Chapter 4 - Against all odds
Mia was sat with her back to the door facing the fire and didn't see Clarisse come in.
"Briggitte please can you ask Charlotte to come and see me, I need to arrange something"
Clarisse knew she meant the flight to America. Deciding to make her presence known she sighed and spoke softly.
"Not planning on leaving are you?"
Mia shot her head round and saw a broken Clarisse fighting back tears. Mia was unsure about what to say, afterall she had hurt her grandmother in the worst possible way. A stray tear found its way down Mia's face and she wiped it away, wincing when she brushed against her now very discoloured cheek. Clarisse noticed how discoloured it was and rushed over to her and threw her arms around her granddaughter.
"Oh Mia I'm so so so sorry"
Mia didn't return the hug at first. She was still unsure whether or not Clarisse was being genuine. Mia hated herself for thinking that but even though she fealt a bit sorry for what she had said to Clarisse she still meant every word of it.
Clarisse was sobbing hard now onto Mia's shoulder.
"Mia please forgive me, I didn't mean it. Please say you forgive me"
Mia's heart was breaking at the sight of her broken grandmother. A woman who had always put up walls when something was troubling her was now clinging onto her for her life begging for forgivness. Mia slowly put her arms around Clarisse and sobbed.
"I'm sorry grandma"
"Oh Mia"
"I was, still am hurt that my mom isn't coming, I put two and two together after hearing your conversation and came up with the fact you didn't want her to come"
"I never wanted you not to spend Christmas with your mother but I thought it would be nice for us to spend it together"
"Yeah.. It would. and we will"
Clarisse pulled back from the hug and gently touched Mia's cheek.
"I really am sorry for that but you did hurt me Mia"
"I know I did"
Mia walked away from Clarisse and sat down in her previous seat.
"What's wrong Mia?"
"I hate this. Fighting with you! I love you to death but it's so hard"
"We're bound to have moments Mia, It's only natural"
"I know that grandma but even though I am sorry for what I said to you I meant it"
"You don't want me in your life?"
Tears sprang from Clarisses eyes. Surely she didn't mean that.
"God no, not that, never that"
Mis jumped up and hugged Clarisse. Clarisse let out a sigh of relief. She was wanted.
"I meant the rest I said. About abandoning me"
"Can we discuss that at some other time Mia? Then I'l give you all the answers you need but I can't do that yet"
"Promise me we will talk about it"
"Darling I promise"
The pair stood hugging and weeping and saying how sorry they were for well over an hour. Clarisse was the first to break from the embrace.
"I need to go and tell Joe that we have sorted this out. He has been worrying out of his mind"
"I know, We'll meet for dinner later?"
"Of course darling"
Clarisse touched Mia's cheek and said her goodbye's.