Alright we should be good now. LOL I did this chapter in Daniel's pov, so we can know a little more backstory on the Robbins/Torres. Thanks for reading.


Chapter 18- Daniel

Standing there watching my daughter stand toe to toe with Carlos Torres, I couldn't have been more proud of her. Although when he stepped forward, like he was going to touch her, I had to hold myself back from stepping in. "he's such and ass" I hear Alex whisper, and Callie giggle.

"he wasn't always like that" I reply my voice quiet. No Carlos Torres wasn't always one of the most powerful men in southern Minnesota, back in the day he was nothing more than me. Carlos and I used to be friends, along with a few others, but it used to be good ol' Carlos and I against the world. We'd go on camping trips together, and even went to prom, with our respective dates. It wasn't until he went away for college that everything changed. That was where he met his now wife, Lucia, now I'd like to say it was Lucia who changed him, but I know better. Lucia, like Callie was down to earth and had a heart. The Carlos Torres I saw today, and I have seen since he graduated from college, I wasn't sure had a heart. I remember hearing that he got married, and it hurt that I wasn't invited to the wedding, and I heard again that they had a baby, Aria, I'm assuming. I was happy for him, I saw him in town shortly after Aria was born, and when I stopped to congratulate him. I was surprised that he turned his nose up at me. By this time, Barbara and I were together, not yet married, but she was pregnant. We had planned on going to the courthouse the following week, Barbara had wanted to be married before the baby came. Sadly, that baby never came. It was a boy, we had planned to name him Timothy, after my grandfather who died when Japan bombed pearl harbor. I had thought, as close as Carlos and I used to be that when the news reached him about the baby, he'd reach out. But nothing came, I'll admit, it hurt, but I went on with my life. When Barbara got pregnant with Arizona, I was so excited, and when I ran into Carlos in town days later. I happily introduced Barbara, and joyfully explained she was pregnant. Carlos almost spat at me, and walked away. It was then that I finally gave up hope of us ever being friends again. I heard not long after Arizona arrived, that Lucia was pregnant again, and I was happy for them. You're probably wondering where the name Arizona came from? Well since we used the name Timothy for our first born, who was still born, I had asked Barbara what she thought about naming Arizona, Arizona. She laughed and said that people would make fun of her for being named after a state. I chuckled, but told her the Arizona was the ship my grandfather died on. She agreed it was a good idea and when Arizona was born, she was named Arizona. Barb was quick to shorten it, to Zo. It was easier and quicker to say, by this time my daddy was getting sick and needed help on the farm, so we packed up our little apartment in town and moved out here. Again nothing from my once supportive friend Carlos. What really got me was, it was back in either '85 or '86. I don't quite remember, I ran into money problems with the farm. Arizona was 5 or 6 at the time, the bank was threatening to foreclose on the property if I didn't pay by a certain time. And who do you think was leading the charge? Good ol' Carlos Torres with his fancy ties and pressed suit. I managed to come up with the money, and that's when I decided to be done farming and started Robbins Kennel. Barb and I had always loved animals, especially dogs, so here we are today. Some day Arizona will be taking over this land, and hopefully she'll keep the kennel, but that's entirely up to her. I let out a deep sigh, and notice I was the only one left standing in the doorway. Carlos had left, the dust hadn't even settled yet. I think I had a conversation with Zo, but I couldn't remember it. My mind was clouded by the past, and the memories. "Dad" I hear Zo say, getting my attention.

"yeah" I shake my head

"you good?" I smile and nod as she puts and arm around me. "you think we should tell Callie about" Zo cuts me off "you can if you want, but I don't think that will change anything" Zo knew all about the Torres', I nod and turn to leave. I needed some alone time to sort out my thoughts and feelings.