It's been almost two years since I've been to Pittsburgh. Lia would be eight months in a few days. I held her on the plane the whole way. She never once cried, which surprised me, she slept the whole way. I got many looks and people, mostly women, come up to me and say how cute she was, ask how old she was, and if I was her father. I would thank them, say eighth months and say yes. Then they would tell me how young I was, and I could only smile. I brush soft dark brown hair behind her small ear, and let my finger linger there. She looked so much like him. I sigh and press her a little closer to my chest.

I got off the plane last. I didn't want to wake Lia by fumbling around to get off first. My mother would be waiting for me. I called her when the plane landed, and told her to meet me at baggage claim. When there was only a few people left on the plane I stood and took down my carry on bag. It was small only containing things for Lia. I put it around my neck and let it hang off my left shoulder. I adjusted Lia in my arms to make her more comfortable then walked off the plane and into the Pitts.

When I got to Baggage claim Lia had woken up. She cried and I smiled. I found an empty chair and sat down. I opened the carry on bag and got her pacifier. I knew she was hungry, but I wanted to get my luggage before I sat down to feed her. She took the pacifier and began sucking. I smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead.

I got up and went to find my bags. I saw the stroller first. I grabbed it with one hand and pulled it off the rotating platform. I opened it and arranged it for Lia. Once settled with how it looked I gently placed her inside. I took off the small bag and placed it in the compartment on the back of the stroller. I quickly spotted my duffel bag and rolled over to it. I slung it over my shoulder and rolled away from the rotating station.

I found a seat and took it. I reached into the compartment of the stroller and took out a prepared bottle. I shook it the placed it next to him. Then I stood and reached down into the stroller and took out Lia. She was still sucking the pacifier. I sat down and took it out of her mouth. She began to cry, I quickly moved the bottle to me lips. She immediately took hold and drink. I smiled as she happily ate. My stomach rumbled. I ignored it. Lia always came before me. I couldn't buy much with the money i was making or with the money my mom would send. It was enough to buy food for Lia and cloths. I couldn't work while I was pregnant, so I lived off selling my art and money mom sent. The art didn't get much. But I managed. Once Lia was born I began to draw her. I sold a few of those for good money. But there was one I kept. The first one I drew of her. I kept it just in case he wanted to see it.

"Justin!"

I look up at the sound of my name. It was my mother. She ran over to me. I quickly put Lia back in the stroller, and replaced the bottle with he pacifier. My mom reached me and wrapped me in a hug which I returned. She pulled back and took my face in her hands.

"Oh baby, it's so good to see you," she said giving me a kiss. "I've missed you too much!" She almost shouts.

"I've missed you to mom," I say giving her a kiss. I see her glance at the stroller and I smile. I turn around and take baby Lia out.

"Meet your grand daughter, Lia," I say placing the tiny baby in my mothers arms.

"Oh, Justin," she whispers. "She's beautiful," Lia yawns and I see my mothers heart melt. The baby opens her eyes and blinks at the older women, then cries. Jennifer smiles and rocks the infant trying to clam her down. The baby gurgles and stops crying.

"She has your eyes," Jennifer says gazing at the little girl. I just nod. She does, but that's all we have in common, she looks just like her father.

My mother put Lia back in the stroller and leads me out of the airport.

I don't have a car seat, so I hold Lia as we drive home. Mom tells me about Molly and that she started dating and that she disapproves of all the suitors.

"Well you weren't to fond of Brian," I say smugly. She gives me a look, then turns he attrition back to the road.

"I know, I know, but she's my baby. I don't want to let her go," Jennifer whines. I laugh. I want to ask so many questions but I'm nervous, so I go with the broad questions.

"So," I start. "How is every one?" I ask looking out the window. I feel her eyes on me.

"Fine, every ones fine," she answers just as broadly.

"Good," I say flatly. "That's really good."

...

Molly was ecstatic to see her nice. She couldn't stop saying how cute she was or how she wanted to eat her up. I just shook my head, and laughed. I put my head in my hand and watched the two interact, I felt my eyes start to droop. My mom must have seen this because she told me to go upstairs and sleep.

"But..." I tried to start but she interrupted me.

"No buts. Go sleep, me and Molly will take care of her," she said rubbing the back of her hand on my cheek. I gave her a worried look. "What I raised the two of you didn't I?" she scoffed. I stand up kiss her, kiss Lia, and loudly kiss Molly who moves away from the kiss, and whines. I smile and make my way to my old room.

It hadn't changed. I didn't expect it to. I lay in the childhood bed and fall asleep.

...

When I woke it was dark. I was confused for a moment. Then configured everything in my mind. 'How long was I asleep for?' I thought to myself. 'Where was Lia?' I step out of bed then recall my mother taking care of her. I sigh then make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen where I here voices.

From the door I can see my mother, Molly and the stroller with Lia in it. I knock on the wall to announce my presence. Jennifer turns around and smiles.

"You're up."

"It would seem so," I say through a yawn. Her smile lessens and I know we are about to have a talk.

"Justin, how long do you plan to stay?" she asks leaning against the counter.

"I don't know," I answer honestly. She bites her lip.

"Why did you come back?" she asks. "From your letters you sounded happy. What made you leave?"

I don't say anything. I know she knows why I came back. I walk past her and kneel next to Molly and the stroller. I stroke Lia's face with one finger.

"Molly why don't you go to bed?" it was more of a demand then a question. But Molly didn't say anything, which I was grateful for. When she's gone I take her seat.

"Justin..." my mother starts.

"I want to tell him," I answer her question before she asks it. "But, I'm afraid to."

"What are you afraid of?" she asks, confused. "He would never reject you."

"How do you know!" I almost yell but I remember Lia sleeping.

"Justin, he would come over every week to see if you were here. And every week I would have to tell him no. And every week I had to see the look of disappointment on his face. He still calls," she sighs. "His voice was so defeated," she stops and looks at me.

"You never told me," I say taken back.

"You never stayed on the phone long enough," she rebuttals.

"Oh..." I start but can't seem to finish.

"He calls on Sundays," she says filling in the silence. I nod. "Should I tell him your here," I don't say anything, I bite my lip and gaze at the small baby.

"Maybe," I say. "I have a day till Sunday, I'll decide then," my mother nods, and turns away from me. She looked angry. "What do you want me to do?" I ask calmly. She turns back.

"I want you to be happy, Justin," she says, her eyes starting to get wet. "I want you to do what you think is right."