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Layla

"Danny, don't say that," I said, looking at him slightly disappointed. He looked back, smiling slightly, but I could see he was somewhat saddened. "I'm sure you'll have kids in the future. You'll be a great dad one day, I know it." I said, turning away from him and looking out the window.

I sighed, leaning against the window for the rest of the ride. When we finally got home, I didn't have the energy or spirit to talk to anyone. I have been confused with everything that's happened lately. I was supposed to stay away from him. That was my primary plan. I knew if I came close to him again and talked to Danny, things would go downhill, and they have.

He's making me fall madly for him again, and I don't think I can keep denying it. He's been the sweetest guy these past few days, and yesterday at Mes Amis, when he was jealous of Sebastian, I realized maybe he does care about me more than I thought.

Was I ready to be a mom? I don't think I am, and we have only been together no more than a week. So much has happened in just that week. We went from making up to agreeing to have a fling in Vegas to coming back married. The thought of a baby with him if this marriage did work seemed like a beautiful idea, though.

"Layla, can we just talk about this?" Danny says as he stops the car right in front of the gate. "Danny, can we just leave it for now? Look, I'm not ready for kids, and yeah, maybe if things work out for you and me, we can think about it in the future. But for now, I-" his engine was quiet, and our windows were slightly down. "Do you hear that? It sounds like a baby is crying." I said, looking around. It was odd, especially since there were no houses nearby. The nearest place here is about half a mile away. I looked at him, and he smiled, "You really want a baby with me?" He asks with a huge grin. I smile, turning away, but then, I hear a baby crying again.

When the gate finally finished opening, he pulled in, and there was a lady in a suit with a baby in a stroller. She looked very professional, like a social worker would dress. The baby looked no older than a three-year-old. She was tiny and was crying nonstop.

"Danny, do you... Know who this lady is?" He looked toward them; the baby faced away from us. But since my department is to deal with kids in my old job, I'd say she was three years old, unless I'm mistaken. A lot can affect a baby's development, like their health and nutrition, or even hereditary.

He turns the car off, and we both get out, making the lady turn. She was an older lady that looked around in her late thirties or early forties. "Who is-" Danny quickly gets out of the car, concern written all over his face.

"Danny. Thank God you're home. I've been out here waiting for hours." she says, tilting her head. She had a folder with her and a diaper bag hanging over her shoulder.

He gets down to the baby's level, disregarding the lady. He takes the baby out of the stroller and hugs her tightly. "Zoey, don't cry, sweetheart. It's ok." I was confused. What in the world was happening? Who was this lady, and who was this baby?

"Danny?" I asked, making them turn. The baby looked like she had down syndrome; she squirmed in his arms and looked uncomfortable. "Layla."

"Is everything ok? Who... Who is this baby?" I asked, a little scared of his answer. "Layla, this...this is Zoey, my daughter." his words were like a bucket of cold water.

I looked dumbfounded in front of them. The baby kept crying, and he looked concerned, unsure if it was because he was worried about what I'd say or because of the baby. "I'll, uh... I'll get out of your way so you can talk."

I was mad, confused, and hurt. We had just talked about the possibility of having kids in the future and all this bull shit about him wanting a kid with me, but he failed to mention he already had a daughter. I fought back the tears and the lump in my throat.

"Layla...wait, please let me exp-" I turned, raising my hand with my eyes closed in frustration, "Just...don't. I'll be inside." I said, turning to leave.

The weather has been warmer and tonight was no exception. It bothered me to see the baby crying while wearing a big-ass sweater. I know I'm pissed off at Daniel right now, but the baby looks stressed, and I hate seeing her like this.

I sigh, close my eyes, and grunt as I turn and take the baby from his arms. I bend my knees, placing her on my lap. "Hi, Zoey. It's hot, huh? Let's take this big thing off of you, ok?" I say, smiling. I unzip it and take off her sweater while she continues to cry. Her cheeks are red, and she looks dehydrated from so much crying and sweating. "Bag!" I demand the diaper bag from the lady, reaching my hand for it.

Danny and the lady look at me puzzled, but the baby quiets down to hiccups and whimpers as she rests her little head on my chest. "God, you're unbelievable," I say, glaring at Danny angrily, grabbing the bag off the lady's shoulder. I notice a sippy cup with filtered water in the side pocket. I hold the bottle out, giving it to the baby. She's so emotional that she has trouble holding it. I hug her like a baby because she is so thin.

I cradle her while I stand up and finally get her to calm down. "Baby, please, let me explain."

"Save it. I'll...take Zoey inside with me so you can talk." I said as I turned around and walked inside the house.

Almost half an hour later and I'm bent over the bed, my hands and chest resting on the bed while Zoey plays with a pair of plastic keys she had in her diaper bag. "You're gorgeous, Zoey, you know that?" I say as she tosses the keys up, making them land on her lap. Her tongue sticks out, making her drool a little. I smile through teary eyes.

I grab her tiny napkin and wipe her mouth. She squeals, grabbing my cheek, and that's when I lose it. I begin to cry. The situation gets the best of me. She holds my cheeks as she sees me cry and begins to whimper. "Don't cry, Zoey. It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong, baby. It's me. I'm a mess. I love your daddy, but I just... How could he have kept you a secret from me? Did he really think I wouldn't accept you? I mean, look at you?" I say, standing up.

I sit on the edge of the bed, grabbing her and sitting her on my lap. She turns, standing on my lap and holding my face. "Mah," she utters out, making me smile through my tears.

"I know, Zoey. Your mommy should be here soon, ok? You do have a mommy, right?" I wondered who her mom was.

Twenty minutes later and Zoey falls asleep. I lay her in the middle of the bed and placed a rolled-up towel on her back, so she felt like someone was with her, and she didn't get startled.

I wipe my tears and walk out of the room quietly. I need fresh air, but I also need answers.

Danny still sits in the living room with the lady. He stands up when he sees me; his eyes are filled with sadness. "Ladybug." I sit across from them, my hands crossed over my chest and jaw clenched. "Zoey was a bit dehydrated, but I got her to cool down. She's a bit calmer and fell asleep."

"Baby, it's not what you think; if you just give me a chance, I can explain to you."

"How can you keep something so important from me? Did it not occur to you that sooner or later, I'd find out? What were you thinking?"

"Layla, I know. I-"

"You know, I think I should go. I'll let you discuss this. Mr. Halloway, whatever you decide, please let me know. Zoey has no one else; she needs a home, and if a decision is not made, I'm afraid she'll be placed under foster care."

I looked at her, puzzled. "Why would he need to think about it? If it's your daughter, then you need to be responsible for her. Where is the mom?" I asked, getting a worried look from both.

Danny gestures for the lady to proceed. He walks her out, coming back with his hands tubing his sides. I sit, sighing as tears threaten to fall again.

"Layla, I need to tell you the truth about Zoey. But I need you to keep an open mind, please?"

"Did you really think I wouldn't accept her? She's your daughter, Danny. And she's beautiful. Are you ashamed of her because of her condition? I mean, come on, it's only an extra chromosome in her body, nothing wrong with her!" I blurt out frustratingly. He chuckles, looking down. His eyes fill with tears as he launches his arms around me.

"Layla... Just listen. Please!"

Why do I feel there is so much I am missing? I'm afraid of what he will say, but I am also not willing to be here if he sends his daughter away to a foster home.

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