Chapter 34
Irina and Sydney walked through the front door of Sydney's apartment to be greeted by her stony faced father and sister. The only happy person in the room was Laura, who when she noticed who had come in, went running across the room towards them.
"Mommy, I Missed you." Laura said to Sydney, her face gleeful to see her.
"So, did I baby" Sydney said in return, reaching downing also to pick Laura up and envelop her into a tight hug."
Laura looked across Sydney's shoulder and spotted Irina, but mostly she spotted the bruises on her neck.
"Grandma Irina, what has happened to your neck?"
"It's nothing Sweetie. I just had a little accident. I'm okay."
Sydney put Laura onto the floor and walked her across to the sofa were they both sat next to each other.
"Laura, we need to talk about you Grandma Claudia"
"What about her?"
"You're not going to be able to see her for a while. She's done some bad things and she is going to be punished for it."
"What do you mean? What is going to happen?"
"She'll be going to prison for some while."
"Can I go visit her?"
"Not, for a while. But maybe someday. It's just if and when is up to some important people."
"Does Daddy know what has happened?"
"Yes, he knows."
"Can I speak to him please Mommy. He must be upset and must want someone to talk to."
"That's okay baby. You can talk to him. He'll probably be very happy to hear your voice." Sydney said before pulling her cell out and started dialling. "Can you just please go into your room and talk to him. I just need to talk with you Aunt and grandparents about something private."
"Okay Mommy." Laura said before Sydney passed her the phone. She started to walk away and got to her room when there was an answer.
"Hi Daddy." She said before stepping into the room.
"Sydney, why didn't you tell her exactly what happened with Claudia, what she did to your mother." Jack said to Sydney.
"Because Dad, the last 6 months have been insane for her. And the last 3 days like a whirlwind. You must of seen it Dad, what our family history has done to her. She's near breaking point."
"So you're going to add a enough secret to the list which you'll get around someday to tell her. You yourself know how much keeping thinks back can affect someone a lot more than telling them straight away."
"Just don't say that Dad, unlike you I'm not going to wait over twenty years to mention it. I'm going to leave it a few days to let things calm down and then tell her."
"Trust you, to pick this moment to bring that up. A not so subtle reminder about my parenting."
"You know what Dad, get over yourself."
Irina stepped in between them, trying to bring an end to the impending argument."
"You two stop this now. Sydney, your daughter is next door. She does not need to hear you arguing at the moment, she needs your support instead. And Jack, please do not use past situations to help justify something which you think is correct. What has happened has happened. We need to move on from this. And the only way we can do that is together. Claudia hurt me Jack but I'm mature enough to get past it. And so you should be."
"Irina, only you can forgive some for something so serious. Claudia tried to murder you, but it still doesn't register anything for you."
"Grandma Claudia tried to hurt Grandma Irina?" A small voice spoke up.
All of them turbed around to face the direction where the voice had come from. Standing there was Laura clutching hold of Sydney's cell phone."