Baby Steps

epilogue (part one)

B A B Y   S T E P S

[EPILOGUE (PART ONE)]

♡

10 years later...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARABELLA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO YOU!" I sung slightly out of tuned as happiness swept over me. "Go, blow out your candles!"

"Okay!" The 10 year old giggled, tucking the hair behind her ear before taking a large deep exhale.

"Did you make a wish?" I questioned curiously.

"Yeah." She hummed as she swiped a bit of the icing on her finger. "Can I tell you?"

"I'm not too sure it will come true if you say."

"It needs a miracle to come true." She sighed deeply looking over at her half brother, Jet, who sat in his lopsided smile. "I wished for my dad to come home, just to celebrate my 10th birthday-"

"Oh Arabella." I sighed, resting my chin on my fist. "I want him home too."

"Then, why cant he just come home now?"

"Because, it's The Vamps last tour and their last tour date tomorrow. He has to attend, otherwise he'll upset the fans. They've been extremely loyal to him throughout everything. After, tomorrow we'll have him to ourselves every single day and probably wish he'll go back on tour." She instantly laughed at my last remark before nodding her head.

"I guess you're right."

"I understand why you're upset, he isn't playing a show today so he has the chance to come home but the distance is too far."

"Should I get ready for school?" She ignored my understanding.

"You don't have to go today, it's your birthday!" I reassured her.

"But, haven't you got work?"

University went extremely well and afterwards I landed a role in extremely popular TV soap. Often, I would have to go out a film scenes even when Brad was away making it hard for us to see each other - but we get through it.

"They don't need me today." I admitted truthfully, watching Arabella's smile grow bigger. "Why don't we go out, have a girly day with Jet then have a meal?"

"I like that idea." She beamed as she jumped up from her seat to rush around to give me a kiss. "Thank you for a wonderful birthday morning and buying amazing presents, I bet Dad didn't pick out one-"

"You know what boys are like." I let out a laugh.

"Useless!" She chipped in, biting at her lower lip. "Well apart from Jet." She added, walking around to give him a kiss on his cheek.

"Do you think you should call your mum?" I asked politely.

Brad and I never told Arabella that Amelia left her on Brad's doorstep. We never told her about us running away either. After, running away Brad managed to find himself a good lawyer who contracted Arabella explaining Brad's plans. Luckily enough, Amelia was declared not fit enough to take care of Arabella full time but still wanted to spend time with her. However, Arabella never really took to Amelia. Her mum would promise her countless things but then never keep the promise - always getting her hopes up.

This last year, Arabella had only received one text from her mother cancelling their meet up, not even a birthday card.

"No." She stated strongly, rushing her hand through her long brown curly hair. "I don't want her in my life anymore, I have my family." I smiled at her sympathetically, before tears began to brim in my eyes.

"She is your mother though, and she loves you dearly." I reminded her, wondering how Amelia was doing.

Her and Noah's relationship ended after Brad and I 'ran away' due to Noah admitting he would rather support his sister than girlfriend. Although, she made him happy I was quite glad they spilt due to the awkwardness on what I was to Arabella - step aunty or step mum.

"No, you're my mum." Arabella whispered as she squeezed me extremely tight. "I love you, mum."

"I love you too." I mouthed as I felt a tear trail down my cheek. "Now, go and get ready. We've got shopping to do."

To be continued...