My little bundle of joy

It's been a year from the time I found out I was pregnant. I had to move to a different state, Copperbelt province, Kitwe to be precise. I moved a week after spending the night with Yazz and Martin at Chicago's. Luckily, my mum told me my dad had left money for me and I couldn't be more thankful. I found a simple yet elegant apartment with two bedrooms self contained, living room, dining room, kitchen and bath room.

Deciding to invest in business, I opened more than seven boutiques in different provinces named after Inaya and myself as well as five beauty parlours in different towns. Life couldn't get any better, I never thought I'd reach such a level.

I had my baby two months ago and it was a beautiful moment, one of great exhilaration. Mum and Yazz had travelled, for them to be present during the birth.

The moment my little bundle of joy arrived is one I will never forget. It was one of blissful adoration, unexpected elation, immense relief, pure joy and was terrifying at the same time. It was worth all the pangs of birth, tears, madness and screaming as well as frustration involved into bringing her into this world. Her? Yes I had a cute, chubby baby girl. The first time I saw her was magical and the first time I held her in my arms, she had me wrapped around her little finger.

She has her father's beautiful mesmerising grey eyes. They hold a certain kind of depth that whenever you look at them, you get drawn to them. She had my small nose and lips but looked a lot like her dad. I held her close to my chest, she was the only connection I had to him, he gave me me an extraordinary gift. I wonder if he was here, would he love her? Would he be the best father?

When the nurse asked me for her name, I smiled to myself and said "Inaya Israel Castillo". Inaya which means "a girl from God" and Israel "wrestles with God or triumphant with God". I gave her, her father's last name because she has a right to have it and some day, I'll tell her about him. She needs her father's identity and I can't deny her that.

Right now, I'm making breakfast for everyone and Ina is still sleeping. My baby isn't fussy, she actually likes to sleep till 8 in the morning and this is just 7am. Today, I'm planning to go out because I've been home for two whole months. I didn't think it was safe to take Ina out of the house. In these two months, working out became part of my routine to get rid of baby fat. I've already made pancakes, toasted bread, bacon and eggs. After making hot chocolate, I call everyone to the dining room.

"What do you guys think about going to Mukuba mall today?"

"That sounds like a good idea and we can take a ride to mindolo dam, I heard there's a function today" Yazz tells me.

"Im okay with your idea, Ina is in for a ride today" I say with laughter.

Mum just rolls her eyes at us. She's a woman of few words and she only talks when it's necessary. My biological mum told me that she was always shy resulting in shunning herself most of the time.

"Aunt Emally, don't you have anything to say?" Yazz asks mum but she says she'll come only because of Ina.

"You know how wild the two of you can be, you can be stressful at times hahahahha" mum says.

After breakfast, we all decide to get ready and I am the last person to prepare because of Ina. I pick a black t-shirt written "I made a cute baby" and that reminds me. I got Yazz and mum printed t-shirts as well. I walk to the other room and give mum her t-shirt that says "Grammy because "GRANDMOTHER" is for old ladies". Immediately she finishes reading, she starts laughing loudly and tells me I'm the craziest.

I walk back to my room not before telling mum she's supposed to wear it today. I find Yazz about to wear a dress and applying lotion. I give her the t-shirt I printed out for her which says "some aunt's have tattoos pretty eyes thick eyes and cuss too much- it's me , I'm some aunt's" . She smiles widely and kisses my cheeks and hugs me like a crazy woman.

"You are the best, you knew the right words to print out otherwise I wouldn't wear a t-shirt with boring words on it."

"The words are simple Yazz, just say I'm the best , come on admit it."

Walking towards Ina's crib, I'm suprised to find her awake while sucking her tiny fist making little noises and she she keeps looking around. I'm suprised she didn't cry when waking up because she always does.

"Hey my little angel" I coo at her while playing with her small nose and kiss her all over her face. She smiles at my action showing off her toothless gums. She's just so cute when she does that. I pick her up and breastfeed her at which she immediately starts to suckle happily moving her tiny feet. Placing her in a portable bath tub, she starts crying for the first minute but stops and starts playing with the water. By the time am done, I'm soaking wet. I walk back to my room and Yazz is putting on her shoes.

"You look beautiful"

"Thanks babe"

She's wearing the t-shirt I gave her with ripped blue jeans but she has her t-shirt tied at her side. I dress my little angel in her white onesie written "and though she be little she fierce" with a grey classic cruz jogger, grey socks, a grey cotton heart written "Inaya" and give her to Yazz who seems to be busy on her phone.

After taking my bath, I wear my t-shirt and tie a knot right on my navel with color block pocket joggers and cleated sole chunky blocked heel boots. My eyebrows are neatly brushed and my hair is tied in a high tight pony tail, natural curls flowing making my face pop. Everything necessary is in Inaya's baby bag and I walk out of my room.

Yazz gets the baby bag and passes Ina to me and I put her in the ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier and strap her in outwardly.

" I think we can bounce and Yazz you are driving" she jumps up and down like she's seen a present.

"Let mummy take care of her babies" she smiles sweetly.

Mum locks up and we get into the car. Ina starts looking around weirdly and Yazz drives out of the driveway and off we go.