Conflicted Heart (Completed)

Three

Zane

I am brought of my sleep by my baby girl lightly tapping my arm Saturday morning. I squirm around a bit, and I slowly open my eyes and the first thing I see is Nia smiling and waving. I smile and I yawn loudly. I look at the clock and it's 8:13 a.m.

"Morning daddy," Nia said sweetly.

"Morning gorgeous," I said. She giggles and climbs into my kind size bed and sits in my lap. I sit up and I hug her tight.

"Morning kiss," I said.

"No daddy you have bad morning breath," Nia said while giggling.

"Oh that's funny to you?," I joked. Nia nods her head happily and I shake my head while laughing a bit. I get out of the bed with Nia in my arms and I walk to the bathroom. I turn on the faucet and I pick up my toothbrush and I put toothpaste on it and I start to brush my teeth with Nia in my arms. I remember countless mornings when Nia would wake up early and I would brush my teeth with her in my arms when she was a baby. She always smiled because of the motion and she is doing it now. Once I brush my teeth thoroughly and I rinse my mouth out with mouthwash I look at Nia.

"Now can daddy get his morning kiss?," I asked. Nia nods her head and pecks my lips two times and then I kiss her all over her face while she laughs as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"I love you Nia," I said.

"I love you too daddy," Nia said.

"What you want to eat?," I asked.

"Mmm a bagel and grapes please."

"Sounds good." I kiss her cheek and I set her down to the floor. She grabs my right hand and we walk down to the kitchen. I get out the bagels, cream cheese and grapes for Nia's breakfast. I put her bagel in the toaster and then I rinse off a small bowl of grapes for her. Once her bagel is toasted, she puts the cream cheese on it. I fix her a glass of orange juice and she sits down at the table. I fix a bowl of cereal and I sit down next to her. She holds my hand as we say are blessing and then we start to eat.

"Daddy what chores do you want me to do today?," Nia asked.

"I just want you to tidy up your room baby girl. Make sure your bed is made up and make sure all your toys are where they should be and make sure your homework is done for Monday. Sound good?," I said.

"Yes daddy sounds good!" I smile a bit and I nod my head. Nia is truly a great little girl. Sure she has her times where she can be disobedient just like any other child, but majority of the time, she always does what I ask of her. I guess I'm not doing such a bad job raising her. Once we are done eating, Nia and I put our dishes in the dishwasher and then Nia goes to her room. I clean up the kitchen and living room area. I vacuum and dust if necessary. I then vacuum the second level and then I clean up my master bathroom. By the time I am done, I check on Nia in her room. Her bed is made up, all her toys are in the right places and she is sitting at her desk doing her homework. I smile at the sight.

"Hey beautiful," I said.

"Hi daddy," Nia said while looking at me.

"Since you've been such a good girl, daddy is going to take you shopping today. You are growing like a weed and your are outgrowing all of your clothes," I said.

"Really daddy?! Sounds fun I can't wait!," Nia said happily. I walk over to her and I kiss the top of her head.

"You doing ok or do you need daddy's help?," I asked.

"I'm ok daddy but thanks."

"No problem. Let me know if you need me." Nia nods her head and I leave her room. I walk to my bedroom and I go into the bathroom and I wash my face. I then go into my large walk in closet for something to wear. I decide on cargo shorts, a tank top and Jordans to match everything since it's going to be another warm day here in Houston. Once I am dressed, I relax in the bed until Nia is ready. Once she is all dressed she walks into my room.

"Daddy can you do my hair please?," Nia asked.

"Sure Nia come here," I said. I sit on the edge of the bed and Nia hands me her small bag of hair products. I watched numerous YouTube videos and tutorials so I could learn how to do my baby girl's hair. I'm not the best, but her hair doesn't look crazy when she leaves the house either. Nia stands in between my legs with her back to me and I take off her satin scarf and I fluff through her hair.

"How about a ponytail since it's so hot today," I suggested.

"Sure daddy," Nia said. I take a bit of water and gel and I smooth her hair down with my hands and then a soft boar bristle brush. I gather her hair into a high ponytail. I guess it's really a puff since her hair is so coily. Once I am done, I show it to her and she smiles.

"I love it daddy! Thank you!," Nia said happily.

"No problem baby girl. You ready to go?," I asked. Nia nods her head and I kiss her cheek I stand up and she grabs her bag of hair products and puts it in her room. She grabs her shoes and I grab mine and then we walk downstairs. I grab my keys and wallet and then we head out to the Galleria in Uptown Houston. It's Saturday so of course it's packed. Once we get out of the car, I hold Nia's left hand tightly.

"Baby girl stay close to daddy I don't want to lose you ok?," I said.

"Ok daddy," Nia said while nodding her head.

"If you get tired, let me know and I will carry you."

"You're so sweet daddy," Nia said while smiling. I smile and I lean down and I kiss her forehead as we walk into the mall. Our first stop is Children's place, one of Nia's favorite stores. I let her pick out whatever she wants to try on. She shows me everything that she tries on and then decides what she likes. I buy her everything that she likes, so we leave with quite a few bags.

"Want to go to Champs with daddy?," I asked. Nia nods her head while smiling and we walk to Champs. I love sneakers so I try to go to shoe stores very often just to see what's new. I walk in and I look at the men's shoes. As I am looking over shoes, I notice a woman looking at the women's shoes. I don't know why she caught my eye, but I turn my head to look at her. Damn. She has a beautiful complexion. I look her up and down slowly. She is wearing jean shorts, a white beater and a clean pair of Jordans to match. I also notice the numerous tattoos on her right arm. I guess she felt me watching her because she turns her head to look at me. I then notice her nose ring and two piercings under each side of her bottom lip. Mmm that's different. She smiles to herself and turns her head forward again. I noticed her white, perfectly straight teeth. Damn she's bad as hell. I quickly take my eyes off of her and I look forward as well. I steal peeks at her from the corner of my eye. I really like her large natural hair. What am I thinking? It's not like I can talk to her or anything. In my "profession" I can't really have a functioning relationship. Hell I haven't even fucked in a while either because of it. She turns around to walk away and I turn my head slightly and I eye her legs. She has perfectly toned legs. I shake my head to snap out of my daze and I pick up a pair of shoes to examine them. I constantly have to remind myself that I can't get attached to anyone. Not now and not ever.