Aftershock (Sequel to Yes I Am- A Demi Lovato Fanfiction)

Chapter 18

"Goodbye my baby." I forced a smile onto my face and pulled her in for a final hug. It was taking everything in me to hold back the tears that were forming. I took in every feature of her face, I knew all too well that seeing someone again is never a guarantee, so I wanted to preserve her face in my mind.

"I love you mom. I'm sorry for being such a moody bitch for the last year, but I really do love you. Thank you for everything you've done for me." She gripped me in her arms, shaking slightly with the quiet tears dripping onto my shoulder. She pulled away, smiling through her tears. "Don't let your job be your life." She whispered, and left for the flight lounge. I watched her brunette hair bob behind her as she walked to the gate, knowing full well I wasn't going to see her for a while. Even with the pain I felt from seeing my only daughter leave to the other side of the world, I had to go do paperwork. Elli's words stuck in my mind, but if I didn't have work, I would have no-one to see and nothing to do. Work was my life.

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"Hey!" I called, setting my handbag down in the hallway and going to find Alexis or Michelle.

"Hey, you alright hon?" Chelle asked, walking out of the kitchen. Her hair was in a bun, which meant she was cooking something.

"I'm utterly destroyed." I laughed uneasily and sighed, feeling the tears gather in my eyes, though they were squeezed shut. Chelle pulled me in for a hug, and I let go. I let the pain flow out of me, I wanted my daughter back already.

"Do you wanna come devour an entire tub of ice cream with Alexis and I? It's ice cream Friday." She asked, and pulled away, smiling at me in the hope of making me smile.

"I've got paperwork.. Thanks for the offer though." I smiled back at her, and went up to my room. I heard her sigh quietly behind me, but she knew not to try and stop me from working. I was too stubborn.

"Demetria Devonne Lovato I will bring the damn ice cream up to your room and sit on your desk eating it until you start eating it too if I have to. Now come eat ice cream with us. Toby and Ruby want to see their Aunty Demi for once!" Alexis insisted, coming out of the living room, hands on her hips.

"Only half an hour though. I have to get this paperwork done." I smiled ever so slightly, walking down the steps. Alexis grinned and I followed her and Chelle into the living room. As promised there was an entire tub of ice cream on the ground, cookies and cream flavour. I sat down and Ruby ran over, clambering onto my lap and snuggling into my chest. I was reminded of how Elli did the same thing at her age, 5 years old, just starting school

"Dig in!" Chelle exclaimed, handing out spoons. She was playing old family videos on the TV, ones from just a couple of years ago. There was Toby's first birthday, and although it was only two years ago, Elli had changed so much. She was in the background, with short bright red hair looking moody. It's safe to say she went a little out of control at 16. I watched as Alexis presented Toby with a new toy, his face lighting up and him squealing. Everyone looked so happy, and I was glad I'd come down to watch it. I wasn't in the video. I think I'd been working that day. I was always working.

"Where are you on the video Aunty Demi?" Ruby asked, looking up at my face.

"I'm not in it." I told her, twirling her hair and forcing a smile at her.

"Yeah, you were working." Alexis muttered, just loud enough for me to hear, "and you never work." She added sarcastically.

"I didn't come down here to be verbally abused and I don't have any hesitation in going straight back upstairs to finish my case files." I snapped back at her and held Ruby close in my arms.

"Please don't fight guys. This is supposed to be a happy night." Chelle interjected, trying to calm the both of us down.

"Whatever, I'm going to work." I spat, then looked down at the little girl I was holding. She was asleep. "I'll go put Ruby to bed, she's already asleep." I added in a whisper and left the living room. I got to Ruby's room and put her down in the royal blue bed she loved. The entire room was blue, including the plush carpet that felt so good underfoot. I glanced back at her as I left to go do my paperwork, and I could've convinced myself I was looking back at Elli.