She took her up off the floor.

"I'm going to make you some tea" Samantha said heading towards the kitchen.

"Is it something you ate?" She asked.

"I don't knowwwwww" she groaled.

"You look and sound very sick, I'm concerned"

Ella was running to vomit every second in the bathroom while Samantha is torn between preparing the tea and patting her back.

"Girl where's Shane in all this?"

*Coughs* "He" *coughs* "has work"

Samantha took a deep breath in and out.
She rushed back to the kitchen.

"Here's the tea I made you"
Ella took only a sip and gave it back.

"I think I'm pregnant but I'm not sure as yet"

"Well do you know anywhere that sells that kinda stuff here" She asked.

"Yeah, the pharmacy"

The two got ready then drove to the pharmacy that was about a good distance from where Ella lived. She stepped out feeling a little better from how she was in the house.

"Maybe all you need was that sun" Samantha said while giggling.

They entered the store to purchase it.

"May I have a pregnancy test please?!" Samantha asked.

One particular old man turned around and spotted them conversing with the pharmacist. He was moving closer towards them, squinting his eyes, attempting to move closer he tripped and fell taking down with him the whole snack aisle.

The two ladies looked around and clutched their purse. The security helped him up.

"Ella?" He called.

Ella made a sharp turn to his direction.

"Dad?" She replied.

"Never thought I'd see you here....you live here now?"

"Yes, actually I do, if you were in my life then you would kn-"
Samantha elbowed her and pulled her arm and brought her to the side while she smiled and made eye contact with the dad.

"Ella....I know he hasn't been dad of the year but come on....atleast try extending the olive branch, be the bigger person, you need him as much as he needs you" She encouraged.

Ella rolled her eyes.

"Invite him to the book fest"

"Noo, that's a reach Sam"

"As if being with Shane wasn't a whole stretch; workout"

She stood there looking at Samantha until she signal her to go to him.

He smiled as she was a walking towards him.

"Look i- i- messed up alright but I do think we need to talk"

"Wanna prove to me that you actually wanna be there for me? And talk and listen, you know starting over, this time being  a father?" She asked.

"Yes, I really want to"

"Come to my book fest" She said handing him a card. "This is my number, the date/time and the venue" she added.

"Ok I'll be there"

"See you there"

"Umm sir, these still needs to be taken up, just saying" one customer said.

Samantha and Ella walked out.

"Seee told you, all it took was proper communication" she said.

Ella cracked a lil smile holding up the test.

"Now I gotta take this test"

                        ******

Ella went back to the house by herself because Samantha had to prepare for the book fest the next day.

She rushed to the bathroom to take the test. The results show that she was positive.

She had mixed feelings about it because she was happy to have a baby but Shane wouldn't, especially from the exchange they had last night, she was going to keep it a secret for a while but at some point in time she knew she had to tell him.

Speaking of Shane, he walked in.

"Babe....." He said walking over to kiss her.

"What are those?" She asked.

"Some money I took from the bank"

She looked at him with a shock.

He laughed "Chill, I withdrew some money from my account"

She sat down and started writing.

"Giving me the cold shoulder huh?" He asked.

"Noo, I'm trying to write for the book fest Samantha invited me too"

"When is that?" He asked while lighting his cigarette, pulling his seat close to her, with his eyes now fixed on her.

"Tomorrow.....I really want you to be there" She said.

"Aii" He replied.

She looked up at him.

"You're being forreal?"

"Yeah, I'll be there" He said while massaging her shoulders.

"Mmmm" she moaned.

"I'm ready to fuck you again" He whispered in her ears.

She pushed him off.

"Maybe not tonight, busy writing" she said while pointing to the book.

"Ok" He replied then kissing her neck.

                     *******
It's the day of the book fest.

Samantha seemed more excited than Ella as she made sure she called her to remind her firstly that today is the day and that she's excited to hear what the book will be about, meanwhile Ella was anxious.

Shane was leaving out.

"Where are you going?"

"Running some errands baby, I'll be there don't worry" He responded while walking out.

                *****
It was getting close to the time, Shane was not home as yet so Ella had to call Samantha to come pick her up.

Arriving at the event, Ella was mezmorize with the decorations, the vintage theme and the massive crowd that showed up, though she was a bit nervous. She was looking around for her dad.

"I'm not seeing my dad" she said

"Don't worry he'll be here" She replied rubbing her shoulders.

Fast forward, everyone was reading either a book they wrote or their favorite book.

*the audience clapped*

"So who's next?...."

Ella raised her hand.

The place was silent as she took the stage, her hands were shaking.

"Sooo this is a book written by me...it's called Think like a boss"

She began reading, the book was so good that it silenced everything and everyone around her, capturing everyone's attention.

"The end...this book has been very inspiring to me, as you can tell...its about a  woman who wants to pursue a writing career but doesn't know if she should because it might be too late"

The audience clapped for her, making whistles with their mouth.

"Yessss that's my friend!!!!" Samantha yelled pointing her out to the persons around her.

Ella was elated, she spotted the man who she met at the restaurant and he was looking right back at her, smiling and clapping.

She smiled then turned her head the  opposite direction and realized Shane had just arrived, she was upset that he didn't get to hear her book but she was even more upset that her father didnt show up at all.
Her eyes made four with the man again as he was indicating they should talk, meanwhile Shane picked up at the signals.
"I'm so proud of you" Samantha said then hugged her. "I think Ms. Gretchen love your book, I want you two to really meet"

Shane walked over to them.

"Shane you're early" Samantha said.

He chuckled while stretching his hands to Ella while she held on to it.
He whispered to her.

"We need to leave now" He said.

"Why?"

"Cause we just do"

"Is there a problem?" Samantha asked.

"No but me and Ella bouta leave" He answered.

"What?!! No Ella can stay with me, I'll drop her home"

"No that's ok, we have somewhere to be...right?"

Ella was hesitant but she responded "Ye we do"

They walked off.

Same time, the man approached Samantha.

"Where's Ella?"

"Apparently she has somewhere to be...hold on a sec tho"

Ella and Shane was heading to the car when Ella murmured "You showed up late just to determine when I leave, real wack of you"

He pulled her and squeezed her hand.

"Ouch!!"

"Don't let me embarrass you infront of these people, you know better"

"Ayee!!! Let her go!" Samantha yelled.

"What's your problem?" Shane asked.

"I saw you man handling her what's that about?"

"I was about to fall and he caught me before I did so....I'm fine"

Samantha gave her a plastic smile.

"Call me" She ended then walked off.

"What's her issue" He said under his breath.

Stay tuned

Remember to vote and comment!!!!