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Everything was going in slow motion around Naala, she could barely concentrate.

"He is not in this hospital," The head of the hospital explained to Hassan. He raced down to Naala, house arrest or not, that was his family.

"What the fuck do you mean he's not in this hospital? Where the fuck is my son yo?" Hassan shouted loudly.

"We don't know sir that's what we're trying to figure out," The man stuttered.

"So y'all just have random people walking around?" Hassan scoffed,

"Someone has taken my son and you're all in here doing nothing," Naala said quietly.

"Ma'am —"

"No don't do that," Naala snapped lifting her hand up. "He's been missing for 2 hours, he's not even a day old. Where is he?" She sniffed,

"Naala I'm gonna find him okay?" Hassan said putting his hand on her shoulder. "Naleli is already out looking,"

"He could be anywhere." Naala muttered, "Our son Hassan, he's our son. He's my baby and I need him home with me," Naala cried for the first time since he went missing.

It broke Hassan's heart to hear her crying this way because he knew there was nothing he could do to soothe her right now.

"We're doing everything we can, we have police out on the streets, we're gonna find him Ma'am," The head of the hospital spoke.

"I need to be out there too," Naala said taking the blanket off of her and shrugging Hassan of off her. "He'll be hungry when we find him,"

"Uhn uhn baby you gotta stay here," Hassan said stopping her from getting out the bed. "I'm gonna handle it,"

"Hassan I don't want to get angry with you over this, he is my son. I can't just sit back and wait," Naala answered, "I'm coming and that's that," She winced as she stood but Naala had other things on her mind.

"Take it easy," Hassan said lowly, he knew better than to argue with her.

"Have you checked the security footage?" Naala asked them as she started to undress and put her clothes on.

"Erm - we - uh," The man stuttered. Naala was stripping naked in front of him, he was finding hard to concentrate.

Hassan tutted and lifted up the dress she just took off, shielding her body. "You could have went in the bathroom," He said to her.

"Do you think we have time for that?" Naala responded snatching the cloth down and putting on her slippers.

"Security footage?" She snapped again,

"At 10:24am a woman was spotted leaving here with a baby in her arms," The man said making Naala chuckle loudly.

"Baby he just said 10:24? What's the time Hassan?" Naala muttered moving from around him.

"It's 12:56," Hassan said slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Ay chill out," He grumbled. He didn't realise Naala had got from behind him and was threatening them all with her slipper.

"If I don't find my son, I will have all of you wishing you never met me." Naala waved the slipper in their faces.

"Hassan let's go," Naala shouted dropping her shoe and putting it back on.

"Oh y'all thought I was the worst one?" Hassan chuckled putting his arm around Naala and leading her out of the hospital room.

~~

"Leli what've you got?" Naala asked Naleli as she sped down the streets of New York.

"Nothing, I don't understand how a baby can just disappear," Naleli replied through the car speaker. "I don't even know where to start looking,"

"Have the got any matches on the Face ID?" Hassan questioned with his hand on Naala's thigh.

"I'll check again but right now we're still in the same position as earlier," Naleli answered. Naala breathed out and gripped the steering wheel. She wasn't even supposed to be driving but she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"I'm gonna kill everybody," Naala said firmly. "Everyone that has something to do with this,"

"Not if I don't do it first," Hassan said looking out of the window.

"I feel like it's the Parkers," Naleli replied, "Unless you've done something to someone else Naala,"

"Don't try and blame me for this Naleli, you think I wanted my son to be taken?" Naala said turning onto a side road.

"I won't be surprised if it's someone you've fucked over, I told you to tie up loose ends, you don't listen to me," Naleli started going off on her twin sister.

"Naleli that's enough now, she didn't do this on purpose," Hassan said rubbing Naala's thigh. She wasn't responding to Naleli, just staring straight ahead.

"She doesn't listen to me. Who the fuck lets a random person take their baby when we're in the middle of this shit?" Naleli basically screamed,

"You agree with her?" Naala asked looking at Hassan. Her face was blank, void of all emotion. Naala didn't have the time for emotion anymore. It was like everytime she let herself relax, something pushed her back over the edge.

"Of course he agrees with me!" Naleli shouted,

"Naleli we're gonna call you back," Hassan said pressing the end call button.

Naala looked back out of the window and put the in park.

"Naala we're in the middle of the street," Hassan said, she had stopped the car and didn't look like she was planning on moving it.

"I can't drive anymore," Naala replied quietly, "Because if I do I'm gonna drive this car over a bridge and kill us both,"

Hassan got out of the car and picked her up, putting her in the passenger seat.

"Don't touch me," Naala said moving his hands off of her, "I don't want you to touch me,"

"Okay I'm sorry," Hassan said quickly moving his hand. "Naala please don't shut down on me, we're gonna find him,"

"How?" Naala asked, her face barely moving. "Samar can be anywhere, where are we gonna find him?"

"I know we will baby," Hassan responded trying to put his hand over hers but she jerked away.

Hassan was stuck, he was now breaking the terms of his bail but he couldn't not look for Samar. He also had a feeling that it had something to do with Naala's family but he also couldn't voice that.

"He's hungry," Naala said looking down at her leaking nipples.

Hassan looked to the side and saw the milk populating on her top. He reached behind him and grabbed the tissue she kept in the car.

Lightly, he dabbed away the milk - surprisingly Naala let him do so.

"You can cry Naala, you don't have to be strong or act like this isn't bothering you" Hassan said lowly, Naala closed her eyes and sucked in her breath.

"I want to break down so bad San," Naala said, her voice slightly breaking. "But I'm tired of crying, I'm tired of the sadness all time. I just want to be happy,"

Naala never experienced that happiness feeling, there was always something.

"My kids are the only good thing I have, and now he's gone," She continued blinking away the tears in her eyes.

"I don't make you happy?" Hassan asked feeling like he failed at the one thing he wanted for Naala.

"You do," Naala nodded. "But I know it won't last long, I ruin every relationship I'm in," She said in response.

"This is the shit that pisses me off with you Naala, how the hell can you blame yourself for a cheating ass nigga that couldn't keep his hands to himself?" Hassan said shaking his head.

"Because I let him do those things to me. I knew about the cheating from the first time he did it, but I wasn't going to break up my family because of him," Naala sniffed,

"Listen to me, you're not there anymore, you're here. He didn't deserve you. I'm gonna find Samar and we're gonna move on," Hassan said firmly taking her hand.

"I want my son back Hassan," Naala commented intertwining their fingers. "He's our rainbow baby,"

Hassan didn't respond, he just squeezed her hand. Before Naala got pregnant with Samar, she miscarried. It was unexpected and one of those things they never spoke on.

"I'ma sort it," Hassan said, putting his foot down on the gas.

"Naala!" Hassan almost shouted jolting Naala out of her sleep.

"Samar, where is he?" Naala breathed heavily, shooting up from the bed.

"He's right here, calm down," Hassan said rubbing her back. Naala reached over and grabbed Samar holding him close to her chest. "Another bad dream?"

"They're getting more realistic San, it was like I was watching it happen," Naala said, her nose buried in Samar's silky hair.

"They're not real though, what happened this time?" Hassan questioned,

"Someone took Samar," Naala mumbled stroking Samar's back. "I want to move, I don't feel safe here anymore,"

"No ones gonna take him baby," Hassan spoke pulling her closer to him. "The doctor said it's normal for your hormones to be heightened, you only had him 2 days ago,"

This was a normal occurrence for Hassan over the last few days, Naala was paranoid ever since they came home.

"I got you," Hassan whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek. "Lemme get him, go to sleep," Naala passed him over, she was exhausted. She had forgotten how hard it is having a new born baby.

"We gon' let mama sleep," Hassan said to Samar, slowly rocking him. Samar started to screw his face up as soon as Naala's scent started to drift away.

"Boy," Hassan staled faced him as he started to cry loudly, his entire face going red.

"San you can bring him back," Naala said tiredly from their bedroom, "He's not gonna stop," She added getting out of the bed.

"I've got it," Hassan shouted over the cries, "Come on Samar, let her rest," He added walking back and forth in the nursery trying to settle him.

"Shut up!" Saint yelled from his room. The sun was coming up meaning it was about 5am and Samar was wide awake.

"Nasir I'm gonna beat your ass," Hassan muttered switching Samar to his other hand.

Naala sighed and put her robe on, and tied her hair up in a tight bun.

"What's the matter handsome?" Naala said to him as Hassan handed him over carefully. "Is it your daddy's ugly face? It scares me too," Naala spoke in a baby voice rocking him.

"You think you're so funny huh?" Hassan said slapping her butt.

"Ow," Naala whined moving away from him. "Do you think he eats too much?" Naala said taking a seat in the rocking chair.

"He is always eating," Hassan mentioned tidying up his changing table. Naala looked down at Samar, who was practically sucking her nipple dry.

"You think I should ask Doctor Reece?" Naala fretted, she felt out of practice. It had been 7 years since she last had a baby, she didn't remember anything.

"Don't stress about it, at least he's eating," Hassan shrugged.

"I'm gonna take him in to see her," Naala muttered rubbing her hand through his hair. "Can you take us?"

"I gotta drop Mocha and Saint off," Hassan reminded her. Saint had joined Mocha at her elementary school and surprisingly he was getting on well.

"Oh yeah, I'll ask Dess," Naala answered, "Amir is bringing the girls round to meet Mar,"

Hassan looked at her and didn't say anything. He didn't want Dave anywhere near Naala, especially not after he made a move on her.

"Did you hear me?" Naala asked with her eyes closed,

"I saw your mouth moving but I didn't give a fuck about what you said," Hassan replied bluntly. Naala sucked her teeth and focused back on Samar.

"You don't have to be rude to me," Naala mumbled lifting Samar up and placing him on her shoulder.

"Ain't nobody being rude, ion give a fuck about him or what he's doing," Hassan shrugged. He set out the diaper he knew Naala would need and brought out the wipes.

"Okay Hassan," Naala replied getting up, "I'm not gonna argue with you over something so stupid. I was just letting you know,"

Hassan nodded and took Samar from her, laying him down on the changing table.

"I can do it," Naala mumbled stepping in front of him. She started unbuttoning Samar's clothes. Hassan stayed behind her, towering over her.

"I'm sorry, I don't talk to you like that," Hassan apologised. "He knows what he's doing and I don't want him around you," Hassan said dipping his neck to Naala's level.

"I have no choice San," Naala responded leaning back on him. "I told him that what he did was wrong and I felt uncomfortable,"

"You think he cares about shit like that?" Hassan answered rubbing his hands up and down her body.

"Oh I'm sorry baby," Naala said lowly to Samar as he started to cry again, the coldness threw him off. "I'll talk to him again. I feel like this is all my fault," Naala added, looking up at Hassan.

"It's not your fault," Hassan spoke pecking her lips. "I ain't mad at you,"

Naala used her hand and caressed Hassan's face, pulling him down to meet her lips again. He kissed her passionately, both of them getting lost in the kiss until Samar made himself known.

"We get it," Hassan complained at Samar, he was already an attention seeker, just like his mom.

"Let's get you dressed big boy," Naala cooed at him, walking over to his dresser to pick out an outfit for him.

"It's 5am," Hassan stretched, "He don't need to be wearing normal clothes yet,"

"Who said so?" Naala replied fishing through the array of baby clothes.

~~

"He's so handsome!" Dess squealed as she held onto Samar. "And he smells so good Lala,"

"I know right," Naala laughed packing Saint's lunch for the day.

"Mommy when are you gonna have another baby?" Mocha asked looking at Samar in amazement,

"When mama has a nice big ring on this finger," Dess said holding up her left hand. After Mocha, she wanted to be in a committed marriage before she had any more children.

"For now, you've got your baby brother here," Dess cooed at Samar who's eyes were shut and his lips were pursed.

"You sure do, mommy can babysit anytime," Naala added, filling Saint's water bottle up.

"I know you'd love that," Dess chuckled. "How's he been sleeping? You look tired."

"Gee thanks Desiree," Naala said sarcastically, she thought she looked alright.

"I'm just saying, those bags are talking to me," Dess said in defence as she referred to the huge bags under Naala's eyes.

"He sleeps fine, it's me that doesn't sleep," Naala commented,

"Mmm you need to stop doing that, he's gonna be fine and you've got Hassan here too," Dess reminded her,

"I don't think he likes Hassan," Naala smiled small, "Before he was born, he used to kick to the sound of San's voice but now he hates it,"

"I hope you women are ready!" Hassan's voice boomed through the house making Samar squeeze his face up and start crying.

"See," Naala laughed, "It happens all the time," She wiped her hands off and took Samar from Dess.

"It's his loud ass voice," Dess said picking up her purse.

"It is," Naala agreed strapping Samar into his carrier. Hassan was gonna drop the kids off and Naala and Dess were going to see the doctor,

"You look so cute Pooh bear," Naala said taking a few photos of Samar.

"Naala take that hot ass shit off him," Hassan said as soon as he set his eyes on Samar.

"He's cold," Naala protested, "Isn't my bubba just the cutest?" She asked Dess,

"Girl he's giving me baby fever," Dess pouted looking at Samar.

"I'm obsessed with him," Naala said kissing his chubby cheeks. "Help me put him in the car," She ordered Hassan.

"I ain't your slave," Hassan said picking up the carrier,

"But I bet he's still gonna do it," Naala said to Dess. Hassan tutted and leaned down kissing Naala softly then took her purse from her hands as well.

"Uhn uhn you have him whipped," Dess whispered watching Hassan use all his hands to carry Samar and Naala's purse.

"That's what good ass pussy gets you," Naala joked quietly taking Saint's school bag.

"Damn right," Dess chuckled following behind her and the kids.

"Moo how've you already messed up your hair?" Dess fussed smoothing out her ponytail.

"Sainty pulled it," Mocha snitched. Naala turned quickly and grabbed Saint pulling him in front of her.

"What have I told you about putting your hands on people?" Naala disciplined him. "Now I'm really taking that PlayStation and your phone,"

"I don't care!" Saint shouted in Naala's face making her step back. "I hate you and I hate living in this dumb house with your dumb baby!" He continued to shout.

Naala being already on an emotional rollercoaster teared up,

"You hate me Nasir?" Naala asked standing up straight. Dess and Mocha had already walked out of the house and were getting into the cars.

Hassan heard the shouting and decided to go back up the steps back into the house,

"I hate you and everything about you," Saint spat, his eyes were black and his words loaded.

"Don't say that to me. I'm your mom," Naala replied pointing her finger at him.

"I wish you wasn't," Saint answered quickly.

"I ought to beat your ass," Hassan grumbled as soon as Naala broke down into tears.

"Why would you say something like that?" She sobbed turning away from Saint.

"Because it's true," Saint shrugged nonchalantly. He didn't see anything wrong in his behaviour. His mom always taught him to express himself and that's what he was doing.

"Go and sit in the car," Hassan shouted at him. "I ain't gonna talk to you," He added.

"I'm not going to school," Saint said running back up the stairs, into his room and slamming the door.

"Shh," Hassan shushed her tears, bringing her into a bear hug.

"He's so mean," Naala cried, "He's not used to Samar, I get that but he doesn't have to be so mean to me."

"Stop crying," Hassan said wiping her face. "The psychologist said he's gonna be angry sometimes, it ain't nothing to worry about,"

Saint had been diagnosed with ADHD and a borderline personality disorder. After he stabbed a school teacher, school intervention was needed.

"I want him on the medication," Naala decided. At first she opted out on it especially with how her meds made her feel, but his behaviour was worsening.

"We'll talk about it later," Hassan was against the medication. Saint was too young to be dosed with shit in his eyes.

"You don't want him on it?" Naala squinted at him,

"I don't think nows the best time to talk about it La, I'm gonna get Samar out of the car, y'all can wait for me to drop Moo off," Hassan said dismissing the whole conversation.

Naala nodded and put Saint's bag up, he obviously wasn't going to school.

"Here," Hassan said setting Samar on the couch, he unbuckled him and took off his jacket. "I'll be back soon, come give me a kiss," He added as he handed Samar back over to her.

"Mmm," Naala muttered kissing him lightly. Hassan deepened the kiss and squeezed her ass,

"Ain't no way you just gave birth two days ago," He mumbled against her lips.

"Stop," Naala laughed pushing him back. He leaned down and kissed Samar's head.