One Last Time

Chapter 24

maybe i was in love with a dream
that was never meant
to be mine.

- priya.kannan

Lana

After a long day at work, it was finally time to see my baby. I've decided that I would leave the hospital early today and pick Amelia up from kindergarten. It's been nearly a week since I was back and I haven't seen her at all.

"Mommy!"

My heart explodes with so much palpitations, I dropped to my knees and engulfed her into an embrace when she charged towards me. She released all her belongings onto the floor and jumped on me before she settled into my embrace.

"Oh baby. Mommy missed you so much." I coo as I stroke her hair and pull away from her, "What's the matter Lia?"

"Mommy, poppy said you were busy at the hospital. Don't go back to the hospital mommy, I don't want to leave you alone."

A huge smile spread across my lips as I chuckle, how is my baby becoming so considerate and understanding? The realisation caught me off guard, I wondered where she got her sharpness from. I wrap my arms around her and embrace her once again before I kissed her tiny face. She held my face and kissed my lips before she giggled.

"Let's go home baby."

"Yeah! Let's go home and watch a movie and eat food and snuggle deep inside my bed and then sleep!"

"Okay," I laugh as I carried her to my car after grabbing her belongings that she dropped to the floor, "let's do that."

After a drive back home, Amelia and I make our way to the apartment. She was in such a cheery mood, I loved it! I hold her in my arms and use the lift to get to our floor, all the way through Amelia was singing and swinging her head side to side as she would occasionally catch me watching her and then giggle.

But when I reached my door, my foot came to an abrupt halt. Amelia stopped singing when she realised that I no longer was walking, instead her head turned towards the direction of our door. My heart slightly dropped when Ivan was standing in front of my door as his hands were buried deep in his pocket. It seemed as though he was waiting for somebody.

"Ivan!"

Amelia chirped as she rushed to get out of my hold. I release her gently to the ground and the second her feet touched the floor, she sprinted towards Ivan and on him, and he opened his arms out to her just in time. He kneeled down to her height and engulfed her into an embrace as he laughed wholeheartedly. Amelia squealed on him before she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

"Hello beautiful, I missed you."

"Where have you been Ivan? Me and mommy missed you so much."

My eyes widened and my body tensed when Ivan glanced up and raised a brow at me, as a slight smirk reached his lips. I avert my eyes to my bag as I reach for the keys, while Ivan held Amelia and waited behind me. Once I opened the door, I welcome him.

"Amelia darling, go ahead and wash your hands and get changed. I will get your food ready."

"Okay mommy!" She chirped before Ivan placed her down. As soon as he did, she took her shoes off and then sprinted towards her room, leaving me alone with Ivan.

"I'm sorry about today, I never meant to take Estella to the hospital for you to deal with her."

"Actually, it's my job so I'm required to do it." I say before I glance over my shoulder at him and give him a small smile, "How is she anyway?"