Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

my phone and show her a picture of Bell and Anna sitting together.

She looks at the phone then at the picture of Anna as a baby. “Are you telling me my baby is not dead?”

I shake my head. “We didn’t know about her until a month ago. Bell left her husband and he has been after her. In exchange for her, they tried to give us Anna.”

She falls to the ground, holding herself as it sinks in. I squat down in front of her. “She wasn’t hurt. She’s been with your parents this whole fucking time. She is okay; she is happy.”

“Please, I beg you, take me to her. I will do anything,” she pleads.

River takes her hands, lifting her to her feet. “We’ll leave right now, I promise.”

Her face changes to one void of emotion. “What’s the matter?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “He’ll find me, he’ll hurt me. I can’t let her be in danger.”

“You will not be in any danger. We will keep you safe, and Anna too,” I reassure her. “She’s living with us. We have plenty of room. Okay?” I smile.

She nods. “Maybe we shouldn’t tell her who I am right off the bat? Maybe let her get to know me and tell her when the time is right?”

“Whatever you want.”

She smiles, her eyes lighting up. “Let’s go see my baby.”

Bell

Maverick called me on the way back here. Daniella is alive and a lot better than I expected, but it’s worse in some ways. They told her Anna was dead.

Anna is playing with Ronny, and the seconds are moving so slow. My stomach is hurting from the constant worrying about how this is going to go.

I’m so glad she’s alive. I never knew she existed until today, but I’ve never prayed for someone more.

She deserves a happy life. Thinking your daughter was dead but really wasn’t?

That would fucking shatter me.

They did it to control her, that is one thing I am completely certain about. I wouldn’t allow them to do that with my daughters.

Adeline is pacing the room, just as nervous as I am. Maverick also told me that Daniella made a decision to not tell Anna the truth for a while. I’m so thankful for that. Anna has been through too much and is just now overcoming it.

The hotel door opens. River is the first one through, followed by Maverick and a girl around Jessica’s age.

She looks so scared. I’m sure I had a similar expression on my face when Jessica rescued me from that life.

I slowly walk up to her, my hands in front of me. She sees me. “Bell?” she asks.

I nod. “It’s so nice to meet you.” I smile, itching to pull her to me and hug her.

She splits the distance and hugs me. I wrap her up tight and hold her as long as she needs me to. I cannot imagine what she’s dealing with right now.

Maverick stands by my side, hand on my back, as we share this moment together.

She pulls back. I wipe the tears from her face. “Ready to meet your girl?”

She nods, a tear falling, and I take her hand, leading her over to Anna who is holding her Barbie in her hand.

“Anna, I want to introduce you to Daniella.”

Anna looks up and smiles at Daniella. “I’ve seen her pictures before. She’s my first mommy who died, then I had my second mommy, who is Bell’s mommy.”

Anna’s eyes widen like she can’t believe she said that, then she studies the both of us, confused.

Did she just say that?

“Wait, I’m confused. What is happening?” Anna rubs her forehead. I sit down beside her, taking her hand.

I push her hair from her face. “She’s not dead, baby. We thought she was,” I confess to her.

Anna looks at her, blinking. “Does that mean you’re my mommy?”

Daniella looks like she’s seconds from passing out. I don’t blame her. I thought Anna didn’t have a clue about her; she never even mentioned her. I didn’t know anything either.

What a mess.

My heart aches for the both of them. “I can be if you want me to be.” Daniella answers Anna’s question so softly, her voice cracking as she holds back the emotions.

Anna shrugs her shoulders, smiling. “Want to play Barbies with me?”

Danielle stares at her with stars in her eyes. “I would love nothing more.” She scoots as close to Anna as she dares.

I stand up and walk across the room to Maverick and the others. “I think we’re all going to be okay,” I whisper, overwhelmed.

Maverick smiles, his hand going to my stomach. “I know we will be.” I rest my forehand against his chest. “One day at a time.”

The Next Morning

Bell

I gather some of my clothes for Daniella to wear. I’m not sure if they’ll fit her since she’s so tiny.

Walking out of the bedroom, I see she’s asleep outside Anna’s bedroom door like she’s protecting her.

I bend over, touching her shoulder. She jerks awake, looking around scared. “It’s just me.”

She clutches her chest, leaning against the door. I sit beside her, handing her the clothes.

“I’m so scared,” she confesses, rubbing her eyes, her hair falling around her shoulders.

I replay back in my mind how terrified I was when I left. “I was too. I was with him twenty-five years until my daughters found me. Cult life is so different than real life. Trust me, it gets better.”

She smiles at me weakly. “It’s already better. My daughter is worth all of it. I don’t care if I have to sleep outside of her window just to see her. That’s all I need.”

I take her hand, needing to touch her. “You will have more than that. I have a great therapist who can help you adjust to real life. She saved me on so many levels, but you also have a chance at being happy and not hurt.” I say the last part hesitantly.

She winces. “I was in insolation. This was the third month,” she confesses. I close