Life with the ex-bad neighbor

Chapter twenty - Back from heaven

Emma's POV:

The plan failed. Officer Mayers put one of his colleagues undercover as my stalker. The stalking continued for a week. Ricky quickly understood that he was a police officer and threatened him. The i***t said if the officer didn't go away, he would do something to Mia or me. Of course, he backed off. In his place, I would do the same. I know that no one wants to risk my life. That means that I am alone again. Let's hope that he won't come near me. I don't think that I can defend myself. The worst thing is that he knows what is the most important thing for me. I told Mia not to talk with this man ever again. Well, she is still a kid. I warned every teacher in her kindergarten. I told them that it was dangerous for the other kids as well. Finally, I said that if something happened to my kid, I would keep them responsible and might sue them. On the next day, there was security at the front door. I know I am stressing too much, but I don't know what Ricky's next move will be. I thought since he killed Vince, Ricky would stop going after me. It looks like I was wrong. No matter what happens, he will never have me. Now I can't even date anyone. He might hurt the man. I can't risk someone else's life. My boyfriend gave his life. I want this to stop, but I don't see it ending soon. Not until Ricky gets what he wants, something that will never happen. I hope that he won't hurt Mia. She doesn't need to pay for my mistakes. Well, hope dies last.

Currently, I am preparing myself to take Mia from kindergarten. I have some things to do. Yesterday I finished with a plan. I wanted to check it before I give it to Kim. Of course, I started another one. I need to keep myself busy. Otherwise, my thoughts will take over. Luckily, I have Mia to help me. I put my whole attention on her. Maybe it's not that good idea, but I don't have anything else to do. She is the only beautiful thing that I have. Nothing else left me. As I have said, she is the only reason I keep fighting. I won't let anyone hurt her.

At 5 pm, I walked out of the office. The kindergarten is about half an hour of driving. Well, if you don't get stuck in traffic. Luckily, the teachers wait until the last kid gets taken home. Then they close the kindergarten. If parents are late, a teacher calls them to know when they will come. I chose this kindergarten because it was close to my house. Also, it's not far away from my office. Let's say that if something happens, I can quickly go there. I walked to my boss's office and knocked on the door.

- Kim, I am going home.

- Ok, have a good evening.

- You too.

I went to the kindergarten to take Mia. She is happy when I do that. Well, sometimes I send her grandparents to do this. Mostly, when I have a lot of work. I'm trying to work less and pay more attention to my daughter. After all, kids love attention. We walked home, and I left her to play in her room. I went to prepare dinner.

- What should I cook today? Maybe I can make a French toast with fries. I think that she will eat it.

After around an hour, I was ready. I went to check on Mia and found her asleep on her bed. She was hugging one of her teddy bears. Vince gave me that a couple of years ago. I told her that this was from her dad. Technically, it's not a lie. The difference is that he gave this to me, but who cares? She loves it.

- Mia, dinner is ready. Will you wake up?

- No, I want to sleep.

- If you don't come, the food will get cold.

- I don't care.

- Let's make a deal. If you come with me, I will do whatever you want until the end of the day.

- Really? - she asked with her eyes widening

- Yes. Whatever you say.

- Let's eat. Later, I want us to color my book.

- Ok, I'll help you with that.

It won't be me if I don't find her weak spot. Mia loves it when I do what she wants. Well, I don't do this often. Sometimes all I want is to rest. I try to pay more attention to her, but I can't do it all the time. Surprisingly, she ate everything on her plate. I found some biscuits from yesterday, so I gave her one. I know that in kindergarten, the teacher gave them sweet food. I don't want her to eat much sugar. It's not healthy.

- I'll go and bring my coloring book. Can we color it here?

- Sure. Do you need help?

- No, I will take everything alone. I am a strong girl.

- Yes, you are.

She is adorable. One thing that I love is putting her hair in two piggy tails. Mia looks so cute. Sometimes I am living my dreams through her. Well, this will be until she grows up. I won't tell her what to do. I love my mom, but I won't make the same mistake as her. Mia will choose her life by herself.

Soon she came with two coloring books and her pencils. One of the books was with Mickey Mouse characters. The other one was with Disney princesses. Her favorite is Rapunzel because she has long hair. As we were coloring, there was a knock on the door. Who can be that late? I hope that it's not Ricky.

- Mia, stay here. I will go and see who is at the door, ok?

- Ok.

I opened the door and saw a man in a hoodie. That was not Ricky. He won't hide like that. I don't want to be rude, but I think he has the wrong address. The only thing that I don't understand is why he is hiding. It's visible that he doesn't want anyone to see him.

- Hello, can I help you?

- Can I come inside? I need to talk with you.

- Excuse me, but do we know each other?

- Yes, we do. Very well.

- Oh, ok. Come in.

The man came in, and I locked the door. Since Ricky appeared the first time, I have done this. Let's say I am still afraid of him, but not of the man who just came into my house. I don't know why, but I have a weird feeling about him. I know he won't hurt me. The thing is that I have no idea who he is.

- Can you tell me who you are?

He didn't say anything and took off his hood. No way! That can't be true. I am dreaming. My eyes are playing some games with me. How is that possible? I don't understand.

- Vince?

- Hey, Emma.

- Is that really you?

- Yes. I didn't die.

- What?

- I planned to hide longer, but I saw you last week. Since then, I haven't stopped thinking about you. I knew that I had to see you again. Even if it's for five minutes.

I didn't say anything and gave him a tight hug. That is unbelievable. I thought that I had lost him forever. To be honest, I have no idea what has happened, but I don't care. The fact that he is here is enough for me. I felt tears in my eyes.

- Hey, don't cry. I am here.

- What happened?

- Ricky tried to kill me. Luckily, he didn't do it. I knew he would try again. I told the doctor to talk to you and say I was dead.

- This is why there was a note about the coffin.

- Yes, it was empty. The only way to keep you safe was to make you believe I was gone. I'm sorry for everything.

- Why did you hide so long?

- I could've done it for a year, but it wouldn't have been believable. Ricky had to believe that I was dead.

- I understand.

- Look, I'm sorry that I have put you through this.

- Where have you been all this time?

- Do you remember Derek?

- From high school?

- Yes. I saw Derek one day and told him everything. He lives alone, so he accepted me. I started working, and we split the bills.

- I can't believe it.

- I know that it's hard to understand.

- No, I meant that you are alive. I thought that I had lost you forever.

- I'm so sorry.

- Wait here. I have a surprise for you.

- How? You didn't know that I would come.

- Well, this was supposed to be a surprise a couple of years ago.

- I won't lie that you got me interested.

- Ok, I want you to sit on your legs and open your arms as if you will hug someone. Also, close your eyes.

- Why?

- Please, just do it.

- Ok, ok.

I went into the kitchen to take Mia. Two years ago, I told her that her dad would come back. Today is the day. They will meet for the first time. I have to record this.

- Mia, I have a surprise for you in the kitchen.

- Really? What is it?

- Go and see.

She left everything on the table and rushed into the living room. Of course, I walked after her. I saw how her eyes widened. That is the cutest thing I have ever seen.

- Daddy! - she said and ran up to him

- What?

- You are back.

- From where and why did you call me daddy?

- From your mission.

- What mission? I don't understand.

- The mission on the moon.

- Emma, what is going on? Why did she call me daddy?

- Well, some things happened while you were still alive. I mean, before all of that.

- Wait a minute! Is she mine?

- Yes, she is.

- What?

- Vince, meet Mia. Your daughter.

- Nice to meet you, daddy.

Vince didn't say anything and gave her a tight hug. I saw tears in his eyes. Maybe it's time to put the phone down. I was sure that he would be happy. Seeing these two together makes me feel like I am on the moon. That is pure happiness.

- Daddy, don't cry. I don't want mommy to start crying too.

- Ok, I won't. I can't believe that you are mine. It's like a dream.

- Of course that I am yours. - Mia said, and he laughed

- Mia, what time is it? - I asked

- I don't want to go to bed. I want to stay with daddy.

- If you want, he can read you a bedtime story.

- Yes!

- Come one, daddy. - I said, laughing

- You will see. - Vince said

After half an hour, Mia was asleep. Both with Vince walked into our room. All I want is to lay in bed. I had so many emotions today. I still keep Vince's clothes, so I gave him his PJs. In the moment I laid down, he came and kissed me. I have missed this, but mostly him. That is like a dream come true.

- I have missed you.

- I know. When I saw you, I knew I had to stop hiding.

- You have no idea how happy I am that you are here.

Vince was about to say something when our door opened. It was Mia. I thought that she was sleeping. Maybe she tricked us. I won't be surprised. This kid knows how to make people do what she wants.

- Mia, why are you not in bed?

- I want to sleep here.

- Why? What's wrong with your room?

- Nothing. You said you would do what I wanted until the end of the day.

- Yes, I did.

- The day hasn't ended yet.

I checked my phone. Mia was right. There was more than half an hour until midnight. For a three-year-old, Mia is clever. I can't argue with her. This time she has a point.

- Ok, come here.

- Yay! Thank you, mommy.

- You're welcome.

- Did you want to sleep with daddy? - Vince asked

- Maybe. - she said and nodded her head

- Come here. Hey, I love you. - he said and kissed her cheek.

- Now, you will sleep. - I said

- Yes. If you do it too.

- No problem.

- Good night. - she said and closed her eyes

- To you too. - we said and kissed her cheeks

- Emma.

- Yes.

- I love you.

- I love you too, Vince.

Like that, all of us fell asleep. Today my life got better. The person who I thought that I had lost forever came back. Vince is here. The problem is that soon Ricky will understand. I'm afraid that he will try to do something to him again. I don't want to lose him. For three years, I was without him. I don't want this to repeat. That was my worst nightmare. Now, more than anything, we have to be careful. I didn't tell Vince about Ricky. I want him to rest. When I feel ready, I might talk with him about that. For now, I will focus on him and Mia. Everything else will be later.