C H A P T E R
T H I R T Y

        Waking up to the sound of laughter, Cali yawned as she slowly opened her eyes and stretched. Looking over at Ahmad and Marquette who was playing patty cake together, she smiled then laid her head back down on the pillow. But once her mind started processing what she just saw, her head snapped back up as she stared at Ahmad again blinking a few times.

Tears swelled up in her eyes as she lunged forward hugging him tightly, "Oh my gosh baby! You're awake." She cried into his neck as he chuckled rubbing her back. "Don't scare me like this ever again," Pulling back she examined his face feeling all over it making sure she wasn't dreaming, or if the lord was playing tricks on her.

But he indeed was awake, her baby was back.

Laughing he grabbed her hands, "I'm really awake Cal," Wiping her tears with his thumb, she pressed her lips against his pecking them over and over. Telling him how much she loved him inbetween pecks. Ahmad could only smile at her reaction, even though he was in alot of pain just seeing her and his baby boy eased it a little. Cali couldn't stop crying or holding onto him as if this was going to be her last time seeing him and that made him feel even better.

But really she just felt relieved that he was okay, all those doubts and worries were gone and her emotions were flowing cause for a second she believed she actually lost him.

Marquette became worried about his mama because he knew whenever he cried it was because he was hurting or sad and he didn't want his mama to feel the way he feels some times. So he did what she does to him when he's feeling sad which was comfort him. Laying his head on top of hers, he wrapped his small arm over her back rubbing it gently as she did with him. "Why you cry mama?" He asked softly only to earn a chuckle from Cali and Ahmad.

They loved how he was when it came to them, he was so young bur very aware of the surroundings around him. Ahmad noticed because at times Marquette could be very wild and rough but since he woke up this morning, he's been gentle with Ahmad as if he knew something was wrong with him.

Sitting up she wiped her eyes, laughing a bit. "Cause I'm happy baby, these are tears of joy." She explained as she calmed herself down. "I'm okay, I'm not sad." She reasurred touching his cheek causing him to smile.

Once Marquette saw that she was for sure okay, he laid his head on Ahmad's bare chest letting the sound of his heart beat consume his ears which soon caused him to drift off to sleep. Cali laughed at how fast he could fall asleep, but she knew he was just like her when it came to sleep, he loved it so it was never hard to put him to bed. Plus sleeping on Ahmad was something he started to love doing, he felt secure and safe in his arms.

"How long have you been awake?" Cali asked standing to her feet to fix the tights she wore.

"I woke up sometime last night while you and him were sleep." She nodded just shaking her head as she couldn't stop smiling. She was beyond blessed to see him up when just yesterday he was barely making any movements.

Ahmad stared at Cali loving the glow she had to her and he knew the only thing that could be causing her to glow the way she was at the moment was because of his seed she was carrying. Eyeing her body, he started to notice her hips were spreading and her breast were getting fuller, biting his lip he knew had to control the dirty thoughts that always came when he was around her. Glancing down at her little baby bump that could be seen through the shirt she wore if you looked close enough, he placed his hands over it and smiled as well as he could since his jaw was broken.

Tears swelled up in his eyes, as he just pictured their future of them having kids, the marriage everything. He knew Cali was the love of his life and only wanted her to be the one who carried his babies and to take his last name.

He made a plan, that after he healed up and went to through hus trial to get the final verdict, he was going to propose to her. She had shown him time after time that she was wifey material, she played her role well and she deserved the title of being his wife and he was going to give her that, he didn't care that they only been knowing eachother for a year and some months, in those months a lot happened and she stuck by his side through it all.

Most women would run once they got exposed to Ahmad's issues but Cali didn't run, she stayed, helped him grow and helped him achieve his goal to be happy for once and he couldn't thank her enough for that. "Does the doctor know you're awake or your family?"

"The doctors yes, family no."

"Do you want me to call them?"

He shook his head no, "I wanna spend a little time with you and my two babies for a while." Moving over being sure not to hurt himself or wake Marquette he motioned for her to get in next to him.

Slipping her shoes off, she got in the bed under the covers and snuggled up to him as he wrapped both his arms around the two people who always made his heart skip beats. "I missed you, I missed this honestly." She admitted as she rubbed circles around his stomach with her finger.

"I missed you too, I swear I did.. I honestly thought I was gon' die in there." He mumbled. "But I guess God wasn't ready to call ya boy home just yet, plus its alot I need and want to do before I go anyways."

"Like what?"

"Go see my sister finally.. I need to come to terms that she isn't returning no matter how many times I pray she does .. I thought about her and you guys a lot in jail, and its time for me to say goodbye .. I know if she's watching me upstairs she probably mad I ain't attend her funeral, hell I'm mad at myself."

Kissing his chest, she looked up at him. "You know I'll be there if you want me too."

"I'ma need you there .. but I know once I let go of that .. I'll officially be good mentally cause I've let go of everything else so far, so this is the last hump.. then I can officially be the man you always seen in me deep down."

"You already accomplished being the man I always dreamed of having. You love me, you love my son, you make me happy and I'm extrememly proud of you, its like I'm looking at a whole new person. Words can't even express how I feel towards you .. I just know its a love so deep that it makes me cry just to think about it."

"I knew the day I met you it was a for reason, didn't think me grabbing you a box of fish fry would blossom into this but I don't regret it and I feel I met you at the perfect time because I was in the process of wanting to change, anytime before I was just looking for someone to bust a nut on and go bout my business, and you don't deserve that."

Cali just smiled as things got quiet between the two until she remembered some good news she wanted to share. "We find out the gender next month, your trial should be over and you should be out by then ..you excited?"

"Of course, you think I'll be a good father though?"

"Yes, Marquette loves you deeply and you're really good with him .. I can only imagine how you're gonna be with our child."

He smiled. "Marquette our child too, I claimed him already but at the end of the day we both know both kids gon' end up liking me more anyways, so get ready baby."

Hitting his arm, she laughed. "Whatever, I really want another boy,"

"Nah, I want a baby girl .. need me a black princess to spoil.. plus she'll soften my mean ass up, just like how you're my weakness I'll go stupid behind you just like I will for Marquette and baby girl in your belly.."

"You really sticking to this baby girl bullshit? Let's bet some money on this to make it interesting." She cheesed.

Rolling his eyes playfully, he rubbed Marquette's back while he still slept peacefully. "How much?"

"Two-hundred dollars,"

"Easy win but alright bet little mama."

Sitting up, she smiled. "Seal it with a kiss so I know its real."

"You just wanna kiss me .. admit it." He teased as he pecked her lips a few times. "Maybe I did, but I mean they my lips so if I want kisses .. I can get them whenever I want right?"

"You right, you right but um is yo other lips tryna get kissed too cause you know my lips a little dry at the moment and I'ma kinda thirsty.." Covering his mouth she laughed hitting him. "You will not speak nasty around my baby who is sleep on your chest."

"What I say about that my shit Cal, he mine now too especially since Reggie wanna take off like a little bitch .. I'm stepping up .. fuck a step-daddy, I'm just his daddy."

"You our daddy?"

"Yep, and don't you ever forget it."

Smirking, she snuggled up against him. "Trust me, I won't."

"Have you told my folks about the baby?"

"No, I told Alisha, Anaya and Chris .. I felt you needed to be the one to share it with your people." He smiled. "We can tell them today when they come."

The rest of the time until about noon they spent that time talking and just enjoying each other since it had been a minute since the two have been in each others arms. The conversation had to be cut short when Ahmad's mouth started hurting so they gave him some pain meds which eventually put him to sleep.

So Cali took that time to spread the news about him being awake, and everyone was beyond happy and grateful and wasted no time getting up there.

Marcus busted through the door, singing My Nigga by YG, causing everyone to laugh including Ahmad who was now awake. "My Nigga, my nigga," Slapping hands they did their brotherly hug and handshake as everyone watched in awe. "Missed you boy, thought yo bitch ass was tryna dip out onna nigga."

"Nah fam, never that and call me a punk ass again .. that's gon' be yo life." Everyone erupted in laughter happy to see that Ahmad hadn't changed and looked good. "You heard that?"

Ahmad nodded, "Heard everything, better be glad I couldn't wake my ass up."

"Ugly ass stay talking shit and can barely even talk." Looking towards the door he saw Shaun making his way inside with Alisha behind him. "Where they do that at?" He joked.

"Shaun don't do my baby okay? Ion play bout that one." Cali joked while she fixed herself a plate of pizza she ordered from Pizza Hut.

"That's right better let his ass know how we rocking."

"Ion play bout that one." Shaun mocked only to recieve a hit on the arm from Alisha. "Man chill, but forreal man how you feeling? Thought yo ass was dead, almost made a nigga cry."

"But you did-" Covering her mouth, he sat down in one of the chairs. "Anyways, when can you live this bitch?"

"After my trial so I'm basically free until we get the final say so from the judge of what my consequence gon' be."

Shaun nodded as he took the plate from Alisha then adjusted himself in the seat so she could sit on his lap.

Shaun, Marcus and Ahmad all shared a look but both Marcus and Shaun gave him that its a long story look, so Ahmad decided to question about it later.

After twenty minutes or so Ashley and Aaron had arrived ready to see their baby. Ashley made her way over to him hugging him as tight as she could without hurting him. "You love giving me heart attacks don't you?" She asked with a smile on her face kissing his forehead.

"I'm sorry mama, I know you old and can't handle these type of situations like you could before." He joked.

Hitting his arm, she rolled her eyes. "I am not old and for me to be fifty-nine .. I look damn good. Don't I baby?" She asked Aaron who was in the middle of taking Marquette away from Cali.

"Yes baby, you look amazing .. well we look amazing." He smiled. "How you feeling son?"

"I feel alright, happy to be out the cell most importantly." Everybody nodded. "But overall happy to see you guys, I missed y'all."

"We missed you too," They all said.

"Your lawyer will be up here tomorrow to discuss what is all going to happen and Detective Spencer came last week while you were in a coma, he had some questions to ask about this whole jail incident so I'll give him a call so you guys can talk." Ashley explained and he nodded taking a sip of his apple juice.

"Fingers crossed for some good news lord." Marcus mumbled.

"I have faith everything will work out." Ashley smiled walking over to sit beside Aaron and Marquette.

"Ma' and pops .. I gotta question."

Turning their attention away from Marquette, they nodded. "What?"

Grabbing Cali's hand, they smiled. "How would y'all feel about being grandparents?"

"We already claim Marquette as our grandchild so what are you saying?" Aaron spoke up in a duh tone. "Hush up Aaron, I think what Ahmad is saying is that him and Cali are expecting.. are you two expecting?"

They both nodded, "Oh my gosh." Walking over towards her, she placed her hand on her belly. "Aaron come feel her belly she's indeed with child."

Standing up he reached over and touched her belly. "Yeah she pregnant." He mumbled.

"This is so exciting! Oh child get off your feet sit down." Ashley made Marcus get up then moved the chair beside Ahmad's bed. "Sit,"

Cali laughed taking a seat, "Okay, we need to start planning the baby shower .. fuck.. Aaron we have to go baby shopping tomorrow. I've been waiting on this moment forever," She cheesed grabbing her phone to make a phone call to her sister about the pregnancy.

Aaron shook his head, "Congrats son."

"Yeah congrats man, happy for you." Shaun spoke up.

"I knew already," Marcus mumbled. "But congrats nigga, you gon' be a great father."

"Preciate it y'all, and how did you know?"

"Anaya big mouth ass told me."

Alisha scoffed. "Of course she did."

Tapping her thigh, Shaun gave her a look telling her to chill. "Yeah well ya boy finally finna be a daddy, I'm nervous on the cool though."

"Nothing to be nervous about, you got this. I was nervous when ya mama told me she was pregnant with Amir big head ass but those nerves go away soon as the baby is here cause reality kicks in and you gotta man up."

Ahmad nodded, "I hear you."

The sound of the door opening caught everybody's attention. Chris came walking causing a smile to form on Ahmad's face immediately. "Look atcha boy, looking all busted up." Chris said walking over to slap hands.

"You got jokes, but what up man? How you been?"

He shrugged. "I been good, real question is how you been?"

"I'm good now, how long you been knowing about me and Cali?"

He laughed. "Not long, little man stayed talking about you though but I just always thought he was referring to a kid until Cali showed me this picture he always carried around with him and it was yo swole neck ass."

"Damn that's crazy and we stayed telling each other about her but not once mentioned her name."

"Right, I just would've never thought you'd be dating my sister just shows how small this world really is."

"Yeah forreal."

Cali smiled watching them talk. "So I guess this means we don't have to go through the whole big brother test the boyfriend phase right?" Cali asked.

"Of course, like Cali if you could have heard the way this nigga talked about you .. you literally want a guy like him." He admitted.

"That was personal information nigga," Ahmad mumbled.

"My fault, but let me get some of this pizza real quick .."

After he got his plate, he sat down and they all made small talk over nothing. When Anaya arrived, Alisha and Shaun bounced while the others stayed behind.

"So what's up with you and Alisha?" Marcus asked.

Anaya shrugged, "Nothing."

"Girl.." Cali cut her eyes at her. "Tell the truth."

Anaya sighed. "We got into a little argument and now we're not speaking .. I tried apologizing but she's not trying to hear me out."

"Give her time, her feelings are hurt .. she'll come back around eventually." Cali told her as left kisses down the side of Ahmad's face whispering freaky shit in his ear.

"You think she would ever be done with me for good?"

Cali shrugged, "Depends, do you really agree with what your mother said about Alisha?"

"No,"

"Okay then, just give her the space she needs .. you guys are sisters she can't ignore you forever just don't fuck up again."

Anaya nodded as she leaned back against Marcus. The rest of the evening they all talked about the baby that was on the way, doubts and worries just catching Ahmad up.

They didn't mention the shop cause they wanted him to be surprised and show him the end result of it all. When visitiation hours were over everybody left taking Marquette with them to leave Cali and Ahmad alone for some alone time.

Straddling his lap she rubbed healing cream over a scar he had on his face while he used his hands to massage her breast in his hands. "They really fucked you up, do you know who did this?"

He nodded, "Yeah this officer named Officer Langston used to fuck with me saying slick shit to me and other inmates then one day he sent another guard to come get me and it was like five of em beating my ass with batons and shit."

She bit her lip as her eyes began to burn. "You didn't deserve that babe."

Rubbing his hands over her belly, he sighed. "I know but I'm good now and that's all that matters."

"I know but still .. you're a good person baby and this was something a rapist or some shit deserved not you." She cried.

Sitting up the best he could, he wiped her eyes. "Stop crying mama, please." He said feeling himself getting emotional at the sight of her breaking down.

Leaning forward she hugged him crying into his neck, tears fell from both of their eyes as they cried in the hospital bed together.

Cali was simply tired of him suffering, she hoped like hell this was the last heart ache, staying that position for awhile they just held each other bonding and connecting on a whole new level as their love for one another grew.

         Alisha pulled up to Damion's house shutting her car off. Getting out the car she sighed rubbing her hands together nervously.

Walking up to his front door she pressed the door bell then took a step back as she waited for him to answer. When she heard the locks turn she was met with a woman who was dressed in one of his t-shirts and bottomless. "Um can I help you?" The girl asked.

When Alisha went to speak she saw Damion making his way towards the door in nothing but boxers. "Who at the door baby?" He called out but stopped dead in his tracks when he seen Alisha.

"Never mind, I'm at the wrong house." Walking off towards her car, she had to thank the lord that she chose to follow her heart cause once again she was about to be played.

Looking back she saw Damion coming towards her. "Alisha let me explain baby, please." Grabbing her arm, Alisha snatched away.

Playing the hurt role, she slapped him. "Fuck you,"

Getting inside her car, she started it up as he banged on her window yelling for her to stop. Watching her pull out of his driveway he nodded.

"If she think what we had is over .. she got another thing coming." He mumbled to himself as he stormed back into his home.

-

Thanks for the love & support
- Denise 💕