Page 50 of A Don & His Doll

The weight of fatherhood.

The weight of responsibility, accountability, and love that consumed him in that moment was no joke. He couldn't step over it, couldn't go around it, he had to shoulder it... had to find his footing and balance quick because it was all on him. A woman’s intuition was unmatched in most cases, but as Monroe stood a few feet away from Monae, his parental intuition shot through the roof. When he saw her, he felt it…this moment had solidified and confirmed everything he tried to reason with.

Suddenly, as Monae stood in place, she felt the sensation on the side of her face like somebody was watching her.iIt was almost as if Monae felt her father's presence, because when she turned her head slightly to the right, her breath caught in her chest, her hands instantly covered her mouth as tears of joy cascaded down her beautiful almond-colored cheeks. No words had been exchanged, but she knew... Monae knew Monroe was her father. She didn't know what to say, how to act, or what to do with her hands, but her feet; her feet had a mind of their own as she ran to Monroe with open arms. The moment her eyes landed on Monroe, her heart raced. Tears filled her eyes so fast she didn’t bother with trying to stop them.

Every picture she'd ever saved.

Every prayer she'd whispered before going to sleep.

The face she'd memorized was standing right in front of her.

Sienna was looking at a piece of art, and just as she turned to ask Monae a question; her sentence tailed off into silence as she watched Monae and Monroe seize their moment. They embraced each other like they'd been knowing each other their whole life, and hadn't missed one moment out of each other's presence. Pure, Innocent, and Untainted Love would forever be unmatched. It was Godly, sacred, and holy in a way that every on-looker had no other choice but to respect it. It was so transparent that not even the history on the walls of the museum had to take a backseat.

Monroe was the most powerful man in the room, but the tenderness of his heart in the moment was surrendered to his daughter. His vulnerability proved his strength.

"Daddy, I'm so happy to finally meet you," Monae spoke through her tears of excitement.

The sound of Monae calling him daddy for the first time made his chest tighten. A mix of emotions stirred within his chest because in Monroe’s mind, he hadn’t earned the title. He hadn’t shown himself worthy of her love, but Monae had showered him with it anyway. Monroe stepped back to lay his eyes on her again. "I'll cherish this moment forever, Monae," Monroe sincerely replied. None of the money, power, or respect that Monroe had didn’t mean anything when he looked into his daughter's eyes. He didn’t give a damn about his reputation, all that mattered was Monae.

Sienna quietly made her way over, careful not to disturb the moment.

"Mom, why didn't you tell me today was the day?" Monae asked with a smile that stretched into eternity.

"I wanted to surprise you. I know how important it was for it to be perfect," Sienna honestly stated.

Monroe looked back and forth, noticing the small similarities Monae and Sienna shared, like the softness of her features, her hands, the way she stood, and that pretty button nose. But everything else was a replica of Monroe. Her skin tone, soft brown mysterious eyes, full lips; but there was still so much about her personality that would take time to discover. It was like looking at pieces of himself stitched together with everything beautiful Sienna had ever been.

"Everything about this meeting is beyond perfect! I don't care if I get a chance to meet anyone else today," Monae declared with a smile, referring to the conversation about potentially meeting other young people.

The sincerity in her voice landed somewhere deep in Monroe's chest. He'd built businesses, acquired wealth, and earned a level of notoriety that made grown men move carefully around him, yet nothing had ever felt as rewarding as seeing Monae’s smile directed at him.

"Are you hungry?" Monroe asked.

"Not at all," Sienna answered before Monae could. "Mama got her lil' but spoiled. Been cooking her all her favorites every day since we been back to New York."

"Is that right?" Monroe quizzed, his mouth naturally arching into his signature smirk.

Monae shrugged.

"Don't hate 'cause I'm loved like that," Monae jested, knowing deep down that she was, in fact, spoiled to the core.

That statement pulled an honest laugh out of Monroe. His girl not only had a sense of humor, she was naturally funny.

"A’ight then…Tell me all your favorite foods. I'm curious now," Monroe chimed in because after all his research, he still only knew what was documented. He needed the inside scoop on the details that would only came through spending time with his daughter.

"Tajin stew, beef tagine, and seafood brochettes," Monae answered, giving Moroccan dishes.

Monroe nodded, duly noting Monae’s cultured taste. "What’s yo’ favorite color?"

Monae immediately scrunched her nose. "Umm, can I pick two?" Monae asked, struggling to narrow it down to just one.

Monroe nodded as he and Sienna shared a laugh that came natural. Monae was quick-witted, smart as hell, and possessed an effortless aura some adults worked hard to maintain.

"Terracotta orange and bubble gum pink," Monae answered precisely.

"Terracotta orange, huh," Monroe stated more than asked.

"Yes, it's darker than regular orange," Monae clarified. "It's a pretty color though."