Zach watched as Amy took the stairs. She went to Roserie's room. He followed and found the door slightly ajar. She was feeding her on a rocking chair and watched her little face intently. Whatever happened, there was no doubt it hurt her feelings. She was right to not want to meet her in the first place. If only he had stopped her.
"My beautiful girl." He heard Amy speak softly to Roserie who was looking at her mother while feeding.
"My little cupcake", Amy put her index finger in her little hand and she held it tightly. "You're the best thing that happened to your Daddy and I, especially to me. You're a blessing to me. Thank you for sticking with me when things were rough. You may not know this but you were my source of strength Roserie, every step of the way. But you betrayed me when you met your dad and made him your favorite."
She chuckled softly along with Zach. She knew he was close by to make sure she was okay. She sniffled, now realizing that she had started crying again.
"Baby girl, you're so precious to me. And I am so happy, so happy that I have the privilege to watch you grow into whoever you want to be cupcake. And remember, even though I have birth to you, you're your own person. You don't owe mommy anything so whatever you do, whoever you'll be, mommy is going to be your biggest cheerleader every step of the way despite my imperfections.Every step princess, I'll be there. That's a promise", she whispered the last part.
Amy made a vow, not to use her child/ren as objects to fulfill any selfish desires just because she gave birth to them. She would give them what she never had, a family and what she got from Joanne, a good support system.
Zach closed his eyes and felt a clenching around his heart. He was so close to letting tears fall from listening in but that quickly changed into anger. He walked a few feet away and dialed for Rider's number.
"Hey man!" Rider answered cheerily.
"The next time someone requests to meet my wife through you, dont. do. it. Because then, I will make you and that person a living example of why you shouldn't mess with my family and I'll be waiting at the gates of hell to finish you off completely!" He growled into the phone.
"B-B-Bro, I don't know what happened, but I swear we took necessary measures so she wouldn't hurt A.J physically", he cried out, stumbling upon his words.
"Does hurting someone only mean it's physical?" he countered.
That rendered Rider speechless. Gwen must have done some great damage go anger Zach like this. "I'm so sorry man. I'm really sorry. But if it makes you feel better, she got a death sentence days ago. She will be executed weeks from now."
"Death sentence?" He scoffed. "Isn't that too easy?"
"Do you mean they should let her live?"
Zach didn't bother to answer and simply terminated the call. What better way to torment Gwen that let her live through the lack of satisfaction of having her way. She does not deserve the easy way. Not after hearing the emotional exchange between Amy and Roserie: the promise from a mother to a daughter. He would protect that promise with his life.
Days went by. Although Amy seemed a little cheery, Zach knew that her meeting Gwen had done some damage to the girl. She had poured her heart to him, explaining the exchange between her and the woman.
Amy didn't want to care what the woman said and tried to push the hurtfulness at the back of her head, but it just wouldn't go away. Was it because she subconsciously placed some sort of importance on the woman because she birthed her?
"Aaaaah", Roserie cooed and scrunched her nose, earning Amy's attention.
"You're right. I shouldn't think about it, right? Right?" She smiled making Roserie smile too. She looked at the wall clock in the sun room and gasped. "Look at the time! Let's go and make dinner."
She picked her up along with a carrier and went down to the kitchen. The maids were quick to assist Amy and follow her instructions where necessary. By the time the clock hit six on the dot, dinner was ready and Zach was walking in. She walked out to the hallway to greet him with a kiss.
"Hello beautiful", he said after she broke the kiss making her smile. "And hello princess. So I'll take this", he took roserie from her. "And you'll take this."
Amy gasped and received the bouquet of freshly arranged flowers. She breathed in the sweet aroma. "Babe, this is so sweet. Thank you. But what's the occasion?"
"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman", he said simply.
"Thank you", she stood on her tip toes and pressed her lips on his one more time. "Edmund!"
"Yes madam!"
"Have someone set these up in the sunroom. I think they will look perfect there."
"Right away, ma'am."
He collected the bouquet and did as asked while she accompanied Zach to their room for him to freshen up. Soon, they had dinner and Zach put Roserie to sleep in her bed. Amy was on her computer in bed waiting for him. She put it away when he joined her and he pulled her flush against him.
"I took a day off tomorrow", he said quietly, stroking her hair as he spoke.
"Oh? What's the occasion?" She got comfortable, resting her head on his hard chest.
"I want us to visit your mom", he said and instantly felt her still so he quickly added. "Your real mom. We only sent her off, but we never visited her like we promised her."
Amy now realized who he was talking about and relaxed but she lifted her head to look at him. "You want to visit Joanne?"
"You should introduce me before we get married. And I think, it will do you some good. I know Gwen did some damage even though you're trying not to show it, but I feel this visit is what you need."
The next day, they started off on their way to West Village where the late Joanne Harper was laid to rest. Zach did a clean sweep of the area for any lurking danger. The ride was mostly silent with Roserie's cries echoing from time to time.
The fresh air and smooth ride came to an end when they got to the dusty road leading up to the cemetery. They all rolled up their windows but when Amy looked ahead, her heart started to race from anxiousness and she could feel her emotions threatening to spill.
Zach held her hand throughout the ride, giving her support knowing how hard this would be. When they finally arrived, Amy's legs were shaking in her stilettos as she got down from the car. She walked over to Zach's side who was carrying Roserie in on hand and took hers in the other. A bodyguard gave her flowers for Joanne.
It was still in the early morning hours so the sun was not too hot. But a soft breeze blew in the eery place. They walked for quiet a distance before they arrived at Joanne's grave. With shaking hands, she placed the bouquet onto the mound and fell to her knees, giving way to tears. Zach stood behind her and on guard while letting her cry her heart out.
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