Two months later

Izzy POV

"Happy Birthday to you.." everyone sung to me. Today was my birthday and my family and friends surprised me with a party since i was out here in Baltimore. To my surprise Nique was here as well. It had been Two months since the last time i went back to Atlanta or ive seen Ashley. I checked up on the baby every now and she would send me updates but that was pretty much it.

"Happy Birthday Son" my dad says dapping me up before my mom gives me a hug. I was surprised that her and my dad were even in the same room. It felt good to have them both there. After making my rounds, thanking everyone, i set my eyes on Nique and make my way towards her. As i get closer i see that she seems to be having a conversation with Maya, Kings girl. It was a little odd considering i never knew they knew each other and that was Ashleys friend. As they see me approaching they halt in their conversation.

"ill talk to you later Nique" Maya says before telling me happy birthday and going to find King.

"You like the party baby?" Nique says hugging me

"yeah its nice. Ian know you was cool with Maya" i say trying to slick try and understand how they know each other.

"oh yeah, i met her a couple of months ago at an appearance. She real cool" She says taking a sip of her drink. Brushing it off i figure i'll enjoy my party before i have another stressful week before i can head back to Atlanta. I pick up my phone to see many Happy Birthday texts. I scroll them to see messages from distant family members, people ive done business with, and even Alek telling me that his feelings were hurt he didn't get an invite. I them look to see one that was sent earlier this morning.

Ashley: Happy Birthday, hope you enjoy your day.

I couldnt help but smile. Although we have only just gotten to know each other we have became a huge part of each others lives. After telling her a simple thank you i make my way back into the party.

Ashley POV

"i am not eating that" Michael says as i laugh trying to hand him the seafood

"come onnn.." i push. "its just a shrimp" i laugh

"yeah. With the head still on" he says looking at it in disgust. Michael and i have been hanging out over these last months and he is a very nice man. I've learned about his heritage and that he is 31 years old, Nigerian and has a 4 year-old-daughter . He also has a Overall i feel like he is an old friend that i just gotten back in contact with. We have established that we should stay friends as of right now because my main focus is my son and his is getting his Daughter. Even with his hectic work schedule he has made time to hang out with me, which i thought was very caring.

Right now we are sitting in a seafood restaurant called the Juicy crab because i wanted some crab legs. I danced in my seat a little as i sucked the juice off of the shrimp before peeling it.

"it better be good ash" he says recording me. I then laugh before pushing my big curly hair out of my face. I decided to let my natural hair out because this little boy has had my hair growing stronger and im not complaining. After our meal we head back to his new range rover. I helped him pick it out since he was about to get another honda civic. Dont get me wrong. Theres nothing wrong with honda but he didn't need another one.

I pick up my phone scrolling through my instagram stories and i notice Maya at a party. I pay it no mind until i am scrolling down my time line and see a shade room post of Izzys Birthday Party today and it has the same decor. Me being nosy i couldnt help myself. So i looked back and forth between the two posts and decided that i couldnt be confirmed but it was damn sure the same party.

"you okay ash" Mike asks snapping me out of my thoughts.

"yeah im fine.."i lie. In my head, im trying to think of why she was there. "okay maybe she's just there with king" i say in my head before we pull into my apartment building. Michael comes around and opens my door before we make the way up the apartment. Tonight was his night off and all of my friends were no where to be found so we decided to watch movies.

"alright what's first.."i refer to the movies

"ice cream" he says smiling going into the fridge. We sit down and eat the ice cream and talk.

"so ash..." he starts. "you never told me about your babys father" he says looking at me.

"Im not trying to be rude or nosy but i never see him arou-" i cut him off

"its okay Michael i know" i say adjusting myself. "we had a one night stand and by the time i found out i was already 6 weeks pregnant." i tell him "right now he is on a mini tour. He'll be back next month" I finish because there's really nothing else to it.

"will he have a problem with another man around his baby mother and possibly his son?" he asks catching me by surprise.

"he doesn't have a say about who i am around but im not sure about the baby" I said honestly. I dont know how he will react concerning the son.

"I think you should talk to him about it. I dont want to disrespecting another man when it comes to their child" He says from experience. He has told me that his baby mother has had men around their daughter without him knowing and he didn't take that well. Personally i have never been around his daughter one reason being that he is in the process of trying to get custody of his child. She lives in New Jersey with her (in his words) gold digging mother.

"ill be sure to ask him about it" i smile before going to place the bowls in the sink. The rest of the night was spent with us watching movies before i drifted off. I wake up as i feel myself being placed on a soft surface. Opening my eyes i see Mike placing my comforter.

"shh.. im about to go. i gotta work in the morning" He says as i close my eyes.

The next morning i wake up and decide to finish the babies room. I want to order a few things with his name on it up Izzy and i haven't agreed on one yet. That adds onto the list of things we have to talk about. My phone rings interrupting my thoughts.

"Hi love." Izzys mothers voice rings as answer the FaceTime call.

"Hi sharon, how are you" i ask her

"im fine but you dont need to be sitting on that floor baby. What if you have trouble getting back up?" she refers to the position that i am in. Im currently putting together the crib. Ive already had the chair, dresser and tv installed but the crib i wanted to do myself. After this and a few decorating details the room will be finished.

"you're getting far along. What you have a little over a month left?" she asks

"yes ma'am." i start rubbing my stomach as my son kicks. "i hear you but i need to finish his room. All i have left is the crib and ill be done i promise" i assure her as i screw in some of the pieces.

"ugh. my hard headed son should be helping you. Got you over there alone at risk of hurting yourself" i laugh

"its fine i want to do this myself" i tell her. We then talk as i finish the crib placing a few teddy bears in it and looking upon the room.

"it looks beautiful Ashley." Sharon says though the phone as i show her. We shortly say our goodbyes but its not long before i get a knock on my door.

"alright time is ticking momma" Bri comes storming in with a large binder. "We have a week until the baby shower and it has to be perfect. I pull out a pickle from the fridge and begin to eat as she shows me the final theme and layout.

"This looks great Bri" i praise her

" i know it does. Im a genius." she rolls her eyes before chuckling. "so have you spoken to Izzy about a name, i wanted to have his name on the snack table."

"umm no. He's been busy. I think we should just go with Baby James" i tell her before finishing the pickle.

"Alright now that we have that settled how are you and my god son doing" she says rubbing my stomach as he kicks.

"we are fine, can't wait for him to be here im growing impatient" i laugh.

"and Michael" she smirks.

"he is a sweetheart there's no other way to put it" i smile to her. "oh i been meaning to ask you... did Maya mention anything about going to Izzy Birthday party" i ask

"naa why was she there or something" Bri perks up before looking at her phone.

"im not sure but from the decorations it looks like it" i say as she continues to look for something.

"Bitch." she says halting in her movement

"what" i say

"well she was there... and it seems she got a new friend." she shows me a photo of Maya and Zonnique smiling and laughing. I was honestly confused because when did they become friends. Im not one to say who you can't be friends with but it was just weird she was friends with my baby fathers girlfriend.

"i think she'll be back in town for the baby shower, i dont want you to get ralled up so ill ask her after the fact" bri says before closing her phone to look at the babies room.

After our little meeting we go out for some food and Bri heads back to her place .