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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2011 21:57:33 GMT -5
Naomi stood outside the door, hesitation clear on her face. It'd been months since she'd seen both Max and Arielle. Her family had gone to visit some family in Michigan for a while and since Arielle was too young to travel, the baby had stayed behind with Max. Now everyone had moved to a new town and Naomi had been away and missed it. It was almost physically painful, being away from the two for so long.
Now she stood outside the door, the only thing seperating her from her loved ones, and she was too afraid to knock on the door. Tears of frustration filled her eyes as she took a deep, shaky breath. She lowered her head, wiping away at the tears with the back of her hand. Sure, she knew it wasn't her fault, she couldn't have helped the fact that the town had moved, and her family wasn't there to know.
But...she couldn't help but think that maybe if she had stayed behind, she would have been able to be there for her daughter's first few months of living. Naomi let out a sharp gasp as she struggled to keep the tears away, faught to stay quiet lest someone hear her.
What type of mother was she? That she would so readily leave her new born baby behind. She should've stayed with them. Arielle probably wouldn't even know who she was.
That thought caused pain to shoot through her chest and she let out a sob, sinking to the ground. She didn't deserve to see them. They would be better off without her. She should just leave now, before it was too late.
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Post by Tori on Mar 5, 2011 22:22:08 GMT -5
It was around lunchtime, and with David and Brooklyn out of the house to spend some time together with Jazmine as a real family, Max stayed home with his four month old daughter, Arielle. Sure he missed his girlfriend, he even prayed for her every night hoping she was alright and at least somewhere safe. Just as long as Max still had his daughter though, he was still content with his life, even if it meant leaving Arielle for David to babysit while he went off to his college classes working his ass off just to graduate and find a decent job that would hire him.
Max carried his daughter over from her room to the kitchen to get her bottle of milk ready for her feeding. Balancing her on his hip like he normally does, he got out a fresh bottle with milk already in it from the fridge, and headed to the microwave to warm it up some. "Mahh!" Arielle screeched her word for milk, with her tiny arms attempting to reach out towards the milk that was put into the microwave. "I know, Ari, I know. It's almost ready, okay?" Max told her in a soft tone, holding her up in the air as he kissed her multiple times letting her giggle and coo some more. Still holding her up in the air, he managed to raise her shirt up some and blow a raspberry on her belly causing her to let out a loud scream of laughter as his little bits of whiskers were tickling her. Max lowered his daughter back into his arms hugging her close, before kissing the top of her head, letting her cuddle back into his arms, her head resting on his chest with her thumb stuck back into her mouth.
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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2011 22:30:00 GMT -5
Naomi heard the laughter coming from inside, and Max's voice. Fresh tears were brought to her eyes and she quickly wiped them away again. She sat up from her spot on the ground, pulling herself to sit against the wall opposite the door.
There was no use crying anymore. What's done was done, and she couldn't do anything to change that. But she could start now, be in her daughter's life, and Max's as well. She loved them, and despite how horrible she felt, she wanted to be with them more than ever. She drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around her legs and placing her chin on her knees. The question was, would they want her?
Naomi took a deep, shuddery breath. She would never know unless she asked, right? Take her phone out of her pocket, she opened it and quickly scrolled through the numbers until she reached Max's. She hadn't talked to him since coming back from Michigan. She'd felt to horrible and couldn't face him, even over the phone.
Her thumb hovered over the talk button. Biting her lip, she opted instead to text him instead of calling. Even now she couldn't talk to him, for fear of breaking down.
To: Max From: Naomi Message: Hey...
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Post by Tori on Mar 5, 2011 22:43:51 GMT -5
Max was just getting Arielle's bottle out of the microwave, testing a drop on his skin to make sure it wasn't too hot but just right for his baby. With Arielle starting to fuss again in his arms once she saw her bottle, Max held Arielle in the correct position to feed, and gently placed the nipple of the bottle in between Arielle's tiny lips, and she immediately began sucking away. "Slow down, Ari." Max told his daughter, taking the bottle half way out of her mouth telling her not to drink so fast, before slipping it back into her mouth as she closed her eyes again continuing to suck the milk into her mouth and down into her tummy.
Within just a few seconds after that, Max could of swore he heard his phone vibrate on the side table in the living room. Still holding Arielle close to him with the bottle still up in her mouth, he took a quick glance in the living room only to find that he did in fact have a new message waiting. "Hm..wonder who it could be?" he asked himself, thinking about picking it up but realized that he physically couldn't with both of his hands full. Figuring it was just David checking up on him he let it go for a few minutes to finish feeding his child, as he went ahead and sat on the couch next to where his phone was, letting Arielle finish off her lunch with a smile still stuck on his face just watching his little red-headed daughter, seeming as she was getting sleepy again the more she drank, as her sucking started to slow down a bit.
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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2011 22:51:02 GMT -5
Naomi bit her lip after a few minuets, nervously running a hand through her messy hair. Maybe he's mad at me? I wouldn't blame him, I knew this was a bad idea. More tears filled her eyes as she took deep breaths. He was busy with the baby after all. He probably wasn't near his phone. Naomi flipped her phone opened and debated texting him again. She didn't want to seem desperate but...she really wanted to talk to him and her confidence wasn't high enough to knock on the door just yet. She took in a deep breath, letting it out on a sigh and she texted him again. If he doesn't text back this time I'll leave. She silently made up in her mind.
To: Max From: Naomi Message: ...you there...?
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Post by Tori on Mar 5, 2011 23:01:03 GMT -5
After the bottle being completely empty, Max set the bottle on the side table next to his phone which had just vibrated again causing Max to turn his head back to the vibration. Furrowing his eyebrows, he tossed a baby towel over his shoulder before Arielle, lightly patting her back to burp her. "Maybe its Toni?" he wondered, finally hearing a couple small burps come out of Arielle. He grinned widely, bringing her back in front of him, her feet on his lap as he held her there as if she were standing. "Good job, Arielle. Nice one!" he praised his daughter, watching her let out a yawn next before hugging her close again and grabbing his phone finally to see who this mysterious texter was.
At first sight of the name, Max's eyes just flew out wider than they had ever been before. "Naomi?!" he was just in utter shock, let alone thrilled just to see her name come up on his inbox. He read over her texts she just sent him, and quickly texted back one-handed.
To: Naomi From: Max Message: Hey! Good 2 see your name come up on my phone again! How r u? I miss u soo much. <3
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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2011 23:04:50 GMT -5
Naomi had gone back to the fetal position, her eyes closed. So when her phone vibrated in her pocket, it startled her and caused her to jump. She quickly opened it, reading over the text he sent her. "He...misses me?"
To: Max From: Naomi Message: Hey...I miss you too...how are you and the baby?
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Post by Tori on Mar 5, 2011 23:11:14 GMT -5
By the time another vibration had hit Max's phone, he was in the middle of placing Arielle in her baby swing, immediately falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Max returned to his seat scrolling through his phone to find another new message from Naomi. Grinning, he texted back with quick fingers. To: Naomi From: Max Message: We're doing good. Ari misses you 2 btw. Shes dreaming of you as i type this.
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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2011 23:20:51 GMT -5
Naomi read the text, fresh tears falling freely down her cheeks. "She misses me..." She felt worse than when she'd come. Knowing that her baby had been without a mother for so long. She began to text Max back, tears blurring her vision.
To: Max From: Naomi Message: She is...? Max...I understand if you hate me right now. I left you and Arielle when I should've stayed. Now I don't know what my own baby looks like. I miss you both so much and I love you guys. But...I'm so afraid. I want to see you so bad but...I'm afraid you wont want me back...
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Post by Tori on Mar 5, 2011 23:31:26 GMT -5
Max was happily watching his baby sleep peacefully, pushing her swing back and forth gently with his foot until he found another text come from Naomi. He continued pushing the swing back and forth as he read it, but once he got through the long text message, he placed his foot back on the ground again, letting the swing flow freely on its own, furrowing his eyebrows once again as he began his reply.
To: Naomi From: Max Message: What?? Naomi...how can u say that? U know how much i love u and would never do anything 2 hurt you. So dont even talk like that..xoxo ps. why dont u come on over to my apartment? its not the same talking to u through text...ill be waiting.
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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2011 23:38:08 GMT -5
Naomi bit her lip again, running a hand through her hair again as she read the message. Of course he wouldn't hate her, he was too kind again. Naomi felt her heart speed up when she read that he wanted to see her. She looked a mess, her cheeks were tear stained and her eyes were red. She had thrown on some sweats and a baggy t-shirt before coming over, her hair flowing freely down her back in a mass of curls. Another tear slid down her cheek as she messaged him back.
To: Max From: Naomi Message: Just open the door.... I'm kind of already here...I have been for a while...
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Post by Tori on Mar 5, 2011 23:52:51 GMT -5
Max read through the next text carefully, just confused as to why Naomi would be texting right outside his apartment when she could of just knocked. Then it hit him. Of course! After these past few months being separated from each other, he would be scared of suddenly arriving at her doorstep too. He set his phone down back on the table, taking a quick glance at the sleeping baby before getting up to open the door.
Placing his hand gently on the doorknob, he took a deep breath before finally opening it slowly, only to find Naomi standing outside, lonesome, with her hair looking like she hadn't brushed it yet, tear stains on her cheeks, and bulgy sweats covering her tiny figure. Letting out just a simple smile and sigh of relief, Max immediately wrapped his arms around Naomi's body, kissing her multiple times from her cheek, to her nose, and her lips. "I missed you so much." were his first words to her since he first opened the door between them.
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Post by Mia on Mar 6, 2011 0:01:22 GMT -5
Naomi stood when the door opened. She wasn't quite sure what she would say to Max. When he smiled, she could feel the tears beginning to form and when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, she began to cry, hard. Tears fell from her cheeks as she struggled to speak. "Max...I...I missed you so much." She buried her face in his chest, hugging him close to her. She missed the way it felt to be hugged back him, and never wanted to let go.
After a while, the tears began to stop. She stood there, refusing to look up at Max. "I'm sorry." She whispered, taking a shuddery breath. "I wish...I should've stayed with you guys...instead of going with my family..." She broke off before more tears could start. She finally looked up at Max, her eyes miserable. "I missed you both...terribly..."
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Post by Tori on Mar 6, 2011 0:11:14 GMT -5
Max tucked Naomi in close to him, just as he had done when Arielle was in his arms. He stroked her back lightly with one hand while the other was stroking her hair. "Shh..I know, I've missed you too. Both of us have." he said, soothing her in his touching voice. He kissed the top of her head again before speaking to her again. "There's no need to apologize, Naomi." he told her, lifting her chin up to face each other properly. "I completely understand. You're family is important. I mean, I know we're considered your family too, but...being with your mom, and siblings; you've known and loved them longer than us. You don't need to apologize." he repeated himself, his fingers stroking her cheek next. "Yes, I have been missing you like crazy. I have been worried about you. But...I also knew that you would be with your family who I know loves you just as much as I do." he paused for a moment, letting out a wider smile then, "I've been praying for you, you know." as he softly placed his lips on hers again.
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Post by Mia on Mar 6, 2011 0:30:03 GMT -5
Naomi felt a little bit better. She still thought that she should've stayed with Max and Ari, but she wouldn't say that outloud. Instead, she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing herself to be kissed. She kissed him back a bit after a moment, her eyes closing. When she pulled away, she bit her lip and said, "You have? I've been praying for you guys as well." Praying that they were okay and that they would forgive her, eventually. She opened her eyes, a light blush lining her cheeks. "And I...I thought about you guys...everyday." She admitted that quietly, lowering her head when she trailed off. "S...so...do you...do you think that Ari will...remember me?" That was her biggest fear, her baby not knowing who she was. Naomi would be devestated if Arielle didn't know her.
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