A.N OK so this chapter is set in BPOV again. I will be doing EPOV but it will only be now and again. I've decided that I'm not gonna hurry this story. The first two chapters were short because I wanted you to have a feel of Bella and Edwards characters.
I would also like to say a huge thank you to my beta Foschia. This chapter wouldn't nearly be half as good without your help.
And obviously A~Liars~Choice, the person who really owns this story and gives me great ideas.
Songs I played that inspired me for this chapter were:
She's somebody's hero - Jamie O'Neal
I hope you dance - Lee Anne Womack
Mama - Spice Girls
I Love you - Martina Mcbride
Chapter 3 - She's Somebody's hero
4 years after Aimees birth
It had been 4 years since Aimee had been born and I have not come to regret a single day. When she was first born she screamed through the night, and I swear I would go insane. I could never yell at her though so I just spent hours pleading and trying to work out what was wrong with her. She would eventually calm down and fall into a deep sleep for a few hours, before waking up again. As she got older she slept more and more. I could tell that one day she would be like her mum and never want to get out of bed .
At first I had found it hard being a single mother, but I had a good network of friends who supported me. Even Dr. Jessica Stanley supported me. She had stopped by shortly after Aimee was born and continued to do so many months after. Through this I had become friends with her and her fiancé Mike. They were an amazing couple who were trying to have a child themselves. Both of them adored Aimee and she adored them right back. Jacob was also a huge factor in her life as well. Both he and Leah were her godparents and Seth was like an older brother to her.
I had a lot of firsts with Aimee and I cherished every single one of them. I remember her first smile for instance. I had been changing her diaper and looking at her face. As I was making silly noises and talking to her I noticed a smile start to form on her lips. It was the most beautiful site I have ever seen in my life. I thought that I was going to cry out of happiness. I now knew what people meant about pure, true love. All of my troubles and worries that I had went away. I was overcome with joy and satisfaction that she knew who I was. There was no feeling like this in the world.
Her first laugh had been a little bit harder to get out of her. I had tried all the tricks in the book and nothing seemed to work. One day I had come home from work to find Jacob bouncing about the room. He had a huge smile on his face. I had asked him what had made him smile so much. He then told me that he had sang to Aimee, well rapped to her, and she laughed. When I asked what he rapped to her he told me that he rapped Sir Mix-Alot to Aimee. My best friend had rapped Baby Got Back to my daughter. I was beyond furious, he had rapped to my daughter a song about a guy that is obsessed with big butts (a.n ok so you know where this came from)
I then tried to make her laugh myself. First I tried making funny faces and noises, but it didn't work. Then I decided to try Jacobs way.
Flashback
Aimee was lying in her baby bouncer in the living room. I was standing in front of her. She was grasping two of my fingers with her chubby little hands.
"Come on baby, laugh for mommy." I pleaded. I wanted to hear the laugh that Jacob had heard.
"Please laugh for mommy, please, please laugh for mommy."
I tried blowing a raspberry at her and still nothing. Why wasn't she laughing?
"Not funny huh? So is it only offensive rap you like? Or will any rap do?" I had no idea why I was asking her. It's not like she could tell me
I had then tried rapping something small to her. Who was I kidding, I can't rap. Shaking my head I took a deep breath and leaned into the baby bouncer. I whispered to her
"OK honey, this is only because I love you so so much and I know that you won't tell anybody. Will you? No you won't." I sighed and stood up slightly.
"I like big .butts and I cannot lie. You other brothers can't deny, when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist and a round thing in your face, you get....." I broke off to the musical sound of Aimee's laughter
"Oh Aimee you laughed! You're a good girl aren't you? You laughed for mommy!" I laughed along with her.
I didn't want her to stop so I kept on rapping to her. Her laugh was ringing in my ears. I picked her up out of her bouncer and held her to my chest, inhaling that beautiful baby smell.
"Oh Aimee! You beautiful little weirdo. You like big butts, don't you?" I asked
End flashback
I had told Jacob that I had gotten her to laugh. When questioned I told him that I just made funny faces. I think he could tell by my face that I was lying as he immediate told me that I had sung Baby Got Back. The girl was all about the ass. She would only laugh for that. Or sometimes the Burger King rap. To be honest I didn't care. My baby was laughing and it was the most beautiful sound in my world. It made my day to hear her laugh like that.
There was the first time that I had watched her sleep. Aimee was around 3 months old and I had just lain her down in her cot. I had been leaning over the side and just watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. Her little eyes were shut tight, her fingers were curled, and her arms were raised to the side of her head. She looked so peaceful and innocent. At that moment I realized I would do anything to protect her from anything and everything. In the first couple of months, Aimee usually liked to sleep in my arms, her head would rest upon my chest and I would be able to hear her perfect breathing. It made me feel so close to her.
There had also been a time when I thought that I was going to lose her. Aimee had been 6 months old. It had been in the early hours of the morning and I couldn't seem to sleep. I decided to check on Aimee and see if she was ok. I walked into her room to find her looking at me. She was very still and very pale. I picked her up and she started to cough and gag but nothing seemed to come up. I started to pat her on the back and after a couple of seconds, out popped a ring. It was the ring that Angela had left here the day before. She had lost it and both of us had searched for it, but couldn't find it. I still don't know how Aimee found it, but I was just glad that my little girl was fine. To this day I think that the reason I couldn't sleep was because I knew deep down that something was wrong. Nowadays I make sure that all my friends keep their jewelry on in the house.
I've also had a number of funny moments with my daughter. For instance there was the time when Aimee had a rash on her bum. She was 11 months and I had taken her to the doctor's office. Jessica had walked out the office for a few seconds and I was in the process of changing Aimee's nappy. As I was getting ready to put the cream on her bum I lifted her leg and a stream of poop shot out and just happened to land on Jessica's work coat as she walked back in the door. I had tried to keep a straight face, but I couldn't. The laughter that had erupted from me caused Jessica to have a case of the giggles.
Then there was the time when Aimee was 3. We had gone out to lunch with Jacob, Leah and Seth. I was in the middle of eating my taco when I smelt a very familiar scent. Leah must have smelt it as well because she immediately asked Seth if he needed to go to the toilet. Seth shook his head and continued to eat. I decided to ask Aimee, she shook her head. The smell was getting worse. So I repeated my question to her. With that Aimee let out a dramatic sigh, jumped up, turned around, and pulled her pants down. She then spread he cheeks and yelled ' SEE MOMMY....IT'S ONLY FARTS'.
That caused Jacob to burst out in hysterics, and Seth, who was sipping his juice, to spray it all over the poor old woman sitting next to us. All the customers looked on in shock and I felt my cheeks start to burn. Aimee, however, didn't even seem fazed as she pulled her pants back up and sat down to resume eating her food. The elderly man across from his wife who had been sprayed with juice told me that it was the best laugh he had had for quite a while.
Yes with Aimee I have had a number of firsts and will probably continue to do so for many years to come. Aimee is now 4 years old and is still as mischievous as ever. She is also brutally honest, like the majority of kids. She is absolutely adorable. She has bronze locks that fall in curls around her heart shaped face. She has the lightest sprinkle of freckles on her nose. Her pink cheeks are a little bit chubby, in a cute baby way, and she has the brightest smile that I have ever seen. The only thing that seems to be from me is her beautiful brown eyes. They are the kind that stares into your soul whenever you look into them. I can assume that her looks come from her biological father, and for that I am happy with the choice I made.
In saying that, I will always be a bit regretful that Aimee will never know or meet the man. She will never know what he looks like or the type of person he is. I like to think that he is a kind, caring, honest man whom she would love and be proud to call her father. I have sometimes considered finding out who the donor was. Jessica has offered to break a few rules and see what she can find out for me through the medical records that they keep. I have rejected that offer many times, for I know that no matter how tempting it is, it would be best to leave it. I don't want Aimee to get hurt or be rejected by the man.
"Mommy, are we going out for our walk now?" Aimee ran into the room and into my lap.
"Yes Aimee we will, let's get your coat buttoned up and we can head out with Benson."
Benson was our King Charles Spaniel that we had bought a year ago. He was a beautiful dog. He was white with brown spots, and the most loving dog that you could ever have. He really loved Aimee and would let Aimee do anything to her. She could pull at his tail and he would never even flinch. He was the most well behaved dog I had ever seen.
I grabbed my black Mac jacket and cloche hat to match. Grabbing Benson's leash, I shouted for him. He came bounding down the stairs with his tail wagging excitedly behind him. Aimee ran to him and hugged his neck, while he proceeded to lick her face. She giggled and hugged him tightly. I clipped his leash on and holding Aimee's hand we walked out the door.
We started the walk that we do daily. By the time that we crossed to the park Aimee had let go of my hand and walked 2 steps in front of me. She picked something up off of the ground and put it in her mouth. I asked her to spit it out. She asked me why.
"Because it has been lying outside and it's dirty and has germs."
She looked at me with admiration in her eyes.
"Wow mommy, how do you know that?" she asked
"Well.... Uh…It's a test that mommies have to do. You have to know it, or they won't let you be a mommy."
She seemed to mull it over and then nodded as if she understood it. We walked a couple more seconds before she stopped in her tracks and a huge smile broke out on her face.
"Oh I get it. That means if you flunk it, you have to be a daddy."
I laughed and before fixing a serious look on my face. It was funny but I couldn't have her thinking that this was the case for daddies. I needed to defend them, plus she might say something to Jacob and her Uncle Sam about it. And whilst I'm sure Leah and her Aunt Emily may not mind, the boys certainly will.
"Well honey, that's not exactly true. Daddies have to do other tests, like on giving good cuddles and being strong. They need to know other things. Things that mommies don't really need to know."
I was struggling to come up with examples, but figured that at least I had told her something.
"Come on baby, let's go back home. It's starting to get a little cold. I don't want you to get sick."
Aimee nodded and ran ahead of me. We walked back to the house with Benson and got to the door just as it started to rain. As we got inside the phone started to ring. I took off Aimee's coat quickly and picked it up.
"Hey Bella, it's Lauren."
"Oh hey Lauren! What's up?"
"Well I was wondering…what's Aimee doing today?"
"Why?"
"Well I want to enter her in a toddler beauty pageant." she sounded way too excited
"Oh. My. God. That's the creepiest thing I have ever heard in my life."
Lauren huffed.
"Bella, my friend Suzzane is entering her kid, and compared to Aimee, she is a real dog. Aimee could win it."
"Lauren all children are beautiful!" I defended
"Yeah, ok." she was being totally sarcastic
"Lauren, it doesn't seem right, putting children against each other for some stupid trophy..."
"And $1000… " she trailed off. She knew I needed extra money. Damn her.
"Alright. I suppose."
"Great! I'll bring round the papers and we can get to the competition. "And please don't tell Tyler. You know he still believes that what's on the inside is important." she begged.
With that Lauren hung up and I sat the phone down. I couldn't believe that Lauren had dragged me into another crazy idea. This was only going to end badly. I could tell.
5 hours later
Ok so I was wrong. Aimee had won, though I still felt creeped out by it. There was mothers putting make up on their kids and some were even running around in panty hose. I just didn't feel comfortable with my little girl being there. Still, at least with the $1000 I could pay off the bill for the telephone.
We were driving back to the house. It was Thanksgiving and Leah and Emily were making a Thanksgiving dinner for us all. We were running a bit late so I had phoned to tell them that they should start without us.
Pulling up at Jacob's house Aimee unbuckled her seatbelt and ran out the car door before I could stop her. Jacob had opened the front door and she launched into his arms.
"Aims. How you doing kid?"
"Good Uncle Jake. Guess what me, mommy and Aunt Lauren did today!"
"What did you do?" he questioned
"We went to a show and I got to be like a model and I won!"
Jacob looked at me and raised his eyebrows in question.
"Jake, she won $1000 for it. Don't look at me like that. It's the first and last time she does something like that." I said
He smirked and shook his head, chuckling lightly. He motioned with his head for me to come inside and my nose was filled with the scent of turkey. As I walked into the welcoming living room, I caught Seth and Aimee already playing in the corner.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I turned around I caught Renee and Charlie, my mom and dad, standing there. I launched myself into their arms and hugged my mom tightly. She had been a huge support system to me after Aimee was born and is my best friend in the whole world. I hugged Charlie lightly and walked into the dining room with Renee, where Sam, Emily, Jessica, and Mike had karaoke on. Emily ran up to me with a smile and handed me the microphone.
She clapped for everyone's attention. Everyone walked into the room and looked at me expectantly.
"Ok guys. Today I wanted it to be all about family. So to start the Karaoke competition off we have Bella. I chose the song and it's one that has been stuck in my head as well as Bella's for a few this is from Bella and me. We love you. So enjoy"
The music started and I laughed in my head at the choice she had made. It was perfect.
She used to be my only enemy and never let me be free Catching me in places that I knew I shouldn't be Every other day I crossed the line I didn't mean to be so bad I never thought you would become the friend I never had
Back then I didn't know why Why you were misunderstood So now I see through your eyes All that you did was love
Mama I love I care Mama I love you . Mama my friend. You're my friend
I didn't want to hear it then but I'm not ashamed to say it now Every little thing you said and did was right for me I had a lot of to think about,about the way I used to be Never had a sense of my responsibility
Back then I didn't know why Why you were misunderstood So now I see through your eyes, all that you did was love
Mama, I love you. Mama, I care Mama, I love you. Mama ,my friend. You're my friend
But now I'm sure I know why, Why you were misunderstood
So now I see through your eyes All I can give you is love is love
Mama I love you. Mama, I care Mama, I love you. Mama, my friend,You're my friend Mama, I love you, Mama ,I care Mama, I love you, Mama, my friend, You're my friend
It was a perfect choice. Renee had often caught Emily and I doing things that we shouldn't have been doing when we were younger and had punished us often. Now that I had a daughter of my own I could appreciate what she had done for us. She had only been trying to raise us the correct way. I loved her for it and could only hope that I could at least be half the mother that she is.
As I handed the microphone to Mike for his turn I sat down next to Renee. She was in the middle with Emily and I at either side, both leaning our heads on her shoulder. Aimee sat next to me and curled into my side.
As I looked around the room I caught different sights. Mike and Tyler talking with animate expressions of joy on their face with Lauren, Angela, Jessica, and Leah watching them with amused faces. Sam, Jacob and Ben were talking about the game that was on between the Redskins and the Ravens. Charlie was playing hide and seek with Seth. It was a beautiful site that I loved to watch. Looking down at Aimee I knew that she had everyone that she would ever need in her life.
"Hey Baby, Sorry I'm late" I looked towards the door and saw my boyfriend of a year leaning against the door frame. His suit jacket was thrown over his shoulder and his tie was askew. His sandy colored hair was ruffled and looked incredibly sexy.
His name was James and he was perfect. We had met one day whilst I was doing the shopping, he had asked for my number. When I refused, he had become even more determined to get it. Every day he waited outside of the shop until I gave in. He had taken me out on a couple of dates before I told him about Aimee, I had expected him to run away and never call me again, but I was wrong. He wanted to meet her. When he did, they had clicked immediately and had formed a bond. Aimee knew that James was not her father, but she loved him just the same. He was amazing with her.
He walked over to me and kissed me on the lips gently. It was a kiss full of longing and promises of more later on in the night. He had been working away from home for the past 3 days with his secretary and business partner. They were working on a big case. They were lawyers and were trying to convict a murderer.
I moaned quietly so that only he could hear and nodded with my eyes closed. James picked up Aimee and started talking to her about what they could do over the weekend.
We were all one big family and I really hoped that we would stay that way forever. I would never let anything ruin this.
A.N This chapter is dedicated to all mother and daughters. It is mostly to my mum, for just being an amazing person and loving me unconditionally.