Pulling up at the park, I look back at Arabella who’s staring out the window. I really hope she will be okay. My family is waiting at a picnic table. Letting out a deep breath, I unbuckle my seat belt.
“She’ll be fine,” Kane says then gives me a quick kiss on the forehead. Opening his door, he walks over to mine, lifts me down, and then opens Arabella’s door. She smiles shyly at Kane as he unbuckles her and lifts her out of the truck. He puts her down and takes my hand and hers in his other hand.
Turning around, I see my family is waiting anxiously for us. My mom has her hand over her mouth. Dave has his arm around her. Ethan, Brae, Chase, and Jessica don’t take their eyes off her. Arabella has Kane’s eyes and hair color. Looking at Arabella, I see that she has stiffened up with her thumb in her mouth. She’s scared. She sticks her thumb into her mouth as a nervous habit.
“She’s scared,” I tell Kane. He nods and picks her up off the ground. She hides her head in his neck. He closes his eyes with a clenched jaw. We both hate that she’s so scared of everything. She’s not scared of Kane or me anymore, but things around her frighten her. Something loud on the TV has her hiding in her closet. She hides food under her bed. I noticed this when I smelled something rotting.
Kane and I continue walking to our family. Nobody says a word. He kisses Arabella’s head before whispering something to her. I can see her nod slightly. Then she looks up at everyone.
My mother sucks in a sharp breath. Arabella sticks her thumb back into her mouth, her eyes shooting to everyone sitting in front of her. Holding my breath, I wait to see what happens next. Once she looks at my mother she stops and then she looks at me.
“Dat your momma?” She points at my mom.
“Yes, baby, she is.” I smile at her.
She lifts her hand and barely waves her hand at everyone then ducks her head, embarrassed. She’s too stinking cute.
“Let’s eat, everyone,” my mom announces and Kane gets up to get the cooler out of the truck. I try to help Mom put food out, but it’s not an easy task with Arabella hiding her head against my chest.
Bending down, I whisper into her ear, “Baby, these people love you and have been waiting to meet you for a long time. Especially my mom. They’re not going to hurt you.” I kiss her temple and raise back up.
Kane sets the food down beside us and begins lifting out the dishes I made. Noticing Kane is back, Arabella sits up so she is sitting up in my lap.
Kane has a way of making her feel safe no matter what. When she is scared, she gravitates to him. Arabella is used to people not being nice to her and thinks it’s going to happen all the time. Her little body shakes. It breaks my heart. I want nothing more than to take away her pain. One day she will be unafraid.
Kane grabs a plate and fills it up for Arabella who is now openly looking at everyone. Shifting her, I move so I can place her plate in her lap.
Turning to Kane, I ask, “Can you grab her cup?” He nods and hands it to me.
Arabella’s already eating her food. She used to shove everything she possibly could into her mouth too fast and she would get sick. It kills me knowing that this little girl went hungry. I can’t imagine what she has been through, what she’s seen, or had to endure. The image of the bruise across her belly has me gritting my teeth angrily.
Looking up, I catch Ethan kissing the top of Braelyn’s head. My eyes widen, and I look between the both of them.
“When did this happen?” I voice my thoughts.
Braelyn blushes and turns to Ethan shyly before answering, “It just happened. I couldn’t fight it.” She shrugs her shoulders and smiles.
“That’s a beautiful story, you guys.” Jessica fakes sniffles and drastically wipes under her eyes.
Rolling my eyes, I look at Jessica who is now grinning evilly. Chase chuckles and winks at her. She immediately quits smiling. Uh oh.
“Oh hush, Jessica. Don’t get me started on the fire down yonda!” Braelyn screeches at Jessica. Sucking in my lips, I try to control my laughter.
“If you say one more word, Braelyn, I will tell all your secrets. Including the specific dream.” She grins wickedly and winks at Ethan.
Ethan gives Braelyn a saucy grin. “Do tell, Braelyn.”
Her eyes widen and she looks like she is about to bolt.
“That’s enough.” My mom gives them her motherly glare. “Let’s eat.” Everyone grabs a plate and chows down.
After everyone eats, my mom turns to Arabella. “Would you like to go play?” She points at the playground.
Arabella sticks her thumb into her mouth. She looks up at me. Smiling, I nod my head, encouraging her. She pushes off my lap and slowly walks to my mom.