Never Alone || Carchelle

Michelle

6 months later 

I sadly smile as the nurse swipes the pen across the form, finally setting us free. Hailey wriggles in my arms, her little nose bunched up in an adorable confused way. Her brown eyes meet mine and she gargles happily, reaching for my hair and tugging gently on it. "Come on lil bug, you know you shouldn't do that" I sigh, gently plucking my hair from her hands. The nurse hands me the form "Good luck Michelle, not that you'll need it." he says gently and I shrug, rubbing Haileys head gently. I turn and head outside, hearing the nurse call "Oh and congratulations" as the doors close softly behind us. I breathe in, sighing heavily. "Lets go home lil bug" I whisper, laughing sadly as Hailey reaches out, goo-ing over something she sees... I think nothing of it. 

The next time Hailey reaches for someone, she's four.... "HAILEY" I bellow, chasing my daughter across the street as she wombles away from me, laughing loudly as she turns to face me "Catch me mama" she giggles looking away from me "Hailey?" I ask but she ignores me "Mama" she squeals chasing the air around and I sigh as I catch sight of the old flat door. I finally catch up with Hailey before she reaches the door and scoop her up. She bursts into tears as we turn away "Lemme go mummy!" she cries, reaching out back towards the flats door "MAMA!" my daughter shrieks like her heart is breaking. I put Hailey on the floor, holding her hand and squat down to her level "Lil Bug, you do know  there's nobody there" I say and she shakes her head, her brown locks falling over her face. "Mama's there" she whispers pointing behind me. I turn around, but nobody is there. "come on bug, time to go home" I say, tugging her hand. Hailey waves "bye mama. I'll be back soon.". Hailey stops suddenly, grasping my hand and tugging gently, I frown and glance down at her "what is it love?" I inquire and Lil Bug grins "Carla say hello mummy." and for the first time in a long time, I feel my walls start to crumble "Hailey, Carla's dead. Mama's dead. You know that right?" I say gently and Hailey nods "I know, mama in the ground. She die when I was small... but she right there mummy" she stamps her foot indignantly and I giggle "You are such your mothers daughter" I say shaking my head "but we do need to go home, we will come see Mama soon, ok?" I ask and Hailey nods "hokay" she mumbles, finally turning her back on the flat and walking home beside me. 

Years pass and Hailey says nothing more of her Mama. Her first day at school goes by. She's stroppy and funny and makes my heart both swell and break more and more the older she gets. She looks so much like her mama, like a mirror image and I love her with all my heart, though I wish her mama was here, I love our life as it is. Hailey seems happy and content and that's all that matters.