It was six thirty in the morning and I had to leave by eight o' clock today in order to get to my dorm by noon. Mikayla was coming over around seven thirty and I was not prepared.

I leaped out of my warm bed and onto the fluffy red carpet on the floor. I decided it was probably best to take a shower before I leave for college. I mean, this will be probably my last long shower in my life until I graduate with a degree in Engineering in a few years.

As I stripped down my clothes and slipped into the shower, millions of thoughts flooding into my head as I soaked my hair in the water.

Will the kids miss me?

Will Mikayla be a good nanny?

Why does she have to sleep in my bed again?

Well, she is their mom. . .

I hope she doesn't forget to kiss Rose's cheek before she goes to sleep.

I grabbed my new bottle of AXE and drizzled some into the palm of my hand. After that I rubbed it into my disgusting and raggedy hair.

~

I was wearing a sweatshirt I got from my football team that had my last name, Collins, embroidered on the back of it. Then, I slid on a pair of jeans that I have had for a while.

I ran over to my clock to check the time since I had not checked it for quite awhile. It was approximately seven o' clock, which meant I had only a half an hour to clean up the messes all around the house.

As I began, I turned on Spotify and began to listen to one if my playlists to help me get into a better mood for today and the long drive.

It actually made me tear up seeing Cameron's toy in my hand along with the other toys scattered on the floor. It reminded me that I would not see him and Rose for a long time. My heart suddenly broke a bit as I thought about not seeing Cameron and Rose for so long. The thought of leaving my kids was too hard to deal with, but I maintained my positivity by repeatedly telling myself that I need to go to college to support my family. In order to live the life I desire, it is crucial that I graduate college.

By the way, during those times, Rose and Cameron stay at a local daycare for six hours or so. It really works out nice to be honest.

Ding Dong!

" Shit." I muttered as I chucked the last of Cameron's toys back into the bin of his play toys and plush toys, like gigantic Chase.

I quickly got up and jogged over to the front door where I saw Mikayla holding a huge suitcase and some other things," Hey." I greeted as I motioned for her to come inside.

" Hello Aris, how are you?" She asked as she placed her suitcase and bags on to the floor gently.

"I am just fine, a little nervous, but fine. How about you?" I replied as I stood there looking like a complete idiot.

"I am excellent, and sorry I am early, I was sick of hearing my parents yelling at me for doing things." She sighed as she rubbed her smooth, long, and silky dark brown hair.

" Oh it is fine." I reassured, peering down at her suitcase," do you want me to take this to the room?"

"That would be so kind of you, thanks." She smiled as she exited out the door to grab more suitcases.

While I carried the suitcase into the room, I scanned my practically empty room. I ran my fingers through my hair and looked down at my red carpet, then my sliver walls. I frowned but blinked back tears as I heard the front door close and footsteps proceed to towards me.

"Wow, is this a guest room? It's so clean!" She awed as she peered around, placing her last three suitcase on to the floor.

"No, it is my bedroom actually. I hope that is fine-"

"Of course it is fine!" She reassured," haha now I remember this is your room." I let out a small laugh as I knew how she remembered.

"Daddy?" I heard Cameron's voice in the hallway behind us.

Dammit! I did not intend for him to be awake! He should still be sleeping. . . I did not want to make him sad and then cry for Mikayla. I looked back at Mikayla who was continuing to tour my bedroom.

"Hey buddy," I smiled as I grasped him and pulled him onto my shoulders," look daddy has to tell you something."

Cameron's face changed as he saw Mikayla behind me," what is it, daddy?" He asked a she peered down at me from my shoulders.

"So, remember how I told you about how daddy has to go to college?" I asked as I set him back on the floor again.

"Yeah." He replied as he plopped down on the carpet in front of me.

" Well, I have to leave. . . today," I sighed, swallowing as a I tried my hardest to keep calm, " Mommy here is going to be with you and Rose all day, is that okay?"

He glanced at Mikayla and then me before responding," Yeah. . .but I do not want you to leave me daddy!" He complained as he grasped both of my legs.

" Cam, don't cry it is all going to be okay." I reassured as I rubbed his hair and gave him a tight and comforting squeeze.

" B-but I don't want you to go bye-bye!" He cried as he held on to my legs even tighter than before.

I looked at Mikayla who was now standing next to me and sighed," you have mommy here, remember?"

He still cried for a little bit but released the grip on my legs a little more, Then, he peered up at Mikayla, his face filled with confusion and sadness.

"Are you really my mommy?" He muttered digging his face into my pants.

" Yes Cameron, I am your mommy. Remember? I saw you a few nights ago when I came over for spaghetti." She responded, a smile suddenly forming on Cameron's lips.

" Oh yeah! I love you mommy!" He concluded as he hugged his mom extremely tight, bringing tears to my eyes.

"Well, can you come out and help me pack?" I asked Mikayla as I led Cameron back into his room so he could change into his " Sunday clothes."

"Of course I can." She replied with a smile as she rubbed her shoulder up against mine.

I looked at her for a moment, examining her hazel eyes and not-so-prominent freckles that were on her cheeks.

Suddenly I felt Mikayla's hand caress mine as she tried to put my hand into hers. Wait, this was not right though, we broke up and we still weren't a couple. Even though we were hanging out a few nights ago, it is only because of this.

"No." I demanded roughly as I pulled my hand away from hers, her smile fading away.

" Aris! I thought you loved me again." Mikayla replied, her tone sounding extremely angry.

" I was drunk Mikayla, that didn't mean anything." I replied sternly as an continued walking towards the front door, grabbing a box from the floor.

Mikayla scowled as she picked up a box," oh come on, you didn't even have a beer when I asked if you loved me." She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

" Who said I didn't have one before you came over?" I retorted as I placed a box in the tailgate of my truck.

" Whatever this is stupid, you love me. End. Of. Conversation." She finalized while setting her box down.

"Yeah." I sighed.

~

" Goodbye, buddy. I'll miss you but I will call as often as I can, alright?" I bid goodbye as I gave him the longest and tightest squeeze I have ever given him before.

" I will miss you daddy," Cameron frowned," here, take this wif you to wemimd you of me. It is my teddy bear, Carlos."

That moment brought tears, happy tears, to my eyes because I gave Cameron the for his baptism. It was a special bear to him and to me. I looked over at Mikayla, who was holding Rose, to see if she would notice the bear, and she did.

"Hey, isn't that Carlos? The bear that daddy gave you when you were baptized?" Mikayla questioned a she examined the bear in my hand.

" I dunno, is it daddy?" Cameron replied as he looked up at me for an answer to her question.

" Yes, Cam, yes it is." I replied setting the bear on the passenger seat, next to all the snacks for the ride.

He smiled to himself and stepped back, letting me hold Rose for a quick few minutes," I will miss you too, Rose. Remember me, okay? I know you will but you will have a mother watching over you for the next five or more years. I will be back during the holidays and for each of your birthdays. I love you Rose, keep shining bright and standing out in the crowd as always." I kissed her tiny and soft forehead before handing her back to Mikayla.

" Mikayla, come here." I demanded in a monotone voice as I motioned to her to come over by the truck window.

She was silent as she came over by me hesitantly.

" Maybe there's a little spark left in our relationship." I concluded, rolling up my window and backing out of the driveway.

I could see Mikayla's dumbfounded face as she looked at Rose, Cameron and then me.

I looked at my house, my kids, and my ex-girlfriend for the last time in weeks.

"I'll miss you guys... I will really miss you." I swallowed back tears and continued to drive down the long and never ending road. Concentrating on my future and not looking back at the past.

I guess it is now or never. .. right?

________________________________________________________________________

Extremely happy because I had the time to write another chapter! Yay! So happy you guys are reading my book! Goal for this chapter is 40 views! an we make it?:)

Hope u guys enjoyed the chapter!
~SDS