TORN

Chapter One: Old habits die hard

Present Day

"Mommy" Livi said while smacking on her pancakes. "Girl if you don't stop that smacking" I said throwing a small piece of paper towel at her.

She giggled and attempted to throw it back at me. "But what is it baby?" I asked her turning the eye off on the eggs I was finishing up.

"Daddy's coming to visit for a week!" She yelled clapping her hands together.

I smiled to myself and nodded my head. "Yes that's right Pooder! And someone's birthday is in two days!" I said placing a small spoonful of eggs on her plate.

"Mine mine mine! My birthday!" Livi said smiling wide. "Yes, we are going to see what Daddy has up his sleeves!" I explained smiling some at the thought of seeing Odell.

We've been separated for about a year and some months and co- parenting has been just amazing!

When Livi and I first moved to Atlanta, Odell was so upset at me for leaving. He ended up getting Livi an iPhone to facetime him just so that he wouldn't have direct contact with me. Not gonna lie at first it was the hardest thing in the world to deal.

Odell is all I know, and knowing that the love of my life wanted nothing to do with me because of a "selfish" choice I made hurt more than words can explain.

But soon enough he came around, I'm convinced he truly missed our relationship and he ended up surprising me on my birthday down here. It was really sweet. It was then that we decided that we needed to put our differences aside for our daughter.

"Mommy!!!!" Livi yelled laughing. I looked up from my thought and laughed.

"Girl what?" I asked making myself a plate of food. "I saidddddd the doorbell is ringing!" She said in a sweet tone. I smiled softly and wiped my hands off before going to open the door. She ran up behind me following me, she had a strong feeling as to who was at the door. I saw his figure behind the door and Livi ran ahead of me and swung the door open.

"DADDY!" She screamed jumping into his arms. He dropped his bags as he swung her around, hugging her tightly. He and I made eye contact and I bit my lip. And he smiled

He put her down and approached me. I shyly waved and be laughed before pulling me into a tight hug.

"I've missed you" he whispered in my ear. "I've missed you too Odell" I said rubbing his back slowly as we pulled away. Livi has always been a daddy's girl so now that she's gotten her Daddy back for a week. I'm going to become damn near invisible. Ha.

"Daddy come on! Eat with me before I gotta go to school!" She said pulling him into the house. He went to grab his bags as she pulled him and I touched his hand.

"My mom will be here in like 15 minutes, go ahead and eat with her, I'll bring them in" I assured him. He nodded his head and went inside with his baby girl. "It's going to be a longggggg week" I said as I pulled his bags in by the stairs.

Once I finished I went back to the kitchen to see both Dell & Livi smacking on their food. I cleared my throat & Dell looked up laughing. "Mommy still hates our smacking huh princess" He said laughing drinking some of my orange juice I poured myself.

I rolled my eyes and snatched my cup from him. Thanks for the plate Jazz" he said smirking. "Yeah thanks for the plate Jazz" Livi said trying to sound her father. I laughed and shook my head going to the fridge grabbing her lunch.

"Daddy we got so much to do when I get home" Livi said wiping her mouth handing me her plate. "I cannot wait baby. Here give Daddy a hug and kiss and go get your book bag" he said extending his arms out for her.