Five and a half months had passed since little Nia's arrival. Things were still tense between Derwin and Melanie, but they were in the parenting thing together. Nia was both a mommy and daddy's girl. Whoever got to her first was who she wanted.

"Mel." Derwin whispered into her dark room.

Only to get no response.

It was four in the morning. Nia wasn't due for her early morning meal for at least another hour. But Derwin knew without a doubt that Melanie was in the nursery with her.

So he tip toed his way to the nursery, desperate to hear the story Melanie was telling their daughter this time. It was the only time that Derwin felt and heard evidence of just how fiercely Mel loved him.

Stopping at the door, he slid down the wall and just listened.

"You've got the most adorable big brother." Melanie's voice said. "He's a cutie, smart, and he'll love and protect you like a big brother should. Sometimes I wish I'd had him but He wasn't meant to be my blessing in that way."

She was silent for a few seconds. But Nia's gurgles filled in the silence.

"Your daddy is an amazing man. He's an even better daddy. Sometimes looking at the way he loves the two of you makes me a little green, but then I get over it and I have to thank God for him and his heart."

The click of the baby monitor is heard. This is when Melanie becomes vividly honest.

"I messed up really bad with your Daddy, Peanut. I hurt him really bad. And the crazy thing about your daddy is he doesn't know how to forgive without getting retribution. So he hurt me too. Hurt me real bad."

Derwin had to restrain himself from entering the room when Mel choked up.

"Peanut, I want you to know that he loves you. And I love you. But I don't know what kind of relationship you'd grow up around if we stay. A mother who doesn't trust her husband. And a father who resents his wife. Both you're parents, messed up. I don't want that for you. When it was just me, I knew I deserved more. But I stayed because despite all the issues at the end of the day it all came down to the fact that I loved your father, enough for him and myself. But now I have you, and I know you deserve better. I don't want to teach you or show you wrong. I don't want to let him in only for him to run when you're a bit older. I don't think I can handle hearing you ask for him, see you miss him. How do I answer that without breaking your little heart Peanut? How do I deliver that punch without taking something from your soul?"

Melanie sobbed quietly, Nia whimpered, and Derwin rubbed his hand harshly over his heart trying to soothe the sting.

"I'm going to tell you this baby girl. Because I never had anybody tell me. You are loved, no matter what, you are loved. Your daddy loves you. Whether he runs or we run. You are loved. And you are more than enough. Already. You are more than enough. No one can replace you. You're his baby girl too.

"Daddy has another family Peanut. He has another family that he loves and cares for. And I'm so sorry but mommy's not strong enough to stand and take it. Not when I have you. You deserve the world. You deserve the world babygirl."Melanie sobbed again. Then in a determined voice said "And I intend to give it to you"

Derwin hastily stood to his feet. And stared at the door.

She was going to run.

She was going to run again!

The past five and a half months he'd done everything in his power to show and prove to them that he was there to stay.

And she was going to run!

She'd better think again.

He walked to the kitchen to grab a bottle and made his way back to the nursery.

Without knocking he entered. Melanie and Nia were in some kind of stare off. Neither of them seemed to notice him. He just stood there and stared at his girls.

Finally he said "Boo, let me take her. You go get some rest."

Crossing to Mel he scooped his daughter into his arms, and watched Melanie.

Her eyes held determination. She broke eye contact with him and her eyes lost the determination, and as she looked around the room desperation filled them.

She was planning on running, and soon. It seemed as if she was saying goodbye.

As if she was running tomorrow.

RUN AWAY LOVE

Needless to say breakfast that morning, way beyond tense.

Melanie with her resolve.

Derwin with his determination.

Neither said anything to each other.

Just stared each other down.

After finishing her breakfast Melanie cleaned her plate then turned to walk out the kitchen. But Derwins stood in the door blocking her exit. Legs braced and arms folded.

"Going somewhere Boo, without so much of a good morning?" Derwin managed to get out through clenched teeth and a glare.

"Good morning Derwin" Melanie said with a sweet sickly smile. "Now get out of my way."

"Naw, I think we're going to talk first boo."

"About what Derwin?"

"I think you know, Mel."

Sighing in frustration Melanie said " I don't have time for this what is going on Derwin."

Derwin takes a step forward and get in her face.

"Let me make something clear to you. Because I have obviously failed, if you don't understand it by now."

"WHAT?" Melanie barks out "KNOW WHAT DERWIN?"

"THAT YOU ARE MINE." Derwins chest heaved up and down. "You are mine Melanie. Mine to hold, love, cherish, provide, and protect. You have been since High School. So it doesn't matter where you go or who you run to, I'm going to follow because you .Are. Mine." Derwin smacked his chest with each punctuation. Then he reached out and grabbed her neck, and placed his forehead on hers. He stared into her tear filled eyes and searched them, begged them to see his heart. Then he whispered against her lips. "And I am yours Melanie. Don't run from me. Don't run from us. Give us a chance to be what I know we can be."

For a few long seconds that felt like minutes, Melanie just stared into Derwin's eyes. Taken back and vulnerable. Then she took a deep breath, stepped forward and opened her mouth.

And the dreaded ringtone played.

Derwin cursed.

Melanie choked back her tears. And gave him a sad smile.

"Answer it."

She made a move to step around him, but he caught her arm.

"Don't run Mel. We're not done."

"Just answer it Derwin."

Still holding her arm, he answered the phone with the other hand.

"Janae, is Dj ok?" He asked in a no non-sense tone.

"Yes, he is but Derw-"

"Then I will call you back later." He barked, and then hung up the phone.

Melanie's eyes bulged out of her head and her mouth dropped. What was going on? Who was this man, and what did he do with Derwin?

"I need you to understand just how important you are. I've tried showing you, but you're far too hurt to accept what you're seeing. And I get that. That's my fault, and I'm so sorry Boo. But I'm not running again. And I'm not going to give you any reason to. I will spend the rest of my life proving it to. Because I love you and my baby girl pass the moon. Trust in me."

Melanie stared into Derwin's eyes and saw that he truly meant every word that passed through his lips. She closed her eyes and thought over the last year and it hit her.

Derwin had been there every step of the way.

Melanie reached out and clutched Derwin's shirt and sobbed.

Derwin let out a relieved sigh and put his arms around her.

"I got you Baby." He kissed the top of her head. " And I'm so sorry for the times I made you feel like I didn't. But I love you, and I got you. No matter what."

And for the first time in months Melanie replied, "I love you too Derwin."

He sucked in a breath and held her just a little tighter.

"Pass the moon?" He asked.

Melanie giggled a bit through her tears. "Way pass the moon babe."