Three months later, I flew Maia and myself down to Tree Hill. It would be her first time there. She was finally going to meet her father ad I felt a sadness for not having done this sooner. She was already seven. Luke had been right, he had missed out on some major life moments already. I had packed an entire suitcase devoted to pictures; pictures of my pregnancy and pictures of her. Ranging from the moment she was born, to hundreds more of her life until now.

When the plane landed I got really nervous. This meeting could either break Maia's heart or make her really regret not having had a great dad, as I was sure Luke would turn out to be, for the first seven years of her life. Either way, it was all my fault. We exited the plane and Haley met us at the airport. The twins were now seven months old and Nate was babysitting for the day.

"So girls, what do we want to do first?" Haley asked us when we got to her car.

"Meet my daddy!" Replied Maia almost instantly.

"Maia, your dad is actually busy until tonight. How about we drop your stuff at my house and you can meet Grace and Hannah?"

"Okay Aunt Haley!"
"Oh and Maia, you can also meet your Uncle Nathan, he's actually your dad's brother."
Haley was being great. I think she knew how nervous I was. I mean, Luke was meeting this incredible little girl that he had nothing to do with. He didn't want to be Dan, he wanted anything other than to be Dan, and that had been exactly what I'd made him.

Everything went great Maia got to meet the twins and she had so much fun playing with them. I had had dreams were me and Luke were together with Maia as a family and we had had more children. I loved those dreams and felt so sad waking up the next day. Nathan and Maia hit it off too. They played some basketball in the yard while I set up a meeting with Luke. We were going to go to diner, the three of us and then if Maia wanted she and him might go see a movie or just catch up.

It's an hour before me and Maia are supposed to go see Luke. We are meeting him at Karen's so Karen and Matt, who is the same age as Maia, can meet her. I have packed up the pictures and such into the car so Luke can see everything. At fifteen minutes before 5, our meeting time, Maia and I got into the car and drove to Karen's. Five minutes later we were there. I turned around and looked at Maia. She looked so scared.

"Maia, it's okay to be scared. Luke, your dad, he is a great guy though. He can't wait to meet you."

"But what if I'm not what he wants and he doesn't like me?"
"Maia, there is absolutely no way he couldn't like you."

I wasn't lying either. She had a way about her. She could lift you up from the deepest sadness and make you shine.

"You ready now?" We had been in the car for six minutes.

"I guess so. And you really think this is a good idea mommy?"

"Maia, you wanted to do this. If you don't want to do it today though, I'm sure you can meet him another day."

"No mom, I'm ready."

We got out of the car and walked to the front door. Maia looked great. Her dirty blond hair was in French braids. Her blue eyes sparkled to a more dazzling blue because of her bright blue shirt. She looked like a daughter anyone would want to claim.

The door opened and I saw Karen. She pulled me into a hug.

"Oh Brooke! It's been so long, too long."

"Hi Karen. Sorry I never called to congratulate you on Matthew. I actually have a gift in the car, and don't worry its age appropriate."

I stepped back and took Maia's hand and brought her inside.

"Karen, this is Maia, your granddaughter. Maia say hi"

"Hi"

"Umm, where is Luke? He said five right?"
"Yeah, he's just getting Matt a camera. He's really excited to meet his niece Maia."

Maia's grip on my hand tightened. She was really nervous to see her dad for the first time. Just then, Luke entered the room followed by a little boy, about Maia's size. He was a mini-Keith, everything but his hair. His hair was stereotypical Luke, going in all directions, but looking good.

"Maia" I bent down closer to my daughter, "This is your dad."

"Hi" Maia said.

"Hi Maia, you know I've heard a lot about you. Your Aunt Haley tells me you like basketball?"

That was all he had to say, Maia loosened her grip.
"Yeah, I really like it. I'm not as good as I want to be though, but mom says that you were really good. I have a picture of you next to my bed and in it your wearing your, what is it, a Ravens jersey. Maybe you could teach me some stuff you know?"
"What do you mean maybe? Of course I'll teach you basketball, it would be an honor."

Maia smiled. They were getting along.