My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 331

Nina

The morning sunlight had barely started creeping through the curtains when the soft knock on my door pulled me from my slumber. Enzo still laid fast asleep beside me. Groggily, I sat up and blinked at the clock on my bedside table. 6:30 a.m.

“Nina, darling, are you awake?” My mother’s voice filtered through the door, tinged with an excitement I hadn’t heard in years.

“Yes, Mom, I’m up,” I called out, rubbing my eyes.

The door opened, and my mother stepped in. She looked different, happier somehow, as if the promise of the day ahead had already worked its magic on her.

‘We’ve got a big day ahead of us,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling. “The ball is tonight, and we have to find you the perfect dress and get our hair done.”

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling a surprising rush of enthusiasm wash over me. My mother and I hadn’t done anything like this together

– ever. Our relationship had always been cordial, but somewhat distant. Today, it seemed, was going to be different.

“Okay, Mom. Let’s do it,” I replied, grinning.

The smell of fresh flowers filled the air as my mother and I skimmed through the boutique racks, holding up every colorful dress we came across.

“What about this one?” I held up a dark green silk gown in just my right size. It reminded me of the misty forest.

My mom looked at me thoughtfully. “It’s stunning, but I just can’t see you wearing something like that.”

I nodded and returned the gown to its place, secretly relieved. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t me.

My eyes soon caught sight of another dress, an elegant black one that shimmered subtly as it caught the light. This was me. I felt a tingle of excitement as I held it up.

“How about this one?” I asked, turning to my mother.

She glanced over, and her eyes widened in approval. “Now that looks like a winner.”

After that, we headed to the hair salon, which was alive with the chatter of patrons and the hum of hairdryers. My mom and I were led to a plush chair and greeted by a petite stylist with a name tag that read ‘Sophia’.

“So, what are we thinking for today?” Sophia asked, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

“A half-up, half-down style maybe? Something romantic,” I suggested.

“And for you, ma’am?” Sophia turned to my mother.

“Oh, just an updo for me,” my mom replied, her eyes meeting mine with a soft smile.

As Sophia began working on our hair, I caught sight of my mother’s reflection in the mirror. She looked happy, genuinely happy, and I couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through me.

“Mom,” I began, “I’m really glad we’re doing this.

It feels… special.”

She met my eyes in the mirror, her own brimming with a mixture of joy and nostalgia. “Me too, Nina.

It’s long overdue, isn’t it?”

I nodded, struggling to articulate the tornado of feelings swirling inside me. Finally, I managed, ” It’s like we’re starting a new chapter, isn’t it?”

My mom’s eyes softened, her lips trembling as she whispered, “Yes, a new chapter indeed. I’m sorry that this is the first one, but I’m glad it’s happening now nonetheless.”

Sophia pinned the last strand of my hair into place, and I turned to my mother, our eyes meeting once more.

“I’ve always loved roses,” I said. I glanced up, locking eyes with her. “But mom, isn’t this all a bit premature? What if-what if something happens?”

I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Her expression faltered, the joy that had been building in her eyes dimming like a flickering light.

“You’re right,” she said, her voice tinged with sadness. “It’s just… I’m so excited for you. But I understand why you want to be cautious.”

The weight of the moment hung between us, heavy and palpable. We stood there, surrounded by the laughter and chatter of other shoppers, but our own world felt narrow and quiet.

“Let’s get some tea,” I suggested, pointing up ahead at a cafe sign.

My mom nodded, and we made our way to the cafe. As we sat down, the aroma of freshly brewed tea enveloped us, a small but comforting sanctuary when I needed it the most.

My mother took a sip of her lemongrass tea before setting her cup down and looking at me with a soft intensity.

“Nina,” she began, her voice waveringly steady. “I know this is a delicate time for you. I can’t pretend to understand exactly what you’re going through, but I want you to know that whatever happens, I’m here for you.”

I looked down, my eyes blurring as I fought to hold back tears. “Thank you, mom. That means

more to me than you can possibly know.”

She reached over and took my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “You’re my daughter, adopted or not.

I know our relationship has been rough, but I want to make things better. I want to be better for you.”

My throat tightened at her words, and for a moment, all the complexities, the fears, and the what-ifs seemed to fade away, leaving just us here, mother and daughter. I didn’t realize how much I really needed this.

“Thank you, mom,” I murmured, squeezing her hand back. “Let’s be better for each other. Deal?”

“Deal.”