Third wheel, Anna was always the third wheel when it comes to Hope and April. Someone whose presence was unwanted but tolerated.

Anna knew she was harsh on her family. She also knew wallowing in self pity wasn't going to help anyone. She made her choices and wishing she could undo them doesn't make it so.

Anna knew she should be grateful towards April. 16 year old Anna sure saw her as a Guardian Angel sent to rescue her from everything.

How else could she explain the sudden arrival of a distant second cousin when she really needed someone on her corner.

The terrified pregnant 16 year old Anna needed April to face the wrath of her parents, the disappointment in their faces and then the cold controlled anger at their only daughter for falling from the pedestal.

The only reason they hadn't kicked her out of the house was because of Anna. She had been visiting her family at that time and her parents who prided themselves as perfect family couldn't kick her out and face the failure.

April at first suggested Anna should get an abortion that was quickly rejected by her parents as murder. April then convinced her parents adoption was the wise choice. She had been convinced that Anna couldn't handle being a single mother at such an young age.

Anna was relieved when her parents agreed to it because she was still a kid unsure of life much less being responsible for a child. Even if it was her own.

Back then Anna didn't know April wanted a child for her own. When Hope was born, her adopted parents changed their mind at the last minute because the wife got pregnant. When it looked like Anna would be raising Hope, April stepped in and choose to adopt her.

Anna and her parents were grateful. Unlike Anna, April was an adult who was more than capable of being a single mother. Also the fact, Anna could be part of Hope's life was like a miracle.

Anna was also a little jealous because even if she wanted to provide for Hope, she couldn't afford anything. Her parents shown their disappointment by cutting her off financially and she had to work two part time jobs to pay for her college.

So she distanced herself and only allowed herself to visit Hope whenever she could afford to buy her anything even if it is a small toy. Back then she didn't realize Hope would have liked her more if she was around as she grew up then being the fun aunt who visited with cool presents.

When Anna met Tristan, she felt like her life was finally working out the way she wanted and she settled down, got married and gave birth to the twins.

Anna's life should have been perfectly happy but there was always Hope in the back of her mind. Anna's biggest regret whenever she saw Hope calling April mom. Anna knew Hope had a better life than she could have provided and she should have been content with the knowledge that Hope was happy.

But there was always the truth that stood between them. When she got pregnant again, she felt like she was betraying Hope by having a new family. So she tried harder to be part of Hope's life and every single rejection from Hope created the biggest regret of her life.

"What is going on Anna? You look upset?" April spoke up trying to include her in the conversation.

For the last hour. April and Hope were discussing Hope's wedding and were making plans together. Anna as always felt like she couldn't voice out any suggestion because she didn't feel like she had any right.

Her own guilt remained the biggest obstacle in Anna's life. For failing Hope and for not being a better mother to her. Failing as a mother was her biggest fear. Every day raising the twins made her nervous and anxious as if she was one mistake away from destroying her kids life.

"Grace and I got into an disagreement today. Tristan thinks I am being too strict with her because I said No to over night trip with Jake, her boyfriend. Even when she promised that the overnight is because it was too long to drive back at night. I know she is growing up but what if she made the same mistakes as I did" Anna spoke up and winced when Hope flinched at her words.

Hope wasn't a mistake. But getting pregnant at 16 when she was not prepared to be a parent was the reason she is filled with regret for losing one daughter and if Grace got pregnant like her then she feared that she would have failed as a parent again.

Tristan told her that her fears were unfound and her circumstances and Grace were entirely different.

"We won't abandon Grace like your Parents did Anna, she will always have our support that you need to stop worrying too much " Tristan told her just before he dropped her off at April's home. But she hadn't been able to get over Grace disappointment in her and feared her daughter may hate her and ended up speaking without thinking it through thus hurting Hope as well.

"You know I didn't mean it like that Hope. My only regret was not being able to raise you on my own. " Anna clarified and wished her daughter wouldn't mistake her words.

"I was worried too when Hope started dating. I was worried she would get her heart broken or choose someone wrong for her. As a parent we would always worry Anna. Now look Hope is all grown up that she is getting married in two months " April spoke up and Anna was glad that got the topic diverted to Hope's wedding again.

Anna was 46 years old and she still needed April to help her out with Hope. She still needed April to be the voice of reason whenever Anna gets drowned in her own insecurities. Anna would always need April to be the peacemaker of the family.

It was the reason Anna would never ask April about her past. Even when she knew the truth that April lied to her when she claimed to be her second cousin. To Anna, April would always be her Guardian Angel.

P.S:" That is it for now. Let me know your thoughts and feedbacks. Hit the votes if you liked it"

Juanita Reid.