To Infinity and Beyond

Change of heart(s)

Alice's POV

A lot happened in the last twenty-four hours, and a lot was yet to sink in. My mind was barely surviving the whirlwind of emotions.

On one hand, my own life got stirred up when ghosts of the past attempted to crawl their way back in, while on the other, knowing about Mark's story weaved deep imprints on my already fragile heart.

I honestly knew nothing about him. The most dominant feeling that I now carried for him was respect, sincere heartwarming respect. They don't make such guys anymore. Who could have even sensed that Mia was any less than his own daughter?

On the outside, he looked like a simple guy who was a father to a seven-year-old, his work being his only real companion; but on the inside, he was a brave-heart who loved unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.

"Aunt Alice, where did Miss Rose and Casper go?" Mia's innocent voice got me out of my thoughts.

"Umm.. they went to the hospital sweety, you are going to meet their baby soon." I nudged the tip of her nose and gave her a gentle smile.

"Really? Then why was Miss Rose crying and screaming? She should be happy, no?"

Her remark earned a chuckle from me, before I answered, "she is very happy dear, but bringing babies in this world is a lot of pain that every mother has to experience. It's normal to feel this pain before they finally get to meet their little ones."

"Oh.. then my mother must have gotten hurt too when I came in this world." She muttered before she looked at the sky above with her mesmerising green eyes and whispered a heartfelt apology, "I am sorry, Mom."

"Oh, Mia! Aren't you a sweetheart?" My heart fluttered at her actions, I moved closer to her and engulfed her petite frame in a tight hug. She instantly hugged me back.

"Aunt Alice? Where is my Dada? When will he come?"

"Umm... I am not sure, baby. I don't have a phone on me since I lost it yesterday. I cannot call anybody. He must be at the hospital too, I think we will just have to wait."

"Oh. Will you be leaving soon too? I don't want to stay alone." She looked at me with puppy eyes, almost pleading me not to leave her alone.

"No sweety, I am not going anywhere right now. I am here till you want me. I won't be leaving you alone. Okay?"

Her face lit up immediately, and with a wide smile on, she nodded.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes, Aunt Alice."

"Come let me fix you something to eat." We both were sitting on the front porch of Rose and Casper's house. Casper rushed Rose to the hospital, and I decided to stay back with Mia. With my modest cooking skills, I made the best use of whatever was available in their kitchen. I cooked some chicken sandwiches and eggs for dinner. It was quarter to nine pm, three hours since Rose and Casper left when I finished reading the third story to Mia. Her eyes were now drooping. She looked tired.

"Do you want me to take you to bed?" I gently closed the book in my hand and looked at Mia's slumping body on the couch.

"Umm... I have school tomorrow. Where is Dada?"

"I am sure he will stop by soon, why don't you go take a nap? I will wake you up when he is here."

"Sure, Aunt Alice. Thank you." She gave me a peck on my cheeks before I went upstairs and tucked her in bed.

***

Once back in the living room, the silence of the solemn night blanketed my noisy instincts. I leaned back on the sofa, and closed my eyes for a bit, slowly absorbing everything that destiny was throwing at me. With no way to contact anyone, I decided to wait for someone to check on us.