Forbidden

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"I can barely see you in there," Lena laughed as she looked at Mariana through the bathroom mirror. Mariana was able to convince her to buy bath bubbles while in the store. So now she was lost amongst mountains of bubbles splashing all around smiling back at her. Lena already finished her shower and was standing in the mirror moisturizing her curly hair that way it can hold off until she got around to straightening it again tomorrow.

For the time being she was enjoying the small talk with the young girl. "Miss. Adams, thanks for letting me sleepover. I miss being normal". Lena went over and sat next to the bath tub. "Thank you for coming. It gets lonely here sometimes. But you know, when we aren't at school or when it's just us you can call me Lena if you like". The little girl's expression lit up like a Christmas tree. "Really? Do the other kids get to call you Lena too?" she asked out of curiosity. "No, only the sweet adorable ones named Mariana". Mariana beamed at her new privilege.

"Would you like me to wash your hair for you?" She quickly nodded her head and turned to give Lena access to the back of her hair. "Lena, why don't you leave your hair the way it is now? Why do you always make it look straight?" Lena gathered shampoo into her hands and began to massage it into Mariana's hair. "Some people don't really like it this way. They suggest that I should keep it straight". Saying this out loud Lena realized how silly that sounded. "Which way do you like it?" Lena smiled at the seriousness of the child. "I like it like this". Mariana remained quiet after that.

As Lena continued to wash her hair, she was completely in love with this moment. She loved Mariana and wanted nothing more than for her to be adopted into a loving family one day. But deep down, she was honestly dreading that day just as much. She wanted Mariana. She wanted her as her daughter and to be able to bring her home each day. To be able to take care of her and be there when she needed help. But she also knew that it probably wasn't the best idea. She was only 26 years old and was struggling to maintain her own problems. And Mason, he wasn't the best with kids and she didn't want Mariana's life to have anything to do with Mason's.

"Lena? Lena?!" She was jarred from her thoughts by Mariana who was looking at her with a face full of fear. "Sorry honey. What's wrong?" Mariana reached up and covered her mouth with her small hand. "Shh! Do you hear that?" she whispered. Lena turned her head toward the door, trying to focus to see if she could hear anything coming from the condo. It was quiet for a second before she heard things crashing and falling, then followed by curse words coming from a more than likely drunk Mason. "Crap!" Lena mumbled to herself. She turned and grabbed the towel from the counter and Mariana caught on as she jumped out of the tub and Lena quickly wrapped her in it. "Ok honey, I'll be right back. It's just my fiancé. There's nothing to worry about. Your pajamas are right here. Just put them on and when I walk out just lock the door and I will be right back". Mariana had tears forming in her eyes as a wave of panicked déjà vu washed over her. "No. Lena stay in here. He will go away. Please don't go out there".

"It will be ok, I promise. Nothing bad will happen. I'll be right back baby. Just lock the door". Lena kissed her forehead and quickly ran out the bathroom as she heard the door lock behind her.

Lena went out around the corner to see Mason in the kitchen pulling things from each cabinet and dropping them to the ground. "Mason?" Lena said as she walked towards him. She got closer to him and placed her hand to his shoulder so he could turn around and face her. "Mason". He snapped around at hearing her voice, sweating and eyes red from intoxication. "Lena. Why is there no beer in this house?" Lena stepped back disappointed and slightly annoyed. "Because you joined AA, remember," Lena said crossing her arms. "Oh yeah. I did tell you that, didn't I? Well you need to go out and get some then, Leah".