I Still Do (bwwm) ᑕᗝᗰᑭᒪᗴ丅ᗴ

when he promised me

"You get to have a sleepover with your cousins this weekend and you can go to the lake and go fishing and Mommy will see you Sunday night."

I was relentless in trying my best to get McKenna to smile. Even reminding her about her weekend with her grandparents didn't seem to be working and as I strapped my baby into her car seat, I could see her chin trembling, making me want nothing more than to just say she couldn't make it at all this weekend.

But if her father wanted her there, who was I to stop him?

Looking into the SUV's front seat, I could see smiles on both Jared's parents' faces.

They have both loved McKenna more than anything since Jared and I told them I was pregnant, and even though their son and I weren't together anymore, Lizette and Jacob have always loved me like a daughter.

I looked back at Mckenna while gently tugging on the lapels of her jacket.

"And I know that you're gonna be a good girl for Grandma and Grandpa, right?"

She giggled a little, giving me that bright smile I loved more than anything in the entire world.

She turned her head and smirked as she looked out the window and when I saw her right dimple pop out, I knew my baby girl was in a better mood.

"I'll be good, Mommy. Grandpa says he got me a new dolly! She can play with Penny tonight before bedtime!"

The pure joy on Mckenna's face was enough to let me know she'd be okay for the night, and if not, I'd be just a phone call away.

I leaned in and gave her a kiss then one on the forehead, inhaling her scent right at her hairline.

"Love you, baby. Mommy will see you in a couple days, okay?"

She nodded sadly, and my heart dropped right back into my gut, but I bit my lip, holding it back for my baby's sake.

"You can call Mommy whenever you want, okay? We can Facetime before you go to sleep."

She sighed once more and I had to tear myself away after one last kiss on her forehead.

After making sure she was securely fastened in her seat, I closed the back passenger door, before stepping forehead to look into the front.

Lizette was riding shotgun, smiling knowingly at me while Jacob looked back at McKenna, making playful faces, knowing exactly how to make his granddaughter smile.

"What are your plans this weekend, sweetheart?"

"Kiana and Della are upstairs. We're gonna have a girls' night. Other than that... it's still pretty much in the air."

I noticed the sad look almost wrapped in sympathy that was on Lizette's face so I quickly leaned in, giving her a small hug, kissing her on the cheek, before ducking my head out of the car.

"Call me if she needs anything. Love you guys."

Lizette's green eyes flickered at me as Jacob pressed the SUV's engine on. I took a step back onto the small curb leading up to my condo and stuffed my hands into the front kangaroo-pocket of my hoodie.