Year of Goodbyes

Chapter 2

The ride home was not so pleasant for me. Taylor's constant flirting with Liam irritates me. I tried to tune out Taylor's irritating voice and looked at the scenery outside, how I missed this place.

It brings back memories of both happiness and sadness. I stole a glance at Liam and looked in the rearview mirror to find him staring at me. I automatically averted my gaze, and instantly my face heated. I know I probably looked flushed right now.

I gathered my daughter closer to me to cover my face and looked outside once again. I was busy looking at the scenery that I didn't hear when Liam asked me something.

" Bella," Liam called my attention again.

" Huh? Oh, I'm sorry I didn't hear you." I replied nervously.

" I asked, how's life in Denver?" Liam told me, smiling at me from the mirror.

"It was fine, and I got my degree. I was a Kindergarten teacher for two years before I decided to quit and come home. It was a tough decision because it would be hard for Sophie to be in a new environment, but Mom needs me here. I guess you know she's not feeling okay, right?" I looked at him, and he nodded and smiled sadly.

" Yeah, I heard what happened to her at the facility. She had a mild stroke, right? So we went to visit her at the hospital, but she didn't mention you were coming home. So that means you're staying for good?" He asked with hopeful eyes and gave his dimpled smile again. That smile got me into trouble many times before. And it has the same effect on me even after so many years.

" She didn't tell me about her condition until a nurse from the hospital called me. So I resigned right away from my job and packed our things. I've applied to a local school here as a kindergarten teacher, and I have an appointment this Monday with the Principal." I told him, focusing on the view outside to avoid eye contact.

" Wow! So proud of you babe, you've always wanted to be a teacher. I can still remember when you were younger and used to hang out with Collette. I always see you trying to teach a group of teddies and Collette how to read." He said, laughing a bit. He didn't realize that he just called me babe. I, on the other hand, am feeling hot and awkward. I can see Taylor's face turned sour.

" Hahaha yeah, you used to tease me nonstop then until I started to cry, and Collette would always go after you with a stick in her hand. How is she, by the way? Is she married?" I also laughed at the memories and missed my best friend, but I was just scared she would not talk to me because I left without saying goodbye.

" No, she's not, but soon, she just got engaged two months ago. She has her own boutique in town and her fiance, Todd, is a lawyer." He informed me.

" What about you? Where's your husband?" He added. I was taken off guard by his question. I panicked for a while but was able to regain my composure.

" I don't have a husband. He left me when I was pregnant," I said with a calm tone, and looked at my sleeping daughter, who was now starting to stir, and opened her eyes.

" Mommy, are we there yet?" Sophie asked me.

" Not yet, sweetheart, but almost," I replied and helped her sit in a comfortable position on my lap. Sophie's eyes landed on Liam and she smiled.

Liam's POV

" Hi uncle Liam, when are we arriving at Nana's house? I'm hungry," Sophie asked me and pouted a little, giving her puppy eyes, and looked at me in the mirror. My eyes twinkled at her cuteness, and I couldn't seem to shake the pang in my heart at her words.

" We're almost there, sweetheart, don't worry. I'm sure your nana prepared all your favorite food." I answered her and used the same endearment Bella used for her.

I caught Bella staring at me in the mirror before she abruptly looked away. I could see her cheeks blushing, and it tugged at my heart to see her flustered like this. She didn't change at all. She would always blush when our eyes met.

When she was nineteen, the Arabella I knew was pretty, but now, the twenty-five-year-old Arabella is gorgeous. She filled up in the right places, and her brown eyes still hold purity and innocence.

I can't explain the feeling I felt when she said she didn't have a husband. It was both relief and sadness. She must have been through a lot. But, on the other hand, I admired her so much for raising her child alone.

Is that the reason why she left? Because some i***t got her pregnant but didn't have the balls to man up? If I ever meet that guy, I will give him a piece of my mind and more. The overwhelming protectiveness towards her came back. I have always been protective of her.

" Okay. Mommy, what if Nana doesn't like me? What if she doesn't want us in her house?" Sophie turned to her mother and asked her with worried teary eyes.

" What? Why would you think that, love? But, of course, Nana loves you. She's so excited to meet you, and she will kiss you many times that you will beg her to stop. And I'm sure you will be sleeping in her room more often. She loves you very much, sweetheart, and she can't wait to have you in her arms." Bella assured her daughter and kissed her tiny hands and head.

" Sweetheart, you call me if your Nana turned into a witch, then I will come and rescue you and your mommy, okay?" I told Sophie, smiling, which made her giggle and Bella glaring at me.

" But I'm pretty sure your Nana loves you, peanut. She will adore you the moment she sees you. I know I do." I added.

Bella's heart stopped and broke a little. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat and busied herself fixing Sophie's long curly hair.

The pain in Bella's eyes didn't escape Liam. He could see right through her. He had to clear his throat several times and looked at the road ahead.

Good thing his girlfriend is sleeping beside him, or she might see the effect Arabella has on him. He thought the attraction he had to Arabella was fleeting. But seeing her now after six years, all grown up, matured, and still the sweetest and loving girl she was, made him realize the feelings didn't go away. On the contrary, it's much stronger now than before.

He knew his heart was in deep trouble once again. So he was devastated when he found out Arabella left without any word and didn't even try to contact anyone or at least Collette.

The last time he saw her was during the after-party for their high school graduation at his house. He was so drunk that night, but he remembered they were talking by the lake. Unfortunately, he had too much alcohol that night because he was jealous of the guys who kept on approaching her.

All he remembered was him kissing her by the lake, but everything else was a blur. He woke up in the morning with the nastiest hangover and a tint of blood on his sheet. He can't even remember who the girl he had s*x with that night.