"No" Riley whines, clinging harder to me.
"Riley, honey, you need to let go now" I say, trying to release her grip from around my neck.
"No" she press her face against my neck as the tears starts to fall. "I don't want to"
"Baby, it's okay" I mumble, sighing while handing my mom her backpack. "We've talked about this, you're gonna have so much fun"
"No, I want to be with you, daddy"
"C'mon, Riley, let go" I step inside, moving towards the kitchen. I actually have to go, considering I have to work. "Daddy needs to go"
"Daddy, no" this time she sobs, burying her face in my t-shirt. "I want to come with you"
"You can't today, Ri" I mumble, finally being able to release her grip around my neck. "You're gonna stay her with grandma and grandpa and have so much fun"
"No!" She starts screaming the moment I hand her to Mali-kola, kicking and throwing her arms all over the place.
It breaks my heart to see and hear her cry, especially since it's because she just wants to be with me.
"Hey, honey, it will be so much fun, okay?" I mumble, stepping closer to wipe away some of her many tears. "You'll have a great time"
"Daddy" she sobs, reaching out for me, wanting me to take her in my arms again.
"I will see you in a few days, honey, okay?" I take another step closer, lowering myself down until I'm able to look at her. "We can talk over the phone lots of times. And I've talked to grandma, and she said that you and flapoodle can watch spongebob here every morning"
She sobs again, yet again trying to reach out for me.
"I love you, baby, I'll see you soon, alright?"
"Riley, can you tell daddy that you love him too?" Mali place Riley on her hip, softly stroking her hair.
Riley just shakes her head, crying even harder for me as I move towards the door.
"Don't worry, Cal. She will calm down after you've left" my mom gives me a hug at the door. "We will make sure she has fun"
"Yeah, I know you will" I nod, swallowing. I don't like leaving Riley. I've been with her basically every day since she was born, and she have only spent a few nights away before. She's my baby girl, of course I will miss her... "Just call me if anything happens or whatever"
"Of course" mom smiles. "Drive safe, honey"
"Bye" I quickly kiss her cheek, waving a bye to dad before opening the door. I look over at Riley and Mali, waving my hand softly. "Bye honey, have fun. I love you"
It literally breaks my heart walking outside while hearing Riley scream and cry for me. It takes everything in me not to turn around and run right back inside to take her in my arms and calm her down.
I close the door with a deep sigh. After placing myself in the car, I rub my hands all over my face, trying to calm myself down.
I am not gonna cry. I've left Riley before, and as mom said, she'll calm down and have fun eventually.
With a groan I start the car, driving away with a aching feeling in my tummy. It's been like five minutes, and I already miss her. How will I survive five whole days without her?
-
"How did it go at your parents house then?" Paige smiles up at me, pulling her hair up in a ponytail.
I lean against the wall, rubbing my neck. "Not very well"
"Why not?" Paige grabs a few empty coffee cups from a table, throwing them into the trash can.
