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An Ultimatum

Valeria's tears seem to be getting worse and I don't want her to cry out.

"I have to go." I say in a rushed and panicked tone.

"Why, what's up?" she says worried.

"Nothing bad, I just have to go." I say.

"Angie!" she cries, but it was too late as I had already ended the call.

At this point Valeria is crying and hugging her teddy tightly.

"Sweetie..." I say as I walk up to her and take her in my arms, "You're okay. Come here."

She leans on my shoulder and I feel her tears dampen my shirt.

"Come on, spend the night with me okay?" I say as I rub my hand on her back.

I can feel her nod so I make my way to my room and pull back the covers. I place her in my bed but when I put her down, she begins to cry harder.

"No, Mummy don't leave. Don't leave me with the monsters." she says through more tears.

"Shhh..." I say coming up to her and stroking her hair, "I'm not, watch me, I'm just getting on my pyjamas, then I'm coming to lie with you."

She sniffs and wipes her tears with her small rabbit toy as she watches me change, making sure I don't leave. I'm nearly ready when I remember that the computer is still on and I don't know what to do.

"Sweetie, Mummy has to go turn off the computer okay?" I say hoping she won't mind.

"I come with you." she says as she jumps from my bed and comes up to me worried.

I quickly scoop her into my arms as I know she is tired and I let her lean on my shoulder again. I reach the computer and I was just about to turn it off when I saw my email tab had a notification. I clicked on it and I found a new email from Violetta.

'Angie,

I need you more then ever, but you keep shutting me out. Twice in a row you've stopped our coversation without explanation. When you are ready to talk properly where we can keep talking without interuption, I'll be here. When we can talk, I'd like an explanation. If you can't give me one then I suppose there is no need for us to talk. You promised to always be honest with me, but now you seem to be hiding things. When you are ready to be my aunt again, give me a call.

Vilu xxx'

My heartbreaks when I read the words. She needs me to be her aunt, but I have to be a mother. It feels like she has given me a choice and I know I have to make a decision. I fought to be her aunt for so long and it breaks my heart to think I could lose her but my instinct to protect Valeria is so overwhelming.

"What dat Mummy?" says Valeria with a yawn.

"Nothing sweetie." I say kissing her forehead, "It's time for bed now anyway."

I clicked off the computer and walked back to my room, I felt Valeria's breathing calm, so I knew she had fallen asleep.

I lay her down in my bed and covered her before walking around the other end and joining her. I pulled her close, so she was right beside me as we slept and I was soothed by her presence.

I pushed back a strand of her hair and looked at her sleeping so peacefully and my heart broke. I can't lose her, but I can't lose Vilu. I lay awake for hours lost in thought but I knew exactly what I had to do if I was going to keep Valeria safe.