Editing this story a little 13/10/2016 :)
I was packing my daughters bags upstairs while she was running around the house yelling at me.
"Hurry mama! Mommy will be here soon" 5 year old Isabella shouted from the kitchen, running around the dining table.
"Slow down little one. You don't want to hurt yourself" I told her making my way down the stairs shaking my head at her antics, smiling to myself.
"Come here Izzy" I crouched down and opened my arms waiting for the wind to be knocked out of me. 3 … 2 … 1…
"MAMA!" Izzy shouted at the top of her lungs before jumping into my arms, sending me flat on my back against the cold kitchen tiles.
"Little monster, we have to calm you down or Mommy will be mad at me." Izzy giggled and curled into my chest.
"But Disney world mama. Disney world!" I laughed and tickled her sides.
"I know honey. I hope you have a good time and tell Mickey he'll always be my favourite okay?" Izzy nodded and shot up from the floor as a car pulled into the driveway. I turned to see her in the living room with her face pressed up against the glass, her hand waving frantically.
"MOMMY'S HERE!" before I could stop her she flew out of the front door to greet her mother. I got up from the floor and made my way into the kitchen, trying not to listen to Izzy chewing her mother's ear off. She hadn't seen her mother for a while.
"Hey Bella, I missed you so much. You excited?" laughter erupted from by the front door before it fell silent.
"Hey Jane." I nodded my head towards Maura, my soon to be ex-wife, in acknowledgement.
"I'll run upstairs and get Izzy's bag. Make yourself at home. I'll just be a second" It used to be our home. I shook the thoughts away from my head before heading towards Izzy's bedroom.
"I've missed you so much Mommy, why can't Mama come to Disney too?" I shook my head at the sadness in the little voice as I made my way downstairs, Izzy's bags in hand. Maura looked towards me and pleaded me with her eyes to help her. I sighed and sat on the last step of the stairs, opening my arms wide for my daughter.
"Because I've got so much work to do baby. How about next time me and you will go and you'll show me all the cool things yeah?" Izzy ran into my arms nodding her head.
"Okay Mama" As Izzy cuddled me I looked over her shoulder to see Maura mouthing thank you to me. I shrugged and held my daughter tighter.
"I'm gonna miss you bug, you be good for Mommy and I'll see you soon. You gotta take lots and lots of pictures for me" Izzy nodded and kissed my cheek before sprinting to the car shouting a quick 'I love you' over her shoulder.
"Take care of my baby please" I stood up from the step and ran my hand through my hair.
Maura looked at me before sighing.
"She's my baby too you know. We raised her together. Why does it have to be like this?"
"You tell me! You're the one that cheated; with my brother. Look, just get out and enjoy time with your daughter." Maura reluctantly nodded and walked towards the front door.
"You know I'd change it if I could. I regret doing it. I was drunk, it meant nothing."
"Maur, we've been over this." The nickname slipped, I couldn't stop it from coming out. I saw a minuscule smile appear on her face, busted. She heard me.
"I'm sorry" That was it. Once again she had left.
