Chapter 2

A wave of de ja vu washes over me as I wake up to find myself in my old bedroom, in total silence, no cars rushing by beneath my bedroom window, no noisy neighbours walking past my apartment just complete silence.

'Oh my god, Caia!'

I panic and stare at my daughters empty travel cot for a few seconds that feels more like hours before I realise my Mom probably got her up this morning.

Once the panic subsides I pull my duvet up around my shoulders and enjoy some rare peace in the morning. I adore Caia but its nice not to be up before the crack of dawn.

After twenty minutes of laying in bed I get up and dressed before heading downstairs. I find Mom and Caia playing on the front room floor, I smile at the lovely scene in front of me. I feel bad for depriving Caia of her grandmother and for depriving Mom of her granddaughter until now.

I have spoken to Mom on the phone since I moved but everytime she suggested to come and see me I put it off, I knew that if I saw Mom I would want to come home.

"Morning honey" Mom says when she sees me spying on their playtime.

"Morning"

Caia turns and lifts her arms to be picked up so I scoop her into my arms.

Mom disappears to the kitchen and, very wisely, hands me a cup of hot, steaming coffee when she comes back.

"What are your plans today?".

"I'm meeting the girls at the Brew in a hour and then we have to go to Charlotte's court hearing" I tell Mom with a grimace.

I am dreading the hearing, we have to tell the judge whether we think that Charlotte should get out or not. Of course I don't think she should but I know that Ali has her heart set on having Charlotte home, I know that she will be crushed if Charlotte has to stay in the mental hospital.

"I can look after Caia today if you want, give you some time with your friends".

"I think if I turn up without Caia they will never forgive me" I tell her with a laugh. "Can you have her during the hearing though?".

"Of course honey".

Half an hour later with Caia ready I head over to the Brew. I'm looking forward to seeing the girls again, it has been far too long and I have missed them all.

I look around the Brew and can't find Hanna, Emily or Spencer to start with but then I notice arms flailing around like crazy and grin at Spencer.

After the hugs and squeals are out of the way we spend a couple of hours catching up. They are all besotted with Caia and my beautiful daughter soaks up all the attention responding with heart melting smiles and adorable laughs.

The time flies by and before too long its time for me to drop Caia at my Mom's so I can get to the court on time.

We all say goodbye at arrange to meet back up outside the courthouse.

Driving back to Mom's my anxiety gets the better of me and I have to pull over for a while, until I can breath again.

What if they do let Charlotte out?

I am not a huge fan of the idea of Charlotte being anywhere near me again and definitely not a fan of the idea of Charlotte being in the same area code as Caia.

Flashbacks of the time in A's 'dollhouse' overwhelm me and I have to wipe away the tears.

Pull yourself together Aria

I take a few deep breaths and calm down enough to drive myself and Caia safely to Mom's.

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