Blackmailed For Love

My mother was back home.

She was feeling a little drowsy from all the medicines but no one woul even guess that from how Anna and her Gammy had greeted each other.

One would think that instead of just a day they had been separated for a month.

1 I smiled as Anna regaled her grandmother with all the details of what she did downstairs with Bianca.

was pleased to know that my daughter had hit it off with her babysitter, who was really a nice girl.

"Come on, it's time to go to bed."

I said as I stood from the chair I was sitting on while my little angel went on and on about the new friends she made.

Walking to my mother, I kissed her forehead and whispered, "Good night."

I looked at my daughter and said, "Tell Gammy good night and come here."

Anna pouted even though she was blinking hard and there was exhaustion in her eyes.

"But, Mama, I missed Gammy."

"And, she will be here tomorrow.

Come on, then…"

I rounded the bed and held my arms open for her.

She pouted but turned to her grandmother and kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Gammy."

"Good night, my angel."

My mother replied, caressing her head in a loving gesture.

Anna stood up on the bed and padded toward me.

I engulfed her in my arms and she said, "You know, Mama I'm too big now."

I kissed her cheek, pretending to eat her soft cheek.

She let out a high pitched giggle and I said, "My angel will never be too big…"

1 She circled her arms around me and laid her head down on my shoulder.

I could feel that she was going to fall asleep in the next ten minutes.

When we reached the bedroom, I made my way straight to the bathroom.

I sat my angel down on the counter and said, "It's brush time."

Without saying anything, she held out her hand for her toothbrush like the good girl she was.

It was when we both were sliding under the covers and she had her face buried in my chest, she asked, "Mama, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, baby…"

I caressed her dark hair, marveling at the gift god had given me even though most of the time he ignores my prayers, I will always be grateful for her.

She looked up and met my eyes.

greys that had looked at me with dark desire and betrayal in them just this morning were exactly the

"What is his name?"

I didn't even have to know who she was

about a 'him', it was her father she wanted to

lips and replied, this time with the truth,

closed her eyes

my body and asked her next question, "Will I

around her and I

"Good night, Mama."

said and looked up to kiss

puckered my lips and brushed

"Good night, my angel."

though I felt exhausted my eyes refused to close and fell asleep, all I could think about was him as my mind played out what had happened

couldn't forget the look

he hated how much I had hurt him and how much I

arms, cared for me until he

for them to pop back open

turned around without jostling the little angel attached to me and picked

it, his

"Open the door."

the three words on the

if I

would think that

just then, "Open the door or I'm going to ring the

fingers shook as I quickly typed back my reply, "Are you insane? It's

just fell

Go away."

"I am waiting."

teeth and looked at the sleeping

slid out of the bed and tucked the blanket around her

picked up the robe from the chair and pulled it on over my camisole and

went out into the hallway and made

peeked through the peephole and yup there he

the door,

standing

at his deep voice

"Little girl…"

Oh god.

lips, I cleared my throat and

can't let you

you to let

in

made

He was talking oddly.

on, little girl… I want to take you upstairs to my

on the door, it wasn't loud but it made me jump all

"Little girl?"

fumbled to unlock the door or he would start banging loudly and wake

and my eyes

wearing only low hung pajamas

are you

asked, "And why are you

as his strong arm circled my

"Kristian!"

your mother to wake