CHAPTER 10
Sope had been battling with serious forgiveness issues; he found it difficult to believe his child was gone. His lifestyle changed tremendously following the unfortunate incident. Derin’s actions could not be justified as far as he was concerned. The more he thought about the situation, the harder it became for him to let go and forgive her. He became an instant night crawler; who drank away his sorrows most nights at exotic clubs.
It was on one of such carefree nights at the club that he met his colleague Stacey and poured out his heart in a bid to gain her sympathy. Things however took a drastic turn when he drank beyond his limit. Luckily for him, Stacey was a colleague he could trust; at least to the best of his knowledge. She had always been affectionate and protective of him, he saw her as the sister he had always longed for. It was rather strange that a couple of other co-workers disliked her.
“You are drunk Sope,” she frowned.
“You are in no position to drive home, I would drive instead,” she mumbled and tried to help him to his feet. He was actually a hand full; it was a miracle they both staggered to his car without falling on the way.
Stacey decided to drive him to her house to spend the night; nothing he muttered made any sense to her when she asked for his house address. It was strange to see the dashing ‘Sope Bello’ cry like a toddler.
“This Derin lady must have hurt him real bad, she obviously does not value her man,” stacey reasoned as she drove. It was another hurdle getting him into her house and stripping him off his tight clothing. He continued to cry and mumble some incomprehensible words. He was however too sexy to be ignored.
As soon as she tucked him into the bed in the guest room, she turned to leave. He tugged on her hand and begged her to stay. Sope really didn’t have to do much to persuade her, she has had a crush on him for the longest time in the police academy. He began to touch her in ways she had never imagined possible, the fact that he constantly called her Derin didn’t matter much to her. All she cared about was how he made sweet love to her. Even her boyfriend had never made her feel so good.
Derin on the other hand was seriously worried about her husband. He had kept his distance ever since the loss of their child. It was obvious Derin had messed up the chance of a beautiful relationship with Sope. The loneliness that had begun to consume her in Sope’s house was unbearable. His late nights and the lack of communication between them was tearing her apart. Her limit was stretched the night he decided to sleep out without prior information.
“I should go back to stay with Nana, Sope doesn’t want me anymore,” she sobbed after several attempts to reach his cell phone. Derin spent the night packing for her trip back to the mansion, she also poured out her heart in a note she addressed to Sope, she planned to drop on the bedside table before leaving. Her mind wandered aimlessly through the night, she found it very difficult to sleep. Derin sent Bisola a quick text to inform her about her planned, home relocation.
The hangover from Sope’s late night escapade left him with a terrible headache; his head felt like it was about to explode. What was however very disturbing to him was waking up in the arms of Stacey; his colleague. He almost screamed when he caught a glimpse of her naked body. His memory about the previous night’s event was distorted; the last thing he remembered clearly was drinking at the club. He shook Stacey to wake her and ask for some explanation for the bizarre situation.
“What’s the cause of the rude awakening Sope, Is there a problem,” she asked.
“Do you mind telling me why we are both Naked on a bed in your apartment?”
“Come on Sope, have you forgotten the lovely time we had yesterday on this bed. Relax it’s the weekend, let’s go back to bed.”
“I left Derin home alone last night,” he screamed again and jumped out of the bed to dress up.
“You are so obsessed with this Derin lady and she doesn’t even deserve you. I have always cared about you but you have never shown that you care about me,” Stacey screamed with frustration. Sope however ignored her; he picked up his phone and saw about fifteen missed calls from Derin, she also left a message to inform him about leaving his house early the next morning.
“What have I done?” he spoke with regret.
“O Lord please help me make it back home before she leaves,” he grabbed his car keys and fled from Stacey’s house.
His head still hurt terribly but the fear of losing Derin as a result of his carelessness gave him an adrenaline surge. He drove past the speed limit in an attempt to get home as quickly as possible. The house was disserted when he got in, he rushed to her room and was sad to see that she had packed all her belongings.
Derin however left a piece of paper on her bedside table which read;
Dear Sope,
It has been a blessing growing up with you and sharing wonderful moments together, I am extremely grateful for the support you have given me all through the years. Our relationship as friends has been one I would forever cherish. I honestly had always wanted to be more than a friend to you but you made it clear the week before our final year dinner (prom) that you only saw me as a friend and nothing more.
That night we made love was the most beautiful experience I ever had. I have no regrets losing my virginity to the man I have always loved. The fact that I carried your love child made me very happy although I know that in the process I pushed the burden of marriage on you. It was obvious that you really wanted the child and that was the reason you proposed marriage to me. I am sincerely sorry Sope for causing us to lose our child in the bid to avenge my father’s death. No words really can express how sorry I am for causing you this pain. Please forgive me dear. I do not want to be a burden and cause you more heartache. I am ready to start the divorce process as soon as you are ready as well. I have also decided to move back into my family house, there is no need for you to keep late nights and sleep outside your home anymore.
Please never forget that I have always loved you and no matter what happens I would never stop loving you Sope Bello.
Yours Sincerely,
Derinsola Cole
Sope felt a sharp pain in his chest; he had never been this emotional before. All the while he thought she had only wanted to be friends but she was simply holding on to some foolish words he had uttered as a teenager. He only made those statements because he was scared of rejection. He had thought it would be better to continue his friendship with her than to create an awkward situation that would push her away from him.
Why in the world is she talking about a divorce! He had already made up his mind to fight for his marriage no matter what. Sope wiped the tears in his eyes and dashed out to get his woman.
Bisola was happy to see that Sope had come to talk to Derin, He was the only one that could talk some sense into her head.
“Welcome my dear, she is in her room upstairs.”
Sope got on his knees as soon as he walked into her room. She was actually surprised to see him. He was the last person she expected to come looking for her
“What do you want Sope,” she asked with a frail voice.
“I am here to correct a wrong notion Derin,” He held onto her hand as though his life depended on it.
“I read the letter you dropped in your room, you have it all wrong dear. I realize you have held on to some foolish words I uttered as a teenager for too long. I never meant any word I spoke that day, I only made those ridiculous statements out of fear. I fell hopelessly in love with you back in secondary school but I was scared of being rejected by you. I was very hurt when you left to further your studies abroad, you did not even inform me before you left. I was broken dear, I became very bitter. It felt like I meant absolutely nothing to you. I enrolled into the police academy in order to forget you and make something useful out of my life but then you arrived back in Koje city.
I tried my best to avoid seeing you when I heard you were back in town. God however had other plans. I was furious with my boss when he put me in charge of your father’s homicide case. There was nothing I could do about it although I tried my best. Then you started to show just how stubborn and persistent you could be. To be honest, you drove me crazy with your tantrums.”
Sope paused to laugh before continuing with his speech.
“Then you fell ill and became so vulnerable, I just couldn’t help it, I was hooked and there was no going back. There was a constant battle for me each night you spent under my roof and I could not touch you. I however stuck to my principles and decided not to take advantage of the situation. That night when we watched that programme together, I fell deeply into temptation when you kissed me. I allowed myself to enjoy the warmth of your body. It was quite unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Yes, I enjoyed myself a lot that day but I felt I disrupted your plans when I heard you were pregnant. It was a blessing in disguise for me. Please don’t you ever say I was forced to marry you. It was something I had always yearned for. Infact, I felt my marriage to you was God’s answer to my prayers.
I kneel before you today Derin to declare my undying love for you and to ask you to please stay with me as my life partner. I would love to make a beautiful family with you.”
“So please dear, would you remain my wife?” He smiled.
“Only if you forgive me for losing our precious child and stop keeping late nights,” She requested as she held on tightly to his hands..
“Of course I have forgiven you dear.”
“Then, Yes I would stay married to you Sope,” Derin replied with joy and sealed it with a passionate kiss.
Bisola had been eavesdropping on them from the door outside; she rushed in to hug Derin as soon as she said yes.
“I always knew you two were meant for each other. You can never fool an old woman you know.”
“So can we start the traditional wedding preparations already?” She asked with a lot of enthusiasm.
“Oh! Nana, yes go ahead. I know it is something you have always wanted to witness.
Derin and Sope laughed when she dashed out of the room singing songs of praises to the Lord for opening the eyes of two young lovers.
“I would really miss her when I finally leave the mansion you know?”
“Yes dear I am sure she would miss you too” He mentioned before he enveloped her in another passionate kiss.
CHAPTER 11
The preparation for the wedding ceremony between Sope and Derin went on smoothly. Derin hired a capable wedding planner six months to the proposed wedding date in order to reduce the stress associated with planning. Everything seemed to be in order, the wedding cake had been booked, and both the bride and groom had sorted out their outfits. Derin decided to cut pieces of her mother’s wedding dress to make hers’ in a bid to honor her mother. The wedding planner took care of the tiniest details.
The budget for the wedding was strictly adhered to; as much as she wanted a classy wedding, there was no need to go overboard with spending. Derin shuttled between the mansion and Sope’s apartment during the wedding preparation. Sope was excited about the traditional ceremony; he couldn’t wait to make his marriage to the ‘love of his life’ public. The hurried court wedding they had done earlier did no justice to the love they felt towards each other.
They had decided to have a totally honest relationship, Sope nevertheless decided to keep the unfortunate incident with Stacey away from Derin. He however, started to rethink his decision when Stacey threatened to destroy his relationship with Derin. Sope had always seen Stacey as a nice and caring lady; her sudden change in behavior was very strange to him.
She continued to give him a hard time at work until the one thing he feared finally happened; she announced that she was pregnant for him. It felt like his whole world had come crashing down on him. He knew he had to inform Derin about the new development, but he just could not get himself to follow through with the confession. He continued to pretend like all was well.
Stacey however had a master plan to destroy his relationship with Derin; she stalked Sope on many occasions after work and mastered his house address. She was very furious on one of those occasions when she noticed Derin was at his house, they seemed like a very happy couple. Apparently, the news of her pregnancy had been hidden from her. It was time for Stacey to turn up the heat in their seemingly perfect relationship.
Stacey was a very calculative and fierce woman. Everyone on the force had registered her as the woman who got whatever she wanted, when she wanted it. Only Sope seemed to be oblivious to how devious she actually was.
There was a national public holiday the day Stacey decided to execute her plan. Luckily for her, Derin had come to visit Sope in order to discuss some details about the wedding plans. She was very excited to share the progress her wedding planner had made with the wedding plans. She was however rudely interrupted by the door bell.
“I would get that,” Sope mentioned before leaving her in the bedroom. His heart almost stopped when he saw Stacey at his door step that Monday morning.
“What the heck are you doing here,” he whispered.
“Sope Bello! You can run, but you surely can’t hide,” Stacey replied before bursting into laughter.
“Please leave now Stacey, you are obviously not welcome here,” He mentioned and constantly looked back to confirm that Derin was not within close range.
“If you think I am going to disappear and take care of this child myself, you are most certainly joking,” she screamed before forcing her way into the apartment.
Derin wondered why Sope was taking too long at the door, besides; he never mentioned that he was expecting anyone. She became even more worried after hearing a lady scream. She immediately rushed into the living room from the bedroom to get to the root of the strange noise. Derin was confused, Sope was sweating profusely and he looked like he had just seen a ghost. The lady on the other hand had the countenance of someone that was prepared for war.
“What is going on here?” she asked and waited patiently for answers from Sope.
“It’s nothing dear, just my colleague from work. We are discussing a new project that was recently assigned to us,” he stuttered.
Stacey almost fell as she burst into laughter; she was apparently enjoying the wave of panic that had overcome Sope. Even his beloved Derin noticed that he had just told a big fat lie.
“You are such a terrible Liar Sope,” Stacey blurted out.
“Shut your mouth and please leave my house,” he was furious with Stacey, she was far from the reserved angel he had always thought her to be. She was however very determined to complete her mission to ruin his relationship with Derin.
“Sope please tell me the truth…… why this woman is yelling in your apartment?” Derin asked, she was already losing her mind with all she had just witnessed. Sope had never lied to her before let alone shout at a woman with so much rage. There was definitely something strange about the visit from the young lady.
“Your boyfriend got me pregnant and he doesn’t want to accept his baby,” Stacey screamed.
“What?” Derin was in shock, she had hoped that Sope would debunk the ridiculous claim the troublesome lady had just made but he just stood there. He made no efforts to defend himself. Derin’s head was spinning; this was certainly not what she had expected to hear.
“Say something Sope! Is this true? Have you been having extra marital affairs?” She demanded.
“It is not what you think Derin, you have to believe me, I didn’t plan this.”
Sope’s reply sounded lame to her, she felt like a dagger had just been passed through her heart. The news that another woman was carrying a child for the ‘love of her life’ was unbearable, considering she had lost her own child.
“This is payback right?” Derin asked Sope, there were already drops of tears running down her cheeks, she searched his eyes for some sort of hope that it was all a joke. All she saw however, was guilt. Sope tried to hold her back but she stormed out of his apartment in a hurry.
“You evil woman,” he barked at Stacey and almost hit her; he however remembered the resolution he made never to hit any woman notwithstanding the circumstance.
“Please leave my house now Stacey, it’s clear you have gotten what you have always wanted,”
“No dear, I haven’t,” She laughed. “This is only the beginning, I want you to take responsibility for our child and of course marry me as well.”
“You have it all wrong Stacey, I might take responsibility for this child, but I certainly would not leave my wife for you,” Sope replied with disgust in his tone.
“What do you mean by your wife?”
“Oh you didn’t get the memo? We had a court wedding earlier this year,” He mentioned proudly.
“That doesn’t matter much, you would simply divorce Derin and marry me, after all I am the one carrying a child for you.”
Sope was tired of her blabbing, making a resolution never to hit a woman didn’t mean he couldn’t push a stubborn one out of his home. She fought with all the strength that she had but Sope overpowered her and shoved her out of his apartment. It was as athough a monster had been let loose; Stacey continued to scream outside the house. She made all sorts of threats and let the whole neighborhood in on their dirty secret. This was one expensive mistake Sope wished he had never made, his foolishness was about to cost him a future with Derin. He was weary and had no idea of how to go about getting his wife back.
“She most definitely would follow through with the divorce this time,” he soliloquized.
He tried to take some time out to think of the best solution to the problem he had created but he just couldn’t think straight. Stacey was still outside his door hurling insults at him like a simple market woman. She made sure to remind him of her resolve to frustrate him if he didn’t divorce Derin and take her to the altar. It was a relief when she finally drove off later that evening.
“I can’t believe I never suspected this crazy side of Stacey, she is the Devil’s incarnate,” he mumbled. The tranquility following Stacey’s exit equipped him to think of a way out of his horrible situation.
“How am I even sure this child is mine?” He thought aloud.
He suddenly remembered the handsome young lad; Dave who Stacey once introduced as her boyfriend the previous year. They seemed so affectionate towards each other back then. He obviously cared deeply about her; as he took care of her during the period she was terribly ill and absent from work.
“Maybe he can help with talking some sense into her thick skull,” He reasoned. His only problem was that he had no contact address or further information about him asides his first name. As a police officer however, it was not too challenging working up a background check on Dave. His social media account was linked to Stacey’s and had no privacy settings. Sope got the information that was needed to track him from his social media account. He immediately noted Dave’s phone numbers and house address. The major problem for him at that moment however, was making sure Derin got home safely. He was worried about the state in which she left, she was not in the right frame of mind to drive but he did nothing to stop her. He wallowed in regret and concern as he dialed her line. He got very worried when he got no answer after several attempts; he therefore decided to dial Bisola instead.
“Good afternoon ma.”
“Good afternoon Sope, I was just about to call you. Did something happen between you and Derin?”
“Why do you ask ma,” Sope replied in a bid to gauge Bisola’s knowledge about the ‘Stacey’ situation.
“She got home some minutes ago and her eyes were swollen. It looks like she has been crying all morning. She is not saying anything about why she is in such a terrible state. What did you do to her?” Bisola asked anxiously.
“It’s not a discussion I can have on the phone ma. I would appreciate it if we can meet up at my place to discuss. I need your assistance with the situation on ground. I have messed up big time.”
“Is it about the wedding preparations?” She asked as she tried to figure out what the big problem was about.
“It is beyond that Mrs B, Please let’s meet up tomorrow morning at my place.”
“Ok Sope I would be there, I know that whatever it is though, God is in control,” she mentioned before ending the phone conversation.
Bisola dressed up early the next morning to fulfill her promise to Sope. Derin was still very much asleep before she left; Bisola decided not to disturb her.
“Whatever the issue is, Lord, please see them through,” she prayed before leaving her granddaughter’s room. The family driver; Mr. Bode was half asleep when Bisola sent for him; he had asked to take a quick shower before the commencement of their journey. The ride was smooth and traffic free; there were very few cars on the road owing to the time of the day. Sope must have been glued to his window; he dashed out and walked towards the vehicle as soon as he saw the Cole’s family car on his driveway.
“Good morning ma, I am really grateful you made it here despite the really short notice,” he spoke as he led her into the apartment.
“You know I would do anything for my grandchild, she is all I have left,” Bisola replied.
“I know ma, you are probably the only one that can help me right my wrong with her, I am sure she hates me presently,” He mumbled in a remorseful tone.
“Hate is such a strong word Sope, please tell me…..what really happened yesterday, she came back home looking distraught and chattered.”
They both had their seat while he narrated his ordeal to Bisola with a lot of pain in his voice.
“It all started on the night I left Derin by herself in my apartment. The death of our unborn child was still very devastating to me. I was out drinking my sorrows away at a night club when I met a female colleague from work. She offered to drive me home on seeing I was drunk, the only problem was that she wasn’t able to get my house address due to the incomprehensible words I uttered. One thing led to another that unfortunate night and she claims that we had sexual relations. Mrs B, I actually have no memories of sleeping with her. All I remember is that I woke up on her bed the next morning with a terrible headache. Derin had dialed my line severally and had even sent a text to inform me of her return to the mansion, I tried to stop her but I was unsuccessful.
My Colleague at work became a living nightmare, she blackmailed and threatened me a lot but I paid her no attention. About two weeks ago she called to tell me she was carrying my baby, I am not even sure the child is mine. I have been thinking about contacting her boyfriend to talk to him so I can confirm that she isn’t trying to pin another man’s pregnancy on me.” He paused to observe her expression; it was difficult to tell her stance about all he had just told her.
“Mrs B, please you have to help me beg Derin, I know I made a foolish mistake but I promise I would try to rectify my mistake,” he was almost close to tears.
“Oh! Sope, this is actually a lot to take in. I know my grandchild too well; she is most likely very hurt considering she lost her own child recently. We have to thread with caution and give this matter a bit of time. The wedding plans would be suspended indefinitely for now.” She spoke with a heavy heart.
“I understand ma,” he mumbled with his head bowed.
“She would come around Sope, I would talk to her. We need to exercise patience, God would guide us in the right path…….he surely has a plan.” She got up to signal she was ready to leave.
“Thank you very much ma, please let me know as soon as she is ready to give me audience.” He got up as well in a bid to walk her to the vehicle.
“No problem dear, I will,” she replied before getting into the car.
Derin was still asleep when Bisola returned home. It seemed like she wanted to sleep her sorrows away, Bisola decided to wake her when she noticed the day was far spent.
“Good morning Sunshine,” she spoke in a loud tone, walked to the curtains and pulled them apart in order to brighten the room.
“Go away Nana I would like to sleep some more, there is really nothing to look forward to anymore,” Derin grumbled.
“No dear, you are wrong, there is a lot to look forward to. Get up; we have a lot to talk about,” Bisola spoke sternly before pulling her duvet off.
“Oh! Lord, Nana please leave me alone I am not in the mood for any discussion,” Derin grumbled even more.
“Sweetheart, I heard all that happened between you and Sope, I was at his apartment earlier in the day.”
Derin sat up after her grandmother spoke; she had no idea about the visit to Sope’s residence.
“Nana, he got a lady pregnant!” she burst into tears.
“I know dear and he is very remorseful about the mistake he made. The loss of your child made him bitter. He took to drinking which led him to make the horrible mistake that is threatening your union presently. No one is perfect Derin, you have to forgive him and find a way out of this situation. I know for sure though that he really loves you.”
“I love him too Nana, but I don’t think I can come to terms with the fact that he impregnated another woman.” She lamented and wiped the tears that had started to drop from her eyes.
“It might take some time Derin but I am sure you would forgive him eventually, you two are like peas in a pod. You were definitely made for each other; please do not let this unfortunate incident tear you apart. Get up and freshen up dear. Everything would be fine.” Bisola comforted her with a hug and headed for the kitchen thereafter to prepare a decent meal for her.
It took Sope almost a week to get in contact with Stacey’s boyfriend; Dave. He had travelled out of the country on a business trip. Luckily for Sope, he got back earlier than he initially planned to. The trip to Dave’s apartment was very insightful. Unlike Stacey, he was calm, coolheaded and very accommodating. It was a wonder that he could actually sustain a relationship with a troublesome lady like Stacey.
Dave was utterly surprised when Sope narrated his ordeal to him. He almost screamed in disbelief when he heard all that Stacey had put him through.
“Are you sure you heard her correctly man?” Dave asked to reaffirm what Sope had just told him about Stacey’s pregnancy.
“Yes I am sure, she informed me two weeks ago about her pregnancy and she claims I am responsible for the child. Please if for any reason you feel this child might be yours, I would appreciate it if you can confront her and get the truth from her.”
Dave rumbled with laughter after Sope’s statement, it was all so confusing to him. He wondered why Dave found his statement funny.
“Is there something I am missing here,” Sope asked.
“I am sorry for the inappropriate response, what I am about to tell you is highly confidential but I would not watch a fellow man suffer in the hands of a devious woman. Stacey can’t have children; she had an hysterectomy done years back on account of a septic abortion.”
Sope’s heart skipped a beat after Dave’s announcement; he had been so gullible to believe Stacey’s lies. He thanked Dave for the revelation and drove straight to Stacey’s apartment. She was standing in her garage when he drove in. He was fuming when he alighted from the vehicle.
“Oh! The lover boy has finally regained his senses,” Stacey screamed as soon as she saw him.
Sope had no understanding of how he managed to compose himself with all he had heard from Dave. He had only one mission and he wasn’t going to give her the benefit of provoking him and making him derail from his mission.
“Good day Stacey, I can see you are doing fine. I won’t take too much of your time. You made claims of a pregnancy for which I am responsible; I am ready to accept the child if only I can get a pregnancy test result to back up your claims.”
Her reaction confirmed all that Dave had told him; Her face looked pale, she suddenly became dumb, she even almost lost her balance.
“What do you mean by that, are you insinuating that I am lying?” She stuttered.
“I am not insinuating anything; I only want proof before I make any commitment.”
Sope was delighted to see the mighty Stacey fall so flat; she suddenly forgot how pompous and demanding she had been in the past weeks. He however decided to put her out of her misery.
“I had a chat with your boyfriend; or should I call him your ex-boyfriend. He informed me about the procedure you had a while back, there is no need to continue lying to me.”
Stacey knew she had no extra cards to play, she never thought Sope would go as far as looking for Dave. Her plan had been to rope him into a relationship with her and in the process destroy the budding relationship he had with his precious Derin.
“I have loved you for a very long time Sope, but you were bewitched by that stupid woman. I am sorry for lying to you. I only wanted to get your attention.”
It was after her statement that Sope got really angry.
“Don’t you ever call her stupid again,” he shot at her with much rage.
“I would try my best to avoid you at work Stacey, please I advise you to stay away from me as well. Have a nice life.”
He walked back to his car, got into the driver’s seat and zoomed off. All he could think about was making amends with Derin. She had been silent ever since the confrontation. Bisola had told him to be patient but he couldn’t take the silence anymore. He was losing his mind; he just had to see her.
Sope headed for the Cole’s mansion. He decided on his way there to do whatever was necessary to get his girl back. He made a stop at the flower shop and hired some musicians as well to assist in serenading Derin.
Derin was sitting by her Grandmother at the veranda when he arrived, she was shocked to see Sope. The musicians swung into action and started to serenade her, they were confused when their subject almost ran into the house. Sope however caught up with her and got on his knees.
“Derin please wait, I am seriously begging dear, please listen to me.”
She already had tears in her eyes that threatened to fall down her cheeks.
“You hurt me Sope, you hurt me real bad,” Derin murmured.
“I know love but I am ready to make amends. I was bitter and confused when we lost our baby; it drove me crazy so I took to drinking. That night with Stacey should never have happened, it was a terrible mistake. I honestly don’t have memories of sleeping with her. Infact, she is a sore loser and liar as well. She isn’t pregnant; she only wanted to hold me captive with her lies.”
Derin was shocked when she heard Stacey had lied about the pregnancy, she wiped her tears and collected the flowers Sope was holding up to her.
“The flowers are beautiful Sope, I have really missed you,” she smiled.
Bisola, the musicians and the entire household staff had been watching the two love birds with keen interest. They all burst into laughter and bouts of clapping after she collected the flowers.
“Kiss her! Kiss her!” they all shouted.
Sope gave his dashing smile before pulling his baby girl close for a breath taking kiss.
