Never Judge

"Ayanna, what?" 

Ayanna was taken by surprise as she turned around to find her father standing behind her. She had been so absorbed by her one way conversation with her dead mother that she hadn't noticed her father arriving. 

"Dad." Ayanna said in a panic as she stood up and dusted ther pants. "How long have you been standing there and how much did you hear?" She asked.

Emilio Reyes III quickly ran to his daughter and hugged her as he cried.

"You brought white roses for mom? Her favorite." Ayanna said with a smile as she tried to shift the topic in the hopes that her father had not realized what she said.

"Yes." Emilio Reyes said as he released his daughter from his arms and gently placed the roses on his wife's grave.

He remained silent for a while, Ayanna could only guess what was going on in her father's mind. The former CEO was just as complicated as her brother. That's probably where he got it, from their dad.

"Sometimes I like to come here to talk to your mom too or just to say a little prayer for her." Emilio Reyes told his daughter as he turned his attention back to her and smiled.

"I miss her." Ayanna admitted. "I wanted to visit her before the chaos began." 

Ayanna felt relieved that her father did not push on what he had heard her saying.

"I don't know what your brother is up to, but I trust that the both of you are capable of handling things." He said as he looked at his daughter with genuine concern.

"Of course, dad." Ayanna said with a smile. She had faith in both her brother and in herself that they would be able to overcome whatever challenges this new mess would throw at them.

"Good, good." Emilio said with a nod as he turned his attention back to his wife's grave.

"I heard what you told your mom." Emilio said as he kept his back turned on his daughter.

"Which part, dad?" Ayanna asked. She wanted to be sure about what he was referring to. She didn't want to accidentally tell him about her pregnancy if he didn't pick it up in the first place.

"You're pregnant." Emilio told his daughter as he turned around and cupped her face. "How far along are you?" 

"One and a half months, dad, more or less." Ayanna said with a blush as she realized her father had discovered her secret.

"How dare Ray let you go into this cold place alone, you shouldn't even be going to work!" Emilio Reyes said in an angry tone.

"Dad, Ray doesn't know. No one knows, just me." Ayanna said with a smile as she looked up at her father as he realized she had been keeping it a secret. "Now, you know too."

"Me and your mom." Emilio said as he looked back at his wife's grave.

"Yes, you and mom." She repeated with a smile.

"Still Ayanna, you shouldn't be going through this mess your brother has made." Emilio Reyes said as he shook his head disapprovingly as he thought of what his son had done. "If he knew you were pregnant he would make you stop working."

"Dad, that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid." Ayanna groaned. 

"We are just looking after yours and your child's well being. You are deciding for two people now, Ayanna." Emilio Reyes told his daughter. 

"I know that dad." She complained. "But really, I'm fine. I know my limits."

"Please tell me if it's too much you'll pass on work." Emilio pleaded with his daughter.

"Of course dad. I'm not some work-a-holic that can't give up control." Ayanna said as she rolled her eyes at her father. "You're over reacting."

"You are a work-a-holic, but I trust you to know your limits." He said in a sincere tone. 

"Ray and I have been trying for a while, you know that dad." Ayanna said as she tried to ease her father's worries. "A blessing like this baby won't be taken for granted."

"Alright." Emilio Reyes said with a nod as he surrendered to his daughter's insistence.

"Please don't tell anyone yet." Ayanna begged her father. "I want this to be my secret for a while longer."

"I won't, it's not my secret to tell." Emilio told her. "When do you plan on telling Ray?" He asked.

"When I'm three months in. I don't want him taking every bit of freedom from me just yet." She teased.

"He does it out of love and concern." Emilio reminded his daughter.

"I'm pregnant, not sick. I can still work and handle myself. I'm not disabled. I don't want him to go crazy like how Ced does with Adri." Ayanna said as she thought of what her husband could possibly do when he heard the news.

"Your brother is on a whole different level, you know that. I doubt Ray would be as bad as him." Emilio said with a chuckle.

"They are best friends, Ray was definitely taking notes." Ayanna jested back.

"You both will be amazing parents, Ayanna." Emilio Reyes told his daughter as he looked on lovingly at her. 

"I just want to bring this little bundle of joy safely into this world." Ayanna said as she placed her hand on her flat belly.

There was nothing there yet, nothing that could tell you that a life was forming inside her, but the little one was there, slowly growing.

After a few moments of silence Ayanna and Emilio were ready to leave.

They said their goodbyes to Priscilla's grave and walked silently out of the mausoleum.

"So tell me about your plans for this issue your brother caused, maybe I can do something to help." Emilio Reyes said as he changed the topic.

"Actually dad, there might be." Ayanna said as she realized that having her dad by her side wouldn't seem so weak of her. "I'll just be telling the executives later tonight to relax and not panic, but having you around will go a long way."

"Okay, I'll be there." Emilio Reyes said with a nod as he parted ways with his daughter.