Mama's little girl .

The little girl clasped tight to Mister Browns . She dragged Mister Browns along the hallway following mama and paps. Her mama had dressed her up early in the morning  , in a pink frilly frock. She had worn her velvet tutus , and gave Mister Browns a matching violet ribbon.

"Aren't you the cutest thing ever ? ". An old lady's face loomed in front of the girl. The lady picked her up and held her for a while . For the first time , the girl observed the scenario around her as she sat cradled on the lady's arms .

She was in a large hall , filled with rows of benches and chairs. Men and women in long black coats were seating themselves on the chairs . And on an elevated platform , an old man looked over the gathering . He looked like the old king she had read in stories , except that he wore a black coat like the rest and had no jewels encrusted on them. He had fluffy white hair and held a grave frown.

The girl , sat on her mama's lap and leaned toward  mama's chest for a nap. She heard the faint sound of papa speaking to the old man , in one corner of the room. Another voice of a man wearing the black coat spoke to the old fellow. Mama put her hands around the girl , and clasped her closer .

A few minutes later , the girl woke up yawning. Her mom sat upright , just the way she had when she had gone to sleep. But there were tears trickling down her mom's cheeks. Her mom was sad , and this was not new to the girl. She had seen  her  mom crying a lot many times , when papa shouted in the house. The girl , daubed a tear droplet , with her pudgy little hands. Mama , kept the girl on the bench as she rose to the gathering to speak. Papa stood staring at her , in his usual anger. And the girl heard her name being called out loud.

" Who would be Bella 's legal guardian now ?"

" Me. Stuart can call on when he is free to see Bella. "

Her dad frowned , but didn't speak. After a few minutes , little Bella held her mama's hands and trotted down the hallway again . Tension swelled in the atmosphere around her and Bella hugged  Mister Browns tight. She tugged her mother's finger - " Mama , where is Paps ? ". For  a moment Mama seemed lost in thought , but she regained herself . "Papa's gone to live somewhere else sweets . He'll visit us once in a while. "

Bella whimpered . Her mom picked her up .

" Now now , my strong girl should'nt cry like this.  Common we've got a lot of stuff to do back home ."