Aiden was true to his word. He stayed through the last song, last call, and even helped close up the bar. The drummer of the band ended up collecting at the end of the night. I was glad Ezra didn't stick around long enough to be the one I had to settle up with.

In fact, we didn't even see Ezra or his fiancé Jenna the rest of the night after the band was done playing. Ezra stormed off the stage and did not come back. Jenna ran out after him and I was flooded with relief. I was really glad I didn't have to look at either one of them again.

The next time Jules asked me to work here, I would tell him no. I didn't want to come back here and risk another encounter. I was pissed at Jules for not telling me he hired Ezra's band. For the first time ever working for Jules, I wanted to quit my job tonight. Rachel didn't even tell me.

I felt betrayed.

While I was cleaning up, I watched Kiera circling Aiden flirting with him. They would have probably found each other anyway without my help. I got extra points for hooking him up and I didn't even need to try. He smiled at her as she would pass him and flip her hair. Before we were done, they ended up in a booth talking and she was leaning in, ready to pounce on him.

I set the alarm and locked the door. Aiden stayed by my side as we left and I was thankful for his presence. He walked me to my car and pulled me into the same warm hug that got me through many nights when I was trying to get over Ezra. It didn't help that I had a little reminder of him growing in my belly at the time.

"So, Kiera?" I said. "Are you going to get it in?"

"Tomorrow night. She practically jumped me right there when I told her I used to be in a band." He said, smiling. "You know, it's still early. I could use a little practice if you're up for it. Sleepover at my house? Dirty movies and a naughty nurse's outfit? You in?"

Aiden raised an eyebrow joking with me and knocked his shoulder into mine. We have never gone that far and he liked to make fun of the fact I hadn't been with anyone since before Jessa was born.

"You wouldn't know how to handle me." I said, biting the inside of my cheek.

"Never have." He wrapped me in a one-armed hug. "Seriously though, do you want me to follow you home?" Aiden asked, opening my car door.

"I'll be fine. Thank you for rescuing me."

"That's what I do, kiddo. I'm a hero." He said as he shut my door. I couldn't agree with him more. Aiden was my hero; he was always a man among boys.

I watched him jog off to his SUV and I waved as he turned to me. Once he got in, I started my car to head home.

I got home way too late. Mom was sitting in the recliner with Jessa fastened to her. She must have had trouble sleeping. I quietly shook my Mom awake and pried the little fingers out of her hair. Jessa stirred a bit until I pulled her into my chest and she nuzzled into my neck.

Mom stood up, stretching. "She had a bad dream and wanted her Momma."

"I'm sorry, Mom." I said.

I hated that I was gone most nights at work when Jessa's night terrors often happened. I secretly wondered if it was a side effect from Ezra's addiction. The doctors kept assuring me it was normal and she would grow out of it. That never made them any less terrifying.

"It's fine, peanut. She's sleeping now. I'm going up to bed." She placed her hand on my shoulder and slowly made her way up the stairs.

"Give Dad a kiss for me." I said and she nodded back down at me. My poor Mom was so tired. I couldn't burden her with my Ezra problems when she had so many of her own.

I carried Jessa into my room and laid her down on my bed. I swiped her curls back off her forehead. I went to my dresser and pulled out some old sweats and a t-shirt. I pulled them on quickly and climbed into bed to snuggle up next to her. I fell asleep watching her and thinking about how I could never give her the life she deserved. It broke my heart.

The next day when I woke up, Jessa was already out of bed and in the other room torturing her Papa. I pulled the covers back and walked across the hall into his room to check on them. When I looked in the room, I could see Jessa had brought all her Barbies for Papa to play with. They were scattered across the room.

She was sitting on his lap and they were making the Barbies talk to one another. I smiled, watching them play together. My Dad looked up at me and smiled when he caught me watching.

"How was work last night?" He asked me.

"Rough." I said, looking down, not wanting to give my secret about seeing Ezra away. I looked back over to Jessa and watched her brush the Barbie's hair with her fingertips.

When I looked back over at my Dad, I could tell he sensed something was off with me. He wasn't the type to pry into my business, but he raised his eyebrows at me, encouraging me to spill more to him.

"Stop looking at me like that." I told him. Dad could crack my armor; he always could. "I just have a lot on my mind."

"She looks like him more and more every day." My Dad said, catching me off guard.

"I know, Dad." I sighed, looking at my beautiful innocent little girl, who is the spitting image of her dark, tortured father. The same man I had to try to break again last night to keep her safe.

"Riley, he needs to know about her. What he did to you was wrong and I know he hurt you but he needs to know she exists. I'm scared of the man he might be, but maybe he can get past it if he knows her. It's not fair to her to not have a shot at getting to know her Dad."

"Dad," I shook my head at him. "I can't risk it. I have to protect her. I have promised her every day since I found out about her that she would never be hurt by him like I was."

I couldn't admit to myself that he looks like he was in a good place and fully capable of loving this little girl. I could tell in the way he held and kissed the woman he was going to marry. I hate that she got the best version of him when I only seemed to bring out his demons.

What did that say about the kind of person I was?

Was I raising Jessa to be just like me?

"Sweetie, are you really trying to protect Jessa or are you protecting yourself?" He gave me that all-knowing look that only a father can give his daughter. A look that Ezra will never give Jessa. He paused, waiting for an answer that would never come.

"Look, Riley, if my cancer has taught me anything, it is that life is too short to hold on to all the bad stuff. My greatest memories I have are from being a Dad to you and your brother. It keeps me going every day. My life changed the minute your Mom got pregnant and it changed me for the better. You should give him the same opportunity. You are a great mother and I am so proud of you, but you shouldn't have to do this alone. Let him step up. Let him be a man."

Tears were streaming down my face and I used my hand to wipe them away.

"Momma, don't cry." Jessa comforted me sweetly. "Do you have a booboo?"

"No, I'm fine, baby." I smiled at her trying to stifle a tear. "Dad, he's back in town."

"I know Riley. I was hoping you would tell us soon. Aiden called and spilled the beans to me." My Dad returned his eyes back to Jessa and picked up the barbie from his lap. Her little face lit up with delight and her doll started talking to his again.

"I'm going to go make some lunch." I said, moving away from the door and turned to go down the stairs.

It was almost noon and breakfast seemed out of the question at this point. I was removing myself from this conversation before my anxiety resurfaced.

My Dad didn't mean to stir me up, but it didn't take much these days.