"What about Houston?" I ask as Dallas scratches it off the list. "I hate it. I wanted him named after Texas like me, but not Houston."

We were looking for baby names for hours then Dallas came up with the bright idea that he wanted our son to be named after him. He begged for him to be a junior, but I turned it down. I feel like naming a kid after their parents gives them generational curses from the parents' mistakes. I don't want my son to harbor his father's problematic behaviors. He found a loop hole and said we should name the baby a name that's the city of Texas just like his name. I guess that's his version of a junior.

The two of us think for a minute and speak in unison. "Austin?"

Both of us laugh at how our minds think alike and I walk over to him, letting him sit me in his lap. Resting my forehead on his, I let out a breath of air. I'm so glad we've finally decided on a name.

"Austin is fine with me. I love that name." I smile widely. "So do I!" Drummer replies.

He brings the back of my hand up to his lips and kisses it softly. "What do you wanna do tonight, baby?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I get off of him and walk into the kitchen to check on dinner. I made baked bbq chicken, green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, corn, and honey cornbread.

"Smells good in here. Is the food almost finished?" Drummer asks as he wraps his arms around my belly and kisses my neck, making me shutter underneath his touch.

"It's finished. I'll fix your plate."

"Nah, baby. You sit down and I'll fix your plate. You've been on your feet long enough."

Sitting down at the table, I lick my lips as I wait for my plate. Once it's in front of me, I say my grace and dig in while Drummer fixes his own plate; sitting down across from me. As soon as he starts to bite his chicken wing, I stop him.

"Tell Princess to come get a plate. We have enough for her and I'm tired of her waking me up all through the night tryna sneak and eat. I told her she doesn't have to do that and that she's welcomed to live freely here. This is her house too now."

Drummer frowns and opens his mouth to say something smart like he always does when I mention her, but I hold my hand up. "Go do it. You can't be mad forever. You're making a big deal out of the situation."

"Coming from the person who up and moved to another state when she THOUGHT her nigga was cheating with her best friend." He says lowly.

My eyes water as I continue eating my food until Drummer calls my name. Ignoring him, I wipe away the tears and keep eating until he walks over to me, rubbing my shoulders.

"I am so sorry I said that. I know I shouldn't have, but I just get so upset when it comes to Princess. I don't want her here and I don't want her ass involved in my life. She's a lying, cheating, coneiving bitch and she needs to rot in hell for killing my daug... I mean for killing Niyah." He spits out and we hear a gasp.

Looking up, Princess glares at us before turning around and running. The two of us run after her, Drummer going faster than I am. By the time I make it to the living room, the door is wide open and he's outside calling her name.

"She's gone." He says when he comes back into the house and closes the door.

"Awww shit! What the hell are we gonna do now? The blackmailer will have a field day when he finds her on the streets."

"Milani, it'll be fine. I don't even care anymore! I'm tired of living in fear of what the blackmailer will do. If it comes down to it, I'll throw Brandon and Chanel under the bus. Don't you worry about us. I got us, baby."

Drummer takes my hand, but I snatch away from him and go back into the kitchen to finish my food. He follows after me and does the same, both of us remaining quiet for the rest of the meal. While he does the dishes, I walk upstairs to the bedroom and change into a big t shirt then get confortable in the bed.

"Can I cuddle you?" Drummer asks with puppy dog eyes.

Rolling my eyes, I turn away from him and feel a dip in the bed as he pulls me to him; not caring that I don't want him touching me. He rests his chin on my shoulder as his hands caress my belly.

"It's time to come outta there, Austin. Me and mommy are waiting on you, boy. I'm ready to meet you." He says to my belly.

"Austin, your daddy is an asshole! I hope he gets his shit together before you're here."

Before Drummer can apologize and explain himself, my phone rings and I grab it from the nightstand; putting it up to my ear.

"Hey. Haven't heard from you in a while." I say into the phone.

"Hey, Milani. I know and I'm sorry about that. I've just been busy. I'm so sorry I couldn't make your baby shower, but I'm gonna make it up to you with a gift."

"It's all good, Chanel. We've got to stop being so awkward and start back hanging out. That's the only way we'll get back to how we used to be."

Chanel takes a deep breath and speaks, "You're right, Lani. How about I make it up to you tomorrow? Lets go out to eat, shopping, and to get massages. Everything on me."

With a smile on my face, I quickly agree and she tells me she'll pick me up at 1:00pm tomorrow. Putting my phone on the charger, I get up and start looking for something to wear for our outing. I haven't been out with a friend in a while and I'm excited as hell. My body could really use a massage.

"So where we going?" Drummer asks me from the bed as he flips through the channels on the tv.

"We're not going anywhere. I'm going with Chanel to eat, shop, and get massages."

"Damn, I wanna go."

"You better spend time with Brandon and apologize for manipulating him." I say as I pull out different clothing pieces until I find a comfortable outfit.

Drummer gets quiet so I turn towards him and he's playing like he's asleep. Walking over to him, I slap his leg and he groans, rubbing his eyes then putting on a sleepy voice. "What is it, Bae? You saw a nigga was sleeping."

"Lying ass and I need your card. I'm gonna buy stuff for Austin's nursery tomorrow and I'm gonna get a few things customized at the mall." I say as I grab his wallet off the dresser.

He looks through his wallet and gives me his bank card.

"Spend whatever you want, baby. I'm cool with anything you buy. I just want my son's room to look good. Don't get anything heavy. Just FaceTime me so I can see the color scheme. I'll buy his crib and any other furniture."

Nodding my head, I lean down and kiss his lips. He deepens the kiss by putting his tongue in my mouth. Climbing into bed, I run my fingers down his chest and he stops me when his phone rings.

"Wassup?" He says into the phone and I remain still so I can listen to his conversation. I hear Brandon's voice on the other end.

"Aye D, I'm at Ray's right now and I ran into Ariyah. She was acting all suspicious and dropped something before running off. It was a phone and its got some shit in it that you need to see."

"Bet, I'm on my way."

Jumping up, Drummer gets dressed quickly and gives me a long hug then kisses my lips.

"I'm not gone stay at the club all night, Lani. I'm just going to see wassup with the phone Ariyah dropped. I haven't been to the club in a while and I don't plan on going back regularly. Brandon can handle shit there. I wanna be here with your for the rest of the pregnancy." He tells me, looking into my eyes.

"I appreciate that, Drummer, but I'll be fine. You don't have to stop your life for me. Keep working and saving up that money. As soon as this pregnancy is over, I'm gonna get a job. I don't like sitting around on my ass."

"Nah, you're not working. You're gonna be a stay at home momma and Ima take care of y'all. I don't want no strange ass babysitter watching our son while we're at work. We'll talk about that later though. I love you."

"I love you too." I say before getting back into bed. "Look for Princess while you're out."

"Nah, I'm sure she's good wherever she at." He says before disappearing out of the room.

As soon as he's gone, I turn on Charmed and snuggle under the covers then look up color schemes for Austin's room. I can't wait to shop for him and go all out. Drummer told me to spend whatever and that's exactly what I'm gone do.

***

My eyes flutter open at 9:00am and I stretch my muscles, slowly getting out of bed. Looking around the room, I immediately notice that Drummer isn't here. I grab my phone and see if I have a text message or any missed calls from him, but I don't. My stomach starts to hurt as I think the worst. He's probably in trouble or something. Putting on my robe, I walk downstairs to look for him, checking every room. He's still nowhere to be found.

Inhaling and exhaling deeply, I try to keep calm as I call Drummer's phone. My hands start to shake as I wait for him to answer, but he never does. After calling three more times, I send him a few messages then call Brandon's phone. I still don't get an answer so I sigh loudly and call Chanel, chewing on my lip nervously while my nerves run wild.

"Hey Lani! You ready already? Damn girl, we still have hours to get ready." Chanel answers happily.

"CHANEL! Drummer didn't come home! He's not answering so I called Brandon and he's not answering! Have you heard from them? Where are they? Please tell me you know where they're at!"

"Milani, take a deep breath and calm down. Drummer slept over here last night because he got too drunk and couldn't make it home. He's right here on my couch and Brandon is passed out in the bed. Everything is okay! You're gonna go in labor with all that stress!!"

Relief sweeps over me and I laugh at how scared I just got. "Tell him I'm gone beat his fucking ass if he scares me again!"

"His ass won't wake up, Lani. I'll tell him before I come get you though." She laughs and tells me to get ready then hangs up the phone.

Opening up the refrigerator, I grab spinach, frozen banana, strawberries, frozen mangoes, pineapples, and almond milk then throw everything in my blender. I pour my smoothie into a cup with a straw and drink it on my way upstairs. Walking into the bathroom, I take a steamy shower then get dressed in my bodysuit and tennis shoes. Checking the time, I see that it's only 11:00 so I take my sew in out, wash my natural hair, and flat iron it. I finish my look by doing my makeup and adding silver accessories.

Grabbing my smoothie off the dresser, I finish drinking it and take all my vitamins then grab my purse, taking it downstairs with me. As soon as I sit down to rest, my stomach growls loudly so I fix myself a bowl of brown sugar maple oatmeal, three pieces of turkey bacon, and toast with grape jelly.

"Mmm." I moan as I throw the food back, washing it down with a cold glass of cranberry juice.

Finishing up, I toss my dishes into the dishwasher and walk outside when I hear Chanel blowing the horn.

"Oh shit, Milani! You're HUGE! Looks like you're gonna pop any day now!" Chanel says as soon as I get into the car.

"I know!! I'm ready to drop this load!"

The rest of our day is filled with fun. Well that is until we get to the mall. The restaurant and massage were amazing, but being at the mall with Chanel is rubbing me the wrong way. Every time I try to buy something for Austin, she convinces me that it's ugly or that I shouldn't get it. It's really pissing me the fuck off. Seems like she's jealous. On top of all that, Drummer still hasn't returned my calls or texted me back.

"You sure you wanna leave, Milani? We can keep looking around."

"Let's go. We've been out all damn day and I still haven't gotten my baby anything. My feet are starting to swell and my back is killing me. I just wanna go the fuck home! I'm tired and irritated."

"Okay." Chanel says as we leave the mall and walk back to the car.

Chanel cranks up and drives us back to my house. The two of us don't say a word to each other because I clearly have an attitude and she knows she's the cause of it.

"Can we watch a movie?" She asks me and I bite my tongue to not cuss her out. "Sure" I say with a fake smile then let us into the house.

Rolling my eyes, I walk upstairs with Chanel behind me and just as I'm about to open the bedroom door, I hear rustling in one of the guest bedrooms that's across from our room.

"Did you hear that?" I whisper to Chanel and she nods, tip toeing to the door.

"Stay right here, Milani and I'll go in first. I don't want you and the baby to get hurt."

My eyes fill with tears as I think about how mean I've been to her. Tucking in my lips, I nod my head and let her go into the room. Moments later, I hear her screaming so I quickly swing the door open and start crying like a baby at the sight in front of me.

"Did you guys plan this!? Is this why you two weren't answering my calls!?" I ask as I see Brandon, Chanel, and Drummer smiling.

"Yeah, we had Chanel keep you busy while we bought and set everything up." Brandon says with a smile.

I pull all of them into a group hug and thank them for everything. Drummer walks over to me and pulls me into his chest, hugging me. "I'm sorry I had to ignore you today. It was for a good cause though."

"Don't you ever do that again! You had me so worried. Thank you for this." I say into his chest.

He wipes away my tears and looks in my eyes. "I'm not the one you should be thanking. It was all Chanel's idea."

Walking over to her, I hug her tightly and both of us cry on each other's shoulders. "Is this why you wouldn't let me buy anything in the mall?" I ask and she nods.

"Chanel, thank you sooo much! I am so sorry for being such a bitch to you! Thank you for today and for this! I love you!"

"I love you too, Milani. Now lets go get chocolate milk wasted. That'll have to do until you have Austin."

Nodding my head, Drummer and I let Chanel and Brandon go downstairs first. He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it before turning to kiss my lips.

"I can't wait to raise our son together. It'll be amazing." Drummer says, his voice cracking. "Thank you so much for carrying my child and letting me have a say in his name. I was thinking while we were decorating that you should pick his middle name. That way he'll have names that we came up with together."

"You're welcome and I already have a name. I'll tell you about it later. I just want a minute alone up here."

"Okay, baby." Drummer says before going downstairs.

I look around the beautifully decorated nursery one last time before rubbing my belly.

"Mama can't wait to meet you, Austin Amarion Jacobs."