Quixotic (2)

28

He stared down at his phone, opening Twitter to find the thousands of notifications. There were too many, and they all focused on the same topic. His daughter was the highlight of the news. He changed the channel, but the same woman was broadcasted across the screen, asking the audience again, "What does this mean for the Impractical Jokers?" She laughed, and his blood began to boil, "We are all waiting for a response."

He heard movement behind him, and turned to see Aria push herself to stand. He met her eyes, but quickly dropped to look down at the floor, "Is this what you wanted?" He asked with a small voice. Collecting his courage, the anger was prevalent in his voice as he repeated with force, "Is this what you wanted?"

He watched her figure flinch away from him, but his anger remained constant on his features. He motioned to the television screen, and momentarily turned to see his image portrayed beside his daughter once again, "This is your fault!" He shouted at her.

"I didn't know --."

"I know!" He exclaimed, forcing himself to stay at the foot of the bed, "I know you didn't know! That's why I told you!" He shouted with a cracking voice. His mind was rushing, and his heart was skipping in his chest. He was fuming with anger, "I told you she needed to stay with my parents!"

"I'm sorry --."

"Are you?" He asked as he took a step toward her, "Aria, this could cost us the show! This could cost us everything we've worked for!" She was silent, but he continued to shout, "Do you understand that? I don't think you do!"

She fought back, taking a step forward before speaking again, "Brian, she's your daughter!" He glared at her, but she didn't back away. She stepped to stand with him at the foot of the bed, "You should want to spend time with her! You should want her around!"

"It isn't your job to decide what I should want," He growled at her, his tone shaking her core. Her heart was low in her chest, and she was one blink away from tears rolling down her features. She fought to stay strong, but he was radiating with anger, "It isn't your job to say what's best for her! I'm her father!"

"Are you?" Aria asked without shouting, and an aggravated grunt escaped his lips, "You don't act like it." She turned to look at the floor as he paced to face away from her. Pulling her hair behind her ears, she was hesitant to meet his glance.

Muting the television, he turned to stand across from her. The room fell silent, but he had to speak. His heart was hurting, and his blood was pumping with adrenaline as he met her eyes. The words hurt him, but they escaped his lips effortlessly, "You aren't her mother."

A tear rolled from her eye without her permission, but she didn't look away, "I don't need you to raise her," He wasn't shouting, but his voice was rough, "I don't need you."

"You aren't her mother," He repeated, and she turned to look away. She tried to collect her confidence, to meet his eyes, but her heart was breaking, "She doesn't need you. She has her own mother."

"I wasn't trying to be her mother!" Aria fought back, "I thought it was a good idea for her to spend time with you, everyone did! That's all."

"I don't need you or anyone telling me what's best for my daughter!" He told her, growling once more, "I can take care of her! We don't need you."

There was a small knock on the bedroom door, and Brian turned to collect his clothes. Aria answered the door, finding Mila on the other side. Aria knelt, opening her arms to the small girl, "What's wrong, bug?" Aria asked her with the smallest smile as she quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes.

"Why are you fighting?" She asked with innocent eyes. She turned to look up at Brian as he pulled a shirt over his shoulders, then looked at her hands.