After a week of being in Paris with Emi and Niels, a visit from Rico and Ceci, and a phone call from Lilah, Amanda was smiling again. Widely, in fact. The horrors of the previous week lay in the past, and Amanda decided it was time to enjoy the special moments she had with her little family. With each passing day, Niels and Emilia gave her more and more reasons to smile. Emilia was on the living room floor, sitting up all by herself like a champ, her little hands clasped tightly around the pearls that adorned her neck. Amanda laughed softly at the adorable babbles that left their little girl’s mouth, at the way her blue eyes lit up when her daddy spoke to her. Amanda could already imagine Emilia being a daddy’s girl. Now, all dressed in pink, Emilia was ready for her portrait. Amanda picked up the camera, focusing in on the pink perfection before her eyes. “Say cheese, Emi! Smile!” And as Emi gurgled contentedly, Amanda snapped the photograph. Emi squealed contentedly, making both of her parents laugh. Amanda sighed dreamily. The moment was a picture perfect. As Amanda set down the camera, Emi started to fuss at the pearls. Almost immediately, the fussing morphed into loud complaining, and soon their little princess would be crying. Well... the moment was almost picture perfect Amanda thought. She grinned and lifted Emi. "Nap time." Comments #1. She was so adorable, but she mostly is *winks*
Niels van Loon #2. *laughs* yes she is! And I absolutely love this picture. Amanda van Loon #3. Me too baby! Really much Niels van Loon #4. *smiles widely and stares at it* Amanda van Loon #5. *Smiles and looks at it too* Our perfect girl... Niels van Loon #6. *nods dreamily* indeed.. Amanda van Loon #7. *smiles sweetly* Like her mummy... Niels van Loon #8. I'd say more like her daddy. *winks* She does look like you after all. *playfully hold the picture beside his face* Amanda van Loon #9. *Smiles* Hmmm but she's as cute as you Niels van Loon #10. *smiles widely* well, thank you, baby. *kisses his cheek* Amanda van Loon #11. *Smiles* My pleasure baby *winks* Niels van Loon
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Amanda sat on the airplane to Paris that afternoon, Emilia in her arms and tears in her eyes. Oh how easy it was for her to be wiped from someone’s life. Completely wiped out. It was happening again and there was nothing she could do about it. She leaned her forehead against Niels’ shoulder, trying to stifle the ache that burrowed deeper and deeper into her heart, expanding rapidly. Was she really wrong for thinking that family was the strongest bond there was? For assuming that she’d be understood if she spoke her mind to someone directly connected by blood? Yet she’d been shunned, shockingly. Outrageously.
Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion. She’d been looking forward to it for a long time—to welcome the newest member of the family. She glanced at the picture of Maia on her camera. A beautiful baby girl. Her niece. It wasn’t too long ago she’d already been imagining Emilia having her cousin to play with once they were older. Perhaps her desire to keep what was left of her family together was too strong to be understood. With a sigh, she pressed the delete button, hesitating for a moment before canceling the action. She simply couldn’t do it. She wiped more tears from her eyes, wishing they were in Paris already. At least Paris had a promise of peace for them. It seemed that Niels, Emilia and herself were just meant to remain apart from society. It was better that they just stuck together, alone, rather than with others. If that’s what it took to protect her heart and her daughter’s, then that would be life from now on. Emilia - "to strive or excel" Amanda smiled as she gazed at her sleeping infant. In the last few days, her personality had become more and more apparent. Amanda loved the way Emilia responded to chatter with coos and gurgles, soft little squeals of delight, big smiles, and recently, belly laughs. Now, as Emilia lay, curled up on the hotel bed--having fallen asleep while Amanda tried to dress her to take a few photographs--Amanda couldn't help but stare. Niels came into the bedroom, his arms immediately wrapping around Amanda's waist from behind. Together, they gazed at Emilia. Amanda wondered if Niels had the same thoughts: What would Emilia be like as she grew up? Watching Emilia in her first ever tutu, Amanda wondered if the little girl would grow up to enjoy ballet as much as her mum did. She wondered if she'd sing as wonderfully as her father. Would she want to be something totally unlike her parents? A doctor or a lawyer perhaps? A teacher? As long as she was kind, compassionate, and loving, Amanda would be happy. Emilia was still so small, so full of promise. But right now, she was their cute, innocent, precious little baby girl--who happened to look absolutely adorable in her tutu. Comments #1. adorable is not ever expressing how cute she looks baby *smiles sweetly*
Niels van Loon #2. no it isn't. *Smiles widely* She sleeps so peacefully, doesn't she? Amanda van Loon #3. *Smiles* Ow yes, she does... A sleeping angel Niels van Loon #4. indeed. *smiles widely* I guess we should put a blanket over her, huh? Amanda van Loon #5. *Smiles* Yes we should, so she's warm Niels van Loon #6. *grabs the blanket, gently spreading it over Emi's little body* Amanda van Loon #7. *smiles and gently kisses her head* Sweet dreams, little girl Niels van Loon It had been so hard leaving Emilia behind, even if it was for a few hours. Amanda looked back at her mother and father-in-law, both of them playing with Emilia on the living room couch, Emilia’s young aunts and uncle all off to fetch nappies and toys for their niece. It was cute how everyone was willing to help, but… Kobe, it was hard.
“Come on, honey. She’ll be alright,” Niels assured as he gently pulled his wife out of their apartment. “I know,” Amanda said, but she was already missing their daughter. She pouted as the elevator descended. It felt strange; all dressed up to go out, hair and make-up done, but something was missing. By the time they reached the ground floor, Amanda decided to relax. Everything would be alright. Life had to go on. A train ride later, Amanda found herself beaming at the handsome young man sitting across the table from her. Soothing, romantic music, candlelight, a red rose… Admittedly, it was lovely having a romantic dinner without the risk of having to tend to a wailing infant. Amanda’s smile was almost inerasable. It was unbelievable; a whole year had gone by. An amazing, incredible year. Amanda reached across the table to grasp her husband’s hand. “Thank you for an extraordinary first year of marriage, my love,” she said. “I’m looking forward to many, many more anniversaries.” Despite the ups and downs of the last few days, Amanda was certainly enjoying motherhood. Now that Emilia was sleeping a little longer at night and protesting less and less to drinking from a baby bottle, Amanda was able to acquire more sleep herself. She had to laugh at how often she and Niels had found themselves cooing back to Emilia or speaking in high-pitched baby talk. That had become the main conversation of the household. Emilia was becoming more interactive, making little coos and gurgles. She was such a content infant. She certainly found her daddy funny. Amanda and Niels gazed in awe at the wide smile that spread across their little girl's face. That very first smile was so precious, so sweet, it almost brought tears to Amanda's eyes. Later, however, just as Amanda grabbed the camera to capture Emilia's heart-melting smile, she watched it quickly fade away. She had to laugh at the serious expression that remained in its place. Then as soon as she placed the camera down, there was that smile again. The sweetest of smiles. Comments #1. She's so sweet my love... Takes after her mummy
Niels van Loon #2. Hmmm but she looks more like daddy! *winks* Amanda van Loon #3. Looks, maybe, but character... Well, she's as sweet as you are Niels van Loon #4. *smiles* Aww, thank you baby. Amanda van Loon #5. You're very welcome love *smiles* Niels van Loon |
Amanda at a GlanceNames: Amanda Pontremoli, Amanda van Loon Archives
August 2017
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