Page 98 of Mia

She nodded. “He’s taking good care of me and I’m taking care of him.”

I pinched her cheeks. “I know you are.”

She looked at me, hand still pressed against my heart. “You feel sad and scared. What’s wrong?”

“Mommy’s got something very important she has to do. I have to take care of the people who took you from me.”

“Oh. Are you going to hurt them?”

I nodded. “I have to. They’ve hurt a lot of people before they took you from me and your daddy. I can’t let that go.”

“Will you be safe?”

“Yes. Your daddy, uncles, grandma, and grandpa are gonna be right there with me to make sure I come home.”

“But what if you don’t?”

I cupped her face. “Then I get to be with you. If that’s how it has to end, I’m okay with that.”

She smiled. “It can’t end like that, silly.”

“Why not?”

“Then who’s gonna watch my little brother?”

My eyes widened. “Little brother?”

“Yes.” She touched my stomach. “Not now, though. Grandpa and I are taking care of him until it’s time to send him to you and Daddy. He needs you, Mommy. You can’t come with me yet.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder as I stared at her. Looking up, my grandfather smiled at me.

“You’re gonna be fine, Mia. All of you will be. Just stay focused and keep your eye on your target. Don’t let anything distract you, baby girl. You’re my granddaughter. My blood runs through you, and we always handle business. Don’t worry about Eden. You’re doing this for her. Your old man’s got her. Ain’t that right, baby girl?”

Eden smiled. “Right, Grandpa.” She turned to me. “I gotta go. I’m going to visit Daddy, but I’ll see you again soon, okay?”

I nodded with tears in my eyes. “Okay. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. I held her, not wanting to let her go. When we finally parted, she wiped my eyes and kissed my forehead before grabbing my grandfather’s hand. I watched as they walked into the distance and disappeared from view.

I blinked back the tears and took a deep breath.

“Hey, baby,” I said softly. “I have to go away for a little while, so I won’t be able to visit you. I promise, I’m coming back, though.” I reached out and touched her nameplate. “It’s crazy that I didn’t even get to know you, but I miss you like you were here.”

“She was here.”

I looked back to see my father standing behind me.

“She was here in you and she’s still here, baby.”

He walked over and took a seat beside me. Immediately, Bleu scrambled out of my arms and went over to him.

He chuckled. “Hey, Bleu Bleu.” He shook his head. “I gotta get me a woman. First it was the grandkids, now I have a granddog.”

I giggled. “Everybody just loves you, Daddy.”

“Cause your daddy is that nigga.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “You feeling okay, baby?”