Once he reached her room. He set her down on her bed. He wiped her tears.
"I will always love your mother. She made me the happiest man alive. She gave me two little minis that I love more than anything in this world. No one could ever replace her or you and your brother", he said.
"Then why did that woman kiss you?", she asked.
"I don't know, but she won't be doing it ever again. Ever", he said.
"Your lying, she keeps coming over and I don't want her here", Amara yelled.
She was talking about after Max's funeral when everyone came over, including Eva.
"Amara", she didn't let him talk.
"No. Mommy is coming home and she's going to be so mad at you.", Amara yelled.
"Amara, enough", he shouted.
She looked taken back. He had never raised his voice at her like that.
"I'm sorry Bug, if I could bring your mommy back I would. I would trade places with her.", he said.
"Mommy's not dead. I saw her. I saw her", she repeated.
"Amara", Roman yelled.
She crossed her little arms over her chest.
"That woman you saw wasn't your mother. I'm so sorry sweetheart", Roman said, trying to stay calm.
"You didn't see her. I did. It was mommy and she's going to take me away from you. Far far away", Amara yelled before running into the hall and into the bathroom, locking it.
"Amara", he called after her.
Max didn't like watching that go down. She lost track of them when they went into Amara's room. She couldn't see or hear since the cameras were removed from the rooms. She watched as Amara ran into the bathroom with Roman on her tail.
"I don't know what to do, Amara. All I know is that if I lose you, baby girl, I would go crazy. I love you so much and it would hurt me if you left me too. I want to give you back your mommy, but I can't.", he said sadly.
Max cried.
"I'm sorry, I'm trying", he said, before making his way down.
Their families were getting ready to leave. His mom held Raiden.
"How is she?", Seth asked.
"She keeps thinking Max is coming home. I tried to tell her, but she's not ready to hear it", Roman said.
They nodded.
"If you want, I can stay", his mother in law said.
"Would you?", he asked.
She nodded. They said goodbye to everyone. Dina took Raiden a bath and got him ready for bed. Roman stayed by the bathroom his daughter was still occupying.
"Sooner or later, you're going to have to come out", he said, sitting across from the door.
"Still locked in there?", his mother in law asked.
He nodded.
"I remember when Max did that once. Her dad embarrassed her in front of a guy she liked. The guy turned her down in front of everyone. That was her first real crush. It crushed her alright", Dina said.
"His loss was my gain", Roman said smiling.
"Trust me, we are all happy about that", she said.
She squeezed his shoulder.
"Don't give up", she said.
"Never", he replied.
"I'll go make us some coffee", she suggested.
"Thank you", he said.
She stopped at the top of the stairs and looked at him.
"You might want to try picking the lock", she said.
Roman smiled and nodded. He went into the room and his bathroom. Grabbing one of Max's pins and sticking it into the bathroom lock. Her stuff was still where she left it, he wasn't ready to pack it. He turned it and heard it click. Opening the door. His daughter was fast asleep on the floor. He exhaled before picking her up. Dry tear stains on her little cheeks that broke his heart.
Walking into her room and setting her down in her bed. He kissed the side of her head. Standing to leave.
"Daddy", he heard her say.
He looked at her. She sniffled.
"Mommy is coming home", she said.
Roman sighed and sat beside her.
"Amara", she shook her head at him.
Sitting up more in bed.
"She told me when we were at the mall. She said she didn't want to miss it. I couldn't tell you because she made me pinky promise. You never break a pinky promise", she said.
"Is she the one who told you not to tell me?", he asked.
She nodded.
"Don't tell her I broke our pinky promise", she whispered.
"Amara", she shook her head no.
"I'm not lying daddy. It was her, it was mommy. I promise", she said.
He saw the look on her face. She wanted for him to so badly believe it.
"She said some very dangerous people are after her and to keep you and Raiden safe", she said.
Roman knew his daughter had no reason to make something like this up. He felt her take his left hand and turn it over. Pointing to his tattoo, a cursive M and R.
"She had your tattoo daddy", she said.
She met his eyes.
"I believe you", he whispered.
He saw the look of relief on her face. She was telling the truth.
"Get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow", he said.
She nodded and he left her room. He stopped in the hall, looking at the camera. If Alexa really put cameras the first time, she wouldn't have put them in his room. Knowing his privacy would be needed. Unless, she wasn't the one on the other end.
Max watched him. She closed the laptop. It was like he was looking right at her.
"Hey, food's here", Baron said.
He saw the terrified look on her face.
"Did something happen to the little ones? Roman?", he asked.
"No. He", she stopped.
"What?", Baron asked.
Maybe she was reading too much into it.
"Its nothing. Never mind", she said.
He nodded. She left her computer and followed Baron to the living room.
Roman practically dragged his mother in law out back.
"What's going on?", she asked.
"I think, and I know it's going to sound so crazy, but I actually think Max is alive", he whispered.
"Roman", she said.
"No, please hear me out. I believe Amara. She wouldn't just make something like this up. She said someone told her not to tell me about what happened at the mall. She said Max told her not to say anything, she pinky promised", Roman said.
His heart was beating fast in his chest. He knew he shouldn't be getting his hopes to high, but he couldn't help it. His mother in law nodded.
"Please tell me you believe me. That you believe Amara", he said.
His mother in law smiled.
"I do. With her job, it's highly likely. How would we know?", she asked.
She hoped he was right. She wanted her daughter back.
"I know a way, but it's going to take a few days to know if it worked", he said.
She nodded.
"Let me know how it goes", she said.
He nodded.
"They put cameras up. Be careful, don't say anything about this in the house.", he said.
She nodded. He was going to find his wife.
Max seemed distracted, more than she usually was.
"What's on your mind?", Hunter asked, wiping his mouth.
"Roman's ex wife showed up at our house and decided to make him an offer. He refused, but that didn't stop her from kissing him", she said.
The men looked at her.
"Did he continue the kiss?", Baron asked.
"No, thankfully", she said.
They nodded.
"But, Amara did see and the things she said to him. I can't be mad at her because I told her not to say anything.", she said.
"You told her?", Hunter said.
"Its not like anyone is going to believe her if she does tell. She's a child. Their just going to think she's having a hard time", Max said.
"And what happens if someone does believe her? Its dangerous, Max", Baron said.
"I can't take this anymore. I don't want to watch my husband from a computer or my kids. I want to be able to hold them", she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I know", Hunter said.
"No you don't. Your family knows your alive, mine doesn't", she said.
She stood and left to her room. Closing the door, she opened her laptop again. She smiled when she saw her mom and Roman talking in the kitchen with a cup of coffee.
"Max was always the fearless one. I mean, all three were, but she was the one we were more worried about.", her mom said.
"I know what you mean. Whenever she went to work, it was like no big deal for her. Oh I got shot at today, no biggie", he said.
Dina laughed and nodded.
"Tell me about it. I'm worried out of my mind and she shrugs it off", she said.
He nodded.
"I really hope Amara grows up to be just like her. Well, minus the job. She can be anything else but that, and a stripper", he said.
Dina laughed.
The next day Max, Baron, and Hunter got ready to leave to Mexico. They were meeting up with Zelina and Andrade. Sending a message through the bad guy connections they had. Almas and Vega thought they were meeting with Jason.
"You ok?", Baron asked.
She was zipping up her jacket to cover her vest.
"No, but there's nothing I can do about it now", she said.
He nodded. He knew better than to continue to press her.
"Let's go", Hunter called.
They walked out and to their waiting car. Taking the bags of money Finn had left.
"You think they'll shoot first and then ask questions?", Baron asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Let's hope not", Max mumbled.
Roman had called to meet Alexa and Sami. Alexa had declined because she had something to do out of state. Sami sat across from him.
"Hey, how are you? Sorry I haven't been by. Things just got so busy at work because of", he stopped.
Roman nodded.
"Its ok. That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about", he said.
"Ok", Sami said.
"You would never lie to me, Sami. We've been friends a long time and I would like to think that if I asked you for the truth, you would give it", he said.
Sami swallowed.
"Sure", Sami answered hesitantly.
"Is my wife alive?", he asked.
Sami swallowed. He opened his mouth to answer. Roman could feel his body shaking from excitement. Hope.