One Last Time

Chapter 16

Never
feel guilty for
starting again.

- Rupi Kaur

Lana

"Mommy! Mommy! Look what Stephan got for me!"

I glance over my shoulder to see Amelia sprinting towards me as a rush of excitement gushing through her tiny body. I place my glass down and kneel down after she reached me but when she did, she nearly tripped and fell.

"Careful baby, you're going to hurt yourself." I push her hair behind her ear before I straighten it out with my hands,

She pants before she nods her head,
"Mommy, come with me!"

She takes my hand and begins to pull me up. I get up and was immediately dragged by Amelia from one side of the room to the other. Once we reached the Christmas tree, we sat down on the floor, all cozied up as the fire place was near us with all of Amelia's Christmas as well as her birthday presents were surrounding us. The atmosphere was just perfect right now with the presents and the fire place but something just felt so wrong. I felt as though that there was some sort of threat just exposed to us but I wasn't sure enough to guess who or what it may be. All I knew was that I could see it right now, as he sat in front of us. Amelia on the other hand was excited as she was beaming at me, she was gushing to me about the gifts she got today.

"Mommy, look what Stephan got me!" She exclaimed again,

I watch her take the present out and was completely gobsmacked at what Stephan brought her; he got her a laptop as well as other things that I knew were very expensive.

I furrow my brows as I watch the presents like it would come to life and began to contemplate how I had a conversation about this with Stephan once. I remember telling him how I was going to buy these for Amelia in the future, when she is a lot older than now because I promised her that I would. I also made him promise me that he wouldn't buy these for her at all since he insisted on buying her at least something. I shot a puzzled glance up at Stephan and watch him.

"Stephan, is this necessary? She is still very young."

He shrugged his shoulders before he began to crawl towards us. When he did, he took Amelia away from my lap and positioned her in his all the while, I sat there with confusion written all over my face. What was Stephan really up to?

"A daddy has to fulfil his daughter's wishes." He smiled widely while he winked at me simultaneously,

I clenched my jaws and I glared at Stephan with a baffled expression before I grabbed Amelia's arms and gently pulled her away from him.

"Baby, could you please give us a minute?" I ask and she pouted,

"Okay mommy." She nodded her head and sauntered towards the other side of the lounge where everyone was. Once she was with the rest of the children, I turn my gaze back to Stephan who watch Amelia walk away.

"What?" I spat,

Stephan shrugged his shoulders again and looked at me,
"Lana, why are you stressed over this? It's not a big deal, trust me."

"No Stephan, of course it is a big deal. You don't just buy a laptop for her without my permission. What if I don't want it for her?"

"I purchased the presents with my money Lana, I really don't think I need your permission."

"Well Stephan, you are purchasing these items for my daughter. So yes, I really do think you need my permission." I cover my face with my hands as it felt like I just put an end to this argument that we were having unintentionally. Well I thought I was... Honestly I hated this, I don't want it to be like this with Stephan but ever since he has arrived today, he has just been so weird. I can't figure out what he is trying to do. "Take the laptop back Stephan, Amelia doesn't need a MacBook at this age." I sigh as I proceed to get up however, I was pulled back down when he held my arm.