Maira POV

I loved it when Zach was over. He's my only born son and I love him dearly. I always called him my miracle baby because after 2 miscarriages I finally got him.

Yes I was very protective of my baby. Who wouldn't be?

Today Vanessa was having her baby shower, she wanted to do it before the new year. She's still very early on but she insisted.

I made my way over to Zachary's room because as per usual I made him breakfast.

I opened the door and noticed Amira in his bed but he was not there with her.

I walked in and noticed he was on the couch with Vanessa.

Vanessa was becoming a little too close to my son but I didn't mind it. She was smart, beautiful and successful.

Unlike that woman my son married. She's a low life and a free loader. If my son didn't do all he did for her she would be nothing.

Now she's got her dream and she left my baby to take care of her child. Ridiculous.

I tried to warn my son.

Vanessa had her head on his shoulder so I just grabbed her hand lightly and placed it on his stomach.

I smiled. This is what I'd like to call a perfect couple. I grabbed my phone and snapped the picture.

I left the room smiling in victory because I was finally gonna take Nichelle out of the picture.

Zachary POV

The sunlight hit my face and I couldn't help but flutter my eyes open.

Once I did, I attempted to stretch and realized Vanessa had her head on me still with her hand over my stomach.

I didn't even realize we fell asleep on the couch. We were talking one minute and then the next I knew we was out like a light.

But she was all the way on one end and me on the other. I don't know how we got like this.

I took her head off of me and slightly moved from under her trying to get her to lay down completely but she woke up.

"Zach?"

She looked around the room before rubbing her eyes. "When did we even fall asleep?"
I shrugged "beats me I don't know either"
She stretched and I got up to check on Amira.

I kissed her on the cheek and let her continue sleeping. "Big day today"

"You should go get ready" she smiled and nodded. "I most definitely will" she got up and made her way to the door.

"Thank you for everything Zach" I nodded
"It's no problem" and with that she was out the door.

Lord I need to stay away from her. I don't want her to get the wrong idea and I don't want to get comfortable with any woman that ain't my wife.

I freshened up and made my way down stairs to help my mom and dad with the set up for the baby shower.

Vanessa didn't have much friends, so the most of who was coming over was her immediate family, like her father, mother, sister and her best friends and her close colleagues.

"She seems happy to be here" my mom said smiling and looking at her. She didn't lie.

"I'm glad you and your father are helping her"
She was opening gifts and she had a lot. Since her incident with the robbery she was scared to be by herself in an apartment so she'd stay here with my father.

Eventually he grew even fond of her and well most of the gifts came from him.

"Zach what'd you get my baby?" She asked pulling me out of my thoughts. Easy. Jordans.

I gave her the bag with the shoes inside and she gasped.
"Oh wow" she said staring at the shoe

"She won't be able to wear these for a good few months" she gave me a face.

"And when she gets old enough you won't have to worry about getting a shoe" I said in a duh tone.

She shook her head "that ain't all I got anyway" I gave her the rest of the things I got. I was sure what the gender was so I got anything that any baby could wear.

"Ohh these are so cute"

Happy she liked it, I walked away to get some drinks. It was the 30th and Nichelle was still not here.
It broke my heart honestly. I had smiling to cover up how I truly feel but I really felt like shit.

"Give me something strong please" the bartender made me something and he understood the assignment.

"Daddy come dance with me" I immediately put my drink down. Amira know her daddy would never turn down a dance.

'Can we talk' came one and y'all know I'm bout the old school life.

"Can we talk for a minute" and yes Amira does know these songs too. Her daddy taught her.

" I started to write you letters"

" but I wanted to be more clever"

We continued singing and Vanessa shortly joined us.

Before we knew it, after all our clowning the song ended. 

Then back at one by Brian McKnight came on.

We both looked at each other and looked away. Immediately this became awkward and my mind drifted off to Nichelle.

Feeling upset "I'm gonna get some drinks" she nodded "um yea sure no problem"

I spent the rest of the night at the open bar.
All the guests were leaving and I was more than ready to hit the hay.

"Daddy" I picked her up and she rested her head on my shoulder.

I knew she was tired, all this running up and down and dancing.

I brought her over the room. I knew I wasn't in any condition to drive but tomorrow for sure I'm out.

I was about to go to mine but I saw Vanessa trying to carry all of her gifts up at once and failing miserable.

"You know you could've just ask for help you know?"

She looked up at me "but everybody is cleaning I at least wanted to help with something" I went down the stairs to meet her where she was at and grabbed majority of her bags.

I walked with her up the stairs and to her room. To my surprise a lot of Amira's toys were in here but thrown on the floor.

"What in the world..." she chuckled "we were playing earlier" I shake my head.

"When you think about it, she's training me for when Lily gets here" she smiled as I continue to shake my head placing the bags down.

I had to clean this mess up before she accidentally-

She didn't see one of them and she slipped to break her fall I try to catch her.

"Oh my God" she said in shock.
"You okay?" She nodded.

"Thank you" she whispered in a little shock.
I pull away to look her in the face to be sure.

The look we shared had some weird intensity and I didn't like.

Before I knew it she pulled my face and did the unthinkable...

Nichelle POV

"Alright guys bye!" I waved my team goodbye since Zach had been upset about me staying the extra time.

I promised for the sake of our marriage I'd spend more time with them. I love my job but he was right, family came first.

So I was going to take the year off and be with my family.

I booked my flight and unfortunately I'd be reaching in the afternoon.

My manager and label was giving me a hard time but once Mr. Anderson and Mr. Avery sat down with them.

They found loopholes and were able to in a way offer them goods in exchange for a little more of my freedom.

It was the 31st and I had a whole thing planned for Zach. I just hoped I wasn't too late. My manager told me I needed to do one concert before I take the break and she wasn't settling for less than that so I took it.

I had a big surprise that would lead us into the new year a happy couple.

*****
Zach POV
The next day...

I knew I had 2 big decisions to make.
It is the 31st and my wife still wasn't here.
I head over to the office first thing in the morning.

Vanessa crossed the line and it's partially my fault. I let her in thinking she could just be a friend but obviously this took a turn.

I head over to the office to solve something minor issues and head back out. Vanessa called in for a sick day so that made it much easier for me to make this decision.

Vanessa was a great worker so i moved her to work with my father. I couldn't have her share the same building as me. I just told my father i didn't need her and that I'd be perfectly fine.

I just needed to get her out of here and most of all I definitely needed to tell Nichelle.

My phone started ringing and I immediately picked it up.

"Hey pop"

"Son, I need you to make a pit stop at the Chicago river ballroom" sensing his tone I knew it was strictly business and important.

"Yes sir"

"I'll send you the details of who will be there and what you're suppose to do"

"Alright" I grabbed my keys and made my way over.

Driving alone with my thoughts was killing me. I just couldn't believe everything that was happening.

After this I gotta go home and pack my bags and then I gotta make sure keep Vanessa far away from me.

I make a stop at the ballroom and I realize the parking lot was actually kinda empty.

What the heck?
I stepped out my car confused as heck, but nonetheless I made my way over to the entrance. My father didn't send me any updates.

I found his numbed called him again.

It rang and rang and it went straight to voicemail.
I tried again and it did the same thing.

"Mr. Anderson?" A lady at the front desk called for me. I nodded "yes ma'am, that's me"

"Right this way, we've been expecting you" huh?

I still couldn't get a hold of my father so I guess I'm winging this right now.

He pointed the door "here's where you'll be meeting" I nodded and mumbled a thank you.

I opened the door and was baffled by what i saw.

The lights were dim but there were at-least 5 big and tall mirror like projector screens in a circle like manner. Behind the circle of projectors was a stage that I could barely see. But I definitely picked it up.

There was a large group of classical musicians that stated playing when I entered. They were on the outside parts of the circle.

What is going on?
I heard footsteps approach the front of the stage.
A light shined direct at person and I stepped forward in the circle to see.

"I found love in you"

"And I've learned to love me too"

Nichelle.

And she looked dangerously beautiful in her long dress.

Overwhelmed with emotion I couldn't even overcome the shock I was experiencing.

"It's like our hearts are intertwined into the perfect harmony"

"This is why I love you" 

When she started singing the chorus every screen lit up and began sharing memories we had together over the years.

By the time the song ended me and Nichelle were standing face to face.

"No other love will do"

"That is why I love you"

"I thought you-" she shook her head and wiped my tear stained face.

"I'm here baby"

"You've given me something worth more than what money can buy.. a family, a place I can call home"

"I love you Zach" both moved with emotion she pulled me in for a kiss which I gladly responded to.

My baby was home with me.

Now I had to find a way to tell her everything that happened.