Free (Sequel to Trapped)

Ch. 68

Justin

Wednesday, 9:48 am

I was gonna tell Ariana about the concert today, most likely when we get home. It was in three weeks, she was gonna meet Zayn, as much as I don't like it, Ariana is my princess and I'll do anything for her. Her and Bella were both still asleep. I was lonely in this dark room, with nothing but my phone and the TV to keep me company.

Just as I was about to get comfortable, I hear Bella start to cry. I knew she wasn't hungry, so I go to pick her up and hold her in my arms until she calms down. She didn't go to sleep, so we watched Aviella's favorite show, Sofia the First, then Little Einstein's.

10:50 am

"You two are adorable." I look over and see Ariana awake and smiling at us.

"What I am is ready to go home." I say.

"Me too. But we're leaving today." Ariana laughs.

"Yes, and I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?"

"It's called a surprise for a reason."

"Fine. Now I'm gonna be thinking about that all day."

"Chill. I'll tell you as soon as we get home."

"Promise?"

"Of course I promise." I smile.

"She's asleep."

I look down at Bella and see her sleeping peacefully in my arms. I stroke her hair, just like I do Ariana's, before standing up to put Bella back in the incubator.

12:42 pm

"Time to go!" The nurse says.

"Thank God." I say.

"Yes, I know. You can't wait to take her home." The nurse smiles, taking Bella to the scale to weigh her for the last time.

"Six pounds nine ounces."

"Wasn't she six pounds eight ounces when she was born?" Ariana asks.

"That is correct. She's growing."

"Too fast." I mumble.

Ariana looks at me and laughs. The nurse gives Bella to Ariana who gets her dressed. It was March, in Denver, which could mean anything. Today it was freezing, and that was bad because we weren't prepared. Luckily, we brought pants and Bella had two blankets. One was from the hospital, and the other one was from my mom's sister, who made for her with her full name on it.

Ariana buckles Bella into her car seat and covers her with the blankets.

"Can she breathe?" I ask.

"Of course. What do I look like to you?" Ariana looks up at me and I laugh.

She was sitting on the side of the bed, fully dressed and ready to go. We had been preparing to leave for almost an hour.

"I can't wait for my surprise." Ariana says.

"I can't wait until you find out what it is." I laugh.

"Can I have a hint?"

"It's in three weeks."

"What is that supposed to tell me?"

"You wanted a hint, you got your hint. Let's go." I pick up Bella's carseat, Ariana picks up her bag, and, after one final check, we leave the room.

We go to the front desk to check out and set a date for Bella's one week appointment.

"Congratulations." The nurse says as we leave.

1:01 pm

"Home sweet home." I say, pulling into the driveway.

"Finally." Ariana sighs.

She was sitting in the backseat with Bella, just in case she got hungry or something like that.

I turn the car off and get out. I take Bella's carseat out of the car and walk up to the porch. I unlock the door and walk inside.

"I missed you!" Ariana says, hugging the wall.

"Um, babe. Are you okay?"

"No! I'm too happy, and I want my surprise."

"Oh yeah. That. Come on."

I walk into the living room with Ariana following me and put Bella's carseat on the couch. She was asleep, so we didn't have to take her out immediately.

"Sit down." I tell Ariana.

She rolls her eyes at me before sitting down and I walk into the kitchen. I printed the tickets off and hid them only a place I could reach. The top of the refrigerator. Yes, I know, I'm clever.

When I walk back into the living room, Ariana is on her phone. Of course. She can't go two seconds without that thing.

"Here it is. Now remember not to scream, there's a sleeping baby right there."

"Is it that good?"

"Of course it is. I'm giving it to you."

She laughs and I give her the paper.

It takes her 0.2 seconds to read it before she drops them and covers her mouth.

"Oh my God, you didn't."

"I did."

"I love you so much!" She stands up and wraps her arms around my neck.

I kiss her head and she pulls away from me. I smile when I see tears in her eyes.

"Don't cry, baby."

"I can't not cry!" She laughs.

I wipe her tears away and plant a kiss on her lips.

"Thank you, J."

"You're welcome. Anything for my princess."