Breathe.
"Are you ready to get back to class?" He asked, offering his hand to help me up.
I wiped my face one more time.
I took his hand.
Releasing from his grip, I picked Mia up.
I held her close.
Tight.
"Come on, we still have about twenty minutes."
Day four.
I was walking outside to the Asphalt Café, holding Mia's small hand in mine.
I looked around.
Vega was talking to some girl.
She caught my eye.
Vega looked at me, almost questioning my exit from class.
"Does he know?" She mouthed.
I sighed.
Then nod.
She asked, now with her eyes, if the idea of me having a daughter settled with him.
I didn't even know that we even had this kind of connection.
I let out a small smile.
I nodded again.
She grinned hugely.
Genuine.
And then she walked over to where I was.
"Did you tell him?" She asked.
I could sense that she wasn't trying to pry.
Pure curiosity.
"No, he found out." I deadpanned.
"And he's alright with it? Wow, that's just . . ." She cut herself off by peering over my shoulder. "Hey, where's Mia going?"
I looked down.
She had managed to slip from my hand's grip and run.
I turned around almost immediately.
I was looking frantically.
And then I spotted her by the grub truck.
Latched onto Beck's jeans.
I relaxed.
Strangely.
I trusted him with my heart.
I think I could trust him with my daughter.
"She's with Beck," I told Vega, sitting down on a round table.
She sat across me.
"She really took to him." Vega commented.
I nod once.
"What are you having for lunch?" She asked, trying to make conversation.
"Chicken Panini." I told her as I took a bite.
The gang started to come in.
First Cat, then Robbie.
He put his arm over Cat.
She giggled wildly, muffling them with her hand.
I raised an eyebrow at Robbie.
He shrugged.
Andre sat next to Vega.
"Hey there, momma bear. Still in character?" He asked.
Grinning sheepishly, I nod.
"That's just crazy. I don't think I could ever stay like that for a whole week."
Practice makes perfect, Andre.
Beck sat next to me with Mia in tow.
He sat her between me and himself.
"Mia, don't run off like that again, alright?" I scolded her, tilting her head by her chin to look at me.
She just nods, acknowledging her mistake.
"Never again, okay?" I made it firm.
I kissed her forehead.
"Okay."
I took another huge bite from my Panini.
"You want some?" I asked her, offering the other half.
She took it gingerly in her hands before munching away.
"She looks a lot like you, Jade. It looks like you really chose her good from that pre-school." Robbie commented.
I didn't say anything.
I felt Mia tug on my sleeve.
"Hmm?"
"Water, please." She requested.
I took out her water bottle from my bag.
Once she was done drinking, Beck beat me to wiping her mouth.
"Jade, she even drinks like you!" Cat smiled.
I beg your pardon?
'Drinks like me? Do I drink differently from a normal human being?" I accused.
She let out her squeak.
"No, I think Cat meant that she opens her lips first before putting the rim of a cup near them. Like you." Tori explained.
They all nodded in agreement.
I'm sorry, guys.
I don't note the way I drink my beverages.
It's either they're really keen observers, or they're creepy stalkers.
"Okay?"
I was long forgotten.
Cat prattled on about her brother.
I finished the last of my half of the Panini.
I checked on Mia.
She was halfway through with hers.
She was giggling, apparently at what Beck was whispered to her.
Those cheeky little things.
"What are you laughin' at, Mia?" I asked, holding her by the waist to set her on my lap.
"Beck said that he promise to give me candy later, but I said, 'mommy won't like that', but then he said that he won't tell you so I said, 'you're gonna get in big big trouble.'"
"It's good that you know how to set him straight." I praised.
"And you now, Beck," I mocked glared at him.
He stared back at me.
Wide innocent eyes.
"Do you still intend to sneak her teeth rotting sugar products?"
This is fun.
I barely gave her any sweets.
Let Beck take on the role of temptation.
"No, ma'am."
He had this mischievous glint in his eye.
"But you promise." Mia hollered from my lap.
From where I could see her, she was bringing out the big guns.
Her eyebrows were furrowed.
Her lips were formed in a pout.
Hers arms were crossed.
Epitome of an incoming tantrum.
"Yes, I was, but your mommy said that—" He tried to explain, putting his hand on her knee.
I love how she could play him like a violin.
Crocodile tears started forming in her eyes.
"No, no, don't cry, I was just saying that your mommy—" He was desperate.
Sure Beck.
Make me look like the bad guy.
I rubbed her back, silently telling her that she was doing a good job.
And here comes the main event.
"But you promise!" She wailed, tears now streaming down her face.
Everyone in our table looked at her and Beck pitifully.
Actually, only Mia was getting the pitiful looks.
Beck, on the other hand . . .
Not so pitiful.
And people from other tables started staring as well.
He sighed before looking at me.
"Jade, I don't care what you say, I'm giving her candy later," he said.
And then he switched to his desperate, pleading voice.
"Hey Amelia, princess, I'll give you some later, I promised." He smiled at bit.
And then he did something that tugged on my heartstrings.
He cupped the sides of her face with his hands, and then wiped away her tears by stroking his thumbs across her cheeks.
"Please, just stop crying, okay?" He all but whispered to her.
She nodded her head, and then smiled cheekily.
She kissed Beck's cheek.
And then she looked up at me.
"Was I good, mommy? Did you see me?" She babbled happily, as if she didn't experience a near emotional breakdown just seconds ago.
"You were amazing, baby. The tears really did him." I kissed her nose.
I looked at Beck to check his reaction.
Painstakingly gobsmacked.
"You duped me." Beck exclaimed incredulously.
He didn't look angry, though.
"It's a talent." Mia grinned, patting his cheek twice with her right hand.
The rest of the gang laughed at our little antic.
No holding back, Jade.
"Don't do that again, please. That was just mean, using her against me when you know I'm practically defenseless." He raised his hands in mock surrender while looking at Mia, as if it was to prove his point.
I smirked.
"No promises."