Chapter nine

It was about seven in the morning when I received the call from Dylan. I took a u-turn from the road to church and made my way to Bella's.

As I drove there different thoughts swam throw my mind.

Maybe if I stayed last night like I wanted to, then this could have been avoided.

This is beyond your control, my mind reprimanded me but the guilt welling up in my heart continued to get heavier.

I quickly parked my car in the driveway running towards the house. I made my way up the stairs hearing muffled screams, as I got closer to Bella's room, the louder they became.

I found Dylan seated at the door crying.

"Dylan," I said and he looked at me, hugging me immediately. "Go to your room," I ushered "I'll take care of Bella."

"Is she going to okay?" he asked me.

"Yes she's going to be fine." I assured him as I moved towards the bed. Bella was curled into a ball on one side of the bed. Shaking her head.

When I got closer she was whispering, "Don't hurt my baby please," over and over again.

"Bella," I whispered, my hand lingering above her shoulder kneeling on the side of the bed. As soon as my hand rested on her shoulder, she started kicking and screaming.

My whole body tensed as she started hitting me simultaneously. " Bella!" I shook her enduring the pain, "Wake up Bella!" but she didn't wake up. She kept mumbling quietly in her sleep.

I moved over to the other side of the bed, laying beside her. I took her into my arms as she was throwing punches my way. I held her tightly as her hits intensified.

"Shhhh," I cooed my free hand running through her hair. At that moment she snuggled in closer and I felt her body relaxed in my hold and soon, she was sleeping soundly in my arms.

Slowly I also started dozing off, but my phone vibrated in my pocket, making me wake up immediately afraid that I might wake up Bella.

I look at the caller ID and remember that I was supposed to be at church.

Groaning I picked up the call, "Before you say anything, I'm at Bella's..." I started but stopped knowing if I disclose more details while I'm here my mom would pry for answers, she's nosy like that, "...there was a problem here so I had to come."

"Angelica is getting baptized today, and you know that," she pried.

"This is more important," I stated blatantly.

"Honey look they're not even married and he's spending his time there rather than with his family," she said feigning hurt, I guessed my dad was with her.

There was a long pause from the other end and the next moment my father's voice is booming through the speakers.

"Son, you know this is important for your mother, so can you leave whatever has you caught up over there and-"

"Dad can you talk softer?" I interrupted, whispering "Bella is uh... she's sleeping here so...you understand right?" I stammered.

My dad chuckled from the other end his voice loud.

"Dad I'm hanging up, I'll call you later." I said cutting the call.

As soon as I cut the phone, I caught Bella staring at me her eyes wide, studying me. "I know I'm handsome Bella," I said trying to make the scene less awkward "...but when you stare at me like that, I feel like a god."

"What are you doing here?" she asked ignoring my statement "I told you to go home didn't I?"

"Bella...I...you," I stammered suddenly feeling at a loss for words.

"I...you...what? Leo tell me?" she scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"Dyl--" I started but she cut me off.

"Don't you dare drag Dylan into this."

"Dylan," I continued "called me this morning and he told me you were having a nightmare, the boy was crying heavily into the phone. I got scared, even more when he said you get violent when someone tries to wake you up. What was I supposed to do?”

“I’m sorry,” she apologized and with that I walked out of the room. I was bout to get out of the house when her voice stopped me.

“Can we come?” She asked and I nodded.

Asking me to wait for a few minutes I felt at home. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of belonging. I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Her fiery confidence and sharp tongue intrigued me and the care she showed her son melted my heart. It caused me to view life from another angle and I gathered the courage to visit my daughter for the first time.

My mother was surprised when I asked for her. More when I asked to hold her. The time I spent with Dylan taught me how important parents are in the lives of their children and how depriving them of that love destroys their confidence. The boy told me his father was dead but I was still alive yet I neglected my own child.

I felt horrible.

Bella was stronger than I could ever be, she was both a mother and father to Dylan and that inspired me to fuel my relations.

I never planned on attending her baptism let alone being in her life but these few interactions with the pair has caused me to change my views on what really matter.

My mind went back to the man I was years ago and a pang of regret hits me. Those were my demons that no one accepted, not even Angelica's mother. Only time would tell if this woman who, unknowingly has weaved her way into my heart would accept me for what I am. Or what I was.

Bella's POV

I took a quick shower wearing a Navy blue long sleeved Chinese collared dress which hugged my body at the top with a lace bodice and flowed freely from my waist with a silky fabric that rested right under my knees. I wore the outfit with white four inch ankle boots to hide the bandages.

Even though my feet ached but I had to look presentable.

"Mommy!" Dylan's voice boomed through my room, "Dad said you should hurry up, else he is leaving without you!"

"I'm coming!" I yelled, grabbing a white Prada hand bag and makeup kit, speed walking out of the room.

I couldn't run even if I wanted to, the cuts and heels did not coordinate. When I was at the door, Leo was already on the road about to take off.

"Can you just wait!" I yelled, half running towards his sleek black car. I really did not know the manufacturer. I was about to open the door when the engine roared to life and I couldn't help but flinch.

I settled myself in my seat, putting on my seat belt before turning to glare at Leo who was surprisingly already looking at me.

"That was more than five minutes." he stated, replacing the tenderness his face held with a hard look emphasising his handsome features. Driving off.

Are you serious Bella. I mentally slapped myself.

I'm not lying. I mentally shrugged and remembered that I had to apply make up. Since I was I a hurry I just applied some mascara, eye liner and eye shadow along with some blush a light pink matte lip stick lined with pink lip gloss. In the background Leo and Dylan engaged themselves in a light conversation.

Dylan was keen on knowing about Leo's daughter, Angelica. But from Leo's stiff posture and monotone answers, one could tell how he was uncomfortable talking about her.

My mind went back to earlier this morning when- "Leo!" I yelled as I felt my body being lunged at the windscreen, luckily the seatbelt held me back. I looked over at Leo who just passed a red light driving sloppily.

"What the hell was that!" I yelled my heart beat accelerating.

"Look, the ceremony just started and I hate being late. It's my daughter's baptism for goodness sake!" he shouted running a hand through his hair.

I took my hand and placed it on his shoulder, I noticed that he looked stressed. I left my hand there as he drove and he slowly relaxed from my touch. I used my free hand to take a hair brush from my purse and combed my hair, hoping it would dry soon.

Unknowingly Leo's hands entwined with mine some where in the ride I only noticed when I was about to exit the car when we reached the church. I looked up from our interlocked to his face and we shared the same expression of shock but I could not ignore the electric feel that coursed through my body. I quickly withdrew my hand getting up from my seat, walking out of the car.