Finding my mum

45- telling Chloe's friends

It'd been absolutely ages since I'd seen Chloe's friends. Chloe had seen them but I'd either been with Ashley or Janette so I couldn't go. Chloe's friends; Kirsty and Isla were like aunties to me so I couldn't wait to be reunited with them and I knew that they'd be so happy for Chloe.

I got ready then went downstairs, we were meeting at Isla's for lunch so I didn't eat so that I'd enjoy it more. Ashley had agreed to drop us off as he was heading that direction anyway so it was pointless taking both cars.

Once we were all ready, we got in Ashley's car to go to Isla's. When we got there, Isla and Kirsty were at the window waiting for us. I quickly said goodbye to Ashley and got out of the car.

Me: "Isla! Kirsty!"
Isla&Kirsty: "Ava!"
Kirsty: "happy massively belated birthday"
Me: "thank you!"
Isla: "happy birthday sweetie"
Me: "thank you! I've missed you both so much"
Isla: "we've missed you too"

All of a sudden there was a young voice yelling mummy; it was Isla's daughter Lexi. I looked over to the door and saw Lexi with her dad Sam. Lexi's face lit up when she saw me. Sam lifted her over the door step and stayed behind her as she ran over to me. I stretched out my arms to which she ran straight into. She let out screams of joy as I span her around.

Me: "I've missed you"
Lexi: "I missed to"
Sam: "hey Ava, long time no see"
Me: "I know. You look like you're on your way out?"
Sam: "yeah, I've got a few jobs to do so I thought I'd leave you ladies to it"
Me: "have fun"
Sam: "I'll try"
Lexi: "bye dada"
Sam: "bye princess"

Sam went to get in the car. Kirsty, Isla and Chloe had already gone inside, Lexi and I waved to Sam then went to find them. When we got inside, Lexi wanted to get down so I put her down and she tried to pull me to her toys.

Me: "let's go find mummy as my mum has something to tell everyone then we'll play"
Lexi: "prom"
Me: "prom"

Lexi pulled me to the kitchen where she could hear her mum.

Lexi: "mama"
Isla: "yes"
Lexi: "chl has to say"
Chloe: "how did you know that I have an announcement?"
Lexi: "Ava"
Me: "Lexi tried to pull me to play with her so I said that you had an announcement then I'll play"
Kirsty: "is everything ok?"
Chloe: "it's better than ok. What have I wanted more than anything in the world"
Kirsty: "to be married?"
Chloe: "yeah, what else?"
Isla: "to be a mum"
Lexi: "she Ava's mama"
Me: "she is but it's complicated"
Lexi: "what you mean"
Me: "I'll explain later"
Isla: "wait your pregnant?"
Chloe: "I am"
Kirsty: "ahhhhhhhhh"
Isla&Kirsty: "congratulations babe"
Chloe: "thanks girls"

Lexi started pulling on my arm so I crouched down.

Me: "what's wrong?"
Lexi: "play now?"
Me: "I'm going to leave you all to catch up, a certain princess wants to go play"
Isla: "good luck"
Me: "we'll be fine"

As soon as I stood up and gave Lexi my hand I was off. Lexi pulled me to her play room then made me sit down while she decided what she wanted to play. She brought over her hair dressers set.

Lexi: "you my hair?"
Me: "how do you want it?"
Lexi: "you"
Me: "like mine?"
Lexi: "ya"
Me: "how's nursery going?"

As soon as I'd asked her she started crying. I stopped what I was doing, turned her around and pulled her in for a hug. She cried herself to sleep so I picked her up and took her to the kitchen with me. Isla saw the tear stains on her daughters face.

Isla: "what happened?"
Me: "I asked her how nursery was going then she started crying but I don't know why, so I gave her a hug and she fell asleep"
Isla: "I don't think she likes it but she won't tell Sam or I why"
Kirsty: "have you tried talking to her teacher?"
Isla: "they don't know why either"
Kirsty: "she'll be ok. How longs she been going?"
Isla: "a few weeks. I thought she'd settle by now but she hasn't"
Me: "you're doing an amazing job. Some kids take longer than others to settle in"
Isla: "thanks sweetie"
Me: "where's Chloe?"
Kirsty: "lying down on the sofa"
Me: "is she ok?"
Kirsty: "yeah, she just felt tired so we suggested that she has a nap before lunch"
Me: "thanks. She has been sleeping a lot since we found out that she's pregnant"
Isla: "I slept a lot when I was pregnant with Lexi."
Kirsty: "Chloe was telling us about you and Janette"
Me: "what did she say?"
Kirsty: "that you'd kinda fallen out and were having a break"
Me: "I went down to the studio a few weeks ago and it turned out that only Amy and Karen knew who I was and that I existed. Then she announced it to everyone and you know what I'm like with crowds"
Isla: "we do"
Me: "luckily Amy got me out of there as soon as she could and calmed me down"
Kirsty: "she also said that she wouldn't have got through anything over the last few months without you"

Just as I was about to reply, I could feel Lexi moving around on my lap.

Lexi: "Ava"
Me: "hey, shhhh it's ok, I'm here"
Lexi: "me ok"
Me: "think so, unless you know something that I don't"
Lexi: "me ungry"
Isla: "food won't be long"
Me: "shall we go wipe your tears with a tissue and gently wake Chloe up?"
Lexi: "ya. Be nice though"
Me: "yeah we do have to be"

I moved her so I could stand up. I wiped her face then put her on my back so we could be a quiet plane to wake Chloe. Chloe was already awake and looked scared. I put Lexi down, told her to go hide and I'd come to find her after I'd spoken to Chloe. Once I knew she'd gone I turned to Chloe who shuffled over so I could fit on to comfort her.

Me: "wanna talk?"
Chloe: "I'll tell you later. Did you want something?"
Me: "foods nearly ready so come to the kitchen when you're ready. I have a princess to find"
Chloe: "thanks for letting me know. I would say that I have a princess to find but mines sitting next to me. Love you"
Me: "love you too. Ready or not here I come"