Holding Onto You

Ch. 1

Demi's pov

The only kids here right now at 8 in the morning is Bella and the the twin boys. Despite being old enough to attend public school, it's the last place we can put her. Isabella has selective mutism. A mutism caused by extreme anxiety. Bella is only able to talk to Wilmer, Maya, Ava, Emilio and I. However she's not able to really fully be herself around Emilio. Just Maya, Ava, Wilmer, and I. My parents haven't ever heard her speak nor have her aunts or Wilmers parents. She can't even communicate non verbally with anyone outside of us. Anyone asking her a question or talking to her usually leads to an anxiety attack.

We're unsure if it's related but Bella's also unable to sleep in her own bedroom. She sleeps between Wilmer and I at night. We've tried everything to get her to sleep in her own room, but nothing works. She's screaming and crying the whole night out of sheer fear and always ends up back in bed with us. Before the twins, it wasn't much of a problem. But with Bella making sleep hard and the twins making sleep even harder, it's been a bit rough.

At the sound of a cry I tiredly sit up, "I got him, lay down and rest. You were up with Lucas almost all night. I'll feed Max."

Far too tired to argue, I lay back down and watch Isabellas eyes open. She sits up and looks between Wilmer and I confused. Once Wilmer leaves the room she looks to me, "Where's papá going?"

"He's going to feed your baby brother. Do you hear him crying?" I ask.

She shakes her head before laying down. The news of it being unimportant in her mind leads to her anxiety to go back down rather quickly.

She gives a small stretch before looking at me, "Does Avie come back home tonight?" She asks.

Ava is supposedly at a friends house tonight, but I've got my doubts. A few times she's said she was at a friends house and through a bad cover up job with make up, I and her father both have seen the hickeys. I wouldn't put it past her to spend the night at this mystery boys house. I can't get a truthful answer out of her in regards to this topic.

"She said she's be home before lunch, so she should be." I say.

I see Maya walk into the room and Isabella sits up and reaches for her. Of course Maya picks her up and holds her, "Good morning Bella, how long have you up?"

"Not long." Bella says wrapping her arms around mayas neck and resting her head in her shoulder.

I smile at the sight unable to resist. Maya and Ava are so good work Bella. I didn't expect it, but so is Emilio. All have a major soft spot for her and are all very protective over her. They may argue with one another, but not one of them argue with Bella.

"Did you sleep good?" She asks.

"Mhm." Bella replies.

"Did you take up the whole bed last night?" Maya asks.

"She did for papá but not me." I chuckle.

Bella nearly had him off the bed last night but Wilmer being Wilmer, didn't have the heart to push her into the middle again. So he slept almost off the bed and let Bella have the rest.

"So what's your plans today?" Maya asks looking at me.

I look at the alarm clock to see its 6:30 in the morning and I sigh, "I don't know Maya, it's too early for me to even think right now."