worried sick about his daughter, so scared that he was going to lose her. But now, as he watched her laugh and play, he knew that she was going to be okay.

But as he looked at Vera, who was busy making breakfast in the kitchen, he knew that he couldn't keep ignoring the presence of, the elephant in the room.  He needed to know more about Vera and why she had kept the truth from him. He uses every opportunity to ask her questions, Even as she has successfully escaped most questions.

"Vera,"  he said, in a soft tone as he approached her. "Can we talk?"

Vera's eyes flickered up to his, a hint of wariness in their depths. "What is it, Charles? Can't it wait?"

"No, I need to know why you didn't tell me," he said, his voice more like a whisper. " Why didn't you tell me that Ariel was your daughter."

Dread flashed through Vera's eyes, trying to hold herself together, her hands faltering as she cracked eggs into a bowl. "I... I was scared," she managed to say, her voice so faint, that she couldn't hear herself speaking. "I grew up in an orphanage, Charles. And I understand what being unloved, and unwanted feels like. And I try to avoid that for Ariel. I wanted her to have somewhere to call home, a stable home, a family who loved her. And I believed that if you found out she was my daughter, you would take her away from me." She cried heaven off her eyes in silence.

Charles's heart went out to her, his anger and frustration washing away. He wondered how life for Vera would have been for the past years of her life she had been through a lot and hurt in ways he couldn't even imagine.

"But what was life outside the orphanage like to you?" Charles asked, his curiosity getting the most out of him.

Vera's eyes clouded over, her voice barely audible.  "If any stronger word than Hard, Charles. I would use, I had to do multiple menial jobs just to make ends meet. Nobody wants to help a nobody like me it was tough and rough, I fought for everything and ended up with nothing, every scrap of food, every moment of peace. And I never had anyone to turn to, no one to rely on. Everyone wants more than I ever had, I was alone, always alone."

Charles's heart broke for her, his mind reeling with the thought of what she must have gone through. He couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have to fight for everything, to never have anyone to turn to.

"At some point, I walked as a stripper and a waitress, day and night nothing tangible," Vera said, her voice cracking as she tried to hold back tears. "I did a lot just to survive, to make sure I no longer sleep on the deadly street and have food on my table."

Charles's eyes widened in shock, what exactly could she have done "a lot?" He couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have to resort to such measures just to survive.

"Vera, I'm sorry," he said, his voice soft. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that."

Vera's eyes filled with tears as she nodded, her hands reaching out to him. But as he pulled her in a hug, she cried louder, trying to say something but unable to find her voice.

As Charles held Vera in his arms, he could feel her body shaking with sobs. He stroked her hair and whispered in her ear, trying to comfort her.

"Shh, Vera's tears only seemed to come harder, her body trembling with emotions. Charles held her tighter, feeling compassion and love for this woman who had been strong through so much.

Just then, they heard a faint crawling sound coming from the direction of the kitchen door. Charles and Vera looked up to see Ariel crawling towards them, her little face curious and concerned.

"Ariel!" Charles exclaimed, his heart swelling with love for his daughter. "What are you doing here?"

Ariel looked up at them with big eyes, taking in the sight of her father and Vera hugging in the kitchen. For a moment, she stared, her face emotionless.

Then, to Charles's surprise, she began to crawl faster, her little hands and feet moving quickly as she made her way towards them.

"Ariel, sweetie, what's wrong?" Charles asked his voice with a bit of concern and fun.

But Ariel didn't answer. Instead, she reached out her arms and wrapped them around Charles's leg, holding in tight.

Charles's heart melts at the sight of his daughter clinging to him. He reached down and picked her up, holding her close as he looked at Vera.

"I think someone wants to join the hug," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Vera smiled her eyes shining with tears. She nodded with a smile, yet to find her voice.

And with that, the three of them hugged, holding each other tight as they stood in the kitchen. It was a moment of pure love and connection, a moment Charles would never forget.

Charles felt a sense of peace washed over him, as they hugged.

"I'm sorry, Vera," Charles whispered his voice filled with emotions. " You're a strong woman and an amazing person, thank you for everything."

Vera took a long breath, and with a sense of relief "Thank you, Charles, for not being mad at me for too long, thanks for your understanding. I'm a bit relieved now."

Charles held her closer, feeling a surge of love and admiration for this woman who had been through so much. "You're so strong, Vera,  where's your strength from?" He said, his voice filled with awe. " I don't know how you did it, but I must admit, you are an inspiration to me and Ariel."

Ariel, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke up. "Dada," she said, her voice filled with emotions she wiped Vera's face biding her sorry.

Vera's face crumpled as she looked away, and she began to sob again. Charles held her closer, stroking her hair and whispering in her ear. "It is okay, Vera," he said. "We are here for you. We  will always be here for you."

Ariel cried out too. "Da-da" she held Vera tightly.