Crystal POV

Honey can I ask you a personal question?" Maurice asked his cheeks slightly red😳.

"Sure what do you want to know?"

"I was wondering if is that time of the month?" Maurice replied his cheeks turning a bright red😳.  "It's just that you've been awfully moody lately...."

"Oh no." I replied sitting on the bed as I looked at my calendar.

"What is it Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"I'm late."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Maurice replied.

"You don't get it! I'm late! I should have had my cycle by now." I frowned when was the last time I had my minstrel cycle? My eyes went wide as I realized that it had been two weeks before my marriage to Freddy. Which meant that... "oh no!" I moaned. "I've got to go!" With that I rushed past Maurice who stood there confused.

"Where are you going?" Maurice called to me but I didn't answer instead I just rushed down the stairs and out the door. Once I reached the nearby Walmart I went straight to the health and beauty section. I searched the shelf until I saw what I was looking for. I quickly grabbed a few different versions and rushed though self check and then back home. "Crystal are you alright?" Maurice asked in genuine concern as I dashed to the bathroom.

"I'm fine!" I replied as I slammed the bathroom door shut.

"Is there something I can do to help you?"

"Oh I think you've done quite enough thank you!" I replied with a growl as I sat
down staring at the pregnancy test. "Please be blue. Please be blue." My hopes were dashed as the strip turned pink.

"Oh no. This can't be right. It's got to be some sort of mistake. I can't be pregnant." I moaned. Grabbing another version I tested it again and again it was pink for positive. "This can't be happening. I'm not ready to be a mother."

"Honey is everything all right in there?"

"Everything is fine." I replied rushing to hide the test. "I'll be out in a minute."

"Is everything alright? You were in there for an long time." Maurice asked with a worried look on his face. "Are you sick? Do you need to go see a doctor?"

"I'm fine. I'm just a little tired is all. I'm going to go to bed ok?" I replied pushing past Maurice.

Maurice nodded "alright honey. I'll come to bed shortly. I just have some work that I have to finish. I'll finish it downstairs so that you can get some rest. Feel better my little turtledove." Maurice replied leaned forward or kiss Crystal who pulled away from the embrace. "Are you upset with me?"

"No. I'm just really tired and want to go to bed.
Good night Maurice."

Not long after Maurice had gone downstairs the maid knocked on the door in order to collect the trash. "May I come in ma'am?"

"Sure just be quick about it I'm tired and I don't want to be disturbed." I replied.

Maid's POV
I darted inside to retrieve the trash. That's when I spotted them. The pregnancy tests. I knew that it was none of my business but I couldn't help but be curious. Picking it up my eyes went wide. It was pink. Did the boss know? Wait. How could it be pink? They'd been married for less then a month and I knew for a fact that they didn't "put the devil in Hell" very often.

After running some calculations the maid realized that if the boss's wife  was pregnant then there was a chance that the baby wasn't her boss's. I knew that I had to inform the boss's father immediately. I had a feeling that he wouldn't be happy.

"Excuse me sir."

"What is it?"

"There's a woman on the phone. She says that she works as a maid at your son's house and that she has come across something rather disturbing." A young man said as he approached.

"I'll take the call in my study. Hello?"

"He'llo? Is this Mr. Bendito senior?"

"It is. May I enquirer as to what this call is concerning?"

"I work as a maid at your son's house. When I was removing the trash from the upstairs master bathroom I came across something rather disturbing."

"Yes. My employee said that you had mentioned something about that. So, tell Me, what was this disturbing thing you came across?"

"There were a few home pregnancy testing kits in the trash."

"Oh?" Maurice's father replied his eye brows raising in interest.

"All the tests results were pink." The maid replied. Maurice's father frowned but did not reply instead he whispered something into one of his men's ears. The man nodded in understanding.

Maurice s father POV

"I'll get on that right away sir." The employee said with a quick bow and I could hear him talking to his sister upstairs. "Excuse me sis, I hate to bother you but I have an important question."

"Ok. What is it?" His sister asked.

"Let's say hypothetically that I know someone who's girlfriend or wife recently took a home pregnancy test."

"Yeah and?"

"What does it mean if the test strip
color is pink?"

"Please tell me this question has nothing to do with you and your girlfriend." His sister said with a frown.'

"No of course not."

"Good because pink means that your girlfriend is pregnant." At this news the boy fainted. "Are you ok little brother? This was just a hypothetical question wasn't it?"

"Not exactly." The young boy replied with a slight wince.

"What do you mean not exactly? I'm confused if this wasn't a hypothetical question and it isn't about your girlfriend then who does it concern?"

"I am not allowed to say. It was something the boss wanted to know. I don't know why he needed that information but I have a feeling that he won't be happy. Thanks for the help sis."

"What took you so long?"

"I'm sorry sir but when my sister told me what the pink meant I fainted."

"What does the pink mean?" I replied with a frown.'

"According to my sister pink means that Your son's wife is pregnant."

"That's not possible. They haven't been married long enough for her to have gotten pregnant."

Crystal POV

I yawned and stretched as I sat up in bed the next morning. I quickly dressed and rushed downstairs to get breakfast. I was surprised to see my father in law sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee. "Good morning Sir, what brings you here?"

"Is there something you'd like to tell my son?" Maurice's father asked a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Um, I don't think so.."

"Are you sure your not trying to hide something from him?" My father in law asked his face growing dark.

"Of course not. I would never hide anything from him." I replied.

"Your sure there is absolutely nothing you want to discuss with him? Money? Buying a Car? having children? Getting a pet, going to school?"

"What was the third one you mentioned?" I asked nervously paling slightly.

"Oh, you mean having children?" My father in law replied. "I suppose that was a conversation that the two of you should have had by now. Maurice has just started his career and it looks to be a prosperous future but he can't devote the time required if he's constantly thinking and worrying about his family. I believe you both decided to wait a few years before having children did you not?"

"Well yes but..."

Maurice s father sighed "I suppose congratulations are in order."

"Sir?"

"Pink does indicate that your pregnant right?" He said tossing me one of the pregnancy test that I had thrown out.

"How did you?"

"Your maid stoped by this morning to inform me of the situation."

"How dare she invade my privacy!"

"That's besides the point. At least it's still early in the pregnancy and there are ways to get rid of your little mistake." My father in law replied with a slight growl.

"Our baby is not a mistake!" I replied placing a hand over my belly in a protective gesture.

"Maurice is destine for greatness and I won't let you ruin his future. He doesn't have time to
be worrying about a baby. Not to mention that he's not financially capable of providing the money you will need to raise that thing. Now you rectify the mistake or I will. If I am forced to take matters into my own hands you won't like the consequences."

"What are you going to do?"

"If you refuse to have an abortion there are other ways to deal with your mistake. After all, women have miscarriages everyday. The simplest things can cause them. You could say for example, fall down the stairs. Or be involved in a car accident." Maurice's father said with a sinister chuckle.

"You would do that to your own grandchild?"

"Me? Never... Besides, we both know that my son can't possibly be the father. You must chose my dear, it's either that thing or my son. Which do you love more?. One way or another you will loose one of them. That I can promise you." With that my Father in law left leaving Me sobbing.

I was still crying when Maurice came home for lunch. "What's wrong my little turtle dove?"

"I should have told you last night but I took a home pregnancy test and it was pink."

"Pink? Then that means? Oh Crystal that's wonderful!" Maurice replied giving me a huge hug.

"I can't be pregnant because if I am then there's a chance that the baby isn't yours.."

"Shhh. Don't cry my little turtle dove. Don't cry. Everything will be ok. "I suppose we should find out if the test results are accurate." Then we can go from there ok?" Maurice replied holding Me in a tight embrace.

A few hours later Maurice and I sat in the waiting room awaiting our turn to see the doctor. After what seemed like an eternity my name was finally called. "Please step up on the scale. Hum." The nurse said as she wrote the number on the chart.

A few minutes later they were talking to the doctor. "You seemed to have gained some weight since the last time I saw you. What brings you here today?"

"I think I might be pregnant. I took an over the counter test and it was pink."

"I see and how have you been feeling lately?"

"She's been extremely tired, nauseous and has had a lot of mood swings and she's constantly craving the strangest foods." Maurice replied.

"Let's see what we have here." The doctor said as they set up the ultrasound. Upon seeing the small mass Maurice fainted and fell to the floor with a loud thud.

"Maurice are you alright?" I asked sitting up slightly.

At this the doctor chuckled " he will be fine. You'd be surprised how often that happens when the father sees the baby. Now, I will need to see you for monthly checkups to keep an eye on the health and status of your baby. And tell the father congratulations when he awakens." The doctor said with a smile as she left the room.

"Oh my head. What happened?"

"You fainted." I replied. Before Maurice could ask any questions I placed a finger on his lips. "Shhh. I'll explain everything when we get home." I replied.

"I'm going to be a father." Maurice replied sitting down on the bed so not to loose his balance again.

Suddenly I began crying and Maurice looked at me worriedly. "We can't afford a baby."

"Money is not an issue my turtledove. Our baby will lack for nothing."'Maurice replied.

"I don't want to loose you."

"What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere." Maurice replied with a look of complete confusion on his face.

"Your father came to visit this morning. Evidently the maid found the pregnancy test and informed him if it's results."

"I don't see how your pregnancy test results are any concern of his." Maurice replied with a frown.

"Your father said that I needed to choose between my love for you or my love for our unborn child. He said that I can't have both. That he won't let you throw away your future for our baby. He said that our baby is a mistake that needs rectifying and that if I wouldn't do it then he'd find some other solution."

"That one way or another I would loose one of you. He said that if I choose to keep the baby then he'd make sure that I have a miscarriage. Or that you would divorce me and leave me to raise the child alone without any child support." I replied with a sob.

"Shhh. It ok. It's ok my love. Everything is going to be ok. I won't let my father take away our child away I promise."

"What if the baby isn't yours? What if the baby belongs to Freddy? Why did I ever get married to him? Why did I have to give him what belonged to you? Why did I have to judge you before I even knew you? If I could do it all over..." I replied tearfully. "

"Shhh." Maurice replied placing a kiss on her lips mid sentence. "We must not dwell on the past. I don't care if this child is my biological child or not."

"Maybe your father is right, I'm not worthy to be your wife."

"Shhh. You are my treasure. My little turtle dove and I will always love you and I will love this child as if they are my own." Maurice replied kissing my belly. "Goodnight Sweetheart or should I say Sweethearts?"

At this I giggled. "Honey we don't even know if it's a boy or girl. Sweetheart might not be the best nickname for the baby. Especially if the baby is a boy." I replied her eyes sparkling with delight.

"I have a feeling that the baby is going to be a beautiful little girl just like her momma." Maurice replied with a smile.

"And if it's a boy then what?" I replied somewhat amused with this conversation.

"Then I suppose he will be as handsome as his daddy." Maurice replied with a wink. At this I sighed if the baby was a boy who would he resemble? Maurice or Freddy? "And don't worry I will have a word with my father."

Maurice POV

The next morning I went straight to my father's office with only one thing on my mind. I was going to kick his 🤬. How dare he threaten my wife and my child!!!"

"Ah son, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" My father said with a smile as he lit a cigar.

"Did you threaten my wife?"

My father leaned back in his chair and chuckled as he smoked a cigar. Letting out a deep puff of smoke. "Tell me Maurice in all your years of observing me have I ever threatened a pregnant 🤰 woman?"

"No."

"Then what makes you think I'd start now? Did I express my concerns about your current financial status and ability to provide for the child yes. It was your wife's suggestion that she should have an abortion. I advised against it knowing your feelings concerning the matter. I would keep a close watch on her if I were you."

"From the sounds of it your wife doesn't want the baby. In fact, she's jealous of the idea of having to share you this early in your marriage. It wouldn't surprise me if she tried to cause a miscarriage. If she does have one it wouldn't surprise me if she does place the blame on me. Would you like for me to set things straight?"

"No thank you. I appreciate Your being honest with me. I shall deal with my wife and this situation in my own way."

"Oh an Maurice, she hinted that there is a possibility that the child is not yours. I hope for your sake that turns out to be false."

Crystal POV

Nine Months later on June 14th at 4:00 in the afternoon I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Right before the nurse was about to hand my daughter to me my father in law came into the room. "So you decided to have the child after all."

"Congratulations you've given birth to a healthy girl." The nurse said placing my daughter in arms. "My beautiful baby."

At this my father in law shook his head and walked over to the bed taking my daughter from my arms and handed me to the nurse. "This was a bad idea. My daughter in law doesn't understand the financial responsibility of raising a child."

"Despite what we agreed my daughter in law was initially against placing the child up for adoption. By allowing her to hold her baby you've given her the opportunity to regret her choice."

"Perhaps you should reconsider?"

"I'm afraid that isn't possible. The child has already been adopted by a well known family. One who you don't cross without consequences. Please take the infant away it is for the best for everyone involved."

"Of course. I need to take the baby to the nursery anyway to get her cleaned up and have all her tests done to ensure that she is a healthy baby."

"No. Please don't do this. Please don't take my baby." I whimpered. The nurse looked over at my mother in concern and then back at my father in law.

"I knew this would happen. Please bring the infant to her new family. They should be waiting outside the nursery for her."

"I am sorry for all the confusion." The nurse replied as she took my daughter from him and hurried from the room.

. "Take one last look at your daughter because you will never see her again. I told you there would be consequences if you chose to give birth to that child. You really should have listened to me. If you'll excuse me I have to make sure that everything goes according to plan." My father in law replied with a sinister chuckle before leaving the room.

"No!" I screamed out in agony causing Maurice to come rushing into the room.

"Shhh. My sweet little Turtledove. Everything is alright."

"You've got to stop them. They are going to take away our baby." I sniffled.

"Shhh... Our baby isn't going anywhere. The nurse is just taking her down the hall to the maternity ward so she can get cleaned up and so you can get some rest before you nurse her." Maurice replied.

"No. They aren't. You have to stop them. Please Maurice. Don't let them take her." I replied suddenly having trouble breathing.

Maurice pushed the nearby call button. "My wife is having a panic attack! Please send someone immediately!"

"Ma'am are you alright?" The nurse asked as she entered the room. It was the same nurse who had removed me from the room only a few moments before.

"You!" I snarled glaring angrily at the nurse. "Where is my baby?! I want my baby!!" I sobbed. The nurse looked at me in both confusion and sadness. "Perhaps I should contact a doctor."

"I want my baby!" I screamed as the doctor entered the room.

"I'm sorry but the infant has been adopted and we have been informed that this is to be a closed adoption. The family chosen to adopt her will be arriving shortly. I can not allow you to see her."

"I will never see her again will I?" I sobbed.

"I am sorry. But there is nothing that I can do. The hospital had strict policies concerning infant adoptions."

"No!" I screamed and the doctor sighed and turned to Maurice. "I'm afraid that I have no choice but to sedate her."

"Why?"

"It's for her own safety as well as for the safety of the staff. I shall be placing her on a Suicide watch as well."

"No. Maurice don't let them do this..." I whimpered as they placed the needle in my arm and injecting the sleeping medication.

"I'm sorry my love but the doctor's said that this is for the best."

"But. The baby...." I whimpered trying desperately to remain awake.

"Will be right here waiting for you when you wake from your nap. For now rest my love..."

Maurice POV

"Sir I'm afraid that's not.." The nurse started to say but I cut her off mid sentence.

"We are keeping our baby." I replied sternly.

"I'm afraid that is not possible." The nurse replied.

"Nurse might I speak with you in private?" I asked my tone eerily calm.

"Of course sir."

"My wife and I never agreed to place our child up for adoption. Those papers are forged. Isn't that right father?" I demanded as my father walked over to them.

"Neither of you are thinking clearly. I did what had to be done." He replied with a slight shrug.

"My wife and I are both legal adults. You had no right to make this decision for us."

"Don't play the we are adults card with me young man. Just because your both 18 doesn't mean that your ready for the responsibility of raising a child. I did what was best for all parties involved."

"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to call the police and file a report." The nurse replied.

"That won't be needed. The Police Chief is already aware of the situation and is in full agreement. This decision is for the best. The child's new family should be arriving any moment now."

"I want this man removed from the building and anyone claiming to be an associate of his refused entrance. As for filing a police report I shall do that myself." I replied with a frown.

"As you wish sir. Security please come to room 1332K. Security please report to room 1332K. A few minutes later the security team arrived and escorted my father out the hospital.

"You can't do this to me! Do you know who I am? I'll have your jobs for this!" My father screamed as he was escorted out of the hospital.

"Look sir, your lucky that the parent's refused to have us contact the police to file attempted kidnaping charges against you."

"I don't have to stand for this! I'm the mayor of this town! I demand you let me in this hospital right now so I can talk to my son!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that sir. Have a good night sir." The security guard replied shutting and locking the door behind him.

Meanwhile, back in the room the nurse was congratulating me. "May I be the first to congratulate you on the birth of your daughter." The Nurse replied showing her to him. "Have you picked out a name for her?"

"Yes. She shall be called Catrina Rosealynn Tina Marie Bendito." I replied.

Crystal POV

I awoke in my hospital bed and looked around and upon noticing the empty room
I began to sob once more. This should be the happiest day of my life but it was quickly turning into a nightmare. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.

I hadn't even gotten to hold her for more then a second when they took her away from me. What's worse, my husband had just stood there and allowed the nurse to take the baby away. "Your awake. How do you feel?" Maurice asked waking up from the sudden movement in the bed.

"Get away from me!" I growled.

"What's wrong my little turtle dove?" Maurice asked leaning closer to her.

"Leave me alone!"

"But my little turtle dove..."

"I said get out!" I screamed causing a nurse to enter the room.

"Is everything alright in here?" A nurse asked poking head in the room.

"I want him out of here!" I screamed. "I don't want him any where near me! He let them take my baby! I'll never see my baby again and it's all his fault!" I replied lunging at Maurice angrily.

"Sweetheart, let me explain."

"Get OUT!" I screamed one more this time flinging a nearby bedpan at Maurice.

"Sir I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I can't have you upset the patient." The nurse said turning to Maurice. "She needs her rest."

"Can I visit the maternity ward and see our daughter?" Maurice asked.

"Of course sir." The nurse replied. "It's down the hallway to the left. Although, I think it's just about time for her to be nursed. Perhaps you should visit her some other time."

Maurice sighed and then nodded sadly. A few minutes later the nurse came in the room with me. "Excuse me ma'am but it's time for the baby to suckle."

"Huh?"

"Your daughter it's time for her first feeding."

"My daughter? But they took my baby away."I replied confused.

"Your lucky your husband was here or we'd have made a terrible mistake. Your husband explained the whole situation and that the paperwork had been forged. He insisted that we return your daughter to the maternity ward so that you could get some much needed rest."

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't let you get any more rest for the moment. It is important that your baby is fed on a proper schedule." The nurse replied handing me to my mom. "Oh, by the way, your husband said that daughter's name is Catrina Rosealynn Tina Marie Bendito."

Life went back to normal after that. Although, Maurice hadn't spoken to his father since the incident at the hospital. I never really understood why Maurice hadn't pressed charges against him but I doubted that my father would have allowed them to be filed anyway. When Catrina was about six months old both of her grandfathers finally decided to pay us a visit.

"So this is the baby everyone's been talking about? Funny she doesn't look a thing like you Maurice." His father said as he looked at Catrina and my dad chuckled.

"That's because she looks like her beautiful momma." Maurice replied kissing me on the cheek. "

Maurice POV

"What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear at the hospital that neither you or her father you were welcome in our home any longer." I demanded.

"Yes about that day, I should had never done what I did and I am extremely sorry."

"Saying your sorry isn't going to make up for what both of you tried to do."

"I know. I feel like such a fool. I should have known that you'd want the baby even if..."

"If what??"

"That's what I came here to discuss with you. Is there someplace we can speak to you in privet?"

"Sure. What is so important that you felt you couldn't talk to me over the phone? Why was it necessary to speak to me in person?" I replied with a frown.

"That thing in the other room is not your child." My father replied.

At this, I began to scowl. "Don't you call her that! She's not a thing! She is my beautiful little girl and I love her." I replied with a growl well more like a snarl.

"You can lie to yourself and your friends but you can't lie to me. I know that baby in there is the child of another man. I warned you about marrying that girl. I warned you that she was loose but you wouldn't listen. Now your stuck with a child that will never be yours."

My father replied. "Let me make one thing clear son, if you choose to raise that child as your own then I am officially disowning you. You will be cut off from everything. No more money, no more credit cards, and this lovely little house of yours will be reposed by the bank."

At this, my eyes flashes in anger and I grabbed my father by the throat. "How dare you threaten me! I don't care about your legacy! I don't care about the family business! Catrina is my daughter!"

"If you can't accept that then get out we don't need your charity. If you ever show your face around here again I'll have you arrested!" I replied throwing my father across the room causing him to hit his head on the nearby wall.

"Honey is everything alright?" Crystal asked peeking into the room. "I thought I heard yelling." Crystal replied as she noticed her father in law slumped down on the floor.

"Everything is fine. My father was just leaving. Weren't you?" I replied.

My father stood up and dusted off his suit. "Yes. Let me make one thing clear that child will never be my granddaughter." At this, Catrina let out a loud wailing cry.

"Now look what you've done! You've made my princess cry. I replied rushing to Crystal and Catrina's side. "Shhh. Don't cry little one, everything will be alright. Daddy's here." I replied and Catrina sniffled.

"How could you be so cruel?" Crystal demanded angrily as she tried to comfort Catrina who refused to be comforted. "She's just a baby." Crystal replied sitting me down on the floor. Catrina was staring to get heavy and she needed a break.

"Yes, but she's not Maurice's child is she?" My father demanded.

"That doesn't matter." I replied.

"It matters to me."

"Then maybe you shouldn't be a part of her life." I replied.

Catrina POV

I started to whimper once more looking up at Maurice's father with pleading eyes. As he stood to leave I crawled over to him and grabbed ahold of his leg. "What in the??? Get this brat off me!" Maurice's father kicked his leg in an attempt to make me loosen my grip and let go. Which only succeeded in causing me to hold on tighter.

"Da da. No go." I said looking up at him.

"Did she just say her first words?" Maurice asked shocked and Crystal nodded.

"Da-da." I said again smiling up at Maurice's father and reaching up towards him.

"No honey that's not da da. That's your grandfather." My mom corrected.

"Gampa?" I said looking up at him with a big smile. "Gampa." Much to my parent's surprise Maurice's father's stern face melted and he leaned down and picked me up.

As he did I smiled and clapped my hands repeating "Gampa Gampa." Maurice's father chuckled and smiled at me. I looked at my father as if to say don't you dare send him away. "Gampa no go. Gampa no go."

I replied with a sniffle looking up at him. He smiled at me and picked me up in his arms and I gave him a big hug. "My Gampa." I said staring over at my father with a frown as if challenging him to disagree.

Daddy groaned and pinched the gap in between his nose as is he was getting a headache. He sighed not sure what to do. I yawned and stuck my thumb in my mouth and laid my head on My Grandfather's chest. Within seconds I was fast asleep.

"Awe the little princess is plum tuckered out." Maurice's father said looking down at me with tenderness in his eyes. "I think someone needs her rest." He said as he gently tried to hand me to my mom causing me to wake up and immediately start crying.

"Now now, little one, there is no need for such a fuss. Grandpa will be back again to visit real soon." My Grandfather replied bopping my nose causing me to giggle. "Crystal," my mom paused and looked back at him for a brief moment.

"Yes Sir?" My mom replied.

"I am an old fool. Please forgive me for being so stupid." My mom didn't reply instead she just nodded.

Crystal POV

"Crystal?"

"Oh, Chief, you've been so silent that I forgot you were even here. How rude of me. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for how I treated you all those years. I wouldn't blame you if you never forgive me but is there anyway I can be a part of your lives?"

I closed my eyes and sighed once more. "I can't be judge and jury that's not my place. Vengeance is mine says the Lord. Romans 12:19 In The Lord's Prayer which can be found in Matthew 6:12 and Luke 11:4 we ask God to forgive us our debts/sins as we forgive our debtors/ those who sin against us. However, Matthew 6 15 says God won't forgive us if we don't forgive those who sin against us."

"Matthew 7 1-5 says not to judge others because the way i judge I will be judged. And it's repeated in Luke 6:37 In Matthew 18 21-35 Jesus is asked how many times must we forgive? 7? Jesus replies 70X7. He also tells a parable about a unforgiving servant who has his debt erased but refuses to forgive his fellow servant a small debt. The King finds out from other servants and he gets angry. He has the servant handed over to the jailers to be tourchered until he could pay back his debt."

"This is how God will treat us if we don't forgive others from the heart. He tells another parable about two men with debts one small one large neither could pay so their debts were forgiven. He who has forgiven little loves little. Luke 17 3-4 says if the person who sinned against you repents then forgive them even if they do the same thing 7X in the same day as long as they repent forgive them."

"So you see, I can't stay mad at you even if I wanted too. Not only would Catrina never let me but I'd be disobeying what God wants me to do. So yes, I forgive the both of you and hope we can make things work so we can all be a family."

My mom said looking at my dad as she said this. Then turning back to both her dad and her father in law she stated "until next time we meet have a goodnight gentleman." I replied turning and continuing up the stairs.

Maurice POV

"I hate it when she spouts all that biblical nonsense. My wife may have forgiven you my but let me make something perfectly clear, I refuse to allow Catrina's heart broken because you can't accept her for who she is. You can't treat her like garbage one minute and then start calling her your grandchild the next. As far as I'm concerned I don't want either one of you near my daughter."

"I am truly sorry it has to be this way but I have to do what's best for my family." I replied. Opening the door for my father and Crystal's father to leave. "Oh and Cheif, don't think I have forgotten about you. You made my turtle dove's life miserable I won't allow you to hurt her or my daughter. Don't ever visit here again."

My father looked up the stairs towards Catrina's room and sighed. "I really screwed up this time. Catrina really is a beautiful little girl and she is precious. Perhaps in time you will see fit to give me another chance.  I wouldn't blame you if you never forgave me. Tell Crystal I'm sorry about everything and I wish you the best of luck in raising that precious little girl."

"Dad."

"Yes son?"

I sighed "did you really mean that?"

"With all my heart son. Your daughter is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen and I am such a fool for not seeing it earlier. Now I've lost my only chance at getting to know her." My father replied with a sigh.

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"What are you saying son?"

"I'm saying I want my daughter to know her grandfather. It shouldn't matter if she's my biological child or not. She's still my daughter. Can you accept that?"

"Yes. I don't know why I was being so stubborn before. Your right, it doesn't matter that she might not be your biological daughter. Your the one who is raising her. Your the one she will
call daddy. You love her and that's all that really matters. Catrina is my granddaughter and one day she will be the heir to my kingdom."

"Oh no." I replied shaking my head. "No. No, no, no. Absolutely not. She is not going to be a part of that world. I don't want that for her." I replied.

"Well son, that may not be an option. There is no out in our line of work. You know that. That has been the way it's been since the dawn of time."

"I don't want her growing up around that kind of stuff dad. I don't want her to want to be like me."

"Sometimes what we want for our kids and what actually winds up happening are two different things. Did you think I wanted you to follow in my footsteps? I never wanted this life for you but we have too many enemies. I had to protect you the only way I could. I had to teach you the family business so that you'd remain strong." My father replied.

"Maurice may I speak to you for a moment?" The Chief asked and I frowned.

"What is it?" I replied with a irritated sigh.

"I know what I did to Crystal was wrong and I hate myself for it. I beat myself up over it every day. Before I go there is something important that I'd like to discuss with you."

I sighed once more in irritation" and what exactly is that sir?"

"Promise me you won't drink to ease stress. When you are stressed and turn to alcohol to ease the tension it causes us to do and say things we wouldn't do otherwise. Things that we later regret and wish we could take back. But the damage is already done. Alcohol doesn't solve problems it only makes situations worse. It often hurts the ones we love. Like Catrina."

"How would my drinking alcohol hurt Catrina?"

"As I said, when your drunk you say and do things you wouldn't do normally. You could wind up hitting Catrina or Crystal. Or saying hurtful words like, I never wanted you. Your an unwanted and unloved stain on your mom and i's marriage. Our lives would be better off if you'd never been born. Your not my daughter you have never been nor will you ever be my biological daughter. You were a mistake your mom accidentally made before she met me. Your such a disappointment."

"I wouldn't say things like that. I love Catrina." I replied.

"True but when your drunk you say and do things you don't mean. Take it from me, I know."

"How?"

"Because almost all of the time I hurt Crystal it was when I was drunk. My father would hurt my mother and i when he was drunk and his father would hurt him. It's a never ending cycle that's been in my family for generations. It's a curse really. Promise me you'll be the one to end this cycle."

"I promise. Chief."

"Yeah son?"

"Thanks. Have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Well yes, I was hoping we could take a trip as a family to some sights like the natural history museum, the aquarium, the zoo and maybe even the amusement park. I know Catrina would be delighted to have you joining us." I replied.

"Sounds great, I'll clear my calendar for tomorrow. What time should we arrive?"

"Say around 7:00?"

"Ok. 7:00 it is."