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Dave laid beside Naala, his heart breaking as he listened to her cry herself to sleep.

On top of the death of her sister, today marks 2 years since they lost their baby.

"I want my baby back," Naala cried into his chest. "That was our baby,"

"Love you're gonna make yourself sick," Dave cleared his throat. "Think about this baby," He put his hand on her stomach.

"So I can't think of what we've lost?" Naala said pushing him away from her. "You never understand me," She started to cry again.

"I can't fucking do this," Dave cursed getting out of the bed. It was like Naala's energy drained all the life out of him.

He got that she was grieving but it seemed like she liked being upset, she never saw the brighter side.

"Get out then!" Naala screamed behind him.

"I can't deal with this crazy ass shit no more," Dave mumbled to himself getting dressed.

"I go through everything else on my own anyway. Leave me like you did last time," Naala carried on hurling abuse at him.

"Naala don't make me turn around," Dave warned her.

"What are you gonna do? Hit me?" She taunted. "I've been waiting for it,"

"Man," Dave sucked his teeth and walked into their connecting bathroom.

The baby monitor lit up and Samar's cries filled their room.

"Such a waste of space. For better or for worse my ass," Naala sniffed making the bed. Dave ignored her and went into the closet.

He heard the room door slam but continued to pick out his clothes for the day.

When he came back out, Naala was feeding Samar on the bed. Her eyes were closed and she was laying on the bed.

"I can hear you," Naala mumbled when Dave tried to sneak out of the room, her eyes still closed.

"I'm leaving," Dave announced, he has errands to run.

"Hassan's at the door can you let him up?" Naala spoke softly.

"I'll let him in," Dave nodded taking his phone off the dresser. Naala reached out for him and tugged his arm.

"I'm sorry," She said quietly kissing him. "I'm going through a lot of emotions right now, not saying that it's right to take it out on you,"

Dave leaned over the bed and kissed her twice, "I get it," He answered.

"Do you still love me?" Naala asked looking at him.

"I'm never gonna stop loving you," Dave responded lifting her chin up to peck her lips again.

"I love you too," Naala smiled small, wiping his face.

Dave stood up and left the room ready to let Hassan in. He was holding Samar's car seat and baby bag.

"What's up?" Dave dapped him up letting him in.

"She's not ready?" Hassan sighed setting the stuff down. "This is getting old,"

"She's grieving, give her a chance," Dave jumped to his wife defence.

"I'm so close to just taking both my sons and leaving New York," Hassan grumbled sitting down.

"For real? Where's that coming from?" Dave questioned with a mug.

"They don't need to be around all the shit y'all got going on." Hassan responded. "I want a better life for them and she can't do that,"

"So you think taking them away from their mom is gonna help?" Dave scoffed,

"I'm taking Samar, it's up to Saint if he wanna come too," Hassan said in a blunt tone.

"How can you even do that?" Dave asked him,

"I already got the court order drawn up," Hassan said when Naala made to the bottom of the stairs.

"What court order?" She asked fixing Samar's sock.

"Custody over Samar till he's old enough to decide if he wanna live with you or not," Hassan said like it was nothing.

Naala paused and blinked at him a few times. "What did you just say?"

"It's already done Naala. We're leaving for ATL tomorrow," Hassan said standing up to take Samar.

"That can't be allowed," Naala replied holding onto Samar tighter. "You can't take my son,"

"I can and I am. You can see him whenever you want," Hassan spoke standing back.

"When?!" Naala shouted. "You're gonna be 13 hours away!"

"2 hours if you use the jet I spent my money on," Hassan responded keeping his cool with her.

"Amir tell him he can't take my son away from me," Naala pouted, her eyes welling with tears.

"She already got a lot shit of going on. Don't do this now," Dave said to Hassan as a way to reason with him.

"Exactly, she don't need to be looking after him," Hassan said taking Samar from her arms forcefully.

"Look man I know you don't want to talk to me but don't upset my wife," Dave spoke lowly. "You know what today is."

"And I'm sorry for y'all's loss but my son comes first," Hassan replied.

Naala gave Hassan a hurt look, "You know how much my babies mean to me Hassan please don't do this,"

"He ain't gonna mean less if he stays with me," He said strapping Samar in.

Naala turned away from him in tears and ran back up the stairs.

"So dramatic," Hassan said to himself lifting Samar's seat up and heading to the door.

"You is really gonna take him to another state? That's fucked up," Dave said,

"If I was you, I would take your kids and leave her crazy ass too," Hassan replied. "She already tried to kill you, she'll do it again,"

Dave took him in, he was right. Naala was mentally unstable and incapable of caring for children at the moment. However, if he left her, he would be no better than any other man in her life.

Hassan left the house, leaving Dave in his thoughts. He definitely couldn't leave Naala in the house on her own now.

Dave went back up the stairs and Naala was surprisingly up and folding laundry.

"You okay?" Dave questioned leaning against the doorframe.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Naala smiled looking up at him.

"He just took him," Dave spoke squinting at her.

"Oh yeah," Naala replied moving on to Sinai's pile of laundry. "I'm gonna kill him," She shrugged calmly.

"Bro," Dave face palmed himself. "You can't kill him, that's their dad Naala,"

"They don't need a dad, they'll be fine," Naala said in response. "Plus they have you," She looked up at him in adoration.

"Don't touch him Naala," Dave warned taking the clothes out of her hand.

"So what do you think I should do?" Naala asked, "Let my son grow up without me and then hate me for the rest of his life?"

"No but —"

"No but shut up," Naala snapped at him. "You're not even on my side. I'm your wife, yours!" Naala shouted pointing to the ring on her finger.

"If you don't want this anymore, then let me go," Naala started to cry.

"I'm walking away now," Dave sighed turning around.

"Bring me back some ice cream," Naala sniffed tending back to the laundry.

"Crazy ass bitch for real," Dave mumbled lowly.

"But you like this crazy ass pussy," Naala laughed, "Actually, you wanna have sex bae?"

Dave stopped walking and turned to look back at her in shook. She still had tears on her face but was steady asking him to have sex.

"You for real?" Dave asked tilting his head to the side.

"No kids for about 3 hours," Naala looked at the clock above him. "Come on," She added standing up.

"You gon do that thing I like?" Dave smirked taking her hand.

"I'll do whatever you want daddy," Naala winked walking ahead of him.

~~

2 weeks later...

Maniya's alarm went off, telling her that it was time she got up. She normally set an alarm to get up an hour before her mom just in case Naala wasn't feeling great.

Rolling out of bed, Maniya heard hushed voices in the hallway. She opened her bedroom door slightly and saw her mom having a conversation with someone who clearly wasn't her dad.

"He's gonna be back soon, you've got to go," Naala whispered handing him his clothes.

"You acting as if I can't be here," The unknown man said back.

"Not in my bed Tarek," Naala told him quietly, pushing him towards the staircase.

Maniya's eyes widened as she stepped back, still leaving her door ajar.

"It really isn't that serious La," Tarek turned back and wrapped his hands around her waist.

"Stop it," Naala laughed hitting his chest. "Go," She added kissing his lips.

"I'll see you later," Tarek replied hugging her tightly. Naala hugged him back and stepped away from him.

"Go before my kids wake up," She whispered softly. Tarek turned around and stole a kiss off her, deepening it.

"Mmhm," Naala moaned tapping his shoulder. "Come on, their dad is gonna be back soon,"

Tarek stood up straight and went down the stairs leaving Naala in the hallway on her own.

"Mama," Maniya said making her presence known. She didn't see them kiss at all because she had stepped away by then.

Naala jumped and held her chest,

"Don't sneak up on me like that," Naala said quickly.

"Why are you up so early?" Maniya asked to see if she would lie.

"I was seeing Tarek out," Naala spoke truthfully.

"He was here? In the guest room?" Maniya questioned knowing that she saw them come out of Naala and Dave's bedroom.

"Yeah, it was too late for him to leave last night," Naala muttered fixing her silk robe. "Do you want coffee?" Naala said changing the subject.

"I can make it," Maniya offered walking past her mom. "Where's daddy?"

Maniya caught Naala roll her eyes at Dave's name. "Probably fucking the neighbour," Naala commented, not bothering to censor her words.

"Seriously mommy? Y'all are fighting again?" Maniya sighed as they got down the steps.

"I'm not fighting him but do you see him here?" Naala waved her off. "It's until she wind up dead then he'll realise I don't play," she spoke under her breath.

Naala walked into the pantry and pulled out a loaf of bread and honey.

"You aren't about to eat dry bread and honey mama," Maniya scrunched up her face.

"Baby gets what baby wants," Naala smiled pulling a plate.

Maniya put the coffee pot down slowly and turned to her mom.

"You're pregnant?" Maniya asked quietly,

"Shit, me and your dad wanted to tell you guys properly," Naala pouted setting her food down.

"Really mom?" Maniya smiled, her eyes watering. She out of everyone, knew how much they wanted that.

"I guess," Naala shrugged eating a piece of her bread.

"You don't seem excited, are you pranking me?" Maniya asked raising a brow.

"I lost my sister, now isn't the best time for a baby. I'm grateful and I want this baby but it doesn't seem right," Naala spoke sitting down.

"Tete would be happy," Maniya said lowly,

"Mmm she was happy," Naala replied with tears in her eyes.

"Let's not cry today mommy, tell me what you want me to do," Maniya rushed out.

"I want some ice cream," Naala sniffed putting her head down. "I want ice cream and your dad," She said with her head still rested on the counter.

On cue, the front door closed and Dave walked in holding a dozen shopping bags from Naala's favorite stores.

"Well there you go," Maniya mumbled side eyeing her dad.

"Why you crying baby?" Dave asked setting the bags down. "You missed me?"

"Mmm," Naala nodded her head and from the corner of her eye, saw the Chanel bags.

"You brought me stuff?" Naala's head popped up from the counter.

"Hey dad," Maniya said before focusing back on her coffee. Dave gave her a side hug and then walked over to Naala,

"Come see what I got you," He spoke kissing her face.

"Uhn Uhn. Where have you been?" Naala questioned moving his hands from her waist.

"I needed to clear my head, I told you that," Dave sighed. "Why was Tarek just leaving the house?" He asked giving her a knowing look.

"Anyway!" Naala clapped, "Let's see what you got me,"

"Keep fucking playing with me Naala," Dave grabbed her arm.

"Ow," Naala hissed making him loosen his hold. Maniya watched them from across the kitchen, her face in her mug of coffee.

"Is you fucking him?" Dave said pulling her into him. Maniya suddenly felt like this was not a conversation she should be witnessing.

"Why would I do that? While pregnant with your baby?" Naala questioned crossing her arms.

"Do I gotta remind you about Saint or even Malia?" Dave said spitefully.

"With Saint he was never yours. Now with Malia, I didn't know I was pregnant when me and Gray did that," Naala defended.

"Do you listen to yourself?" Dave shouted, his voice booming through the entire house.

"Daddy," Maniya jumped, "She's pregnant, don't shout at her,"

"You're being disrespectful now," Naala muttered sitting back down. She picked up her bread and carried on chewing it.

"So you haven't thought about having sex with him?" Dave said ignoring Maniya's warning.

"Trust me I have. Several times but that would be wrong and bad to both you and my sister," Naala confessed.

Her bluntness was irritating Dave, she had no remorse for her actions.

"So let me make it easier for you, I want a divorce," Dave said waiting for her reaction.

"No you don't," Naala laughed. "Amir go upstairs and wait for me because you're just talking reckless now," She waved him off.

"You think I'm playing," Dave grumbled walking off.

"But I bet he's gonna go and wait," Naala shook her head.

"You and Tarek Mama? Really?" Maniya sighed softly. "You can't do that,"

"Stay out of grown folk business," Naala said walking over to the refrigerator. "Stupid fucker," Naala cursed trying to reach for the water.

Dave was being extra petty when he refilled the refrigerator and had put all the water bottles at the top.

"Come help me get one down," Naala huffed reaching out to Maniya.

"I thought I should stay out of grown folk business," Maniya chuckled helping her get one down.

"Watch your mouth," Naala popped her in the mouth. "You have a slick ass mouth and I've told you about it before,"

"Ouch," Maniya frowned, her mom was so heavy handed for a small woman.

"Lemme go see to the big baby," Naala said taking her snacks with her.

Maniya watched her leave the kitchen and go up the stairs before she sat back down on the island. She was surprised Ruby wasn't already in here making breakfast.

About an hour later, the silence was ruined when Saint came down the steps with his hands in the front of his pants.

Ruby was finishing up with their breakfast and had already served Maniya.

"Good morning Saint," Ruby smiled setting a plate in front of him.

"You don't gotta call me that," Saint smirked, "Call me Papa,"

"You're disgusting," Maniya laughed out loud. "She's like twice your age,"

"The older the berry the sweeter the juice," Saint winked at Ruby who's face flushed red.

"I'm telling," Sinai said coming in with Malia close behind her.

"Up," Malia tugged Ruby's arm. Ruby reached down and picked her up.

"What do you want for breakfast Princesa?" Ruby questioned while Malia laid her head on her shoulder.

"Waffles," Malia responded tiredly. She had taken a strong liking to Ruby, mainly because she was around more than Naala.

"Coming right up," Ruby replied getting out the waffle mix. "Sinai be careful with that jam and your uniform," She warned her.

"I hate this stupid uniform," Sinai complained pulling at the tie.

They had all been transferred to a private school on the outskirts of town. Eli thought it would be safer for them that way.

"Me too, it's so ugly," Saint commented,

"Not that serious," Maniya mumbled concentrating on her phone.

"Do you even go to college?" Saint said tilting his head at her. "Oh yeah you don't, cos you dropped out"

"Enough," Ruby said softly. "Your parents are still sleeping, no shouting,"

"No they're not," Saint shook his head. "They're wrestling," He added.

"Oh gosh," Maniya joked on her juice. "How you know that?"

"Cuz they're making noise and they got their wrestling music on," Saint shrugged.

"That's sex dummy," Sinai nudged Saint. Ruby's eyes widened and she covered Malia's ears.

"Don't say that word!" She exclaimed at Sinai.

"But mama told me sex is natural," Sinai defended with a frown.

"For adults. Not for children," Ruby responded. Maniya stifled a laugh, there was never a dull day in the Brewster household.

~~

"Are these fried pickles supposed to be this damn good?" Naala spoke to herself dipping them into her honey mustard sauce.

"I don't know anything!" The man screamed in pain as they cut another one of his fingers off.

Naala sighed and looked up, "I only have 5 pickles left," She said putting her tray down.

"What was your name again?" Naala spoke before taking a sip of her soda.

"Simon," The man sweated in pain. Naala rolled her eyes and sat up, struggling to stand up.

"Ooo, help me," She held her hand out of for Rex. He quickly came to her aid and helped her up.

"You see Simon, I'm carrying new life and as you can probably tell, this baby is kicking my ass," Naala complained rubbing her stomach.

"So help me to help you. Who killed my sister?" She asked simply taking a knife off the table.

"I don't know," Simon sobbed loudly shuffling in the chair.

"Wrong answer," Naala frowned using the knife and dragging it from his chest down to his abdomen.

"I hate doing that," She gagged throwing the knife to the side.

"Let's get you out of here Princess," Mason stood to attention.

"Mmm because the blood is making me nauseous," Naala huffed taking his arm.

Joy was waiting for her in her office, with a fresh batch of fried pickles.

"Oh yum," Naala said excitedly, "Why are you looking at me like that?" Naala asked as she sat down.

"Your belly is huge," Joy spoke bluntly. Naala looked down and nodded.

"This is one big baby," Naala laughed. "Give me an update,"

"You have a talk show appearance at 12, so we actually have to get going now," Joy informed her reading through Naala's diary for the day.

"Ugh I hate talk shows," Naala huffed dipping her pickle in the chocolate sauce open on her desk.

Joy scrunched up her face in disgust, "Also your husband is waiting to take you to it,"

"Why?" Naala said softly, "All of you think I'm disabled, news flash - I've been pregnant before!" Naala shouted.

"Actually you asked if he could pick you up," Joy said in a matter of fact tone.

"Oh shit I did," Naala cursed. "Baby brain," She added kicking off her heels.

Joy noticed her discomfort and leaned down to help her put on her slippers.

"You're so helpful," Naala cooed, "Do you wanna come live with us?" Naala asked seriously.

"No ma'am," Joy laughed helping her up. Naala frowned and put down her pickles.

"I would pay you more," She muttered putting on her jacket.

"I know you would," Joy agreed. "Talking points for the interview," She added handing Naala the list of points.

"I'm not talking about that," Naala read the first point.

"Child death is at an all time high, especially in New York. You've experienced it, you have a better understanding of it," Joy tried to reason with her.