Elora
"How are you, my girl? Are you hungry?" I pick up Isra in my hands and I pat her back gently. She started moving her head over my chest and I knew she wanted to eat.
Sitting down on the wooden chair, I hugged her tiny body even closer to me.
"Okay, okay." I smiled at her and pulled my sweater down and then my bra. She quickly latched on my breast and I winced at the slight pain.
She roamed her small arms over my chest and one of her hands grabbed my sweater in a tight grip. Isra was almost eight months old. The date was coming up and I had to look online for some good cake recipes.
I wanted her to have the best day even though it was still not her birthday. She had only me but that didn't mean that we won't celebrate her turning eight months or nine or ten.
When I got pregnant with Isra my world turned upside down. I was at a college party when one of the guys there, started chatting with me. I thought it would be harmless flirting but it turned out to be my worst nightmare. I wasn't really prepared to have sex with him but I was afraid to say no.
Losing my virginity like that was never in my plans.
Rick was somehow nice to me but after that night, I never saw him again. Like he disappeared. It's not like I was expecting him to start dating me but at least I thought that he would check up on me, at least that.
Two months after what happened I found out that I was pregnant. I was going to be a Mom. I wanted to be a Mom but I never imagined it was going to be like this. I always thought that I would have a family and live with my partner and our kids.
I knew that on campus people liked to gossip so I'm sure he had heard something but he never approached me.
After my parents found out, I was kicked out of my home. They said that I was disgraced to my family. And maybe I was. I should have known better than to go and attend college parties. I was there to study and not have fun.
But if you ask me if I'd change anything, I would say no.
When I gave birth to Isra my life drastically changed. I now had a daughter to take care of. I had a family of my own. She was the world to me.
Her hands loosened their hold and I saw her eyes close. She was falling asleep.
I kissed her head, fixed my clothes, and stood up from the chair. I took her to the scroller and placed her inside. Because I worked and couldn't afford someone to look after her, I always had her with me.
Luck was somehow on my side because I managed to start my own business before I gave birth to her. I inherited my creativity from grandma. She was a master at making homemade candles and soaps.
So with time I picked up on her talent and started doing that on my own as well. Now I had a tiny store for candles, all kinds of homemade products and flowers.
It was hard. Managing this on my own at twenty-two was hard and exhausting but I had to do it for my daughter.
This store was previously in my grandma's name as well as the apartment where I live. She left them to me before she died. It's like she knew that my life would turn up like this and that I'd need them.
Maybe she knew how her son and daughter-in-law were. She probably knew that they would never forgive me if I made even the smallest mistake.
And if she suspected that, she was right. Mom and Dad didn't hesitate to kick me out knowing I was pregnant.
They didn't even care to see if I was alright or if their granddaughter was doing good. They wouldn't care if were on the streets or hungry.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I quietly wiped my face and pushed my curly dirty-blond hair away. I should get a haircut soon, it was getting too long.
I continued with work as Isra slept peacefully. My store was visited mainly by regular customers. Mostly elderly ladies. Young girls visited as well, sometimes even men.
Usually when they were buying a gift for their female family members, friends or their significant other.
Work went by quickly and I watched the arrow on the clock get close to seven. It was time to close.
Isra woke up in the meantime and I gave her some squishy toys to play with while I cleaned everything around. Outside the sun was setting and illuminated the store. The warm rays warmed up my skin.
Not even five minutes went by of me cleaning when the door opened.
I turned my head to the entrance and my body stilled.
It was a man. A gorgeous one.
His eyes roamed over the store and then they found me.
He was tall and bulky-looking. A black sweater was stretched over his broad shoulders and chest and the sleeves were rolled up, exposing a couple of tattoos on his forearms.
He had a short, full beard and his brown hair was short in a buzzcut. His eyes were in a strikingly beautiful dark blue color, almost grey looking.
After sliding his hands into the pockets of his pants, he walked towards the counter.
A very soft smile formed on his lips as he approached me. "Hi!" He greeted me and I stayed in awe at the man in front of me.
After a few seconds, I cleared my throat and spoke back. "Oh hello, welcome." I mastered my job voice. The one that makes me sound like I'm cheerful and not tired.
"Um, you are Elora right?" He asked hesitantly. My eyebrows furrowed upwards but I managed to nod my head. Maybe someone who knows me told him about my store.
"I'm Calixto. Cal. You can call me Cal." He extended his hand and I placed my palm into his after a few seconds.
"Nice to meet you, Cal."
"Nice to meet you as well. I'm sorry if this is very out of the blue." We pulled our hands away and I dusted off my sweater in nervousness.
"I'm... I'm Rick's brother." As soon as he said the words I stilled. Rick...
"Well, Rick's half-brother." He clarified. I didn't know anything about Rick or his family.
"Oh, I didn't know." He nodded his head and looked down.
"Two months ago he called me... he was drunk and he accidentally revealed that he might have a child." A lump formed in my throat. Of course, he knew about my baby.
"Yeah..." I didn't know what else to say so I just looked at Isra who was drooling on her toys.
Cal's eyes also went to Isra and I noticed his eyes softened at the sight.
"Rick,... he." Something was stopping him from continuing but he somehow did. "He overdosed a month ago."
My lips parted in shock... he what? I didn't feel any sadness sadly but I was surprised. It's not like I knew him but I still should feel something right? He was the biological father of my daughter.
Words couldn't escape my lips as I started at Cal.
I didn't know where Rick was or what he was doing but this is not what I expected to hear. The first news of Rick were that he was... dead.
Isra started to cry as her toy fell on the ground. I quickly took her in my hands and gave her the other toy that was on the counter.
"I'm so sorry Cal... I didn't know."
"It's okay. I know you couldn't have known." A sadness flashes through his eyes. I mean that was his brother of course he would be sad.
"I didn't really have a good relationship with him. When he told me I thought that it was just because he was drunk but after he died I met his friend and he confirmed. He knew your name." He started to explain and I let him.
"That's when I decided to find you. I'm sorry this is just very unexpected for you but I felt guilty for Rick's behavior. He shouldn't have done that." He didn't have to apologize but I knew he might be feeling guilty.
If I was in his position I probably would have felt the same.
"It's okay. And again I'm sorry for what happened to your brother." He nodded again and then looked at Isra.
She was chewing on her toy and was not focused on what was happening whatsoever. She was still too young to understand everything around her.
"What's her name?"
"Isra. She's Isra." I said and faced the tiny girl in my hands.
"Hello, Isra." He spoke and grinned at her. Isra's head turned to him and she giggled and then proceeded to hide her face in my neck. She was shy and didn't really interact with anyone other than me and sometimes my neighbor Kelly.
Sure she was in the store with me, but she mostly played by herself and didn't focus on people who were visiting.
Ever since she was born she had been only with me. Mom and Dad never contacted me.
"She's a bit shy," I said as I ran my fingers through her brown hair.
"She looks like you." He commented. "She's very beautiful." I felt the blush rise on my face at his words. He didn't mean it like that obviously but I couldn't stop the blush that covered my now hot face.
"I wanted to ask something. I would like to see her sometimes if that's okay with you. I would love to spend some time with my niece." We just met and I didn't really know what to say.
He must have noticed the hesitation on my face because he spoke again. "It's up to you Elora. Only if you're comfortable. I know we just met so I don't expect your answer right now." He reached for his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Look I'll give you my phone number and you can call me. To tell me your answer." I debated for a few seconds and then took my phone and wrote his number on it. He had a very unique name, a name I couldn't spell so that's why I wrote only Cal.
He smiled at me and then waved at Isra. "Goodbye, Isra." She looked at him and then giggled again. She must like her uncle already.
"Goodbye to you too Elora."
"Goodbye, Cal." I watched as he disappeared behind the glass door. His strong presence was gone.
Only me and Isra stayed. It was already time to close and I looked down at my daughter.
"What do you think Isra? Do you want to see your uncle again?" Her brown eyes connected with mine and she continued chewing on the toy shaped like a whale.
I guess I'll have to think about it.
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Calixto
Today Isra was turning ten months.
After my first interaction with Elora, I couldn't stop looking at my phone. All day, every day I hoped she would call or text. And she did.
Two days after I visited her, she called me. I can't lie and say that my heart didn't warm up. It meant a lot to me that she was considering my request.
I would occasionally visit them at the store and spend some time with Isra. She was the most adorable little girl. Sometimes she reminded me of Rick but other than that she was exactly like her mom.
Beautiful.
Spending time with Isra meant of course being around Elora as well. All I can say is that Rick really messed up because Elora was extraordinary. I've never met someone so strong before. She did everything on her own and still managed to put a smile on her adorable face.
At work, my mind would always go to them.
I can't even believe that Rick would do that. How could he abandon her together with their child? I knew he was young when that happened but what was he thinking when he was having unprotected sex with a girl at a party?
I flexed the fingers on my hands at the thought.
He should have known better. But of course, he was never taught that actions have consequences. Dad never held him accountable for any of his stupid decisions. Maybe if he did, Rick wouldn't have gotten involved with drugs.
Because of having different moms, we didn't live together. We only met occasionally, like at dinner parties or such.
I loved him as a younger brother but we weren't that close. He didn't like me snooping in his business or with whom he was hanging out. Maybe I should have been more watchful of his actions.
The light, warm wind blew around me and I looked at the sky. The stars were more visible tonight.
I was currently in front of Elora's apartment building and I was waiting for both of them. She had already texted that they were ready and that I should wait for them outside.
My back was leaning on my jeep and my hands were folded in front of me.
Today I chose to wear a white shirt and black pants. We were going to a restaurant for dinner after all. The outfit didn't look too formal yet it was suitable for the occasion.
After a minute, I saw the door open and Elora stepped out, holding Isra in her hands.
My throat all of a sudden felt dry. Elora was dressed in a beige body-con dress that hugged every one of her curves perfectly.
Her curly hair was down and I had to restrain myself from pushing the few strains of hair behind her ear. She smiled at me as soon as she was close enough.
Tilting her head, she spoke. "Hi, Cal. I'm sorry if you waited for a while. Isra here wanted the toy you bought her last time and I had to look for it. She can't even sleep without it."
My heart was going to catch on fire of the burning sensation I felt at the moment. She was so close to me that I was able to smell her sweet perfume. And then Isra, her round brown eyes were on me as a smile started to form on her chubby face.
"It's fine." Was all I managed to say. Never in my thirty years of life have I felt like this.
Having them like this, next to me, caused a protectiveness to build up in my chest. All I wanted to do was wrap them in my arms and hold them forever.
"Let's go then." I placed a hand on her back and led her to her side. We placed Isra on the back in her seat that I bought specifically for her.
Then we got into the car and I drove off. The journey to the restaurant was peaceful while Elora told me about her day at work.
She loved talking about it and it was clear as the day that she loved her job. I always love hearing her talk about it. Her face would always light up and her eyes would sparkle.
We finally arrived at our destination and I took out Isra and we walked inside.
The waiter greeted us and took us to our table. It wasn't much of a luxurious restaurant but it was something I know Elora would like.
After I checked out the menu, my gaze shifted to her. She chewed on her bottom lip and wanted her eyes on the menu in her hands.
"Order whatever you want," I said and I watched a blush rise up on her cheeks. She blushed a lot.
She did when I visited her after our first meeting, she did when I told her how much Isra means to me, then when I told her that she has beautiful hair.
She also did when I told her what I do for a living. I was a fireman. I loved my job with my whole heart. It was something I wanted to do since I was young.
Elora loved to listen to the adventurous stories that happened to me at work. She was intrigued by it.
They also visited me at the firefighter's station. As much as I loved having them there, I didn't like the stares she received from my coworkers. I knew she was beautiful and single but that didn't mean that it didn't bother me.
With her curly blond hair and deep brown eyes, Elora looked enchanting. She had plump lips and a small button nose that fitted her face perfectly. But my favorite part about her was the tiny beauty mark at the top of her lips.
We ordered food and when it arrived we started to eat. Elora gave Isra a piece of the bread and she happily started biting on it.
"I got a purchase for a wedding. A small one but they asked me to arrange them flowers." She said after she swallowed the piece of chicken.
"That's amazing. When is the wedding?" I knew how much it meant to her. It was her first big purchase.
"In three weeks. I have to start planning everything. I'll have to ask Kelly to look after Isra if she can."
"I can look after her. I'll come to the store and you can work while I look after Isra."
"Cal you have work and you'll probably get tired."
"I'll take the night shift." No one likes the night shift and I'm sure I can arrange it.
"But..."
"Please, I mean it. Also, I love spending time with her."
"Okay then, thank you." We continued with eating and after Isra's small fuss, I took her in my arms. She tapped her hands on the table and I slowly fed her the veggies that I specifically ordered for her.
Elora watched with her eyes full of happiness. It was something I wanted to give her. Happiness and protection. I wanted them to feel loved and taken care of.
The dinner went by quickly and we got into the car.
When we arrived at her apartment building, Isra was already sound asleep.
"I'll take her in my hands. You open the trunk, there's a gift for her." I told Elora and she did as I said.
We started to walk up the stairs and she quietly opened the door. After we got inside, I walked into their room and placed Isra on the bed.
Their home was small and cozy. Exactly how I picture it. It had a peaceful feeling to it.
Elora placed the bag on the table and reached inside. "You didn't have to Cal, you always buy her gifts." She said as she pulled out the toys and a hat I bought for Isra.
"It's not a problem for me, I love spoiling her." I stayed in my place not knowing what to do. The dim lights of the kitchen illuminated the place.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight in front of me.
Elora gathered her hair and started putting it in a messy bun. The bouncy strands fell down her face.
"Thank you for tonight." Her soft voice reached my ears. The distance between us somehow closed and I was able to feel her body heat next to me.
Subconsciously I lifted my hand and pushed the blond strand away from her forehead.
Her eyes stayed on me as I ran my thumb over her delicate skin. My fingertips burned at the contact and all I wanted to do was grab her face and smash my lips over hers.
But I couldn't. I didn't want to sabotage what we had. I was Isra's uncle after all.
So what I did was lean down and place my lips on her forehead. They stayed there for a few seconds and I felt her let out a sigh of relief.
Just as I pulled away, her arms circled around me and she buried her face into my chest. Not wasting any second, I tugged her even closer to me. Her body fit right next to mine. It's like she was made for me.
"Thank you for being here, Cal. Thank you for being with us. I really appreciate you." I tightened my hands around her even more. I needed her like this.
"Always, Elora. Always."
ELORA OLEASTRO
22 years old
CALIXTO VANDENBERG
30 years old
Thoughts on this one?
I initially wanted this one to be a fireman and a nanny but then I changed it a bitð
As y'all can see I love age gap...ð¤
Also I love single parent trope and that's why I decided to write this one.