Only Us

Chapter 67

~4 years~

"Are you sure you have everything?" I asked.

"I think I do," Abby said.

"Alright, just be safe, alright?"

"I will. I'll be back before you know it."

"Bye, mama!" Ava ran up to me, reaching up for Abby to pick her up.

"Aww, bye, Ava," Abby picked her up and held her tightly.

"We'll cheer loud for you so you can hear us all the way from here!" Ava smiled.

"I'm sure you will. Just make sure mommy doesn't get too into it," Abby smirked at me.

"Oh hush, Abby," I smiled and kissed her cheek, making Ava cover her eyes.

"Alright, Ava, make sure you give mama a big hug before she goes."

Ava wrapped her arms around Abby's neck and hugged her tightly. Abby smiled as she hugged Ava goodbye. She set her down and I picked her up.

"Bye, mama," Ava waved.

"Bye, Ava. Bye, Y/N. I love both of you," she said, kissing both of our heads before walking out of the apartment.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. She had to leave early to be there for the opening celebration, even though her event wasn't until closer towards the end of the entire thing. During the four years, she had been attending events around the world, so as Ava started to grow up, she learned that Abby was not going to be there for a while. It upset her at first, but as she grew accustomed to it, she would be sad the day Abby leaves, stay upset for a bit, then get over it. And when Abby returned, she was practically jumping up and down. But this was different. Ava was upset longer than normal.

"Ava, what's wrong?" I asked as we were watching the opening ceremony.

"I miss mama."

"I know you do. I miss her too," I said and picked her up, setting her on my lap. "Let's see if we can see mama."

We continued to watch as they were announcing the different countries. Finally, they announced the United States and they zoomed in on all of the people from here that were there. I looked through all of them to see if I could find Abby. What stood out was that she was holding the flag.

"There's mama!" I said and pointed to Abby.

Ava smiled and clapped her hands, "Mama!"

I smiled as Ava got up from my lap and walked over to the TV, getting a closer look at Abby. 

"I can't do this anymore."

"Y/N, I understand where you're coming from, but it's not going to be for long."

"I know, but Ava is really missing Abby and I just think she needs another person here to help get her mind off of her."

"Y/N, I get that she misses Abby, but she needs to learn that with what Abby is doing, she's always going to be leaving here and there to compete."

"I know."

"Look, if you ever need anything, remember, you're always welcome back here."

I looked over at Ava as she was playing with some of the toys we had gotten her. I remembered when she was just a baby and Abby was playing with her. Both of them were having a great time together. A bitter sweet smile appeared on my face.

"I think I'll do that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I just need to get out of the apartment. Besides, Ava hasn't seen you in a while. I think it's time we paid an overdue visit."

"Happy birthday, Ava!" we said to her.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Ava?"

"Is Mama coming home to celebrate with us?"

I sighed, remembering her second birthday where she had to go to a tournament and Ava had asked me the same question. 

"Not this year, Ava. I'm sorry."

"Oh."

I walked into the apartment building to find it was pretty empty. I looked around, trying to figure out if I walked into the wrong apartment or something happened while I was gone. I closed the door and locked it behind me.

"Y/N? Ava?"

I walked into our bedroom to see everything was still there. I looked in Ava's room to see it was all pretty normal there as well. The bathroom was still the same as I remembered it. The kitchen was a bit empty though. I walked towards it and growled, growing frustrated.

"If this is some kind of prank, you better cut it out now, Y/N."

There was silence.

"Y/N? If you're hiding somewhere with Ava and you're trying to get me to find you, I'm not doing this again. So you better come out now before you piss me off!"

There was still nothing.

I grew worried now, "Y/N? Please tell me where the hell you are."

I sighed and sat down on the couch, trying not to let my frustration and worry take hold of me. 

"You're back."

I looked up to see Ellie was walking into the apartment.

"How did you get in here?" I sprang up and walked towards her.

"Y/N gave me her set of keys."

"Where the hell is she?" I asked.

"Think about it, Abby."

"Do you really want me to think about it right now? I walk into my apartment to see the lights are out, there is no one here, and everything looks the same. I for sure thought something happened to them while I was gone. She hasn't spoken to me since the first night I was gone. I was worried like hell when I didn't hear from her. I tried to get her to talk. I tried calling her mother and her mother didn't give me a straight forward answer. Or she was giving me an excuse. Think about it, Ellie. You come back to your house or apartment and you don't see Dina or JJ. Don't you think you'd want an explanation from Dina?"

"You can get your explanation when you figure out where she went."

"Don't tell me she left Seattle."

"No she's still here. Just think about it. You were gone and she had to take care of Ava. She didn't want to do it alone."

I stood there, trying to think about what Ellie was saying. Then it dawned on me. I pulled out my keys and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Ellie asked.

"To her mother's."