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Brandi's POV
It's been three weeks since the encounter with my dad. After deep thought, I decided I had to tell Rae. Although only four, I believe she has a right to know. Harry noticed my uneasiness and slung his arm around me.
"What's the matter, Brandi bear?" His voice was soothing and warm.
"I'm telling Raelynne today." I said, failing to elaborate.
Although, it didn't seem I needed to because Harry caught on right away.
"You can do it." He encouraged.
I gave him a weak smile, still not convinced. Suddenly, enrage took control of me.
"Why her?!" I cried out.
Even I was surprised at the strength of my voice.
"Why does she have to be HER mom," I continued. "of all people! God!"
I was muttering rubbish profusely under my breath when Harry cut in.
"Please don't kill me.." He started.
I turned around to face him and raised an eyebrow curiously.
"?Um," he stuttered. "I think we should have Rae meet her mom."
"Are you crazy?!" I yelled. "are we talking about the same person here? Have you been asleep the past couple months ?!"
The door creaked open and a little head poked in.
"Hatha? Bwandi?" Rae called.
"Hey baby.." I replied softly.
"It's okay, Lynnie. We were just talking." Harry spoke up.
She nodded and closed the door slowly.
"I forgot she's not a baby anymore." I commented.
Harry crossed the room and wrapped his arms around me.
"Carrie won't hurt her." He assured me.
I nodded. I needed to do this for Raelynne. I pulled out my phone and just stared at it for a minute Harry reached around me and swiped the unlock button. I turned my head to face him. He gave me a small smile. I took a deep breath and pressed the contact that was forever untouched, merely taking up space.
To Carrie:
This is Brandi, hi. I found out that Rae was your daughter and I think it's in her best interest if you met her.
*beep*
From Carrie:
Alright, but if I find out you are lying, I'll hurt your family.
This made Harry mad.
"That little-"
"Harry!" I said sternly. "She's not gonna hurt us. You know why? Because we are telling the truth. "
His face softened instantly.
"Look, I don't like seeing you sad, or mad." I commented, putting my arms around his neck. "Be happy." I giggled and kissed his perfect lips.
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"Where are we going?" Rae asked for the bilzillionth time.
"For a trip." I replied for the bilzillionth time.
I didn't want to tell her where we were really going. It would just cause her un needed confusion. Oh, I hope this goes as planned. I swear, if Carrie does something as much as look at her wrong, evilly I'm going to blow up on her. Harry has assured me everything will be fine repeatedly, but I could never believe it. It's not that I don't trust him, it's just it's .. Carrie.
We arrived at the agreed meeting spot. At first, I didn't spot anyone. Ha, coward. Then, in the distance, I saw her.
"Come on honey." I beckoned Rae, taking her hand and helping her out of the car.
Harry threw his arm protectively around me and we approached her.
My breathing quickened and panic filled me. Memories crashed over me with a tsunami-like force. Nightmares come alive clouded my vision. Fear rippled through my veins, veiling the present and flinging me back in time.
*Flashback*
I sat up groggily in bed, listening for other activity in the house. Nothing. I sighed in relief. It's not that I want to be left alone, but I would rather have nobody home at all than have to be in the same house with Carrie. The only person that she's actually kind do is Raelynne, and I don't get that at all.
I tiptoed over to my mirror and examined my new shiner that Carrie had given me last night. Mmhmm, it's a beauty! My right eye sported a bruise of deep greens, blues, purples and yellows. I grabbed my makeup bag and pulled out concealer. I'd become quite skilled at covering cuts and bruises, maybe I should pursue a career as a makeup artist. Ha, that's a thought.
All I wanted was to get out of this hellhole. The only reason I stayed was because of Rae and Mom. I want to get out of this town and start over somewhere new. Somewhere big. Somewhere far away from Carrie. I could find a job and go to school!
Bruise taken care of, I skipped to my closet singing Coldplay. "When she was just a girl, she expected the world, but it flew away from her reach so she ran away in her sleep, and dreamed of para- para- paradise, para- para- paradise, para- para- paradise every time she closed her eyes. Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo, when she was just a girl, she expected the world, but it flew away from her reach and the bullet's catching her teeth, life goes on and gets so heavy, the wheel breaks the butterfly, every tear a waterfall, in the night, the stormy night she closed her eyes, in the night, the stormy night away she flies!"
My bedroom door flew open and I froze in my tracks. I braced myself for Carries harsh words and harder fists, but nothing came. I turned towards the door. No one was there. I breathed I sigh of relief when I realized that I had just been blown open by the wind. I stuck my head out the door and looked down the hallway just to be sure that I was still home alone, one can never be too careful.
After I'd confirmed that no one was home, I returned to my closet to find a suitable outfit. I was supposed to be going out with Siva this afternoon, however I doubt it'll really happen. He usually bails last minute, leaving me feeling used and worthless.
I stripped of my clothing and skipped around free of restraint. No clothes, no stress.
Steps sounded in the front porch and I glanced out the window to see Carrie's pickup in the driveway. Damn it.
By now, she'd made it halfway up the stairs and I could hear her singing drunkenly.
I scrambled to find clothing. Oh, how she'd love to see me like this. I picked up a T-shirt from the floor and turned towards the door to close it. Too late! Carrie leaned in the doorframe smirking at me.
"Nice bruise there, honey," she slurred.
My hand flew instinctively to my eye and I hung my head in shame. I guess I didn't do as well covering it as I thought I had.
"Carrie, leave."
Her fist met my other eye. Great. A matching set. I bet I look like a raccoon now. The skin throbbed and a massive headache grew in my temple.
"No. I'll stay as long as I like."
I completely snapped. "Get out of my room, get out of my house, get out of my life! You are a crappy excuse of an aunt! Go to hell!"
"Brandi! You ready?" Siva's voice echoed up the stairwell. "Brandi!" He actually came?
*Present*
The voice slowly morphed into Harry's.
"Brandi!" His hand rubbed my back soothingly. I was shaking like a leaf as I recovered from the flashback.
"You'll be okay," he whispered assuringly in my ear.
I looked around me, taking in where we were. Right, meeting Carrie...
"Come one, lets get this over with," Harry said and squeezed my hand.
"Hi, baby," Carrie said softly to Rae. "I'm your real mom."
"You're my mommy?" Rae scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.
"Yes, darling." Carrie scooped Raelynne into a hug and Rae tentatively wrapped her arms around Carrie's neck.
I'd never seen this side of Carrie before, the caring, maternal side. It was shocking that she could go from so cruel to so gentle.
"Please let me take her home," Carrie whispered.
Everything in me told me no. If something happened to Rae, I'd never forgive myself. I looked over my shoulder at Harry, who was watching Carrie intently. Probably to make sure she didn't hurt Rae. When his gaze met mine, I gave him a look that said 'what should we do?' My eyes wandered back to Carrie, who seemed quite motherly. She cradled Raelynne and tickled her making Raelynne erupt in her ever so contagious laugh. But, even people like Carrie can act decent for a little while. I felt a little overwhelmed and then I got to thinking, what if I were Rae and Carrie was my mom? I would certainly want to reconnect with my mom but, then again, I'm a 20 year old woman and if something happened, I could handle it myself.
"Bwandi.." Raelynne piped, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, sweetie pie?"
Rae looked at Carrie and then back at me. She repeated this two more times but on the second time, she stopped when she got to Carrie.
"I want to go with my mommy." She said.
Carrie smiled widely. A different kind of smile though. A genuine, real smile. I felt tears forming. I didn't want to leave Rae. She is part of the family now, now I have to let her go. Carrie would be heading to Pennsylvania tomorrow permanently. She had bought a place last minute once she found out she was meeting Rae. Carrie is not short in the money department. That's why it was so hard to let her go. I may never see her again.
"Alright sweetie pie." I choked.
"I'll follow you back so I can get Rae's stuff." Carrie suggested.
I nodded because honestly, no words would escape my mouth right now. Carrie took Rae's hand and lead her to the car while Harry took me in his arms. I embraced him and let all the tears flow.
"I seriously didn't see this one coming. Not by a long shot." Harry whispered into the hug.
"I know who ever thought we'd be giving Rae to anybody, let alone Carrie!" I answered.
"This is good for her." He remarked, trying to shed light on the situation.
We hopped in the car and drive away.
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Carrie's POV
I smiled as I watched Rae pack all her stuffed animals into the duffel. We had pretty much packed everything else, but we left the stuffed animal packing to her. Its funny how one little girl could change my whole motive in life. I'm so happy I got my girl back.
"Mommy!!" Rae squealed, taking my hand.
"Yes babe?" I answered.
"Come here, come on!" She led me to a box and opened the latch. There laid a doll with blonde hair and a blue bow in it.
"Hawwy gave me this. I haven't named it yet. I think I'll name it.. What's your name?"
"Carrie."
"Cawwie." She finished with a smile. "Come on Cawwie, into the bag." She exclaimed, putting it in.
Harry's POV
I watched the scene in front of me unfold. Carrie helped Rae pack while my little baby cradled the doll I got her. I noticed that Brandi was no longer with the group and I walked off in search of her. I heard muffled sobs coming from Destiny's room and I peeped through the crack.
Brandi cradled Des gently while she let out all the pent up tears. I stood in the doorway and let her cry without the unneeded "everything's gonna be okay."
She held her arm out to me without looking up and I walked over to her. I pulled her onto my lap and held both my girls tightly.
"I don't want to let her go!" she gasped between sobs. I held her close and let her cry.
"Me neither," I admitted. "But we'll always be there for her, just because she's going with Carrie doesn't mean we're leaving her."
She sighed and got up. Still cradling Destiny and walking hand and hand with me, she went to Rae. She was telling Carrie about her magical doll land that she had created.
"Sorry to interrupt." Brandi said when we reached them.
Rae looked up at us and smiled.
"Hi."
"Hey sweetie pie." Brandi greeted as she bent down next to her.
"I'll give you guys time to say your goodbyes." Carrie said, traveling out of the room.
"Well Rae.." I started, putting off goodbye.
Tears starting streaming down Raelynne's cheek as she realized what going away with her mommy was going to mean. No more me. No more Harry. No more us. Harry stepped in, offering a hand to wipe away her tears. He put a hand on her shoulder as he bent down. Her eyes were wet when she looked at me, ones full of hurt with a hint of worry in them. Totally different from the ones that gazed at me when she'd arrived. In that moment, I began to understand that not only has Raelynne impacted Harry and me, we also impacted her.
"I don't wanna say bubye.." Rae cried suddenly, running into my arms.
I scooped her up. "It's not for forever ! We'll visit next ..year. "
All of the excitement faded from my voice. A year was a long time.
"That's too long!" Rae complained.
"Are you ready to go babe?" Carrie asked, coming in.
She sighed and nodded. She gave a hug to both Harry and me, picked up her stuffed animal duffel, and left. Just like that.