Chapter 1

4 years later.

"Look mommy a buppafly". Grinning at me she was crouched down on her knees staring at the flowers.

"Pretty baby". I whispered bending down and kissing the top of her head. "Let's go get you some lunch". Taking her hand, I walked her inside.

Everleigh Thomas was the love of my life. I never knew how much my life would change for the better until I gave birth. She was the spitting image of her daddy, the dark hair and the brightest blue eyes. I carried her for 9 months and she popped out looking exactly like him.

Placing the sandwich in front of her I continued to cut up cucumber pieces placing them on the side of her plate. "You want milk or juice baby?". Crouching down beside her I ran my fingers through her hair. This beautiful little human was mine.

"Milk mommy".

Just then there was a knock on my front door, and I received the news I never wanted to hear. Tommy had passed, massive heart attack.

"Uncle Ared". Everleigh squealed as soon as she saw him. Yeah, she didn't quite have the hang of her Js yet.

"Hey baby girl". He whispered swinging her up and into his arms. "Look how big you've got". As he placed her back on her feet, he began tickling her the laughter falling from her lips.

Jared has become a constant in both our life's. Wasn't long after I had Everleigh that he dropped by staying for a few months and helping me out.

"Okay baby come eat the rest of your lunch". Watching her gave me a new lease of life every day. She was perfect in every way and there was nothing I wouldn't do to keep her safe.

"I can't believe he's gone". Tommy was like my second dad. Always knew what to say when I wasn't feeling myself. He was my dad's best friend, and I had no idea how he was holding up.

"Think it's time you come home darling".

Snapping my head up I looked straight into his eyes. "I am home Jared this is our home, and I will not uproot her and move away".

Sighing he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then come home for the funeral, show your respect and then you can come back".

"I'll think about it now do you want something to eat or drink. It's hot outside".

"Nah darling I've got more people I need to see. Stay safe and keep my favourite girl safe". Kissing the side of my head he walked to where she was sitting.

"Come give me a kiss princess before I leave". One thing I knew for sure was she loved her uncle Jared.

"We'll walk you out". I smiled taking her hand and following suit.

As he mounted his bike and clipped his helmet, I caught him doing what he always did before he left. Staring at the beautiful girl in my arms.

"God Ava she's the spitting image of Blaze". Another thing he always told me. I already knew she was like her daddy; she was like him in so many ways.

"Shame he doesn't know she exists". Kissing the top of her head I waved as he sped of down the street.

..

When we got off the plane, I instantly had a feeling this was a bad idea. My gut was telling me that I should never have come back, and my gut was never wrong. I hadn't told anyone that I was coming back for the funeral because I was still in two minds whether to show up. I hadn't been back here in 4 years. A lot of things change a lot of people change. But I was here to show my respect for Tommy. He was a great man with the biggest heart.

"Mommy".

Staring down at her I gripped her hand tighter. "It's okay baby we're going to see papa". She had taken to my dad like a moth to a flame. Seeing him interact with her made my heart swell.

Walking through the busy airport I picked up our bags and headed outside. The sky was cloudy, and it looked like rain wasn't far behind. Paying the taxi driver, I stood outside the clubhouse and just stared.

Home.

It was almost 7 at night and you could hear a pin drop it was that quiet. Everyone was mourning the loss of a brother. And then my heart stopped. Gripping her hand tighter my breath caught in my throat, I couldn't breathe. It couldn't be him.

He was here.

No this couldn't be happening. Swallowing the lump in my throat I squeezed my eyes shut willing myself not to cry. Everything came back to me the instant he looked up from his phone his eyes meeting mine. Time stopped; my heart stopped but most importantly the feelings all came rushing back hitting me like a train.

This was a mistake. I diverted my gaze. Bending down I took hold of her tiny hands. I knew I should never have come back here.

"Mommy why are you crying". Her sweet little voice brought me back down to earth and made me realise that she was the only one that mattered.

"I'm okay baby". Lifting her into my arms I held her close to my chest. He was gone, disappeared like he wasn't there to begin with. Taking a few deep breaths, I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip. I couldn't go in there not when he was there. I just couldn't do it.

"Mommy don't cry". Feeling her tiny hand against my cheek a sob fell from my lips. How was I going to explain to her that her daddy was here. How was I going to explain to him?

Hearing the creek of the door my heart started to hammer in my chest. I wasn't ready to face him, not after 4 years of not hearing from him. He couldn't just waltz back into my life.

"Hey beautiful girl how bout you let me take you to see your papa". Scooping her into his arms he placed his hand on my shoulder. "We'll let mommy have 5 minutes to herself yeah?".

Walking down the steps I planted my bum down on one of the benches. My world had come crashing down around me and I had no idea what I was going to do. Burying my head in my hands I ran them through my hair and pulled.

"Why the fuck did I come back here". I whispered but my heart froze when I heard the footsteps. Oh, please god don't make it be him. I couldn't do this, not here, not now.

"Come on inside, Everleigh is starting to get tired and restless. She's asking for her mommy". I released the breath I was holding when I heard my mother's voice.

"I just need a minute mom". How was I going to go in there when he was there. I wasn't ready for the arrogance he was going to throw at me. He could be a nasty piece of work at times, but I knew that's how he dealt with it.

I could sure go a smoke right now and I haven't touched one since I found out I was pregnant. I was restless and jumpy my nerves were all over the place. I was going to bump into him at some point whether it be today or tomorrow it was going to happen.

How was I going to tell him he had a 3-year-old daughter?

And then I heard it, the loud sound of a gun being fired. My heart jumped into my throat. Everleigh.... in that moment no one else matter. Someone had fired a gun when my child was present. Running through the front door I looked frantically for her. My full body was shaking, my heart was beating so fast.

Where was she?

And then I spotted her, fast asleep in Jared's arms. Rushing towards then I pulled her into my arms. Holding her head against my chest I glared at my dad. I hadn't missed him slipping his gun back into the waistband of his jeans.

How could he?

Shaking my head, I grit my teeth. There was no excuse for what he had just done not when my child was there, regardless if she was sleeping or not. Turning on my heels I rushed towards his bedroom locking the door behind me. I didn't need to know who had been shot. I knew deep down Blaze was hurt but he wasn't my problem anymore.

Pulling back the covers I settled her in the middle of the bed resting her head against the pillows. This little person was my entire world, she held my heart, and no one was ever going to take her from me.

"It's okay baby shh". I whispered as she began to move, a little cry falling from her lips. "I've got you".

"Ava open the door".

Sighing I pushed myself off the bed. I knew what he was going to ask me. Unlocking the door, I pulled it open. "How bad this time?". I asked

"I just need your kit I know you keep one here". Jared made his way into the room his eyes falling on Everleigh. "She, okay?".

"Why the fuck would he fire a gun in front of my child". I hissed trying not to wake her up. "I will not stand for that Jared".

"Things got heated both guns were drawn". Sighing he brushed a hand over his face. "Is your kit still here?".

"Yes, but you are not stitching him up". Before he could say anything, I disappeared to get it. "You stay with her I won't be long".

"Ava, you don't..."

"I have too Jared". Storming out of the bedroom I marched off down the hallway. Getting to my dad's office I hesitated my hand resting on the doorknob.