The Choice

.17

Previously
his soft pink lips began to get closer to mine. he looked at my lips and back my eyes. our faces were centimeters away. I didn't know what to do, I let my instincts take over so I began to lean in as well....
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Our lips were centimeters-no millimeters away.

"Mommy! I'm ready." Bella couldn't have better timing. I pulled away and got up. part of me was glad she had interrupted us but part of me wanted to feel his lips on mine once again.

"okay um..time for bed. let's go." I tried to take her hand but she pulled away.

"no. I want daddy to take me." I turned to look at Joel who had a giant smile on his face. I just gave him a smile indicating him to come along. I grabbed Bella's tiny hand on one side and Joel on the other side. we made it to her room.

"goodnight my little ray of sunshine." I placed a kiss on her forehead. I moved so Joel could get to her.

"goodnight Bella. I love you." he whispered the last part but I was able to hear him. a tear threatened to fall down my cheek.

"mommy come here." Bella grabbed both of our hands. "it's just you me and now daddy, against the world. right mommy?" I had always said that to her. Just you and me against the world. she really wanted Joel to be part of her life and I couldn't deny it. she deserved to have a father that loved and cared for her.

"yes baby. just us against the world." I turned to look at Joel and gave him a sincere smile. we both kissed Bella goodnight and left her room.

"she's a great kid." we made our way to the living room.

"she is. so Joel. what brought you here to Paris?" I went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. yes I was addicted to coffee.

"um well, I am on vacation with my family. it was my moms idea." i loved his mom. she was the nicest person ever. id met her a couple of weeks before it all happened.

"oh that's cool. so how's everyone back in Miami?" I sat down on the couch.

"we're good. the band has been touring and Johann-well I mean you should know he's your brother. I told you about Yoandri. that's about it." it's been 4 years and that's all he told me. okay pues. I heard the door open. hm who could it be? my mom was in Amsterdam with my dad for work.

"Where is my favorite sister in the whole entire world?!" it was Johann. I hadn't seen him in nearly 2 years. he was busy with his solo career so he didn't visit often.

"Johann!" I jumped from the sofa and ran towards him. "ugh you don't know how much I've missed you." we walked back to the living room. I had forgotten about Joel. he was just standing there awkwardly.

"Joel? what the hell is he doing here?" oh boy. here we go.

"I bumped into him earlier today. we're just catching up." I put my hands in my back pockets.

"does he know about...?" he just trailed off.

"about my daughter Bella? yes I do. now that I realize why the hell didn't anyone tell me? I'm pretty sure you knew Johann before she left. does Yoandri know too? why did you think you had the right to keep her away from me?" and the arguments were about to begin.

"because....I don't know okay. i was hurt. I am hurt. I needed to leave the city. after establishing here I thought it wouldn't be a good idea if I went back after Bella was born. plus I kept track of you and saw all the models you dated. it was better for Bella to just know what you looked like and not how you acted." Johann had his arm around me.

"but I love you. only you. I never truly loved any of this girls. trust me every time I was with them, I was wishing it was you." my cheeks felt hot. fuck I was blushing.

"Erika please come back to Miami with me. with your family. you can continue studying over there. that way we can both be close to the people we love. of course you with your family and id be closer to you and Bella. please." I didn't know what to respond.

"Joel, your parents don't even know about Bella. what will their reaction be huh? what if they hate her?" I didn't want my daughter to not be loved by anyone.

"fine. well go with my parents tomorrow. they're staying in a hotel close by. they will love her." Johann was just standing there awkwardly.

"what do you think Johann?" I turned to look at him.

"I think you should do whatever you want and what you think is best for my niece." he was right. I didn't only have to think about me but about Bella too.

"okay fine. we'll go with your parents tomorrow. you can spend the night on the sofa. it late." I gave him blankets and a pillow. I gave Johann the guest room.

*skips to morning*
I woke up to hear laughter in the living room. I recognized those laughs immediately. Joel and Bella. they had the almost exact laugh. she reminded me so much about Joel, well her personality. she had my looks but Joel personality.

"hey you two. time for breakfast." I made some eggs and croissants really quick. after we finished eating me and Bella changed. it was time for her to meet her grandparents.

"are you ready? remember all the manners I've taught you okay?" I zipped up her jacket.

"I'm not ready. what if they don't like me mommy?" she had a sad look. it killed me.

"they will love you. I promise." I was hoping my promise wouldn't be broken. we left the house and walked a couple of blocks. we went up to the room and to a suite. Joel knocked on the door.

"Joel! chamaco donde te metiste. we were so worried about you." she hugged Joel and Bella and I just stood there awkwardly. she turned to look at us.

"Erika? is that you?" she walked towards me and hugged me. "who's this little cutie?" she bent down to hug Bella.

"That's Bella. my daughter."....

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