𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭.

𝐗𝐋𝐕

Syre watched his daughter whose body snuggled up on top of his as she let herself under the thick comforter with her parents. "Hi baby." He mumbled, wrapping his arm around her securely.

Her bright smile cheesing up into his face calmed his tense muscles. He would have rathered anything but being awake, because that sleep genuinely felt like only 30 seconds. "Pretty girl, I love you more than life princess." He mumbled, staring down into those bright eyes that stared up at him with so much love and light. 

"Love you daddy." Malani smiled, leaning her head up to give him a small kiss. "And mama." She pointed towards Amerie who was busy typing away at her computer, handling emails from some of her staff.

Syre's eyes stared into the face of his baby mother who could feel his stare, making her head turn in his direction. She eyed Syre who watched her so intently, almost trying to make sense of if everything that'd occurred was even real. But her being in his bed was more than enough confirmation, him, her, and Malani.

She recognized a certain look within his gaze, one that washed over him whenever moments arose that reminded him of what could've been. He lived in a lot more regret and questioning than she did, which they both knew. But in that moment, and every second of the last 3 days, she would be lying had she said she wasn't having many many thoughts herself.

"You been here the whole time?" His raspy voice spoke as he gradually raised his body to sit up. He kept Malani in his lap, despite the fact she wouldn't even move if he tried.

Amerie smiled small with a simple nod. "Yes, you've been knocked out for 3 days. How do you feel?" She looked to her daughter's father whose eyes told it all.

"Shit, how you think I feel?" He mumbled, making Amerie's lips purse at the exhaustion that came with his words.

All that sleep and he was still so tired. Of everything. Everything that was happening in the moment, and the life he had to live as a whole. Everything became overwhelming as the days passed, no matter how much he tried to live everything down.

"I made breakfast about an hour ago because Lani was hungry, and I left you a plate. I did French toast and pancakes with bacon, you probably have no appetite but I do want you to eat." She eyed Syre who only waved her off, having no urge or desire to consume anything.

Staring at him for a second, Amerie sighed out at his dismissiveness to focus back down at her laptop. She switched between tabs of emails, and assessments of how much money her company had made in just days. Millions of dollars racked up in people paying for different services, and those who secured their spots on her waiting list.

The success was so overwhelming, yet everything felt so rewarding. She worked hard to get to this point, and dedicated her entire life to it. She felt as though all of this was really her reward for how much she endured throughout her life, and finally she was being presented the opportunity to relish in pure success.

"Daddy" Malani tapped her father to bring his attention away from Amerie.

"Yes baby."

"When I get present? For Chri-uh-miss." She sounded out the word Amerie taught her, making her mother giggle while Syre twisted his face up.

"Baby, it's Christmas." Amerie shook her head, although Malani paid her no mind. She instead looked to Syre awaitingly, wanting her presents now.

Raising an eyebrow, Syre sat up with his daughter who clung onto him as he stood to his feet. "You gon get ya presents when the day come, it ain't Christmas yet babygirl." He glanced over at the little girl he brought with him to the bathroom to brush his teeth.