Chapter 6 Looks like things are falling in place
Craig began to shake as he looked at Ellie "how could she just leave me, I don't understand she's my daughter, I don't understand it." Ellie sat next to him and grabbed his hand "you're her dad, but you're not her parent Craig, she has your blood running through her veins, but when you signed those papers, you gave up all parental rights to her, she's no longer yours." Craig started pacing "she came to find me Ellie, and she found me, I don't want to let her go Ellie, she can't go back to those people, they will hurt her damn it!" he screamed punching the wall. "Look at how your acting Craig, you just punched a wall, maybe she's right, maybe you can't handle a kid in your life", yelled Ellie. Craig's anger rose " I love Mariah, she's my daughter, I want what's best for her and she wanted to live with me too, or she wouldn't have come here", he said about to cry.
Ellie then sighed "she probably came here for closure Craig, she probably wondered her whole life about you and Manny, she wanted to see you, accept that you guys moved on with your lives, so she could move on with hers." Craig then sat down on the bed "I want her here with me, I won't hurt her nor let anyone else hurt her, I won't let her go back with her step mother she deserves better than that." " I agree Craig, but honestly I don't think you or Manny should have Mariah, neither of you guys would be the best environment, Manny is famous if she lets it get out she has a child it could ruin her career, also it could ruin Mariah's chance of having a normal life." "As for you being a musician isn't the best for her either, because you're going across the world, she needs stability," Ellie finished.
"I don't want to never see her again," said Craig putting his head in his hands. Ellie smiled "I believe now that she's met you both, you should give her the decision if she wants you guys to be a part of her life or not, if she chooses to go back home and not contact either one of you, that's her decision." "What if she wants us in her life now?" said Craig. "Then that's great but I don't either of you should have custody of her, that's my honest thought of the subject," said Ellie. Craig then leaned back on the bed "I think I should call Manny and we should talk about this, she is our daughter after all."
A few hours later Manny, Mariah, Craig, Emma, Jay and Ellie were all sitting in the living room at Manny's mansion. Everyone was silent after hearing Mariah's heartbreaking story about Ava and Carl's death and the change of her life when her step mother and step sister entered her life. Emma was the first to speak "it's clear that Mariah does not need to go back home if she's being treated this way." "Exactly! Which is why I believe she should live with me," said Manny. Ellie then stood up " I don't believe that's the best idea it will be hard for Mariah to experience a normal life living with a famous movie star," said Ellie. "Well it's not best for her to live with Craig either, moving and going to concerts that's not stable," said Emma.
"To be fair Mariah shouldn't go with Manny or Craig its clear neither of them can handle this maturely, Craig is too messed up in the mind first time something goes out of place he may not mean to but he will take it out on Mariah, as for Manny she's too emotionally unstable we all know this is temporary unless we went to the system got Mariah back legally, Mariah would eventually have to go back home Manny clearly couldn't handle her coming into her life and leaving again," said Jay. "I'm not letting Mariah go back to those people that treat her like shit no way in hell!" Manny yelled standing up.
Mariah got sick of the arguing as she stood up and knocked over a vase "Manny Craig I am not a kid who needs their mommy and daddy to make a decision, in fact neither of you guys have rights to make decisions for me you gave those up remember?, I didn't come for you guys to rescue me, I came to meet my real parents to know where I came from okay?" She screamed.
Manny walked over to her "Mariah, neither of us expected you to just change everything and accept Craig and I as parents or anything. We understand we are no longer your parents..." her voice began to crack as Craig walked over to continue "but our love for you never died just because we gave you up, we still wondered and thought about you, but eventually we had to grow and move on too, you will still in our hearts, and now that we know your alive we will do anything in our power to protect you, it's your decision where you want to go, but we as your biological parents want you safe and happy, we love you and always will," he finished putting his hand on his shoulder.
Mariah looked over at Craig "Craig, you have a good life for you right now, your living your dream, being a rock star, I'm happy that you got where you want to be, but that's not the kind of life I want, I want you in my life but I don't want to live with you full time, you can't handle that change, but ill visit and come see you in concert." Craig put on a fake smile and nodded.
She then turned to Manny "I'm happy that you became an actress just like you wanted, but your right it wouldn't be best for me to live with you, the fame life not having privacy it's not for me, not my type of style" Manny nodded understanding Mariah's points. "I'm so glad you both are here, that you accept me for who I become, to have you both in my life now, I hope to continue to have you both in my life." Craig smiled "we are glad you came back to us Mariah, so where do you plan on living?" Emma then thought for a minute and smiled "Mariah I know you hardly know me, but you are more than welcome to come stay with me, I have an average life, an average job and an extra room to fill."
Mariah smiled "are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?" Emma gave her a hug "I insist it will be like having a little Manny in the house, like old times." Mariah smiled "I'd love to live with you." Manny started jumping up and down "Emma you both better be visiting every single weekend, I mean it, you're not going to take her and never come back." Emma smiled "of course Manny, and when I can't visit I'll send her so she can still see you." Craig then smiled "what about visiting me?" Emma laughed "it's going to be hard tracking you down on tour I'll send her to you over the summer." Mariah smiled everything was falling into place, but will their plan work or will something or someone get in the way?
Cliffhanger: D
Author's Note : Sorry it took so long, I just started my first week of college which consists of a lot of studying, it's kind of overwhelming starting out but I'll think I'll be okay. So if it takes a while for me to update please be patient I hope you guys liked this chapter and thank you so much for the reviews and support I appreciate it so much. Leave a review tell me what you like don't like if there's anything I can do to improve and thank you guys so much Love you guys – Countrygirl19