XO

5

When we rejoined the company I saw my daughter working the room she got her dad's charm and had the ability to wrap people around her pinky. Zac's mom watched how Mariah kept Andi and the rest of Zac's friends entertained, her eyes immediately filled with love, admiration and pride. "I see she inherited her father's charm" She said to Zac and I with the biggest smile on her face before making her way over to join Mariah, Andi and their company.

Fatima: You told your mom?

Zac: I did there was no way I'd bring you and Mariah here blindsiding my mom and having our daughter's feelings hurt.

Fatima: Thank you

Zac: Look Ti you don't have to carry this burden of parenthood alone anymore.

Fatima: It's not a burden though that girl really brought the best out of me and now she gets to bring the best version out of you too.

Zac: Trust me I'm ready. Look at them, she's going to have my mom move mountains for her.

Fatima: Oh gosh she's going to love having another pair of grandparents. Why's your mom taking pictures of her?

Zac:  My dad is in Dubai on a business trip, he told my mom to send him pictures of his grandbaby. She's definitely getting a shit load of gifts from Dubai cause my dad is over the moon. He said he always thought I'd end with you.

Fatima: He didn't like Karen?

Zac: He liked Karen after getting to really know her but when we started dating she really rubbed my parents the wrong way.

Fatima: So I have to ask what's the deal with your group of friends?

Zac: Danni is still Danni she's always trying to be in someone's business, Brina is chilled and you're cool with Andi. The boys they're cool they let the women take the lead but Danni, Brina and Andi are like the sisters I've never had. You know you used to be a part of the friend group.

Fatima: That was when we were kids though.

Zac: You should come hang out with us sometime. We do Game nights, they're here every Sunday cause my mom loves hosting family Sunday dinners and we try to all have dinner once a week. For a while after you left we all had our own thing going for us but somehow found our way back to one another.

Fatima: Sounds like you have an amazing support system.

Zac: Yeah. Have you spoken to your mom since yesterday morning?

Fatima: No. But I probably should, I don't even wane talk about it cause I really don't wane cry anymore.

Zac: I'm sorry.

Fatima: It's not your fault though, like Mariah said I need to set boundaries and that is exactly what I'm about to do.

Zac: You raised her well.

Before I could reply to him Zac's mom called everyone to the dining room to have dinner. Zac and I were in our own little bubble at dinner barely speaking anyone else but one another. Mariah on the other and were charming everyone with her personality and Zac's mom was showering her with love and attention. By the time dinner came to an end Zac and I had to drag our daughter to the car if Mrs. Gladys had it her way Maisey would've probably stayed over. My heart was filled with gratitude because my daughter was being accepted instead of having to face rejection and hurt. During the drive home she kept raving on and on about her grandmother and how she already has a date set up to bond with Mrs. Gladys.

Mariah: So is it okay to call you dad or is all of this moving too fast?

Fatima: Maisey give him time