ONLY MINE *Ella and Elias*

something new and fun on my birthday

Elias's p.o.v

Bethany and Mitch have to be out of their minds. Ella would never hurt Evelyn. I need to get to the bottom of this, but I am tired of arguing with this woman. "That woman needs to leave my daughter's house right now, Elias." she tells me. "Bethany" I nearly shout, but take a deep breath, today is not the day, at least not right now. "I will talk to Ella and Evelyn to see what happened." I tell her and she nods. We both head downstairs and I go towards Evelyn, but Mitch stops me. She begins talking pure nonsense. Evelyn runs up to me. "Thank you for my birthday party daddy, Joseph says it is the best party he has been to." My little girl tells me with a huge smile on her face. Ella really did do the damn thing. She went all out for my princess. "Evie" I hear Ella call my daughter, who runs to her. Ella looks upset, like she was crying. "I have to go. I just want to say Happy Birthday and I hope you liked your party." she says and Evelyn nods. "Why do you have to leave? Joseph says it's the best party he has ever been to." she repeats to Ella what she just told me. "Well, all I care about is how much you like your party." she says, dodging the other question. Evelyn smiles. "I love it so much. I never want it to end." she yells and hugs Ella and I know that whatever Mitch told Bethany is a damn lie. "I will see you around, okay." she says "I love you Ella." Evelyn says and Ella smiles. "I love you more" she says and Evelyn runs away and Ella turns around and walks away. Mitch is still talking. I look at her and her hands are moving so fast, but I have no idea what she is talking about. I have not paid an ounce of attention to her. I was too focused on my girls. I excuse myself and I hurry behind Ella, but I don't see her anymore. What I do see is Vanessa and Bethany arguing. I walk over to them, ready to squash whatever Bethany has done, because I know Vanessa and I know Bethany and I know if something is going on now, it is all on Bethany. Victoria and everyone from the motorcycle club are grabbing their things and getting ready to go. "You guys are leaving already?" I ask. I can tell something went down. "Yeah, nice party." Monster says, and his whole family walks out in front of him. Bethany looks on with a smirk on her face. She turns around and walks away. I quickly head to the front door. "Hey, did something happen?" I ask. Not only do Victoria and Lincoln give each other an im not sure if we should tell him look, but so does everyone else. "If something happened, I'd like to know." I say. "Elias, you are a nice man, but we can't stay somewhere where someone we love has been offended. I know Bethany is your mother in law and Evelyn's family, but that woman was very rude to Ella and she left here in tears. All Ella ever wanted was for Evelyn to have a nice birthday party. Now someone made up a rumor that Ella hurt Evelyn and that's not okay. Ella would never put her hands on anyone. My mom is right, Ella took this babysitting job as a favor and she does not need all of this added drama to her life. We are going to try to cheer her up. She has always had a lonely birthday, now she has to deal with this. Ella deserves better than what she received today." Victoria says, and I feel like absolute crap. I am so embarrassed. I wish I could shut this party down and send everyone home, but I have to think about Evelyn as well. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I know Ella would never do anything to hurt Evelyn, or anyone. You have to know that I do not think that way at all. Evie loves Ella so much." I say not wanting to tell them that I love Ella too. I will save that for her. Lincoln nods. "We know it isn't you or Evelyn bro." he says, and he claps me on my back and they all head out. I turn around pissed off. Bethany and Mitch have some explaining to do.

Ella's p.o.v

I arrive back home. I feel dizzy. The conversation Bethany and I had or actually the mean things she said to me keep playing in my mind. "You are a sk@nk, you are just using the excuse of being a babysitter to weasel your way into their lives. This is my daughter's husband. She already has a mother. He would never take a babysitter seriously. Evelyn will see the real you. She will hate that you are trying to get in between her and her father," some of the many things she said to me. I couldn't even believe it when she said it and when she yelled at me and told me it was best if I left and that she would take over babysitting because I am violent and hurt Evelyn. That she was going to call the police if I didn't get out right away. I didn't even know what to do, I quickly went and told Victoria and then I had to say bye to Evelyn. I am just glad that she and Elias didn't notice what was going on, but I have no idea what to tell him. This is so embarrassing. Will Bethany just tell him she is taking over babysitting so I don't have to give him a reason? Will he believe her when she says that I hurt Evelyn. He has to know that I would never hurt her, right? Why does the thought of not being able to see Evelyn anymore hurt so much? I have no idea what to do, but today is my birthday and I don't think I should spend it here feeling miserable. I decide that I am going to take a cab and go to a random bar in the next town over. I want to have a drink and just breathe and think about things. I need some alone time, just to get my mind right. I am proud of myself for not reacting and complicating things even more, especially at Evelyn's party. The last thing I would ever want to do is ruin her day, although it is my day too, so I grab my laptop and find a bar and a hotel room not too far away from each other. Walking distance, actually, and I decide that I am going to do something crazy. I am finally going to do something for me, something new and fun, something that no-one would ever think that I would do. I book a room and pack a bag and soon my ride is here and I am off. I am almost arriving when my phone rings, and it is Victoria. I decide to reject her call and text her instead. "Hey, busy will be gone for a while. I will call you when I am back." I arrive and get off and check in. I decide to do some exploring and find a nice restaurant. I used to do things alone all the time when I was in college, so sitting at a table, eating alone doesn't bother me, even when people give me curious, sad looks. I actually enjoy my own company. After my meal, I walk around and do some shopping. Everything reminds me of Evelyn and I wonder how her party ended or is it still going? I then go back to the hotel room and get ready for the night. I begin to get nervous, but I am also excited. Maybe I should start this new tradition of taking myself out on my birthday now that my mother is no longer alive. What better way to celebrate and honor her at the same time than by going out to eat like we used to and doing something new and fun. This sounds like such a great idea and I have to remember to add this to my journal.

I put on a s3xy dress that I am sure Vanna would be so proud of, so I decide to take a mirror selfie and send it in the group chat. "Doing something for myself. How do I look?" I ask, attaching the picture. "Holy hotness" "you look great" "where are you?" they bombard me with questions. "It's a secret" I reply and I squeal and head out, down the street and into the bar. As soon as I walk in, I am excited. It is a bar and they seem to be having a live book reading. What a great way to finish my birthday. I order a drink and sit down on an empty stool. "Hey darling" A tall man, wearing a coat and glasses with a hat says, as he sits next to me and orders a whiskey. "Hello" I say. "You new around here?" he asks me and I nod. He looks at me intently. "This place is amazing. I am the owner and we welcome new and upcoming authors trying to make it in the world to read their stories every other weekend to the crowd. We do karaoke another weekend and just have a normal, calm weekend too. We try to cater to all of our customers. We have a great bunch here and we also hate the fact that books are becoming less popular now with everything being accessible online. I know it makes things easier, but some of us still love physical books. Hardcovers are my favorite." he tells me. I smile. "Mine too. So how does one schedule a reading?" I ask, because I love the idea of being able to read my book to complete strangers and get some honest feedback. "You write?" he asks. "I do" I say. "I never miss" he laughs. "Here, call me." he says, handing me his card and I take it and tuck it in my purse. He gets up and goes to the back. I order another drink and listen to the woman read some of her book. I love what I hear and once she is finished, I stand up in the line and I purchase the book. She signs it and we talk for a bit and we have so much in common. We end up at the bar together, drinking with the locals here. I am having such a great time that I don't notice the way my phone has been blowing up until I take a break and go to the restroom. I have 22 missed calls and over 100 text messages. From Victoria, Vanna, Vanessa, Elias and the group chat. I answer in the group chat saying I am okay and not to worry about me. I have a voicemail so I decide to listen to it. "Ella, baby, please answer the phone. Evelyn and I came to look for you, but you didn't answer and your friends said you left and will be gone for a while. What's going on? Please call me. I need to know that you are okay." he said. I can't call him. It is too loud here, so I send him a quick text. "I'm okay" I send it and go back out. I dance and let loose. Nothing like my normal self. After what seems like a couple of hours, I grab my things and I decide to head back to my hotel room. My phone rings again and I answer it without even checking who it is. "Hello" I say. "Ella, finally," Elias says. "Oh hi Elias, what's up?" I ask. "Where are you? We need to talk." he says and I groan. "If it's to tell me that I hurt Evelyn, don't. I would never hurt her. I have no idea why your mother-in-law said that, but don't worry, you can tell her that I would never hurt Evelyn. You can also tell her that I will stay away. So she doesn't have to fear that I am smuggling my way into your life. I know that Evelyn already has a mother and I was never trying to weasel my way into your lives. She can take over babysitting. I am sure Evelyn will be so happy to spend more time with her grandmother." I say. "Ella, Evelyn was so upset that you left her party. Where are you? I want to come speak to you in person. You don't sound okay," he tells me. "I'm far from home. I had a bit to drink. I have to go now." I say. "Do not hang up on me Ella, text me your location. I will come to you. Evelyn is staying with Victoria and Lincoln and you and I need to talk." he says "Fine, I will text you." I say and hang up. I quickly text him the name of my hotel and my room number and grab a churro from a street vendor and head up to my room. I take a shower and wrap myself up in a robe and lay on the couch and turn on the tv.

Was that a knock? I stand up and drink some water. My phone rings and it is Elias. I answer quickly. "Open the door Ella" he says and I peek through the peephole and smile when I see his big ole self standing there. I open the door and after checking me out, he pushes me back inside my room. "We need to talk" he says as he walks around the room looking behind everything like if he is looking for someone. "Are you okay?" I ask him. "You're alone right?" he asks me and I look at him like he is crazy and I begin laughing.

Elias's p.o.v

"What's so funny?" I ask her. "You thinking I have someone here? Please, no-one ever looks my way." she says. I frown. Is she blind? Everyone looks her way. Everyone can see how amazing she looks. "Ella, what are you doing here?" I ask her. "Oh, I came here for a book reading. I wanted to end my birthday doing something fun." she tells me a little too quickly, then turns bright red. "I mean, not that you would think that is fun. You aren't into books and reading. But it's fun for me." she says. "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask her "It just happened, plus I don't need to report to you." she says and ouch. I am sure she is upset with what happened and she is lashing out at me. It's still her birthday, so I will let this slide, but I make sure to grab her face. "Aren't you and I together? I don't know, just common courtesy. Let me know where you are so I won't be looking for you like someone who has lost his mind." I tell her and kiss her and let her go. "Sorry, it's just you were busy with Evelyn's party and I didn't want to bother you." She tells me. "Ella, First of all, you do not bother me. Nothing about you is a bother. Look, I am sorry for what Bethany said to you. She is way out of line. I made sure to pull her to the side after the party and I let her know that she can not see Evelyn anymore. At least for now. She needs to apologize to you. I don't want someone so evil around my daughter. I spoke to Evelyn, you know. I asked her if you or anyone else has ever put their hands on her and you know what she said?" I ask her, rage fueling me once again, still not believing what Evie told me.. She shakes her head. "I would never hurt her." she whispers with tears in her eyes. "I know baby. Evelyn said that Mitch pinched her twice." I tell her and her eyes widen. "That b*tch!" she says and I laugh. Ella doesn't curse. I knew she would have that reaction though. "Evelyn says you are her favorite person baby. My daughter loves you and Bethany will never be rude to you ever again. I won't allow it. She will have to get used to this if she wants to see her granddaughter." I tell her. She is quiet and is looking down at the floor. She finally looks up. "I don't want you to fight with your family," she tells me. "She is not my family and her daughter was nothing like her. Evelyn's mom would be disgusted by the way her mother is acting. Please can we put this behind us? I want us to get back to where we were, just the two of us, before any of this happened. I was actually thinking of telling Evelyn about us. I don't want you to babysit anymore. I mean I need you to do it. I have no-one else to keep her with my schedule, but I don't want anything to feel weird. I already feel like I am taking advantage of you and I hate feeling this way. I just want us to move forward. What do you think?" I ask her. "Umm, as much as I want to, I am not sure if we should tell Evelyn just yet. Maybe we should see where this goes first. Lets keep it to ourselves for right now. I don't want to get her to get excited or get her hopes up, then this doesn't go anywhere," she says. "If that is what you want? I will do whatever makes you happy. Just don't ignore me ever again." I tell her, knowing damn well this is going everywhere. I want her and want to make it official. I will just let her think whatever she wants, for now. Maybe she thinks Bethany will involve herself again, so I will just prove to her that what we have is real, because I can feel it. Those couple of hours from when I couldn't find her and couldn't get a hold of her made me realize I feel more for this girl than I thought. Actually, the thought of never speaking to her or her wanting to leave us made me feel sick. Now that I have her back here and in my arms, I am going to show her what she means to me. I untie her robe and slowly open it and it falls at her feet. She is completely naked underneath. "Beautiful," I tell her and kiss her. I will spend this whole night expressing my feelings, because I don't think words will work with her. At least not tonight.