in this world, it's just us.
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VALENTINA
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I used to hate mornings. I hated waking up, knowing I'd have to get up and get ready for the day. When all I wanted to do was keep sleeping.
But lately, I've loved mornings.
Because of a special someone.
"Good morning, mi amor." I cooed, as I picked him up from his crib, that was right next to my bed. I have attachment issues, okay? (my love)
"Did you sleep well baby?" I talked to him, as I took him to the nursery to change him out of his night diapers, and into his day clothes. Obviously, I knew he wouldn't answer, he's only 3 months old. But talking to babies is very important.
"I hope you did. Your mamá slept well, I missed you though." I kissed his cheeks as he giggled adorably. (mom)
Once I was done changing him, I cradled him to my chest and made my way to the kitchen. My apartment is pretty small, considering I'm a single parent and living alone. My parents are being a huge help though, and I'm glad I had an emergency fund set up. I'm not living life the best way, but I make sure my son gets everything he wants and needs. He is always my top priority.
When Alejandro, my baby, was born, it's like my life had meaning again. I had someone to fight for, someone to wake up to. He truly saved me, and every single second of the painful birth was worth it. Alejandro, in Spanish, means 'defender of the people', I can already tell that my son is going to be the most amazing man on earth.
Unlike his so-called father. Michael. Cheated and left, when I was 6 months pregnant. Screw him. I didn't need him anyways.
I started preparing my coffee, while holding Alejandro with one arm. He was born slightly premature and was overall a pretty tiny baby. I set him to lay down in his little playpen that I had in the kitchen, just in case I needed both my hands for something.
I quickly prepared my breakfast, setting it on the table before grabbing Alejandro, deciding to feed him at the same time as I ate breakfast.
-
After breakfast, I went back into my room, set Alejandro down in his crib, so I could get changed.
I really needed to go shopping. He needs diapers, and some new clothes, It's getting closer to higher temperatures, and Alejandro doesn't have many summer-y clothes.
I have a savings account dedicated to Alejandro, sometimes my parents will send money there, and I make sure every last penny is going to Alejandro.
I put on some loose jeans and a baggy t-shirt, with my maternity bra, in case I needed to feed him before I get home. I set my long, brown hair into a messy bun, because it irritates me when it's in my face. I didn't bother with any makeup; I'd probably just sweat it off.
"Come on, mi amor, we're going out!" I smiled at him, as I picked him up. I gave him kisses, as he giggled and grabbed my face with his tiny hands.
I walked to the front door, while making funny faces at Alejandro, as he kept giggling and giving me a toothless smile.
I set him in the stroller, making sure he's secure, and set the nursing bag under the stroller into the little storing compartment. I opened the door, and backed out, pulling the stroller with me. After making sure the door was locked, we started making our way to the shops.
"Valentina, is that you?" I heard a sweet voice from beside me.
I glanced to my right, and of course, Mrs. Rose, my neighbor, was stood there, watering her flowers.
"Mrs. Rose! Hi!" I waved happily, as she set down the watering can, and made her way over to us.
"Oh, he is just so adorable! How are you doing, darling? Do you need any help with anything?" she smiled at me.
Mrs. Rose was an amazing woman. She was there for me throughout my pregnancy, as I didn't really have anyone else in the area. She comes over from time to time, to either cook and eat with me, or try and help me with chores, but I always just force her to sit down and relax. Her company is enough.
"I'm okay, thank you. We were just heading to the store, actually." I smiled, glancing at Alejandro, who was happily swinging his toy around.
"Oh, that's great. Gerard's coming home on Wednesday, would you two like to come over for dinner then?" she asked.
Gerard was her husband. He was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and has been hospitalized a few times since. He's of course getting treatment for it. He had to be hospitalized last week, because he lost consciousness, but they said it was just his body being weak due to chemo.
"Of course, we'll be there." I smiled, giving her a hug, before I continued my way to the shops.
The walk wasn't too far, I lived pretty close to the 'livelier' part of the city. I was looking around, enjoying the scenery and before I knew it, we were in front of the small shopping center.
I walked in through the sliding doors and made my way to the grocery store first. It was the most important one, so I don't want to leave it for last. I made my way through the isles, grabbing the stuff I need for Alejandro, and food, of course. I placed them in the basket I grabbed when I entered.
Soon enough, I was paying, I packed everything into a paper bag and placed it under the stroller. There wasn't any more room, so I'd have to carry the rest of the bags in my arms. Thankfully, all I had to get now was some clothes for Alejandro, so they wouldn't weigh too much. I made it into the clothing store, walking around till I spotted a big sign that said 'SUMMER COLLECTION', just what I need.
I started skimming through the racks and tables, picking the cutest ones possible. I also got a swimming diaper for him, so I could maybe take him to the beach to try the ocean water a little.
I could hear Alejandro starting to whine.
"Are you hungry already, hijo? Or do we need to change your diaper?" I cooed at him, rubbing his cheek with my thumb. (son)
I glanced around to see if there was a changing room in the store, there was. It was in the corner, almost hidden away. I made my way over there, got in the changing room and locked the door, I didn't really want anyone walking in on me changing my son. I had grabbed the maternity bag with me.
"NOBODY FUCKING MOVE. NOT A SINGLE STEP." I heard a loud voice come from inside the store.
What the fuck?
Alejandro was starting to stir; I cuddled him closer and tried to shush him. It was dead silent in the store, until I heard somebody cock a gun.
Oh god. Oh fuck. Shit.
"Empty that fucking register, before somebody gets their head blown off." I heard the voice from before demand.
I quickly handed Alejandro his pacifier, rocking him left and right slightly, trying to calm him, holding him against my chest, and covering his other ear with my hand. I glanced through the crack in the door, and saw a man in a mask, pointing a gun at the cashier.
I need to get out of here. I need to keep Alejandro safe.
"Sir, the police have been alerted, you-" Gunshot. He shot the cashier. Fuck. Shit. Fuck.
"Now, who's next?" The man with the gun laughed manically.
He's going to kill us all. I watched him go around threatening everyone, and I knew I had to move now. There was an emergency exit right next to this changing room. And the door is basically hidden behind racks of clothes.
I opened the door very slowly, slipped out, made my way to the emergency exit, opened it, shut it tight once I was through, and started running down the hallway. I left my stroller there, but that really isn't my biggest concern.
I'm not sure if the cashier was bluffing or not, so I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.
"911, what's your emergency?" I heard a female voice say.
"Hey, my name is Valentina Morales, there's currently a shooter in Celine Mall, in the Kiddie Wish store. He already shot the cashier; I managed to slip out through the emergency exit. Please, get here soon." I panted out to the phone, still jogging down the hallway.
"Alright ma'am, we've got your location, officers and paramedics are on their way." the woman spoke calmly.
"Thank you." I sighed, shutting the phone.
I saw the exit in front of me, I ran out and ended up in an alley. I leaned against the brick wall, giving Alejandro a kiss on his forehead and cheeks, before finally taking a deep breath.
I had to keep my baby safe. I had to.
"Excuse me, are you...okay?" I heard someone ask.
"I'm...I'm okay, thank you." I sighed out. I was feeling extremely exhausted. I didn't even run for that long. Maybe it was the stress and panic.
"You...you need to get away from here. There's a shooter in the mall. I need to leave!" I said in realization, pushing myself off the wall with one hand as I held Alejandros head to my chest with the other.
"I know...do you have a car?" he asked. I finally glanced up at him.
And hot damn, I am so glad I did. He was gorgeous. Dark brown eyes, black, slightly wavy hair, sharp jawline with a very hot stubble. I love manly men. He was at least a foot taller than me, dressed in a navy suit with his large build clearly showing.
"No, not right now." I answered, hoping he didn't notice me ogling him.
"I could give you a ride." he said, looking at me in the eyes.
A year ago, I would've said yes. But now, I have another person I'm responsible for, and I am not putting him at risk like that.
"No, thank you." I said, cradling Alejandro tighter to my chest.
He nodded, "Fair enough. Could I atleast walk you out of this area, away from the shooter?"
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Vincenzo." he answered, "And you?"
"Valentina. Listen here, Vincenzo. You can walk me away from this area, but if you try anything and I mean anything, I will rip off your balls with my bare hands and feed them to you. Understand?" I gritted out.
"I don't think you should be teaching the baby such crude words, Valentina." he smirked, placing his hands in his pockets.
"Do you understand?" I asked, getting antsy.
I want to protect Alejandro, and the best way is to have someone be my human meat shield as we make it out of this area, who knows what the shooter will do.
Why aren't the cops on scene yet?
"I understand, I'm sorry." he smiled, "Shall we?"
"We shall." I said, so ready to crash into my bed and have a nap.
We started walking away from the mall. My strollers there, my groceries are there and I didn't even get him his clothes. This day fucking sucks.
"What's got you upset, Valentina?" he asked. The way he says my name is so hot. Get a grip, girl.
"His stroller. It's in the mall. So are our groceries. I was picking new summer clothes for him when the whole ordeal happened. And now I probably won't get them back." I sighed, stressed about now having to also find a new, and good stroller.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Vincenzo said, genuinely sounding remorseful.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Unless you were the shooter." I muttered.
"I can guarantee, I was not." he smiled.
I could feel Alejandro starting to move around and whine, he's probably getting hungry and sleepy.
"Shh, mi amor. We're almost home." I shushed him, lightly rocking him up and down in my arms.
"Is he yours?" he asked. "I'm sorry if that's a stupid question."
"Yes, he is mine." I smiled. This is the most human interaction I've had in a while, aside from Mrs. Rose.
"How old is he, if you don't mind me asking?" he asked, seeming genuinely curious.
It felt weird. To have someone...care about me like this.
"Three months. He's small for his age, but it isn't really noticeable yet." I answered, kissing my baby on the forehead.
"So young, you had him recently. Are you doing okay?" he asked, glancing at me.
He's...he's asking me if I'm okay. It's been a while since I've heard that from someone else than my neighbor. Ever since Alejandro was born, most people just wanted to know about his well-being, which is totally okay, but it feels nice that someone cares for me too. Even if it's basically a stranger.
I smiled slightly, "I'm getting there. I'm new to...this whole thing so...there's some things to get used to."
"It gets easier when they grow up, kinda. I'm always a call away if you ever need help." he answered.
Okay, first of all, I don't even know him. Second of all, I don't even have his number.
"Do you have kids of your own?" I asked.
He shook his head, "No, most of my cousins have children, and I was always helping them."
"Oh, that makes sense." I answered. He seems like a decent man, but I won't trust that easily. I can't just let anyone near Alejandro, I need to know them well first.
I noticed that we were already far from the mall, and I really didn't want to let Vincenzo know where I live.
"Alright, I'll be fine from here on. Thank you, Vincenzo." I smiled, as I stopped walking.
"You're sure? And, please, call me Enzo." he said cautiously, glancing around.
"I'm sure, thank you, truly, for walking me here, Enzo." I said, and I meant it. It's nice that some people care.
"Give me your phone." he said- demanded.
"Why?" I asked.
"I'll give you my number. So, if you ever need anything, you can contact me." he said, holding out his hand.
I grabbed my phone, unlocked it, and handed it to him. What's the harm? He won't have my number unless I contact him, so I'm safe.
He typed in his number, and handed my phone back to me. "Have a good day, Valentina."
"You too, Enzo." I smiled, as we parted ways.
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TO BE CONTINUED...