The Merger (BWWM - Book #1 / Complete)

Chapter 3 - Austin Mitchell

"I walked back into the living room. The door bell rang. I was already up. "I'll get it."

"Who could that be?" I wasn't expecting anyone. I forgot to check through the peephole to see who it was and just opened the door.

"What are you doing here?!!!" 

"It is good to see you too, Layla."

My eyes all of a sudden flooded with tears. "You have some nerve showing up at my house after 4 years!! And, how did you find my address? It is listed as private. How would your 'wife' feel?"

Austin's POV

Gosh, Layla is still as beautiful as she was four years ago. That was stupid of me to do that. "I have my ways. Besides, you stopped answering my calls, so I wanted to see if you were okay."

"I'm fine. Now that you know, go away and leave me alone!" 

"You are standing here crying. You are not okay. I know you, remember?"

"If you are here to take my daughter from me, then you are in for a battle!"

"We had a daughter?"

"We didn't have anything. I gave birth to my daughter. You were just the sperm donor. You waited four freaking years to show up?!! You missed so many special moments in her life - her birth, 1st birthday, first words! And you know what else, Mr. Mitchell? She just started asking me recently where her father was! She sees other girls with their daddy and it hurts me to the core for her to go through that! It was hard telling her that her dad wanted nothing to do with her!!!"

"That's not true, Layla. When you told me, I was in shock. I couldn't handle the news that you were pregnant."

"And, how in the world did you think I felt being pregnant and alone? Thank goodness my parents helped me. Look, can we not do this now? I have company in my house who want to put your head on a stick! And, that includes me." 

I heard the sound of little feet running towards the door.

"Mommy! Mommy! I finished eating my sandwich."

Then, I saw the cutest little girl standing before me. She is just as beautiful as Layla. She looked up and said, "Hi. You know my mommy?"

I couldn't believe I left her and this beautiful little girl by themselves. Layla was pissed. 

"Hi there. Yes, I know your mommy. My, you are very pretty. What is your name?"

I knelt down to her and she said, "Braelyn." 

"That is a pretty name for a pretty girl." She started blushing.

"What did mommy teach you to say, Brae?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Braelyn." Then she ran back inside the house.

"She is beautiful, Layla. I'm sorry I missed out on her first four years of life. I really am. Please let me be there for her now? That is all I want. I don't want to take her from you. I promise. Can I spend some time with her tomorrow?"

"What is your wife going to say?"

"The day you left my house, Sabrina gave me back my ring and she left also. I did get married, but to someone else two years ago. She saw a picture that I had of the two of us. She asked who you were. I told her what happened. She was actually disappointed and upset with me about what I did."

"Last year, she was in a serious car accident. While in the hospital, she told me, "I don't think I am going to make it, Austin. Promise me that you will go be with your daughter. And, also beg Layla for forgiveness. You and I both know you belong together. She is a beautiful person to take care of her daughter by herself. Show them both the love and affection they deserve."