Same Mistakes

27. Distractions

27. Distractions

Liam.

"This is going to be your bedroom," I explained, as I led Madison through the flat. Her feet stuck to the floor as she walked, as she had bare feet on the dark hard wood.

Madison has barely said a word. Her smiles are all forced, and she keeps nervously gulping.

Madison nodded, brown hair bouncing up and down. She hasn't said one word to me since she arrived. I think she's a little nervous. I'm not exactly sure what Danielle even told her about this whole situation, so I have to be careful. I doubt Danielle would tell her that I was taking her away forever. Well, for at least thirty days.

"Do you have an iPad?" Madison asked. I smiled. Her voice is so sweet and innocent. That's the first thing she's said to me. I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I have an iPad," I confirmed. I set Madison's bags down on her bed and turned on the lamp. "Can I FaceTime with Mum and Max tonight before bed? Max made me promise that I would." She asked, gulping.

Sighing, I nodded. "I suppose so. But I was hoping that me and you could hang out. We could go see a movie with popcorn and candy, or go play night-time mini golf, or go to the store to get you some things for your room, whatever you want. Anything your little heart desires."

"Tonight can we just stay here? I'm tired." Madison hesitantly asked, unsure of how I'd answer.

"You don't have to be nervous to ask me things," I told Madison, "I'm your Dad. You can ask me anything. And of course we can stay here for the evening, I'm pretty tired too."

"Thank-you." She answered quietly, climbing up onto her bed. I stood near the door, unsure of what to do now. Do I stay with her while she just sits on her bed? "Can I use the iPad?" Asking Madison, tilting her head to the right. The quietest crackle was heard from her neck as it turned.

"Uh, yeah," I replied, "But didn't you want to FaceTime them before bed?"

Madison immediately nodded her head, "Oh, yeah. I'm sorry."

"Madison, it's okay. Just be yourself. Trust me, I don't bite." I tried to assure my daughter. "Do you want some dinner?" I asked, changing the subject. "What do you have to eat?" Asked Madison, wiping her nose with the back of her hand and sniffling.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked, my mind going back-to-the-fact that I know nothing about Madison. "Pancakes?" Asked Madison, voice rising. "For sure, baby-girl. Come with me, we'll make them together." I smiled, turning towards the hall. Madison nodded, sliding off her bed & following me.

I flicked off her bedroom light as we left, and closed the door. It was quiet as we entered my medium-sized kitchen. You could hear the sound of pouring rain outside on the balcony, and car-horns honking from the busy-nights traffic. "Here," I said, opening a drawer and pulling out an apron, "You can wear this so that you don't get any pancake mix or flour on your outfit." I handed the apron to Madison who was just tall enough to reach my waist.

"Thanks," She replied, accepting the apron & pulling the apron over her head. "Can you tie the back?" She asked, turning around. "Yes I can," I replied, bending down and taking the two ends of the apron. I tied them together into a bow, and secured it with a tug.

"Is that tight enough?" I asked, not wanting the apron to slide off. "Yes, thank-you." Said Madison, turning so she was facing me again. Her brown eyes were so wide. The colour was a perfect mix of my eye colour and Danielle's eye colour. Her eyes are so innocent, and so unaware of the current situation.

All I know right now, is that my life is about to change drastically. I'm not only responsible for my own life anymore. Now I have a daughter. One beautiful daughter to love & care for. And I have to prove to Danielle that I can raise her.

Danielle.

I sat on the couch, tears in my eyes and mug of tea in hand. Max & Megan went to bed a little less then twenty minutes ago. They've both been antsy since Madison left. I'm torn up inside. My baby girl is no longer my baby girl. She's Liam's, and only Liam's until she turns 18.

I lifted the bright orange mug to my lips, and breathed in the strong scent. I blinked back the tears, and took a sip of the tea. I gulped it down, and leaned back on the sofa. I love this sofa. It's always here for me when I'm upset. Everyone needs a sofa like this one. So comfortable & you sink right into it.

I sighed when I realized I was making up ridicules thoughts, just to distract myself from the situation. I took another sip of the tea. It made a small slurping sound before sliding down my throat. I felt the heat down my throat and down my spine, before my body re-adjusted to its regular temperature.

The only sound in the apartment was my aqua-blue retro-style clock over my desk. It ticked repeatedly, every one-mississippi. I sipped the tea again, before realizing I was crying. A tear rolled down my cheek, and dripped into the mug with a ploop.

My eyes went blurry as I lost control of my emotions. I could no longer hold back the dark and salty tears. They continued to stream down my cheeks, but I did manage to hold back the sound of sobs. I just sat there, silently weeping to myself. I'm pathetic.

I put the mug on the side table, and brought my legs up to my chest. I set my chin between my knees, and slowly tipped over into the arm of the sofa.

I... I don't know how I managed to have this life. When did I go wrong? When I was young, I never imagined my life would end up this way. I thought I'd get married, then have kids, and be a successful dancer. Instead I got myself pregnant, with no father in the picture.

Then I raised my son for about a year, all of a sudden found out he wasn't my child, got my biological child returned to me, then the father came back into the picture. Then he proposed, and I stupidly believed he loved me again. But of course he changed his mind, and left again. Then came back 5 years later to take our daughter away from me, when he wanted nothing to do with her.

This is a mess. My life is a mess.

Okay, I'm so sorry its short. I'm working on another one, but I wanted to get this one over with & get onto some chapters that are more fun and easy to write!
-A xo
Q: How will Danielle cope?