It ends with us | (Slow updates)

19. Understanding

Baylor POV

"I wish I could have been here. To see all of her firsts. First steps, first word." Asher says as we sit on a bench watching Ashlor run around the park.

"I'm sorry." I tell him, not knowing what else to say.

"She knew who I was before we met. She told me she seen me fight. She watched me live my life while thinking I didn't give a damn about her." He says still not looking at me. I can feel the heartbreak in his voice.

"I don't think that's what she thinks. . . When Mia was three, on the anniversary of our families death, I was in my room, with a bottle of vodka, sobbing. Mia was suppose to stay the night with Leah but at ten o'clock she comes running in my bedroom. Leah had a work emergency. I was in the process of calling you. It had been ringing for a moment, when she walked in, you answered. I couldn't speak without erupting into another sob in front of her. So I tried to stay quite, but when I heard your voice. I couldn't hold it together. Mia grabbed the phone, yelled at you to stop making her mommy cry and hung up. I had all of our photos out, the ones of us and the ones you gave me of Luke and Emilia. In my drunk mess I showed her the pictures of us for the first time, the photos of Kaylee, the photo of Luke and Emilia. I told her that Emilia is her grandma, Luke is her uncle, and that you are now a professional fighter. I don't remember everything I told her that night. But after, she always asked for stories about you, Luke, and Emilia. But, I could never give her anymore than the few you told me. I can tell you right now Asher, you and your family were never forgotten, and you have always been her idol." He looks over at me with tears pricking his eyes and he pulls me into a hug.

"Thank you. For telling her about them and about me. I don't think things would have turned out the way they did if she hadn't. And I couldn't live another day without you two." He says and kisses my cheek.

"I've missed you so much. Please never leave me again." He says and a tear slips down my cheek.

"I promise I won't." I tell him and he rests his head on mine as we turn our attention back to Mia. I scan the park for her, the swings she was just on are empty, still faintly swinging.

The slides are empty as well. My hearts skips a beat as it starts to speed up. My hands are sweating as I search the park in front of me for my child.

"Mia!" I yell and Asher stands up as he looks around the area.

"Ashlor!" Asher yells as he runs towards the slides. The air feels like it's being suctioned from my body as we both begin to look for her.

"Over here!" I hear her little voice yell and I spin around looking for her, finally I see her hands peak over the wooden fort on the other side of the park. Me and Asher both let in a breath of air and look at each other-

We jog towards Mia as she climbs off the fort and back onto the ground.

"Okay let's go back to auntie Leahs. We can come back to the park another day." I tell her and she stops and crosses her arms.

"I don't want to go! What did I do? I don't want us to leave yet!" She yells and runs back to the fort and climbs back onto the roof of it. I sigh and cross my arms as I glare up at her.

"Get down now! We're going back!" I yell at her, exhausted from everything that's been going on. Why isn't she listening, she always listens to me.

"No! We're staying here! I'll be good! Just keep talking and I'll play." She whines and I stop for a moment to think about what she just said.  Asher walks towards the fort and looks up at her not understanding the reason for her behavior.

"Why aren't you listening to your mommy? You have been so good today. I can bring you back to play later." Asher tells her calmly and instantly I can tell it hurt her feelings.