Chapter 54

*****Dinah's POV*****

Clara gently laid her hand on my shoulder, making me open my eyes widely. "Thank you" she said genuinely, "Thank you so much, Dinah". I was so confused, I had no idea what to say. "Can I have a hug?" she asked, tears stinging her eyes. "I am so sorry. You treat my daughter so well and you're such a good person. You didn't deserve everything I did or said to you. Thank you for helping me and protecting my son. I appreciate everything you've done for my family" she cried. I just held her while she cried, holding her tightly and thanking God for this break through. 

I looked up into Lauren eye's smiling at her a little. "Is there anything you want to say to Lauren?" I whispered to her, and she nodded. "C'mere Lauren" she said, moving away from me and to her daughter. I stood back and embraced the mother daughter moment. "I'm sorry, sweetheart" Clara cried and Lauren just held her tighter. "I know Mom". "I love you Lauren". "I know mom. I love you too" she said, her voice cracking at the end. "You've become such a strong young lady and I'm so proud of you. Never change, darling". 

After that altercation, Clara went around and aplogized to everyone. It was really nice having the whole family in harmony again. We just continued opening gifts, and Clara really liked the necklace I bought for her. After being friends with Normani for so long, I learned a few things. And one thing I learned....Diamonds are a girl's best friend. "It's beautiful Dinah, thank you" she said and hugged me.  Overall, it was a good day.

Right now, Lo and I were taking Midnight out to get him dog tag with his name on it and toys and stuff like that. "He's so cute" Lauren said, holding him and the passenger sit with her. "Yeah, I guess he is. Having a pet is like the first step before kids" I chuckled. "K- kids? You wanna have kids with me?" She stuttered. "Who else would I have them with?" "I hope nobody else, cause who's gonna take care of me when I'm fat and whining?" She said, making me laugh.

"You're carrying?"  "Yeah, the idea of carrying your babies makes me smile"she giggled. "What are we gonna name em, cause thinking Beyonce or Blue Ivy" I asked, grabbing her hand. "Ha, as if I'm letting you name my baby that. How about Zen if its a girl?" "Hmmmmm..... I like it. And Rafael for a boy?" She just laughed and said "Rafael?" "Hey" I pouted, "He's my favorite ninja turtle". "You're so cute. We have time to talk about this so don't worry" she said as we pulled up to PetSmart.

We walked in and I saw Midnight's eyes get big, and he started to squirm in Lauren's arms. "Woah there boy, settle down" Lauren said, but he kept moving and eventually got out of her arms and onto the floor. He immediately ran off, ignoring our calls. "Midnight! C'mere boy!" Lauren yelled. We decided to split up and cover more ground.

"Where are you, ya little trouble maker?" I mumbled as I walked isle. "C'mere midnight!" I yelled again, and then I heard little footsteps padding across the floor. I heard him running around and then I saw him slip and skid all the way down the aisle. I ran down and saw that he slid all the way into a display of foods, making a mess. "Oh Jesus, Midnight".

I ran over and picked him up, checking if he was injured in anyway. "You okay, little guy?" I asked, and he just laid limply in my arms. "Oh my gosh, he's dead" I whispered, trying to wake him up. "Whats Lauren gonna say?" "Say about what?" I heard her say, walking up next to me.

"I'm sorry Lauren" I said, looking down at my shoes with the limp puppy in my hand. She just picked up my chin and laughed. "Stop playing you silly little boy" she said, and he lifted his head up with bright eyes staring at her. "Da hell?" I mumbled as he jumped into Lauren's arms. "Good job baby, I think you scared her" Lauren said while petting his head. I just glared at him, "Little bastard". "C'mon Dinah, let's go get him some stuff".  We got his dog tag, collar, leash, food, a bed, and plenty of toys to burn off a little energy.  After that, we drove back home, where we started packing for my house.

****Lauren's POV*****

It was time. We were going to go surprise Dinah's family for New Year's in two days. We were currently in my living room, watching tv with my brother and sister. "What?! That call is shit!" Chris yelled at the heat and Lakers game. "Bosh obviously fouled young" Dinah yelled back at him. "No he didn't!" "Yes, he did". "Didn't!""Did" "DIDN'T!" "DID!" They were standing by now, and it was serious as hell. "We're taking this to the court, record the game Lo" she growled. I cleared her throat, quirking my eyebrow at her in an annoyed manner. "Please?" "That;s better, now go play" I said, patting her cheek.  After that, they ran outside and went to work, and I'm pretty sure Chris is getting schooled.

"Hey Lo?" my sister called from the other end of the couch, getting my attention. "What's up, kid?" I asked, and she moved over closer to me. "Do you love Dinah?" I chuckled slightly, "Hell yeah, I love that girl. That's my future baby momma, Taylor". She laughed at that. "When are y'all gonna get married?" she asked, and my heart just stopped. "M-married? Us? Forever together?" I stuttered out. "Yes Lo, that's what the word means". "Honestly Taylor, there are a few things I need to do before committing to Dinah" I sighed, thinking about what happened with Normani again. "Like what?" "The truth. The whole truth".

Taylor's smile dropped off her face, "You didn't?" "Not exactly?" I said. "Which one was it? Yes or no. Did you cheat on her?" she asked loudly. "Hey hey, shhhh. Hush with that. I want to be the one to tell her. Not you" I growled. "That's fucked up Lauren" she whisper yelled. "I just kissed her, but I stoppped her. I didn't have sex with her and I never did anything with her ever again" I said frantically. "When are you gonna tell her?" she asked. "After the holidays. I don't want her to be angry at me or the girl". "Why the girl?" "Cause it was Normani".

"Normani? Wait wait wait....her best friend?! Are you fucking kidding me Lauren?" Taylor yelled, and I felt tears in my eyes. "I regret it everyday" I said, feeling a tear slip down my face. "Just be honest with her and everything should end up okay" she said, wiping the tear from my face. "You're a good sister" I said, hugging her. "I love you to Lo. And I'm gonna miss you". "I'll be back more often, and you can maybe come to New York with us for a while". "Sounds great" she said.

I gotta tell her, and soon.