why i need you

chapter 2

VINCENT

To say that my heart was broken was an understament. Before I could even take another step into the room a small frame jumps into my hold. She buries her head into my neck and starts to cry. I hold her tight with an arm around her waist and a hand holding her head. I can feel my legs start to get weak. I look up and head for an empty seat. I hear some raised voices and some commotion but all i can think about is my baby girl in my arms.

I take a seat and twist her in my lap. Her long, wild curly hair attacks my face but I just flatten in with my palm and continue kissing her head. I can smell her lavender shampoo mixed with her baby powder smell. She pulls back with her hands on each sides of my face. I take a good look at Lily, She looks just like her mother Scottie. She has her moms olive skin and crazy hair that goes down to her waist. She has my emerald eyes but even those have her moms gold flakes in them. Her beautiful eyes are puffy and red with dark circles starting to form. She is growing into a beautiful young lady. There is no trace of her chubby cheeks. When did that happen? I smooth away her tears with my thumbs and kiss her on her forehead.

"Where have you been daddy? I tried to call you a million times!" She barely able to finish. Her body starts to shake and she begins to sob again against my shoulder. I start to rock her.

" I'm sorry baby! I'm so sorry. I got here as soon as I could." My throat tightened up as I remember feeling irritated that my "special" night was being ruined. I regret not answering the first time.

" Do you not love mommy anymore? Is that why it took you so long, because you didn't know if you should?" My heart broke. How could she ever think that I don't love her mom? Scottie and I made a great effort not to fight in front of the kids. It wasn't hard not to. Instead of fighting the divorce like she was Scottie finally accepted my choice and made an effort in supporting me. She also made sure that our children didn't hate me for leaving her.

" No baby! Don't you ever think that. I will always love your mommy with my whole heart. It's not the same way it used to be, but that doesn't change the fact that I love her just as much as I love you and your brothers. " I hear someone snort at my comment, I tighten my hold on Lily and look over her shoulder.

 I'm surprised that so many people can fit into this room. My eyes roam the room trying to figure out who made the rude noise. My eyes lock a familiar pair of hazel eyes. If looks could kill I would be dead a hundred times over. Sammie always had a temper. She would try and get the kids against me for breaking her sisters heart. As if she were reading my mind she does a slight shake of her head and tilts it towards the door. I look over and sure enough there is Veronica leaned against the wall without a care in the world scrolling through facebook. I shake my head and roll my eyes and a very faint smirk is present on Sammie's face before turning around talking to someone.

I'm still rocking Lily in my arms, I'm staring at the ground when I see three pairs of jordans come into view.  I look up at My three sons with their arms folded across their chest.  Their focus was now on their sleeping sister. There is nothing those three boys wouldn't do for Lily. She was their whole world. I take a min to take a good look at them. I haven't realized how much they have grown over the years.

I scan my eyes over Jaxson. He is the oldest being  18. He has a slight tan from spending his whole summer at the beach. He has dark buzz cut hair, with deep royal blue eyes. Standing at 6'5'' and build like a semi, you wouldn't think he had at heart of gold. I rarely see the boy smile and when he does Lily is usually involved somehow.

Standing to Jaxson's right is Grant.  A year younger at 17 you would think Jaxson and him were twins. Thank god for Grants grey eyes or I would never be able to tell them apart. I've never seen that boy not smile.  He is a charmer or a ladies' man.  Unlike Jaxson who keeps his life private Grant is far from keeping anything private. The kid has no filter.