Mamma Mia 3: The Sight Of You

Chapter 8

This is my second favorite chapter of the story, I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing it 😍

They reach the packed plaza and made their way to the little cafe. Donna recognized it, she use to work there before having the hotel. She saw a young woman sweeping the front entrance.

"Hi Bella" Sophie greeted "Mom you remember Bella? Aunt Sofia's granddaughter" she said to Donna

"Yes, I think about aunt Sofia all the time" Donna said to Bella

"I miss her too but she left my dad the cafe and he left it to me while he travels" she said rolling her eyes, she turns to Sophie "I'm guessing you are looking for señora Ruby"

"Yes, I know today is Mila's big day and I wanted to show mom" Sophie said, Donna gave a confused look "Mila is Bella's 10 year old daughter. I think last time you saw her, she was a baby. With all the things happening in the hotel, we couldn't come down for a visit." Sophie said to Donna

"Yes, Mila has been doing a great job thanks to señora Ruby" Bella smiled, now Donna what eager to find out what they were talking about. They heard music starting "Oh she's starting, come on in"

The cafe was exactly how Donna remembered it. The walls were decorated with vintage Greek pieces and the wooden chairs and tables looked the same. The only thing that changed was the band, the place was packed. Donna looked at the stage and she saw the little girl holding a microphone. Ruby was sitting on a table in the middle of the stage in the crowd, paying close attention to her. She had a really sweet voice, similar to Sophie's

I'm nothing special, in fact I'm a bit of a bore
If I tell a joke, you've probably heard it before
But I have a talent, a wonderful thing
'Cause everyone listens when I start to sing
I'm so grateful and proud
All I want is to sing it out loud

So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me

Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk
She says I began to sing long before I could talk
And I've often wondered, how did it all start?
Who found out that nothing can capture a heart
Like a melody can?
Well, whoever it was, I'm a fan

Sophie sat by her grandmother's side, Ruby grabbed her hand without taking her eyes of Mila. Donna stayed at the entrance enjoying the performance. She saw that Ruby was looking at the little girl with pride.  Once upon a time she remembered Ruby looking at her that way when she was little and they sang together. Maybe Ruby still did but Donna didn't notice.

So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me

I've been so lucky, I am the girl with golden hair
I wanna sing it out to everybody
What a joy, what a life, what a chance!

So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me

Mila stopped singing and the crowd stood up clapping and cheering really loud. Donna was getting closer to the table when she saw Mila ran to Ruby and threw herself into her arms. Ruby picked her and spinned her around while hugging her. She sat down letting the girl sit on her lap. Donna got closer and sat beside them.

"That was wonderful sweetheart, I'm so proud of you" Ruby said to the girl, Mila hugged her

"You sounded great kid" Donna said, Ruby looked at her and smiled. Happy that Donna said that "Who taught you to sing like that? You're a natural" she asked

"Ruby did" Mila said shyly "she's a great teacher" Donna looked at Ruby, they were both speechless. Ruby looked to be embarrassed and guilty, she knew they use to do this when Donna was little.

Sophie sensed the awkwardness and turned to Mila "Come on Mila, let's go find your mom and take you home" Mila protested and clutched to Ruby.

Ruby chuckled and held the girl "I promise we can continue your lessons the day after tomorrow so tomorrow you can rest your voice" she kissed Mila's head and the girl reluctantly agreed and went with Sophie. Leaving Ruby and Donna together, and alone.

They were a few minutes of awkward silence, the women trying to avoid each others gaze. Donna couldn't resist and said "I didn't know you spoke Spanish"

Ruby turned red from embarrassment "I'm sorry you had to see that" she sighed "And yes, I'm fluent since I was a teenager" Ruby smiled slightly but then frowned "I hate it when me and Fernando fight like that but I don't like that he wants to keep me in the hotel all the time"

"Then why don't you tell him about this? Mila is a sweet girl and you are great with her. He would be proud of you for what you do" Donna said "I know I am"

Ruby's face lit up and her eyes started to water "you are? Donna nodded

"Mom I know we have our differences and yesterday I realized that we don't really know each other. Since my accident happened and losing so much time with everybody I love, its time for us to recover all the ones we lost. Being a mother myself has taught me that the connection is precious and I for once would love to build that connection with you and get to know dad" she said, Ruby was now full on crying.

As from instinct they hugged each other crying. This was the happiest moment for Ruby and she promised to herself not to let it go to waste. Hearing her daughter call Fernando "dad" was more than she could ask for. They let go of the hug and dried their tears but still held hands.

"I would absolutely love that" Ruby said sweetly

"So are you going to tell dad where you go?" Donna asked

"Oh I don't know, being with Mila is my little private thing and I love it. I don't like being at the hotel all the time, it makes me feel like a prisoner. Mila reminds me of you when you were little" Donna's heart tugged a bit "I started to teach her to sing because it felt like you were with me, I am too shy to admit that to anyone. Specially your father" Donna was getting emotional again, it was incredible what her mother had just told her.

"I'm sure he will understand and if you ask him, he will give you that space but dad has to know where you are in case something happens. I am aware that Sam and Sophie know but dad is your husband. Look at what happened to me for not listening to mine" Donna said

"You're right Honey Bee" Ruby said lovingly to her "Thank you"

Donna looked at her, surprised to hear that nickname again after so long "You haven't called me that since I was twelve, I thought you forgot" she said lowering her voice and head.

Ruby grabbed her by her chin and made Donna look at her "I can never forget the Honey Bee I love" she said smiling and kissed the back of her daughter's hand

Donna smiled and did the same "I love you too mom"

Sophie came back to them and saw the lovely scene in front of her "So I guess today has been a perfect day for everyone" she said

"Yeah" Donna said "I think we should eat before going home" Sophie and Ruby agreed, the three ordered, they talked and laughed all the way through their meal. At the end they went back to the hotel happy that it was starting to work out between mother and daughter.

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