"Koraline Arabella. Honey, wake up. Food's ready." My mother shakes my shoulder gently.

"I'm awake." I open my eyes. Trinity is coloring at the table and looks back to see if I am paying attention. She catches my eye and smiles, I can't help but to smile back.

If James were here, he'd be sitting on the floor with her. He'd ask her to tell him about the colors and what she's making a picture of. Not that he'd understand a single word, but he'd love to hear her talk about it. James was an excellent daddy.

It's hard to believe it's only been 3 days that he's been gone.

"Let's go eat." Mom picks Trin up and carries her to the dining table. I wish someone would carry me. Fatigue is basically my only feeling at the moment. Exhaustion haunts my every move. I shuffle down the hall and take a seat at the table.

Dinner goes by nicely. Pleasant conversations with Mom and Trinny didn't make a big mess. I wash the dishes before heading out. On the way home Trin plays with her dolls in the back seat and I just think about the day that he left. The day that my worst nightmare came true.

Maybe, one day, he will return.

I doubt it though. It's minus 8 here and he's in the land of constant summer. James was made for that life. Looks, attitude, and everything about him gently says that he belongs on magazine covers and TV shows, his voice deserves to be heard by the world.

I hope he's doing well.


*James POV*

"Stop cheering! If you thought the last 3 days were hard; wait 'til you see the next 3 months. Carlos still can't sing, Logan still can't dance, and I still can't stand James." Gustavo shakes his head.

"We'll work on it." Kendall still smiles from their new found success, while Carlos pushes on James' chest to hold him back from saying something to Gustavo about his comment.

"Okay, now you can celebrate." Gustavo says over the intercom. Carlos, Logan, Kendall, and I commence to whooping and slapping a high five together. This is it. All my dreams are coming true.

"Can you believe it guys?! We did it!" I shout. "I guess that my popstar dream wasn't so stupid after all."

"No. You just stammered like an idiot in front of Nicole." Kendall snarly remarks.

"Yeah." I pull at the collar of my jacket. "I didn't wanna seem to hot-headed. The whole shy boy thing is totally in, ya know. She totally wants me."

"Well, I want to sleep. Let's head home." Logan rubs the back of his neck. We exit the sound room and shortly after exit the building to Ms. Knight's rental mini-van. Once the initial excitement calms down, most of the people in our group are totally wiped. All, but me and Ms. Knight, fall to sleep on the ride home. Kendall in the passenger seat, Carlos and I in the middle seat, leaving Logan and Katie in the rear seats.

"What's on your mind, Hon?" Mama Knight whispers.

"Hmm?" I pull my ear bud from my ear.

"You look like something is on your mind. Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. Just excited about today."

"Well, alright."

I lied to her. Not that I wanted to, but not really wanting to talk about what a terrible person I am. Koraline must hate me. I wonder if Trinity even remember who I am.

They should be here with me. I can't believe I actually left them. It's too late now to change my mind. I've done the worst thing to both of the most important girls in my life that is possible. Kora grew up without a dad. Her worse fear was that she was gonna be left too. I told her that I would never do that to her. I lied.

It sucks. Things are finally going my way, but I really wish that I could talk her. She wouldn't answer even if I knocked on her door.


/Flashback/

"Look at her. Wow. Look at them." A pure light fills James' eyes. "Can I go in?"

"I don't know. Let's give them a minute. You wanna call the guys? Let them know?"

"Yeah. I can do that." While James pulls his phone out of his pocket and makes the round of calls to each of the boys at 2:14 in the morning, Kora is trying her best to stay conscience. Physically, mentally, and emotionally she is drained. For the first time, her daughter is in her arms. She's so much smaller than she felt on the inside.

"Ja-mes?" Her voice cracks as she asks the nurse for James.

"James?" The middle aged woman asks. Kora's eyes shift to the window. On the other side; a bright eyed and messy haired boy with a goofy grin and phone pressed to his ear looks in.

"You want him in here?"

A nod.

"Alright. I'll let him in." She walks over to the door. James quickly combs his fingers through his hair. Have to look nice for meeting his daughter for the first time. Mama Knight pushes him towards the door after it opens. Then, he takes walks slowly over to the bedside. Kora moves the blanker back from the baby's face.

"Oh my goodness." He clasps his hand to his mouth. "She's so small." He smiles.

"Ms. Knight." She whispers. James goes over to the door and welcomes Mama Knight.

"Oh, Koraline. You were so excellent. Congratulations. She's so pretty."

"Tell her, James."

"You want me to do it? You sure?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Okay." He smiles. The two who stand by the bed share a quick look. "Mama Knight, we want you to meet our daughter. Trinity Jennifer Diamond."

"You're naming her after me?" She places a hand to her chest. Kora and James nod.

"You've done so much for us. Especially with helping us prepare for her. You deserve to be remembered for this. We really appreciate you and think you're an amazing mother to us. Thank you so much for all that you have done."

"I don't know what to say. I'm honored."

The most energy that Kora can muster is smile, but James hugs Ms. Knight tight enough for the both of them. Shortly, the nurses say they need to take the baby for dressing and a few tests.

The new parents get some alone time after Ms. Knight leaves. Though, new mommy is so exhausted that she crashes in sleep within an hour after giving birth. James lays on his side, holding her close to him on the hospital bed.

"You did so well, Baby." He combs the hair above her ear. "I'm so proud of you. You were so brave. I'm so happy right now. I love you so much." James kisses her forehead moments before he joined her in sleep.