Page 5 of Finding Redemption

Laughing, Sariah walked into the little girl’s room still holding her, while I followed.“That isn’t possible.I missed you the most.”

“How much?”Bella challenged.

“Infinity.”

Her nose scrunched up.“That’s a lot.But not as much as I missed you.”

“Since it’s your birthday, I’ll let you win this round.”Placing Bella on her feet, Sariah stepped back.Bella was dressed in mismatched sleep attire of a Grogu shirt and Cookie Monster pants.“Why are you still in pajamas?”

“Kayla made me sleep in.”She spotted me and froze.“Hi,” she greeted shyly.

“Wait a minute.What do you mean, Kayla made you sleep in?”Sariah’s face turned dark.I’d seen uncertain Sariah plenty.And I loved when I got soft Sariah.But the glitter of anger in her eyes gave her an added strength I wished she carried around all the time.“Where is Kayla?”

Bella shrugged.“Dunno.When I woke up this morning, she yelled and told me to go back to sleep.So, I just stayed in bed and watched videos on my tablet.”

Fire blazing in her eyes, Sariah inhaled deeply as if trying to contain the rage I saw simmer just below the surface.“Brooke, this is Bella.Bella, this is my friend Brooke.She’s a real-life princess, and she’s going to play with you and your friends today.”

“You look just like Rapunzel,” Bella breathed in awe, making my face heat.“Do you have a best friend named Pascal?”

“I wish!But my mom never let me have a pet.”I gave Sariah a glance.“Do you think Riah will dress up as a chameleon for us?”

Giggling, Bella shook her head, beautiful curls swinging around her face.“No way.She hates lizards.”

“Darn!”I said with disappointment and carefully placed my bags on the end of her king-size bed.The entire room was a dream, from the canopy over the bed, to the huge play area off to the side in what I assumed would have normally been a sitting area, and the fully decked-out entertainment center on one wall that was more suited to a teenager than a six-year-old.“Then maybe we can play with these?”

Curiously, she stood at my elbow as I reached into one bag and pulled out two lightsabers.I’d already put the batteries in them, so when I handed one to Bella, all I had to do was flip the switch on mine, causing it to light up and make the iconic high-pitched, metallic-humming sound.

Bella was practically vibrating with excitement—but only for a few brief moments.Right before my eyes, she seemed to deflate.“My friends and their mommies won’t like playing with lightsabers.Kayla said it’s stupid.My friends all agreed.Everyone wants a tea party with a princess.”

“Kayla said what?”Sariah asked quietly, pulling my gaze from Bella to her.

I had no idea who Kayla was, but I hoped she stepped in dog poop.And that Sariah tripped her and rubbed her face in an even bigger steaming pile.

Bella shrugged.“Kayla said that Star Wars is stupid.Only boys are allowed to like it.She told me all my friends will hate me if I don’t give them the right party.And when I asked my friends about it, they all said they would be mad if a princess wasn’t at my party because that was the only reason they were coming.”Her shoulders drooped.“That, and their mommies are making them because their mommies like looking at Daddy.Kayla said they are thirsty, and she’s going to show them because she’s going to have a hot costume that Daddy won’t be able to tear his eyes off.”

Sariah’s laugh was on the maniacal side.“Bella, Brooke is going to help you get ready.Listen to her and trust her.Real princesses are cool.”

“Are you leaving?”Disappointment laced her voice.

Sariah crouched down in front of her, cupping her face in both hands.“No, Bella-Boo.I’m just going to go talk to Kayla about her costume.What if she wears the same one as me, huh?”

Bella grinned.“You’re going to make her change?”

“Absolutely.I’m the only Jasmine in this family.”Winking, she stood.But before she turned, she caught my gaze.

I gave her a nod, letting her know I would take good care of the birthday girl.

As the door closed behind her, I was already laying out two more lightsabers, all of them turned on so we could see their colors.“Do you know what a blue light means, Bella?”

She shook her head, but her brown eyes were darting from blue to red to green to purple.

“Blue means loyalty, stability, truth, and justice.Red is usually reserved for the dark side because it means power, anger, and even hatred.Green is more commonly known for growth, safety, harmony.”I picked up the purple lightsaber.“And then there is mine.It represents nobility—because I am a princess after all—and wisdom.”

“Which one am I?”she asked hesitantly.

I tapped my finger against my chin in contemplation.“Definitely not the red.You are a bit too young to be purple, but I have no doubt you will gain the wisdom needed to become a royal-purple lightsaber wielder.”After another moment of considering it, and having Bella watch me nervously, I picked up the blue.

“Bella Foster, kneel before your princess,” I commanded in my most regal voice.

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