31-Donovan

Ibetter win the best boyfriend of the year award for agreeing to take my girl, who's pregnant with my baby, to visit an ex-boyfriend.

In jail.

When Shorty called and told me where she planned on going today, I was close to losing my shit. Then she asked me to go with her, and my anger fizzled out. But not enough for me to not pound the hell out of the bag in the basement that had to be replaced for the fourth time this year.

I pull up to the gate and roll down my window.

"Identification, please?" the guard asks.

I pull my card out of my wallet and hand it to him.

He looks at it, back to me, and then scans the inside of my car. When his gaze turns back to me, he nods.

"Go ahead." He jerks his head to the gate and hands me my card back.

I park the car and turn off the ignition. I look over at Shorty and take the time to admire her natural beauty.

God, she really is fucking beautiful.

She's wearing a white summer dress that stops at her knees. I gaze down at her delicate and soft legs that I want wrapped around me. Or better yet, my head between her legs so I can eat her out. Too bad she's not into that.

I laugh to myself, picturing her face if she woke up and found my head between her legs.

"What?" Shorty meets my gaze and smiles. "Why are you laughing?"

I shake my head. "Nothing, babe."

"O-ni!" I turn around to see Sophia reaching for me and bouncing in her seat.

"Ok, baby girl. I'll come get you." I hop out of the car and slam the door shut and round the car to Shorty's door first, but like always, she's out by the time I make it to her.

Her independence is a pain in my ass.

I pop Sophia's door open and unbuckle her and life her from the seat.

"You look so pretty today." I kiss Sophia on the side of her head. She's wearing a dress with a white bodice and a colorful tutu skirt with unicorns. Her tiny colorful toes are peeking out of her ankle strap flats with rhinestones to match her outfit. Shorty styled her hair in a Dutch braid—what she calls it—and twisted the ends of her braids into buns on each side of her head.

She's a mini Shorty.

The place is packed, and it takes a while to get through security. Once the guard searches us and takes our belongings, he goes over the rules. We follow him into what I believe is the waiting room.

We stand beside the table near the back window. When I hear heavy metal doors opening, a prickling sensation shoots up my spine. Sophia must sense the tension in my body since she snaps her head up at me and touches my face with her little hand. I look over to her big brown eyes that are just like Shorty's and grab her hand, kissing her fingers.

"Hey." Christian clears the gruffness from his voice.

"Hey," Shorty responds in a shaky voice.

Christian takes a seat, and Shorty sits across from him.

As much as I hate leaving her alone with him, especially with Sophia, I reluctantly release her daughter to her.

Sophia whines and struggles in her arms, reaching for me.

"I'll give you some privacy." I turn to walk away when he speaks again.

Shorty wraps her hand around my wrist. "No, please don't leave. I want you to stay."

"Shorty, I don't think it's a good idea—"

"It's all right man," Christian says. "Stay."

I nod and slide in the seat beside Shorty.

Sophia bangs her hands on the table, and I can't help but see the adoration in Christian's eyes as he stares at his daughter.

"She's beautiful, Reina."

Shorty smiles.

"Sophia," Shorty whispers in her ear, "this is your daddy."

Sophia looks up at her mom, then to Christian. "Da-da." She bangs her hands on the table again, kicking her legs in excitement.

An enormous smile spreads across his face. The longer he stares at Sophia, the softer his eyes become, and tears begin to form. He lifts his hand to wipe a tear away before it falls, but he isn't quick enough. I feel like I'm intruding into a special moment between Sophia and her father.

He leans forward and spreads his arms in front of him, palms up, waiting for her to reach for him. And surprisingly, she does without hesitation.

"Hey, sweetheart," he croaks, rubbing his thumb on top of her hand.

"Do you want to hold her?" Shorty asks.

His gaze meets Shorty's, and for a brief moment, I get a glimpse of nostalgia. Shorty said he was a good person when they first got together. And as much as I can't forgive him for what he put Shorty through, I can see the kindness in his eyes.

He nods.

Shorty gets up from the table, with Sophia's back against Shorty's chest. Sophia is curious and glances around the room until she's one step away from Christian. Sophia babbles and claps her hands together. Christian holds his arms out for her, and she accepts.

Shorty walks back and sits beside me. I throw my arm behind the back of her chair, and she instantly melts into my side. I run my fingers lightly down her shoulder.

We watch as Christian interacts with their daughter. From the corner of my eye, I see Shorty wipe a lonely tear from her eyes. This is a very emotional moment for them, and a huge step toward forgiveness. I just hope Christian realizes that and works his ass off to make up for the time he lost with his daughter.

"Thank you for looking after my family." His eyes move to Shorty and he gives her a wistful smile. He turns back to me. "Thank you for taking care of them when I didn't." He swallows..

"It's not hard to love them," I say honestly.

He nods three times and lifts Sophia to face him as she bounces in place.

"Time's up," the guard calls out.

"When can I see her again?" He doesn't take his eyes off Sophia when he asks.

"I can come by next Saturday. We can stop by weekly."

"I'd love that, thank you." His words sound sincere. Christan turns to me and smiles. "Thank you for taking care of my girls."

I give him a tight nod.

Always and forever mine.