All by Chance {Brollins}

/ Chapter 4 \

Rebecca's eyes widened as she stood up, grabbing Colby's hand and pulling him out of the room. There weren't many people that shared their particular workspace with them, and they weren't speaking loudly, but it did garner a few looks.

"Colby Daniel Lopez." She stopped in a secluded hallway. "Don't you ever, for a second, doubt how highly I think of you."

His gaze didn't fully meet hers, and she grabbed both sides of his face and forced him to look at her. "You're my everything Colby."

She insisted and continued to engrain it into Colby's brain. "There's nothing you could do to change how much I love you."

He nodded slowly, knowing her words were genuine and smiled before giving her a hug. "Thank you."

Rebecca felt bad for him, knowing he didn't deserve to go through the things he was already dealing with. The two stayed hugging until she felt him slowly start to chuckle.

"Nothing could change your mind though? Look at you getting all sappy." He laughed, and she rolled her eyes. "So you're saying even if I committed a crime, you'd still think of me the same way?"

She let go of him and waved him off as she began walking back to their desks. "Who do you think would be the one bailing you out stupid?"

"Fair enough." He nodded, "But you'd only do it because Danielle would tire you out."

"Not true." She laughed, "She listens to me more than you."

"Okay, you've got me there." He admitted quickly, "Speaking of, you still up for looking after her for a bit tomorrow?"

"Definitely." She sat down at her desk, and the two were back to work.

They both worked for Colby's parents as supervisors for their construction company. More of the work Rebecca and Colby did was overseeing projects that other employees planned out. They would then bid against other companies for the warrant and lot to build, reconstruct, or demolish buildings. After that, they would order the materials and choose the builders they needed to get the job done.

The Lopez household had known Rebecca since she was little, and they were always close. So, it wasn't a surprise to Colby when Rebecca finished school, and his parents immediately offered her a position.

She was hesitant to take it at first, which made sense because of her independence, but it was no handout. When Rebecca finally accepted, she was glad to work for everything she had earned.

The workday came to an end and Rebecca found herself back at home. She walked upstairs slowly, moving towards the end of the hall. She stopped just short of her door and turned to her left.

Rebecca stared at the duplicate standard door that stood there. Her hand moved and rested on the slick metal doorknob as a thousand thoughts ran through her mind. She went to open it, but her hand wouldn't budge. Instead, she just removed it from the handle, walking to her room blankly.

She dragged her fingers over the top of her dresser, scanning all of the photos she had placed there, picking up a frame that held a picture of her and Colby as children. She smiled, seeing some cupcakes on the table in front of them and chocolate all over their faces. Rebecca continued to look at some pictures in albums, coming across the album she was putting together for Danielle's first birthday.

She scanned through the pictures she had taken of the baby girl and Colby together, doing different things. There were photos of when he first got her, Colby helping Danielle try to walk, the two playing with toys together, and countless others.

Meanwhile, Colby had picked up Danielle from the local infant daycare centre. She was there most of the days Colby was at work, although sometimes he'd take her in with him. He considered himself lucky to have someone like Rebecca because on the odd days they weren't booked to work on the same days, she would take Danielle.

The baby girl was babbling contently in the back seat as they made their way home. When they got inside, Colby fed Danielle and got her ready for bed. Colby rocked her as he made his way upstairs, past the pictures in the hallway.

"Look, baby, it's Rebecca." He pointed at the one picture he had managed to snap with both Rebecca and Danielle in it.

He bounced Danielle up and down gently as she stared at the picture with Colby. "You know who that is."

The little baby giggled and made grabby hands at the picture. "Can you say, Becca?"

He tickled the little girl's tummy and began to walk away, but Danielle started to fuss and squirm around in his arms. Colby furrowed his eyebrows until he realized Danielle was trying to get back to the picture.

"What? Is this your way of telling me you'd rather have her as a parent?" He laughed, "You have to go to bed."

Nevertheless, he brought her back over for a bit, hoping she'd fall asleep at the sight of the picture she wanted to see.

"Who's that, Dani?" He whispered soothingly, "Say, Becca."

The little girl looked up at him with doe eyes and back at the picture before making grabbing motions again. "Mama!"

Colby froze, not knowing what to think as his stomach dropped. Danielle had said her fair share of 'Dada' before, but never once 'Mama'. Not to mention, she said it in regards to Rebecca. Once she got started, however, she wouldn't stop, repeating the word over and over again at the sight of Rebecca.

Colby looked down in shock at Danielle, who was nothing short of completely happy. "Oh my God."