My fist bounces off her door, loud enough I’m sure to cause concern from her neighbors. I couldn’t give a fuck about them; all I care about are the two people who are my entire world, and the damn door is all that’s keeping me from them.
I raise my fist to pound again, but the door swings open. Larissa is there, tears in her eyes. “Baby,” I reach for her, but she steps out of my reach, and the tears begin to fall.
“Don’t,” she warns.
“Larissa, can we talk about this? Carol told me what happened. I’m just as upset as you are, but pushing me away is not the answer. Nothing they said matters. Nothing.”
My phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I see it’s my mother. I’m going to have to call her back. I slide my phone back in my pocket, ready to fight for her. It immediately rings again. Pulling it out again, I see it’s my mom, and worry rushes over me. “I’m sorry, I know we’re in the middle of a conversation, but it’s my mother, and she never calls right back. I’m afraid something might be wrong.”
“Answer it,” she says, waving a hand in my direction. She wipes the corner of her eye, and my heart cracks seeing her tears. I never want to see her cry.
My phone stops then starts back up again; this time I answer. “Hey, Mom, is everything okay?”
“Fine, except for the fact that it’s been weeks since I’ve talked to my son. By the way, good game.”
“Thanks. I’m good,” I assure her. “I talked to Dad a couple of weeks ago.”
“That’s your father,” she scolds me.
“I know, I’m sorry. How are you and the rest of the Monroe clan?” I ask. She rambles on, but I’m not listening. All my attention is on the woman standing in front of me, wiping away her tears. I need to end this call with my mother, tell her that I’ll call her back, but I also need this time to get my thoughts in order. I’m in for the fight of my life, to prove to her that she and Paisley are a part of me and I want them in my life for now and for always.
“East, are you even listening?”
“Sorry, what?” I ask, letting her draw me back into the conversation.
“Your dad said you met someone.” Her voice is low, almost a whisper, as if it’s a secret she’s not supposed to know.
“Yeah, I met someone,” I admit. Larissa’s eyes snap to mine. They’re still brimming with tears. “I met this woman. She’s amazing, Mom. She’s gorgeous and smart, busts her ass every day, and she has these bright green eyes that remind me of emeralds. She’s a great mom, reminds me a lot of you.” My eyes never leave Larissa’s.
“She has kids?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, a little girl. Her name is Paisley, and I swear to you, she stole my heart the minute I met her.” I watch Larissa as she bites down on her bottom lip.
Mom chuckles. “How’s that going? Do you get along with her? How old is she?”
“She just turned five, and yeah, we get along great. She asked me if I would be her daddy,” I confess as I watch a tear slide down Larissa’s cheek.
Mom gasps. “How do you feel about that?”
“I want nothing more than to be her daddy. It may not be my blood running through her veins, but I couldn’t love her more if it were.”
“Oh, East,” Mom gushes. “What about her mother?”
“I love her. I love them both.” A sob breaks from Larissa’s chest. “Listen, Mom, Larissa’s here and we were in the middle of something. Can I call you back later?”
“She’s there? East, you should have sent me to voice mail,” she scolds.
“I tried,” I tell her with a chuckle.
“Sorry,” she replies sheepishly. “Call me later. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.” I end the call and slide my phone back in my pocket before holding my hand out for Larissa. She takes it and allows me to lead us to the couch. She sits, and I sit across from her on the coffee table, gripping her hands in mine. “I love you, Ris, and I love Paisley. That’s all that matters to me. I don’t care who says what or who thinks what about us. All that matters to me is the two of you. I want her smiles when she comes home from school, or when she catches a fly ball. I want to tuck her in at night and read her however many princess stories it takes for her to fall asleep.”
“She loves you too,” she says through her tears.
I nod, because I know she does. She’s told me several times. “Then, I want to be able to climb into bed with you and talk about our day while I hold you in my arms. I want to make love to you until we’re too exhausted and have no choice but to fall asleep.” The tears are falling faster, but I push through, needing to bare my soul to her. “I know life with me won’t be easy. I have five or six years left before I won’t be able to play anymore. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to take a leap of faith. Trust that we can do that. That we can be a family. I want to be her daddy, and I want you to be my wife.”
Her mouth drops open as I lower myself to my knees. “I wasn’t sure when I was going to ask you, I wanted it to be perfect, and I need to talk to Paisley,” I admit, and she smiles through her tears. “But I want to marry you. I want you both to have my last name, and I want to have more babies with you.” I place my hand on her belly. “I know you worry, baby. But I need you to trust me. I won’t hurt either of you. All I want to do is love you, and make Paisley feel every bit like the prince