Spiraling

Zach pov

"Oh shit, this is so good"

"Mmm I know right"

"Give me some more of that"

"Anything for you"

"I feel so much better"

"I told you I know how to make you feel better"

"I really appreciate you" I said seriously.
"I'm just trying to repay the favor"
We were sitting in Baskin Robbin eating some bomb ass ice cream.

We first went to an arcade actually, as childish as it sounds. We played a lot of games including dance revolution.

"So what's up? why you been so down lately?"

I sighed "just having some issues, nothing I can't solve"

"Hmm is it about Nichelle? I haven't seen her around so I'm assuming"

"She's been working that's why" she nodded "I understand. She is a famous singer and in high demand"

"I bet you miss her, is that what it is?" I didn't like sharing my marital business with staff but I guess because I've been there for her it'll be unfair if I shut her out completely.

"I do, all the time" I chuckle lightly. She gave me a sad smile before resting her hand on mines.

"It's gonna get better soon."

"And know that you're not alone, you've got me" she said making me nod in response.

"I could help with Amira or something or if you need to vent I'll be here. If you wanna hang out any time, I'm here"

"Thanks but I don't want you to get the wrong idea-"

"As friends or acquaintances nothing like that.. I just want you to know you got me like you and your father had my back" I nodded and moved my hand from under her to my lap.

I just remembered that ima need to get a new phone.

"We should probably get going I gotta pick up Amira from Chantel's house" we both got up and she gathered her things.

As we were heading out the door I met face to face with my mini me.

"Daddyyyy!"
She was happy to see me but Chantel? Ooff she was no where near happy.

And before I could say anything she already open her mouth to say something smart.

"Does your wife know you out here eating ice cream with another woman?"

She didn't even wait for Amira or Vanessa to be out of hearing range.

Chantel POV

"Chantel this is my assistant Vanessa" he said smiling forcefully. Like that was suppose to mean something to me?

I wasn't moved though "oh good to know, so do you take all of your assistants to get ice cream at night?" I popped one eyebrow and folded my arms.

Because what can he say to justify what's happening right now? Oh, Nichelle bout to be pissed.

"Vanessa can you give us a minute?" he pulled out his card and gave it to her. "Buy her anything she wants"

"Oh yay!" Amira ran inside with Valkyrie behind her.

"Chantel what the hell is wrong with you?"  Excuse me? The nerve.. the audacity.. the unmitigated gall of this black man.

"No, the real question is what the hell is wrong with you!" I looked past him to look at her again.

"You gave her your blazer?"

"She said she was cold, what was I suppose to do?"
I gave him a duh look "let the bitch freeze"

"Why you fussing? she's just my assistant"

"I'm fussing because of how this looks in the public eye but also to Nichelle if this gets on the news"

"It won't and even if it does Nichelle knows she's my assistant"

I shook my head "you don't have nothing going on with this girl?"

"No! Nothing!" He yelled at me like I was crazy.

"So why are you here with this.. girl .. at this hour of the night?"

"I love Nichelle and I always will. We had an argument over the phone at the Christmas party. I caused a scene and my assistant got me out of there. Nichelle doing me dirty right now"
I looked at him confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Bro she not coming home until next year" damn that means she wasn't gonna join the family gift giving on Christmas.

Poor Amira. She misses her mother a lot too.

"Damn" was all I could think to say.

"I can't take this anymore Chantel" I could see the tears forming in his eyes.

"She doesn't come home for months and then stays a weekend to a week and she's gone again. I miss my wife and even though I've expressed that to her, she don't give a damn about how I feel all she care about is her work"

I rubbed his arm for comfort. "I'm sorry"

"Amira misses her so bad, and even though she knows that Amira misses her it's not enough for her to bring her ass home"

"I'm starting to think she don't love me like she used to" I shook my head "never"

"You're the love of her life, I think she's scared because something about being home triggers the memory of X" he looked at me before wiping a tear from his face.

He nodded "I get that but she should've come to me if that was the case"

"I miss everything about us"

I let the silence sink in "I'll talk some sense into her" I offered.
He nodded "thank you"

"Good thing you were in the area, I smashed my phone so I had no way of contacting you"

"How'd you break it" he scratched the back of his head. "I got so mad at Nichelle I threw my phone and it broke"

I shook my head, the Anderson family got some real anger issues.

"Daddy! Look what I got" this little girl had a sugar problem.
Good thing her dad here, he can take it from here because by the looks of that Ice cream she will not be sleeping any time soon.

"And you better get that heifer an uber" she said lowly and all I could do was chuckle. Once I saw how serious she was I start looking up the address on uber to send her home.

****

Weeks went by and the time was coming down closer to the start of the new year.

I got my new phone and I gave it to Nichelle but my messages weren't going through at first. I learned that she equally had broken her phone after.

I was still very mad at her so whenever we called I put Amira on so they two can catch up.

I was done listening to Nichelle's false promises. Until she showed me something.

Upset because the days are nearing down and Nichelle was still not here. I spent my nights at the bar.

I'd given my father all the time he needed with Amira.

I drove over to my father's house to pick up Amira.

"Son, what the hell?" He looked me up and down.

"You are in no condition to drive home, stay here tonight." I shook my head.

"Nah pops I'm good"

"You're not driving home with Amira in this state. Get upstairs to your room and find the bathroom"  he said upset. Sober or drunk I knew that meant I had no choice.

"You smell like whiskey" he mugged me before walking away.

I did as told and found my room. I undid my tie and undressed myself and got into the bathroom.

I couldn't help but feel strong emotions overwhelm me.

Nichelle really was putting her job before us.

I was growing tired of this and I need my space but it hurt so bad.

If she isn't home by January 1, I am out of that house.

Once I finished showered I put on some sweats and sat on the bed,  collecting my emotions before going to find Amira.

As if Amira read my thought she came walking through my door.

"Dadddyyy" she yelled and ran into my arms.
I gave her a tired smile.

She pulled back and looked at my face and frowned. "You okay daddy?" I nodded but she wasn't convinced "daddy's just fine" I gave her my forced my smile.

"Is it because of mommy?" Not knowing what to say.

"I miss her too" I didn't even realize but tears were slipping through my eyes.

She wiped them and gave me a hug "she'll be back soon daddy" she said rubbing my back.

This is the same thing I did with her that she's doing with me.

"Aww y'all hugging without me?" Vanessa said pouting, when she'd fully seen my face, she frowned and got serious.

"My daddy's sad, this hug is only daddy and daughter hugs"

"Only my hugs make him feel better, right daddy?" She smiled up at me.

I chuckle lightly "only yours baby"

"And mommy's"

"And mommy's" I agreed.

"Aww dang"

"But you can hug him now he's feeling a whole  lot better now"

"No it's okay, I was just playing"

Amira being persistent "my daddy isn't scary I promise"

"Amira, no it's okay daddy feels better"

"Yea but now she's sad"

"So you hug her" I suggested "your hugs have superpowers" she smiled big and ran to hug her.

"Oh thank you princess"

All of a sudden lightening and thunder started going off outside startling both Amira and Vanessa. They both ran into me.

Scaredy cats. "It's okay nothing will happen to you"

Vanessa realizing she was cowering in my arms pulled away quickly.

"Sorry"
I nodded and coughed uncomfortably "it's okay"

"I should probably get to bed now" she said hesitantly before the thunder rolled again paralyzing her in fear as she stood in one place.

Shaking my head. This is the perfect weather to fall asleep.

"Cmon Vanessa, you guys can stay until it's over" they both got in the bed and hid under the covers. Shaking my head. I'll just sleep on the couch.

I don't know when it was but we all fell asleep and I was being shaken awake. "Zach" my eyes fluttered open.

A scared Vanessa stared me in the face "I can't sleep"

"The thunder is too loud" I sighed and made room on the couch. Man she was annoying me. I was dead tired, even Amira was asleep.

"C'mon" I sat up giving her space to sit next to me.

Engaging in small conversation hoping it will distract her and hopefully talk herself to sleep.

"Did you ever find out the gender?"
She smiled and look down her stomach before rubbing it. I hadn't notice that bump was more visible now.

She looked up at me.
"It's a girl" I smiled. It's a blessing to have a baby but girls are extra special.

"You have any names in my mind?"

"I was thinking about Lily" feeling drowsy I nodded.

"I like the sound of that"

"Lily"

Nichelle POV

Earlier that day...

"I'm not doing the next 3 shows" I barged in saying.

My manager sighed before dropping whatever she was reading. "For what reason?"

"My husband feels like I'm not spending enough time at home, so I need to go home"

"So tell him you'll be home after new years, stop wasting my time" I rolled my eyes.

"He wants me home before then" I stood my ground.

She gritted her teeth but I don't care, my marriage is at stake and I want to be home with my baby and my other baby.

"Nichelle, you have a contract with us with specific instructions and requirements"

"I know and yet I've done more than I was asked, exceeded the numbers and success rate of everything I've ever done. I deserve some slack"

"Nichelle, you're going to do these shows whether you like it or not"

"What part of my marriage is hanging on by a thread do you not understand?"

"I'm not doing it" she stood up frustrated.

"You don't want to get into it with me Nichelle, I know some superiors that will sit your ass down"

"I know some people too" just then my back up walked in.

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Avery.

Two men, I didn't know had so much power and connections.

I seen her face turn into that of shock before getting angry again.

I won!

I'm going to see my baby and fix my marriage.
Hold on baby I'm coming home.