We Come Alive 5

Web Of Lies

Monday morning, Mateo was bouncing his granddaughter Esmeralda in his arms as he leaned against the desk in his office in the athletic building. The six month old baby girl gurgled as she had her fist in her mouth. Mateo was waiting for Charlie and Nicole to start up their questioning of the day before the men could do any work.

Esmeralda squeaked when she saw Manny walk up to her. Manny kissed her daughter's face, but gasped when Esmeralda gripped onto Manny's hair.

"Ooh, okay. Let go." Manny laughed, making Esmeralda's little fist let go. She took her daughter back from Mateo and held onto her.

"You two gonna stay here?" Mateo asked, glancing at the doorway where he saw a figure walking into the office.

Manny looked, smiling when she saw Ricky timidly walking into the room. Mateo nodded his head while slipping past Ricky out the room. Manny used one hand to slip onto the desk and sit down, looking up at Ricky through her eyelashes.

Ricky shoved his hands into his sweatpants pockets and gave Manny a half smile, but Esmeralda a full one. "Hey." He breathed.

"Hey." Manny replied, petting down Esmeralda's hair. "Here to say the inevitable?"

Ricky stepped closer to Manny and gave her a sympathetic expression, leaning his hands on the side of Manny's legs so they were close. "I feel horrible about it. We're just...two different paths right now. You're a mother to one cute baby." Ricky smiled, leaning down and smiling at Esmeralda who grabbed onto the silver chain Ricky had around his neck.

Ricky let her tug on it and play as he looked back up at Manny. "I'm still her godfather and I'm still your friend. Close friend." He reminded her. "I ain't just gonna disappear. We just don't need the label anymore. It'll make you a lot happier and give me more room to fix my personal bull...crap." Ricky tried to avoid cursing, still feeling the tug of Esmeralda playing with his necklace.

Both of them heard Victor calling for Ricky to meet them in the conference room right away. Ricky stood up straight and pressed a gentle kiss to Manny's cheek. Manny smiled to him, bouncing Esmeralda on her thigh as she watched him walk out the room, adjusting the beanie on his head.

"Ricky." Manny called out, making him stop in his tracks. "One question." She requested.

Ricky leaned his hand on the doorframe, looking at her with honest eyes. "Is it about if I would leave you for Clover? She told me about that the other day."

Manny nodded slowly. "Just be honest. I know you lie sometimes to spare feelings. I'm a big girl. I can take it."

Ricky sighed, walking over to her and putting his hand on her shoulder. "Were there days I wanted Clover back? When I wanted to have her back? Of course. Everyone can tell you that. I love that girl." He shrugged one shoulder, but put his hand on the back of her neck when Manny looked like she was getting ready to cry. He made her look at him then leaned his forehead against her's. "But I would never in a million years have left you for her. I wouldn't leave anyone for Clover. That time has passed. She's my ex, my first real love. She's my soulmate. But my soulmate just happens to be my best friend. Nothing more. Stop putting yourself down. You're a great girl to be with, Maria."

Manny's body froze when Ricky kissed her. It was short, but meaningful. Ricky pulled away and kissed the top of Esmeralda's head before walking out the room.

"Thanks, Richard." Manny smiled.

Ricky chuckled, walking to the conference room before he had to hear hell from everyone else for being late. He walked in casually to see them getting ready to begin. Ricky flopped down in the chair next to Danny and slouched in his seat.