Letters to Isabella

thirty nine.

Laura's POV

I pulled up outside mine and Ross' beautiful home in our simple little car and sighed in relief that the workday was finally over. I loved working at the local library, especially with Edith as my sidekick, but being three months pregnant with violent morning sickness and two other children at home had really taken it's toll on me to the point I was suddenly dreading work and all of the baggage that came along with it.

Edith had obviously been super caring and couldn't do enough for me. She treated me like I was her own daughter and helped me with whatever I needed by covering some of my shifts, taking over for me when I needed a quick bathroom break and giving me plenty of her own home remedies to cure morning sickness during pregnancy but now, as the weeks were going by I could feel the change in my body and knew that pretty soon I'd have to give in and take maternity leave.

I hopped out of the car, grabbing the usual pile of books that Edith gave me to come home with and my house keys and headed to the front door. The night sky was pitch black with only a single bright star shining up above me. Call me childish if you will but I always liked to assume that it was my father watching over me, hopefully feeling proud of who I'd become and the life I'd chosen to live. I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't think about him every single day at some point or another. He truly was taken from us too soon. I could only imagine the kind of grandfather he'd be to Isabella, Bailey and our ever growing baby bean. He was completely robbed and I'd forever be hurt by that.

I turned the key in the lock and quickly headed inside, not wanting to be stood outside in the dark by myself for any longer than I had to be. It was late, but not that late and so I decided to gently call out and see if I had any response. "I'm home!"

I could hear quiet laughter from upstairs and the sound of Isabella's floorboards creaking about. That was the beauty of our old house, I was able to hear every little noise and detect who or what it was within a matter of seconds.

I placed the pile of books that Edith had thrown into my arms down on the kitchen counter where a bunch of dirty dishes and leftovers also happened to be and rolled my eyes when I realised that once again, they had been left for me. "Great." I murmured, unzipping my oversized coat and throwing it carelessly onto the chair beside me. I glanced down at my slow growing little bump and smiled. Pretty soon I'd be able to announce the news to the whole family and for once in my whole life, not feel guilty about being pregnant.

The stairs creaked from behind me and I quickly turned on my heel to see my exhausted mother emerging towards me in her same old grey dressing gown that she'd worn since I was eight years old and a pair of fluffy grey slippers to match. "Honey?" She croaked, rubbing her exhausted bloodshot eyes with her hands. "Come up to bed, it's late."

"I just got home from work." I explained, running my hands through my now messy long hair. "I'll be up in a second, but first I have to wash these dishes that were clearly left for me to sort out." I murmured rather sarcastically, pointing my index finger to the pile of dirty dishes and leftovers that had been dumped all around the kitchen without any signs of attempt to clean them up.

My mom, now looking as guilty as ever, wrapped her dressing gown tighter around her body and tried her best to make light of the awkward situation I'd placed her in. "Sweetie I was going to clean those up in the morning... I was just having so much fun with the kids and —"

"Speaking of the kids." I began, gesturing to the ceiling above us. "Isabella?" I questioned, watching as my mom's eyes quickly averted from my gaze to her slippers. "What is she doing up this late? She should have been in bed at least an hour ago."