Born To The Barrio's Best: Chris Jackson and Mandy Gonzalez/COMPLETE

Two (Daddy's Here Now)

(Chris' POV)

I couldn't help but smile as Mandy looked up at me with big puppy eyes. "Mandy, you know I'd do anything to make up for what I did, right?" I asked her. She nodded slowly.

"Please, be here tonight. For Isa and me?" She asked. I nodded and for a moment I thought she'd tell me she loved me. But it didn't come.

~~~

"Do you want me to make something for us to eat?" I asked around midnight.

"That sounds great. I'll help." She said and got up. "Just let me get some pajamas on. She walked off towards her room.

"Damn." I whispered as quietly as possible. She looked better than before.

"I can feel you staring at my ass." She called over her shoulder and I quickly averted my eyes.

When she came back out, she was wearing my New York tee shirt from 2000. "So that's where that shirt went." I mused and she blushed. "It looks good on you though."

"Thanks. It was a great maternity shirt." She said.

"I wish I was there. To see you through it. That I was a better boyfriend. I should've been with you when you were in labor. I wish I could have seen you get bigger as she grew inside of you. I made the biggest mistake of my life." I sighed. "Do you think we'll ever date again?"

"I don't know." Mandy said. Her eyes went to the floor. "For now, let's focus on making these pancakes and not waking Isa."

"Sounds good."

As we made pancakes, I decided to kiss her. I needed to know if she still had any of the passion we shared. Sure enough, she kissed back. They weren't sloppy kisses, but sweet and loving. Strong yet soft. I was able to slip my hands under her shirt and rub my hands down her back before she pulled away. The look in her eyes told me to stop, so I did. I respected her. It was the least I could do.

At that moment, Isa came running to us. Crying, shaking. Mandy bent down to hug the small girl but she came to me instead. "Abrázame." She told me. I looked to Mandy. She didn't seem hurt, or upset. In fact, she seemed thrilled.

"It's okay Isa. Daddy's got you. Daddy's here now. I'm not going anywhere. I got you."

"I had a bad dream, Daddy. That you left Mama and I." She said. I held her closer.

"I'm not leaving you. I promise I won't leave you or Mama. Okay?" Isa nodded into my shoulder. I looked to Mandy wh had tears in her eyes.

~~~

After we finally got Isa to bed again, Mandy made coffee. It reminded me of the day after we had sex. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her middle and not let go. She leaned her head back against my chest. "You know that this doesn't mean we're together." She stated. I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. What else could I do?

"Mandy, if at any point you think we could ever try to get back together, please tell me."

"Okay."

~~~

Mandy and I dropped Isa off at school, each of us giving her a kiss and hug before sending her on her way. Then, we went to rehearsals.

"Up first is Mandy and Chris, doing Sunrise!" Lin said and the music began to play.

"Are you ready to try again?" Mandy sang beautifully.

"I think I'm ready." I sang my response.

"Okay...here we go. Esquema."

"Corner."

"Dienta."

"Store."

"Bombilla."

"Lightbulb."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Three out of three, you did alright."

"Well teach me a little more."

"Calor."

"Heat."

"Anoche."

"Last night."

"Dolor."

"Pain."

"That's right. Llámame."

"Call me."

"Azul."

"Blue."

"Ámame."

"You love me."

"Perhaps I do." Already, I was being reminded of how we used to be.

"Well how do you say 'kiss me'?"

"Bésame."

"And how do you say 'hold me'?"

"Abrázame. A la..." I moved her hair from her face and she stepped back and ran off stage.

"Dude! She ran away from you like others run from drug dealers. What'd you do?" Alex Lacimore asked me.

"I broke her heart." I said and ran after her.

I found her, sitting on the sidewalk, tears in her eyes. I sat next to her and she leaned into me. "I couldn't do it. That song...it's how we used to be." She let out a shaky breath. "And as much I want to hate you, I just can't."

"You love me..."

"Perhaps I do." She looks up at me and I smile. Or at least I try. "I want us to work. Can we...try?" I nod and kiss her forehead lightly. Rubbing her back, I only think of her. I block out everything.

"So, are we...together?"

"Chris, I wanna try, but not yet." She said.

"Okay. Tell me when you are ready. It's all up to you." I nodded, respecting her would only help me. And her.

~~~

"Mama! Daddy!" I heard Isa scream. Mandy and I shared looks and ran to our child. Isa looked down at her swollen wrist.

"Mandy, go start the car. I'll get Isa." Mandy nodded and left. I lifted Isabella. "What happened?" I asked, rubbing her back.

"I fell down the stairs." She cried.

"Okay. Mama's in the car."

I sat in the back with Isa while Mandy drove.

~~~

"Isabella Jackson-Gonzalez?" The doctor called. Bella had a good grip on my hand with her non swollen hand. I picked her up.

The doctor did x-rays and Bella screamed for us. Mandy hid her face in my chest. "It's okay, Mandy. She's okay." I said, rubbing her back.

"She's never screamed like this before. I don't like it!" Mandy was sobbing now.

Finally the x-rays were over and the door opened. Bella ran straight to Mandy who lifted her.

~~~

"Isabella's wrist is broken, Ms. Gonzalez and Mr. Jackson." A cast was put on and then we took our baby home.