Work In Progress (Short)

Chapter 1 (Secret Sibling)

March 2001

~Isabelle~

Isabelle glanced about her room. Peeling flower wallpaper, dirty grey carpets and rough beige sheets. Lopsided bedside table with chipped wood pieces and broken handles. She had bought this table and house when she moved out at 18, having saved what little she had from years of being a beauty pageant contestant and fast food worker.

For 35 five she still looked good. Her brown hair fell just below her shoulders, her side bangs got in the way of her hazel eyes. She was just average weight and 5 feet 5 inches, nothing that noticeable but her smile. Just a normal girl who had managed to win 3rd place at all her pageants. Earning her $150 each time.
Although nothing had prepared her for raising a baby a year later. Her mother left when she was 16, marrying some rich man, only to end up in prison years later for the murder of her husband. Leaving nothing for her daughter, but instead a trust fund for her grandchild. $5000 dollars available when Lillian turned 18, just in time for college.

Isabelle never knew her father. All she knows is that he died before she was born and her mother Nora, never recovered from the loss.

Isabelle crept out of her room, past all the pictures of her and Lillian, to her daughters room. Isabelle always worried about her, but she would do right by her. She my be only a year old, but she would meet with Kade and demand child support for their child. A proper home, clothes and toys. She deserved at least half of what Laura's kids have. If not more, seeing as Lillian is Kade's only daughter.
As Isabelle walked in Lillian's room, she glanced at the state of her baby's room. Pink paint with water spots dotted at the bottom of the wall. Faded dirty white trim and an old wooden dresser with a slightly better worn look then her bedside table. Cream carpet turned brown-ish, and a white wooden crib with a beautiful baby girl with blonde hair (her father's side) and hazel eyes, mirrored her mother's own.

Lillian started to cry, she wailed and wailed, most likely needing breakfast. And she didn't have time but knew it was in Lillian's best interest, though she needed time to look presentable for her meeting with Kade. No doubt he would be dressed in his best, expensive suit and tie, fancy shoes and watch.
Her red dress is the only item that cost her a handful of cash. $2000 dollars she had saved up, and when she bought the dress she nearly cried at the checkout. But she wanted to prove to Kade she deserved the lifestyle she was gonna demand. She wanted the best for her kid, and damn it she was gonna get it.

~Kade~

He couldn't understand what was so urgent that Belle needed to see him. He prayed Lilly was alright. He never intended to get her pregnant but he loved Isabelle and Lillian. But he could never leave Laura, not with the cancer scare and the test in the coming weeks. He only married Laura because of the pregnancy, and he loved kids, always wanted them. Now he has three, one of which Laura has no clue about, and he is dying to be with his girls. See Lillian's first steps, words, everything. There has got to be a way, he needed a way.

"Hello?" a quiet voice answered.
"Belle? Can you bring her? I really want to see Lilly, it's been 2 months." Kade wasn't one to beg, but he needed to be with them, if only for a few minutes.
"Of course, she won't stop fussing aways. Give me 10 more minutes and I'll be there." Lilly was gurgling in the background which brought a smile to Kade's face.
"Thank you! I love you both." Kade could not be happier right now.
There was silence on Isabelle's side, "I love you too." Click, she hung up, and the whole time Kade went to the restaurant where Belle worked he didn't stop smiling.

~Laura~

She couldn't have ever imagined that she would hear this. Ovarian cancer. She didn't know what she would tell Kade, let alone her boys. She could never have the daughter she dreamed of. Her boys are only 5, and she couldn't imagine life without them.

Laura never wanted kids but she couldn't risk losing Kade and his money. Her parents cut her off and said she needed a career, and her career was Kade. She needed money and she could tell he was distant, so she seduced him and weeks later she was with child.
It wasn't until she had her kids that she truly felt whole, and then she wanted more.
But she never in a million years would think cancer would be what stopped her. She would do whatever it takes to get better and have that baby girl. Whatever it takes...