I stare at myself in the mirror and sigh. Lately, my life's been a big mess and the more I try to clean it up, it just gets more messy. Jerry is nowhere to be found and his kid is here in this messy house. Eddie left for work. Milton's depressed so much that he won't move from his spot in the kitchen. Grace is who knows where, but I did hear she was at the party for a brief time. Haven't heard from Kim for so long... I just don't know.

My hand meets my face to feel light stubble. I roll my eyes and glance at the clock through the mirror. Its 12:37. I walk over to my closet and begin to stuff my clothes into my book bag. Angrily, I turning around to grab my keys, I meet a little girl. She was standing in the middle of my room with her thumb in her mouth, watching me. She leaned over to look at the mess I made in my closet while packing.

''What ya doin'?'' she inquired, finger still in mouth.

I glanced down to my bag then back at her. I didn't know what say to her. She looked curios and a bit scared. I walked up to her and kneel to her eye level.

I thought for a second, ''I-I'm getting ready to take you to eat...''

She smiled and let her thumb fall from her mouth, ''goody!''

I rose to my feet then set the bag on my bed. She clapped and reached up to me. I bent down and picked her up. She held on my neck and laughed. Suddenly, I forgot about everything bad happening to me. I just wanted to make little Maria happy. Stuffing my wallet in my pocket, I make my way down stairs through the messy house to my car. I strapped her into her car seat and got out of that house as fast as I could.

/.

It took a minute but, I got to iHop. I unstrapped Maria and held her hand as we went inside. It was relatively full. Maria got hash browns, bacon and eggs while I got some coffee, bacon and eggs. I ran my hand through my hair and frowned as I looked through the texts I sent Jerry.

''What's wrong, Jackie.'' Maria asked, bacon in hand.

I sigh and try to put on a smile for her sake, ''I'm just a little stressed... do you know where your dad is?''

''Jerry took me to the party wit him so I could go wit Ms. Jo but she wasn't there.'' she said.

She stuffed more bacon in her mouth.

Jerry left her at the house by herself?

''You mean dad... you called your dad, Jerry.''

She looked confused, ''everyone call him Jerry.''

This kind of amazed me. I always called my dad, dad. It was a normal thing and to see that Jerry seems to have no relationship with his daughter kills me. She finished eating and started sipping on her orange juice. I checked my phone to see I only had a message back from Eddie. Milton is still at my house, I know that for sure. Still no sign from Jerry.

''Jackie, can we go to da park?''

Her voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was finished with everything but her drink.

''Um, I guess we could...''

After pocketing my phone, I got out my chair and walked around the table to pick her out of her chair. Her arms reached out for me. I picked her up and grabbed her drink.

''Yays, to the park!''

I smiled at her mispronunciation of words.

So cute.

My mind momentarily fluttered to Kim but I shook the feeling.

/.

Maria likes the park.

No, that's an understatement Maria loves the park. As soon as we got there she bolted toward the swings. I just laughed as I walked over and to the nearest bench and sat. I slipped out my phone.

Eddie's text/ Jack's text

I'm at work jack milton's still at the house i think

oh is he okay?

YEEAAA i think he's just mopp around because julie was making out with some dude

whats with the caps? is milton going to be fine by himself?

chill dude, i had a talk with him.

I was about to text back when I heard a scream and then crying. I looked up to see Maria on the ground with tears spilling out her eyes. I rushed to her immediately, picking her up off the ground. I brushed mulch off her and hold her close. I try to shh her as people start to look but, Maria just clutches my shoulder and buries her face in it.

''Maria, you okay? What happened?''

''I f-fell of the s-swwwiiinnnggg.'' she whined in my shoulder.

I started to sway a little, ''you hurt anywhere?''

She shook her head the slightest,''come on...''

I walked her over to the bench and sat down with her in my arms. Still swaying, I began to hum so quietly only so she could hear. Maria started to calm down just a bit. My humming turn into quiet singing.

''In your eyes I have seen, all the feeling and the rains.''

''And death is cold, death is sure.''

''Why don't we all fall in love...''

A tear fell from my eye but, I wiped it before it reached my cheek. Maria looked up at me as another sneaky tear fell from my eye. This time though a small hand reached up and wiped it away. I looked down and to see Maria smiling.

''Why you cryin'? I'm the one that's sad!'' she said.

I chuckled lightly and leaned back against the bench, Maria still in my lap. Just then, a woman came up with two twin boys. Both as blonde as could be unlike their mom, I guess, who was a red-head.

She smiled warmly, ''you're so good with her.''

I smiled about to explain to her that Maria was in fact not mine when one of the twins spoke up.

''Your pretty,'' he said with a cute little smile.

Maria laughed and thanked him. I, however wasn't amused by the boy's comment. I mean Maria is beautiful in all but, I didn't need him telling her. I felt oddly overprotective and father-like.

I kind of liked the feeling.

She must have noticed my look because she shooed the boys away but, not without waving back at me. The blonde twin did, too. I almost glared.

/.

I pulled up into my driveway and got out my car to get Maria out. Once out I picked her up and walked to my front door. I open the door to meet a clean fresh smelling house. I walked in and closed the door behind me. I make it to the living room to see Milton was on my couch and Mrs. Jones in the kitchen.

''Miltly!'' Maria squealed.

Milton lit up when he heard his name called by that special little girl. I set her down, Milton walked over and picked her up for a moment. He set her back down with that same worry/sad face he had while on the couch. Milton told Maria to go with Mrs. Jones he sat me down.

''Jack, I have something to tell you.'' He looked so serious but, I could tell he had cried from his red eyes.

He waited a moment but, it seemed like hours.

''What is it? Is it about Julie?''

Milton sighed and interlocked his fingers. He looked deep into my eyes.

''It Kim, Jack... she had a miscarriage...''

Hey, I just want to start of and say sorry. I haven't updated much since school started, been super busy. Anyways, I tried to do really good on this chapter. I smell an emotional chapter coming up. Had to add something like that in here. So, is anyone excited about New Girl coming up this Monday? I am! Alright let me wrap this up.

Love you all so much and I hope you all are having a good start of the school year. Keep reading and Review, please. Thank you.-Angel

Disclaimer: I do not own Kickin' It.