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That's my girl!she would never be put down for long, she always found a way to remain happy.A happiness I'll always be sure to secure.

"Right " I responded

"Then can you be my daddy?" she spoke aloud with an hopeful expression.

I was at first taken aback by her request , then I was overwhelmed in a sea of emotions.

I wanted to scream that I'm her father, but for unknown reason I didn't, maybe it was because I felt that I didn't deserve her, but at the same time I couldn't hurt her feelings.

" I can be your daddy if you want..."The words were barely out of my mouth when a full toothed radiant smile broke her face delightful squeal escaped her lips as her tiny arms wrapped around my neck , I froze for a moment.slowly my hand reached out on its own to pat her back gently.

We broke apart after sometime and stayed in comfortable silence .

"I loved your mommy, but i didn't know...couldn't show it to her..I hurt her kid "I whispered .

Her gaze studied me quietly , I didn't know why I told her this, maybe it was because I felt her young innocent mind could understand how I felt deep inside...

Perhaps this was all I needed all along, this kind of close bond with her....even so young I could learn from her.She adores Gracie so much, I could take the steps from her...

"I don't think you're a bad person " both her brows furrowed deeply as if she was still contemplating on my earlier words.

"Why so?"

I didn't know why but I found myself anticipating her response.

"Mom said anyone who had eyes like mine could never do mean things " she replied sounding every bit confident.

The corners of my lips curved in the tiniest bit of a smile which transformed into a chuckle despite the turbulent emotions I felt inside.

"Then your mother was wrong " I murmured in a low tone, I did do very mean things , I didn't think she would hear me, but she did.

"No!mommy is always right!" she argued seeming to be in her Gracie's defense

My heart clenched tight as if being clasped my a fist, emotions I've never felt before pulsated through me.

"I love you kid " the words slipped out of their own accord, It didn't bother me because every bit of it was true.

I heard a light sound behind me, I turned around only to meet her swimming gaze..

I reached to call her.

But she didn't wait before she bolted out the door.

GRACIE

I heard him calling for me but I didn't stop, I kept moving even though I could hear his footsteps right after me.I didn't know why I was crying, but I couldn't stop either.I wasn't sad or anything,I just didn't know how I felt...i was just a scattered mess of emotions.I inhaled and exhaled aloud trying to comport the raging feelings inside.

If only we weren't enemies from the beginning....If he hadn't hated me would we have perhaps ended up better than this?Or there would have been no us in the first place.The thought saddened me but I brushed it aside.

I felt a clasp on my arms before he whirled me around to face him.I saw the tenseness and urgency in his gaze.

"I didn't tell her to call me that , she requested and I had to agreed "

I swallowed hard forcing the knot in my throat down.

"I'm not accusing you Hayden "

Confusion and something similar to relief crossed his features for a moment.