Angel

Chapter 12

Axel

Watching Marc hug that little girl as he cried was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I have to admit, I'd had a tickling in the back of my mind from the first moment I saw Violet. Her eyes were so unique, and what are the odds I'd know two unrelated people with heterochromia?

Now, I just wondered what this meant for all of us. I could understand if they wanted to rebuild their relationship without us. They were a family first honestly. I wiped my eyes, then chuckled as the make-up princess had put on me smeared.

"Axie, you messed it up," she pouted, her hands on her little hips.

"Sorry, princess. Maybe BB and I should get cleaned up for dinner. You can do our make-up again later, okay?" I suggested.

She paused, considering my words, then chirped, "Okay. What's for supper?"

Marc swooped her up in his arms as she squealed and told her, "I made little bacon cheeseburgers for you and sweet potato fries. Do you want milk or water to drink, Flower?"

She clapped her hands and hollered, "Yes, bacon!" All of us laughed at her excitement as she told Marc she'd like milk. He held out his hand to Mattie and they headed to the table with all of us following behind them.

Brandon grabbed the plates and we started filling them. I watched as Mattie fixed Violet's plate first, then her own while Marc gave her a cup of milk, kissed her head then sat down next to Mattie.

"So princess, how do you like school?" I asked her.

She swallowed the mouthful of burger she had and smiled, "I really like it. Mrs. Price says I'm smart because I know my colors, numbers, and letters. Mama, what does prodig mean? Cause Mrs. Price called me that today."

Mattie looked confused then Corey offered, "Do you mean prodigy, sweetheart?"

Violet's eyes lit up, "Yes, that's it! But what does it mean?"

Corey gave her a big smile, "That means you are a very smart little girl, sweetheart. You should be proud of yourself." Violet giggled wildly.

"Looks like someone takes after her Mama," Brandon winked as Mattie blushed.

All through supper we continued to talk with Violet and Mattie, letting them share at their own pace. I noticed Marc was constantly touching her hand or leg. Several times, he would swipe at his eyes when Mattie shared a story about Violet growing up. At one point he excused himself from the table and I quickly did the same, following him down the hall.

I stopped at the door, hearing his muffled cries on the other side. I took a deep breath and pushed it open slowly, "Marc?"

He looked up and sighed, "Sorry Ax, I just didn't want them to see me lose my shit."

I sat down on the floor next to him and took his hand in mine, "Hey, you have nothing to apologize for. This is a lot to take in."

"Don't get me wrong," he said, "I'm beyond thrilled to find her again and to have a daughter...well that's just wow... It's just I feel like I failed her, failed them before I even knew them. God, Ax, I wanted to spend my whole life with her from the moment I saw her. Angel's a real force of nature, you know? She makes you feel like you can't breathe without her, but you can do anything when you're with her." The look in his eyes was pure love. Then he dropped his head, "What if she doesn't want me anymore?"

I gently slapped his face, "Stop talking crazy, Marc," I said in an exaggerated tone. "She still loves you. It's written all over her face, man. Just don't push and let it all work the way it was meant to. I have to believe she didn't end up at the law firm by accident. The universe is giving the two of you a second chance."