Reach (Love Me Now Series #2) | Complete

👑 Chapter 44 👑

Markey's POV

I watched Mariah walk past me. I wanted to grab her, but Leya told me to wait. Mariah walked over to Chance and gave him a hug. She walked over to Leigh and picked up a curly haired little girl. Then they walked out of the door.

"Whose baby is that?" I didn't really ask anyone in particular, but Leya and Lacey refused to meet my eyes. So the baby was for Mariah. Who was the father?

I needed to talk to her. I followed her outside. When I found her, she was standing by the bridge. He back was to me and she was holding the baby close.

She didn't seem angry anymore, just extremely hurt. She was just so venerable in that moment, and I hated to see her sad. I didn't want so scare her, so I spoke as I approached.

"She is beautiful, what's her name?"

She turned to me, and I was able to get a good look at the baby. She was a cutie alright. She had curly hair and a big smile. Something about her just seemed so familiar.

"Her name is Imani."

She brought the baby closer and I grabbed her tiny fingers.

"Hi beautiful." I flashed her my most charming smiled, and she laughed. Harsh, turned down by a baby. That was a serious blow to my ego.

Mariah began to laugh. I guess she saw how crushed I was. It had been a long time since I heard her laugh.

"She's a heart breaker just like her mother."

"I actually think she's a charmer, like her father."

Imani began to reach her hands out and babble.

"She likes you, do you want to hold her?"

"Won't her father be upset that some other guy is holding her?"

"You aren't really good at math are you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She's your daughter genius."

"How was I supposed to know? You never told me anything. You just left. You didn't even try to talk to me."

"This was the amazing news I had to tell you. When I saw those pictures, I went into a state of shock. Once the shock wore off, my heart rate kicked into overdrive. My emotions began to overwhelm me. I thought it would be best for me and my baby if I just got away from it all. I couldn't talk to you. I was too hurt."

"I would never hurt you like that Mariah," I said as I held Imani in my arms.

"Mariah, I know that you have heard about my past. I know that at one point,  I was not the best kind of guy. There is a word for what I was, but I refuse to use that type of language around my daughter."

It was amazing to think that this little beauty was a part of me. The proof was there though. She had my lips and my curly hair. She even had that mischievous glint in her eyes.

I looked back up at Mariah and saw that she was fighting tears.

"Baby, I would never hurt you like that. When I met you, I changed because I wanted to be your man. I wanted you to be proud to call me yours. When I found out you were gone, I searched for you."

"I know, you were close to finding me a few times."

"I wish that you would have just stopped running and talked to me."

I pulled her close to me, as Imani began to doze off.

"Mariah, I love you."

I brought her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"Look at me," she finally met my gaze.

"Mariah Ahrianna Abrams Monroe, I would never do anything to hurt you or jeopardize our relationship. I love you with all my heart. I love you, I love us. I want us to be a family again. I know that you were hurt in this situation, but it was a misunderstanding. You are my queen baby girl. If I have to get down on one knee and propose to you all over again, I swear I will do it in a heartbeat. I see that you are still wearing your ring."

"It's stupid, but I couldn't bear to take it off. I could never let go of my love for you. Taking it off just felt...wrong."

"I'm happy you didn't take it off," I said as I cradled her face with my free hand.

In that moment, Imani decided to let out a loud snore.

We both began to laugh.

"I love you Mariah, can you give us another chance? I know there will be a lot of work, but I'm willing to rebuild this relationship. Whatever it takes, I will do it."

"I love you too Key."

As soon as those words left her mouth, I knew that we would be ok. I pulled her to me. This is where I belong, right here holding my girls.

"Now, I think we should start working on another baby soon. There is a lot that I missed out on."

She pulled back and scowled at me.

"Hey, can you blame me? I haven't seen my wife in two years. When I finally get to see her again, she has a baby. Not just any baby, but my baby. She is the most perfect little thing I have ever seen. I want to kill two birds with one stone. I can spend time with my wife and make another masterpiece."

I gave her my signature smirk.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Baby steps Key."

"So slow strokes?"

"You are insufferable."

"Yet you love me anyways," I said as she began to walk back towards the boutique.