บท 19: Eighteen
Alice produced it from her pocket, holding it out for everyone to see.
"We have it. The ring," Alice declared, her voice tinged with triumph.
Jade beamed with satisfaction. "Now, we can truly go home."
Eloise, envisioning the long train ride ahead, couldn't contain her excitement. "We have two more hours on that train. I swear I'll die of boredom."
Alana, ever resourceful, offered an alternative solution. "Don't worry. I'll teleport us home."
Eloise's face lit up with joy. "No train! That's amazing!"
As the group huddled together, hands entwined, Alana activated her teleportation magic. In a flash, they vanished from the scene, leaving the remnants of the dilapidated building behind.
They reappeared in the safety of Eloise's home, where Lucy, Eloise's mother, awaited them. However, Lucy's patience wore thin when she witnessed Alana employing magic within the house.
Lucy's face contorted with anger as she confronted Alana. She couldn't contain her frustration any longer.
"Alana, no magic in the house!" Lucy's voice echoed through the room, laced with annoyance. She moved closer to Alana, her fists clenched tightly.
Alana, still catching her breath from the intense battle they had just faced, tried to reason with Lucy. "But I saved our daughter, and you hit me? Frankly, you are really mean," Alana protested, her voice tinged with hurt.
Eloise, standing nearby, watched the heated exchange between her mother and Alana. Confusion clouded her face as she absorbed the unexpected revelation. "Your daughter? Me?" she questioned, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Alana felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation as she stood facing Eloise, her daughter, in the living room. The room was filled with tension, and she could sense it in the air. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, amber hue on the surroundings. The room was adorned with family portraits and cherished mementos, reflecting the love and history shared by the family.
Beside Alana, Lucy, her ex-partner and Eloise's other mother, looked equally apprehensive. Alana turned to Lucy, her eyes pleading for help in this difficult conversation. But Lucy, feeling a mix of guilt and resentment, shook her head, refusing to take the lead. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on both their shoulders.
Eloise stood before them, her eyes flickering with curiosity and confusion. Alana took a deep breath, mustering the courage to reveal the truth. But before she could speak, Lucy interjected, her voice laced with frustration.
"Explain it to her, Lucy," Alana said, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation.
"No, you explain," Lucy retorted, her own emotions getting the better of her.
Alana felt her heart sink. She had hoped that Lucy, who had raised Eloise, would take charge and provide the answers. But Lucy, burdened by the secret she had kept hidden for so long, wanted Alana to take responsibility.
Their argument escalated, and in the midst of their heated exchange, Eloise's grandmother, a wise and composed figure, intervened. The room fell silent as she spoke, her voice firm but gentle.
"You are not worthy of being adults," Grandma admonished, her eyes piercing into Alana and Lucy. "You should explain to her, you two, so we don't have to fight."
Lucy, realizing the wisdom in grandma words, reluctantly agreed. Alana nodded, grateful for the intervention. They turned to Eloise, who watched them with wide eyes, her innocence shining through.
"Okay, you can start, Alana," Lucy said, her tone softened.
Alana took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. She knew this revelation would change everything.
"How can I explain it to you?" Alana began, her voice quivering with a mix of apprehension and pride. "One day, your mum and I made a wish to have a child. And then, a bird dropped you off, and that's how you were born."
Eloise's eyes widened, a hint of wonder dawning on her face. She had always felt different, and now, there was an explanation.
"Hmm, so that's how I'm born. I always knew I was unique," Eloise said, her voice filled with a newfound understanding.
Lucy and Grandma exchanged exasperated glances, their foreheads meeting their hands in frustration.
"Stop talking nonsense to her, Alana," Lucy chastised, her hand connecting with Alana's head in a light reprimand.
Alana winced, but she didn't let it deter her. Determined to finally tell the truth, she took a step forward.
"Well, this time I'm really going to tell you the truth," Alana insisted, her voice carrying an air of determination. "Listen carefully, Eloise. You are adopted. That's the truth. You were picked up in a box because you were crying, and then Lucy went away and kept you with her."
Lucy's frustration boiled over, and she struck Alana even harder than before.
"Enough, Alana! I'll explain it to you, Eloise, because Alana is talking nonsense," Lucy said, her voice filled with a mix of anger and protectiveness.
Alana, hurt by the blow, yielded reluctantly. She sat down, allowing Lucy to take the reins. Eloise watched the exchange, her eyes darting between her two mothers.
Lucy took a deep breath, composing herself before she began. Her voice held a mix of regret and longing.
"Alana and I met in high school, and we really liked each other," Lucy started, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "One night, we did adult things, and then 3 month later, I wanted to tell her about the pregnancy. But her father had already decided to marry her, so I decided to leave and raise you on my own."
Eloise processed the information, her mind racing with emotions. She looked at Alana, then at Lucy, realizing that the person she had always known as her mother was also her biological parent.
"So, that thing sitting over there is my mother too?" Eloise asked, her tone tinged with disbelief.
Alana bristled at the remark, her protective instincts kicking in.
"What do you mean 'that thing'? Talk to me with respect," Alana retorted, her voice carrying a mix of hurt and indignation.
Eloise stood her ground, her newfound knowledge giving her a sense of power.
"No, why would I do that?" Eloise challenged, her voice firm and resolute.
Alana's anger flared, and she made a move to chase after Eloise, but the young girl managed to slip away, albeit momentarily.
As Alana and Eloise engaged in their tense standoff, Lucy observed them with a mixture of concern and admiration. Despite the tumultuous circumstances, a part of her felt a sense of warmth and contentment, seeing the bond between her daughter and her ex-partner grow stronger.
Grandma, noticing Lucy's smile, questioned her with a knowing gaze.
"Why are you smiling like that, Lucy?" Grandma asked, her voice curious yet gentle.
Lucy's smile widened, a glimmer of joy sparkling in her eyes.
"It's just that it makes me happy to see that they get along so well," Lucy replied, her voice filled with genuine happiness.
Grandma nodded, acknowledging the unspoken connection that had been rekindled between Alana and Lucy. It was a fragile bridge, but one that held the promise of healing and forgiveness.
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