The coincidence | Rudy Pankow

31: my girls

𝑅𝓊𝒹𝓎'𝓈 𝒫.𝒪.𝒱

My anger was like a storm, powerful and all-consuming, but i fought to keep it contained for the sake of maisie and Layla. Every moment felt like walking on the edge, desperately trying to keep a lid on the raging fire inside myself. I knew that if I let it out, it would consume everything in its path. But for their sake, I  forced myself to stay composed. I could not believe that Layla's sister and parents had just tried to buy my daughter. they not only tried to buy mine and Layla's child, they also told her she wasn't giving Maisie the best childhood when I know Layla's been doing everything she can for our daughter, the best she can for Maisie.

My disbelief and anger intensified as soon as I heard  Layla's sister and parents had attempted to buy my daughter. The accusation that Layla wasn't providing the best childhood for Maisie fueled his rage. I knew how hard Layla was trying, and the audacity of the family to even suggest such a thing was infuriating.

Turning my head, seeing my girls asleep on the couch next to me Layla looks peaceful with our daughter on her chest.

Them sleeping peacefully on the couch next to me. The sight of my girls filled my heart with a mix of love and protection. In that moment, the storm of anger inside me quieted, replaced by a sense of contentment. I watched them sleep, grateful for the moments of peace, and knowing i would do anything to keep them safe.

My thoughts drifted to the events of the day, the anger and hurt still fresh in my mind. I knew i would need to confront Layla's family and set the record straight, but for now, i just wanted to cherish this moment of peace with my girls. I gently reached out to brush a strand of hair out of Layla's face, my touch gentle and tender.

My gaze shifted to Maisie, who slept peacefully with her small hand clutching a loose strand of Layla's hair. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of the bond between my daughter and Layla. Even in sleep, Maisie seemed to seek comfort in her mom's  presence.

As I sat there, watching my girls sleep, my mind began to clear. The anger and hurt began to fade, replaced by a sense of clarity. I knew what i had to do to protect Maisie and Layla from Layla's family's scheming. I had to confront them, make them understand that they couldn't just buy people's children like property.

My thoughts were a swirling mixture of happiness, guilt, and gratitude. I couldn't believe that Layla was now my girlfriend, and we were a family, and it included mh daughter. I regret leaving Layla after our time together in Ibiza, and even more so that i hadn't been there for Maisie's first year and a half.

My feelings of regret and missed opportunities weighed heavily on me, but i was determined to make up for lost time and be the father Maisie deserved.

I couldn't help but feel guilty for not being there for Maisie's early years, and i couldn't shake the regret i felt for leaving Layla after that night in Ibiza. But now, as i sat there watching my girls sleep, i was filled with a renewed determination to be the best father I could possibly be.

I vowed to myself that i would make up for lost time and be there for Maisie every step of the way, and I would support Layla in every way i could. It wouldn't be easy, but I  was ready to fight for my family.

I knew the love i felt for Maisie and Layla was unlike anything I had experienced before. It was intense, all-consuming, and filled my heart with a sense of purpose and belonging. I had always known I loved Maisie since I met her on the beach, I mean she's my daughter, but I had no idea just how deep my feelings for Layla would run.

Every time I looked at Maisie, my heart was filled with a fierce sense of protection and pride. She was my daughter, my blood, and the thought of anything happening to her terrified me. And now, as I looked at Layla, sleeping soundly next to Maisie, I  realized that my feelings for her were just as strong, if not stronger.

"You're staring pankow." Layla giggles sleepily

I was so lost in my thoughts that i didn't even notice I was staring at Layla until she spoke, giggling sleepily. I jumped a little, caught off guard, and quickly tried to play it cool.

"What? Me? I wasn't staring," I said, trying to sound casual, but a hint of a grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

Layla laughed softly, clearly amused by my attempt to play it off. "You were totally staring," she said with a smile. "And you're not fooling anyone, you know."

I chuckled, unable to keep up the act any longer. "Alright, you got me. I was staring. Can you blame me, though? You two look so damn cute asleep like that."

Layla laughed again, stretching a little as she sat up, being careful not to wake Maisie. "You think everything we do is cute," she teased, reaching out to gently muss up my hair.

I protested playfully, batting her hand away. "Hey, watch the hair!" I mock-complained, but i was smiling. "And it's not my fault you two are so adorable. It's like you're trying to kill me with cuteness," I said, exaggerating dramatically.

Layla laughed at my theatrics, shaking her head. "You're such a dork," she said affectionately. "And you're one to talk about being cute. Maisie definitely gets her adorable looks from you."

I feigned offense, placing a hand over my heart. "Are you calling me cute? I am a manly man, you know," i  protested with a grin. "But yeah, Maisie does have my good looks. Can't argue with that."

Layla smiled softly, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm well aware that you're a 'manly man,'" she teased. "But you also have a soft side, and it's pretty damn cute."

I chuckle and pull her closer.

As I pulled Layls closer, she snuggled into my side, feeling the warmth and comfort of her body snuggled into my own. "See, there you go again, being all soft and cute," she teased, her voice filled with affection.

"Hey, I can be tough and manly too," I protested, but i couldn't help but smile as I  wrapped my arms around her. "You just bring out the soft side in me, I can't help it."

I smile placing a kiss on her head, As I  kissed Layla's head, I felt Maisie cuddle into Layla's leg, and my smile widened. I cherished these moments of connection and family. "Looks like someone else wants in on the cuddles," I said, reaching over to run a hand lightly through Maisie's hair.

Layla chuckled, placing a hand on Maisie's head as she continued to snuggle. "Looks like she inherited your clinginess too," she teased. "She doesn't want her dad to be giving all the cuddles to me."

I pouted jokingly. "Hey, I'm not clingy," I  protested, although there was no denying that i relished the closeness and affection from both Layla and Maisie. "And I can share my cuddles, thank you very much."
Layla rolled her eyes, a knowing smirk on her face. "Uh-huh, sure the manly man isn't clingy," she teased, gently poking me in the ribs. "But fine, I'll share the cuddles. Just as long as you remember I get first dibs."

I couldn't help but laugh at Layls  comment and the playful exchange. I felt a deep sense of contentment and peace wash over me as I held my girls close. For a moment, I let go of the worries and responsibilities that came with being a father and a partner, all the worries of the events of the day, and simply basked in the warmth of my girls and my love for them. And in that moment, I knew that Layla was right: nothing else mattered as long as i had my girls beside me.

______
¡Spoiler!
Okay so I'm also surprised I was able to find some motivation to write, because since the season finale of season 4 of obx, I've lost myself, I don't have the motivation to do anything I love to do. I'm constantly crying this hurts! I know he may have on,y been a fictional character but to me jj wasn't just a character he was some type of comfort, him and Rudy helped me out of a darkness, I relate both to jj and Rudy for multitudes of reasons. So Jj's death hit me hard and knowing Rudy won't be in obx five hurts so much, I know I may sound so dramatic but I honestly never thought I'd have to say goodbye to jj, but I did. But knowing I still have Rudy is one of the things holding me together. I just wanna say thank you to him, he is truly my starlight and strength in dark times. I just also wanna say thank you so much to those who are my friends I'm forever grateful for yall, but enjoy this cutesy chapter, I love yall!