I couldn't help but stare at her in awe. She was so cute in her purple minnie mouse dress that I bought for her last week. The older she gets the more she looks like a miniature of Flynn. Her eyes, the shape of her face, and her thick eyelashes. Definitely a Vasilios.

"Cornflakes," I corrected her as I caressed her head when she walked past me, "But I made you pancakes. You don't want pancakes?" I flipped the pancakes over and put it on a plate.


Her eyes lit up when she saw me doing that. "Yes, pancakes!"

I chuckled and placed a plate with a pancake, whipped cream, and strawberries in front of her. She jumped on the chair, letting her doll fall down on the floor making its head detach from the body and roll down the kitchen floor.

My eyes widened as I watch it happen. Oh god ! And that's the reason why I never bought dolls for her.


She got Finny, the name she gave the doll, from Flynn as a gift. The doll looked so alive, it scares the crap out of me. But I guess that's how dolls are made in this time period. While I couldn't stand Finny, Amari loved her. She brought her everywhere, much to my distaste.

While I was cleaning the kitchen, the front door opened. Flynn had a key to my apartment, because sometimes he brought Amari home late and I was already asleep. When Amari heard the front door open and close she looked up at me with whipped cream all over her upper lip.


"Dad!" she squealed and jumped of the chair. She jumped into Flynn's arms and he lifted her up in the air.

"Princess, have you miss me?" he laughed and kissed her forehead. "You are growing up so fast!"

I rolled my eyes and smiled, because the last time he saw her was three days ago.

I wiped my hand on the towel and walked over to them. "You're early."

Flynn put Amari down and walked over to me. "Good Morning pudd--- Jill, I brought breakfast." He handed me the Panera paper bag he had in his hand. "There's Greek yogurt, Mozzarella flatbread, and Tuna sandwich."

I took the bag from him and opened it. The fresh smell of freshly baked bread entered my nostrils. "Thank you, but the next time if you decide to bring food over, give me a call."

"Why?" He asked, "Did you prepare breakfast?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I made pancakes. Do you want some?"

"Yeah, I'll eat together with Amari. Right, princess?" He tickled Amari who was still holding onto him tightly. She nodded her head and smiled widely.

I placed the plate with pancakes on the table so Flynn could take how much he wanted. "Are you ready for our picnic?" he asked Amari, who sat next to him, licking her fingers. She dipped them in the whipped cream on her plate and licked them clean afterwards. I told her so many times to not do it, but there's just this much that you can tell a toddler.

"You're going on a picnic?" I asked, stuffing a strawberry in my mouth. I watch how Flynn wiped Amari's hand on a napkin

"Yes, a family picnic. Do you want to come?" he asked casually. "Would be a great way to spend time together with Amari."

The past few weeks, he had tried to include me in the outings he planned with Amari, but I always found an excuse to not go. He knows the exact reason why I don't want to go. Besides, Amari is doing just fine with us not being together. Sometimes we do have dinner as a family, but that's it.

"And you know what I think about it. It will take more than a couple of sorry's." I muttered, as I scooped some whipped cream on my pancake.

"It's just a picnic, Jill. It's not like we will do anything hanky panky." Flynn grunted. "My parents are going to be there and Ximena and Rodrigo."

"And that's what it's about. Spending time with your family. You know where that will eventually lead."

"And? I don't see a problem in that." Flynn raised his eyebrows. "I'm totally fine with that, you know it."

"You cheated on me du---," I couldn't finish my sentence, because Flynn interrupted me by loudly putting his silverware down on the table.

He looked at Amari and whispered something I couldn't hear in her ear. She giggled and then ran out of the kitchen. Sometimes I wonder what kind of magic words he says to her, it takes me forever for her to listen to me.

Flynn then turned his attention back to me. The loving and caring expression on his face was replaced with a cold one. "Are you always going to bring that up?" His voice sounded cold, almost harsh.

"It's hard to forget it." I snapped, anger welling up in me. I'm the one that is suppose to be mad and irritated, not him. Everytime and I mean, every time since I move back to New York, this was the topic we would fight over the most. "Having Amari in our life doesn't mean we should get back together. She would be just fine with her parents not living in the same house."

Anger and pain flashed in Flynn's eyes. "You think so? God, I don't want that for my daughter. Our daughter. I want us to be together, because I know I still love you. I always will. And I know you still feel the same way---,"

"Excuse me?!" I interrupted him, standing up from the table. "Who the hell told you I still have feelings for you?"

Flynn looked up at me, his eyes glistening. "I just know. I can see it in your eyes."

"You're so delusional."

"Amari needs us. We can still be together. It's not too late. Why can't we focus on the future Jill? Why can't we just move on?" Flynn asked, his voice soft and pleading.

"Because---," I stared at the pancakes on the table and continued in a whisper, "I'm afraid that history is going to repeat itself."

Jill Malik P.O.V

A couple hours later I found myself sitting next to Flynn, driving to the picnic destination. God, how did I end up here? In the back Amari was singing wheels on the bus for the nth time now. I think I might go crazy if we will not arrive soon.

"We're here!" Flynn announced as he pull up into a parking spot. He turned around and looked at Amari. "Look Princess, Aunt Ximmy is there!" Amari immediately looked outside and squealed. "Aunty Ximmy!" She fumbled with the seatbelt and tried to unbuckle it. "Daddy! Help me!"

Flynn stiffened and looked wideyed at his daughter. I didn't realize why he was shocked, until I replayed what she said in my head. Oh shit !

I covered my face hiding my embarrassment, this is all my fault. I should have never had called him that. Without saying a word he stepped out of the car and walked to the back seat to unbuckle Amari. As soon as Flynn unbuckled her she jumped out of the car and ran towards Ximena. She grew so attached to Flynn's family since they pamper her and treat her like a princess.

I stepped out of the car and walked over towards Flynn. "Yeah, I think you should get over that word." I said as I nudged him bringing him back to reality.

"Hell yeah! Why did you even call me that in the first place?" He looked at me intently waiting for me to answer. I turned my face to the other side so the heat that was rushing to my face would not show. I just shrugged instead. "We were young, things like that happen."

"Calling me daddy?" he snorted. "Yeah right."

I rolled my eyes and walked away. "Don't tell me you didn't like it."

I heard him snicker behind me and judging by his footsteps he was following me. "At one point I did, but now...not really."

His family spotted us walking towards them and a wide smile appeared on Rodrigo's face. "Jill!" He greeted excitedly. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Took me hours of convincing." I heard Flynn mutter next to me. "Hey mom, hey dad...Geez old man that's a lot of roses you got there."

I look at Flynn's parents and from the looks of it they were still madly in love with each other. His father looked at us and grinned. "Today is the anniversary when your mom and I met. Of course it asked for a celebration."

I let out a sigh as I watched them. They were so cute. The kind of couple goals everyone wants, but not everyone can get. Growing old with the person you love, how many of us don't want that? I turned around and looked at Amari who was taking selfies on Ximena's phone. I walked over to them.

"Are you having fun with Aunt Ximmy, princess?" I asked as I sat down next to Ximena on the grass. Amari nodded her head, but other than that she completely ignored me. She was too focused on her face on the screen.

"She's going to be a social media influencer later. I can just feel it." Ximena chuckled as she brushed a strand of hair out of Amari's face. "Look at her, she knows exactly what her good angle is. Smart girl."

"Oh hell no!" Flynn butted in as he waved his hand in dismissal. "She's gonna be a CEO like daddy right princess?"

Rodrigo who stood next to Flynn choked on his soda. He coughed a couple of times before he sputtered out; "Daddy?!"

I rolled my eyes and muttered; "Very mature."

"The last time he didn't even wanted to hear that word. I'm just shocked!" Rodrigo laughed and patted Flynn on his back. "You are what we call daddy material."

Flynn gritted his teeth and slapped Rodrigo's hand away. "Shut up will you? How's it like to be married?"

Rodrigo shrugged. "Nothing's changed. Only that I get to see her every second of the day. Aren't you bored of me yet babe?"

"Oh I am veryyy bored." Ximena answered sarcastically. "Can you believe it? He doesn't even want to spice it up with some handcuffs."

My eyes widened and I choked on air. "There are kids here!"

Flynn chuckled and shook his head. "You guys are crazy. I'll go back to mom and dad, they brought a lot of food there."

"Can you leave the old man alone? He's trying to earn mom's forgiveness." Ximena said as she braided Amari's hair.

"What did he do again?" Flynn asked.

"He forgot Poker's birthday."

I laughed as I remembered that Poker was their dog. Flynn laughed too and said; "Mom is always so extra."

"She has always been like that. Anyways can you bring some snacks over here. I'm starving." Ximena said as she look up at Flynn and Rodrigo. "Please?"

They both shook their heads and muttered something along the lines of 'being lazy' and 'such a princess' before they walked to the picnic table where all the food was.

When they were out of earshot Ximena patted the seat next to her and motioned me to sit. "How is with you and my brother?"

I gulped, but decided to gave her my honest answer. "You know what he did Ximmy---,"

"Oh I do and I hate him so much for it! I don't know why he can be so selfish and reckless sometimes."

"But---," I said my voice cracking, "I forgave him, but it's going to take a while to trust him again."

Ximena smiled faintly at me. "I'm so happy that you forgave him. He was a wreck you know. After you left." She paused to take a deep breath. "It was heartbreaking to see him like that, but I also knew how you felt after you saw those pictures. Trust me, I've been there, I've felt it."

"What are you trying to tell me?" I asked quietly. "That I should just go back to him and forget what happened? It's not that easy Ximmy. He hurt me badly."

"I don't ask you to do that, Jill. No pressure at all. I just want to say that he truly loves you. The past was a mistake. A stupid dumb mistake. What I'm trying to say is that one day I hope you can give him a chance again." Ximena smiled in the distance as if she could already see Flynn and I being together. "And... I want to have more Amari's. Damn, I grew so attached to her."

I laughed at the last part. "Why don't you and Rodrigo make one?"

Ximena stared at me in horror. "What?! Popping a human out of my...?! Nope, nope, nope. Not ready yet for that!"

This time I laughed out loud. "Geez Ximmy, you make it seem like it's that bad."

She looked confused at me. "It isn't?"

"Well actually it is." I answered truthfully.

"See that's what I mean. But Rodrigo wants a whole soccer team." She rolled her eyes as she said that. "The more, the merrier he said."

"What did you tell him?"

"I asked him if I looked like a make-a-baby machine to him." She answered sarcastically and laughed. Then she looked around and leaned into me and whispered, "But honestly I always wanted to have a house full of children."