“Nothing like a little makeup to erase all evidence of tears,” Alani said. Bella looked in the mirror and smiled, and then allowed Alani to escort her out.

“We’re ready,” Alani said, with a smile, as she emerged with a hand around Bella’s shoulders. The look of worry on Ethic’s face as he hugged Bella moved Alani. There was nothing more attractive than a man that loved his children.

“Thank you,” he mouthed.

She nodded. “Bella, we better get in there. We can’t let these other duos show us up,” Alani said, with a wink.

“Alani said she’ll be my mentor, Daddy,” Bella said.

“If that’s okay?” Alani said, her brows dipping in concern, as suddenly she felt like she may have overstepped.

Ethic nodded, as he watched them walk back into the sanctuary. He entered moments later and took a seat in the back pew, while he watched Alani interact with his daughter. She was so nurturing, so calming. At that moment, she was God-sent and Ethic hated that he would have to give her back because the greatest sin he had ever committed had been against her.

When the rehearsal was complete, both Bella and Alani were all smiles, as they approached him. She didn’t have to ask for his touch, this time, because right after he hugged his daughter, he pulled Alani close. “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear.

The doors behind him swung open and Alani’s smile grew brighter. “Oh, Nannie! Perfect timing. I’d like for you to meet my friend, Ezra, and his daughter, Bella.”

Ethic turned to greet the woman, but as soon as she looked him in the eyes the woman’s face contorted on the left side as she mumbled, “The man that he God kill my...” The woman was speaking mumbo jumbo, as she staggered forward, her weight falling into Ethic.

“Nannie?” Alani screamed, in panic. Nannie had her mouth open in an O of fear, as she laid paralyzed in Ethic’s arms. “Nannie! Someone call 911!”

“If she dies, I don’t know what I’ll do,” Alani whispered, as she sat in the waiting room at the hospital, clasping her hands together, as she rocked back and forth in the chair. “Thank you so much for staying here with me. I know you have kids and…”

“I’m not going anywhere. My nanny, Lily, can take care of my kids for the night. I’m right here,” Ethic assured. He knew in his bones that Alani’s aunt had recognized him. There was something about the look in her eyes that told him so, and he knew if she died, he would be responsible.

“I’ve got to tell you something, Alani,” Ethic said. She looked at him, eyes wide and full of worry; but before he could speak, a doctor walked into the waiting room.