42 The day after their 'Welcome Home' party -

Passing the lonely night was a struggle for Giselle as she sacrificed her sleep to think of the future she held responsible for her child.

As she did some serious pondering, the dark sky scrubbed over with the dawn lightening across the space to signal and welcome the morning of another new day.

The lack of sleep brought fatigue to Giselle. She chose to get ready despite it. The morning routine followed as usual, and by the time when the clock hit eight, the bright day-star already passed its greeting to the world and its inhabitants.

Giselle, having overcome the weariness with a clean shower, tasted the morning tea and helped it to relax and calm her spirit. Having finished the brew, she checked on Lia's room to find the little one still sleeping soundly without worry. Kissing her softly so that she doesn't wake up the little princess, Giselle enjoyed staring at her creation with much admiration and affection.

Coming out, she exited the house and went downstairs to go to the nearby shop to own a copy of the morning news. She returned, made another cup of sweet tea, and sheltered in the living room, reading the current happening around the world as she sipped into her drink.

There is always magic to the serene morning stillness. The calming breeze flew from thousands of miles and carried the nature's scent as it dropped every grain of its harmony to the living as they wake up from resting the yesterday.

The morning tranquility tells anyone that it is going to be another new day where decisions made at a regular pace.

It clears the mind.

It brings strength.

Overall, every day when the sun rose and spreads its light on the land, it secretly whispers to the dormant minds that another opportunity awaits when one awakes.

Entertaining herself with the worldly affairs, Giselle noticed another tiny shadow approach from the sides. She glanced to see little Lia, rubbing her eyes gently as she tried to seek her mother, for it is the first purpose for the child to see it's creator's face to start the day.

Giselle pulled Lia closer when she was at reach. Having tucked Lia under her embrace, there commenced a brief greeting between the mother and the child, with an exchange of hugs and a shower of soft smooches to brighten the little one. Lia completely woke up from sleep with her mother's expression of love and silly tickles.

"Mom, stop it. Please. I can't breathe," Lia cried.

Giselle quit, but she still kept cuddling with Lia. Lia felt warm and protected.

"Hmm, did everyone leave last night happy?" Lia questioned, wanting to learn what happened after she went to bed.

Giselle admitted saying that the guests enjoyed the party and that everyone missed the little rabbit that ran inside the house in rejoicing.

Lia smiled at the comment and snuggled her nose on her mother's tummy, for it is her favorite spot to play with at any emotion.

Giselle rocked her left and right, and the girl followed along by swinging her head sideways to match the mother's rhythm.

"Did you enjoy the party?" Giselle asked, curious to know if Lia liked the little group of associates her mother's invited to the party.

Lia nodded and then resumed rocking her head to the ride.

"I liked uncle Jake a lot. He played with me and even gave me a present," Lia remarked to her mother with a bright grin on her face.

Giselle got surprised to hear the word 'Uncle' thrown at her when she didn't even teach or permitted bond such ways.

'Since when did she start to address Anna's husband in such a way?' - Giselle wondered with wide eyes, still rocking their little duo ride.

Having moved her head for quite some time, Lia felt dizzy to the early day, and the two soon ended their playing and resumed to cuddle together.

'Were they getting acquainted well while I was away?' - Giselle kept thinking about it.

"Uncle Jake?" she asked, unable to figure out this turn of events.

"Yes, Uncle Jake," Lia replied while looking at her puzzled mother with shining eyes.

The child noticed the confusion fell on her mother's beautiful face and decided to share some of the last night's sweet memories.

"Anna, is you, friend, right?" Lia asked.

Giselle nodded.

"Well, while I was saying my farewell to them, Aunty Anna made a request. She wanted me to address her as 'Aunt' and Jake as 'Uncle' hereafter. They also invited me each separately to come to visit them. We should go, mother, someday. I made a promised to uncle Jake that I would come to see him and play with him together. You have to take me to their home, mother, please," Lia explained and pleaded sincerely.

Giselle, having learned the truth, felt grateful to both Anna and Jake. She agreed and assured Lia to plan for a visit in the future.

Having learned a detailed report on their newly bonded connection, Giselle thought that Lia only idolized Anna and Jake.

"So, that's it? Aren't you ignoring someone important?" Giselle cried.

Lia stunned to see her mother grieve suddenly. For a few seconds, Lia wondered about seeking answers.

Only after a while, Lia remembered what she overlooked from last night.

Having recollected the missing that made her mother depress, Lia's pulled out of her mother's embrace and stood facing Giselle.

"How can I forget about grandmama and grandpapa, mother? Oh, I love them so dearly, above the sun and moon and the stars, mother. You have no idea how it felt to meet them finally. I always longed to myself, playing simulations of our greetings, which I wished, hoped, and prayed sincerely to God. When it the moment arrived, I didn't know what to do or think," Lia expressed with glee and bounced in joy as she explained the feelings of meeting her grandparents.

Poor child never lived such moments in her life until last night.

Without an intent to stop, Lia continued to talk.

"I liked grandpapa a lot. Grandmama was very silent, but I still love her," Lia remarked.

Giselle heard in patience all about the tales of an innocent, sweet child about meeting its grandparents for the first time.

When the little one finally exhausted from her storytelling, Giselle took over the lead and shared some of the insider's news of how Melanie, Lia's grandmother, adored the child. Giselle also revealed that Melanie kept quoting how cute and beautiful Lia looked that they mistook her for an angel.

"Not only, grandma, but almost everyone who attended last night requested me to bring you over some time," Giselle revealed.

Lia sensed the sudden fame and exposure. It pressured her and made her pose a sulking pout.

It makes sense because after Giselle left the country with no notice and out of nowhere, it is only natural for her closest acquaintances to wish to learn and to love Giselle and her child, Lia.

"So we're going today to grandpapa's house?" Lia's eyes widened in excitement, ignoring the other requests while setting her sights on to make a better connection with her grandparents.

Giselle shook her head, denying that the event will happen soon. However, she didn't want Lia to fall into the gloom.

"Don't feel sad, sweetcakes, I will take you there soon, but before that, we need to complete a few tasks like you starting school," Giselle uttered to enlighten little Lia.

"Uh-Oh," Lia buzzed as she heard it.

Then she got busy to avoid meeting her mother's gaze.

"Don't 'Uh-Oh' me, and don't look away. You can't be idle at home for a long time. You have to start school soon so that you won't fall behind friends, your age. Hence, I have plans for us today," Giselle revealed.

"We are going to visit my old school," she announced.

"Really?" Lia gaped.

"Yes, I called one of my old teachers. She said that the admissions are still open. So, we are going to take a look, and if you like it, then we can start with the admission process," Giselle explained her thoughts precisely.

Lia listened closely.

"Mother's school? Let me see- I am not sure if I would like it there or not," Lia teased as she said.

Provoked Giselle, fought against her daughter in the pride of her school.

"You will know when you see it. Therefore, go get ready now, and we are leaving after breakfast," Giselle decreed with dominance, which succeeds, for Lia quit following to tease and take on the challenge.

Having established a clear motive, the two pretty ladies parted ways with each other. Giselle went to make breakfast while Lia to start her day with brushing.

..

Soon, after several minutes passed, Lia returned.

She wore her new white skirt with a pink rose top. It was simple and suited Lia very well. Looking mature and confident in her fresh attire, Lia paraded in front of her mother.

Giselle gave instant approval.

The two quickly sat down to gain strength enough to face their busy day.

Lia sometimes preferred to watch television while eating her breakfast. She switched on to her favorite cartoon show, SpongeBob Squarepants. She made a seat comfortable to watch while eating.