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Comment + vote 🤍 I really just be writing for a few people at this point. Everyone else stopped fucking with this crazy ass book ☹️

Omniscient

Dess ducked as a shoe came flying past her head. All across the yard and pool there was clothes scattered everywhere. She could hear shouting but it wasn't loud enough for her to know who it was.

"Whatchu sneaking in my house for?" Hassan asked sitting on one of the pool chairs. Dess jumped out of fear and put her hand on her chest.

"Hassan what the fuck is wrong with you? Why you out here?" Dess questioned panting.

"I swear to God Hassan you're gonna get the fuck out of my house!" Naala screamed from the balcony throwing more of his stuff down.

"Cuz of that," Hassan said taking a pull from his blunt.

"What did you do?" Dess asked with a chuckle. All his clothes were swimming in the pool and he was sat down acting unbothered.

"You got me pregnant now I'm all fat and ugly, and then you're liking bitches pictures on Instagram," Naala shouted, throwing a shoe at him.

"Now why would you do that?" Dess laughed dodging the shoe. "Got my sis about burst a blood vessel,"

"Give her about 5 seconds, she's been doing this for 30 minutes now. She gon be tired soon," Hassan shrugged leaning back.

Like clockwork, Naala's shouting stopped and she was no longer throwing stuff off the balcony.

"Baby?" Hassan shouted loud enough for her to hear,

"Mmm?" Naala said softly,

"You're crying?" Hassan said nudging Dess,

"Well yeah Hassan because you made me look crazy, and now I'm upset," Naala cried sitting on the floor. "You want someone like Kim Kardashian, I don't look like her,"

"Oh lord," Dess shook her head. "I'm gonna go up there,"

"Nah wait," Hassan warned taking another pull of his blunt.

"Go and fuck her then you nasty bitch!" Naala shouted again, this time with tears running down her face. "I'm gonna stay here with your kids, on my own Hassan,"

"There we go," Hassan mumbled closing her eyes. "That baby has to be the devil Desiree cuz that's what I've been living with,"

"It's the hormones," Dess defended. "And your nonchalant attitude doesn't help,"

Naala came down the steps and out of the house, holding Hassan's phone.

"Hey Dess," Naala sighed. "Read that," She said shoving the phone into her hand.

"It says jaydacheaves started a live video," Dess read out slowly.

"Does Drew follow other women on Instagram?" Naala sniffed. "Because Hassan wants to leave me for every fucking model he sees,"

Hassan smacked his teeth and looked off, "Naala go back upstairs and don't bring her into your mess,"

"Lala I don't think he does," Dess said handing her back the phone.

"Then ask him where he was last night, because he wasn't with me," Naala said sitting down in his lap. Hassan shook his head at her, here she was shouting at him and telling him to leave but she was sitting on his lap.

"He went out with Drew I don't know where they went," Dess replied truthfully. This was all very comical to her.

"Don't touch me," Naala snapped moving Hassan's hand from her growing belly. She had made 5 months today and she was highly irritable, which explains her flux in emotions.

"We're going out," Naala said taking Dess' hand to help her up. "You want to disappear all night so can I," Naala frowned.

"It's 9am," Hassan squinted at her. "If you don't go and sit your pregnant ass in that house,"

"We're going out," Dess repeated. "Maybe it will do her some good," Dess said lowly to Hassan.

"Leave the card at home," Hassan said making Naala huff.

"What if I wanna buy something?" Naala whined,

"Dess go up there and tell me if she needs to buy anything else," Hassan nodded at Dess. Naala tutted and tried to walk away from him.

"Stop stressing my son out," Hassan said rubbing her stomach.

"We don't know if it's a boy yet," Naala mumbled leaning into him.

"Get over this little attitude," Hassan spoke firmly kissing her cheek. Naala blushed and turned her face towards him.

"Ok daddy," Naala answered making Dess laugh at the two of them.

"I don't know who's worse at this point," Dess spoke hiking her purse up her shoulder.

"What are you about to get into?" Hassan asked the both of them.

"Shopping," Naala answered standing up to her feet. "And then I'm gonna get Saint from Amir,"

"Why can't he drop him off? You don't need to be going by there," Hassan smacked his teeth, "Why do you wanna go there?"

"Can we not do this right now?" Naala said quietly due to Dess being behind them.

"Just go get my son Naala," Hassan said with attitude, "Cos you're about to piss me off," Dess watched them in silence, she had never seen them fight and it was awkward to watch.

"Okay don't start being mean Hassan," Naala frowned, "You don't have to hurt my feelings to get your point across,"

Instead of continuing to argue, Naala took Dess' arm and led her into the house.

"Let me get my purse," Naala mumbled walking up the steps as fast as she could. Dess followed her and their bedroom was a like a bomb had hit it.

"What's all this for?" Dess said pointing to all the shopping bags.

"For the baby," Naala answered walking into her closet. "I went a bit overboard,"

"A bit?" Dess commented moving around the bags. "Why are you shopping so much?"

"I'm anxious," Naala admitted. She shopped when she felt anxious and recently her anxiety had been on ten.

"About Hassan?" Dess asked inquisitively,

"About everything, Hassan, the baby, my other kids," Naala trailed off. "Also Amir has been hinting at moving away from New York, I can't let him take my babies out of the state,"

"Y'all need to reach a common ground, maybe when you see him today, talk everything through. No distractions, no arguing just talk. Y'all are parents before anything, it's becoming toxic on y'all kids," Dess preached.

"You want your girls growing up thinking this is how a man is meant to treat them?" Dess continued. "They'll only hate you, because you left,"

"I didn't leave because I wanted to," Naala replied quickly. "I couldn't take the abuse anymore,"

"But you willingly stayed for the abuse Naala," Dess said truthfully. "Look I'm an honest person and you're my friend so I'm gonna tell you how it is. You let him treat you badly but you never left, you can't blame him for everything,"

"Now that you've finally left you say it's because of the abuse but you know that's not true. It's because you have no more fight left Naala," Dess finished. "Now I'm not here to judge you, but you need to make things right,"

"How?" Naala sighed sitting on the edge of her bed. "I hear you Dess, trust me I do but Amir doesn't want us to make things right."

"Then you tell the judge," Dess shrugged. "You have the resources, you just need to learn how to use them,"

Naala thought about everything Dess had just said and she couldn't find a fault. Dess was right, she was hiding behind the idea of the abuse than the truth, she never wanted to leave him.

"Thank you," Naala breathed out. "For everything, you've really been a true friend and I don't have many of those," Naala added.

"You're a good person Naala, people have taken advantage of that but I'm not like that," Dess replied with a smile. "Plus you're my sister wife now, no getting rid of you,"

Naala broke out into a big smile and walked over to her, hugging her as tight as her stomach would let her.

"Maybe no more shopping?" Naala muttered when they pulled apart.

"I think that's a good idea," Dess laughed kicking one of the shopping bags to the side.

~~

Dave opened the door wide enough for Naala to step into the house. He was holding Mariah on his shoulder, who was half asleep.

"Her heads slipping," Naala pointed out when she was in the house. Dave cut his eyes at her and then proceeded to fix her head on his shoulder.

"Saint isn't ready to leave yet," Dave spoke looking Naala up and down. She was sporting an all in one jumpsuit, with an oversized baby blue varsity jacket. On her feet, were her baby blue Nike Dunks. She had her hair down and the ends slightly curled.

Naala looked good and Dave couldn't help but to stare at her round stomach.

"That's okay, I wanted to talk to you first," Naala said softly, "Can I sit?" She pointed to the couch.

"This was your house, you picked this couch out," Dave reminded her making Naala look around awkwardly. She didn't see this as her home, she saw it as her hell.

"I forgot how good pregnancy looked on you," Dave addressed her, shifting Mariah in his arms.

"What's her name?" Naala asked changing the subject.

"Mariah Sophia Brewster," Dave answered proudly, rubbing her head.

Naala looked away from him, she felt strange. He had used the exact same initials they decided on for Malia, those were going to be the initials they used for any children they had after her.

"Nice," Naala mumbled. "Anyway, I wanted to discuss joint custody,"

"Ain't gonna happen," Dave shut her down immediately. "I don't trust you enough for that, sorry,"

"But I've proved to you that I'm capable. I go to therapy twice a week, I stay on my meds." Naala defended herself.

"When was the last time you heard the voices?" Dave asked with a raised eyebrow. When Naala took long to answer he got exactly what he knew he would. "That's exactly why they're with me,"

"Do you enjoy seeing me in pain?" Naala questioned him calmly. "Because I feel like you can't function without seeing me hurt,"

"Here we go," Dave mumbled to himself.

"I'm a better person, I've changed." Naala said louder than before. "I don't know how much more I need to prove to you,"

"How are you gonna juggle looking after them with a new baby?" Dave responded. 

"The same way I did it when I had Phat, I've had a new baby before," Naala said with a frown as she rubbed her stomach.

"I'll think about it, I still don't trust you. Remember when you left Saint in a car on our drive?" Dave said bringing up one of Naala's previous episodes. "Or when you almost drowned Malia?"

"Those were mistakes," Naala said her eyes clouding with tears. "I would never hurt them," She said shaking her head.

"But you did, remember?" Dave taunted her. He knew exactly how to pick at her and no matter how strong Naala thought she was, mentally, she was still weak.

"You got in the bath and you took Phat with you," Dave went on to explain.

"Because she needed a bath," Naala muttered with her eyes closed. Her hands were shaking as she rubbed her thighs anxiously. "It was to make her better, to stop her crying,"

"She almost died Naala, she was 4 weeks old," Dave replied holding Mariah out to her. "She was smaller than this and you tried to kill her,"

"No I didn't do that!" Naala snapped standing up from the couch. "I didn't do that so stop it," She repeated wiping her face.

"You're not well," Dave told her. "We can all see it, the doctors can too. That's why they keep upping your meds,"

"Where's Saint? I want to leave now," Naala said clearing her throat. "Get my son, I want to go,"

"You can't even say you're well because you're not Naala," Dave continued.

"Okay I get it," Naala said softly, "I get it so please stop and get my son so we can go home,"

"Hassan isn't here to save you," Dave smirked. "If I say sit down, you're gonna sit."

"Saint!" Naala shouted. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable and was regretting trying to have an adult conversation with him.

"Malia's mommy?" Malia asked coming down the stairs.

"Come say hi to your mama," Dave said to Malia. He wanted her to shun Naala just like how Sinai and Maniya was. He wanted to show Naala that they were on his side.

"Missed you mommy," Malia sighed. "I can come with you?"

Naala bit her lip and stared blankly at Malia, with the way she was feeling, she wasn't sure.

"I don't think you can Phat," Naala whispered. "Mommy isn't feeling too good,"

"What's wrong with you?" Saint asked coming down to hug her waist. "The baby's making you sick?" He asked affectionately.

Saint always took the lead to be his mom's caregiver when his dad wasn't around, that's what Hassan had instilled in him.

"Yeah it's the baby," Naala replied. "Malia I promise I'll come back for you tomorrow okay?"

"Not tomorrow, now," Malia frowned. She couldn't understand why Saint got to go with Naala and she had to stay back.

"Malia she doesn't care about you," Dave said putting Mariah down in her bouncer. "She doesn't want you around her,"

"Amir don't say things like that," Naala said turning to him. "You know it's hard for her to understand things, don't cloud her thoughts,"

"Mommy doesn't care about Malia?" Malia repeated standing back. "No one cares about Malia?"

"No no, I care about you Malia, I do," Naala rushed out pulling her hand. "Mommy loves you so much but sometimes I love you too much and I don't want to hurt you again,"

After Dave reminded her of her episodes, Naala felt incapable of looking after her children.

"You've never hurt me," Malia said quietly. Naala lifted her up and hugged her.

"Are you sure you should be carrying her?" Dave asked genuinely,

"Don't come any closer Amir," Naala said putting her hand up. "I don't want to let you go my angel," Naala teared up.

"I want to keep you in my arms forever and never let you go but I'm not well," Naala added, her eyes connecting with Dave's. "I'm not well enough to take care of all of you,"

Naala was beginning to believe everything Dave ever said to her.

"Okay that's enough," Dave said taking Malia out of Naala's arms.

"Don't cry mommy." Saint frowned holding her hand.

"Let's go," Naala muttered to him leading him to the door.

"Love wait," Dave said reaching out to touch her which caused Naala to jump.

"Amir please I'm not in the mood to fight, I have things to do," Naala huffed holding Saint's hand tighter.

"I wanna make sure you're okay," He mumbled using the pads of his thumbs to wipe her tears away. On cue, Mariah started to wail loudly.

"Your baby needs you," Naala cleared her throat opening the front door and letting her and Saint out.

~~

"Slow down," Naala moaned holding onto the sheets tightly. Hassan leaned down and kissed her neck, picking up the pace.

"Oh my God," Naala panted as tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. "Baby I can't do it," She cried out pushing him back.

"You want me to stop?" Hassan whispered in her ear, sucking on it gently.

"No don't stop," Naala moaned wrapping her arm around his neck. "Don't stop,"

Hassan sped up his pace but then started going slowly, hitting her spot repeatedly. When her legs began to shake, Hassan sped up again making Naala squirt all over him.

"Fuck," Hassan groaned releasing himself in her. He took a breath and looked down at Naala. "Can I go now?" He said pulling out of her.

"That's why you did that?" Naala said with a frown. "So you can go and sell drugs? Really Hassan?"

"I told you I have a meeting," He spoke rubbing her thigh. Naala hated his work, she didn't think it was safe.

"I thought you were done with this," Naala commented. "You promised that when I had the baby -"

"I never promised that," Hassan interjected. "I don't wanna fight with you baby, I'll be back soon," He said leaning down to kiss her lips.

"Please be careful San," Naala spoke softly rubbing the back of his head.

"I will, sleep." Hassan ordered kissing her again. "I'll be back before you know it and then I can rub your feet just how you like it,"

"Pinky swear?" Naala half smiled with her finger out. Hassan wrapped his finger around hers and kissed her hand repeatedly.

"I love you Naala," Hassan spoke looking deep into her eyes. His words penetrating through her heart and making it swell.

"I love you too San," Naala replied returning his glare.

"My keys," He mumbled rolling over in the bed. Naala sighed and reached over to her nightstand and picked it up, handing them to him.

"Be safe, and text me when you're done," Naala said sitting up in the bed.

"I gotchu," Hassan chuckled before he got out of the bed and went to get dressed, leaving after kissing both her and Saint goodnight.

Hassan sat in his car, rolling up a blunt while he waited. He checked the time and smacked his teeth when he saw someone tapping on his window.

"Bert what I told you about touching my car?" Hassan fussed winding his window down.

"You got a dollar for me Ace?" Bert smiled his usual toothless grin.

"I ain't got a dollar for you. What you did with the money I gave you last week?" Hassan questioned as he finished rolling up his blunt.

"You know," Bert itched his neck. "How else am I gonna survive man?"

Hassan sighed and reached in his glove box and took out a 20 dollar bill. "That's all I'm giving you. Go get you something to eat,"

Hassan couldn't watch him suffer, he wasn't like that.

"Preciate it, where's that pretty little brown thang you be fucking with?" Bert said licking his lips.

"Go on 'fore I shoot your ass," Hassan laughed before winding the window up. He couldn't wait to tell Naala all about it.

"Where the fuck is this nigga?" Hassan huffed sending Drew another text to say he's outside.

Before he could press send, he heard the tugging of his car door. Unlocking the car, Drew slide in and rubbed his hands together.

"Sorry, your baby moms is crazy," Drew said blowing into his hands.

"They all are," Hassan responded. "What took you so long?"

"I'm guessing Naala got into Desiree's head cuz she don't believe that we're always together." Drew replied.

"Man Naala's hormonal ass don't believe nothing," Hassan answered. "I had to promise to rub her nasty ass feet when I get home just so she could give me my keys,"

"I'm starting to think Desiree's pregnant cuz she be doing crazy shit like that too," Drew confessed. "Last night, she ain't go to sleep cuz she swore I was talking to another bitch,"

"Who you was talking to?" Hassan asked pulling off,

"My mama!" Drew exclaimed, "She's bugging, I'm happy you called me bout this meeting,"

"Women," Hassan shook his head. "You got the money though?"

"All here," Drew said lifting the bag onto his lap. "You sure they're legit?"

"I hope so if not I'm killing all their asses," Hassan muttered.

Back at home, Naala tossed and turned in her bed, not able to get the thoughts out of her head.

"Naala! You can't hear me?" Dave shouted in her face. Naala could hear him but she couldn't speak. She was soaking wet, her clothes clung to her body as she shook from the cold.

She was droning out his shouting and also Malia's cries. Everything had gotten on top of Naala. She was looking after a newborn baby with no support, mainly because her husband didn't live with her.

"I'm sorry," Naala croaked out, slowly drifting back to the real world. "I don't know what happened but it won't happen again," Naala added looking up at Dave.

"Naala you got in the tub with our newborn baby, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Dave shouted. "What if I never came home to check on y'all?"

"Then she would have died right?" Naala asked quietly. "She would have died and you wouldn't have been here to save her,"

"That's what you want? For her to die?" Dave questioned roughly grabbing her face,

"If that will take away my pain," Naala shrugged helplessly. It wasn't her speaking, it was her depression but Dave never thought to check if she got back on her meds after the baby.

"Is this cuz of Kodi? You want me to stop fucking her? Is this what this is Naala?" Dave said with a sigh.

"I want you to care about me," Naala replied, her voice was quiet and shaky. "I don't care about what you're doing with her but not in my face Amir. I know I'm crazy and you don't like that but please have some respect for me,"

"I'll do it privately then," He replied , watching her fidget awkwardly. Naala nodded and stood to her feet.

"I want you to tell me when you see her," Naala added. "So I know what to expect from you,"

"Aight I can do that," Dave agreed, surprised at how well she was taking it.

She started to move towards the door to leave before he stopped her.

"Nah you don't need to go and see Malia, she's sleep," Dave stopped her from taking another step.

"Let me check on my baby Amir," Naala sighed moving his hand off her waist. "I didn't mean to hurt her,"

"That's what you said last time Naala, I can't let that keep happening," He shook his head. Dave was considering sending her back to a psychiatric ward, that was the best place for her.

"Please?" Naala's voice broke, "I don't want to be in the same room as you right now, let me go,"

"That's why I still fuck with Kodi cuz she's not emotional and crazy like your ass," Dave spat taking his keys off the dresser.

"Ahh," Naala screamed as she swung on him. She didn't stop hitting him until he lifted his hand and backhanded her, causing her to fly across the room.

That night, Dave made sure to prove his strength in that household. He hit her so bad that till today Naala didn't remember that entire night.

Naala jumped up out of her sleep holding her chest. The sound of loud bangs from down the hall, woke her right up. She looked to her side and saw Hassan still wasn't home. Naala rushed out of their bed and to the closet, she went straight for the safe and unlocked it.

Naala was taken aback by the bricks of cocaine stacked in the safe. She didn't have time to question them so she grabbed her gun and went out of the room to open the door.

"Nasir get back in your bed," She ordered when she saw him standing in the hallway rubbing his eyes.

"That's a gun mama?" He asked with wide eyes making her tut,

"Get in your room," Naala repeated jogging down the steps.

"NYPD open up!" Naala heard from behind the door. She put her gun down and pulled the door open, holding her robe closer to her body.

"How can I help you?" Naala questioned looking at the officers.

"We're looking for a one Hassan Kingston, we know he resides here," The officer said trying to look into the house. Naala scrunched up her face and pulled the door in more so he couldn't see into the house.

"He's not here," Naala replied, "Is he in trouble Officer?" She asked innocently.

"We have a warrant for his arrest." The second officer said looking at Naala's exposed breasts. "Who are you to him?"

"I'm his girlfriend and arrest? What did he do?" Naala rushed out, she was going to kill Hassan.

"Well your boyfriend is in a lot of trouble, I suggest you let us in so we can check if he's here," The officer said pushing the door open. Naala jumped back so the door wouldn't hit her belly.

"You can't do that!" Naala shouted as they started walking around their home. "You need a warrant," She added wishing she brought her phone down with her.

"Who's gonna stop us? Him?" The chubbier one said pointing to Cabo who was growling at him,

"No Vinnie, he will," The other one pointed to Saint at the top of the stairs. Naala breathed out and watched them trash their house, 'looking for him'.

"Saint come here Papa," Naala said holding her arms out for him. "Calm down, they'll go soon," Naala said into his hair.

"But they're breaking everything," Saint whined seeing them turn over his playstation his dad got him.

"I'll buy you more stuff, don't worry," Naala reassured him. Right now she couldn't even concentrate because of how angry she was with Hassan.

"I guess he's not here," The fat one chuckled kicking over a flower pot,

"Alright now, that's enough. Y'all are taking advantage of the fact that I'm a helpless woman but don't worry I got something for y'all." Naala fussed standing to her feet. "Get out of my house," She shooed them away.

Naala slammed the door behind them, and rubbed her stomach with a stressed look. The house was completely trashed, they couldn't stay there.

"Nasir go and pack a bag, we're going to stay with Tete Leli," Naala sighed going to her room to change.

~~

"You want a drink?" Naleli offered Naala a bottle of water. Naala shook her head and laid her head on the counter.

"Leli I'm so tired," Naala huffed, "He hasn't even called or nothing Naleli, I don't even know where he is,"

"Have you tried to call him Naala because I haven't seen you pick up your phone," Naleli questioned,

"No I don't want to hear his stupid voice right now," Naala groaned, "I love him so much but he's so dumb sometimes," Naala knew he had gotten himself into trouble after everything she warned him about.

"That's men for you," Naleli laughed, "I've missed you Lala, how've you been?" Naleli asked. Naala gushed at the signal of affection which was rare for Naleli.

"I've been good, trying to build with Hassan." Naala shrugged, there was nothing new with her.

"I heard you got your 12 months sober badge," Naleli answered, "I can tell you're really trying,"

"I am, I feel like --" Naala was cut off by her phone ringing loudly on the counter.

"I bet this is his dumb ass now," Naala mumbled answering the phone,

"Hello? -"

"This is a collect call for," The automated voice started, "Ace," Hassan finished.

"To accept the charges for this call, press 1. To refuse this call, hang up." Naala pressed one and twisted her lips to the side.

"Baby?" Hassan's voice rang through the phone making her eyes water, "I'm sorry,"

"Hassan they came to our home," Naala said shakily, "You had drugs in our home, where our son lays his head Hassan, what were you thinking?"

"They didn't find it though?" Hassan quizzed,

"No they didn't find it," Naala snapped at him. "I can't believe this right now, what do they have on you?"

"Possession and the intent to distribute," He mumbled in response. They got both him and Drew when they were leaving their meeting.

"Have they charged you?" Naleli spoke up for the first time, she was letting Naala handle it but she needed to know the answers.

"Yeah, they're keeping me here. Till I get a court date," Hassan admitted. Just like that Naala's world began to crumble around her again.

"What the fuck Hassan?" Naala cried putting her head in her hands. Hearing her cry made Hassan clench his jaw and hold onto the phone tighter.

"Lala stop crying," He said lowly, feeling guilty for doing this to his pregnant girlfriend. "I'm sorry," He repeated.

"Don't apologise to me," Naala said still crying, "Your son was there, he saw them trash our house looking for you! Now I have to explain to him that you're not coming home?"

"I said I'm sorry aight?" Hassan started before he was cut off by the automated voice,

"You have 30 seconds remaining." The voice said. Naala cried harder, thinking about the reality they were facing.

"Naala I love you okay? I'ma get out of here, I promise you. Please stop crying mama, I hate hearing that, I love you aight?" Hassan said into the phone,

"I need you Hassan, I can't do this without you," Naala cried. Hassan sighed and put the phone down, he couldn't listen to the pain in her voice anymore.

Naleli didn't know what to do, she watched Naala cry for quite some time before she spoke up.

"You're gonna hurt the baby with all that crying," Naleli said bluntly, "I'll get a lawyer out there, I'll sort it,"

"I don't even care about myself Naleli, it's my kids. He's not gonna get a court date any time soon meaning I'm going to have this baby without him," Naala stressed.

"Saint needs his dad around, and now I'm gonna be dealing with two kids on my own - once again," It was like a never ending cycle for Naala.

Every time she decided to have a baby, it backfired on her, no matter the circumstance.

Naleli genuinely started to feel bad for her sister, it wasn't easy for her to get pregnant and now she was stressing about the situation.

"I said I'll sort it La, you know I've got you," Naleli said walking around the counter to hug her. "I've got you," She repeated letting Naala cry on her shoulder.

~~

3 weeks later...

"Yeah he's out now," Dess said into the phone. "Have you spoke to Hassan lately Naala?"

"He speaks to Saint," Naala responded switching lanes. "Which I'm started to think is a bad idea,"

"Why do you say that?" Desiree asked her,

"Saint's been acting out, being aggressive. I'm on my way down to his school now because he slammed a child's face into a desk," Naala said gripping the steering wheel.

"Calm down Naala," Desiree replied already knowing her friend would be stressing herself out. "Think about the baby,"

"I'm trying Desiree, I'm really trying," Naala breathed out, "You talked to San?" Naala asked switching the subject back to Hassan.

"Yeah, he called to speak to Moo," Dess answered calling Mocha by her nickname. "He said you've been dodging his calls,"

"He left us Desiree," Naala muttered softly. Her tears dared to fall but she shook them away, tired of crying.

"He left us to look after our children alone, because he won't leave that life that we begged him to leave," She added,

"I know Lala but we can't change that now. I know you want to speak to him," Dess said to her, "I think you should go down and see him, he didn't sound good Naala,"

Naala sighed and looked in her rear view mirror seeing Dave also pulling into the elementary parking lot too.

"Now why is he here?" Naala asked herself quietly. "I'm not taking Saint down to a prison to see him,"

"Then go on your own, he needs to see you, he told me to tell you he loves you," Dess answered.

"I love him too," Naala frowned parking her car. "And I miss him so much Desiree," Naala admitted.

"I miss him too," Dess replied, "Answer his calls Lala, he only gets so many. Wasting up his poor minutes,"

"You're right," Naala chuckled for the first time in a while. "I've gotta go Dessy, love you,"

"Love you too," Dess answered before they both hung up.

"Be patient. Be forthcoming. Don't let him get to you," Naala said to herself as she fixed her lipgloss. She took her purse and got out of her truck, having to practically jump to get down.

"Took you long enough to get out," Dave said as soon as she approached him.

"Why are you here?" Naala sighed hiking her purse up her shoulder.

"They called me too, apparently he said he didn't want you to come on your own," Dave said truthfully. "I can show you the call if you want,"

"I don't think you're lying, he's only doing that because he knows I'm gonna beat his ass and thinks you can save him," Naala said walking beside him.

"That's true," Dave laughed holding the door open for her to step in.

"Thanks," Naala mumbled. He was being oddly nice to her today, she was wondering what was up with him.

"I'm here for Saint Kingston," Naala said to the receptionist, "I'm not sure where he'll be but his teacher called us,"

"You must be his mom and dad?" The woman asked standing to her feet.

"Yeah," Dave nodded putting his hand on Naala's back.

"Follow me," The woman smiled leading them down the hallway.

"Get off," Naala said swatting his hand off of her. "Walk next to me because I don't trust you," Naala whispered to him.

"Congratulations by the way," The receptionist said as they came to a halt at the door. Naala followed her eyes to her stomach,

"Oh thank you," Naala smiled politely, "Is Saint through here?" She asked the lady,

"He's a bit angry, I'm not sure if you want to go in there," She explained. Naala ignored her and pushed the door open.

Saint was sat facing the wall, ignoring the teacher that was talking to him.

"Ah Mrs Brewster," The teacher said standing up to greet them.

"It's Ms Love now," Naala corrected. "Saint what's going on Papa?" Naala said approaching him in a nice way.

"I hate this dumb place," Saint huffed. "I don't want to be here anymore,"

"That's not the attitude to have Saint," Dave spoke up,

"Let me handle my son," Naala said to him, "Let's go home Papa, then we'll talk," She said picking his bag up for him.

"He's been suspended for a week, the other parents don't want to press charges," The teaches explained to Naala.

"How can they press charges against a 7 year old?" Naala questioned annoyed, "He's a child, it was probably a joke,"

"That kind of aggression is not a joke ma'am. He busted his nose and lip," The teacher told Naala,

"What did he say to you?" Naala sighed looking down at him,

"Does that matter?" Dave mumbled leaning against the wall. Naala cut her eyes at him but didn't say anything to him.

"Don't wanna talk about it," Saint mumbled holding onto his mom's hand. "I wanna go home,"

"I'll be in touch," Naala said to the teacher while taking Saint's hand and leaving the room.

"You okay?" Dave asked helping Naala get into her car. She took her purse from him and put it on the seat beside her.

"I'm fine thanks," Naala said keeping it short,

"I know you're not fine Naala, you forget I know you," Dave replied putting his hand over hers. "I'm here if you need anything,"

"I need you to step away from my car," Naala said moving her hand. "You know me? Get the fuck outta here Amir," She didn't feel bad about being rude to him because he didn't treat her right 90% of the time.

"I'm tired of fighting with you Naala," Dave sighed,

"Oh now you're tired?" Naala laughed. "You're tired? I can't make this shit up, I've been tired for so long,"

"Stop getting loud," Dave said looking in the back to see Saint staring at them.

"Get away from me Amir, I'm not gonna sit here and fight with you. I am 6 months pregnant, I don't need any extra stress from you," Naala said calmly.

"I was gonna say let me take you out, for lunch or something. I know ole boy ain't around that's why I wanted to check on you," Dave said holding onto her car door.

"It can be in a public place, I just wanna make sure you're okay and you're getting out of the house," Dave convinced her. Naala thought about it for a moment, she had been cooped up in the house.

"And no bullshit?" Naala said softly, "And no arguing?"

"No bullshit and no arguing," Dave confirmed with a smirk,

"Okay, tomorrow afternoon," Naala replied tugging at her door. "Can I leave now?"

"Yeah go on," Dave said closing the door for her. Naala started the car and brought her window down,

"I'll see you later little man," Dave said to Saint,

"Bye dad," Saint mumbled before looking out of the other window.

"Drive safe Love," Dave said leaning into the car and kissing her cheek.

"Alright now Amir, too far," Naala tutted pushing his head away from her.

He chuckled and stepped back, letting her speed off in the direction of her house.

"Still drives like a damn maniac," Dave said to himself, shaking his head.

~~

"Nasir come and eat," Naala shouted up the stairs for him. When they got back, he went straight up to his room and ignored his mom for the whole evening.

"I'm not hungry," He shouted back. "I don't want your stupid food," He grumbled.

"Nasir don't make me come up there," Naala shouted. "It'll take me 5 minutes to get up there,"

"I don't care," Saint responded making Naala sigh. She took a breath and started to climb the stairs, taking several breaks in between.

"You made your pregnant mom come up that long flight of stairs," Naala breathed heavily leaning against the door. "Are you ready to talk to me?" Naala added crossing her arms over her stomach.

"Talk about what?" Saint said sitting up to stare at her.

"About why you smashed someone's head against a desk? That would be a perfect place to start," Naala said moving into his room.

"I was angry," Saint said simply.

"Angry at what Papa? Did he say something mean to you?" Naala questioned nicely.

"He said that his dad was taking him to a football game on Saturday. He always talks about his dad, it's not fair," Saint said, giving Naala a bit more of an idea behind his bad behaviour.

"You miss your daddy?" Naala stated the obvious, "I miss him too Saint but I don't go around hurting people. That's not okay and it takes us right back to where we started,"

"I'm sorry," Saint shrugged. "But dad said I have to be the man of the house now and the man protects you, I have to hurt people to protect you,"

"No you don't," Naala said sternly. "People that hurt others are bad people. You're not a bad person Saint, I don't want you hurting people for me,"

"I love that you want to protect me but I'm the adult, I protect you," Naala finished.

"Yeah," Saint sighed. "Are you gonna tell daddy?" He said with a hint of fear in his eyes.

"I am," Naala nodded. "Not to get you in trouble but for you to learn from it,"

"Fine. Can I eat now?" Saint asked standing up. Naala held her open arms out to him and he stepped into her embrace, laying his head on her stomach.

"You can talk to the baby you know," Naala said after a while, "I just felt a kick so I know they're awake, go on try it," She convinced him.

"What do I say?" Saint asked confusedly,

"Well introduce yourself I guess," Naala laughed at his confusion.

"Hi, it's me, Saint," He said speaking directly to her belly. "I'm 7 and I like playing fortnight and going karate with daddy, you're gonna meet daddy too. He's so cool but Mom's cooler," He started to get comfortable in talking to the baby.

They stood there for about ten minutes while Saint talked to her belly and Naala laughed along, enjoying the moment with her two babies.

Her phone rang in her pocket, making Naala's laughter cease. Looking at the time, she knew exactly who it was.

"It's daddy?" Saint asked excitedly. Naala nodded and passed him the phone letting him accept the call.

"What's up little man?" Hassan's voice came through the phone loudly. The baby started moving and a flurry of kicks fluttered through Naala's stomach.

"Hey dad, I miss you," Saint said straight away,

"I miss you too man," Hassan sighed. "You looking after your mama and your little brother?" He questioned.

"Yeah I am, I was just talking to him," Saint told Hassan, Naala watched him interact and talk to his dad, a wave of sadness washing over her.

"He wants to talk to you," Saint said snapping Naala out of her thoughts. Naala cleared her throat and took the phone.

"Hi," She said playing with the hem of her shirt,

"You don't know how good it is to hear your voice mama," Hassan confessed with a chuckle. "You doing okay?"

"Mmm," Naala hummed trying to keep her emotions in check. "How about you? Did you get the money I put on your books?"

Even though they hadn't spoken, Naala made sure he was okay and that he had everything he needed.

"I did, I appreciate you Naala," Hassan replied. "I missed you, why've you been avoiding me?"

"Because I'm angry at you Hassan," Naala muttered into the phone so Saint wouldn't hear her. "I'm angry and I'm scared and I feel like I'm doing this all on my own,"

"You know I would never want this to happen baby, I'm trying to get back to you," Hassan said, his guilt present.

"I don't want you losing sleep over me, take care of our kids that's all I want," He spoke. When he didn't hear much he knew she was crying.

"I'm so sorry Naala, just please stop crying," He said gripping the phone even tighter. He could see the line for the phones growing and he knew his time was almost up.

"I miss you so much," Naala sniffed on the line, "I want you home with us,"

"I miss you too and I love you, I've got you something. Go check outside," He spoke softly, the automated voice reminded them of their limited time.

"What did you do?" Naala asked standing up straight and leaving Saint's room to go check the front.

"Something to make you smile, I love you," Hassan rushed out,

"I love you too Hassan, be sa-" The line cut before Naala could even finish. She sighed and put her phone away, walking to the front door.

When she opened the door, Naala almost fell out of shock. A brand new car was sitting on the driveway, with a huge red bow on top.

"No he didn't," Naala gasped walking out of the house. Cabo ran behind her, his small paws making sounds as he ran around the drive.

"You got a new car?" Saint asked in shock,

Naala nodded and walked around it, seeing that the hood was always popped.

"Bae," Naala pouted looking at the arrangement of different flowers. She picked out the note on each bouquet and they spelled out, 'I love you'.

Naala gushed at his gift, it wasn't even the gifts that were making her smile, it was the fact that even from over 100 miles away, Hassan could still put a smile on her face.

Naala was in for a crazy ride with Hassan but she didn't mind, he was worth it.

P.s Love Mia 🤍