Layla
"That was amazing, baby. You did so good up there. Seriously! I wasn't expecting to see you up there, baby." Danny says, smiling and holding me by my waist. "Layla...Layla!" I hear Nico's voice, making Danny and I turn. He jumped on stage, giving me a huge hug and then turning to Danny to give him a firm handshake, clashing their shoulders together.
"Man! That has got to be one of the best runways I have ever seen you guys throw. You were an absolute show stopper, Lay! Please tell me you're going back to modeling! Because you killed it, babe. Seriously, that's all the paparazzi is talking about out there." My eyes went wide at Nico's words.
I had no intention of going back. I liked it when I was young, and I enjoyed it, but I never considered it as a career. My heart was set on helping kids, and I love my job with our foundation. "Oh god, no. I only did it to help today. Hugo was short of two girls, and they didn't have anyone else, so I had to help. But after today, no more." I say, making him frown.
"But you're so good at it. Lay, you're a natural up there," he says, making me blush.
"You know, Nico is right, baby. You're a natural. You should at least consider it." Danny says, wrapping his arm around my waist and placing a soft kiss on my lips. I placed my hand on his chest and sighed, "Danny, you I want to be with you, I love you and Zoey, you guys are my family. But, I want to go back to work. I miss my job."
"I know, ladybug, but can you at least consider life here? I mean we have a good thing going on here, you know that? Or at least I thought you did. Do you regret marrying me?" he says, a bit of hurt in his eyes.
"Danny, I... No. Absolutely not. I love you. You know that. And I love Zoey, there is no doubt about that, but my job is something I don't want to give up. Sooner or later I want to go back out on the field. Whether it's here or in Mexico, I want to go back out there. I don't know if-"
"Layla... Can you pose for pictures? Please, Layla... Just a few photos with your husband." a guy says, holding up a camera, he stood in front of the runway stage followed by more people holding phones and cameras. They began snapping photos, flashes going off from every direction, blinding me, making me a bit uncomfortable.
"Look, could we talk about this when we get home?" I whispered in Danny's ea; he sighed, wrapping his arms around me and burying his head in my hair.
I'm not sure of what's to come. I know I love him. And I know it's only been a few weeks with Zoey, but I already love her so much. I can spend my whole life with them and never regret it. But I also miss my job, I miss the kids and helping everyone there.
Danny sensed that I was becoming uncomfortable, so he quickly got me out of there, and we left. We didn't stay for the after-party or to celebrate like they usually do. We left for home in awkward silence.
When we finally arrived, he helped me out of the car, but I could sense he was pensive. He went in without a word, simply kissing my lips and heading inside. He checked on Zoey, and woke up Ruth, telling her to stay in her old room since it was pretty late. She had fallen asleep on the rocking chair, she was so tired that she happily accepted the invitation.
After he showered, he went right to bed without a word while I checked on Zoey, who was fast asleep. Then I went and took a quick shower, changed into my pajamas, wearing a thin strap silk top with matching booty shorts, and got into bed next to him. I turned toward him, snuggling in his arms.
If I had to really think about it, and wave the pros and cons, there was no doubt that I'd miss my job, but I feel like this is where I belong. I needed him to know that, "This is where I truly belong. In your arms." I had to tell him, because the way he looked at me back there...It broke me. I knew I had hurt him, and I didn't want him to think that I'pick a job over him and Zoey. I love him, and I love my job, but I'd give it all up if it meant for us to be together happily.
"Do you truly mean it? Because, Layla... I never meant for you to give it all up for me. I was just scared. I didn't want to lose you again, but believe me... I'd much rather see you happy than to be here with me knowing you're miserable."
"Baby, I didn't mean to make you feel like I don't want to be here. True, I miss my job, but I love you and Zoey. I want to be with you. I want to be here. I'm sorry if I made you feel otherwise."
He leans his forehead against mine slowly, looking at me for a second and then sighing. He wraps me in his arms, resting his chin on my head. "Layla, I love you more than you could ever imagine, and I'd do anything for you... Anything." he says, placing a kiss on my hair. I sighed, closing my eyes and embracing the feel of his arms around me. They always made me feel safe, protected, and loved.
"I love you, Danny. I want to be with you. But I wasn't lying to you... I miss my job. So I've been thinking..." I say, snuggling into his arms. "Baby, have you noticed that there are a lot of people working in the building that have younger kids?" I say looking up at him with a smile.
"What if... And hear me out, ok? It's only a suggestion." I say, pulling away a little to have him look at me.
"Listen...There are two shifts in our company, but I noticed that many ladies in both night and day shift struggle with money, mainly because they need to pay for babysitters. So-" I say, making him tilt his head slightly as he ponders on my words giving me a smile.
"What if we opened a daycare, free of charge for our employees? We can... Set up an area for babies and toddlers, an area for older kids. We can, maybe... set up a room with computers and books so older kids and teens can get homework done while their parents are working!" Danny looks at me speechless.
He doesn't say anything for a while, just looks to the side, pondering. "I know it's a long shot, but I just think we can really help out our own employees if we helped them with these services. I mean, the models rarely do anything and still, get paid awfully good; But did you know that the girls who do all the cleaning and secretaries and other workers get paid way less, and work everyday? It's unfair, we can all take turns looking after the kids and take turns helping them. We can even ask for volunteers to tutor those struggling with classes." I say, making him smile at me.
He hugs me tightly, sighing and placing a kiss on my lips. "You're amazing; you know that? Look, I can't promise anything about this happening in our building; there are a lot of protocols and regulations we need to look into this to make it happen. But- if it means having you stay with me forever than by all means I'll make that shit happen. I need to do a bit of research on the possibilities, but if this means a lot to you, then I will make it happen, one way or another." he says, making me smile wide.
"Really?"
"Really. I love you, ladybug!" he says, making me kiss his lips. I snuggle in his arms, feeling loved and protected.
He sighs, kissing the top of my head. "God you're killing me smalls. But damn at you worth it. Let the challenge begin." he says making me chuckle, snuggling into his arms and intertwining our legs.