No Letting Go [Completed]

Ninety-Seven

{Aaliyah's POV}

I've had some time to think and process everything that Colin told me. After thinking long and hard about it, I have to do what's best for my family. Colin fucked up, but there's something about him that keeps me from ever being done with him, no matter how many times I say, I'm done. His smile, the tender love and care he shows our children, his ambition...those brown eyes, how can I leave that forever. I can't.

Ricardo is such a good man, and breaking it off with him is what's gonna hurt me the most. He has a good heart, and is just an all around good guy, but stringing him a long would only make me the bad guy, and I don't want to be that. Breaking it off over the phone is not an option so either so while I sit here and start to look for flights, there's a knock on the door.

I walk through the empty, and quiet apartment to open the door. The kids are with Colin, but he's bringing them back, so I figured it's them. To my surprise, it's Ricardo that's at the door. And he's standing there with roses and chocolates...a weakness of mine.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hey...umm come in." I let him in and he gives me a hug. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I was lonely, and I didn't have shit to do, and I figured I'd take a quick flight out here."

"Don't you have practice for playoffs?"

"Yeah, but I can leave early in the morning. I just had to come see you." I stand there quietly. "What's wrong?"

"We need to talk." I say quietly.

"Okay, about what?"

Before I could answer, there's a knock at the door and I know it's Colin and the kids, and I don't need it to be. I don't need Colin getting the wrong idea.

Opening the door, Riley rushes passed me. "Hi mommy...Hi Ricardo..." She stops in her tracks then looks at Colin who's standing in the doorway.

"Ummm I'll be in vail this week for physical therapy." Is eyes land on Ricardo then back at me. "I'll uhh call the kids tomorrow." He says then walks off. After slowly closing the door, I turn around to see Ricardo looking at me.

"Let me guess...you wanna talk about how you're choosing Colin...I saw it in your eyes."

"Ricardo, I'm sorry, I really am."

"Nah, it's cool. Can you move from by the door so I can leave."

"Please, don't be mad at me."

"Aaliyah, move. I don't need this getting out of hand. I just wanna leave and go my own way. Just respect that." I step aside and let him walk out. God I hope I'm making the right choice.

I send Colin a text.

Me: Colin, turn around and come back.

About a minute or two later, there's another knock. I open it and Colin's standing there. His eyes are red, looks like he's been crying.

"I chose you." I say quietly.

"I kinda figured that when I saw Ricardo speed out of the apartments."

"I just hope I made the right choice."

"You did." He wraps arms around me and I wrap mine around him.

"Colin, please don't hurt me again."

"I won't baby. I promise I won't. I'll keep you happy."