Chapter 59 - Sometimes things do need to revolve around Mia
Cesca was now on to her second day of doing nothing. The second day of maternity leave, yesterday had been nice as it meant spending some of it with Jonah, alone just the two of them, nothing to spoil it other than the fact that they didn’t have much time, well not enough for their liking. Cesca rolled out of bed before Jonah woke; a change from the morning before. Cesca felt wide awake her stomach had been so tender and lying in bed feeling sorry for herself wasn’t something Cesca really relished. She had her shower and chucked on some jeans and a comfy floral top, she hadn’t intended on making herself presentable but still somehow she looked sensational, her hair flowed loosely, it had now gone back to its normal curly state. She looked at herself in the mirror, her stomach really had blossomed, a word that seemed way to delicate to describe the size of her, she just felt like an elephant that was just waiting to explode. Cesca couldn’t wait to just be holding her babies, she wanted to see them so much but at the minute all she wanted was her body back, her wash board stomach and tiny frame. She looked stunning either way but she felt more comfortable being herself, she loved and felt honoured to be carrying their twins but it was so close to the end, so near the finish line, all she wanted to do was to reach it. Everything seemed to be twice as painful or twice as long, with Mia everything seemed so bearable but now there were two of them living inside of her it was just hell, double the kicking, double the back ache and double the swollen ankles. Cesca just seemed to get on with it; she wasn’t one for giving into the pain, for letting it take over. She was an independent woman who wasn’t going to be bossed around by anyone even if it was for the sake of her own health. She wouldn’t be stupid and purposefully risk it but she wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing until the babies were born, especially when that meant sitting and doing nothing for over a week. Cesca looked as though she were to drop any second but she technically wasn’t due for over a week, 7 days, that’s days of doing nothing, sitting and staring at walls which wasn’t Cescas style. She still had finishing touches to think about such as packing her maternity bag and putting the final clothing items into the wardrobe. It was the little touches that were making this so exciting that were making this all so much more enjoyable, the thoughts that were distracting from the pain and discomfort that Cesca was really suffering from. Once dressed she headed downstairs for a coffee she wasn’t feeling the idea of having to eat something but coffee definitely sounded good. She plodded downstairs, loaded up her mug with the coffee granules an poured in the hot water, stirring it all round in the mug, allowing the spoon to clank as it hit the side of the mug, she headed back through to the lounge where she sat and enjoyed some peace and quiet, she needed a few moments to sort of arrange her mind and work out what she should be planning to do today. Each day was seeming like more of a drag and everything in it seemed to take that much more effort. It was clear she was near the end of her pregnancy just from the pure lack of energy she had to do anything, she was still out and about but she just had the constant desire to sleep, which she felt might have been more down to the fact she was sat inside doing nothing all day. Why is that sitting doing nothing is actually more tiring than when you are active and busy all day? Cesca had her feet up and the TV on, this was okay for now, the kicking had stopped so there was no more tension in her body, and the coffee was already starting to put her in a much better mood. Cesca was on the last sip of coffee when she started to hear arguing and a tantrum brewing. She sighed before hoisting herself up off the couch and heading upstairs to face the pandemonium. She reached the top of the stairs to find Jonah in the doorway of Mia’s room and Mia on the floor, legs crossed arms followed, her bottom lip stuck out as per usual. “Mia get ready for school”, Jonah moaned at Mia, Cesca’s face filled with frustration, she stayed behind Jonah let him attempt to control it but it was no use. “Mia, daddy has asked you more than once”, Jonah backed out of the way and let Cesca go and deal with her, he stayed for support. “But I don’t want to go to school”, “Baby you don’t have any choice”, Mia huffed, “I know sometimes you don’t want to go, mummy has those days to but you can’t not go. Now how do you want your hair today?” Cesca hoped a question might calm Mia down. “Down”, Mia said, “Okay Mia, right so you get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs, if you’re not down in 5 minutes you aren’t going to be able to go to the park with daddy after school”, Jonah was slightly startled, Cesca looked over at him with a smile, “Thanks Ces”, it was news to him that they were even going to go to the park. Cesca headed down stairs and waited for Jonah to join her, Mia wasn’t going to get ready if they were both watching over her, “Let’s give her some space, she’ll do as she’s told”, Cesca walked downstairs, hopefully the mornings disaster had been diverted.
Cesca sat down on the sofa whilst Jonah rushed around her, picking up books and homework he had been marking that had been scattered all over the place depending on what had happened certain nights, he began eating his weetabix at the same time as tying his shoe which only ended badly, Cesca laughed her hand in front of her mouth, she got up and helped to wipe him down, but there was no use, the shirt had to come off, Jonah stripped of his shirt, giving his wife a sneaky passionate kiss, “Right you, you’re going to be late unless you get a move on”, Jonah gave his cheeky grin before heading on upstairs, Cesca bunged his shirt in the washing machine straight away whilst clearing away his bowl that he had left out in the rush, “Mia “, Cesca calmly called up the stairs just as Mia appeared, she was calm and quiet and didn’t respond as she walked down the stairs, Flopsy clasped in her hand as she walked down the stairs. “Where’s that lovely smile of yours Mia”, Cesca asked as Mia reached the bottom step. Mia didn’t feel like smiling today, she was subdued and quiet and there wasn’t much chance of that changing. “Mia put your shoes on, we going to walk today since we have time and it’s nice”, Cesca said with a smile before giving her little girl a kiss and a morning hug, she then walked through to the lounge to talk to Jonah. Mia began to talk to Flopsy before Cesca came back with Jonah, “So we are going to find Daisy, she needs us Flopsy”. Mia carefully placed Flopsy on the stairs making sure he wasn’t likely to fall before putting on her converses and waiting for daddy to come and tie them up. She flicked her feet back and forth as Cesca and Jonah walked through smiles on their faces, it was clear that they had shared an intimate moment together. Cesca grabbed her coat whilst Jonah tied Mia’s shoes “There we go baby”, he gave her a hug then watched her pick up Flopsy, “She doesn’t seem her usual self”, “I think she must just be tired still, she does like her sleep”. “You’re probably right”, they walked out hand in hand and headed for Mia’s school. Mia walked in front of them well in fact she skipped; Flopsy’s legs flew through the air with every step and skip. They finally reached the school Jonah’s hand surrounding Cesca’s Mia was in her own little bubble, she had her whole day planned in her head, Cesca and Jonah had no idea. They gave hugs and goodbye kisses at the school gate, Mia still hadn’t perked up to being her normal hyperactive self but Jonah and Cesca weren’t worried, after all they had faith in the fact that she must just be tired. Jonah and Cesca also said their goodbyes as it was easier for Cesca to walk home from Mia’s school rather than all the way from Waterloo road. The walking had seemed to have done Cesca some good though she was fully aware that walking was supposed to bring the labour on so was quite glad to be going home and just sitting with what would be another mug of coffee whilst flicking through catalogues admiring baby clothes and the occasional outfit for her. She hadn’t treated herself in a long time and was thoroughly enjoying the idea of being able to by a new dress. Cesca loved fashion as everybody around her knew. She always had the latest trends even when she was pregnant, she couldn’t wear everything but she did what she could. She was such a loving person and so fashionable on top of it all. Cesca was enjoying sitting on the sofa with her feet up today at least she felt like she had actually done something that could be classed as wearing her out. She hadn’t been sat down for long before she received a text from Jonah: Take it easy today, for me. I love you! Cesca laughed and replied with: I guess I should cancel that skydiving lesson then. Cesca couldn’t resist to using a bit of sarcasm, it was her slight hint in telling him that he worried far too much. She put her phone back down on the sofa next to her with a smile on her face. She reached for remote and flicked it over to loose women, this show always made her giggle; it was something all women could relate to. Cesca was enjoying sitting doing nothing, despite originally dreading the idea. The thing was, now that she was 8 months pregnant she didn’t have the same amount of energy, the same amount of attack on life, she just felt so dopey. Just as she had finally got comfy the house phone rang, nobody really rang the house phone, and it was always her mobile that rang not the house phone. Cesca was confused she sat up, her face full of confusion as she answered the phone, seeing that it was Mia’s school – good old caller id, she began to worry. Why would the school be ringing? It had to be something bad...surely? “Hello”, Cesca answered, “Mrs Kirby, this is Steph Haydock, I’m calling about a very urgent matter?”, “What sort of matter?”, “Mia’s gone missing”, Cesca’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach “What do you mean missing”, “She didn’t return to afternoon registration”, “You’ve lost her!”, Cesca was mortified, how had the school lost sight of her little girl, “She’s 4, your all supposed to watch them, she’s not a teenager whose truanting lessons”, “Please stay calm”, “Calm, tell me your joking, you’re telling me my daughters missing and your telling me to keep calm”, “Everyone’s looking for her”, “Clearly not hard enough, I’ll be at the school as soon as I can”, Cesca got up, grabbed her car keys, turned the TV off and headed for the door. Her car keys in one hand her phone in the other as she rushed out the door, she walked down her front door steps, dialling Jonah’s number as she walked to the car, well I say walked it was more of a power walk. He didn’t answer Cesca sighed, before redialling continuously until she was in the car and the engine on. She sped off to the school.
Meanwhile Jonah had just finished his 4th period and was heading off to lunch. He reached into his pocket to check his phone not expecting to see anything; he pushed the staff room door and walked on in, looking down at his phone as he did so. He stopped shocked at the 11 miss calls from Cesca that he had. He quickly dialled her number back, something wasn’t right, something felt oh so wrong! Cesca was turning into Mia’s school as Jonah rang, she answered using her hands free, “Ces, what’s happened”, “J, its Mia. She’s gone missing”, “What?!”, “She didn’t turn up after their lunch break. I am at the school now”, “I’ll meet you there in 5”, Jonah shut his phone down and rushed towards the coat stand grabbing his coat. “Where you going?”, Tom said in a jokey manor, unaware of what Jonah had just been told, “Mia’s missing”, Jonah chucked his coat on as Tom replied, “What do you mean?”, “She’s gone, she isn’t at school”, Jonah began to walk away out the door, “Wait, I’m coming with you, there is no way you’re going through this alone”. Tom always was the perfect friend to both of them; if anything ever happened to Josh he would not forgive himself, as a parent he knew what they would be going through. The boys headed out the door bumping into Karen as they did so, “Where are you going?”, Jonah was panicked flustered to say the least, Tom spoke on his behalf, similarly to Adanna when she told everyone the lie that Cesca’s dad had, had a heart attack to cover up her relationship with Jonah. “Mia’s missing”, “What?”, Karen was just as shocked as Tom, Cesca and Jonah has been, she was 4 years old, she wasn’t planning to run away from home, she wasn’t truanting lessons and importantly loved school. Why had she gone? Where had she gone and most importantly how had she gone? Her school were supposed to be looking out for her, watching all the children, schools are supposed to be safe places, so safe that a 4 year old girl who enjoyed school and would never intentionally leave without a seriously good excuse. “Go, I’ll get someone to cover your lessons, I of all people know what you’re going through”, Tom smiled in response to Karen, “We better pick up some pace, we need to get there”, Jonah said. Tom and Jonah raced out of school jumping in Tom’s car figuring that Cesca had hers to it made sense to go home together in the same car. Cesca had gotten out of her car and had just made her way to reception to find Steph waiting for her, the phones were ringing and teachers were organising where to look. Cesca’s face dropped, it was all so serial her baby had gone. Her little Mia, gone. Vanished. Nowhere to be seen. How had this happened? Why had it happened Mia wasn’t a naughty, well she had her moments but she wouldn’t dream of running away from school? Cesca was beginning to get a little emotional, this was all becoming too much, it was finally all sinking in, and her little girl was gone! “Where’s Mia? Where is she?” she burst out saying, she couldn’t control her thoughts anymore. “It’s alright Ces, I’m here”, Cesca heard his soft voice his arm wrap around her body, holding her close, he kissed her forehead, stress really was the last thing Cesca needed. “We are trying our best, she can’t have gone far”, Steph said, “I really hope so, for your sake”, Cesca nestled into Jonah’s chest as she said “J”, “Sorry baby”, he took the hint that Cesca didn’t want any arguments, she just wanted her little girl back, back with them, back in their arms. Why wasn’t anything simple for them, why did life always have to be the biggest puzzle ever?
Jonah told Cesca to wait at the school with Tom, he needed to find Mia, the school clearly weren’t looking hard enough he couldn’t sit around and wait despite Cesca asking him to. “J, please. I need you”, Cesca was a state now, “Stay here with Tom, I’ll find her. I promise I’ll find her”, Jonah had a tear that was so carefully falling down his cheek as he finished his sentence, “Oh Mia, where are you?”, He said under his breath as he pushed the school door open and bombed towards the exit of the school, running down the streets aimlessly in search of his little girl. Tom offered Cesca a shoulder to cry on, this was always going to feel a little awkward after everything that once happened between them, though it wasn’t much there was still remnants of awkwardness. “Ces, he’ll find her, he loves you too much to see you sit here in pain”, “Then why isn’t he here”, “Cesca, I know it’s hard. I’m here for you okay and so is Jonah but he is trying to find Mia Ces, he can’t be here to”, “I know. Look at me Tom. I’m a mess”, “It’s alright”, he gave her a hug before they both sat and stared into the distance, though Cesca’s eyes were mainly sat staring at her phone. Pressing the button every time the light went out, checking that she hadn’t missed a call or a text from her beloved Jonah. Jonah was running up and down roads, trying to picture where Mia might be going, he headed towards the park he knew how much Mia loved it there. He looked high and low left and right until he saw a glimpse of what looked like Flopsy’s foot, he found a sudden burst of energy as he ran towards her. As he got closer he could see it was Mia was definitely, she looked confused, lost. Her head turned in all directions, Flopsy being clenched tighter and tighter. Jonah crossed the road, running towards her, she seemed to run forward though, still unsure of where she was. “Mia!” he called out, she couldn’t hear him, he ran a little faster, trying again “Mia!” She turned around apprehensively; she couldn’t quite hear the voice so couldn’t tell who it was. He watched as he caught glimpse of her tear stained face. He was now only a few meters away, she knew who it was now, she ran towards him as fast as her little legs would carry her, she ran into Jonah’s arms. He was crouched down, ready to just hold his little girl. “We’ve been looking for you”, he said trying to hold back the tears, “And I’ve been looking for Daisy”, Jonah was startled at her response. He didn’t quite know how to respond, “You know, you could have asked mummy or me and we could have gone and seen her”, “We can?”, Mia said wiping her eyes but miserably failing, Jonah wiped the tear that was now falling down her cheek away before holding her close. “Listen to me, don’t you ever do that again”, “I was scared daddy, I thought I had lost you forever”,” that won’t ever happen Mia, I promise you”, They shared another hug, “Right, I need to phone mummy, she is very worried about you”, “I’m sorry”, Mia said her head bowed down at the floor, “I know sweetie”, he dialled Cesca’s number, holding Mia’s hand tightly. Cesca had almost given up hope, Jonah had been gone for hours she clenched her hands tightly around her phone to the point that when Jonah called she dropped it in shock. She looked at Tom, who instantly smiled, he had a feeling it was going to be good news. She picked the phone up, it was struggle with her bump but she needed to answer her phone. “Ces, I found her”, Cesca had a smile and tears rolling down her cheeks at the same time, it had been a long wait, “Thank you J, I love you.”, “I love you to, it seems we have a lot to talk about, she went to go and find Daisy”, “What?”, “I know, we can talk properly when I am back with her”, “Okay, I love you”. “So is she okay”, Tom asked “Yes”, Cesca said with ounces of relief, Steph walked over to see Cesca, “I heard that your husband has found her”, “Yes, with no help from you”, “We are very sorry, we hope to see Mia at school tomorrow”, “I’m sure you will despite everything, it seems that it might not have been your fault. We didn’t realise how much Daisy being taken into care had affected her”, “She’s young, it was bound to hit her at some point”, “We knew that but we guessed since she was only 4 that it wasn’t going to be really hard for her, we were wrong, really wrong”, “Ces, don’t beat yourself up about it”, “thanks Tom, you’ve been great”.
Tom smiled as Cesca’s head shot towards the door as she heard it open, in came Jonah holding Mia’s hand, Cesca gasped, Mia looked so upset, Cesca got up and headed over to her little girl, Mia ran towards her in much the same way that she had done to Jonah earlier. “Your okay”, Cesca said, “I’m sorry mummy, daddy told me that you were worried”, “I was, but your here now. Let’s go home”, she gave Mia a big hug before skipping off in front of Jonah Cesca and Tom. “I’ll see you tomorrow Jonah”, “Thanks Tom, for everything”, “Really was no trouble”, Cesca held onto Jonah’s hand as they both smiled at Tom as he headed off to his car, Cesca had parked in the school car park instead of the street so they all walked off to her car, “I love you” Cesca said, “I always keep my promises”, “I’m so glad she is safe”, Cesca said, this had been a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. “I’ve had an idea; Mia is clearly missing Daisy, which we didn’t see. Why don’t we pay her a visit, they said we could anytime”, “That sounds like a lovely idea. I feel so bad J, how could we not have seen how upset she has been”, “Ces, don’t beat yourself up about it, I think Mia’s only just realised herself”, “J, what’s it going to be like for her when the twins are around, we’re not going to be able to give her as much attention, were already struggling and we only have Mia”, Cesca was beginning to seriously worry, Jonah broke her worry with a kiss, he would be there and that’s what mattered, “Ces, we’ll be fine. Yes it’s going to be hard, but Mia knows we love her, she’s our little girl, she’ll always be our little girl.”, Jonah let go of her hand and wrapped it around her waist as they walked up to the car, Mia was waiting patiently, this time she was smiling, “hurry up mummy and daddy”, Mia called out after a lot of patience, “Sorry Mia, mummy is just so slow”, “Oi you”, Cesca said as Jonah teased her. Jonah gave her a cheeky grin, “Right I’m driving”, Cesca couldn’t complain as she handed him over the car keys, Cesca decided to sit in the back with Mia. She felt so guilty for everything that had happened; she just wanted to spend some time with her little girl. They started moving and Mia suddenly looked confused, “This isn’t the way home”, Mia knew the road home like the back of her hand, she was forever looking out the window. Cesca looked at Jonah who was looking through the rear view mirror with grin on his face, “Well Mia, daddy and I have decided that we are going to go and see Daisy”, Mia’s face filled with a massive grin, “Really, we are going to see Daisy”, “Yep”, Jonah said, they were so pleased to be putting the smile back on Mia’s face. Mia couldn’t sit still the whole way there; Jonah had rung up the care home so they knew they were coming, they had been told that Daisy was looking forward to it.
They all got out the car, Daisy was waiting at the door with a very friendly social worker, Mia ran straight up to her and gave her a big hug, Cesca looked up at Jonah, “Well done baby”, “Well done?”, “Yes, you made this happen, if you hadn’t found her then we wouldn’t be here”, “Ces, your my girls. I couldn’t let anything happen to you, I don’t think I could have forgiven myself if anything were to have happened to her”, Jonah got all emotional “Aye, look she is here now and I think we need to make this some serious Mia time, it’s clear she needs us more than she makes out”, “Yeah that sounds good Ces”, “Okay well I think their waiting for us”, Jonah held her close, Cesca wiped his tear away before their lips locked and tongues lingered, “That’s better” Cesca said when she saw Jonah’s cheeky grin, “Come on”, She said calmly as she took his hand and followed the girls into the home where Daisy was staying, today was definitely ending on a high, it was nice to just be able to pamper Mia, something they were both starting to realise that they hadn’t done in a whiles since being so wrapped up in the twins and preparing for the birth. Mia loved her mummy and daddy and she always knew they loved her, she really did have the best mummy and daddy, they had brought her to see her best friend, what could have been better!
Cesca sat down on the sofa whilst Jonah rushed around her, picking up books and homework he had been marking that had been scattered all over the place depending on what had happened certain nights, he began eating his weetabix at the same time as tying his shoe which only ended badly, Cesca laughed her hand in front of her mouth, she got up and helped to wipe him down, but there was no use, the shirt had to come off, Jonah stripped of his shirt, giving his wife a sneaky passionate kiss, “Right you, you’re going to be late unless you get a move on”, Jonah gave his cheeky grin before heading on upstairs, Cesca bunged his shirt in the washing machine straight away whilst clearing away his bowl that he had left out in the rush, “Mia “, Cesca calmly called up the stairs just as Mia appeared, she was calm and quiet and didn’t respond as she walked down the stairs, Flopsy clasped in her hand as she walked down the stairs. “Where’s that lovely smile of yours Mia”, Cesca asked as Mia reached the bottom step. Mia didn’t feel like smiling today, she was subdued and quiet and there wasn’t much chance of that changing. “Mia put your shoes on, we going to walk today since we have time and it’s nice”, Cesca said with a smile before giving her little girl a kiss and a morning hug, she then walked through to the lounge to talk to Jonah. Mia began to talk to Flopsy before Cesca came back with Jonah, “So we are going to find Daisy, she needs us Flopsy”. Mia carefully placed Flopsy on the stairs making sure he wasn’t likely to fall before putting on her converses and waiting for daddy to come and tie them up. She flicked her feet back and forth as Cesca and Jonah walked through smiles on their faces, it was clear that they had shared an intimate moment together. Cesca grabbed her coat whilst Jonah tied Mia’s shoes “There we go baby”, he gave her a hug then watched her pick up Flopsy, “She doesn’t seem her usual self”, “I think she must just be tired still, she does like her sleep”. “You’re probably right”, they walked out hand in hand and headed for Mia’s school. Mia walked in front of them well in fact she skipped; Flopsy’s legs flew through the air with every step and skip. They finally reached the school Jonah’s hand surrounding Cesca’s Mia was in her own little bubble, she had her whole day planned in her head, Cesca and Jonah had no idea. They gave hugs and goodbye kisses at the school gate, Mia still hadn’t perked up to being her normal hyperactive self but Jonah and Cesca weren’t worried, after all they had faith in the fact that she must just be tired. Jonah and Cesca also said their goodbyes as it was easier for Cesca to walk home from Mia’s school rather than all the way from Waterloo road. The walking had seemed to have done Cesca some good though she was fully aware that walking was supposed to bring the labour on so was quite glad to be going home and just sitting with what would be another mug of coffee whilst flicking through catalogues admiring baby clothes and the occasional outfit for her. She hadn’t treated herself in a long time and was thoroughly enjoying the idea of being able to by a new dress. Cesca loved fashion as everybody around her knew. She always had the latest trends even when she was pregnant, she couldn’t wear everything but she did what she could. She was such a loving person and so fashionable on top of it all. Cesca was enjoying sitting on the sofa with her feet up today at least she felt like she had actually done something that could be classed as wearing her out. She hadn’t been sat down for long before she received a text from Jonah: Take it easy today, for me. I love you! Cesca laughed and replied with: I guess I should cancel that skydiving lesson then. Cesca couldn’t resist to using a bit of sarcasm, it was her slight hint in telling him that he worried far too much. She put her phone back down on the sofa next to her with a smile on her face. She reached for remote and flicked it over to loose women, this show always made her giggle; it was something all women could relate to. Cesca was enjoying sitting doing nothing, despite originally dreading the idea. The thing was, now that she was 8 months pregnant she didn’t have the same amount of energy, the same amount of attack on life, she just felt so dopey. Just as she had finally got comfy the house phone rang, nobody really rang the house phone, and it was always her mobile that rang not the house phone. Cesca was confused she sat up, her face full of confusion as she answered the phone, seeing that it was Mia’s school – good old caller id, she began to worry. Why would the school be ringing? It had to be something bad...surely? “Hello”, Cesca answered, “Mrs Kirby, this is Steph Haydock, I’m calling about a very urgent matter?”, “What sort of matter?”, “Mia’s gone missing”, Cesca’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach “What do you mean missing”, “She didn’t return to afternoon registration”, “You’ve lost her!”, Cesca was mortified, how had the school lost sight of her little girl, “She’s 4, your all supposed to watch them, she’s not a teenager whose truanting lessons”, “Please stay calm”, “Calm, tell me your joking, you’re telling me my daughters missing and your telling me to keep calm”, “Everyone’s looking for her”, “Clearly not hard enough, I’ll be at the school as soon as I can”, Cesca got up, grabbed her car keys, turned the TV off and headed for the door. Her car keys in one hand her phone in the other as she rushed out the door, she walked down her front door steps, dialling Jonah’s number as she walked to the car, well I say walked it was more of a power walk. He didn’t answer Cesca sighed, before redialling continuously until she was in the car and the engine on. She sped off to the school.
Meanwhile Jonah had just finished his 4th period and was heading off to lunch. He reached into his pocket to check his phone not expecting to see anything; he pushed the staff room door and walked on in, looking down at his phone as he did so. He stopped shocked at the 11 miss calls from Cesca that he had. He quickly dialled her number back, something wasn’t right, something felt oh so wrong! Cesca was turning into Mia’s school as Jonah rang, she answered using her hands free, “Ces, what’s happened”, “J, its Mia. She’s gone missing”, “What?!”, “She didn’t turn up after their lunch break. I am at the school now”, “I’ll meet you there in 5”, Jonah shut his phone down and rushed towards the coat stand grabbing his coat. “Where you going?”, Tom said in a jokey manor, unaware of what Jonah had just been told, “Mia’s missing”, Jonah chucked his coat on as Tom replied, “What do you mean?”, “She’s gone, she isn’t at school”, Jonah began to walk away out the door, “Wait, I’m coming with you, there is no way you’re going through this alone”. Tom always was the perfect friend to both of them; if anything ever happened to Josh he would not forgive himself, as a parent he knew what they would be going through. The boys headed out the door bumping into Karen as they did so, “Where are you going?”, Jonah was panicked flustered to say the least, Tom spoke on his behalf, similarly to Adanna when she told everyone the lie that Cesca’s dad had, had a heart attack to cover up her relationship with Jonah. “Mia’s missing”, “What?”, Karen was just as shocked as Tom, Cesca and Jonah has been, she was 4 years old, she wasn’t planning to run away from home, she wasn’t truanting lessons and importantly loved school. Why had she gone? Where had she gone and most importantly how had she gone? Her school were supposed to be looking out for her, watching all the children, schools are supposed to be safe places, so safe that a 4 year old girl who enjoyed school and would never intentionally leave without a seriously good excuse. “Go, I’ll get someone to cover your lessons, I of all people know what you’re going through”, Tom smiled in response to Karen, “We better pick up some pace, we need to get there”, Jonah said. Tom and Jonah raced out of school jumping in Tom’s car figuring that Cesca had hers to it made sense to go home together in the same car. Cesca had gotten out of her car and had just made her way to reception to find Steph waiting for her, the phones were ringing and teachers were organising where to look. Cesca’s face dropped, it was all so serial her baby had gone. Her little Mia, gone. Vanished. Nowhere to be seen. How had this happened? Why had it happened Mia wasn’t a naughty, well she had her moments but she wouldn’t dream of running away from school? Cesca was beginning to get a little emotional, this was all becoming too much, it was finally all sinking in, and her little girl was gone! “Where’s Mia? Where is she?” she burst out saying, she couldn’t control her thoughts anymore. “It’s alright Ces, I’m here”, Cesca heard his soft voice his arm wrap around her body, holding her close, he kissed her forehead, stress really was the last thing Cesca needed. “We are trying our best, she can’t have gone far”, Steph said, “I really hope so, for your sake”, Cesca nestled into Jonah’s chest as she said “J”, “Sorry baby”, he took the hint that Cesca didn’t want any arguments, she just wanted her little girl back, back with them, back in their arms. Why wasn’t anything simple for them, why did life always have to be the biggest puzzle ever?
Jonah told Cesca to wait at the school with Tom, he needed to find Mia, the school clearly weren’t looking hard enough he couldn’t sit around and wait despite Cesca asking him to. “J, please. I need you”, Cesca was a state now, “Stay here with Tom, I’ll find her. I promise I’ll find her”, Jonah had a tear that was so carefully falling down his cheek as he finished his sentence, “Oh Mia, where are you?”, He said under his breath as he pushed the school door open and bombed towards the exit of the school, running down the streets aimlessly in search of his little girl. Tom offered Cesca a shoulder to cry on, this was always going to feel a little awkward after everything that once happened between them, though it wasn’t much there was still remnants of awkwardness. “Ces, he’ll find her, he loves you too much to see you sit here in pain”, “Then why isn’t he here”, “Cesca, I know it’s hard. I’m here for you okay and so is Jonah but he is trying to find Mia Ces, he can’t be here to”, “I know. Look at me Tom. I’m a mess”, “It’s alright”, he gave her a hug before they both sat and stared into the distance, though Cesca’s eyes were mainly sat staring at her phone. Pressing the button every time the light went out, checking that she hadn’t missed a call or a text from her beloved Jonah. Jonah was running up and down roads, trying to picture where Mia might be going, he headed towards the park he knew how much Mia loved it there. He looked high and low left and right until he saw a glimpse of what looked like Flopsy’s foot, he found a sudden burst of energy as he ran towards her. As he got closer he could see it was Mia was definitely, she looked confused, lost. Her head turned in all directions, Flopsy being clenched tighter and tighter. Jonah crossed the road, running towards her, she seemed to run forward though, still unsure of where she was. “Mia!” he called out, she couldn’t hear him, he ran a little faster, trying again “Mia!” She turned around apprehensively; she couldn’t quite hear the voice so couldn’t tell who it was. He watched as he caught glimpse of her tear stained face. He was now only a few meters away, she knew who it was now, she ran towards him as fast as her little legs would carry her, she ran into Jonah’s arms. He was crouched down, ready to just hold his little girl. “We’ve been looking for you”, he said trying to hold back the tears, “And I’ve been looking for Daisy”, Jonah was startled at her response. He didn’t quite know how to respond, “You know, you could have asked mummy or me and we could have gone and seen her”, “We can?”, Mia said wiping her eyes but miserably failing, Jonah wiped the tear that was now falling down her cheek away before holding her close. “Listen to me, don’t you ever do that again”, “I was scared daddy, I thought I had lost you forever”,” that won’t ever happen Mia, I promise you”, They shared another hug, “Right, I need to phone mummy, she is very worried about you”, “I’m sorry”, Mia said her head bowed down at the floor, “I know sweetie”, he dialled Cesca’s number, holding Mia’s hand tightly. Cesca had almost given up hope, Jonah had been gone for hours she clenched her hands tightly around her phone to the point that when Jonah called she dropped it in shock. She looked at Tom, who instantly smiled, he had a feeling it was going to be good news. She picked the phone up, it was struggle with her bump but she needed to answer her phone. “Ces, I found her”, Cesca had a smile and tears rolling down her cheeks at the same time, it had been a long wait, “Thank you J, I love you.”, “I love you to, it seems we have a lot to talk about, she went to go and find Daisy”, “What?”, “I know, we can talk properly when I am back with her”, “Okay, I love you”. “So is she okay”, Tom asked “Yes”, Cesca said with ounces of relief, Steph walked over to see Cesca, “I heard that your husband has found her”, “Yes, with no help from you”, “We are very sorry, we hope to see Mia at school tomorrow”, “I’m sure you will despite everything, it seems that it might not have been your fault. We didn’t realise how much Daisy being taken into care had affected her”, “She’s young, it was bound to hit her at some point”, “We knew that but we guessed since she was only 4 that it wasn’t going to be really hard for her, we were wrong, really wrong”, “Ces, don’t beat yourself up about it”, “thanks Tom, you’ve been great”.
Tom smiled as Cesca’s head shot towards the door as she heard it open, in came Jonah holding Mia’s hand, Cesca gasped, Mia looked so upset, Cesca got up and headed over to her little girl, Mia ran towards her in much the same way that she had done to Jonah earlier. “Your okay”, Cesca said, “I’m sorry mummy, daddy told me that you were worried”, “I was, but your here now. Let’s go home”, she gave Mia a big hug before skipping off in front of Jonah Cesca and Tom. “I’ll see you tomorrow Jonah”, “Thanks Tom, for everything”, “Really was no trouble”, Cesca held onto Jonah’s hand as they both smiled at Tom as he headed off to his car, Cesca had parked in the school car park instead of the street so they all walked off to her car, “I love you” Cesca said, “I always keep my promises”, “I’m so glad she is safe”, Cesca said, this had been a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. “I’ve had an idea; Mia is clearly missing Daisy, which we didn’t see. Why don’t we pay her a visit, they said we could anytime”, “That sounds like a lovely idea. I feel so bad J, how could we not have seen how upset she has been”, “Ces, don’t beat yourself up about it, I think Mia’s only just realised herself”, “J, what’s it going to be like for her when the twins are around, we’re not going to be able to give her as much attention, were already struggling and we only have Mia”, Cesca was beginning to seriously worry, Jonah broke her worry with a kiss, he would be there and that’s what mattered, “Ces, we’ll be fine. Yes it’s going to be hard, but Mia knows we love her, she’s our little girl, she’ll always be our little girl.”, Jonah let go of her hand and wrapped it around her waist as they walked up to the car, Mia was waiting patiently, this time she was smiling, “hurry up mummy and daddy”, Mia called out after a lot of patience, “Sorry Mia, mummy is just so slow”, “Oi you”, Cesca said as Jonah teased her. Jonah gave her a cheeky grin, “Right I’m driving”, Cesca couldn’t complain as she handed him over the car keys, Cesca decided to sit in the back with Mia. She felt so guilty for everything that had happened; she just wanted to spend some time with her little girl. They started moving and Mia suddenly looked confused, “This isn’t the way home”, Mia knew the road home like the back of her hand, she was forever looking out the window. Cesca looked at Jonah who was looking through the rear view mirror with grin on his face, “Well Mia, daddy and I have decided that we are going to go and see Daisy”, Mia’s face filled with a massive grin, “Really, we are going to see Daisy”, “Yep”, Jonah said, they were so pleased to be putting the smile back on Mia’s face. Mia couldn’t sit still the whole way there; Jonah had rung up the care home so they knew they were coming, they had been told that Daisy was looking forward to it.
They all got out the car, Daisy was waiting at the door with a very friendly social worker, Mia ran straight up to her and gave her a big hug, Cesca looked up at Jonah, “Well done baby”, “Well done?”, “Yes, you made this happen, if you hadn’t found her then we wouldn’t be here”, “Ces, your my girls. I couldn’t let anything happen to you, I don’t think I could have forgiven myself if anything were to have happened to her”, Jonah got all emotional “Aye, look she is here now and I think we need to make this some serious Mia time, it’s clear she needs us more than she makes out”, “Yeah that sounds good Ces”, “Okay well I think their waiting for us”, Jonah held her close, Cesca wiped his tear away before their lips locked and tongues lingered, “That’s better” Cesca said when she saw Jonah’s cheeky grin, “Come on”, She said calmly as she took his hand and followed the girls into the home where Daisy was staying, today was definitely ending on a high, it was nice to just be able to pamper Mia, something they were both starting to realise that they hadn’t done in a whiles since being so wrapped up in the twins and preparing for the birth. Mia loved her mummy and daddy and she always knew they loved her, she really did have the best mummy and daddy, they had brought her to see her best friend, what could have been better!
