Page 31 of Mia

He gave me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Mia.”

“But… I never got to… she was just…”

I couldn’t form the words to express what I was feeling or thinking.

“It’s not fair,” I whispered. “I was just getting used to carrying her. She can’t be gone.”

“It’s not forever. She’s your angel now, and she’ll always be with you. I’ll just be taking care of her until you two meet again.”

He kissed my forehead and pulled me back into his arms. My heart hurt. This was all my fault. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, if only I’d stayed home and faced my problems instead of running away, my baby would still be here.

“I don’t wanna go back without her, Grandpa,” I whispered.

“I know, puddin’, but you have to. You aren’t done. I didn’t raise no quitters, and neither did your daddy. Your last name might be DeLuca now, but you are and will always be a Dillinger. We don’t take shit laying down. Go back. Heal. And when the time is right, fuck shit up the way only you can.” He cupped my chin and smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“One more thing… give Titan a break. That man loves you… let him.”

I nodded. “I’ll try.”

He kissed my forehead and gave me a slight push back in the other direction. I was slow to make my way toward the voices, scared of the reality of what waited for me on the other side.

My eyes fluttered open, and my ears tuned in to the sounds all around me.

I could hear hushed whispers and sniffles.

I could smell my mother’s perfume and my father’s signature cologne.

Trying to sit up caused me to groan, and several footsteps rushed toward me.

“Baby… you’re awake,” my mother said, cupping my face. She smothered my cheeks in kisses. “You’re awake.”

“Hey, Mom.”

She moved so my father could see me.

“Baby girl… you scared me.”

Looking into his handsome face, filled with worry, made me feel even more like shit. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days and his eyes were red.

“Daddy, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

He wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest. “You’re here. That’s all that matters.” He kissed my temple and rubbed my back. “I’m gonna make sure this shit is handled.”

“Senior!” my mother warned.

“Nah, Maddie. A muthafucka shot one of mine. This shit is personal now.”

“Where’s Titan?” I whispered.

No sooner than the words left my lips, did the door open and Titan walked in with his parents right behind him. When he saw I was awake, he sprinted over to me, cupping my face and kissing my lips.

“Baby, you scared the fuck outta me,” he said, sitting on the bed. “You were out for five days.”

“Five days?”

He nodded. Hurt filled his eyes as he looked at me. “Mia… I… the baby⁠—”