I waited and waited for someone to tell me if my mother was ok. Riley sat beside me in a waiting area, holding Lily as she slept. I was really anxious and worried.

"I hope she's ok", I said to Riley, looking down at my hands in my lap. My leg was shaking rapidly and I couldn't sit still.

"Babe, just calm down, I'm sure she will be fine", he said placing a hand on my thigh.

I couldn't help but smile a weak smile. As much as I wanted to believe him and smile and kiss his lips, I couldn't. I was too worried to even think about doing that.

I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to my mother. Good thing we apologized to each other because what if she didn't recover.

I was sitting and gathered in my thoughts when a nurse walked up to us. I quickly stood up and waited for the good or bad news.

"Good news, your mother will recover. Bad news...". Oh no, what is the bad news? It shouldn't be that bad because she said that she would recover.

"She bruised a few parts of her body and broke a leg but it will heel. Good thing she didn't hit her head or anything that would result in worser injuries", the lady told us.

"Thank you so much", I said a little relieved.

The lady walked away and Riley came up next to me and put a arm around my waist.

"I told you, everything would be ok", he said and then he kissed the side if my head.

***

"Hey mom", I said rubbing her head as she looked up and smiled at me. She lay in the bed with a cast on her foot. I could see a bruise on her arm.

"Hi", she smiled.

"How are you feeling?", I asked.

"Painful", she chuckled.

I let out a small laugh and sat in a chair beside Riley near the bed.

"I'm so sorry this happened", I apologized.

"Awe, honey, it's not your fault. My clumsy self forgot there was stairs", she laughed even more.

"I've never seen you this happy", I said a little confused.

"I've always tried to be a careful person and be so perfect. Now that I have a broken leg,and bruises everywhere, I've realized that I'm not so perfect and I'm just like everybody else. Things in life doesn't always have to be so serious. I guess I'm just letting out what I've kept inside all these years", she explained to me.

I did not know that any of that was going to come out of her mouth. My mother was finally being honest about life. She was keeping the real her hidden all these years. But why?

"Why have you thought like that all these years?", I asked.

"In high school, your father was known as the rich kid that came from a family of business.I really liked your father so I made myself look and feel like him. Once I changed, your father noticed me and asked me out. He was always so serious and about working and business. I was always working and trying to make your father happy so I couldn't spend as much time with you when you were a kid or go out and have any fun. We were always known as perfect and I had to keep it that way for our family", she explained.

Wow, now I finally knew the truth behind everything. My mother was keeping who she was inside. She was caught up in work and trying to make my father happy.

"Do you know how long I've been wanting to know why you two were so harsh on me and why you were never there?", I said.

"I'm sorry. I know I wasn't there for you like I should have been. Everything is my fault", she explained.

"Its not your fault. I should have told you how I felt from the beginning. I was also a rebellious person and I should've let you in", I explained.

When I graduated, I did not give my mother and father an Invitation. Instead I gave them to my cousins and and my favorite uncle. I would have given one to Lina's parents but they already got one from Lina because she graduated alongside me. I shut them out of everything. I didn't want anything to do with them after I graduated because I felt like they were never there for me before. Every time they tried to talk to me, I wouldn't talk to them.

"Stop, Malia. None of it was your fault. It was all my doing and I don't want to here you apologize again", she demanded.

"Sor-- I mean ok", I said and then gave her a big, nice hug.

I looked over at Riley who was still holding Lily. She was now awake, laying down in his arms. I could see a little smile spread across her face as she looked at her father. Wow, I thought to myself. We're parents. Who would have ever thought that Riley Lamberts would turn out to be a good father. I vowed that I would never treat my children how my mother and father treated me. I don't ever want my children to go through what I had to go through with my parents. Riley looked at me, smiled and gave me a wink. I felt butterflies in my stomach.

"We were going to stay in a hotel across the street", I said standing up and talking to my mother. "If you need us, just give me a call".

"Alright", she smiled.

Riley took lily over to my mother and she kissed her little forever and then we were on our way to the hotel.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Short chapter.. I know.

Anyways, I hope the chapter makes sense to you guys.

I know that you guys are just getting to this chapter or other chapters when I'm about to end the story soon but just know that you can comment your thoughts and I will reply. You can chat with me in the comments or dm me :)

Maybe 1 or 2 more chapters to go!

Love Mariealinaa <3