Chapter ten

Leo's POV

I was driving recklessly and Bella did not seem to notice, she was quietly applying makeup on her face. I inwardly groaned, the woman did not need makeup. None at all.

"Dad!" Dylan said shaking my hand and I hummed respond to him. "So what's my sister's name?" he asked curiously.

"Angelica," I replied stiffly, shifting awkwardly in my chair. I woke up one day and just found her on my doorstep with a note saying: 'it's your's, take care of it. You can conduct a DNA test, I really don't care...never try to contact me okay, just be happy I did not get rid of it...Michelle.'

"Angelica!" he echoed giggling "I love it! So is she like me, I mean as old as me."

"Um...no." I hesitated "She's only a few months old."

"Aaaah," he said and I could see his pout through the rearview mirror and then he suddenly lit up, "I know, I'll play with her when she's older, when she's eight like me. Then we'll play together."

"Yes, yes you will." I said chuckling.

"So what does she like to do, watch cartoons?" he beamed, " Or maybe play with Barbie dolls like Melinda. What's her favorite food, is it milk? No...milk is not food." he ranted while I shifted awkwardly in my seat, I did not know all that, she was daughter yes, I took the DNA test but ever since then she lived with my mother so did not know anything about her.

"Dad!" Dylan said snapping me out of my daze, I did not even hear half the things he said. "So...tell me is she like all the things I said?"

"Um..." I pretended to think about it, "I don't know," I shrugged but upon seeing his disappointment I added "Why don't you meet her and then we can she if she is like what you described."

"Okay." he nodded slouching back into his seat.

I was looking at Dylan and I didn't even notice that I was in the middle of a T junction, stopping the car just when it was about to collide with a speeding truck from another lane. My body was thrust forward and I heard Bella scream.

"Leo!" she yelled, panic lacing her features. When I did not respond a continued driving recklessly, she added, "What the hell was that!"

"Look, the ceremony just started" I said as if I cared "and I hate being late. It's my daughter's baptism for goodness sake!"

I was angry at myself for not caring enough, when she was at my doorstep I just shrugged it off. I did not care about her in all truths, I left her with my mother because I couldn't stand being near her. She brought back so many memories from when I was happy, at a time where I was at peace with myself not having guilt follow me everywhere I go like a shadow.

I felt Bella's hand on my shoulder and my body relaxed from her touch. I could not help but think that maybe there was a possibility that I would give Angelica a mother and there was no way I was compromise this opportunity for her.

Bella busied herself with brushing her hair and she did not realize that hand was now resting on my palm. I took that as an opportunity to lace our fingers, I just loved the way her soft hand felt in mine.

I smile tugged at my lips as the heaviness in my heart vanished only to return again as the church came into my sight.

I swiftly parked the car near the entrance of the church, yes I drove the car in one gear from the time Bella's hand was enclosed with mine. She took a moment to realize we arrive and she did not waste time to open the door oblivious to our entwined hands.

She stopped abruptly looking at our hands, shock visible on her face and I borrowed the same expression. With a flushed face, Bella pulled out her hand stalking out of the car leaving me to wake up Dylan who dozed off somewhere in the ride.

Bella's POV

Leo caught up to me easily as I climbed the stairs slowly trying not to trip over myself.

Why does this goddamned church have so many stairs. Right now I was on the twentieth stair trying to calm my uneven breathing.

Dylan whizzed past us, calling out for Armando. "Uncle Army, uncle Army...we're here to take Angie home." he beamed.

"Dylan honey, slow down." I called after him shaking my head in disapproval. But my calls went unanswered as he continued to waltz up the stairs.

"He never listens!" I groaned raising my hands in the air.

"Then I will discipline him." Leo stated in a deep, low voice from behind me startling me and could not help but let out a yelp.

"Don't--" I started but was cut off by Mrs Mendoza's loud screech.

"Oh my dearies, thank god you're here?" she exasperated pulling me into a tight hug.

"Nice to see you too Mrs Mendoza." I said smiling at her.

"Oh please don't call me that, call me mom."

She said making my heart skip a beat.

"Mom?" I asked my voice small.

"Yes, you can call me mom," she confirmed it and I could not help the smile tugging on my lips. "You ARE going to marry Leo after all." she concluded, emphasizing the are.

All I could do was smile nodding my head slowly.

"Alright..." Alvaro announced, "Let's get inside, the priest has been waiting for the past twenty five minutes. So get you as--uh I mean...just get inside."

At that, Armando and Leo chuckled along with Mr Mendoza but Mrs Mendoza glared at her son.

"Let's go inside." Leo announced, and everybody obliged. We all penetrated through the archway, my eyes grew with amazement as I scanned the church. It was quaint and charming. I could live here.

"It's not not a house Bella, it's a church." Leo whispered behind me his hot breath fanning my neck.

I rolled my eyes not trusting my mouth at the moment.

"Look at all the stained glass in here it's amazing." I mused.

"Yeah..." he breathed on my neck. Again.

I walked faster only to find Dylan tugging at the priest's robe speaking to him in a hushed tone.

"I'm so sorry priest!" I said as I pulled Dylan away, my face flushing with embarrassment.

"Mom..." he whined "I was just talking to the priest."

"You'll talk to him after Angelica's baptism." I gritted between my teeth. He nodded nervously as we walked back to the family. I stood by Armando who was holding Angelica in his arms, she was so beautiful.

"Here," Armando said placing her in my arms "Go to Bella little Angel,"

I instinctively stretched out my arms as he delicately placed him there, she was heavier than I thought. She looked up at me with her big blue, green eyes her tiny hands steadied on my chest and she gave me a shy smile, snuggling onto my chest.

"Mommy, let's go sit down." Dylan said pulling my skirt to the long wooden benches. I obliged sitting next to Leo.

"We're here to witness the baptism of Angelica Mariah Mendoza, a young innocent soul brought to this world by the will of God." the priest's voice boomed throughout the church and then he started reciting prayers which I did not quite catch.

"Amen," everyone one said in unison.

"At this juncture," the priest continued "I would like to call upon the parents of Angelica along with the child to step forward for the baptism and blessing of the child."

Leo stood up as if he was caught in headlights and looked down at me. I stood up and handed him Angelica. When I was about to sit down, Mrs Mendoza held my hand and said "Go with him, you are going to be Angie's mother soon."

I gulped upon seeing everyone's expectant gazes and begrudgingly walked to the alter standing besides Leo.

"Father," the priest started "we come before this morning to bless this young child in your name and to baptize her, as an everlasting mark for she is your child."

He then instructed us to kneel on the hard floor as he took some items from a younger priest besides him.

"In front of everyone present and the Lord Almighty, I baptize you Angelica Mariah Mendoza in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." he said rubbing an ash coloured powder on her forehead and some oil after that.

Angelica was crying uncontrollably after the priest applied the oil and the powder on her.

"Bring her here." I whispered to a tense Leo who easily obliged. I slowly rocked her in my arms patting her back while the priest recited the final prayer.

"You may rise." he said motioning to us. Leo quickly stood up offering his hand to me. I carried Angelica in one arm and slipped my free hand into Leo's who gently pulled me up, steadying me in my heels.

I offered the priest a small smile and he grinned at me, "Go and be the best mother to your children Mrs Mendoza, you too Leonardo I expect no less."

I was about to correct him when Leonardo said "We're not married..." he paused and then added "yet."

The priest chuckled and then spoke: "I can see the two of you have a long way to go but it is clear to all that you have a promising future ahead of you."

I was dumbfounded and I just blinked to make sure that I was not dreaming. No I was not.

I did think about getting married to Leo ever since the dinner, it was just so far away but I figured it was my only way to freedom.

If I got married I would be free from my father and that was a risk worth while. No, I argued with myself, abandoning the idea.

"Bella, Bella," Leo whispered pulling me out of my trance.

"Yeah?" I answered looking up at him.

"Mom was asking you something." he said, I raised an eyebrow and he just shrugged.

"Bella, let's go take a family photo." Leo's mom said.

We stood outside of the church while the camera man took our pictures. I stood besides Leo who had his hand around my waist per the camera man's insistence while I carried Angelica. Mr and Mrs Mendoza stood in the middle with Armando and Alvaro at the right and Leo and I at the left side. Dylan kept standing at random places throughout the photo shoot.

"Now," Leo's mom announced, "I want a portrait for Leo and Bella's family only, the rest of us don't need to be in that one."

My eyes widened in shock while Leo went stiff besides me as she ushered everyone out of the frame.

The camera man instructed us different poses as Mrs Mendoza beamed at us giving us thumbs up. Gradually Leo relaxed and I made sure keep a genuine smile. Dylan was just being Dylan moving around and striking random poses.

"Those are enough!" Leo announced loosening his grip on my waist and the camera nodded hesitantly putting his camera away. Poor man.

"Just relax okay?" I said placing my hand on his shoulder, "Can you carry her?" I asked after his shoulders sagged.

"Sure," he answered taking Angelica in his arms.

"Mommy, can I take one last picture with Angelica only." Dylan asked and I looked up at Leo for some kind of confirmation and he nodded.

"Yeah sure." I answered and told the camera man to take a few pictures of the two.

"Bella!" Mrs Mendoza called me waving me over and I slowly descended the stairs meeting her at the parking lot.

"I wanted to give you these." she said handing me a baby seat and maternity bag. "I thought you might want to spend some time with her so I..."

"I'd love to." I said taking the items in my hands.