De'Shawn's POV:

For hours, my family stayed with me at the hospital and kept me company. There were tears and there was laughter. But after all, there was understanding. My family understood how I felt in depth and I understood what really happened when I came home. The only one's who haven't came to see me yet is Rico and Mia. I hope it stays like that too. Those two can stay where ever D is right now. How much you wanna bet he isn't at home right now? I can almost predict where he is, what he's doing, who he's doing, and when he's gonna decide to go home tonight. And, that's if he does.

Devin got me thinking today, he had me in my feelings and I don't know what it is about him that made me let it all out. He comforted me, he held me. He told me everything is alright. It's okay not to be okay and I learned that is true. Once I accepted that I was still in love with D and that's why I was so upset, I realized that it's normal to hurt because all pain has an end. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing is guaranteed. So don't expect perfection and satisfaction.

I let his words linger through my head as the day went by. I need to know my worth. I need to care for myself. I need to get my shit together before anyone else. I will never allow myself to remain weak for others to bring me down while I stand strong for someone who holding up my enemy. I need to open my eyes and keep them open, even if the truth blinds me. I can say I never let my guards down. Ignorance is bliss, and D caught me off guard with the shit he's been pulling lately and I allowed him to make me hurt myself in so many different ways.

I watch T.V. As I sit in the hospital bed alone. Everyone has gone home now and moved on with their daily lives that was interrupted by me. It's peaceful in the hospital. As long as I know that I have a place to call home for now. It's funny how life works out sometimes. Right when I started getting sleepy, my phone went off indicating that I have a text. I looked around for it and noticed that the back still had blood stains on it. A sigh escaped my lips as I reached for it by the nearby couch. Unlocking my phone, and checking the messages, I began to feel my world turn right side up. This is the best message I have ever gotten in I don't know how long.

Dre: I heard you were in the hospital. I don't know if you gone read this message on time or not but I want you to know that you will be in my prayers until you get better. I'm not sure what really happened for you to end up in there but I hope you didn't think that your beautiful ass wouldn't be missed. Get well soon ma. And if it's alright with you, I would like to get to know better. Maybe even be the first person to see you when you get out the hospital.

I blushed as I read the message over and over about 10 times. I smiled wide to myself and rubbed my arm cast that was signed by my fam. I wonder what I should say back. I wish Keisha was here so I can ask her. Maybe I should call Ari. I picked up my phone and paused. Oh, yeah. She's at work right now... I'll just leave it. Just when I was sad again, I got another text. He texted me again!! It read:

Dre: I know you read it, just so you know.

My heart began beating really fast because now I have to answer but I don't know what to say. I'll just say what's on my mind. I replied :

Me: I'm sorry, I'm really speechless right now and don't know how to respond. Thank you for your kind words. I would love to get to know you as well.

By the time I pressed send, he was already sending another text:

Dre: Do you mind if I keep you company up there?

I replied with a "No, not at all" and gave him the information to my room. I feel butterflies in my stomach because this will be my first time ever finding true interest in another man besides De'Mario. I sure hope that this doesn't back fire.

After 30 minutes of waiting, the Chocolate, 6 foot 3 tall man walked through the doors of my room. I tried to hide my excitement and attempted to fix my hair and clean up a little bit. He smiled as he walked over to the bed and sat down in the chair next to it. But, he frowned at my bruises and the patch on my wrists that covered the cuts. Not to mention my broken arm.

Dre: "How you feeling ma?" He asked.

Me: "Alive, very much so." I smiled. "Please excuse all of the-"

Dre: "Ma, don't stress on it. I won't even ask why." He shook his head. "I'm really glad you made it here."

Me: "Howcome?" I asked.

Dre: "Most women not even lucky enough to make it to the hospital to save their life. I'm glad you were." He stared at the bruises on my neck and it made me feel un easy.

Me: "Yeah well, I was hoping that I could finish the job for him." I hinted at the fact that I was really the reason I'm in the hospital.

Dre: "I know you loved him, but was it worth it?" He asked causing me to think some more. "But then again, you couldn't have been expecting that if you went back to him after five years."

Me: "Yes, I know. I've heard this all day." I tried to dismiss the subject.

Dre: "Well, have you heard you were beautiful all day?" He asked to make me smile because I knew he could tell I was getting agitated.

Me: "Yes," I blushed and looks down as I played with my fingers.

Dre: "By who?" He asked as grew closer and lifted my chin.

Me: "By you," I smiled and looked away.

Dre: "I speak nothing but truth,ma.-"

Me: "Please, just call me Dee. Or De'Shawn." My smile began to fade again.

Dre: "Why not Shawny?" He asked.

Me: "D, made that nickname up for me." I said sadly.

Dre: "Look at me," He grabbed my chin. I looked him in his deep brown eyes."He doesn't own you. He damn sure don't deserve to speak of your name if he had the audacity to hurt you like that and left bruises for the world to see. You shouldn't belong to him anymore. And by the way your finger looking, you don't belong to nobody. He had his turn to show you he was worthy of a queen. But now it's someone else's turn because he failed you. Babygirl, you're beautiful. I wish I had the chance to show you. But, don't worry because I'm gone try my best to get to know you and help you get better ma. Hurting yourself is never the way to go. Never. You hear me?" I nodded. "I got two daughters and a son, ma. I don't know what I would do if one of them decided to take their own life after they just got home. After, they were pronounce dead for 5 years. That hurts people. I'm sorry that some one was ignorant enough to push you over the edge to cause you to want to do it but suicide is the most selfish way to go. You hurt other by hurting yourself."

De'Maria's POV:

Me: "Where could he be?!" I panicked as I paced back and forth.

Tee: "Calm down, Maybe he had some work to do." He said as tried to calm me.

Me: "Then where the hell is Shawny?!" I mugged him and confusion. "This is all scaring me. What if they're both hurt? What if he killed her and is hiding out right no-"

The door opened swiftly and it startled me to see my dad walk through the door like its a normal day. His outfit was fresh and it sure was a different outfit than what he was wearing last night. I was so focused on where he was coming from and what happened that I forgot that Terrence was in the house when him and I are banned from seeing each other.

Dad: "I'm starting to believe that you don't understand English. Was the trip to the hospital not enough for ya simple ass?" He frowned as he walked towards Tee.

Me: "Where's Shawny?" I interrupted.

Dad: "Shut up, I'm talking." He pushed pass me and sized up Tee.

Me: "Dad, I bout had it with you and your disrespect." I raised my voice and glared at him as I crossed my arms. He stopped and sucked his teeth before turning in my direction.

Dad: "You mind tell me who the fuck you raising your voice at?" He asked walking closer to me.

Me: "I'm not scared of you anymore because you're pathetic!" I shouted and he drew hand back and smack the lips off my mouth. I signaled Tee to not do anything because I know he was going to. I held back my tears and cut him off before he could say anything. "You think that makes you a man? Hurting people won't make you shit but a dead beat!!" I said as tears fell from my face."I hate you, I hate you with every bone in my body because you are NOT my father anymore. I don't know who you are!" I cried as I grabbed my bags that Tee helped me pack. "Tee, let's go. The twins are sleeping upstairs." Tee and I left while my dad stood there with the saltiest face I've ever seen. Where will I go from here? I don't know. But, I can not stay under the same roof as my dad any longer.