Infidelity.

10. Alive

I went to Aaliyah's room and picked her up. She was fast asleep already. She mumbled in her sleep as I carried her but her words weren't coherent. I thought it was so adorable, but I got emotional over how big she was getting. I couldn't believe it.

I laid her down on the bed between Angelo and I. He wrapped his arms around us both before my eyes closed as we watched Mulan.

****

I woke up to someone tickling me. It was Aaliyah, she always wanted to play even though her little hands didn't tickle me as much. I opened my eyes and smiled at her. "Hi love, did you sleep okay?" I opened my arms to her and she crawled into my lap.

"Yes. I miss you." She hugged me.

I brushed some hair out of her face. "I'm right here, hun."

"I don't want you to go." She mumbled.

Hearing her say those things with her innocent voice, hurt my heart. I knew I needed to spend more time at home, I was trying to make up for it now. I shook my head at myself. I felt like I was turning into our father. We saw him less and less, up until one day he just left and we never saw him again.

I kissed the top of her head as Angelo stirred. "I know baby, how about this?" I looked at her. "I'll plan a girls day for just me and you. We can get our nails done, get ice cream, and I'll get you all pretty by doing your hair. I'll let you play with my makeup too." She stared at me. "Mommy can come too, like a girls day out."

Some tears streamed out of her eyes before her face turned red. She started to cry and sniffle. "Don't cry, baby. I always come back. We can have a sleepover next week. Okay?" I wiped her tears. "How does that sound?" Angelo rubbed her back to soothe her.

She rubbed her eyes before nodding. "Okay, Henny." She said softly.

I hugged her tight and kissed her face all over. "I'm sorry, honey." I rocked her back and forth.

Angelo sat with a satisfied expression on his face as he watched me with Aaliyah. I smirked at him. "I ask mommy for a snack with milk." She beamed at me.

"Okay, go to her hun." I kissed her cheek before she went off.

I fell back into Angelo's arms as she closed the door behind her. "You're much better with kids than I remember.."

I nodded. "I had to help out a lot more now that my dad is always missing. But I also have grown to love taking care of my siblings more. I value our time a bit more than I used to. I don't know what I would do if something happened to either of them. Including Ivan, even though he's the oldest. I miss him." I frowned.

Angelo rubbed my back. "Hey, I'm sure they appreciate all you do for them and they love you even when their eyes are filled with tears because they miss you. Everything is going to be okay, you have them, and they have you. I'm sure Ivan will come around soon, That's a face I haven't seen in a minute also..." he said resting his head on mine.

I held his free hand. "I'm sure too, he can't go too long without our craziness." I chuckled. "What about your sisters? It would be nice to see them and have them around at times." They we're just a year and a half younger than I was, and they were easy to talk to. They were also great for insight on Angelo even just when we were friends.

"They're around for the most part, Letti works in the city so I see her from time to time. Inez is her same feisty self. She's funnier and well put together now. They actually ask about you every now and then but I was away."

I sat in his lap. "What'd you tell them?"

"That I was in love with you and holding out hope that I would see you again soon. I would let them know as soon as I catch you around." He pushed out his lips to me for a sweet kiss. I kissed them. "I miss them asking me for fashion tips all the time. It made me feel good about myself and my passions.." I smiled at him from ear to ear. "I'm in love with you, too. We finally found each other again. I'm glad." I wrapped my arms around his neck before kissing his lips slowly. We made out sweetly for a bit.