Chapter Two.

"Could it be Colton's?"

There was no single thought that hadn't passed through Isabella's mind. She was just twenty-two with a failed marriage and now even worse, with a child.

"Are you sure the doctor tested well?" Joan said on the other end of the call and Isa almost panicked.

Placing her hands over her lips. she nodded.

"Twice. I don't think it's Colton's, Joan. It's been three weeks, he's infertile. There was this one time his mother carried out this test before the engagement and he can't have kids. And besides we didn't have sex for months now" Isa muttered.

"Oh my God" Joan softly exclaimed, worry furrowing her brows.

"Do you know what this means?"

"I'm three weeks pregnant, Joan. I'm pregnant for a stranger" There was a sublime crack in her voice before the door knob opened behind her.

"What are you going to do?" Joan's voice pierced through her ears and tears filled her eyes.

"I don't know" Isabella's heart was as troubled as the seas.

And then a frail voice called unto her from behind.

"Bella" It was only Majorie that ever called her that and she put the phone away, turning to face her aunt—the only relative of her mother that she knew.

That she had.

Her mother had died a few days after she was born in a car accident and regrettably, Isabella didn't get to know her. Although all Majorie ever talked about was how much similarities she shared with Isabella.

Her aunt took a seat on the bed, and Isa climbed up, allowing her grasp her callous hands. "I'm sorry" She felt the need to apologize but Majorie shook her head.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Bella. We all make mistakes, although i'm not sure this one is one of those" She had naturally a sing-song voice and Isa rested her head upon her shoulders.

"What do you mean?"

"It isn't Colton's" She added, knowing Majorie knew of her infidelity dilemma. "Whom ever it might be, there is a destiny for this child. A very special one. Your mother was in a situation just like this, more of the many reasons i say you're just like her" Her aunt continued and she scoffed, halting the tears in her eyes.

"But mother had father, before he changed?”

Majorie's fingers ran through her brunette hair with a hum.

"There were many things that happened back then that you don't know about, Isa. Many controversial things like your mother giving birth out of wedlock for your father, and then it was a terrible sin if i might add—that she considered to abort it" Her aunt said and Isa looked up at her.

"Did she?" She asked and Majorie smiled.

"Does she look like she did?"

She scoffed lightly. "You're that child, Bella”

“And your mother made it known how much she loved you before she died—even if it was for a few days but she loved you till her dying breath and was sure she wouldn't have forgiven you if she'd let you go. She said i take care of you, in a way that she would”

“I love you, and i support you, i'd give you all the best advise that she would." She had tears swarming her eyes and Isa nodded.

"What would she advise me to do now?" She asked with frailty and Majorie held up her face.

"Keep it, Isa. You have no idea how much joy the child could bring. I'd want another you, ten thousand even" They both chuckled, holding their hands and Isa placed her head back upon her shoulders.

"I wish mother was here."

She took the advise nonetheless and after thirty nine weeks, she found herself back in the halls of Saint Clarice, this time dripping profusely in sweat and Majorie tightening her hands. "You can do this!" She yelled as the bed was wheeled into a maternity word.

Veins protruded through her neck as a flash of light struck her eyes. She shook her head in a pool of her own tears. "Push" The doctor urged and Isa wailed until there was a crack in her voice.

"I can't."

"I can't. I can't" She said as her aunt brushed her forehead with hers.

"Yes, you can Isabella. One more minute of pain, for a lifetime of happiness" Their eyes met for a conscious second and Isabella let out the most thunderous yell she'd ever heard. And for a minute, she blacked out, letting her head fall back lightly.

Drawing her back into consciousness was the shrill cries of a baby.

Of two babies.

Parting her sour eyes, Isabella's vision blurred the moment she sat up. She heard the snap of the umbilical cord and the baby's bloody frame was wrapped in a blue blanket.

"Here." The doctor handed her the female and she held her in her right hand—she couldn't tell the amount of emotions that flooded her very being.

"There's another one" Majorie's shrill voice called from behind and in her arms was another baby. Handing it over to Isa, she smiled.

"They're beautiful" A familiar voice echoed from the phone in her hands and Isa looked up to see Joan.

Her eyes stung in tears as she nodded. "They are" Her voice cracked. The doctor excused the moment as Majorie sat right next to her. In that moment, Isa realized that her aunt was right.

She was going to love this little things with all her heart, and protect them like her mother did to her.

"It's okay" She tried to subside the cries, rocking the both of them in her arms.

"It's okay, you're okay. You're with me" Isabella whispered, pressing her lips into their head one by one. "You're with me" She echoed.

"I am weak, i am clueless"

"But you will be strength, my guide and my reason to fight. My reason to live. I shall never lack, because as long as i have you, i have enough" She whispered beneath her breath before looking up to Majorie.

"What will you call them?" She asked.

And although Isa hadn't given it much thought until that very moment, she let her eyes fall to her little ones and she just knew.

"Ryan—Ryan and Emily." She smiled, glancing back at her aunt.

"Emily" She echoed and Isabella nodded. "Like my mother, i will love her." She continued as she leaned on Majorie. In that moment, the future was bleaker than ever—but for the first time,

Isabella wasn't worried. She had her twins, and she was okay.