Annabelle "Belle" Russo

- so emotional about this because I knew Mom was good, but I didn’t know she could make people look like photographs on the wall.] my God Mom that’s beautiful. It looks like you just took pictures of her and put it on the wall. I didn’t know you did that.

- all of these murals? [I watched her turn around and smile. “ I did.” I almost wanted to cry when I asked her the next question.] even the Selena one? [she had so much pride on her face that I was wiping my eyes again. “ even that one the real queen deserved a place in this building too.” I was -

- with us for a while, right? Because she has charmed the shit out of me and I don’t wanna leave her yet. [I heard Ma say something about her classroom and the little kid in me spun around so fast I gave myself a headache.] I wanna see. Baby!! come on I wanna see her classroom.] mom, who did -

[I couldn’t help the smile on my face when Melody wanted to be lifted into his arms like he was some kind of superhero.] she looks at you the way I look at your dad a superhero. [When Melody called me pretty I couldn’t help a lean over to give her a hug as well as a kiss on her head.] she’ll be -

- hasn’t been changing her like she should because that’s not what the job was. I pulled E off to the side.] Baby, I could come and do that. My hours are flexible like that. Here, Pedro can’t do it, but she shouldn’t have to be forced to be dirty baby.

- of the gym.] Oh my god, I wanna play too! [I laughed while keeping my hand in E’s. “JUJU!” My heart squeezed as Lynn brings in a little girl who has to be Melody.] I’m gonna cry, this is too sweet. [I couldn’t help but overhear Lynn say that the aide that helps take care of Melody during the day -

- as she hugged this boy back and tell him that she would be back next week. I was a puddle of goo when that same boy waved at E as he went back to class. “HI, E!” I gigged as we walked down the hall.] Seems you have fans here too, babe. It’s cute! [I almost fall over at the size and awesomeness -

[I followed Ma inside and noticed the different murals on the walls. They were stunning. There was even a Selena one straight ahead.] So gorgeous! [Ma looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Thank you. That one is my favorite.” I saw one of the kids run up and hug Ma. “Miss you, Miss Lexi!” My heart -

- gorgeous in here. I wish I could go to school here Jesus.

- gym.” I frowned and squeezed E’s hand, not wanting to ask for more information right now. I knew his cousin was a sensitive subject for everyone in this family, but especially him. I was a little amazed with how bright the school was without a bunch of bright lights.] oh my goodness, it’s -

- on her face.] Ma, something else is wrong. I can see it on your face. What is it? [she frowned as we walked across the parking lot and she let us in the building. “ it’s been handled already, but Ronnie was brought up in a not so nice way unintentionally. So Pedro‘s going through it down in the -

- when we left. I feel horrible now. Is he okay? [Ma hugged me. “ yeah he’ll be OK. We just have to remember to let him know we’re going and will be back. There was a long time where I left him and I didn’t come back and that’s what he’s afraid of.” there was something else, though I could see it -

- forgot to tell him we were leaving. He thought we weren’t coming back. That includes you guys too. I think she’s got it for now, but do me a favor when we get home spend some on one with him please.” my stomach dropped because now I understood what I was feeling.] I didn’t even think about it -

- building. [just as I was going to say more I saw Ma crossing the parking lot.] Oh never mind there she is. [She was on the phone, and I got concerned almost immediately from the look on her face. “ hi baby. Your godmother is diffusing the emotional chaos that is now your little brother. We -

- baby it’s huge and gorgeous. I can see why she loves it already. [I opened the truck door, jumping down to wait for him because I had no idea where I was supposed to go.] how do we get in? Do you teach here too or something because I remember her saying you need some sort of ID to get in the -

[I interlaced our fingers as he drove because it made me feel a little safer.] She has so much pride about this place, so I’m excited to see all about it. [my eyes nearly popped out of my head when he pulled in the parking lot. None of the schools I went to looked this nice on the outside.] My God -

I got all caught up. I’m going to eat and then I will be here. 💜

- people I have been with in the past made me feel like I’m insane and they leave.]

- the truck.] I’m not crazy. I swear I just get bad feeling sometimes. I had a really bad feeling the day pop was hurt and from then on I’ve never ignored them. I just wish I knew what it was and what was happening because I want it to go away. [I was almost regretting saying anything because most -

[I smiled, intertwining her fingers as we walked to the truck.] I would like that eventually. I don’t know why but I have a sinking feeling in my stomach and I don’t like it. I don’t know what’s going on that’s giving me this feeling, but I really don’t like it. [I leaned into him as we walked to -

Dinner and then I will be back💜

- would be outside goofing around with us. I felt stupid to talk about it because it seems like he’s the enemy or something now and I don’t know how to approach that the right way.] I’m sure she loved it and always does.

- and the reason I was going to be a foster kid. I grabbed a few more outfits and even a few more stuffed animals off her bed just in case. The Pedro, I knew when I was smaller it was very different apparently but given what I know now I can understand. I remember being so excited with him and pop -

[His question threw me off, but I was assuming it was because I went silent. I wasn’t expecting a little girl to have more clothes than I did.] yeah baby I’m good sorry I haven’t seen this many clothes for a little kid before. [I stopped talking then because I didn’t wanna talk about my childhood -

- I spun on my heels, looking around the room to make sure there wasn’t anything that Gracie could possibly need in the near future.] just a little? I think it’s more than a little baby.q

[once I packed up the Care Bears I looked at the clothes, trying to decide which ones she would like most. Now I sort of understood from a doctor standpoint why Ma struggled with connection when it came to Gracie. I grabbed about 10 different outfits knowing we could always come back and get more. -

dinner and then showtime with my king? You bet 💜 @rivenruffian.bsky.social

- in plenty of time for you to go help Mom. I don’t want to stress her out more than she already has been this morning. I am curious about her school too, but I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes. I think I might use her office when I’m not traveling for work if she doesn’t mind.

[I stood up, wrapping my arms around his neck before kissing him softly.] Why are you nervous? I don’t see anything wrong with it. [I giggled at the bookworm comment before diving into his closet. I grabbed a couple more shirts, and some more sweats.] Let’s go pack up Gracie so that we can be home -

- kept looking at the little details around the room. Different sports things and pictures. The thing that impressed me though was the bookshelf.] you get the reading love from both of your parents I see.