A Twist Of Fate

Chapter 9

It's now been 2 weeks since I brought my little Angelica home. It hasn't been easy but I'm trying my best to make it work. My mom stayed with me for most of the first week. I didn't rely on her to much because I really need to do this myself. Angelica is my daughter and my mom has her own life and home and this is my life now. A single parent to a 2 week old daughter. This morning we had her 2 week check up and everything was right on schedule as far as weight, length and health. When we get back home Ruby is parked out front of my house waiting for us. She's called a few times but I haven't returned her calls, or anyone else's either. I get out of my car and then get my daughters car seat out and the diaper bag. I turn around and there is Ruby. "Hey Rubes. How's it going?"  She smiles at me and the baby. "I came to ask you the same question Ems. I've been calling".  "Yeah sorry. Things have been a little crazy lately". I say as I begin walking towards my front door. Ruby follows us into the living room. As I'm taking Angie out of her car seat I ask Ruby if she wants to hold her. "I totally want to hold this little muffin. Come here cutie pie". She says as I place the baby in her arms. Luckily she's awake and looking around. "How have things been going Em?"  "Just taking it one day at a time. It's not easy but this is my life now. Taking care of my daughter".  "No one has heard from you since the funeral".  "It's only been 2 weeks Ruby. I'm trying get used to how things work with an infant. Learning her cries, is she hungry, wet or does she just want to be held?  You can read all the books they have but none of them will tell you exactly what your child needs. I'm just learning what my daughter needs".  "I understand Emma. We're all just worried about you".  "I doing ok Ruby really".  I doubt she believes me, hell I don't even believe that I'm ok but I have to be for Angelica. It wasn't to long before she started crying, which freaked Ruby out a bit. I went to prepare a bottle then I took the baby from Ruby and began to feed her. While she was eating, Ruby said her goodbyes and that she'd talk to me soon. 

Little Time Jump

My daughter is 6 weeks old now and I have a pretty good idea of what Angelica wants and needs and what certain cries mean. She's been a little cranky lately. At her check up the other day the doctor said it could be colic. I hope not because that could last months. She finally just fell asleep after an hour of crying. I did all I could to soothe her, but in the end she cried herself to sleep. Just like I've been doing lately. While she's sleeping I went into the kitchen to clean up a little and hopefully have something to eat. Of course while I'm making my sandwich the door bell rings. I swear if that wakes her up I will strangle whoever is standing at my door. I walk quickly and quietly to the door and open it. "Hey mom what's up?"  "Hi sweetie. Can I come in?"  She's probably asking because I only have the door open a little bit. "Fine come in but be quiet. Angie just fell asleep". She comes and I quietly close the door and walk back to the kitchen. I take a bite of my sandwich and my mother says. "Sorry to bother you while your eating but it's nice to see your having something".  "What are you doing here mom?"  "Everyone is worried about you Emma. You never answer the phone, sometimes you don't answer the door. It's like your cutting yourself off from your family and friends".  "Mom. I seriously don't need this right now. I can't worry that I'm going to hurt someone's feelings because I don't call them back. My number one and only concern is my daughter. It's hard having a new born and being a single mother is even harder".  "We all know how hard you are trying Emma but we are just trying to help you".  "I'm fine mom. And please pass that along to everyone else. Tell everyone I love them for caring but I've got this".  Just as I finish my sandwich I hear Angie start to cry. "May I go get my granddaughter please".  "Sure mom. Go ahead". I swear everyone in this town is trying to drive me crazy. My phone rings almost all day. I've had to shut the ringer off. Then if I don't return the call they show up so I stopped answering the door. They only one who's actually been ok through this whole thing is Regina. She has never showed up unannounced. She always sends a text asking how everything is going, asking if I need anything and also asking if it's a good time to visit. I prepare a bottle then I go into the living room where my mom is with the baby. My mom starts to feed her and she says to me. "You've been doing a wonderful job with her Emma".  "Thank you". I smile as I look at my little girl. When my mother finally leaves I give Angie a quick bath and put her in some pajamas. She usually falls asleep around 8 at night which is great because it gives me a chance to do some laundry and clean up a bit. The more time that goes by the more time I spend away from family and friends. I just can't take it. Every time I see someone I always get the same looks of pity and they tell me how sorry they are.

Time Jump

It's been 6 months now and I hardly leave the house anymore. It's a good thing we have a big backyard so I can take Angie out to play and get some fresh air. I had a swing set built a few months ago so I can put her in the baby swing outside and push her. She loves it. She's starting to laugh now and it's really adorable. I wish Zelena could hear it. My mom has been a real pain in the ass about everything lately. I stopped answering her calls and I don't let her into my home. She thinks I'm in a deep depression because I don't want to deal with anyone. I still talk to my dad because he doesn't give me a hard time. He respects my need for space. Sure I'm still grieving my wife but no one has a right to tell me what's a right and wrong way to do this or how long it should take. My phone pings and I take it out of my pocket. It's a message from Regina asking if she can come over for a visit. I wrote back that she could. Then she asked if we needed anything and I said we were all set. She showed up about 10 minutes later. I told her we were in the backyard so that's where she founds us. When Angie saw her auntie she gave her a big smile and lifted her arms up. Regina asked. "Is she trying to wave to me with her arms up like that?"  "That means she wants her auntie Regina to hold her. It's a new thing she's been doing".  "Wow. She sure is growing fast. May I take her out of the swing?"  "Sure. She wants you too". I say smiling. I watch as she unlocks the safety straps and carefully takes her out of the swing. As soon as Angie is in her arms she puts her head on her aunties shoulder and snuggles in. "Oh. Hi baby girl. I've missed you so much. I need to see you more".  "Regina you are welcome here any time. I know you've been coming here once a week but you can visit her whenever you want. Your the only connection she has to Zelena".  As I say the last part tears well up in my eyes. "It's ok Emma. I can understand. And thank you for saying that. I would love to see her more".  Angie started to get a little cranky and started to chew on her fist. "I think someone wants her dinner. Regina would you like to come inside and try feeding her some baby food?"   "I'd love to do that. thank you". We go back inside the house and into the kitchen. "Could you put her in the highchair please?"  "Sure".  Regina straps her into the chair and I get out a jar of baby food and her spoon and meet them at the table. Angie is whimpering. "It's ok baby girl. Mamas got your food. I have your favorite. Sweet potatoes. Auntie Regina is gonna feed you so be good for her ok?"  I shake the jar a bit then open it. I stir it a little with the spoon and hand it to Regina. "Ok. Good luck. Here's her towel".  I know my daughter and she's a messy eater. I watch in amusement as the spoon gets to her mouth and she dives for it. She smacks her lips together and some of the food comes out. As one of the spoonfuls was coming her way Angie grabbed on to the spoon and smushed it all in her hand. I laughed and Regina didn't think it was that funny because next Angie grabbed hold of her hand and got baby food all over it. "Laugh it up Ms Swan and I'll leave before the clean up".  "I'm sorry Regina. It's just a little funny to watch someone else feeding her. She's so messy. She must have gotten that from Zelena".  Now Regina laughs. "I really doubt that". When she was finished eating I gave Regina a moist towel to wipe Angie and herself off.  "Say thank you to auntie Regina for helping out tonight".  "You are very welcome my sweet princess. I love you. Thank you for this Emma". "Not a problem. Any time".  "I should be heading home. I have a meeting first thing in the morning and I have some paperwork to go over". I take the baby out of the highchair and we walk Regina to the door. "Thanks for coming over". She smiles at us. "Goodnight. I'll see you both soon". As Regina walks away I take Angie's hand and wave goodbye.