New Leaf

Isabella walked slowly into her new home, wondering at what point would this long dream ever come to an end. For every step forward she took a step back. She staggered to the entrance of the mansion in doubt.

"Relax, this is all yours," Williams said, holding her bags and commanding the door to open.

Bella shook her head in disbelief. As she slowly strode into the house, she stood at the center of a marble floor, captivated by her surroundings. Everything was so beautiful she thought. So rich. So…there was no word.

Williams led Bella to her bedroom. He was certain that she wanted to lay down. And rightfully so, Bella needed a mental break. A moment to swallow all what was going on.

"I will be available downstairs if you need me," Williams said, before leaving Isabella to herself in her room.

Isabella's room was gold. Everything was uniformed. The bed, the chandelier in the rooftop. She had a view of the pool from her bedroom.

"Henry", she whispered. "Why all this to share with no one, when all I wanted was you".

The tears started to build up again. A drop escaped before she could wipe it off her face.

Bella threw herself on the bed and wept, dozing off for a few minutes before she was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"I'm coming", she said, pretending that she wasn't just crying a second ago.

When she opened the door, she was shocked to see who was standing behind it.

No, it wasn't Henry or his ghost. It was Janet, her mother.

Isabella threw herself on her mother and they both held each other and cried.

"Mom…Mom…", she said, trying to find the words but the lump in her throat prevented any words from leaving her lips.

Janet looked strong. Solid. Healthy. Isabella was happy to see her mother. Janet never thought that she would see her daughter again.

"My baby girl. God bless you," she said releasing her daughter, only to hug her again and again.

"Mom are you alright?", she asked, holding her mothers' hand, directing her on the patio overlooking the pool.

"My child I couldn't ask the Lord for more than what he has given me. I have two doctors here taking care of me 24-7. I have maids. I have you. I have everything," she said with tears.

"Mom…Hen…" she couldn't say his name. She had so much she wanted to say but she couldn't say anything.

Finally, she said "mom I am pregnant with Henry's baby. I don't know how I will raise this child without its father", she said.

My sweet child, maybe you won't have too.

"Mom but he's gone…I just don't know how mom," she cried.

Janet did not reply. She looked at her daughter with pity.

"Take a shower. Get some rest. We will have dinner downstairs. I have asked the maids to prepare your favorite dish",

Isabella smiled. Remembering how her mom would make her curried chicken with rice and beans. That was her favorite.

Janet left her daughter and went downstairs. Bella crawled back into bed. She was hungry but she wanted some space to clear her head.

Almost a half hour had gone and Isabella was still curled up in bed. No amount of time can ever heal the scars that this poor young woman suffered, especially in such a space of time.

Everything that she and Henry went through kept hitting her like an avalanche. She replayed every scene, every moment, every conversation. And now she was living in the most beautiful home she has ever seen.

A home that was given to her by a man she only met for a few months ago. Bella will never understand why she was chosen for such a story. Why this had to be her life.

Everything that she ever hoped and prayed for in a man landed on her lap. Henry was smart, handsome, caring, kind and wealthy.

So, if I prayed for all these things and it was given to me, why was it taken away in a split moment," she whispered while rubbing her temple.

There was a soft knock on the door and Janet walked into the room accompanied by two women who were dressed in maid uniforms.

They had platters in their hands. It smelled really good. There was soup, garlic bread. Oh and that curried chicken and rice and beans Bella loved so much.

She thought about how fortunate she had become so quickly and how unfortunate it was that she couldn't share all this with Henry.

Bella's mother sat next to her bedside, trying to encourage her to eat. Trying to give her some hope. Reminding her that she had a little fetus inside her belly that depends on her for nourishment.

Isabella was always an obedient child. Well most of the time. She started with the garlic bread and soup.

Janet could tell her daughter was forcing every bite. She obviously had no appetite but she needed to eat.

"As time progresses things will get better honey," her mother said but she quickly replied "how could it mom?".

Janet wished she could take away the pain that her daughter felt but she felt helpless.

"Tomorrow I will give you a tour of your house," Janet said. She was trying to make light conversation, adding "we might need the entire day because this place is so huge".

Bella chuckled. Wiping her mouth. Janet was happy to see a smile on her beloved daughter's face even if it was short lived.

"Mom take this platter from my lap", Bella shouted. She tried to make her way to the bathroom but she gaged all over the floor before she reached the bathroom sink

Up came everything she had just eaten. Bella felt more food coming up and she just kept vomiting. She tucked her hair behind her ears lowering her head over the sink and emptying her guts.

Bella cried and she spewed. She felt a knot in her stomach. She just felt nauseous. Her mother returned with cold water, asking her to drink up.

"Honey it will be like this for a while…", she assured her.

"Mom I need to be alone. We will speak to each other in the morning," Bella insisted.

Janet knew her daughter wasn't trying to hurt or shame her. She understood that a lot has happened and she needed to be alone. So, she followed instructions and retired to her bedroom, leaving Isabella in her bedroom.

That night Bella went on the balcony of her room, looking up at the stars.

"Henry why me? Why did you have to choose me of all people? A poor simple woman who just wanted a life that was normal. How could you love me and leave me and never say goodbye?" she cried.

Bella cried until she felt weak, staggering into her massive bed, collapsing on the silk sheets. A few minutes later everything went black. Bella had fallen asleep.

William and Janet sat at the breakfast table downstairs. Janet was on a strict diet so she maintained her fruits, vegetables and non-dairy yogurts and cheeses.

William on the other had ate without limit. Eggs, bacon, cereals, milk…you name it, he ate it.

William had his quarters in the mansion. Henry had arranged it that way so William could take care of Bella's needs. He would order the groceries online for the pantry.

He took care of the helpers' salaries and their needs as well. He was also responsible for ensuring the live-in doctors were equipped with the necessities to take care of Isabella and her mother. Now there's a baby on the way.

William and Janet had gotten quite cozy over the past few weeks. I mean after all they lived in the same house and would occasionally meet up at the breakfast or lunch table.

"I need to check on Bella", Janet said and she looked back at the helpers taking trays of food to Bella's room.

"Let her take some time to herself. She needs it," William insisted.

Janet smiled at the way William looked when he spoke about her daughter. The concern in his eyes and expression was so genuine.

"Ok but she needs someone. She can't be alone as she goes through this," she said.

"I understand but sometimes it's best to let people who go through such trauma be alone for a while until they are ready to open up and discuss it. Besides the therapist is supposed to come in on Monday. That's two days away," William said, licking the last bit of sauce from his fingertips.

"You almost consumed the entire jar of jelly. Mr William that's way too much sugar," Janet said, shaking her head.

"Miss Janet, do is suspect that you care about my health," Williams joked.

Janet burst out in laugher. Spitting her almond milk all over the table.

"Mom", she heard a voice behind her. Both Janet and William were shocked to see Isabella standing behind them.

"It took me almost twenty minutes to find this kitchen. And why does it look like an entire new home", Bella asked scratching her head.

Immediately, Janet realized her daughter looked pale. Her eyes were puffy and she looked sick. She had lost weight. In fact, she looked boney. Janet became very weary of her child.

"Fix this William," she whispered ensuring that Bella did not hear her remarks. William greeted Bella and left the table, looking very worried.

Bella sat around the table next to her mother, scanning her territory.

She hadn't been able to look around her new home since she arrived from the hospital.

All she remembered was its massive size and how carefully and beautifully everything was arranged.

She gazed at the amount of food and how craftily they were all placed on the table. There was so much to choose from but Bella had no interest in the delicacies in her reach.

"Babygirl…let's try and see if you can eat something this morning that can actually stay down". Janet took some watermelons and cantaloupes and placed them on a small place, handing them to Bella.

Bella's hands trembled as she tried to raise the fruit to her mouth. Janet realized how hopeless the entire process was.

She had no choice but to feed her daughter. There's a saying once a man twice a child. Well Bella became like a baby again.

Once Janet had finished feeding Bella her fruit, she gave her a glass of lemon water, praying that she won't have another vomiting episode.

She waited silently before she offered her daughter some orange juice and croissants.

Isabella sat at the table gazing. It was like her mind wasn't aware of her surroundings. She was spaced out. That concerned her mother. Very much.

Williams walked back into the kitchen several minutes later, handing over his cellphone to Janet, who moved away from Bella to speak to whoever was on the line.

"My daughter will not survive this ordeal…You need to fix it", she said and hung up the phone.

Bella wondered why her mother had to move to privacy to take that call but Janet had friends so Bella brushed her concerns aside.

Besides, Bella had bigger issues than trying to figure out who was causing such upset to her queen.

Janet had a worrying look on her face as she slowly walked towards her daughter who was sitting helplessly at the table. "Have you tried eating anything else honey", Janet said stroking Bella's soft hair.

"No, I feel full", Bella replied, rubbing her flat tummy.

"Mom who was there when Henry got married to me?" she asked quietly.

"I believe the doctors and William. I wasn't there", Janet replied.

"Can you call William?" she asked.

"Bella I sure there will be plenty of time to hear what happ…", but before Janet could finish Bella yelled "call William mom"

It was not a disrespectful shout but one of pain. Janet had no choice but to go look for William who was in his quarters a long distance from the main kitchen.

Isabella sat at the table looking around her. The maids would walk by sporadically and greet Bella. Not even looking her way.

How could they live and work her and pretend they don't see me?, she thought. That made Isabella laugh out loud.

Moments later William walked in and leaving him no time to even take a sit at the table Bella asked "William tell me about my wedding".

William eyes popped. "You were there weren't you?", she asked.

"Well…yes…I was but…ok Mrs Steven. I will tell you. It was a Wednesday. You were unconscious. But Henry insisted he had to make you his wife before he…" and William paused.

"It's ok Henry…go ahead".

"I was there as a witness and two doctors. He made his marriage vows to always love you in life and death and to ensure you lacked nothing as long as you live," William continued.

"Was he happy?" Bella asked.

"He was happy to be your husband but obviously very sad you were unaware of what was going on. I believe Henry's happiness came from knowing that he could have helped you live," he said.

All the while Janet stood there crying. Isabella was about to ask another question when her mother said "that's enough".

She packed some fruits and held Bella's hands, walking her back to her room. It felt like miles away.

"Mom you don't need to come in. I am going to take a shower and nap. I love you mom," she said, kissing her mother's hands.

All Janet wanted was to be with her daughter. To comfort her. But all Bella wanted was Henry.

She removed her loose-fitting dress and stepped into the tub, where she spent the better part of one hour crying over Henry.

When she got out of the shower, Bella had no idea how long she was in the bathroom but the piercing sun through her windowpane told the story.

It was almost midday and she decided to take a tour of her new home. Finally.

She must have counted at least six bedrooms that looked like studio apartments. She realized the doctor's quarters and the maids living area too. They looked like mini hotels. She smiled in amazement at how her life turned out.

There were security features almost everywhere. The place was just too amazing. Bella had no idea places like that existed on earth far less for one of them to be her home.

She walked in the yard. There was a small gazebo in the garden filled with flowers. The scenery was so peaceful. "This is of no use to me if I can't share it with the man I love," she whispered to herself.

In anger and pain, she reversed her tracks for fear of being lost and made her way back to her castle looking house.

Bella could hear the sound of a helicopter in the distance. It was heading towards the mansion.

"Mrs. Blake let's take you inside", she heard a voice say. It was William. "What's going on William", she asked.

Bella was always inquisitive. "Just some stuff we ordered for the house. Food, medication. And your private gynecologist we flew in from Canada will be living here for the duration of your pregnancy," he said.

Bella followed William and went into the mansion. She grabbed a sandwich from the refrigerator before heading to her bedroom. Her safe heaven. Her crying space.