Reach (Love Me Now Series #2) | Complete

👑 Chapter 43 👑

Mariah's POV

It's been two years of constant moving. Every time Markey caught my trail, we had to move again. My parents have been pleading with me to come back. They said that they had some important news.

I finally decided to go back for a visit. I want my father to meet his granddaughter before he deploys again. Just thinking about her brings a smile to my face. I watch as she wobbles around. She finally started walking.

She reminds me so much of her father. I still haven't told him about her yet. I plan to, but I want to do it in person. I'm not ready to do it yet.

Were waiting for Chance to finish packing. I plan to leave him when I return. I know that he misses his friends.

I have successfully started and staffed 6 boutiques. Lacey and I have been working very closely via face time. She is one of the few people who have my new number. I had to change it; I didn't want to talk to him.

Chance came into the room with his bags. He was finally finished packing. Imani's face lit up. She loved Chance something fierce. She toddled his way as he clapped for her. When she got close, he lifted her off her feet and kissed her curly head.

"Come on you two," I said as I grabbed my bags. Chance carried Imani to the car. I strapped her in as he loaded up my bags. Then he went back for his bags.

Finally we were boarding the plane. Once we took off, Imani went straight to sleep. She slept through the whole flight. Chance tried to stay awake, but soon he had nodded off too.

When we finally landed, we were the last ones off the plane. It takes an act of congress to wake up Chance. He finally woke up to Imani hitting him. He looked around and asked, "Where did everyone go?"

"Get up boy, we got places to be."

He looked around and noticed where we were. He quickly got up from his seat and made his way off the plane. Imani and I exited the plane at a much slower pace.

We found out luggage and made our way to my parents' car. I'm not going to lie; I would enjoy driving my jeep while I was here. Chance was finally old enough to get his license.

When we got to the house, Chance and my dad helped me carry out the bags. Well they carried the bags and I had Imani's things. Mom had Imani, of course. She refused to let anyone else hold her, and Imani enjoyed all of the attention.

I decided to go visit Lacey. When I opened the door to the shop, I heard a high pitch scream. Soon I was knocked completely off my feet by two crazy women. We landed in a pile of giggles. I missed these girls.

"When did you get back?"

"Not too long ago."

"We missed you heaux."

"I missed you guys too."

"I have a surprise for you."

We finally got up off the floor and I saw Arleigh standing by the counter. I walked her way and she looked at me. I could see the conflict in her eyes. She was happy to see me, but still upset.

"Can we talk?"

"What you want to talk about?"

"I'm sorry for taking your best friend away, but he's back now. He is going to stay and finish out school with you. I'm sorry for not saying goodbye before o left. The drama between your brother and I was just too much. I know that it was a bit presumptuous, but I made you Imani's nanny."

"Who is Imani?"

"How about you follow me out to the jeep so that you can ask Chance?"

She wanted to stay mad, but she couldn't fight it. Slowly a beautiful smile transformed her face. This was the Leigh I remembered. All of us made our way outside. Chance was standing by the jeep holding Imani.