(The Next Day)

Roman's P-O-V

I looked at my princess sleeping peacefully. She sure was convinced after Rachel explained her about the Paris thing. I wish I had the convincing power over JoJo like Rachel has.

Me and Mom were breaking the door to get her response but Jojo locked herself showing her anger on the Paris trip. Finally, after an hour, she opened.

She was missing the school but I didn't call her. My child's health is my primary concern. So, I'll let her complete her nap time which she lost last night.

I ran my fingers through her soft hairs as a smile occurred on my lips.

I heard the door open and turned around to see my mom.

'So, Rachel did the magic again!' she said insinuating what she wanted to.

I rolled my eyes.

'That's because she has a strong convincing power over JoJo.' I said nonchalantly.

'Which not even you have Joe!' she pointed.

I stood up giving my mom an annoyed look.

'Stop it tina. We've already talked about this. I'm not interested in your proposal. We just can't use both JoJo and Rachel's father as pawns to form an unlikely union.' I said sharply.

'Unlikely union! Don't you feel, you're saying that too early?' Mom said confidently.

'That's because I know whatever you're planning is absolutely rubbish and no one would be benefited from it.' I said sharply. 'Besides, I already told you I'm not interested in second marriage.' I announced trying to leave the room and the stupid talk.

'Not even for JoJo?' she asked with a pointed look that made me stop. I gave her a look of annoyance. She knew JoJo was my weakness and I could do anything for her. But, right now what she wanted was insane!

'I'm not going to use someone's circumstances to my own advantage and I urge you to stop doing so.' I said in a warning tone almost.

'But, what if she agrees to marry you?' she asked with a confident smirk.

I've had enough.

'You're fucking kidding me, tina! Marriage is a special event in every girl's life. No girl would ever like to marry someone who she barely knows and added to that, a widower with a six years old daughter that she'smeant to take care of.' I scoffed confidently trying to leave the room again.

'But Joe, what if she agrees? Will you marry her then?' mom asked like the stubborn 56 years old lady she was.

'Sorry mom but you've gone..' my words were interrupted when her phone rang.

Mom looked down at her phone and her eyes widened.

'Who's it?' I asked curiously.

'Rachel.' she answered taken aback.

I was pretty surprised too. Why would Rachel call mom? She usually just calls JoJo? Is everything okay in her family?

Mom recieved the call as I looked forward to it.

'.. Hello Rachel dear...' Mom smiled nervously. I guess she was thinking the same I was thinking.

'.... Oh! I'm fine. How're you and how's your father doing?' I heard mom ask with a smile.

'... Oh dear!' she said next. 'I..' mom was about to say something but she stopped and it seemed Rachel was saying something long and important as evident from the frown in mom's face.

'...Really!' Mom's eyes widened.. But, are you sure about that?' mom asked after a long while.

Sure about what? I was confused as well as puzzled as well as curious to know.

I saw a smile appear on mom's face. 'Sure thing Rachel. I'd make things as fast as possible and..uhh..thank you.' she said.

Thank you for what?

'... Okay bye dear. I'll see you soon.' Mom said as she hung up.

I looked at her confused while mom looked at me with the biggest smile on her lips. Her smile spoke of pride and victory as she eyed me.

My heart jumped all of a sudden.

'What was it mom? What did she say?' I asked curiously walking near her.

Mom looked into my eyes and smiled. 'She's ready to marry you Joe.' Mom announced shaking the ground beneath my feet.

'What? How could she?' I shouted louder than I intended. Shock and anger engrossed my whole being.

Mom smiled. 'I told you Joe. She will agree. I knew it.' she said proudly.

I teeth gritted. 'That's fucking disgusting!' I burst. 'You used her circumstances to your advantage and she fell prey to it. I can see that very well, tina.' I said sharply.

'You're wrong Joe. It was her who called me and as you must've heard I asked her if she was sure and she said she was never so sure before. She even said she wanted it fast because she needs money for her father's bipass surgery.' mom claimed in a loud voice.

Bi-pass surgery! Oh freak! Rachel doing all of these for money. I felt disgusted.

My blood boiled. 'I can't believe this.' I uttered under my breath through gritted teeth. 'But, keep one thing in mind Tina..' I pointed my index fingers at her. 'If you think I'd ever agree to marry Rachel...'

'You're going to marry Rachel!' A surprised squeal from JoJo cut me off.

Shit! I guess our loud arguments woke her up.

'Hey princess, you're up?!' I said forcing a smile and running to her to cover things up.

'Yes but first tell me, are you going to marry Rachel? Will that make her my new mom?' JoJo asked with wide eyes filled with confusion and excitement.

My heart raced.

'N.. No..' I was about to explain but mom was faster than me.

'And how would you like to have Rachel as your new mom, JoJo?' mom asked with a smile sitting beside Jojo in her bed.

JoJo looked at her in disbelief but then an innocent smile creeped up on her face. 'My new mom! Will she stay with me all the time?' JoJo asked excited.

'Yes JoJo. All the time. She'll wake you up from your bed, get you ready for school, help you prepare your lessons, take you out to parks, make your favorite foods and tell you a bed time story before you sleep.' Mom added much to my annoyance.

'Rachel will be my mom.' Jojo muttered with a big smile. 'I love her.' JoJo said with an emotional smile towards me. 'She'll stay with me and she'll see me off to school. She'll play with me like Birdie's mom, she'll sleep with me and hug me tight when I get scared.' JoJo said smiling. I saw her eyes getting glossy. 'That's all I want grandma. I want Rachel to be my new mom. She makes me happy. I want her never to leave me.' tears slipped down her eyes as she hid her face in my mother's chest.

I was moved. I never knew JoJo had so many emotions hidden inside her for that long.

Mom ran her affectionate hands on JoJo's back.

'Don't worry JoJo. Rachel will never leave you. She'll be your new mom.' mom said with a smile. 'I hope people realize what's right really soon.' she said giving me a determined look.

My patience broke.

'Tina, please stop this. At least keep JoJo out of this.' I said getting irritated.

Mom scoffed. 'At least, the six years old girl knows what's good for her.' mom taunted.

I threw her a dirty look before exiting the room. There's no way I'm going to marry Rachel.

*****

Another important chapter updated

So, it seems Rachel accepted the proposal!!

But, is she happy?

Do you think Roman will misunderstand her for that?

What do you think Roman will do next?