C H A P T E R
T H I R T Y - F O U R

          After dropping Shanice off at home, Ahmad decided to crash at him and Cali's place since it was closer to Amir and Justin apartment. Dropping his keys on the counter, Ahmad tiredly yawned as he made his way towards their bedroom where he saw their light was on so he knew Cali was up.

He wasn't sure what time it was since his phone had died hours ago, but he knew it was stupid late and he knew she was probably upset.

Pushing the door open to their room he saw Cali was sitting up in their bed with her arms folded and a slight mug on her face as she stared directly at him, before glancing over at the clock on their nightstand. "It's almost four in the damn morning, I assumed you just weren't coming by but by the looks of it .. you and your friend must've had a really good night." She scoffed followed by a laugh.

"The plan was to really just go out to eat and to the movies, but she ain't wanna go home and to be honest neither did I." He shrugged.

Cali laughed, "Oh so now you finally admit that this friend is a female, who is she Ahmad? And why haven't I heard about this girl before?"

"You have heard about her, its Justin sister Shanice."

Looking at him crazy, she got out of the bed and walked over towards him. "Justin's sister? As in the sister you almost fucked a few weeks ago? Really Ahmad? What in your right mind thinks hanging out with that bitch is cool? For one, its disrespectful as fuck and two you shouldn't be doing it! You wouldn't want me out or being around a guy that I either slept with or almost had sex with so why would you do it!?" She yelled.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you, I knew you would assume it was more going on when it's not." He argued back.

"I was there at the restaurant, I saw you two smiling and laughing in each other's faces. You aren't even funny so I knew that shit had to be forced." She scoffed.

"Okay and if you was there then you saw with your own two fucking eyes that nothing is going on between us. So why is you tripping?" He questioned.

"I have every right to feel a certain way since you couldn't be honest about the shit from jump, we're trying to work on our marriage and hanging out with bitches that you almost accidently fucked ain't the way to go. You said you was willing to work things out, but if you seeing other people on the side is your plan as well then count me out." Walking towards him, she grabbed his hands. "I mean come on Ahmad, what if the roles were reversed?"

Rolling his eyes, he stepped back and began removing his shirt. "But they were, you had Reggie all in my face, in my house, around my family, around my niggas and was all around you alone at times and the whole time you knew you two fucked! I trusted you with everything man, and you wanna talk about disrespect, nah what's disrespectful is you allowing yourself to fuck that nigga and have his ass in my face for months. We kissed, but I ain't fuck her and I don't plan too because I couldn't do that to you no matter how bad you hurt me and fuck is talking about seeing other people? We friends and that's it, you making up shit now."

Letting out a sigh, Cali began pacing the floor. "Despite what I did Ahmad, two wrongs don't make a right. You guys had a weak moment and another weak moment could come and you might not be able to stop yourself from actually going further. So I feel you two really shouldn't be hanging out and you need to dead that friendship. If you really plan on fixing our marriage."

Chuckling to himself, he nodded. "Unlike you I have self-control. I know what and who I got waiting on me at home so I would never disrespect you in that way." He spat causing her to go mute.

"I know the shit I am capable of Cali, I know if I wanted Shanice I could have her but I don't. Well at least not in that way, I told you I only have eyes for you and that shit hasn't stopped and she knows that. Shanice and I are just friends cause she understands a nigga and she takes my mind off the negative shit in my life, that's it. I can't confide in you because if I keep coming to you about how much you hurt me and all that shit then we'll never grow as a couple or move on from this. She's my outlet and that's all."

"You have Marcus, Shaun and Dave, why do you need her as a friend so bad Ahmad?"

"My niggas got they own lives to focus on Cali, Marcus just had a beautiful baby girl he ain't tryna listen to me vent about my problems, he in a good space and I'm not tryna take that moment from him and same with Shaun. Him and Alisha twins could be here at any given moment and they got a wedding to plan and they're happy then it's me. Shanice going through the same shit as me and its good to talk to someone who understands exactly how you feel." He snapped.

"When I go home all I do is fucking cry and I'm tired of crying Cali, I don't go out unless I'm with the kids or work. At this point, I'm in need a friend and Shanice is that. We vent to each other and help each other during our worst days. Yeah we almost fucked up big time, but I honestly don't look at Shanice in that way because I know what I have at home waiting for me and that's you. Despite what you did, no other bitch can compare to you or even be held on the same pedestal as you babe." He expressed.

"I get that Ahmad, trust me I do. But I just can't allow this friendship to go on, you two clearly share something because you don't kiss females .. and you kissed her. Yeah nothing happened then, but something could possibly happen later and I'm not about to sit around and wait for it to happen." She shrugged.

"It ain't shit going on with us Cal and that shit don't mean nothing. Like what the fuck Cal? Do you not trust me now? I mean what is it?" He questioned. "I never gave you one fucking reason to not trust me since we been together, now you questioning everything I fucking do when I been committed. You the one who fucked what we had up. You the reason we even here at this moment!" He shouted.

Laughing to herself, she shook her head. "Yes it does and you know it does Ahmad and this doesn't have anything to do with trust, its more of a respect thing. You two crossed a line that goes beyond a friendship when you two kissed, undressed yourselves and almost had sex, so you two can't have that friend title when its clear a little feelings and sexual tension is involved so you gotta choose, its either me or her."

Looking at Cali crazy, he walked up on her. "You really tryna make me choose!?"

"Yes and it shouldn't be that hard if you're really willing to help fix our marriage. So who is it gonna be Ahmad? Cause if you remain friends with her then I'm done and we can just focus on co-parenting and go on with our lives." She stated.

Frowning, he held up his hand and pointed to his ring finger. "You see this, I still ain't took this off depsite the hurt you caused me .. but where yours at? Huh?" Looking down at her hand where ring used to be, he shook his head. "You tryna throw away our marriage over a choice when I was willing to make shit work between us even after you fucked an enemy of mine and disrespected me."

"All you have to do is choose Ahmad." She shrugged.

"I can't do that."

"You can't do what?"

"I can't choose, Cali you know I love you more than anything. You know I don't see myself with anybody else but you .. so why are you tryna make me choose between you two? Shanice hasn't done anything to disrespect our marriage, she's rooting for us just like I am rooting for her and her happiness. She needs a friend just like I do and I can't do her like that." He explained.

Cali stared at him not sure what to say, "So you're basically choosing her over our marriage?"

Smacking his teeth, he took a seat on the bed. "I'm not choosing anything over our marriage, Shanice has just became a good friend of mine and I don't wanna lose that or hurt her and plus regardless if we're friends or not she's always gonna be around due to her being related to Justin."

Smiling, she walked over towards their bedroom door and held it open. "I think you should go, clearly your mind ain't in the right place and until it is don't come around unless it's for the kids."

Staring at her in disbelief, he shook his head. "Are you serious?"

"Does it really look like I'm playing? Get out and go back to wherever that bitch is since you love hanging out with her so damn much."

Grabbing his shirt, he laughed to himself. "Ight whatever, you tripping but okay."

Leaving out Cali watched with a smug look on her face before slamming their bedroom door shut and making her way into their bathroom.

Placing her hands on the sides of the counter, a few tears fell from her eyes as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Letting out a deep sigh, she tried to calm herself down but nothing was working. Their whole situation was pissing her off and stressing her out.

She felt Ahmad was wrong in this situation and she hated how he couldn't even see how he was.

After standing there and crying for a few minutes, she eventually left out the bathroom shutting off the light to get back in bed. Flipping the covers back, she slipped inside being sure to lay on her side and sighed as she stared at the empty spot where Ahmad would be.

All the things Ahmad said in their argument kept repeating in her head causing a headache to form. After a few minutes of silence, she felt herself about to fall asleep before she abrutly shot up from a sharp pain she endured in her stomach.

Holding her belly, she winced trying to allow the pain to just pass but it didn't. Instead the pain started to get worst causing tears to build up in her eyes.

Grabbing her phone off the nightstand she went to call Ahmad, but was sent straight to voicemail. Cursing in her head, she weakly sat up ignoring the pain she was feeling and tried walking over to her closet but ended up falling over into their night stand causing the lamp to fall onto the floor.

Seconds later Ahmad barged into their room with a look of concern and when he seen Cali struggling to stand, he quickly came to her aid and helped her walk. "What's wrong baby?"

Looking up at him she shook her head, "I don't know, I'm just getting these sharp pains in my stomach." She explained as she continued to wince and cry from what she was feeling.

Helping her sit down on the bed, he walked into their closet and began grabbing their hospital bag and comfortable clothes to change into later.

Throwing everything they needed in their bag, he came walking out to see Cali hunched over crying. "Sit up baby, let me put on your shoes."

Doing as he told her, she watched him. "I-I thought you left." She muttered out.

"I wasn't going anywhere regardless, I was finna hit the couch."

Helping her stand once again she wrapped her arms securely around his waist holding onto him tightly trying to ignore the pain she kept feeling in her lower abdomen as he walked them towards the door.

They both were unsure as to what was happening, but both had a feeling deep down on what it could possibly be. They just hoped they were wrong and everything was okay.

Travis and Winter both sat at the dinner table watching as Winter's parents set it with tonight's dinner. Today the two planned on sharing the news about her unexpected pregnancy and they just prayed this went well even though they where more than positive it wouldn't.

Feeling his hands start to sweat he glanced over at Winter who held the same look of fear in her eyes and reached under the table to grab her hand. Giving her a reassuring smile she tried to return it but failed.

When her parents both left to return to the kitchen, she leaned over closer to him. "I don't think I can do this, they're gonna be so disappointed in me Travis."

"We have to do this and regardless of what happens I'm here for the support." He stated smoothly causing her to nod and sigh.

She knew the consequences that came with having sex, but she just felt it wouldn't happen to her at least not this soon. Pregnant at sixteen wasn't what she envisioned for herself and she was lowkey disappointed at the fact that she wasn't being more careful.

Her parents didn't even know she was having sex so she knew they were gonna lose their shit to hear that their youngest daughter was sitting here sixteen years old and pregnant.

She confessed to her sisters about it and they supported her whole-heartedly and even were the ones who got her the pregnancy test to confirm it.

"I'm sure you two are hungry, we made chicken sphaghetti for dinner." Her mother announced as she brought out their plates and sitting them down in front of them.

After passing out plates and drinks, both her parents took their seats blessed the food then dug in while both Winter and Travis played around with their meal not really having much of an appetite.

"So Travis, how is football coming along? The season is only a few months away and I'm already excited to come and see you play." Her dad questioned with a smile.

"Uh football is good, I'm the starting wide reciever as of now but they were considering putting me as quaterback but I'm not sure."

"Good shit, I'm proud of you. Coach Dodson knows talent when he sees it and he doesn't care how long a player has been on the team if you're better then you're just better and that person gets the shine."

Smiling, he looked over at Winter who held a smile as well. "Thank you, Coach Dodson is hard but he cool. A lot of the players don't like him, but I do."

"Most kids these days are just used to being babied and spoiled, but Coach Dodson ain't finna baby anybody. He doesn't even baby his own son, he believes in people working hard to get what they want." Winter's mom stated jumping into the conversation.

Winter's dad nodded, agreeing. "We both went to school with Chad and he's always been that person who worked ten times harder to get the results he wanted. I remember freshman year in highschool he had it set in his mind that he was gonna make both varsity basketball and football team by sophomore year. He worked out all school year, traine during the summer nonstop and sure enough by time tryouts came, he made the varsity teams and started. So I'm sure Chad saw himself in you when you tried out."

"Yeah but enough about sports, you and Travis can talk about that later. Winter baby, how is school going for you? You're pretty quiet today." Her mom questioned noticing how quiet and standoffish she was being.

Looking up from her food, she forced a smile. "Oh, I'm fine and school is good." She shrugged.

Sharing a look her parents frowned knowing that something was indeed wrong and they weren't letting it go until they found out. "You sure everything is okay baby? You know you can tell us anything." Her dad reassured.

Looking over at Travis they shared a look before both focusing their attention on her parents. "For the past two weeks, I've been trying to find the right way to tell you guys something and it has been eating me alive." She started off as she continued to not make direct eye contact.

"What is it?"

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she felt the tears swell up in her eyes before taking a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

When the words left her mouth she felt a heavy weight lift off her shoulders, but when her parents just sat their stunned and not saying anything she began to worry.

"You're what!?" Her dad asked raising his voice alittle.

"I'm pregnant, and I know you guys are upset and I'm so sorry." She pleaded.

"We're more than upset Winter, we're disappointed. You're sixteen for crying out loud, what do you even know about sex? And Travis, you weren't going to say anything?" Her dad questioned trying to wrap his mind around all of this.

"I wanted to tell you guys sooner, but we wanted to wait until the right time. I apologize for what has happened, but I assure you both that no matter what I'm going to be here for Winter and the baby." Travis stated.

"Damn right you are, do you guys even have a plan? Taking care of a baby is not easy guys and I would never wish this on anybody as young as you two are." Her mom expressed.

"The plan I had in mind was to quit sports and just focus on school and work so I could provide for the baby and Winter. My parents would turn over in their graves if I where to try and run out on my responsiblities and my brother's Ahmad and Tremaine would kill me."

Raising his hand, her dad stopped him from talking. "No, you guys are still kids at the end of the day and we will not make it harder on you guys when we are more than capable of helping. Now we will not be raising this child, but daycare expenses, food, clothes and shelter will be taken care of by us. We will only babysit if its for something school related, parties and all that other shit is dead unless you find another babysitter. You both will graduate high school, and will fulfill every dream either of you have. We will not let this baby be something that will stop an ongoing plan, the baby is only an added blessing to the family."

Feeling tears build up in her eyes, Winter stood up from her seat and walked over to her dad giving him a hug. "I really thought you guys were gonna hate me and cut me off. I'm so sorry daddy."

Giving her a hug back, he kissed the top of her head before releasing her. "Me and your dad know as teens well nah scratch that, as humans we make mistakes. We know no child or person is perfect and we never expected you or your sisters to be, we're shocked, stunned and alittle disappointed but getting mad and cutting you out of our life will not change the fact that you're pregnant or make the baby disappear. We love you and we stand by the both of you."

Giving both her parents hugs and kisses, she thanked them. Retaking her seat beside Travis they finished their dinner and continued to discuss the future, the baby and how they all had nine months to prepare and get ready for all their lives to change.

          Entering the living room where Imani sat with Normani watching Bambi II, Amelia sat the box of pizza on the floor then retook her seat.

Since the two have reconnected they have been inseparable, almost every night they hung out just simply missing the days when they used to do this in high school.

Hearing the front door open they both looked to see Twan walking in looking tired as ever from work. "Hey baby," She greeted before standing to her feet to give him a hug and a kiss.

Resting his hand on her butt, he kissed her back a little shock at her sudden affection towards him. Since she had returned they didn't kiss much, sex was out of the question and touching each other was limited.

Smiling to himself, he stared down at her. "Looks like somebody missed me today."

"I did, how was work?"

Following him into the kitchen, she hopped on the counter as he rummaged through the fridge. "Work was good, but I'm just glad to be home with my babies."

Pulling him inbetween her legs, she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. "We're glad you're home too."

Loving this attention he was getting, he kissed her and the kiss started to get a little deep but he stopped himself and pulled away. "Is everything okay with Mira? You usually ain't this affectionate and not that I'm complaining or not liking it, but it does have me wondering."

"I just really appreciate how patient you have been with me during this time and I just wanna get back to the old us. Things are so different now with me trying to adapt to being back and you working to deal with my mood swings and depressing states. I just really appreciate you and all that you do and put up with." She expressed.

"I wanna get back to the old us too but I know that's gonna take a while and I'm willing to wait. I went almost four and a half years without sex or anything, so I can do four more if I need too. So don't feel pressured into doing this because you feel I've waited long enough, do this when you're fully ready." He told her and she nodded as she let out a sigh knowing he was right.

She knew she wasn't quit ready since she still wasn't over all that happened for all those years she was gone. The sexual and mental abuse she endured affected her in the worst way and therapy was only helping so much.

"Thank you," She smiled.

Kissing her one last time, he helped her hop down off the counter as they both walked back into the living room. "I'm finna take a shower and change out of these clothes. I'll be back."

Leaving them alone, Amira retook her seat beside Imani and sighed.

Glancing over at her Imani tapped her leg, "Everything okay?"

"Yeah everything is fine, its just you know how things have been a little different since I returned. Like I'm basically not the same person as I was before I left, and you know Twan is being patient with me and is not forcing me to do anything but lately when he comes home he smells like female perfume and I know its not mine, and today when I hugged him I saw it was a hickey on his neck which I know I didn't give." She explained causing Imani's eyes to go wide in shock.

"You think he's seeing someone else?"

Nodding her head, she felt her eyes start to burn. "Yeah, he's always working late and the scent of female perfume and now the hickey is only comfirming my thoughts."

Hearing his phone buzz on the kitchen counter, she got up to grab it and take it to him but when she saw the name Christina flash across the screen.

Unlocking his phone she went straight to their messages to see that they've obviously had been deleted since the only text that could be seen was the one she just sent and what the girl sent caused her heart to shatter into a million pieces.

From Christina🥵 :

When am I gonna be able to see you again? I miss you 😩
- 9:47 pm

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Thanks for the love & support!
- Denise 💋