The Choice

.18

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

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Erika's POV
"your daughter? Joel what are you talking about? is this some sort of prank?" his mom stood up and faced both of us. she turned to look at me then back at Joel. I had no idea what I was suppose to do or say.

"four years ago, I cheated on Erika mom. I never told you because I knew how mad you'd get mad at me. you thought she was what was best for me. and she was. is. I know you don't like to hear this but things happened one night...and she got pregnant." Joel's parents were shocked. they didn't know what to say.

"how long have you known this Joel?!"

"I found out just yesterday" Paty turned to look at me.

"Erika? why didn't you say anything? why did you keep this away from us all these years?" the last thing I wanted to was disappoint someone who I loved very much.

"because...the night that I found out was the night Joel won La Banda. I was planning to tell him. I didn't expect him to accept it but no matter what I was having this baby. after they announced him as the 3rd member, I followed him backstage. but when I got there, my whole life fell apart. h-he was kissing someone else. I didn't want to tell him anymore. I didn't want him in my life. so I headed home and convinced my parents to let me move somewhere else temporarily." just remembering the events from that night made all the pain come back.

"I know it was selfish of me to leave and take his daughter away from him for 4 years but I had to do it. I'm sorry." My head was down.

"it was. but the important thing is that we now know. what is going to happen with you two next?"

"well...I was thinking bout about moving back to Miami. that way I can be close to friends and family and Joel can be close to Bella." I turned to look at Bella who had gone with Joel to play.

"Erika. I love you like my own daughter. and I know that Joel hurt you. it was wrong of him I admit it. but he loves you. he truly does. he hasn't loved anyone the way he loves you since you disappeared 4 years ago. why don't you guys give it another try? not only for you two but for Bella?" honestly I loved Joel but I just couldn't.

"I can't. i just can't. Bella doesn't need her parents to be together. they both love her very much and will always be there. as long as that happens she doesn't need anything else. I think I'm doing more than enough by moving back to Miami. I'm sorry." I left the room. I need to make some phone calls and tell my parents everything that had happened in less than 24 hours.

after talking with my parents and Joel's it was decided that we'd be moving back in 3 days. enough time to pack. it would be nice to see all of my friends and family. Johann wasn't very happy with the idea but he had to deal with it.

*2 days later*

"Erika are you sure you want to do this?" he was helping me pack. we would be leaving tomorrow.

"it not that I want to. it's the best for Bella. she needs to be close to her father." I was finishing packing Bella's bags.

"I guess. excited to see all of your friends?" I was. I hadn't spoken to them in years.

"yea. can't wait"

"wow you sound so excited." he let out a chuckle.

"I'm just...I feel like I am going to feel like an outsider." I hadn't seen them in 4 years. I didn't know what'd they'd been up to or anything.

"it okay. you'll be fine."

*next day*

well today I go back to my old life. to face everyone I left behind 4 years ago.

"mommy I'm scared" Bella said as we were about to board the plane.

"hey daddy's right here. I will always protect you. okay?" Joel kneeled down and gave Bella a peck on her forehead. moments like this made me smile. we boarded the plane. Bella of course wanted the window seat, so I sat next to her and Joel on the edge. the captain began speaking but I was too tired to listen. the plane soon began to take off. after all the turbulence, it was smooth and quiet. I began to get sleepy and close my eyes. I felt someone put my head on a shoulder. I recognized the smell of the cologne immediately. I was too tired to bother and move. a couple of hours later I was woken up by Bella's laughter. the plane had already landed.

"DADDY! STOP!" I opened my eyes and saw Joel was tickling her.

"we're here beautiful" that was his nickname for me. beautiful.

"Joel..."

"I'm sorry. I'm just speaking the truth. right Bella? mommy is beautiful?"

"not more than me!" she was a sassy one.

"okay missy. let's go." I took her hand and we got off the plane. Miami's humid breeze hit us immediately. ugh this is what I hated about it, it made my hair frizzy. we took a cab to a my house. I greeted my parents. it felt good to be back. I decided I was going to live in their house while I finished college and got a job. Bella would take a guest room. well we would transform it into her room. I decided to call my friends. well yoyo first.

*phone call*
Y: Erika? hey! I haven't heard from you in the longest time ever. how you've been? where did you take off to?
E: woah too many questions. I'm good thanks. and well long story short I moved to Paris but I'm back.
Y: we need to catch up. let's go to a party we were all invited to. we can catch up with the other there.

lol slight problem. I couldn't really act like someone my age now and go to parties I had a daughter.

E: um I don't think I can go. how bout we meet up with all the guys tomorrow at the mall? bring Allison! I want to see her too
Y: aw okay. we'll see you tomorrow. I'm glad you're back.

After I hung up I went downstairs. I saw Joel and Bella laying down sleeping on the couch. I took a blanket and covered them up. I began to think about tomorrow. how would my friends react to the news. would they still want to be my friends or would they hate me...? I guess I would find lot tomorrow.

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I'm so sorry for such a boring chapter! I've been really busy and haven't been able to update. sorry but don't forget to vote and comment :)