Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

To be honest, my stomach did a nervous flip when I heard Fidelia's answer.

"It was Monique who told me," Fidelia said with a serious look on her face.

"What exactly did she say to you? Did she look upset?" My heart raced. I hadn't even had the chance to break the news to them, and she was already in the know.

I felt like I was losing control of the situation. After all, my kids were sharp as tacks and slippery as eels.

Fidelia's gaze was uncertain as she shook her head, "She said you and Uncle Jaylan got a divorce. Then she asked me if it meant that she didn't have a home anymore if you and Uncle Jaylan would never be under the same roof?"

Monique's perspective on divorce tugged at my heartstrings.

"Auntie Aaliyah, is what Monique said true? I don't understand either." It was clear that Fidelia felt upset by the news, "But why do you guys have to get divorced? Is it because you don't want to be together anymore? Does that mean my mom and dad might get divorced too?"

I was at a loss for words, not sure how to respond.

Camilla had indeed confided in me that she was considering it.

Seeing my silence, Fidelia snuggled closer, "Anyway, I feel like they don't love me whether they're divorced or not. I don't care."

"Did Monique say she didn't care either?" I asked quickly, a hint of urgency in my voice.

I was worried. Among the two older kids, Monique was the tough cookie, while Probert was my little guardian angel, always looking out for me. I felt that with him, things wouldn't be too bad.

After a moment's thought, Fidelia said, "The first day she told me, she seemed really sad. But by the next day, she said she had come to terms with it. She figured that everyone has to grow up, and all she had to do was to take good care of Oldtown Avenue, to be the princess of Oldtown Avenue. She also said she was on your side."

"Really?" I felt a surge of happiness, "Did she say why she chose to be on my side?"

"She said that a mom is a woman, and women need to be taken care of. She felt that when it comes to caring for them, you did more than Uncle Jaylan. She called you capable and responsible."

My eyes misted over, warmed by the thought that Monique saw me in such a light. She really was growing up.

"What else did she say?"

"She also mentioned that when you were sick, you couldn't take care of them, and once you got better, you were super nice to her and Probert. Probert and she agreed they need to take good care of you. And they saw the news, the internet is all saying that Uncle Jaylan made a big mistake, the unforgivable kind. Monique said if Uncle Jaylan did wrong by you, they would do wrong by him to even the score. Probert also said they still have their grandma and grandpa, and they are better educators than the Dawsons, knowledgeable and not like the Dawson folks, who only know how to curse."

"All this came from them?" I sniffled.

"Yeah, Probert agreed, saying he'll take care of us in the future."

I smiled, feeling a sense of pride and relief. My kids were amazing. It seemed like I'd need to have a heart-to-heart with them once we got back to Silverdale City.

"Auntie Aaliyah, does it mean my parents should get divorced too since my dad has a son now, and he probably loves me even less? But I don't have nice grandparents as Probert does, and only he says he'll take care of me."

Fidelia's words were filled with sorrow.

I wrapped my arms around her, patting her back, "Sweetheart, you're only truly strong when you can stand on your own two feet. No one can stay with you forever, but Probert is right. If he says he'll take care of you, he will. So don't be afraid. Having siblings means you have support, and that's something you can count on. You're their big sister, and you need to be strong too, to protect your little brothers and sisters. And of course, they'll protect you. One day, you'll work together and succeed together. And their grandparents are just as much yours. Do you think Grandma and Grandpa are good to you?" "They're great. They really like me." Fidelia's smile was adorably goofy.

I countered, "Then what's there to worry about?"

With that, Fidelia's smile returned, and I couldn't help but let out a pure chuckle.