Maria had her baby between her legs which was placed indian style. She had been so worried about getting her baby to safety she had abandoned the car seat. No place other than herself to truly lay her baby. She didnâ€™t have a crib or anything. Her baby angled so her head was supported by her leg. She was humming to keep her daughter happy. Stroking her head lightly. Smiling a bit as she loved Niya. Loved her with every fiber of her being. She didnâ€™t even hear Nicolas return into the house. Jumping when she heard his voice. Focusing back in on the here and now. She turned her gaze to take in Nicola. Biting her lower lip nervouslhy. Was he still mad at her? Was he going to hurt her now? She still didnâ€™t understand what she had done to piss him off like that. She bit back the whimper of fear. She looked at him with wary eyes. Was he going to yell at her some more? She didnâ€™t see any signs of anger but sometimes it hadnâ€™t been there with HIM either.<br/><br/>She bit her lower lip then relaxed slightly. Blinking as he started talking. He was....apologizing? No man had ever apologized to her before. She was looking at him like she was worried it was a trick. â€œYou...are...apologizing...to me?â€ SHe said in surprise. Her tone full of obvious shock. She hadnâ€™t expected that. She wasnâ€™t one to hold a grudge and soon had a timid nervous smile over her lips. Shaking ever so slightly. â€œI understand and...forgive you.â€ She said softly. Biting her lower lip for a moment then listened as he continued. â€œIf you ever need to talk I donâ€™t mind listening.â€ She said in a soft voice. She blinked a bit. He knew what it was like to be running? To be afraid of what could happen? For some reason she knew this had to be the case. She didnâ€™t say anything. She believed him and her heart went out to him. She was a caring and compassionate woman who put others before herself. Part of why she thought only of her daughter instead of herself. Why she was willing to be thrown back out in the snow so long as Niya was allowed to stay inside where it was warm.<br/><br/>She smiled timidly. â€œI really do forgive you Nicolas. No hard feelings I promise.â€ She said in a sweet and soft voice. She looked down. â€œIt isnâ€™t. I ran not so much for myself but for my daughter. I didnâ€™t want her growing up in that kind of situation. I didnâ€™t want her growing up feeling the kind of fear I felt every day when I went home.â€ She said honestly. Not going into too much detail but confirming what he had said. She looked at Niya. â€œMy daughter is what gave me the courage to break it off. She gave me the courage to run away. To escape him. Without her I would still be in that situation. He almost...made me lose her when I was pregnant with her.â€ She said sadly. â€œI just want the best for Niya. I may be young but Iâ€™m mature for my age. I think of whats best for my daughter. Its why I was wearing nothing but a tee-shirt and sweatpants in the snow. Keeping Niya as warm and protected from the elements as possible was what mattered the most.â€ She said. Explaining to him why she had been on his doorstep the way she had been.<br/><br/>She looked down then back to him as he spoke again. She was surprised as he spoke. Was he......asking her to stay? She didnâ€™t want to assume. In fact she wouldnâ€™t believe it unless he actually asked but the hope he wasnâ€™t wanting to throw her out as soon as possible filled her heart with a bit of joy. She was glad he didnâ€™t hate her presence. Listening to him as he spoke. â€œWell...you have me and Niya.â€ She said softly. â€œEven if Iâ€™m nervous around you I am hoping we could be friends.â€ She paused for a minute. â€œCan we be friends Nicolas?â€ She asked in a shakey voice. Hoping she didnâ€™t anger him again by her question. Looking at Niya and smiled. Shifting her a bit so the baby was more comfortable. She hesitated for a moment. â€œEven if you are scary at times...I was really enjoying your company. Hearing you say you liked my cooking meant more to me than words could possibly say.â€ She said. Trying to express the truth. Sure she was back to afraid of him but she enjoyed his company.<br/><br/>She didnâ€™t say anything else for a long moment. She smiled at him softly even if her eyes were still filled with wariness. â€œWhat...â€ She paused for a moment. â€œWhat would you like for lunch Nicolas? I donâ€™t mind cooking and helping with the housework so I am not free loadering while Iâ€™m here. I want to help out to show I appreciate you not throwing me back out in the snow. For you sharing your home with me even though I intruded upon your solitude.â€ Her voice quivered every now and then. â€œThank you...â€ She said softly. His apology had also meant a lot to her. The fact he didnâ€™t hit her when he came back in also meant a lot to her.