Chapter 1: Catch me if you can
(Amelia pov)
"Hush, little baby…" I whispered, rocking Isabella gently against my chest. Her tiny head rested on my shoulder as I patted her back, waiting for the soft burp I knew would come.
A group of women passed by, their voices slicing through my quiet moment.
"Gosh, how pathetic. Where did she even get that baby from?" one of them muttered.
"Maybe she stole it. Who knows?" another sneered.
"For a barren woman like her? She probably adopted it," the first replied.
The third one scoffed. "Adopt? Please. What does a mushroom seller have to adopt a baby?"
Their laughter and whispers trailed behind me like knives. I held Isabella tighter, pressing her warm cheek closer to my heart. Without a word, I went inside, shutting the door on their voices,but not their judgment.
This wasn't new. I had heard it all before, every time they saw me with Isabella. Still, as I laid her gently on the bed and patted her tiny back, my heart softened.
"Don't worry, baby Isabella," I whispered, brushing a kiss on her forehead. "We'll pull through this. Just you and me."
5 years later
__ __ __
Nanny Emmy and I sat watching the kids play;my Isabella and Xander, as Nanny Emmy always called him. I smiled, remembering how she's growing so fast, just like yesterday."Emmy," I said after a pause, my voice lower than before, "don't you think you should take Xander home now? You know how his mother can be. I don't want you getting into trouble because of us."
Emmy gave a light laugh, though I noticed she kept her eyes on the children. "Amelia, just a little while longer. Look at them,they're so happy. It's such a beautiful sight and as for Xander… nothing makes me happier than seeing him smile. I wouldn't want to end it too soon."
I nodded slowly, though worry still pressed at me. I tried to push the thought aside, and together we continued watching the children play.
(Isabella pov)
My mom and Nanny Emmy sat watching me and Xander play. I looked at my mom and she gave me a warm smile. I smiled back and ran after Xander who was fast like a deer.
"Come on boy, slow down! You're too fast." l called out.Xander laughed and replied "I will if only you stop calling me a boy, geez I'm three years older than you!" Xander said, sticking out his tongue and quickening his pace. I rolled my eyes and said "Do you always have to rub it in my face! You're just eight, so it's no big deal!" He stuck his tongue out again while still running, so I decided to give up knowing he wouldn't stop until I did what he asked.
Finally, I said, "Fine, ugly Xander, slow down." He raised a brow and I understood what he meant, so I added "Pleeeease." Still rolling my eyes. "Xander stopped and I stopped too, both of us breathing heavily.
"He burst into laughter as he watched the way I was gasping for air."You see why I always tell you to eat little so you'll be fit at all times,see."Xander said, raising his shoulders to show off his muscles making me burst into laughter, rolling on the floor and between giggles I teased "What are those tiny skeletal things? Don't tell me those are the muscles you're so proud of!"
He gave me a funny look of disapproval like a child denied candy which only made me laugh harder.Then he tapped me lightly and said, "You're just trying to cover up, admit it you're a glutton and a lazybones."
Xander said sticking his tongue out and I said, "But you cheated, you know. You weren't supposed to run that fast;you didn't stick to the rules." He smirked and replied, "Ok fine, catch me if you can."
We started running again until I grabbed his shirt and shouted, "Gotcha!" He looked at me with mocking eyes and said, "You win before you start gasping for air like someone being chased by a wild animal."He laughed and I hit him lightly.
We sat leaning on the tree. "You know, I've been wondering… is it just Ella, or…" Xander asked.
"Or what?" I teased, cutting him off with a grin.
He gave me a playful tap on the arm. "Silly, you know what I'm talking about. Your name,is it just Ella, or is that short for something?"
I smirked. "No, it's not just Ella. But I'm not telling you. Consider it your punishment for cheating during Catch me if you can." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Really, Ella?" he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah, Xander. So what about you? Is it just Xander, or…?"
Before I could finish, he burst out laughing, collapsing onto the ground dramatically. "They say when the tables turn…" he teased.
"Come on, Xander!" I groaned, tugging at his shirt, shaking him while he rocked back and forth in rhythm with my pulls.
"It's not just Xander," he said at last, grinning. "Only my mom and Nanny Emmy call me that." Then he stuck his tongue out at me again. "Figure it out, girl, 'cause I ain't telling you either."
"Come on." I pleaded. "Figure it out,"he teased. "That's not fair," I pouted.
He laughed. "You look like a crybaby right now," he said, sticking his tongue out again.
Then I saw Xander's mom approaching looking furious and nanny Emmy following quietly behind her. So I quickly tapped Xander to draw his attention and we quickly stood up. "Xander!," she shouted.Xander's voice trembled as he replied, "Mom…"
"I've told you to stop playing with this lowlife! For crying out loud, she's not in your class! Just look at what she's wearing,it's the kind of thing we use as a rag in the kitchen," she said, casting me a hateful glance. "Pathetic, absolutely pathetic! Xander, your wristwatch alone could buy her whole generation! Geez, stop embarrassing me by bringing yourself down to her level!"
I glanced at nanny Emmy who only gave me a look full of pity, as though she wanted to speak but dared not while Xander's eyes reddened with anger. "Mom, she's my friend!"
She squatted down to his level, cupped his chin and said softly, "Don't worry, baby, when you grow up, you'll understand what it means to be in a class of your own. Now let's go."Before leaving, she threw me one last venomous look, then dragged Xander away.and the nanny following behind.
My eyes welled up with tears as I quietly went to sit beside my mom who had been watching all along. I kept my gaze downcast as I sat and she gently placed her hand on my shoulders. I lifted my head about to speak but she hushed me softly,
"Shhh… don't let her words get to you, Ella. Always remember you are a jewel and have I ever told you you're priceless?"
At that, I laughed and the tears I had been holding back spilled freely. "Thank you, Mom," I whispered between sobs, and I fell into her embrace. We held each other
for a moment before she pulled back slightly and said, "Let's go inside baby."