Underestimated

Layla

Danny and I lay side by side. My head rested on his chest as we watched a movie. It wasn't late, but I was still drained. Now I know why I have been feeling so tired and restless lately. I was slowly drifting off to sleep, especially since he continued to play with my hair, brushing in slow strokes. I sigh, running my hand across his chest.

I still can't believe all that's happened between us. I never thought we would be lying down, watching a movie, and happily married. Now, to make things better, we were expecting a baby. I wonder what we'll have? A boy? A girl? Whatever the baby will be, I will ensure we love our baby unconditionally, just as we have loved Zoey.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, content with our lives.

It must have been around eight in the evening when I woke up. Danny was not by my side, which meant he was probably with Zoey. I needed to make sure that she had eaten something, so I decided to get up and check on them.

I walked to her room, but she wasn't there, so I went downstairs. I could hear laughter, and when I got to the kitchen, I saw Ruth and Riley talking and giggling with Zoey. I smoked, seeing how happy my princess looked.  They were making cupcakes, making the kitchen smell so heavenly.

"Mommy's cupcake," she says, grabbing a cupcake and sprinkling it with gold pearls on top of the frosting. "Yes, baby. That's for mommy. Now, make one for you and one for daddy, ok?" Ruth suggests, making her giggle.

"Yeth!" she says, placing her tongue against her teeth. She was getting better at pronouncing her words, and her vocabulary had significantly extended. I was so proud of her. She has only been in school a few days, and I already see much improvement.

Zoey's guard, Bryce, was covered in flour, mixing another batch and wearing an apron, making me giggle.

"Hi, guys! What's going on here?" I asked as I walked toward them. I kissed Zoey on her head and hugged both girls, earning bright smiles in return. "Hi, Lay! How are you feeling? We heard the big news!" Riley says, making me blush.

"You did? I... I'm fine. A bit taken off guard, but I feel... Great! Excited, happy." I couldn't put my emotions into words, but they got the idea.

"Oh, Ladybug. We are so happy for you. God, Danny is over the moon. He wouldn't shut up about it." Ruth says, making my heart feel warm. "Really? Where is he, by the way?" I ask as they both become silent, looking suspiciously between them.

"Uhh, I think he's in his office. He's talking to Charles." Riley answers with her face becoming blushed. "Everything ok?" I ask, concerned.

"Uhm, well..." Riley begins, sighing and looking down. "Lay, Charles, and I came to ask you and Danny for help."

I knew Charles; he was a man with lots of pride and didn't like asking for anyone's help. He came to the point where he refused to take any money from Riley's inheritance and didn't want her to pay for a single thing. But if he was here, it had to be wrong.

"Riles... You don't need to explain anything to me. You know we're here for you guys. Ok?" I said, holding her shoulders and pulling her in for a big. Her baby kicked as soon as I engulfed her making us part. I gasp, feeling his little kick, making us giggle.

"He likes you, Layla. You are officially his favorite aunt," she says, making me smile.

"Hey! I thought I was his favorite?" Ruth says, pouting her lips. "Ok, you both are. I love you guys. Thanks for being a such great support, Lay." Riley says as we both hug her.

"Bryce, eat cupcake! Eat it, Bryce!" Zoey tells Bryce, making him take a bite out of a cupcake. They had become good friends. I was happy that Danny had gotten him as our daughter's guard. He was so good with her.

We giggled at their behavior. He reaches out, grabbing a paper towel and cleaning Zoey's chocolate-covered face.

"I'm going to see if they need anything. I'll be right back." I said, leaving the and walking to Danny's home office. The door was slightly opened, and I didn't mean to eavesdrop on them. But I couldn't help it.

"I'm sure he'll get good time in jail for this, Danny. All the evidence you've gathered is enough to get him at least a good ten years in prison." Charles says, making me tilt my head thoughtfully. Who in the world were they talking about?

"Good! That asshole is going to regret ever messing with my wife. Now you take care of this case; I'll make sure you don't have to worry about your school's debt." they shake hands and stand up. "Thanks, Daniel. I promise I will do my best. This guy won't get away with all the shit he's been doing. Even if they are cases done in another country, I'll make sure Trevor pays for all this shit."

"Now, I know he's still in hideout. Are you sure she's up to help us catch him?"

"She is. I already talked to her." Charles says, making me feel puzzled. What? Who the hell are they talking about?

"Layla can't find out about this. We need to catch that bastard before he does anything else to anyone. He thinks he's fucking smart; he has no idea what we're setting them up for."

"Are you sure the other girl is involved, though? She seems like a nice girl." Charles says, making my head hurt. What the hell was going on? I don't understand a single thing happening.

I needed to know what was happening, but I knew that whatever Danny was doing was only to try and protect me. I decided to leave it alone for now and knock on the door. I cracked open and see them both turn with a smile. Danny cleared his throat, fixing his posture and clenching his jaw. "Hi. Rules said you guys were here. Do you need anything? Can I get you a drink?" I asked, getting Danny to smile.

"We're fine, babe. How are you feeling? Come... Take a seat." he says, standing up and trying to get me to sit on his chair. "I'm fine, Danny."

My phone rang, and I took it off my back pocket. Stacy was calling, and I quickly picked up.

"Hello?" I answered, smiling. But my smile quickly faded as I heard her distressed voice. "Layla. Layla, please help," she says before the phone takes her.

I quickly place it on speaker, and Danny's face becomes angry, "Who are you talking to? I told you not to do anything stupid!" Trevor takes the phone from her, and I hear him hit her, making Stacy cry. "Trevor, please, stop. Why are you doing this?" I listen to her plead.

"Shut up. Who are you talking to?" I hear him before he begins laughing evilly. "Oh... Layla! My beautiful ex-girlfriend. How are you, sweetheart? Is your boy toy around? Tell him I already know of his plan; it won't work. And if he even thinks of proceeding, I'll make sure that you never hear about Stacy or her daddy again... Got it!" he says, making my heart drop before the line goes dead.

My eyes water, and all I can do is cover my mouth horrified. What the hell just happened?

"Danny? What...what just happened?" I ask as he takes me in his arms and hugs me. I can't help but cry in his arms. I don't recognize this new Trevor. He's nothing like the guy I knew when we were dating. He's evil, and if he dares to hurt my friend, I will make sure he pays. Even if it's the last thing, I do.