"Yes, a family picnic. Do you want to come?" he asked casually. "Would be a great way to spend time together with Amari."
The past few weeks, he had tried to include me in the outings he planned with Amari, but I always found an excuse to not go. He knows the exact reason why I don't want to go. Besides, Amari is doing just fine with us not being together. Sometimes we do have dinner as a family, but that's it.
"And you know what I think about it. It will take more than a couple of sorry's." I muttered, as I scooped some whipped cream on my pancake.
"It's just a picnic, Jillian. It's not like we will do anything hanky panky." Marco grunted. "My parents are going to be there and Ximena and Rodrigo."
"And that's what it's about. Spending time with your family. You know where that will eventually lead."
"And? I don't see a problem in that." Marco raised his eyebrows. "I'm totally fine with that, you know it."
"You cheated on me du---," I couldn't finish my sentence, because Marco interrupted me by loudly putting his silverware down on the table.
He looked at Amari and whispered something I couldn't hear in her ear. She giggled and then ran out of the kitchen. Sometimes I wonder what kind of magic words he says to her, it takes me forever for her to listen to me.
Marco then turned his attention back to me. The loving and caring expression on his face was replaced with a cold one. "Are you always going to bring that up?" His voice sounded cold, almost harsh.
"It's hard to forget it." I snapped, anger welling up in me. I'm the one that is suppose to be mad and irritated, not him. Everytime and I mean, every time since I move back to New York, this was the topic we would fight over the most. "Having Amari in our life doesn't mean we should get back together. She would be just fine with her parents not living in the same house."
Anger and pain flashed in Marco's eyes. "You think so? God, I don't want that for my daughter. Our daughter. I want us to be together, because I know I still love you. I always will. And I know you still feel the same way---,"
"Excuse me?!" I interrupted him, standing up from the table. "Who the hell told you I still have feelings for you?"
Marco looked up at me, his eyes glistening. "I just know. I can see it in your eyes."
"You're so delusional."
"Amari needs us. We can still be together. It's not too late. Why can't we focus on the future Jillian? Why can't we just move on?" Marco asked, his voice soft and pleading.
"Because---," I stared at the pancakes on the table and continued in a whisper, "I'm afraid that history is going to repeat itself."
Jillian Malik P.O.V
A couple hours later I found myself sitting next to Marco, driving to the picnic destination. God, how did I end up here? In the back Amari was singing wheels on the bus for the nth time now. I think I might go crazy if we will not arrive soon.
"We're here!" Marco announced as he pull up into a parking spot. He turned around and looked at Amari. "Look Princess, Aunt Ximmy is there!" Amari immediately looked outside and squealed. "Aunty Ximmy!" She fumbled with the seatbelt and tried to unbuckle it. "Daddy! Help me!"
Marco stiffened and looked wideyed at his daughter. I didn't realize why he was shocked, until I replayed what she said in my head. Oh shit !
I covered my face hiding my embarrassment, this is all my fault. I should have never had called him that. Without saying a word he stepped out of the car and walked to the back seat to unbuckle Amari. As soon as Marco unbuckled her she jumped out of the car and ran towards Ximena. She grew so attached to Marco's family since they pamper her and treat her like a princess.
I stepped out of the car and walked over towards Marco. "Yeah, I think you should get over that word." I said as I nudged him bringing him back to reality.
"Hell yeah! Why did you even call me that in the first place?" He looked at me intently waiting for me to answer. I turned my face to the other side so the heat that was rushing to my face would not show. I just shrugged instead. "We were young, things like that happen."
"Calling me daddy?" he snorted. "Yeah right."
I rolled my eyes and walked away. "Don't tell me you didn't like it."
I heard him snicker behind me and judging by his footsteps he was following me. "At one point I did, but now...not really."
His family spotted us walking towards them and a wide smile appeared on Rodrigo's face. "Jillian!" He greeted excitedly. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Took me hours of convincing." I heard Marco mutter next to me. "Hey mom, hey dad...Geez old man that's a lot of roses you got there."
I look at Marco's parents and from the looks of it they were still madly in love with each other. His father looked at us and grinned. "Today is the anniversary when your mom and I met. Of course it asked for a celebration."
I let out a sigh as I watched them. They were so cute. The kind of couple goals everyone wants, but not everyone can get. Growing old with the person you love, how many of us don't want that? I turned around and looked at Amari who was taking selfies on Ximena's phone. I walked over to them.
"Are you having fun with Aunt Ximmy, princess?" I asked as I sat down next to Ximena on the grass. Amari nodded her head, but other than that she completely ignored me. She was too focused on her face on the screen.
"She's going to be a social media influencer later. I can just feel it." Ximena chuckled as she brushed a strand of hair out of Amari's face. "Look at her, she knows exactly what her good angle is. Smart girl."
"Oh hell no!" Marco butted in as he waved his hand in dismissal. "She's gonna be a CEO like daddy right princess?"
Rodrigo who stood next to Marco choked on his soda. He coughed a couple of times before he sputtered out; "Daddy?!"
I rolled my eyes and muttered; "Very mature."
"The last time he didn't even wanted to hear that word. I'm just shocked!" Rodrigo laughed and patted Marco on his back. "You are what we call daddy material."
Marco gritted his teeth and slapped Rodrigo's hand away. "Shut up will you? How's it like to be married?"