💫She's Different💫

Bella's Thanksgiving

1 Year later
"But that's really gross. He was acting like...a boy." She exclaimed as she put sprinkles on the cupcakes.
"He is a boy my sweet."
"Well, then I wish he wouldn't do gross stuff like that. I do not want to see chocolate milk come out of his nose ever again." She laughed and I handed her another cupcake to sprinkle.
"Boys will be boys, and girls will be girls hmm?"
"Yeah. Mommy, this is an awful lot of cupcakes! Who's having a meal with us for Thanksgiving?"
"Some people."
"I'm going to find out! Even though you won't tell me."
"Sure my sweet pea." She finished putting sprinkles on the final cupcake and looked at me.
"That's all of them."
"I wanna help more, is there something else I could do?!" Bella has been very invested in the kitchen lately, she almost always wants to help me with dinner or baking and I don't want to shoo her away, it's good that she learns a thing or two.
"Hmm, let's see.... you can pass me the seasonings so I can season this beef."
"Of course!" She handed them happily and gave me a hug.
"You're too precious. Stay precious okay?"
"Okay mommy! Noah, can you stop playing fortnite and play freaking Just Dance with me? You cannot have the tv all day, I won't allow it."
"Did I just hear a word that I shouldn't have?!"
"Oh... sorry about that." She smiled and gave me another hug.
"I don't want to hear that again from either of you. Understand?" She nodded and folded her arms.
********
Later That Night (Bella's Perspective)
"Mom, What are we doing for my birthday?"
"I don't know, what do you want to do?"
"I don't even know." Mommy and I were watching a cartoon in her bedroom. I was allowed to stay up later because I didn't have school the next day.
"Think about it and come back to me." She gave me a kiss on the forehead like she did when I was little.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"What happened to my dad? You stopped talking about him. Before, you used to ask me to see him at least, but you don't anymore. Is he okay?" Mommy turned off the tv and sat upright. She gestured her hands telling me to sit up with her and she let out a sigh like she did when she came home from work some days.
"Your father is somewhere, because he did something that wasn't right. He's getting some help... to get better."
"He's in jail isn't he?"
"I knew that wasn't going to work on you, but yes."
"It's okay. I don't really care to be honest." Mommy looked at me while I played with my nails that I just painted.
"Bella if you want to talk about it we can. I know this will bring up a lot of emotions and-"
"I don't want to talk about it now."
"Bella, if you keep this inside you it's going to hurt you."
"So what?!" I went into my room and grabbed my robe and ran down stairs and outside to where the pool, swing, and hammock were. It's cold. I thought. As the wind blew strongly tears flew across my face. Talking about my dad is something, something sensitive as Mommy would say. I felt slightly embarrassed to tell her everything that was on my mind.
"Bella? Please come inside sweetheart it's really cold."
"I can handle it." No you can't, why did you say that?
"I'll make some hot chocolate. I'm about to start baking brownies. Are you sure you don't want to come inside?" Mommy came over to where I was sitting and gave me a hand.
"Come on, it's really cold out here." She held my hand as we walked back inside to the basement and upstairs to the kitchen.
"It was cold."
"I know it was, I knew you weren't serious when you said you could handle it." She poured some hot chocolate into my favorite mug and then put the brownies into the oven. It was just Mommy and I Because Noah was in the basement playing fortnite. Mommy sat down at the table and started to speak.
"Are you ready to have this conversation?"
"Can we talk about it tomorrow? I need some time to think."
"Sure." After that we started talking about food. One of my favorite topics.
"I really want to eat that Turkey!"
***********
Thanksgiving
I walked down the stairs tiredly. I could smell loads of food so I knew Mommy was cooking already.
"Morning." Aunty Amanda was there from last night and Jesse was still in my bed. I don't think she brought the baby along though. Mommy was cutting peppers and laughing.
"Happy thanksgiving."
"Happy thanksgiving!" I poked around the kitchen looking for something to do.
"I want to help."
"You just woke up darling, relax a little. Plus, I'm going to start making your favorite breakfast in a minute."
"Cupcake pancakes?" She nodded and put her arm around me.
"Just the way you like 'em."
"What's this whole cupcake pancakes thing?"
"It's what she calls pancakes with the funfetti things in it."
"It's really good Aunty Amanda!"
"It sure sounds like it!"
*******
Thanksgiving Meal
I'm so hungry! Like looking at all of that food was making my tummy rumble and my mouth water.
"Go take your place at the table girls." Mommy fixed my dress and I went to sit down right next to her. Noah sat next to me and Jesse was with Aunty Amanda, My Uncles and some of their family was also there. It made me worry if there was enough food for everyone!
"Who's going to pray?"
"I want to pray!" Jesse said excitedly.
"Alright Jesse, go ahead."
"Okay, I pray that we have a very good thanks giving meal and everyone is happy and not fighting. And that we get so full that we won't think of eating again! Amen!"
"Amen." We all said together. Mommy put lasagna, mashed potatoes, and some turkey in my plate.
"I know you well, This is exactly what you wanted for your first plate huh?"
"Yes. Noah, how come you're not eating lasagna? Lasagna is the best."
"It isn't."
"I don't get you. Uncle Fin arrest him for this outrageous behavior!"
"I sure will princess, I haven't met a single soul who doesn't eat the lasagna." Then he started talking to his son about something. I looked around and realized that everyone was talking.
"Bella, your food will get cold."
"Oh...yeah." I ate slowly and smiled. I'm thankful for my family this thanksgiving, most of all my mommy.
"I love you Bella."
"I love you more."