Roman didn't have the strength to get out of bed. He tried to sit up, but stopped as soon as the pain hit.
He growled as he forced himself up. Walking into the bathroom, Malia ran in as she giggled.
"Daddy, you're up, yay", she said, hugging his leg.
He smiled.
"Baby, can you do daddy a favor? Grab the white packet from under the sink", he said.
She happily opened the cabinet and pulled out the shelf that held a basket where Amaya put the icy hot.
"Here daddy", she said, handing him the packet.
"Thank you, baby", he replied.
"Malia", he heard Amaya call.
As he was opening the packet, his wife walked in. She reached out and helped open the packet.
"Mal, daddy needs to rest okay. We can go to the park later.", Amaya said.
His daughter pouted.
"Mal, go put your shoes on. Tell sister so we can go now", Roman said.
Amaya sent him a look.
"Yay daddy. Autumn, we are going to the park", Malia said as she ran out.
Amaya lifted Roman's shirt and placed the patch.
"Don't give me that look. My baby girls want to go to the park, I'm taking them. Then I will go to the doctor.", he said.
As she rubbed in the patch, he moaned. She smiled and kissed his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He met her eyes in the mirror.
"I am going to be okay. Promise", he said.
She nodded.
"I love you, Yaya.", he said.
"I love you too, Romeo", she replied.
As he got to the park, Autumn and Malia ran to the slide. He sat on the bench closest to it so he could keep an eye on them.
He texted Valerie to meet him at the park. She showed up ten minutes later and sat beside him.
"She is so big", she said.
Roman nodded.
"She is. She's also smart, funny, and the best big sister. She protects Malia so much.", he replied.
"I knew she would be a good big sister", Valerie said.
"She is the only reason I'm agreeing to this, to you moving into the guest house. You will not set foot in my house. If you need anything, text me. You work, pay rent, and spend time with Autumn.", Roman said.
She nodded.
"Does your wife know?", she asked.
"She will, I will talk to her tonight", he replied.
She nodded.
"Are you happy?", she asked.
"The happiest man in the world. I love my wife, I have two beautiful little girls, and I have a great job. Are you? Happy?", he said.
"I'm trying to be. Autumn is the last piece to my puzzle. My happy puzzle", she replied.
Roman nodded.
"Autumn", he called.
Valerie grew nervous. She wasn't sure how her daughter would react to her again. It didn't work out so well the first time.
Autumn ran over to him, but then stopped when she noticed Valerie. She looked between her mom and dad. Roman held his hand out.
"Come here baby", he said softly.
She took his hand and hid on his other side, putting him between mother and daughter.
"Hi, baby", Valerie said.
Autumn looked at her dad and he kissed the side of her head.
"You are so big. I missed you so much princess. Listen, Autumn, I know I did a lot of bad things, but I do love you. So much. I'm better now, I promise and I'm going to try to be the best mommy I can be, for you", she said.
Autumn looked back at her dad.
"Can I go back with Malia now?", she whispered to her dad.
"Yeah, go have fun", Roman said.
Autumn took off running back to Malia, who was on the swing.
"I'll push you Mal", Autumn said.
Malia giggled.
"You two aren't going to have more kids? I know how much you wanted a big family", Valerie said.
"We are, planning it out. We both work", Roman said.
Valerie nodded.
"Thank you", Valerie said.
He looked at her.
"For letting me see Autumn, for giving me a roof over my head, and not charging me so much", Valerie said.
"Its for Autumn", he replied.
"You know, I want to go to school, become a nurse. Laura said it was a good idea.", she said.
He nodded.
"That is a good idea. Autumn will be proud of you. I know you can do it", Roman said.
She smiled.
Once they got home from the park, Roman just dropped the kids off.
"Want me to go with you?", Amaya asked.
"No. Its not a big deal. They are probably just going to suggest that I take some time off.", he said.
"Lets hope that's all it is", she replied, leaning into the window to kiss him.
"Hey, when I get back, lets talk", he said.
She nodded. He smiled before driving away. When she walked inside, the girls were taking off their shoes.
"Hungry my babies?", she asked, before walking into the kitchen.
"Yes mommy", Malia replied.
She looked at Autumn.
"What about you babe?", she asked.
Autumn nodded. Amaya made them both Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Autumn poked her head in and Amaya smiled.
"What's up baby?", she asked.
Autumn sat down on a stool.
"Do I have to see my mom?", she asked.
Amaya stopped what she was doing and faced her.
"I know its hard, sweetie. Your mommy did a lot of bad things, but she is trying to do better. For you. Give her one more chance, I promise she won't let you down", Amaya said.
She knew she was making a big promise, and she hoped Valerie didn't make her a liar.
"That's the same thing she said to me at the park", Autumn said.
Amaya was confused by that.
"Your mom went to the park with you?", she asked.
Autumn nodded. Amaya smiled at her.
"Here, lunch", Amaya said, sliding the plate over to her.
Malia ran in and climbed onto a stool. Amaya smiled at her.
"Apples too mommy?", Malia asked.
"Of course", Amaya replied.
"I think its best if you take time off. Your back will thank you later", the doctor said.
Roman nodded.
"At least its not a herniated disc.", his doctor said.
"Me too.", Roman replied.
"But it can get that far if you don't start taking care of yourself.", the doctor said.
"I will. My wife and I have actually been talking about a vacation.", he said.
"That is a perfect way to relax.", his doctor laughed.
Once he got home, he made his way upstairs to his room. A moment to relax sounded good right now.
His wife was folding clothes on their bed.
"How was the doctor?", she asked, without looking at him.
"Great. Nothing to worry about, just suggested time off. Which we can do once I give up my title", Roman said.
She nodded.
"And when were you going to tell me you met up with Valerie?", she asked.
"As soon as I got home. I wasn't just going to drop it on you and then take off to the doctors", he replied.
"You let her see Autumn without talking to me first?", she asked.
"She is her mother", Roman replied.
Amaya nodded.
"And what am I?", she asked.
"Baby, you…", he stopped when she stood to walk out.
He sighed.
"Amaya", he called, before following after her.
"You said we wouldn't do anything without discussing it first, and it goes for both girls", Amaya said as he leaned against the wall.
"Its just…", she cut him off.
"I'm not her birth mother, right? What if I said that to you?", she said.
"I wasn't going to say that. You are her mom, you've been the best mom these last two years. I'm sorry. She just needed to talk and I was already out with the girls", he said.
"That's why she called you, isn't it?", Amaya asked.
He nodded.
"I was going to tell you, but then Malia wanted to go to the park. Plans changed", he shrugged.
"You still could have mentioned it", she replied.
"I know.", he nodded.
She sighed. He wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry baby. Forgive me?", he whispered.
"Anything else I need to know?", she asked.
"I offered up our guest house to her", he said.
She quickly pushed out of his arms.
"What?", she tried not to shout.
He followed.
"She wants to go to school, but with what she is making, she can't afford it and rent. I offered her the guest house, and she will pay rent, just not as much as she was at her apartment", he explained.
"And you were going to ask me if she could, when? This is my house too, my family.", she said.
"I was thinking about Autumn", he replied.
"So if Finn needed a place to stay, and I just moved him in without talking to you, that would be okay?", she asked.
"Its different", Roman replied.
She shook her head, grabbing her keys and purse.
"Where are you going?", he asked.
"I need space", she replied, before walking out.
He sighed.
