Chasing You (Terrell Clarricoates Fan Fiction)

Chapter 31

I knock softly on Maria's door before opening it. She begins sitting up as I step into the room.

"I got you some fresh clothes," I say with clothes in my hand. Handsy and Terrell went to the store early this morning and picked some stuff out for her.

"Thank you," she mumbles. I walk in and set the clothes on the edge of the bed.

"How did you sleep?" I ask.

"I was warm," she smiles slightly as she squeezes her blanket to her chest.

"Are you normally cold?" I question. She nods her head.

"Well I'm glad you were warm. That's your blanket now," I smile. I hear a soft knock behind me and turn around as Terrell enters the room.

"Hi, Maria," Terrell speaks softly. Her eyes light up softly as she sees him. I haven't seen them interact yet.

"You saved me," she mumbles. Terrell smiles softly.

"I did," he says as he crouches next to her bed to be at eye level.

"I was scared," she tells him softly.

"I know you were. Do you want to talk about it?" He asks.

"It was loud. Like fireworks," she says. The gun fire. I eye Terrell. I thought he was going to try and get her out before the gun fire.

"It was super loud. But you did great Maria," Terrell says.

"Are you my new daddy?" She asks. My heart swells at the thought of Terrell being called dad.

"I uh- I mean-" he looks at me for help so I quickly think to step in.

"You're going to be staying with us for a long while. My name is Caroline. His name is Terrell. But you call us by whatever makes you comfortable, okay?" I say. She nods her head.

"I've never had a mommy before," she says. Her words break my heart. She's such an amazing little girl and it pains me that she couldn't have the perfect life.

"I've never had a mommy either," Terrell speaks. I knew his mom was out of the picture but hearing him speak about it to Maria is comforting.

"Can she be your mommy too?" She asks as she points to me. I laugh.

"Unfortunately, no. I love her but not like a mom," Terrell laughs. I smile wider than ever. Terrell grabs my hand and smiles up at me.

"How about, you get changed and meet us out in the hall way. When you're ready we'll go get breakfast," I say. She smiles and nods. Terrell stands and we walk out of the room and I shut the door softly. Terrell turns to say something but I jump into his arms. He's stunned before he hugs me back.

"Woah," he chuckles.

"I love you, you know," I say.

"I know. I love you also," he says. The door opens and I release Terrell. Maria gives a confused look before her eyes get watery. We crouch down quickly to comfort her.

"Hey, what's the matter?" I ask, my voice full of concern. She wipes her tears quickly.

"I've never seen people hug," her voice breaks. I look at Terrell and he's staring at her in concern.

"Would you like a hug?" I ask slowly. Her eyes meet mine.

"Really?" She asks. I nod my head as my eyes get a little watery. She nods her head and I pull her small fragile body into my chest and hug her tightly. She squeezes me tightly and gives the best hug I've ever had. Terrell rubs my back as he watches us. She pulls away and smiles at me. She looks at Terrell.

"Come here," he chuckles as he pull her into a bear hug. She wraps her little arms around his neck. I smile at the scene and wish this was forever. Maybe it will be.

We went and got breakfast at a local cafe. Maria decided on chicken and waffles. I was worried about people noticing her but Terrell said not to worry because she really wasn't ever allowed to leave the house. He wants to talk more about it when we got back to the warehouse.

He parks the car and I step out. He opens Maria's door and she hops out joyfully. They walk hand in hand to the front doors. Handsy stands waiting.

"Are you the little monster who stole my crayons?" Handsy asks. He uses a deep and intimidating voice and for a second I worry about Maria's reaction. But to my surprise she giggles.

"Will you color with me?" She asks him.

"Lead the way," he tells her. I smile at Handsy and he winks at me before they head upstairs.

"He's a whole different person around you and the kid," he says.

"He's himself. With just you, it's business. Now he gets to relax a little," I say. Terrell leads me to a table in the center of the room. Everyone is gone, probably on a drug trade or something.

"I found some information about her," Terrell says as he sits. I sit across from him.

"Okay," I say, ready for him to continue.

"She doesn't have a social security number. They never reported her birth," Terrell says. I furrow my brows.

"That's why her file was so short. I couldn't find anything on her. Not even a last name," he says.

"So it's like she doesn't exist," I say. He nods.

"What about school?" I ask.

"She never went. No one knows she exists. Her biological parents are gone and they don't have any relatives," he says.

"What happens if we take her and get her a social?" I ask.

"We become her legal guardians. They would have to create a birth certificate with her parents names but we would be fully responsible, if that's what we chose to do. I don't even know her real birthday. I just have her birth year," he says. Even with how awful this all is, I still can't help but think about how perfect this is for us.

"What do you want?" I ask.

"I feel... I feel obligated to help her. I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to save her," Terrell says. I smile.

"What?" He asks.

"I guess that's our answer then," I say.

"Terrell Clarricoates?" I say.

"Yes?"

"Will you raise Maria as our own, with me?" I purpose with a smile. He laughs.

"Yes- I mean I do," he laughs. I laugh and I reach across the table and press my lips to his. Terrell as a father. Two months ago I would've never though I could be this happy, and now I've never experienced such joy.