Mark dropped to his knees and slid across the smooth pristine white marble floor quickly.
His expensive grey dress pants scraped hard against the cold floor surface as he moved.
He reached out both arms with total focus as the tiny baby tumbled downward rapidly.
His heart slammed into his ribs as he positioned his hands directly under the fall.
With a heavy thud, he caught little Lily securely against his broad grey suit chest.
The impact knocked the breath out of his lungs, but he wrapped his arms tight.
He pulled the tiny bundle close against his heart and stayed on the cold floor.
Baby Lily let out a small frightened cry as Mark let out a loud sob.
"Thank God you are safe," Mark wept softly as hot tears ran down his face.
"Daddy is right here, I will never let anything bad happen to you again."
He kissed her tiny forehead while trembling from the intense rush of fear and relief.
He checked her tiny arms and legs to ensure she was completely unharmed and safe.
The white marble floor felt freezing, but Mark held her close to keep her warm.
Up on the balcony, Victoria stood completely frozen in pure shock and horror.
Her hands gripped her lace collar as her face turned completely white like a sheet.
She had never intended to let go of the baby during their heated emotional argument.
She stared down at Mark holding the crying child on the grand marble floor below.
Mark took a deep breath, stood up slowly, and rocked his daughter gently in place.
His crying stopped immediately as deep burning anger washed over his entire mind and soul.
He looked straight up at Victoria with eyes that burned with absolute fury and conviction.
"You almost destroyed this family completely!" Mark roared up at the upper level floor.
Victoria backed away from the railing slowly, shaking her head in deep denial and fear.
"It was an accident! I swear I slipped!" Victoria screamed back with a cracking voice.
"I did not mean to let go! Please listen to me!" she cried out desperately.
Mark pulled his cell phone from his pocket without taking his eyes off her face.
He dialed the emergency number quickly as his voice boomed across the marble foyer walls.
"Put me through to emergency services immediately, dispatch!" Mark commanded into the phone.