Surviving The Aftermath [Book Three]

Thirty Five

Demi

"Demi, what was so important that it couldn't wait until I got back from New Jersey?" I rolled my eyes at the greeting I received from Max the minute I pulled open the front door. I got no 'hello' or 'hi, Demi, how are you today?' I mean what should I expect from a guy who stayed with me just because it was convenient for him.

"Your daughter, Max."

"What about her?" I shut the front door and turned to him, my arms crossing over my chest and resting on my belly.

"You aren't concerned about the fact that she hates you?"

"She doesn't hate me, Demi. It's just a phase, she's 4" my mouth dropped slightly at his inability to understand the problem we seem to be having with our 4 year old daughter.

"You really are delusional. Do you not care at all?" he just rolled his eyes and my hands clenched into fists. "You are such an ass, Max. I mean, what the fuck did I ever see in you?"

"Go on then, Demi. You obviously seem to think I'm the problem so tell me what's going on with our daughter?" he made sure that he put emphasis on the 'our.'

"She thinks that I'm going to leave her. She keeps having nightmares because someone has put it into her head that I'm going to leave her somewhere."

"And you think it was me?"

"It started after she came back from spending the day with you" I was trying not to raise my voice but it was difficult. All I wanted to do was slap him across the face. Baby boy lightly kicked me as if to say, 'calm down, mom.' I lightly caressed my belly and released a breath. "She met your girlfriend and now suddenly she wants nothing to do with you. Did she say something to her about me leaving her somewhere?" he just shrugged his shoulders like he didn't even care.

"Are you jealous that I have a girlfriend? Is that what's going on?" where the fuck did he get that from?

"Max, I couldn't give a shit about your love life. I'm perfectly happy in mine. I wouldn't take you back even if you were the last person on earth" he just laughed at that. "Do you even want to see your daughter? Do you even want to have a relationship with her anymore?" he lifted his wrist to check his watch.

"I've really got to go. I have a plane to catch."

"You're ridiculous."

"I don't know what you want from me, Demi?"

"I want you to care about our daughter, Max" I practically screamed in his face. I was breathing heavily due to the anger that was coursing through me. The only thing keeping me calm right now though was my baby. "I want you to help me make her see that I'm not going to leave her. I want you to see that you need to improve your relationship with her. You said ages ago that you was going to try but you still haven't, Max. She hates you, and the only person who is going to help fix that, is you" I saw Kobe over his shoulder. He leant against the wall and gave me a look, a look which was asking if I was okay.

"She's only 4, Demi."

"Her age has nothing to do with this, Max" we just stared at each other until I completely gave up. "I'm done. I am officially done with all of your shit" I glanced away and rapidly blinked, trying to hold back my tears. "If you want a relationship with Ayla then it's up to you to make it work. I'm no longer going to try. If Ayla doesn't want to see you anymore, I'm not going to force her. You can leave if you nothing else to say" he gave me one last look before he headed for the door. I hoped that he would fight to see her but he didn't and my heart broke for my daughter. I glanced up at Kobe as the front door closed, my hand covering my mouth as I sobbed. He headed straight for me and locked his arms around me, allowing me to cry into his neck. He just silently rocked me; his lips pressed against my temple. "I hate him so fucking much" Kobe just tightened his grip around me and began running his fingers through my hair.

"I know, Baby."

"How can anyone just walk out on their daughter?" I pulled away from him and choked on my sob.

"She doesn't need him, Demi, okay?" he cupped my face in his hands and lightly stroked the tears from my cheeks. "She has me and I don't ever plan on letting her down. You three are my girls and I will protect you all until my last breath."

"You're really cheesy when you want to be" I lightly giggled as he rolled his eyes. "I love you. I don't know where I'd be without you, probably in some mental institute right now" he lightly laughed and leant to press a kiss to my lips. "You really have kept me sane, Kobe, and I will never regret giving you a chance. It probably wasn't the best timing but I don't care."

"Whether you gave me a chance when you did or not. I wouldn't have given up on you, Baby" I brushed our lips back together and wrapped my arm around his neck, my fingers in his hair. I pulled my lips from his and whimpered. "You okay, Babe?"

"Yeah" I nodded, glancing down at my belly. "He's just kicked me in the ribs" he lightly chuckled as he sunk to his knees and caressed my belly in his hands.

"What you doing in there, Mister?" I ran my fingers into his curls and smiled down at him. "Stop giving mommy a hard time" I rolled my eyes and lightly laughed. My heart burst as he leant to press a kiss to my belly. "We need to think of a name for him" he glanced up at me with a smile.

"That can wait. First I want you to take me upstairs" his eyes twinkled as he pushed himself to stand.

"You horny, Baby?" he ran his hands along my waist.

"Yep. You talking to him made me feel all tingly" he laughed as he leant to press his lips to mine.

"Come on then" I bit down on my lip and giggled as he took my hand and lightly pulled me towards the stairs.

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