Her Heart

Chapter 38

Riley's POV

"I don't want you doing anything like that again Mi Vida. If you're going to do something crazy at least wake me up." I tell Carter as we're making our way downstairs. Maya should be here any minute.

Carter gives me a sheepish smile, but I can see the worry still etched on her face. "I'm sorry, Ry. I just... I needed to talk to Olivia, and then we somehow ended up in his room."

I sigh, pulling her close as we reach the bottom of the stairs. "I just want to keep you safe. We can go look into him after Maya settles in."

"That sounds perfect," she agrees, leaning into me for a moment before we both straighten up, hearing the doorbell ring.

"That's probably Maya," Carter says, her voice brightening slightly.

We head to the front door together, and by the time we reach it Carters parents and Sofia and Olivia are waiting by it but standing a little back giving us our space.

The moment I open it, Maya's excited voice fills the air. "Mommy!

I kneel down just in time for Maya to throw herself into my arms, her little arms wrapping around my neck as she squeezes tight. "I missed you, Mommy!" she says, her voice full of joy.

"I missed you too, baby," I whisper back, feeling a rush of love as I hold her close. I pull back slightly, giving her a big smile. "Did you have fun with Nadia and Emily?"

"Uh-huh!" she nods enthusiastically, then her eyes light up when she spots Carter standing beside me. "Carter!"

Carter crouches down, opening her arms wide, and Maya quickly moves from my embrace into hers, hugging her just as tightly. "I missed you, Carter."

"I missed you too, Maya," Carter says, her voice warm and filled with affection as she presses a kiss to Maya's forehead. "You're getting so big!

I laugh, feeling a warm glow in my chest watching the two of them together.

Carter stands up, while holding Maya's hand and looks at me. I take this chance and glance at everyone , "This is Maya my daughter."

"Our daughter." Carter corrects.

My eyes snap to hers, wide with shock.

Carter meets my gaze with a steady, confident smile, her eyes filled with warmth and certainty. It takes me a moment to process her words, the weight of them settling in my chest. Our daughter. The words echo in my mind, stirring something deep within me.

For a second, the room is silent, everyone seeming to hold their breath. Then, Olivia crouches down and is the first to break the silence, "Hi Maya, your mom has told us so much about you."

I didn't expect Olivia to be the first one to say hi but honesty it's really nice to see her be welcoming even though she doesn't like me that much.

Maya looks at Olivia with wide, curious eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she reaches out, her tiny fingers gently brushing against Olivia's cheek. Olivia's eyes soften immediately.

"Hi there." Olivia says again softly, her voice warm and inviting.

Maya giggles, her fingers still lightly tracing Olivia's face as if she's trying to memorize every detail. "You're really pretty," she says, her voice full of childish wonder.

Olivia laughs, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, sweetie. You're pretty adorable yourself."

So the devil can actually smile. Good to know.

Carter and I share a look, our hearts melting at the sight of them bonding so naturally. Maya's never been shy, but seeing her connect with Olivia like this so quickly is something special.