Madison lays on Vito's stomach watching tv with him. Her hands rubbing against his stomach slowly, caressing his food baby.

"Papa are you still up?"

She didn't get a response so she lifts her head up to see him staring at the tv.

"Babe"

"...Victor." She calls out again,causing him to snap out of his thoughts

"Is their something you want to talk about,you have been quiet since lunchtime. We had dinner and you're still quiet. You haven't even said anything inappropriate,What's going on"

"I'm good ma."

Vito pecks her forehead and begins to stare back at the tv. Madison shakes her head before shutting the tv off.

"Tv off"

"...I was watching that."

"Victor tell me what's the problem. What is wrong with you?"

"Im fucking bothered okay. I didn't like how your father's woman came for my daughter. I feel disrespected but I also somehow feel like a bad parent, what if something really is wrong with her Ivy. What if she really can't-

"Enough with that , Layla is a smart girl. Just because she doesn't talk that much doesn't mean a thing. Every baby isn't the same. Papa, we raised her, not Yalmin. We know her better than her, you want to know why,because we're her parents. Screw what she says. Their is nothing wrong with our daughter."

"I'm still getting her checked just in case. I want to make sure that if their is a problem that it can be fixed soon as possible." Vito answers

"Victor, she just turned one. So what if she isn't saying thank you. She's saying Mom Dad and she's saying she's hungry. If something was wrong with her I don't think she would be able to do that."

"Madison I just want to make sure."

"Victor how are you going to let someone who doesn't know your child tell you what is wrong with her, Yalmin isn't a pediatrician either if I'm not mistaken."

"Ivy, she's still a doctor. She knows what a child is supposed to be doing at the age of one."

"If she says our child has bugs growing out of her face are you going to believe her?" Madison asks

Vito sighs and shakes his head.

"Ivy I just want to make sure that she is healthy and able to function just as we are."

"Victor, if she falls right now do you know what she's going to do? She's going to cry,because that's what kids do,their is nothing wrong with Lay."

"Enough Ivy,she's my damn child ,so if I want to make sure that she's okay let me be."

Vito stands up and leaves Madison in the living room alone. Madison frowns and runs her fingers through her hair. She felt saddened by the way he said it. She felt that for someone who isn't even hers she does a pretty damn good job of taking care of her. Madison's feelings were hurt and she wanted to take it out on the person who earned it.

She grabs her phone from beside her and calls her father's phone.

"I was just going down to bed, what's the problem?"

"Dad, your girlfriend is. Me and Victor were good until she had to speak about Layla not being talkative. Now he's in the house sad and just being an asshole." Madison expresses angrily

"Madison I'm pretty sure Yalmin didn't mean any harm."

"She didn't intend it but it happened and now I have to deal with his crap tonight."

"Look tomorrow when I see her,I'll have a talk with her and have her apologize,I'm sorry,let me speak to Victor. "

"He left the room a while ago." Madison answers rolling her eyes

"Just make up and go to bed. Their is nothing to worry about."

Madison hangs up the phone and shuts the lamp off. She walks up the stairs to his bedroom and opens the door to see him not in there.

"Kids room" she whispers

She turns around and makes her way down the hall towards the children's room. The door was left open so their was no reason in going in. She could see from the hall him sitting on the floor and staring at her. Madison heads back to their room and lays on her side of the bed. Even though she wanted to sleep she couldn't. She had got so used to him laying on her or her feet being across his. She looks up to hear Victor's feet. When he came in, his hands Layla in his arms. He really felt scared for his daughter.

"Babe"

Madison could see the sadness in his eyes.

"I know you're scared but Lay is okay. You said it yourself you were a late talker. It happens with kids." "You don't have to speak to me but I need you beside me so I can go to bed please can you lay beside me?"

Vito stares at her before nodding. He plants Layla on his pillow and lays beside her.

"I Love you Victor"

Madison turns the lamp on her side off and faces the other way so her back is faced away,still upset by what he said.

" love you too" he answers back

Madison still felt sad till she felt the movement of his feet. His feet crossed hers making her feel a little bit better.

The next morning Victor opens his eyes to the sunrays beaming through the window. He looks beside him to see Layla's feet in his face. He lifts his body up and looks over to see her head on Madison's breast and Madison face towards him. She eventually turned her body during her sleep. Vito's vibrating cell interrupts his staring. He leans over the night stand and grabs it before it caused them to wake up. He stares at the caller id just to see an unknown number.

"Who is this"

" Good morning, this is Doctor Chen, a good friend of mine ,Doctor Green told me that Victor Hernandez needs me to fit him in my schedule."

Victor gets up out of the bed and makes his way out of his room.

"Yes this is him. How much can I pay for your service,coming to my house to check my daughter out?"

"I never had someone ask for me outside of my office."

"Two thousand is that okay with you?" Vito questions tugging on his beard

"Uhh wow sure, that is more than enough"

"What time can you get here?" Vito questions

"I don't have a patient until nine so I'm open."

Vito pulls his phone from his ear to look at the time and smiles.

"Great, you have three hours. I'll send you my address."

Vito sends his address to Doctor Chen while walking into the kids room to check on his son.The way he sleeps always made Vito stare at him. He enjoys watching his son. It could be from him not having a good father in his life or the fact that he missed out on most of Madison's pregnancy.

The sound of footsteps causes him to turn his head. Madison stands in the doorway staring back at him through her half opened eyes.

"Morning."

"Morning." She answers raspily leaning her head on the door

Madison wanted him to say or do something that'll have her smiling. Right now she just felt sad for him and sad that he's acting like this.

"What do you want for breakfast?" She ask hoping that'll cheer him up

"Not hungry right now"

She nods her head slowly and walks more into the room. She walks towards him until she's only a few inches from his body.

"I would like my annoying always horny boyfriend slash husband back."

She places her hands around his torso and presses her face against his back.

"Can I have a kiss,please?"

Vito turns around and leans into her face to peck her lips.

"Now can I get a nicer morning?"

"Good morning Ivy," he answers a little more peppy

Madison pecks his lips again before smiling.

"That's a little more better"

"Now how about some breakfast?"

"Ivy honestly I'm not hungry. I have to get lay ready, I got a pediatrician to come in and check her out for me."

"Okay."

Dr.Chen arrived after an hour an sits in the huge living room awaiting on Victor to come down.

"He'll be down in a bit,would you like something to drink?" Madison asks from the kitchen

"A glass of water."

"Coming right up."

Victor walks down the steps with Layla in his arms. He places a kiss on her lips ,smiling once he feels her slobber on his face.

"Hello Doctor Chen"

"Good day sir ,how are you feeling today and how about this little one?" He asks standing up

"This is Layla and she just turned one." He answers

"How are you Layla?"

He reaches his hand out and instantly she clenches onto her father's neck.

" she's a Daddy's girl."

Dr. Chen nods and smiles.

"So what is your concern with Layla today?"

"I'm worried about her speech development. She says some words but she's barely speaking in full sentences."

"Does she understand when you're speaking to her?"

"She does"

Vito places her on the floor and watches her try to get picked back up.

"Lay can you hand the remote to daddy." Victor says pointing at the remote on the table

Both men watch as Layla walks to the other side to grab the remote off of the coffee table.

"Thank you Princess."

He picks her up and holds her back in his arms. Madison walks out of the kitchen with his glass of water.

"Here's your water."

"Thank you"

He grabs the glass and sits it on the table nearby.

" Layla can you show Dr.Chen your fingers?" He asks

Madison watches as she looks up at Vito. He smiles at her before nodding,giving her the okay.

"Show Dr.Chen your fingers Princess."

Dr.Chen smiles as he watches her lift her hand up.

"Mr.Hernandez, why do you think there is something wrong with Layla, it seems like to me you have here a baby who is just shy. Some kids can't say the full words now as the parent you just have to practice these words with her over and over again.

"Well she isn't my biological daughter. During her biological mother's pregnancy she was using drugs. When I brung Layla to the hospital she still had drugs in her system."

"So you're thinking that the drugs may have messed with her development of speech?"

"Yes sir."

"Layla looks well in my eyes,it looks like she just rather be around her dad. Who is she around more mom or dad?" Dr. Chen asks looking between Madison and Victor

"I'll say Mom but she's definitely a Daddy's girl."

"That is adorable,my daughter is also a Daddy's girl. She's always asking where I'm going and I have to explain to her that I have a job,you can't have me all to your self."

" Now I just want to take a look at her eyes,her reflexes,and other things before I leave. So since you have her already you can just sit if you want"

While Doctor Chen checked Layla. Madison leaves the room so she could pump Cairo's milk.

"Papa I'll call you when we land,I promise." Madison says before placing a kiss on Cairo's cheek

"Toot I'll be back later."

She grabs Layla from Vito's arms and watches as he stares at her.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

He leans his head by her ears and whispers to her,making her knees almost buck.

"I wanna fuck you right now."

"Victor stop it" she mumbles taking a few steps back

"I really do." He nods slowly Taking his time to analyze her outfit

"You sure you don't wanna come?" She questions

Vito nods his head and places a kiss on her forehead.

"I have stuff to do today,Cairo is going over my mother's while I work."

"Alrighty then, I love you."

I love you more,when you get back I want some."

He places his hand between her thighs making her gasp. He gifts her forehead with another kiss and places the next one to Layla's cheek.

"Bye my beautiful Princess,be good to Mommy."

Vito has been overly excited since he got the good news that Layla is in fact completely fine.

"Ivy, don't forget what I said. Call me when you land and then call me when you get to your crib."

"Babe I will,I promise."

Vito watches her smile making him frown.

"Don't be cheesing so hard before I put you in the trunk."

"Put me in the trunk, why would you do that Victor?"

"I would tell you but my good ole buddy Max is waiting on you to go."

"Bye Papa"

Madison

"Bye Ivy"

Walking up the jet stairs makes me feel important. I'm between Queen Elizabeth and Michelle Obama. My man has me feeling like i'm on top of the world. Victor is a great man and I really love who he's becoming. I'm trying and he's trying, it just feels great.

"How are you Mrs. Hernandez?" Max asks smiling at me

Max reminds me of one of those really nice older guys. Like he's a fun uncle with like one child.

"I'm great,how are you?"

"Just fantastic, hubby says you're going back to New York."

"Yes I am." I answer smiling

I haven't been home for a while and I haven't realized how much I missed it until now.

I take a seat with Layla by the window and look out to see Victor's car gone. He must be really busy today. It's great to get confirmation that Lay is good but I never doubted for a second that something was wrong with her. She's very affectionate and that's what makes up for her not talking much.

"Ma."

"Yes baby"

Hearing Lay call me ma makes me the happiest woman, I love her so much. I don't care what anyone has to say this is my child.

"Ju ju"

"Juice baby say juice."

I grab her bottle from out of her baby bag and hand her the bottle that's diluted with water.

" Daddy packed you grape juice"

One thing I can never take from Victor is he is a great father.It's a blessing to have a man who wants kids just not when your trying to finish up college or at least trying to get your life together.

Baby: I can't wait to have your body on mines. Have a fun safe flight. Here's a picture when you're missing Daddy.

He sends a picture of his perfect face. Making me miss him already. Victor is a fine man that I believe is luck that I got him. I hadn't prayed for him, he just simply fell into my lap. I was scared letting Victor in,I didn't know his intentions and I didn't want to get to. A year and baby later. I had his child. I, Madison Harp had a business mans baby. Living it is another thing but actually sitting down and saying it sounds insane. If I wanted to go to Hawaii all I have to do is tell him. It's really remarkable how my life just changed in one year just from going to a party that I was only at for a few minutes.

Leaving the airport was quick. Mahogany offered to pick us up and I of course accepted. Victor is a lot harder on her. I actually sat down with her over a glass of wine and got to know her better. She's not bad at all. She was a woman who loved hard and ended up loving the wrong guy. He manipulated her and got her hooked onto drugs. She wanted so badly to get herself clean but she felt like it was too late. Her family had gave up on her once they realized that she was moving in with him. She didn't even know what she was getting herself in and I feel bad for her. She was expecting someone she trusted and love so much to be different and evil. She even explained to me how after giving birth he told her to het rid of them.

"How are you love?" I ask pulling her in a hug

"I am great, how are you and this little one." She smiles reaching her hand out to her

Layla has warmed up to her. At first she was very iffy about her until she got use to seeing her every other day.

"How are you Layla?"

Layla didn't go to her but she smiled.

"I can accept that smile pretty."

"She's just like Victor, it scares me."

I open the back door and place her in her carseat. I made sure she was strapped in well before closing the door.

"So what have you been doing since I've been gone?" I ask

"The usual,working my butt off and trying to make ends meet."

"That is so nice to hear"

"A guy at my job has been trying to talk to me but I keep curving him. I told him look I have to get myself together I can't put myself through another relationship right now."

"I know that's right don't let no man destroy your peace. Work on yourself and find you a man who wants to make you the happiest woman alive."

"Is that how Vito makes you feel?" She questions looking at me

Instantly I smile just thinking about him.

"He does actually I'm supposed to be calling him."

I grab my phone from my pocket and look ag my screen to see three missed calls from him. I press on his number and it only ringed for a second before he answers.

"Ivy I thought I said to call me when you reach?"

My eyebrows furrow before I scrunched my face up.

"How did you know I landed already and I was getting situated in the car. Did you forget I have a child with me?"

"Max told me he landed minutes ago. I just wanted to make sure yall are good. I don't need nobody stealing you away from me and what car you in?"

"Who's going to steal me Victor and we are in Mahogany's car."

"Ivy remember what I said."

"Okay Victor dang."

I hang up the phone and slide it back into my jeans. He's really being a ass. He hadn't even held a conversation with her in a while. He doesn't see what I see. It's so quick to judge and it kind of makes me upset. She just wants to do the right thing and get back into Lay's life.

"What was that about?" She asks still looking at the road

"Nothing he's just in one of those annoying moods right now"

I don't want Mahogany to feel like I agree with him. She's a changed woman who wants to do the right things and I'm going to allow her whether Victor like it or not.

"So what were we talking about now?"

The whole ride to my apartment was full of conversations and just overall catching up with one another. I really like Mahogany and the way she thinks. She doesn't allow her past to dictate her future and that is what draws me to her.

"Home sweet home. I missed you so much"

I place Layla's bag on the couch and enter in the kitchen. Fashbacks of what happened the last time in my kitchen enter my mind. Victor really showed out the last time. He really did something to me. I was on cloud nine the whole day until he decided he wanted to be an ass towards me and to just randomly invite his ex in his home like he didn't leave me in his mother's house alone with our children. I honestly was super pissed by that. A man who is trying to gain a woman's trust back should definitely not allow that. I don't care if he was the last person on earth she should of cried to a damn puppy about her feelings. I'm not trying to be insensitive but I felt bad for her up until she came out of her mouth telling me what I need to do with my relationship. News flash hoe he's mine already mind yours.

I leave the kitchen an head back into the livingroom searching around for my car key.

"Mahogany I have to be somewhere real quick. I guess you can use this time to be with her. I trust you and I want to give you more freedom with her so you will be alone with her for about an hour."

"Oh wow okay." She smiles

I can see the excitement in her face. It's like this is what she always wanted.

"Thanks alot Madison. I wont mess this up."

"Call me if you need anything. I'm only going to my job to get a few things,I'm quitting "

"Oh okay."

I place a kiss on Layla's face and watch as she smiles.

"Don't be scared to call me for anything. I don't care if you need to call me one hundred times just call me" "and you got this by the way it isn't hard you watched her with me plenty of times"

"Okay."

I grab my key from off the table and dig my hand in my pocket taking sone money out.

"This is fifty dollars you can order a pizza. You already know she loves pizza so you'll do good. Just cut the pieces small so it'll be easy for her to chew. You can give her juice just put water on top of it."

"Okay I got this" she smiles

"Remember call me if you need anything."

I wave goodbye before leaving my apartment. Knowing Miller he's going to say a few things to piss me off before I leave and I am prepared for that. I simply telling him I quit and grabbing my things. Walking downstairs towards the lobby a familiar face catches my eyes.

"Madison"

"Hey Seven"

I haven't seen Seven since I asked him to watch the kids. I really feel absolutely bad about what Victor did to him. Victor is a sucka for love and It's going to take me a while to get use to it.

"How are you,I haven't seen you in a while"

"I've be in Detroit."

I would like to play catch up but I need to retrieve my things from my office.

"Are you moving back?" He questions

"No I- can we talk later I'm actually busy. I have to get a few things from my job."

"Do you need a ride?" He asks

"No"

I hope I didn't say that to quick then I thought. I would hate for Victor to call me while I'm in the car with Seven.

"Oh okay well I-um just will see you around."

"Yea"

I leave out of the lobby and make my way to my parked car. I haven't touched my baby in a while and I miss her. I unlock my car and slide in. I close the door behind me,locking it so I could get rid of my anxiety. I grab my phone from my pockets and look on the screen to see Vito's texts.

Baby: Did you just hang up on me?

Baby: you must want me to choke you out

Baby: Madison call me back before I find my way to your apartment

Baby: Ivy you can play with your friends but dont play with me answer the phone

He sent those all in one minute and this was when I was at the airport still. Victor is a mess and I don't have the time. I push the key in the ignition and start the car up. I look over at my silent phone to see it ringing again. I pick up the phone and place it on the speaker waiting to hear his yelling.

"Don't you have things to do today what do you want Victor?"

"Ivy don't hang up on me again."

I hear before hearing the call end. He literally called me just to hang up? Annoying is what he is. I pull out of the parking spot and make my way to my job. I just hope Miller doesn't say anything crazy and just accept the fact that I am moving on to something new,Making a name for myself. I take my phone off of silent and push it back in my pocket.

I use the elevator to my floor and begin walking towards Miller's office. My hand beat against the wooden door.

"Enter"

I turn the knob and let a breath out as I push the door open.

"What a surprise for you to finally show up Harp."

"I had to retrieve my things and also let you know that I am leaving."

"Leaving to go where?" He asks placing his pen down

"I quit."

An obnoxious chuckle leaves his lips making me frown.

"Something funny?" I question

"You of course. What made you think your leaving?"

"I'm telling you that I am leaving. I need to be around my kids more and I have found a better job." I answer.

"Interesting,well find your desk and pack your belongings."

"That was exactly what I was going to do."

I turn on my heel and make my way to my desk that has the beautiful picture of me and my babies.

"How are you Madison,Haven't seen you in a while "

"Hello Mike,how are you and that's because I've been busy. I'm leaving the job though."

"Are you serious?" He ask furrowing his eyebrows

"Yes I am gone. I have a better opportunity."

" that is absolutely great don't forget me."

" I wont Mike."

."Do you need a box?" He ask

"Yea a small one is fine. Their are only a few things I have at this office"

I really can take this time to finish school strong. Even beeing more around the kids. I feel like I'm not around them much and that's maybe because of the short vacation that we had.

I grab the box from Mike and stand directly behind my desk laying things inside. An I going to miss this job? No but the people are great and Alexis is a great girl..

"Hey Mike is Alexis here?"

"No think she might've quit as well."

I see Alexis is having fun with this boy. The feeling of eyes watching me made me lift my head up to see Miller. Miller is really s creep and I don't know why I stayed longer.

"Harp can I see you in my office?"

"Right now I'm in a rush so I really can't stay long maybe a email will do for now"

I grab the box of of what used to be my desk and make my way to the elevator. I press the down button patiently waiting for it to open. The vibrating in my pants pocket made me groan. It's like everyone wants to talk to Madison. I pull my phone out and answer it.

"Yes"

"Ivy where you at?"

"Victor why,What do you want?" I question

" where Lay at?"

"Victor goodbye and do your work"

Victor is going to flip when I tell him that I left Lay with Mahogany. Shoot I don't know why he acting like it's a bad Idea. He doesn't know her well that's why he's thinking badly but he needs to learn to trust the people who are going to be around him for a long time. Mahogany wants to be a great mom and like I said again I'm going to allow it.

I take the elevator down to the parking lot and start to my car. I unlock the trunk and place the box in there. Smiling at the picture on top I miss my babies already. I shut the trunk and unlock the car so I can get in. I turn the car on and the great voice of Alicia Keys begin to play out. Alicia is one of my favorite musicians. I turn the music nozzle up a little bit and and start my journey back home.

Show me love Treat it like we freakin' on the weekend, show me love I eat up the seconds, times and reasons for your love This is not the season for nobody else but us I always get wrapped up in you, baby, I'm in love We gon' get this love, yeah, like we never done it

Parking the car in my apartment garage is easy. It seems like not much people are home which makes it easier for me to find a parking spot. I exit the passenger seat and shut the door behind me. I pop the trunk and grab the box. This is going to be new to me,no more working for snobs. I walk into the lobby and press the elevator waiting on it to come down. I stand patiently waiting for the door to open up. I step on and press the floor that my my apartment is on. Again the annoying buzzing of my phone goes off. I wait till I got out before answering Victor again.

"Yes"

"So it's just fuck what I said and do whatever Madison says?"

"Victor I-

"Shut up I'm I'm speaking."

I furrow my brows before talking over him because I don't know who he thinks he's talking to.

"For one I'm not your child fix the way you're talking to me and I was only gone for an hour to get my stuff."

"I don't give- You know what I'm coming down there and I am coming to get Lay."

"No you're not, stay where you are. You don't know Mahogany to know that she's clean. She is a nice woman who made a mistake, Made a mistake in love so yes I gave her a chance to get to know her daughter alone. Victor I say this all the time but I really need you to know that you're an ass. You haven't even held a proper conversation with the girl to know that she can't even stand the sight of a cigarette. You think just because you sell it means you know her? You don't know a damn thing. Remember that whole month you left and went wherever, guess who was here helping me with our kids?" "I was stressed and you-you weren't there Victor so don't try to tell me what I can and can't do."

"IVY SHE'S MY FUCKING CHILD. THE FUCK YOU MEAN!"

"SHE'S MINE ALSO! SO WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY HUH,BECAUSE I DIDN'T SIGN THOSE PAPERS SHE'S NOT MINE AS WELL ? TO HELL WITH THOSE PAPERS!"

The line went silent and I'm sure he was trying to find something else to say. If he wants be technical he not to long ago was taking drugs that could of messed up his dumb ass parenting looks. He just doesn't get it.

"Madison have my fucking child ready for when I come to get her."

"Fuck you Victor she's not going anywhere."

I hang up the phone on him and make my way into my apartment.

"Hey ,are you okay?" Mahogany asks sincerely looking at me

"Uhh yea"

1.Do yall think Madison was wrong ?

2.Does She make a point ?

Honestly forreal this time only two chapters are left. I'm so happy that this book can finally be over lol seems like I've been writing forever.

Im not really good at first person but I tried