My Brother’s Best Friend

Her Eyes

SKIP

BEING her in my arms again, feeling her warm body against me, smelling her scents, listening to our heartbeats was still a dream to me-it felt like I was floating above the clouds. The feeling of satisfaction-the completeness was overwhelming, and I could definitely live this kind of life forever.

There was no such thing as perfect, but this was the meaning of perfect for me-to be with Arella. Where ever Dad was right now, I knew he would be proud of me because I chose to follow my heart.

I was on a razor-edge with the urge of kissing Arella inside the auditorium. I bloody and terribly missed her, and it was insane how I managed to remain compos mentis away from her for two bloody weeks. Maybe because if I came back and I didn’t have to worry about what I left behind?

I hadn’t seen Ferry in person other than the picture he sent to me, but the voice that called my name from my back was definitely him. He was a huge man and at least older than me by a few years. A dark haired-woman, that was probably his wife gave me a warm welcoming smile. Then a child wearing a bug costume, squinting her eyes from the sun had my heart almost stopped from beating. She was craning her neck as she talked to her mum. All of a sudden, something inside me had awakened, and it was bizarre that I couldn’t even explain.

My smile froze.

My heart was utterly suspended when our gazes locked. My body stilled for seconds, and the world seemed to slow down. I could feel the goosebumps erupted all over my skin.

While our eyes were still glued, I found my feet walking towards them as if I was being drawn. Once I was close enough, I now saw her crystal clear, making my heart thundered in my chest profoundly. Her angelic face reminded me of someone. My eyes watered for an unknown reason, but I could probably give one-I was overwhelmed-overwhelmed to see this child in front of me.

Jesus Christ!

My breathing slowed down a bit when she smiled at me shyly. Her parents released her hands. And when I was at an arm’s length, I was beyond shocked to the core, making my knees weakened and knelt. I shivered-her eyes.

My limbs were still shaking. Tears finally fell from my eyes. She looked at me as if she was examining my face. Her eyeballs were flitting from my hair to my eyes and stilled for a few seconds as if she couldn’t believe what she saw then moved down to my jaw.

My trembling hands raised tentatively as I was afraid to scare her. Then I held her arms when I couldn’t take it anymore. I pulled her into a hug.

She gasped and stiffened, probably from surprise as to why a stranger was hugging her, then she relaxed a few seconds later. I could feel her tiny body, her smell. Good Lord, her smell-she smelled just like her mum. The smell that I’d been dreaming about and missing for seven years. How could this even be possible?

When I released her, I thought I scared her away, but she was beaming at me. She just looked like her mother-her hair, her nose, and the shape of the face. I couldn’t contain my happiness anymore. And I felt something deep inside me lightened up.

“Your eyes!” she gushed. Then her tiny hand was touching my face, just below my eyes.

My mind just blew away.

I just lost my father, but I got someone that was a huge part of my being and found out that she was actually alive. Judging by how she grew up into the most beautiful and wonderful kid there was no doubt that her adopted parents were good people. And they still gave Arella chances to see her.

* * *

RYNNA sandwiched between me and Arella at her dad’s SUV, riding to the ice cream parlor. Alys, Arella’s best friend received a phone call and had to leave early.

Rynna was an enthusiastic kid, talking about her performance throughout the ride, then she changed the topic. “So, Mr. Skip, did you meet Harry Styles?”

I smiled at how she addressed me. A tiny pang of jealousy swirled in the pit of my stomach though. How I wished I was the one in Ferry’s, but things happened for a reason, and she seemed so happy and grew up like a normal kid.

I looked down at her, and she was tilting her head to look up at me. “I will answer that if you will drop the mister and just call me Skip.”

“But Mom and Dad said I should respect older people.”

Her mom laughed softly at the passenger seat. “Honey, you can call him Skip from now on. He’s Aunt Are’s good friend.” Aunt Are.

I blinked and shook the thought off of my brain.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Okay, then. You can answer my question now, Skip.”

“Okay, thank you, Anna. Well, unfortunately, I haven’t met Harry Styles in person, but maybe one day we can arrange and go to his concert. How does it sound?”

Her hand held my thigh. With wide eyes, she gushed, “Really? I would love to!”

“Sure. I will check out online about his concert schedule.” I hoped one day, I could tell her how I met her mother.

Arella seemed so quiet, and with what had happened earlier it felt unreal to me. It was too good to be true, but I knew I was not dreaming. And I didn’t notice she was actually staring at me, smiling. I couldn’t help but smile back and showed her that everything between us was great.

At Rynna’s favorite Ice cream parlor, we found an empty table, and Rynna chose to sit beside me, still smiling sweetly.

“Ry-Ry, honey, give Skip a break,” her mum chuckled.

“I like him, mom!”

My heart just melted. Jesus, what do I get to deserve all these? Arella gripped my thigh under the table.

“I like you, too, sweetheart.” I tucked a strand of her blonde hair that loosened from the braid behind her ear, causing her to giggle. How could I leave this place without breaking down? She was just lovely.

Out of the blue, she blurted out, “Can I braid your hair?”

“Oh?” My brow arched. I chuckled, and so as her mum. “You want to braid my hair? Did you happen to do yours on your own?”

“No.” She shook her head, pouting a little, and caught her braided hair. “Mum did this for me.”

“It’s okay. You can do mine.” I didn’t have any idea why I hadn’t cut my hair, but if I had to spend a lot of time with her, I would rather keep it long, and she could do whatever she wanted as long as I could see the smile on her face.

“Yes! Thank you, Skip!” She faced her mum. “Did you hear that? He said I could braid his hair.”

“You are in deep trouble, Skip.” Ferry returned with a tray of ice cream in cups. He placed down a cup in front of his wife, and for Are and me. I chose the same flavor as Arella’s. Then I noticed what he ordered for Rynna. It was a strawberry cheesecake with syrup and fresh strawberries on top. I inwardly shook my head in amusement. Just like mother like daughter.

* * *

THE BYRNES sent us to the hotel. I couldn’t just go without another hug from Rynna. I lifted her and hugged her, and she instantly wrapped her little arms around my neck and giggled. I closed my eyes, hoping this was not my last moment with my daughter. She may not be mine legally, but she was still mine by blood and nothing was going to change that.

“Thank you for the wonderful treat, Rynna.”

“You’re welcome!”

“Be a good girl always, okay?” I looked at her in the eyes one more time and smiled.

“Do I get a chance to braid your hair?”

I nodded. I didn’t want to disappoint her. “Of course, sweetheart. Your mom and dad will tell me when can I see you again, okay?”

“Okay.” She suddenly turned shy when I put her down, and it made me uneasy.

My brows met. “What it is, sweetheart?”

“Can I ask you something?”

I smiled, trying to lighten up. “Of course, anything.”

“Why do we have the same eyes?”

My jaw dropped. For a moment my brain suddenly froze. I honestly didn’t know what to answer. I cleared my throat and looked at her parents, who were waiting for us. Judging by the look on their faces, they were not expecting Rynna to ask me that question.

I held her hands. God, help me. “Rynna, there are other people around the world who have different eye colors like us. As you grow up, you will see and meet them everywhere. And we may have different eye colors, but just remember this. We’re cool and awesome.”

She beamed, “I know right? We’re awesome!”

“Yeah. We definitely are!”

Everyone sighed. Thank, God!

“Don’t I get a hug now, Ry-Ry?” Arella asked.

“Of course, Aunt Are.” She launched herself to Are. It was quite a view to watch how close they were even though Rynna wasn’t aware who was Arella to her.

“Anna, Ferry, I can’t thank you enough for that call and-” I took a deep breath. “And for giving me a chance to meet her. Although I know and maybe that was not a part of the plan, I wanna thank you both!” How I wished this would not end. I turned to look at Rynna, and she was still talking to her mother. I could see the love and adoration in Arella’s eyes, and Rynna was fancy of her as well.

My heart swelled.

“You won’t take her away from us, will you?” Ferry tensed.

My brows furrowed. “Why would I? Jesus, no! I can love her as a father without taking her away from you. Honestly, I feel awful and guilty for saying terrible things to Arella, but I can see now how you both are so important to her and how much she loves you. And the last thing I would do is hurt her feelings. You both give her everything like the real loving parents would. I’ve no doubt she’s mine, and I can feel it in my blood and my heart, but I should respect her mother’s decisions. You don’t know how happy I am right now that you all allow me to see her and be a part of her life.”

Ferry seemed to relax, nodding slowly.

“Thank you so much, Skip.”

“No, Anna. Please, don’t thank me. Thank yous o so much for being a wonderful mom. And if you two need anything, I’m here. I’m offering this as a friend, and not because of my daughter.”