Her Heart

Chapter 12

Riley's POV

"Honey what's wrong?" For the past 30 minutes Maya has been crying nonstop and whatever I do seems to be the wrong thing.

Carter is coming to pick me up in about five minutes and I'm not even ready.

I pick her up and put her on my lap, "Maya sweetie I can't do anything if you don't tell me what's wrong."

She sniffles and buries her face into my neck, "Stay Mommy. I don't want grandma and grandpa."

I hug her tighter, "Okay I'll stay honey. How about I order us food and then we have chocolate chip cookies."

She nods, "I love you Mommy."

"I love you baby."

Maya doesn't usually get like this so I think she might be getting sick. The only time she ever cries is when she's not feeling good.

I keep holding her and reach for my phone on the coffee table to call Carter and reschedule the date but the door bell ringing stops me.

"Can I put you down and go get the door?"

"No hold me." She mumbles.

I stand up with her in my arms and go for the door. I open it to a smiling Carter but her smile immediately drops when she sees Maya.

"Sorry Carter she's not feeling well I was just about to call you to reschedule."

Mayas head moves from my neck and she looks at Carter, "No stay please."

Carter looks at me for confirmation and I nod my head and move aside. She steps inside and I realize I didn't notice the flowers in her hands and a weird box.

"Come on let's go sit down." I tell her and she follows me to the living room. She sits down on the couch and puts the flowers down but not the box.

I sit down too and Maya this time sits next to me, "What's in the box?" She asks wiping her eyes.

Carter smiles and opens the box, "A turtle."

"Excuse me? A what now?" I ask shocked.

"Oh you know the green things with shells on their backs."

I roll my eyes, "I know what a turtle is Carter what is it doing in my house?"

She slowly puts it on my couch and Maya squeals in happiness, "I got it for Maya."

"Mommy can we keep it?" Maya looks back at me with her big green eyes. How could I ever say no to those eyes.

"Sure honey." I force the words out of my mouth.

The turtle starts walking slowly towards my leg and I jump back, causing Carter and Maya to laugh.

"You're scared of turtles?" Carter asks.

I get up from the couch, "Nope. I'm gonna go put your flowers in a vase."

I grab the flowers and go towards the kitchen. Of course I'm scared of freaking turtles. They bite. Really hard.

The sound of Maya giggling warms my heart. Well her mood changed really quickly. I grab the vase and fill it up with water putting the flowers in it.

I look up and Carter is walking towards me. I look past her and see Maya too busy with her new pet.

"Turtle? Really?"

She leans on the counter, "I told you I'll have a surprise for her."

"Yeah I was thinking a stuff animal or something."