Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 34

Bella's POV

From October to January, I've watched her steadily improve. She and her mom were so similar that their push-harder mindsets, even in recovery, showed. I don't know what made her want to live more normally, but I'm glad she was there. I'm glad she was still here. Rilen, Storm, and her partner can now see Bekati's effort to become a better person, even if the line was not linear.

I paced around Ayala's home holding Nami. Ayala was perfectly chosen as her mother. I could relate to her yearning for one and being unable to have one... Her partner seems like a gem as well. I haven't told her, but I've definitely added her to my petition list when I do 'prayers' to Aphrodite. She's gonna have a child of her own whenever she really wants to. She made a great choice to adopt Nami.

She cooed at that moment and gave me a toothless smile, bobbing her head. I entertained her, sitting down. Ayala emerged from the laundry room, in comfy clothes, looking as tired as a mother would. I let out a chuckle and rocked the babe gently.

"She's been an angel this week. I wonder what she's been plotting." Ayala sat beside me and I chuckled. Nami extended for her immediately.

"You know, we have a lot of A names in our family. I was wondering if that tradition was going to keep going with this gumdrop." I tickled her stomach, and the sweet sound of a happy child interrupted the low jazz air. "I'm glad it didn't, by the way. Nami reminds me of Namiko.'

"Oh, my first name is Chentelle, Ayala just sounds better and is my middle name." She chuckled.

"I love your name... Chentelle. If I have another kid I might name her after you." I smiled, looking at her so she knew I meant it.

"Thanks... You know, you're so chill. I expected more of a tiger energy from how Bekati explained it." She laughed and removed the toy she accidentally sat on.

"Well, everyone's perspective isn't the same due to experience, right? I think I'm adaptable, but mostly chill too." I chuckled.

The baby reached for my engagement ring, making sounds that reminded me of the kids around this part of infancy.

She looked so angelic.

"Did anything ever seem off about her?" I had to ask, I referenced her 2nd year specifically.

"Yeah, apathy to death, her times when she'd be mute in class, but I know trauma when I see it. She was so scared when she was birthing... yeah. She was mostly private. She seemed like she was getting healthier close to her due date, I wouldn't think she was expecting. I was more shaken when I got the call from her best friend and she was already far along. I just had stuff stored aside, or we'd be in a crunch preparing for this honeypie." She smiled brightly and pinched my granddaughter's cheek. And mentioned her slim-built body state.

"I could only suspect what's going on, Have dream confirmations. I wish we could've prevented everything." I admitted.

"But you said she's improving, right? That's good. Let's move past it. Keep that supportive energy flowing. Maybe those two finally meet." She was optimistic.

"It might take years," I whispered.

She covered her sad expression as quickly as it surfaced. Then she nodded slowly. My phone received a text, and a car honked outside. I kissed the baby's forehead and rocked her gently before hugging Alaya. I managed a quick picture of us that I could eventually print out, then went to the door.

Abosk smiled when I entered the car and gave Chentelle a wave. I admired her house as usual when we left. It wasn't too much externally, but internally had plenty of room and great decor.