De'Mario's POV

People change, things go wrong, shit happens, but life goes on. I keep that in mind just to keep me from going back into the state I was in last week. That "I will drink until I can no longer feel the pain" stage is done and over with. No more, crying or caring. Just me and my kids are my priority. Ain't felt this good in my life.

It seems like every since Christmas, I really have not seen or even heard about Shawny. She hasn't came over or called to see the kids. I ain't ran into her while I'm out like I usually would. I'm damn near convinced that shortie wasn't bullshitting when she said she wanted to erase me from her life. She cut off every string that attached me to her. Mama Nic been sick lately, so she's been asking for Shawny. What type of shit is this that your own parents have to come to me to try and get ahold of you. All I know is, she ain't got much time before my patience run out. My kids deserve better than an absent moms. Maria ain't even spoke to her, well Maria ain't spoke to anyone outside of this house since Youngin disappeared last week.

When I say that the nigga ain't no where to be found, I mean he ain't even tell his moms where he left to. She just know he left is what she claims. Bottom line, my daughter is heartbroken. I don't give a fuck where this nigga at, or why he left. I just know that when he comes back, he getting fucked up for making my daughter cry. That's on my kids, he getting dealt with.

Besides Maria's hidden depression, our family is becoming better at playing our roles and being a family in general. Maria tries to enjoy the weight of the kids I took off her shoulders but she still hides behind that smile. The twins can't tell she's unhappy and they also don't care because they're kids. Kids only care that you're there. But even if you look at any relationship at any age, even if you can't do anything for that person, just make sure you're there to help them get through anything they need to get through. In this case, she needs Terrence. What she's going to get is her pops because that's all I can give right now. If ik where Youngin was at, I'd bring that nigga head back on a stick for her.

Me: "Yo?" I answered my phone. Maria's dance coach been blowing my damn phone up lately and I don't really feel the need to answer. Maria stopped dancing last year, why is my number still on the contact list?

Coach: "Hi, Mr. Smith. I'm calling to ask in regards to the absence of your daughter De'Maria." She replied.

Me: "She's not on the team anymore, why are you calling me?" I responded.

Coach: "I'm aware of the circumstances, I called to ask why she wasn't able to join up this year?"

Me: " That's none of your business. But thanks for calling." I hung up, the bitch called right back. "Yo, you bold."

Coach: "I care about Maria more than you think. She's been on the squad since she was 5 years old. I think it's my business why she stopped coming so abruptly." She argued.

Me: "Yet again, you thought wrong." I chuckled.

Coach: "Can I at least set up a meeting for all three of us to sit down and talk?" She commented.

Me: "Nah, that won't be necessary." I hung up. "MARIA!"

Maria: "Yes?" She said as she rushed downstairs into the living room where I was standing.

Me: "Why did you stop dancing?" I asked. She stared into space for a while before speaking.

Maria: "I don't want to anymore." She lied.

Me: "Why not?" I asked.

Maria: "Because I never really liked it anyway." She shrugged.

Me: "So, you telling me I spent all that money for you to dance for no reason?" I scolded.

Maria: "No, I-"

Me: "Then stop lying to me and tell the truth." I frowned.

Maria: "I do love dancing, I always have." She admitted. "I just wanted to spend all my time with Tee & then I had to watch the kids more often I forgot to even try out this year."

Me: "Why give up something you love, though?" I asked her. I just needed to hear this answer so bad.

Maria: "Because I didn't have a choice. Sometimes some things are more important than doing something you love. I sacrificed dancing for you, the twins, mom-"

Me: "And that lil nappy head ass kid?"

Maria: "Yeah.." She fluttered her eyes and looked away. "Him too."

I couldn't help but stare. I realized something that I'd never thought I would. I think it's pretty obvious that she's hurting and going through the roughest time that ole boy is gone. But, I can see that she actually fell in love. My daughter, at the age of 15.. fell in love. I taught my daughter how to love with my eyes closed and I can't lie, it might be the deadliest gift I ever gave her. Learning what love is at a young age can cause you to never love again after you've fell in love the first time. It's like you grow into it, you catch it and then you can't get rid of it. Puppy love is real, Love & Basketball isn't a fairytale.

Me: "You loved him, huh?" I asked. She looked at me with fear and tears in her eyes.

Maria: "Yes," She nodded. "I-I know I'm young. I just feel-"

Me: "I'll make a deal with you." I looked at her. "Wait until you're 18, graduate high school, make a decision on what you want to do with your life and be dedicated to your future. Do all of that, and I will personally go find him and bring him back to you. Just promise me you will be happy for now until that time comes. I want you to enjoy your childhood while you still can. You have my word, do I have yours?"

Maria: "Yes, Sir." She smiled. She tried not to smile too hard but she couldn't help it. She ran to me and hugged me tightly. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

Me: "I love you too, Princess." I smiled and kissed her forehead. It feels good to have her back. What feels even better is I got time to kill before I have pass my princess to her potential king. I feel a little Deja Vu coming on. I think my Pops trynna tell me something, shit I wonder what. Knock, Knock, Knock!, there's my queue..

Me: "Yo, who is it?" I shouted as I walked to the door. Whoever it was pretended like they couldn't hear me and knocked again. One thing I can say is, it's no one I know and it definitely a female. So, who the fuck is it? I opened the door and Maria's dance coach was standing there.

Coach: "Wow, I expected you to live in a much colder place than this." She commented.

Me: "Lemme know if you feel the breeze when I slam this fucking door in ya face." I sighed. I couldn't look down at her cause the red 6in heels she had on had her at eye level with me.

Coach: "I just came to see how De'Maria is doing, is that a crime?" She argued.

Me: "What part of Mind Your Own Business do you not understand? Get the fuck off my porch." I glared at her.

Maria: "Dad, is everything okay?" She asked as she looked over my shoulder.

Me: "Yeah," I smiled. "Everything is good, just go talk to this chick so she can go mind her damn business."

Maria: "I'm so sorry, Coach." She apologized as she let her in and led her to the living room. "He kinda hates women now."

Coach: "Oh, it's okay sweetheart." She laughed. "I've hated men since high school. Relationships are toxic sweetheart. You'll learn that in the future."

Maria: "Well, we all have our opinions. But I would like to know why you're here." She started.

Coach: "Oh, right."

This woman stayed at this house for 2 whole hours to be nosey. The only reason I let her stay is because Maria looked like it was helping her. I watched my daughter laugh and smile like there wasn't a tomorrow for her. Not only was dancing was her passion, but the environment was her therapy. I can't take this away from her. She needs it more than she needs me because when I'm not here, it's all she'll have.

Coach: "Okay, I'll get going." She stood up and gave Maria a hug. "You take care of yourself, we will miss you dearly."

Maria: "Okay I will, I'll miss you guys too." she smiled slightly.

Coach: "Thank you for letting me see her, she was one of my favorite." She teared up. "I'm glad to know that she's alive and well."

Me: "Uhh, no problem. You can stop by anytime to speak to her if you'd like." I replied.

Coach: "Thank you very much." She smiled. "Will it be okay for her to visit during practices sometimes?"

Me: "Umm, I think that's up to her." I looked at Maria.

Maria: "Oh, uh.." She laughed nervously. "I wouldn't mind."

Me: "Happy?" I asked.

Coach: "Very." She nodded as she walked out the door. "Umm.. if she needs anything, you can give me a call."

Me: "I would give you my word on that but you see, Maria has a phone she could contact you with her and she has a mom she can contact if she did need anyone. So, yeah." I shrugged and laughed.

Coach: "Right, well it was nice meeting you." She added.

Me: "You too, Coach."

Coach: "Uh, you can call me Naomi. Or just Mimi. I mean, that's if you want to." She laughed nervously.

Me: "Uh yeah, Coach is fine with me." I licked my lips. "So, dig this. I have to go cook dinner and get my kids ready for bed. I'll see you around? Cool, goodnight."

Shutting the door on her wasn't as hard as it was to not think about her. She bad, but she ain't bad like Shawny. She could never compare to Shawny but she ain't a bus down either. Only thing that's keeping me from being nice to this chick is my stability. I ain't stable enough to deal with anymore female drama. I get to talking to her and she think we're in a serious relationship. Next thing I know I'm trapped with a emotional wreck and going insane cause ion wanna hurt her or let her down. Not like I did Shawny..

Life since yesterday has been better than ever. It's like my life is complete when all my children are happy, man. I sat down and had a talk with Maria last night and she told me how she honestly felt about our agreement. I can understand that she's not 100% satisfied because with the person you love being absent, you'll always be missing something. But I'm glad she's willing to appreciate what she has now. With me willing to move on from Love and just focus on my family, she's grateful to have just that.

Trinity: "Daddy!" She shouted.

Me: "What's up?" I asked as I took a glance at her through the rear view mirror.

Trinity: "I gotta go to the bathroom." She whined and moved her little legs.

Me: "Alright, we're here." I said turning into the beach entrance. "Maria, when I park, take them both to the bathroom please and then right back to the car."

Maria: "Okay," She nodded.

After we all go situated, we headed out to the sand. The twins set down the blankets while Maria and I set up camp. I was going to just chill in my beach chair until I realized Maria was relaxing right along with me. If we don't move, the twins don't move. It took about a minute to realize they were just staring at us.

Me: "You can stay here if you want, I'll take them to the water." I said getting up. "Last one to the water is a rotten egg!" I shouted as I raced them to the water. Funny thing is, Maria beat us all.

Shario: "Cheater! You wasn't even playing!!" He complained. Trinity laughed at him as he pouted and Maria picked him up as she walked further into the water.

Trinity: "Ooh, Daddy pick me up! Pick me up!" She jumped splashing the water.

Me: "You think you can handle it?" I teased.

Trinity: "Yess!! Please!" She begged. I picked her up and walked into the water next to Maria. I spun around and caused her to giggle and cheer. "Look Shario, I'm on top of the world!"

Maria: "Nuh uhh, Shario is." She teased her as she put Shario on her shoulders.

Shario: "Yeah! I'm the King of the world!" He yelled.

Me: "That's right!" I chuckled. We all joined into the laughter and continued to play.

My kids are my pride and joy. Without them, I really wouldn't have anything to live for anymore. They fill that void of emptiness. I have anything I want and then some. I don't need anything else so therefore I can die right now with no regrets if I didn't have any children. Lucky me, I do. Mission accomplished.

Me: "Y'all had fun?" I asked as I pull into the driveway of the house. But all I got was pure silence. All of them fell asleep on the ride home and here I am stuck with the choice of waking them up or keep driving until they do. My decision was thrown out the window when I noticed Naomi was standing on my porch again, Dressed in a red fitted dress that complimented her curves. I was lost for words and didn't know where I was for a moment.

Naomi: "Oh, Hey.." she greeted me.

Me: "What are you doing here?" I asked.

Naomi: "Um, De'Maria invited me over for dinner tonight.." she replied.

Me: "Looks like to me you were dressed for a date." I pointed out. She laughed nervously and sucked her teeth.

Naomi: "You caught me." She shrugged. "He got caught by his girlfriend while we were at the gas station down the road."

Me: "And you came here because?"

Naomi: "She made me walk home. My phones dead, so I decided to walk here in hopes to charge my phone."

Me: "Or, a ride home?" I asked.

Naomi: "Please?" She begged.

Me: "I got you, Here." I handed her the key to the house as I walked back to the car to carry the twins inside and lay them on the couch.

Maria: "Coach?" She asked as she walked into the house. "What are you doing here?" Naomi looked at me with shameful eyes and I knew she didn't wanna disappoint Maria.

Me: "I invited her over for dinner." I lied.

Maria: "Man this day just can't get any better." She smiled. "I'll go get ready." She ran upstairs.

Naomi: "Thank you for saving me." She thank me.

Me: "No problem, I hope you're hungry." I chuckled.

Naomi: "We didn't even make it to dinner." She mumbled.

Me: "Then tonight is your lucky night." I smiled.

Naomi: "Is it?" She asked as she looked at me.

Me: "You tell me." I licked my lips and smirked.