It was so strange arriving at the temple. Bella stood outside with Nathan for the longest while, trying to prepare herself. She’d learned that their private jet had crashed just prior to landing. A problem with the engine. The twisted part was that they’d been returning from the US after visiting an uncle that was on his death bed. What a cruel twist of fate.
Nathan was better than she could ever ask for. In the back of Bella’s mind, she knew this was even more nerve-wrecking for him. He had to meet the family in the most grievous of times. Bella had thought about coming on her own, but truth be told, Nathan kept her calm. Even now, he gave her hand a little squeeze before they walked into the temple. Bella hated temples almost as much as she hated hospitals. It was a place filled with so much hope, but Bella knew better than to hope for anything when things never went according to the way you wanted them. Sometimes she believed in a higher power--in the gods--but other times, like now, she highly doubted their existence. The sanctuary wasn’t as packed as Bella had imagined it, though. She immediately spotted her mum, stepfather and siblings on the front pew. However, rather than join them in the front, she slid into row behind the last one occupied. She barely recognised her Aunt Floor until the woman turned and offered her a compassionate smile. In front of the altar, there were three caskets. Closed. Bella held her breath and lowered her head. She couldn’t bear to look at the caskets without feeling a strong urge to run right out of the sanctuary. Luckily, the ceremony was rather quick. Rico and Rosa gave the eulogies and soon they all transitioned to the cemetery. Everyone was obviously trying to put their bravest faces forward. Rico for his family, Amanda for hers. Eli was obviously quite sad, but he didn’t shed a tear. Neither did Bella. Instead of staring at the caskets as they were lowered into the holes, she stared at her mother. The stress and grief weighed heavily on Rosa’s features, yet she was still a beautiful woman. Bella’s parents had brought 5 children into this world. They’d been in love. Madly. Who knows what had gone wrong, but what Bella did know was: as much as she and her siblings were aching, their mother was aching three times as much. She’d lost the man she once loved and the two children that had been born out of love. No mother should ever have to bury her child. Afterwards, when they all met at Niels’ flat for tea/coffee and pastries, Bella spotted her mother. She approached her and wrapped her arms tightly around her mother, embracing her with love and silent apologies. She had years of withheld hugs to make up for. “I’ve been meaning to get in contact with you again,” she said to her mother. “I never imagined it would be like this.” “Neither did I, love,” said Rosa. She kissed Bella’s forehead and it took her all the way back to childhood. Yet… she quickly remembered that she wasn’t a child anymore. She was an adult, as much as she wanted her daddy. There was no point in wallowing in regrets and lost time. But there was a chance to live in the now and make the best out of those who were still alive. It wasn’t too late for them. Bella was never good at apologies; as much as she wanted to tell her mother how sorry she was for shutting her out of her life. Instead, she offered a little smile and said, “Mum… I’d like you to meet my boyfriend.” She nodded towards Nathan, standing near the buffet table so he wouldn’t be in the way. Rosa’s eyebrows lifted and a small smile curled around her lips. “It’s about time,” she said. “Your father would’ve been searching for his shotgun though.” They both paused, as if unsure whether they should make a joke about this already, but then a smirk touched Bella’s lips. “Maybe Nathan got lucky then.” She said. Then she couldn’t help but chuckle.
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Isabella Kaylee DwyerWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
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