trying15

Chapter Fifteen

I rolled over, reaching for my daughter's body. I shot straight up in the bed when I didn't find her. 'It's 9 AM, where could she be?' I sat completely silent, until I heard her laughter. I got out of bed and quietly walked down the hall.

         I walked into Justin's room, and there they were. They were both completely dressed, sitting on Justin's bed, watching cartoons. I smiled at the sight.

         Justin looked up. "Look! It's sleepy head."

         I smiled at him. "You could have woke me up!" I walked over to the bed sitting down beside Kayla. She was completely consumed in the cartoon.

         He leaned back, touching my arm lightly. "You looked so beautiful. I couldn't bring myself to do it." I blushed, not knowing what to say. So Justin looked at Kayla. "Go get your Momma ready! It's time to go."

         Kayla looked up at me. "Momma, go get dressed! We're going to Granny Lynn's house."

         At first I was taken aback by her comment. 'Granny Lynn?' Justin had obviously told Kayla about his Mom. Before I got out of the room Kayla was behind me. "And we gotta fix me an overnight bag too."

         An hour later we were standing in front of Lynn's house. Justin slightly knocked on her door and it swung open. I saw her jaw drop and she immediately grabbed me. She pulled me in the house while hugging me. "Chelle Bells. I've missed you so much! Let me look at you." She stepped back, "You have grown into a beautiful woman. Hasn't she J?" He didn't respond, he just nodded his head yes. Then she looked at Kayla. "And you must be Kayla Elise."

         Kayla smiled, "Yep, that's me. And you're Granny Lynn. Momma used to tell me stories about you all the time."

         Lynn bent down picking Kayla up, hugging her. "Only good stories I hope."

         Twenty minutes later Lynn and I were sitting on their back porch, watching Justin and Kayla jumping on a trampoline. I watched Justin as Lynn talked. "Chelle, I have been telling him for the past 8 years that he needed to see you more! And bring you to Florida more!"

         I smiled at the kind lady. "It's okay Mama Lynn. That's in the past. All that matters is that I'm here now." I smiled, hoping to change the subject. "Mama Lynn, are you sure you want to keep Kayla tonight? I don't want you to be bothered with it?"

         She smacked my hand playfully, "Chelle! You know how much I love children. Of course I don't mind. I volunteered@" And that was the end of that conversation. We talked and watched the children have fun all afternoon long.

         At 5 PM Justin and I were leaving Lynn's. I bent down to Kayla. "Now, you be good okay? And I'll see you tomorrow."

         Kayla smiled shyly. "Okay Momma. I'll be okay. Go have fun with Unkie Justin. Bye." I smiled and waved at my daughter as Justin and I headed to the car.

         We were silent the whole way back to his house. But things changed as soon as we walked through the door. "Chelle, go upstairs, there's a surprise. And be dressed and ready to go in one hour. We're going out tonight." I looked at him, getting ready to respond. He simply pointed towards the stairs. "No protests. Just go."

         Knowing that there was no use, I obeyed. I walked up the stairs and into my room. I wasn't expecting to see what my eyes were showing me. 'Is this for real !'