Broken

18. Ari's Birthday

~Arielle's POV~ 

I woke up to someone saying my name, I was confused and decided to turn over and ignore whoever it was. That wasn't working though, "Babe? Babe?" I turned over and opened my eyes, I saw a blurred figure in front of me.

Finally everything focused, it was Wes he was holding Starbucks in his hand and smiling at me. "Babe not to be mean but, why are you here?" Wes looked confused, "Don't you know what day it is?" "Uhh...Saturday..." I sat there thinking about what was special about today. 

"Baby it's your birthday, your 18th birthday!" I can't believe I forgot it was my birthday, I guess with everything going on I forgot my birthday! I grinned at Wes and sat up kissing him on the lips. "Thanks babe," I said grabbing the Starbucks out of his hand. 

Then I realized something, today I could go and get Bella from her foster home and take her out of there. I smiled and set the Starbucks on Wes's bedside table, I jumped up out of his bed and out of his room. 

He chased after me asking me what was going on, and then I realized something else. All the money my mom had saved for me, I could claim it today. "I'm getting ready because, we have a big day today!" 

"What do you mean?" "Okay so I'm 18 which means, I can finally get Bella out of her foster home! And the money my mom left for me I can finally claim it!" I smiled widely and Wes grinned but still looked confused. 

"Wes, we are finding me an apartment today, a place I can call my own. A place where Bella and I can live. Can we please? I want to surprise Bella," I said with puppy dogs. Wes smiled widely and went up to me kissing me on the lips. 

"Anything for you," I smiled and skipped off to get ready. It was pretty hot today so I took a quick shower threw my hair up in a high ponytail and chose my outfit. I settled on a gnarly one shoulder shirt with some shorts and my black and white converse. 

I put on some eyeliner, and some lip balm and walked out of the bathroom. Wes looked at me, "You look gorgeous," he came over and grabbed my hand as we walked out of the house. I was on cloud nine, I then wondered how much money my mom had left me. 

What if it wasn't enough to support Bella and I? We drove towards the bank and I shoved the thoughts out of my head. I clutched the papers and envelopes I had with me, when we got there I was ready for this. 

We walked inside and all eyes were on us, one probably because of what I was wearing, and how early it was. I smiled at the lady behind the desk, "Hello what can I help you with today?" "I'm here to claim some money my mom left for me when she passed," I said nervously fiddling with the papers. 

After many questions, and about a half hour the lady said she had the total. I sat there nervously waiting for it, Wes grabbed my hand and interlocked our fingers reassuring me. "Looks like your mom had a good job, she left you with quite a bit of money. She also left a note," the lady said smiling at me. 

"Your total you will be receiving is, $200,000." I couldn't believe it, my jaw dropped and Wes was smiling next to me. "Money definitely builds up over the years, here's the letter." She handed the letter to me and I smiled at it, tucking it away in my purse. 

After a while longer we got it all sorted and the money was put into a bank account and Wes and I set out to look for an apartment. The first places were no good and finally we found a place. It had an amazing view of the beach, and Wes was only walking distance from it. 

I smiled at the little apartment, I signed papers and got everything figured out. It was two o'clock and I was smiling at the apartment that I could now call mine. It had two bedrooms, and bathrooms, and a family room/kitchen. 

Now Wes and I went on to search for furniture, I was on cloud nine. We went to a cute little furniture shop down the rode and bought couches, a fridge, a couple beds, dressers, and stuff for Bella's room. 

Now it was four o'clock and the movers were done putting stuff in the apartment. Wes and I moved all the stuff around and when we finished we fell back into the couch sighing from being tired. I pulled out the letter from my mom and began to open it. 

Dear Ari, 

If you are reading this it means you just turned 18 or have been 18 for a couple of days. Knowing you though it's probably your birthday so happy birthday! I'm so sorry I couldn't be there for you hun, I wish I could have been. I wish I could be there for it all, to see you and Bella grow up. I wish I could walk you two down the isles at your weddings, go clothes shopping with you, see my grand babies. If you are reading this it must mean you also got away from your terrible father, I'm so sorry that I didn't protect you from him. I should have never let him push us around like that and for that I will forever be sorry. Well with this money I hope you spend it wisely, I hope you go to school and make a life for yourself. Don't settle for average because, you can be so much more than that. If you have a boyfriend (which I'm sure you do because, you are amazing) just make sure he treats you like a princess. Make sure he really loves, cares, and adores you. How could he not though you are so strong, beautiful, and smart! Don't let him push you around, the minute he does that he should be gone because you deserve better than that. Anyways I hope you are doing well my love, happy birthday and I wish I could have been there more..

-Love Mom 

I finished reading the letter and I was crying, I felt so connected to her through the letter. Wes grabbed me and pulled me into his chest whispering things into my ear. I pulled myself away and smiled at him wiping the tears from my eyes. 

"This has been the best birthday I have ever had," I said looking up at him. I leaned in and pressed our lips together, we moved in sync and I pulled away. "I love you so much, now let's go make my Bella Bear happy again." 

I hopped off the couch and Wes grabbed my hand leading me out the door. "I love you too babe," he said as we got in the car. The drive wasn't that bad, I texted Drew and asked him if he could fix up Bella's room with her things that were at the boys house. 

Of course he agreed and Bella would be so happy to see him. When we got to the foster home Wes and I rushed inside. "Hi Ari!" The old lad Ms.Perkins I always spoke to said cheerfully to me. "Here to visit Bella?" she said questioning me. 

"I'm here to take Bella," I said proudly. "Ah it must be your birthday," she said smiling to me. "Well you have paperwork to fill out and you can take her wherever you want for however long you want!" she said handing me papers. 

After about an hour of sorting everything out, Bella came out and ran up to me hugging me. "Happy Birthday Ari!" she said cheerily. "Thanks Bella Bear," I said releasing her from my grip. "Where are we going?" she said looking at the lady who was handing Wes her things. 

"We are going to a new home," I said smiling and picking her up. We got to Wes's car and Bella kept asking where we were going, I kept saying it was a surprise. Finally we arrived at my new apartment, Wes grabbed Bella's things and we took the elevator up to my apartment. 

When we reached the door I smiled unlocking it, "Go inside Bella Bear this is your new home." She went inside holding her teddy bear, she smiled as she looked around, Drew came out from her room smiling. 

"BELLA BEAR!" "Drew!" She said running into his open arms. "Do you want to see your room?" Drew said grabbing her hand. "I have my own room?" "Duh kid!" Wes set her stuff down and grabbed my hand as we walked over to Bella's new room. 

It was a princess room, it had pink walls, a new bed, stuffed animals, and she looked so happy. I knew it was my birthday but, seeing her this happy made it the best birthday of my life. Everything seemed like it was starting to get better. 

Hi guys! Omg I'm a terrible person I haven't updated in forever I'm so sorry...I was trying to think of ideas of what to write. So Bella and Ari are living together finally they are reunited at last! This chapter was whatever  I guess. Broken has 700 reads now! I was so happy when I saw that, maybe we could get it too 1,000? ;) I'm writing 3 other fanfics can you guys check them out? Anyways keep reading and voting and stay awesome. Love you all! -Kenzie <3