Chapter twenty-six

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"mom" I said gently when she reached close enough. At this point, my vision was blurry with tears. I felt arms wrap around me. I knew it mom, it made me happy and sad. I misses her so much. I buried my face and cried. I cried as an apology, I cried because I felt like I was home and cried because I felt shame.
I don't know how long we cried in each others arms. I felt another hand on my shoulder, I lifted my head and saw my dad. He had aged and had tears in my eyes.
"dad" I moved into his arms and cried some more. I heard him whisper "my baby girl."
We hugged for some time. We pulled apart.
"my baby girl, you are back." he said. I nodded and gave him a brief hug. Mom immediately pulled me to where the other parents were. I hugged Miguel's parents as well as Xander's parents. It was a bit awkward but they were my family too and I couldn't blame them for something they didn't do. Okay I just didn't want to think about it now.
Everything just seemed to pass by fast as I went round saying hello to everyone. My brother never left my side for one minute. I knew we needed to talk because we were really close. We were only two years apart unlike my five year gap with May. For that Stephen and I, were very close. I saw May taking calculated steps towards me, I could see the tears in her eyes.
"Mya" she called out as her voice broke. I reached out and hugged her as we cried in each others arms. She kept saying I'm sorry over and over again. When we pulled apart, I wiped her tears.
"it's okay. I promise we will talk and don't worry it's not your fault."
I joined mom and dad as they seemed to have alot to talk about. We were talking when I heard someone crying. I looked back and saw Miguel carrying Kayla who was crying with aunty Kay walking beside them. Kayla immediately reached out to me.
"I think someone is not used to the people around." Miguel said as he handed her over to me.
I took her in my arms and she hid her face by my neck. I kept rubbing her back until she had calmed down. It was only then that I noticed everyone's shocked faces staring at me.
"Mya. Who's baby is that?" my mom asked what everyone was thinking.
I looked at them then at Kayla before saying to her.
"hey baby do you want to say hey."she wrapped her arms tightly around me. I looked back at my parents.
"she's a little shy." I smiled."everyone this is my daughter Kayla."  the look of shock would be seen on everyone's face. But before anyone would say anything I continued, "I know you all have questions. I will answer every question." I turned to aunty Kay. "this is aunty Kay. She has been there for me. Again I will explain everything."
My mom watched me for a while then said. "can I hold her?"
"of course mom." I tried to pass Kayla to her but again Kayla held tight.
"oh don't be sad mom. She will get to know you. She just hasn't been around so many people." but the moment Miguel stepped closer she was giggling and going to him. The rest seemed to shocked or was it amused?
We all chatted and later people started to leave as it was getting late.
Aunty Kay was taken to the guest room while Kayla and I were in my old room. The moment Miguel was about to leave, Kayla refused to let him go and was really crying. Like loud crying. He ended up staying behind and decided to leave when she fell asleep.
"she seems fond of him." mom commented.
"they have grown closer since they met. He used to passby to see her at the end of the day."
She smiled."he loves kids. You should see how Lexi took a liking to him."
"Who is Lexi?"
She suddenly looked sad and remorseful. "she's Xander's daughter."
"it's okay mom. You can talk about him."
She looked shocked "you've changed."
"ya so much has happened and I promise to tell you everything."
"hey she's sleeping. I'm going to head out." I heard Miguel's voice. We turned towards him. "thank you."
He said his byes and left.

Later, we all sat in the living room as everyone was eager to listen to what I had to say. I decided to start from the very beginning. I told them the whole time in university and when I found out I lost the pregnancy. I continued to what drove me to run away. How I ended up in a homeless shelter and meeting aunty Kay. I went on to explain how I found out that I was still pregnant and after birth I had so many hospital visits due to her fragile health. Mom and May were in tears. I told them everything till Miguel encouraged me to come home.
"why didn't you come home?" dad asked.
"I wasn't in my right mind. I needed to work on me and understand that you were all not to blame as well as be at peace with everything."
We talked and they asked aunty Kay questions about herself.
"how did you end up in that shelter?"
"I had a whole life. A husband, and children. Two teen sons. Our life was perfect or so I thought. My husband was working for an accounting consultation company while I stayed home to care for my family. My oldest son started to changed his behavior as he turned 17. He had a bad temper, attitude and became disrespectful. The youngest was a sweetheart. As time went by I found out that my oldest son had joined a gang. This gang was dealing in all illegal things. One night we were watching TV when some men came into our house and asked my son where the goods were. My youngest son was killed first then my husband was shot next. I watched the shoot my other son and later I was shot left for dead. I don't know how long I was out. I don't know how I got strength to reach the phone and called for help. I woke up in hospital, weeks late. You can imagine waking up, knowing your family was gone but to my shock my oldest son was nowhere to be found while my husband and son lay dead. I was later told that my son had been taken by the gang and I don't know till date if he is alive or not. Suspects were arrested and all our money was used in the funeral. I was left bankrupt. After the sentencing of the suspects, I knew the town had nothing so I left. I was in a very bad state till I met doctor Jean. She got me a private room in the shelter that was suppose to be her part-time office."
I held her hand as I knew it was always hard for her to recount the events of her family. She had only told me the story once.
"so you've never known what happened to your son?" Stephen asked.
"no. For me to be at peace I told myself I lost my family on that very day."
"what drew you to our daughter?"mom asked.
"she reminded me of my youngest son. She seemed to have a pure heart and I was drawn to her. I moved her to my room and we just bonded. I was humbled when she actually decided to move me out of the shelter."
We continued to chat and decided to go to bed quite late. I walked into my room and saw Kayla sleeping peacefully on my bed. I changed and turned to hug her as I drifted to sleep.
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Hello readers,
I'm so sorry for not updating for sometime. I was actually ill, allergies did me really bad to a point I couldn't talk and was really weak. I'm getting better and will update as often as I can as I can't manage to type a full chapter or be in screen for long.
I hope you liked the chapter. What do you think will happen during her stay?
Don't forget to vote, comment, share, and follow.
Love Jean 💕

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