The café was warm, full of the low hum of voices and the hiss of the espresso machine. But for Bella, it felt like she was walking into a storm. Her palms were clammy as she pushed the stroller in, Jessy's soft breaths steady beneath his blanket.
She scanned the tables until her gaze landed on Alexis.
Two years had changed her. Alexis looked sharper, calmer, her hair tied back in a sleek bun. There was something radiant about her face now, a glow Bella didn't remember from before. But her eyes, the same eyes that once laughed through midnight talks widened and froze on Bella.
For a moment, neither moved. Then Bella's throat tightened. "Alexis..."
Alexis stood slowly, her chair scraping the floor. She took one step forward, then another, and before Bella could say more, her friend's hand came down firmly against her arm.
"That's for disappearing." Alexis's voice cracked, her anger rushing out with tears. "Do you know what it was like? Watching the world eat you alive, not knowing if you were dead or alive? Not even a single text, Bella. Not one."
Bella's vision blurred. "I... I thought you'd hate me. I didn't know how to explain. Everything fell apart."
Alexis's chin trembled. "I did hate you. For a while. But I never stopped caring. I never stopped praying I'd see you again."
And suddenly, Alexis pulled her into a hug so tight Bella almost dropped to her knees. They clung to each other, crying into each other's shoulders, two friends finally closing a wound that had been open too long.
When they sat down, Alexis wiped her face and exhaled shakily. "You look different. Older. Stronger. But there's pain written all over you. What happened to you, B?"
Bella hesitated, her gaze falling to the stroller beside her. Jessy stirred softly, a small whimper escaping him. Bella pushed the stroller closer, her hands trembling. "This happened."
Alexis leaned over and froze. Inside the blanket was a tiny boy with violet-flecked eyes, his fists curled under his chin.
"Bella..." Alexis's voice broke. "You... you had a baby?"
Bella nodded, guilt thick in her eyes. "He's six months old now. His name is Jessy."
Alexis covered her mouth, tears spilling freely. "You carried all this alone? You let me think I'd lost you, when all this time... you were here, being a mother?"
"I didn't want to burden you," Bella whispered. "After the scandal, after the shame... I thought you'd look at me differently. That you'd see me as ruined."
Alexis shook her head, furious now. "Ruined? Bella, you're raising a miracle. You're stronger than anyone I know. Don't you dare call yourself ruined."
Bella sobbed softly, covering her face. Alexis reached out and took her hand, squeezing it firmly. "And he's my godson. Don't even argue. I've already claimed him."
Bella let out a watery laugh. "Godson?"
"Yes," Alexis said, wiping her tears with the back of her hand before gently stroking Jessy's cheek. "He looks just like you. He's perfect."
For a long moment, they sat in silence, watching the baby sleep.
Then Alexis pulled something from her purse. A small velvet box. She set it on the table without a word.
Bella blinked. "What's that?"
Alexis smiled softly. "I didn't think I'd get to tell you in person. Do you remember Captain Princely? The pilot who used to flirt with me and you always teased me about?"
Bella's eyes widened. "The one who kept 'accidentally' scheduling layovers just to see you. Prince?"
Alexis's cheeks flushed. "That one. He asked me to marry him last month." She opened the box to reveal a simple, elegant diamond ring.
Bella's lips parted, a gasp escaping her. "Alexis... oh my God. You're engaged?"
"Yes." Alexis's eyes glowed. "I said yes."
Bella's tears returned, but this time they were mixed with joy. She reached across the table and squeezed her friend's hand. "You deserve this. You deserve someone steady and good. I'm so proud of you."
"And I want you there," Alexis said firmly. "At the wedding. Promise me you won't disappear again."
Bella's throat tightened. "I promise. No more running. Not from you."
They fell silent again, their hands still linked.
Jessy stirred, letting out a soft coo. Alexis leaned closer, her expression melting. "He's so calm. He knows he's safe with you. That's love, Bella. That's motherhood."
Bella blinked away fresh tears. "Sometimes I wonder if I can do it. If I'm enough for him."
"You are," Alexis said, her voice steady. "You're more than enough. And you're not alone anymore."
For the first time in a long time, Bella allowed herself to believe it.
Outside, the rain began to fall softly against the café windows. Life outside was still messy, still dangerous, but here, in this small corner of London, Bella had her friend back. She had laughter, and tears, and the promise of better days.
And as Alexis leaned across to kiss Jessy's forehead, Bella whispered a silent prayer of thanks.
She wasn't completely healed. But she wasn't alone anymore.