Free (Sequel to Trapped)

Ch. 87

There is your updated picture of Aviella. You're welcome.

Justin

Wednesday, 10:56 am

"Do you feel any better?" I ask Ariana.

"No." She shakes her head and I close the front door.

Ariana goes to her seat and I put Bella's car seat in the back.

"I'm sorry, babe." I rest my hand on her thigh and she sighs.

The drive to Joan's house is quiet except for the sounds from Bella when she wakes up.

11:13 am

"You weren't asleep for long, were you, Bee?"

I take her car seat out of the car and we walk up to the porch. Ariana looks like she's about to pass out. Her skin is so pale and she looks miserable.

I use her key to open the door and let her walk in first.

"Mommy, we're here." Ariana says.

"My baby!" Joan comes out of the kitchen and immediately starts taking Bella out of her car seat.

Toulouse comes downstairs and jumps on me, trying to lick my face. I rub his head before he runs away from me.

I put the car seat by the door when Joan gets Bella out and we walk into the living room. Ariana is laying on the couch so I sit next to her and she lays her head in my lap. Toulouse sits right next to her face and she rubs his head.

"What's wrong with my daughter?" Joan looks at Ariana as Frankie comes in the room.

"My Neicy!" He says.

Frankie takes Bella and Joan kneels down next to Ariana.

"I did not know this is what you meant when you said she wasn't feeling well."

"She's definitely gotten worse since I talked to you."

"What's wrong with my baby sis?" Frankie asks.

"Stop worrying about me. I'm fine. It's just a stomach ache." Ariana says as

Joan places her hand on Ariana's forehead and of course, Ariana being the stubborn female she is, she pushes her mom's hand away.

"It's not just a stomach ache. You're burning up, baby." Joan says.

"I'm just tired. Don't worry about it."

"Ariana, are you gonna listen to your mother or yourself?" Joan asks.

Ariana doesn't respond, and now we see who won this battle.

I stroke her head as Joan disappears into the hallway.

"How's Bella been doing?" Frankie asks.

"She's good. She had her one week appointment on Monday and they said she was healthy."

"How much does she weigh? I can tell she gets her size from her mother."

"7 pounds one ounce. The doctor said it's a normal weight but she is on the smaller side."

"I wonder whose fault that is." Frankie looks at his sister and I laugh.

Ariana just stares at him, emotionless, and I look at Bella.

"Can I lay her on her stomach?" Frankie asks.

"Yeah. Her blanket is by the door."

He stands up and walks to get her blanket before returning to the living room.