Kitten

Chapter 60: Fairy tale ending

Lily

2 months later

"Good morning sweetheart, I hope you slept well. We've got a busy day today. Mama is getting married to dada today and we need to get our little flower girl ready".

Lyla rubbed her tiny fists against her eyes before stretching those little arms of hers and looked up at me with the almost identical eyes to Alexander.

"Dadadada".

I still couldn't believe she said dada first. But mum told me that she was too young to say her first word. She explained that around this age babies can start putting consonant and vowels together. She said dadada all the time, but she was too young to put meanings to words.

In all honesty, dad had been acting very strange these past few weeks. He was always making phone calls and hiding himself away in his office. He would always deflect when we questioned on his actions. Even mum tried to get through to him, but he was just the same. I prayed he wasn't bottling his emotions inside. We were thrilled to hear about mum's cancer be rid of, but maybe he was dwelling on the fact that there was a possibility that the cancer could one day come back.

"Honey, the hairstylist is here. I'm just finishing up on food and-".

"Oh no you're not".

Mum turned away from me and glanced back at dad who was peering out from the kitchen door.

"You're not to lift anything up. You are to rest, understood?".

"Bite me" she snapped back before stepping in and slamming the door shut.

I could hear dad huff loudly before slamming the kitchen door.

Things were undeniably tense between them at the moment. With dad's secrecy and protectiveness, it was putting a strain on their relationship.

"You alright mum?" I asked whilst lifting Lyla out of her cot before placing her down on the changing mat.

"I, I don't know. Something is up with your father. He's acting so distant and secretive. It's making me anxious. He's never been like this before. I just, I feel like something is wrong".

Mum stared at the picture of dad on the wall and frowned. I hated seeing mum like this. She had recovered from cancer and dad was acting so dismissive, it wasn't fair for mum to be treated this way.

"I'm sure it's nothing mum. Besides, we need to get our hair done. Let's go little kicker".

I smiled down at my beautiful daughter who's hair was starting to curl at the ends, adorable tiny curls of hair.

"You're right, maybe I'm thinking into it too much". Mum brushed the hair out of her eyes and nodded.

"I still can't believe today is the day my daughter is getting married. But honey, you didn't have to have the wedding here at our home".

"No mum. We did. This is what we both want. This house holds so many memories for all of us and we want it to be a small intimate ceremony. You live in a house surrounded by fields and forests. It's such a beautiful location. And Alexander and dad have decorated the garden up so beautifully. This is absolutely perfect. A few friends, family and that's it".

Mum stroked my cheek softly and stroked away a loose strand of hair that had fallen out of my messy bun.

"If that's what makes you happy, then it makes me happy. I trust Alexander with you wholeheartedly. He makes you happy and that's what every mother wants".

Lyla began to babble and shake her chubby little self in my arms as if she was eager to crack on with the day.

"Dadada".