Pimentel Princess #wattys2018

Chapter 8 | Tadashi Hamada

"What's going on?" I ask. My arms crossed against my chest, giving him a stern look, my lip pressed into a fine line.

"Laila, I'll explain over text. I need to explain to January first. Remember, with anything, she's always my priority."

He walks over to little Jan who's sobbing on a bean bag. With a packet of Doritos and Big Hero 6 playing on the T.V.

It's kind of scary looking at it, I spent a lot of time sulking and watching Big Hero 6.

"January," Tobias crouches down to her side.
"Why are you crying?" He tilts his head.

"Laila! Why was the DVD open on this part," she looks at me teary. I look at her confused.

"Tadashi's going to come back, isn't he?" I hug her, my eyes full up with tears too. I say softly,
"If only we could bring people back from the dead. We can't unfortunately, mi amor. I'm sorry."

Her head shoots up looking at Tobias, "Papa, what about mama? She's not coming back!" She shouts in disbelief.

"No mi mundo, she's not. But I'll get you a new mama. Just watch princess." She smiles, and looks back at the tv. Her hand finds her fathers, "Thank you," she whispers.

My heart warms at the thought of the father-daughter moment.

We watch till the end of the film and laugh till we're in stitches. There's something about this duo that makes me feel alive. Yet, I wish they stayed here all the time. But I know it's not possible. Anyway, I'm going to be replaced by the new mother Toby is searching for.

They leave, and Tobias leaves another kiss on my cheek. It's probably formal, but I can't help but grin from ear to ear when he does.

I'm watching Eastenders till I hear a ping.
Pineapple pizza was what I saved Toby as. It was our little joke, but makes me smile everytime I get a message.

Pineapple pizza:

Hey, you heard I'm going to be looking for a mother for January. Then I should start dating? What do you think?

Yes! That's a great idea. I'm rooting for you to find the right girl. You kind of deserve it as well as January. Do you need me to look after Jan while your on the dates?

Yeah please? ❤️

Fine by me❤️

My heart sinks, although I'm happy January is getting a mother, I will spend less time with her. I'm not gonna lie, she made my life better.
She made me smile and just like Toby said she gave me purpose. Same as her dad. I grew quite close to him. Tobias told me stories from his childhood leaving me in stitches. I found a friend in Tobias. I went more to him in my PTSD moments. And he'd help me.

Then I hear another ping.

Hey, were going to have dinner at Sinead's parents house on tommorow. They said I could invite a friend, wanna come? I mean you've been before?🤷‍♀️

"Yes!" I squeal out loud.

Please? They're technically my foster parents.

Yeah, fine by me. Does Sinead know your inviting me?

1 voice note.

I open it. "It's her birthday surprise. We're throwing her a party." He whispers, which makes me giggle. He really is a bloody child raising a child.

Lol OMG ok.

Eastenders has just finished. I guess I gotta catch up!

____________

I place Sinead's present in a gift bag with the rest of the clothes I brought her. In the gift box was a necklace with a silver locket in. On the back it says, "You sexy beast! L♥️" it's not cheesy, but I know it will make her laugh every time she looks at it.

Well it's linked to a inside joke, when she tried to flirt with an old man when she was drunk, she called him a sexy beast.

I arrive to some very bad singing, and I know it only belongs to my bestfriend, as we spend nights doing karaoke after breakups.

I knock my signature knock and she runs to the door squealing, and lunging towards me when she sees me.

Before I can say anything she drags me to the karaoke machine and we do a bad duet to 'señorita by Justin Timberlake,' just as the best part comes on; where Justin imitates a woman's voice, Toby arrives with January in his arms. She had fallen asleep bless her.

Sinead smacks the back of my head.
"Are you drooling babe? Men with kids are just so attractive but that's technically my adopted brother so..." we just laugh it off and go back to the song.

"He totally has the hots for you," she whispers at the dinner table.
"Don't be ridiculous," I scoff looking at him from the corner of my eye. He's texting. Urgh that's so rude like who texts in the middle of dinner. I roll my eyes, but I hear a ping.

Pineapple pizza: I heard what she said.