The Day That Changed My Life

17

"How's my baby" Ariana whispers trying not to wake Pete up. "I'm okay" she mumbles cuddling into her mum. Ariana smiles kissing her little girl.

"I feel sick" Ava says "if your going to be sick there's a bowl next to you" Ariana replies and Ava nods letting out a sleepy yawns "go back to sleep baby" Ariana kisses her head.

Ariana rolls over gently in Pete's arms and cuddles into him falling back to sleep.

****
"Good morning" Pete smiles as Ariana opens her eyes "what time is it" Ariana yawns "11" he says "wow my girl must be sick" Ariana says looking at her. "Well she woke up at 7 and went back to sleep" Ariana says and Pete nods kissing her forehead.

"How you feeling today" he asks "a little better. I need to go to the station today to arrange stuff" Ariana sighs "your not taking Ava with you" he asks "I don't think my mum will be able to look after her. She's sick too I don't want to take her" Ariana says looking at her "I'll watch her" he smiles "okay" she replies.

"Mummy" Ava smiles "good morning" Ariana smiles wrapping her arms around her "your going to stay here it's Pete today while mummy goes and sorts some stuff out is that okay" Ariana asks and Ava nods "Can I have the iPad then" she asks "yes but first we need to get you to eat something see if you can keep something down" Ariana says sitting up.

Ava climbs off the bed and Ariana smiles. "Do you want to eat" Ariana asks Pete "sure" he smiles getting off the bed as well. They all head downstairs and Joan smiles "how's Ava" Joan asks "she's feeling a little better" Ariana relies putting some toast in the toaster for Ava.

"What do you want Pete" Ariana asks "what do you have" he asks "I would make you some pancakes but then Ava will be upset" Ariana explains and he nods.

***
"Where's Ava" the officer asks "at home" Ariana replies "okay well I'm officer Richard" he introduced him self shaking Ariana's hand "we need to interview you about what happened. We will also need social worker visits and things like that will that be okay" the officer asks "yeah" Ariana replies.

"So who is looking after Ava right now" Officer Richard asks "my mum and boyfriend" Ariana says "okay how long have you known your boyfriend and what's his name" he asks "I have known him for 5 months and been going out with him for nearly 5 and his name is Pete" Ariana says "he met Ava 2 months ago" she adds "okay that you for that information. We mighty need to interview him that's all" he says "what why he's done nothing" Ariana asks "just about you and your health. All though he knows James" he says looking through a file.

"Okay that's all for today since you need to be with Ava who is sick therefore I would like you to come back in a week" The officer asks "can I bring a solicitor" Ariana asks and he nods.

Ariana leaves the station and beads home. "Hi mummy" Ava smiles "hi baby" Ariana kisses her head. "We bakes a cake" Ava giggles "someone's feeling better then" Ariana smiles and she nods.

"Can I go play now" Ava asks looking up to Pete "Hey your mummy is back she's in charge now" he tells her "go and play sweetheart" Ariana smiles making Ava cheer getting off Pete's knee and running up to her room.

"How did it go" Pete asks pulling Ariana into a hug. "I need a solicitor because I can't do it on my own" Ariana sighs "my mum knows one I'm sure she'll help" he says and Ariana nods "they said they might need to speak to you" she adds "I'm on your side not his" he tells her and Ariana nods.

"Can we look for places to rent" Ariana asks "I thought you wanted to hold off moving in together" he asks "well we need to look to see what princes were looking at. We have to wait a little bit but it will still be nice to look at them to see which one suits us best" Ariana replies and Pete nods kissing her cheek.

"How was Ava" Ariana asks "a little angel. We had a tea party and played games it was fun" Pete smiles making Ariana smile.

"Mummy" Ava asks coming down the stairs "yes princess" Ariana asks looking up to her. "I love you" Ava smiles climbing into her knee "I love you too" she pecks her head.

"If Pete staying again tonight" Ava asks "no I have to go home but you two can come and stay at mine" Pete says "you don't have a bed for Ava" Ariana relies "I do we have a spare bedroom" he chuckles "okay" Ariana says and Ava cheers.

"Go pack then" Ariana says and Ava runs upstairs "you let your three year old pack" he asks "I'll go and check it and then pack it again if she's done wrong" Ariana explains "that's actually a good way." He nods "don't you need to pack too" he asks "can I wear one of your tops to bed" Ariana asks "of course you can" he smiles kissing her nose. "I need the toilet I'll be back in a minute" Ariana says walking up to her ensuite.

Ariana got changed out of the clothes she was in since she didn't want to look all dressed up just to go to Pete's house.   "Mummy" Ava smiles bringing her back to her "hi baby" Ariana smiles looking at the clothes she had packed. "You forgot pyjamas princess" Ariana chuckles "oh one second" she runs off making Ariana smile. Ariana packs some clothes for tomorrow for her self and waits for Ava to come back.

"These ones" she asks and Ariana nods putting them in the bag and walking downstairs. "Cute" he smiles.

****
"Pete where is my mummy" Ava asks taking his hand "she wanted some fresh air but she didn't want you to get even more sick" Pete says "do you want me to go and get her" he asks and Ava nods "Mum can you watch her" Pete asks and Amy nods taking Ava to play.

Pete walks outside and sees Ariana sat on the floor crying. "Hey Come here" he opens his arms making Ariana stand up and cuddle into him. "What if he get access" she sobs "shhh. Ariana your thinking of the worse. Ava never mentions her dad in front of anyone but you and that's okay. She's clearly happy with the thought of never having a daddy. When they see that a 3 nearly 4 year old is happy with a mummy and what he did to you they won't" Pete says "and if they do it will be on your terms and that can just be 2 hours" he says and Ariana nods.

"Your have a happy healthy girl and that's all that matters" he smiles wiping her eyes "Come on Ava wants you" he adds making Ariana smile and go back inside with him. "Want me to ask my mum to see if she'll get you the solicitor" Pete asks and Ariana nods.

*****
"Mum" Pete asks making Amy turn round and smile to his son and girlfriend "can we speak with you" Ariana asks and she nods sitting down on the chair.

"James wants access to Ava" Pete says making Ariana tense up at the name. Amy takes Ariana's hand making Ariana look up "we're on your side sweetheart" she tells Ariana "we were wondering if you could have a word with Jo to see if she would help Ariana" he asks "I'm sure she would love to help Ariana and get the best result" she smiles.

"Ariana I know this is hard for you. I have seen many women like you who have had to share there baby in situations like these. Some results are better than the other let's hope this is a good result too" Amy smile and Ariana nods.

"Keep her safe" Amy says "of course" Pete smiles picking Ariana up making her smile. "I love you"