Chapter 51: Chapter Fifty

Three years later

The little bell above the jewelry shop door jingled as a breeze swept in from the street, carrying the smell of fresh bread from the bakery beside the jewelry shop. The cozy shop gleamed in the afternoon light—polished wooden shelves filled with delicate silver chains, gold bangles and glittering earrings that caught the sun. Behind the counter stood Mirabella, dressed in a simple cream blouse and dark skirt, her long dark hair tied back loosely. Her hands worked carefully over a record book when she heard the quick pitter-patter of tiny feet.

“Mama! Mamaaa!”

Little Rena burst through from the corner of the shop, her small legs wobbling in excitement, her soft dark curls bouncing with each step. Her cheeks were flushed, and her dark eyes sparkled with triumph. She held her head up proudly, showing off two shiny hair clips in her hair.

“Mamaaa, Auntie Bely gave me… gave me… these two pink an’ purple butterfwies!” she squealed, running to her mother behind the counter.

Mirabella bent down, scooped her daughter up with practiced ease, and kissed her chubby cheek. “Aww, my baby. They are beautiful,” she said softly, running her fingers over the little butterfly clips in Rena’s hair.

Rena giggled, wrapping her tiny arms around her mother’s neck. “Yes mama. They sooo bootiful. I like my butterfwy.”

Mirabella chuckled, shaking her head. “They are not just butterflies, baby. They are butterfly hair clips.”

Rena frowned in thought, her words tumbling clumsily as she lifted her little hands to her head. “Ow… hairclimps… cuz dey on my hair, right mama?”

“That’s right,” Mirabella laughed warmly. “Did you thank Auntie Beverly for the gift?”

Just then, Beverly came striding towards the counter. Tall and fashionable as always. She had just finished greeting old Joe, the town’s retired postman who sat daily by the window of the small shop with his newspaper. Beverly leaned on the counter, her auburn curls swaying as she gave Rena a wink.

“Of course she thanked me,” Beverly said with a grin. “My goddaughter is too intelligent and sweet—just like me.”

Before Mirabella could reply, the door opened again with a small dramatic slam. Aria swept in, her red scarf trailing behind her. “Who dares covet my position and title as godmother yet again?” she declared loudly, walking straight toward the counter.

Beverly rolled her eyes. “You never know when to appear. Always ruining family time.”

Aria stopped directly in front of her rival and sighed, placing a hand on her hip. “I guess someone needs a trip to the hospital. Beverly, your amnesia must be getting worse if you keep forgetting who the rightful godmother is.”

“Auntie Awiaaa!” Rena squealed, stretching her little arms toward Aria.

“Oh, my baby,” Aria melted immediately, snatching her from Mirabella’s arms. She kissed Rena’s cheek while glaring at Beverly. “See? My baby recognizes me instantly.”

Rena giggled and planted a sloppy kiss on Aria’s cheek in return. “Auntie Awia always smell like candy!” she announced proudly.

Mirabella shook her head, half exasperated, half amused. “Can you two ever change? Always arguing over who Rena’s godmother is. It’s been three years already, and you still haven’t come to terms with each other.”

The truth was, Mirabella was tired of their constant squabbles. Since Rena’s birth, Beverly and Aria had fought like cat and dog over who truly deserved the title.

When Mirabella had first arrived in Maplewood Falls, Beverly, her cheerful neighbor in the small yard, was the first to welcome her with warm meals, friendship and sweet smile. But the very next day when Aria had shown up, she found Beverly fussing over Mirabella and immediately grew jealous, dramatically accusing her of “replacing” her as soon as she arrived in town. Beverly had snapped back with her famous insult, “who let the peacock in?” and from then on, the two became inseparable rivals.

Even before Rena was born, the two had argued endlessly about who would be her godmother. In the end, neither gave in. They both claimed the title proudly, so Mirabella stopped trying to fight it. So literally speaking, Rena got herself two godmothers—fiery Aria and sassy Beverly, and one protective godfather.

Old Joe lowered his newspaper just enough to peer over the top, his wrinkled face splitting into a grin. “Like cats and rats, those two. Can’t tolerate each other, but can’t stay away either. Till today, nobody even knows what the real fight is about.”

Beverly placed her hand dramatically on her chest. “I’m not the wrong one here. She always wants what I have, Joe. She wants Rena all to herself.”

Aria scoffed. "But my intentions are not bad. Are they? Rena is just too cute and perfect. It's not so bad that I want her all to myself?” Aria retorted scoffing loudly

“Uhmm, Aria?” Mirabella interjected, sighing. “We can say it’s bad, not bad. But Rena is not a candy.”

“Arrrrg! Miraaa,” Aria groaned, kissing Rena noisily on both cheeks. “Are you on her side or mine? My Rena is mine alone.”

Beverly hissed. “Selfish peacock.”

Before another round of their bickering could begin, the shop door opened again and Daniel walked in. His tall frame filled the doorway, his neat shirt sleeves rolled up, his brown hair slightly tousled from the autumn wind. He gave old Joe a quick nod but his eyes went straight to Mirabella, who stood behind the counter flipping through her record book.

“When you two are finally done with your everyday banter,” Daniel said smoothly, “you’ll hand my baby over to me.”

He walked forward, plucked Rena from Aria’s arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and kissed the little girl on her forehead. Rena giggled and clung to his neck.

“Uncle Danel!” she giggled happily. “Auntie Bely an’ Auntie Awia always fightin’. What I do, uncle? Hmmm?” She gave a tiny exaggerated sigh, her words tumbling together. “Dey make me sooo tired.”

Daniel laughed, shaking his head. “Darling, it’s not your fault. They’re just childish.”

Rena pulled back, her little brows scrunching in confusion. “But… Auntie Be’ly an’ Auntie Awia not chil’ren. I am da baby here!” She pouted fiercely, her lips jutting out as if someone was about to steal her official title of “baby.”

Everyone burst into laughter— even Old Joe chuckled from behind his paper.

Rena’s cheeks turned pink. With a dramatic “hmph,” she stretched her arms toward her mother. “Mamaaa!”

Mirabella came in front of the counter and gathered her daughter into her embrace. Rena buried her face in her mother’s neck, hiding from all the laughter.

“You all leave my baby alone,” Mirabella scolded lightly, patting Rena’s back. “You’re stressing her little mind.”

Everyone lifted their hands in surrender, but the smiles lingered.

Meanwhile, Daniel’s eyes never left Mirabella. Her laugh still rang like music to him. She looked radiant as always—her long lashes lowering as she kissed the crown of Rena’s head, her smile tender and soft. She looks like his family. They both do; mirabella and little Rena.

Daniel had been in her life since she returned to Maplewood Falls, and he regretted every lost year when they had fallen out of touch after high school. He regretted not searching harder for her. Now that she was here, within reach, he knew he would not make the same mistake again.

He wanted to be the man by her side. He wanted to be the father figure in Rena’s life. He wanted them—both of them—to be his family.

Though Mirabella had politely declined his advances more than once, Daniel was not the kind of man to give up easily. His patience was deep, his resolve stronger. He would earn her trust slowly, carefully. He didn’t know her whole story, but he could sense that she was fighting her past. She would tell him when she was ready.

And when that day came, he would be waiting.

For now, he was content to stand here, watching her hold her daughter—and that his heart was already bound to the woman behind the counter.