(One week later)

I was crushed and devastated after Sean told me the news that Shaunte was indeed pregnant. How could life be so cruel especially when my gut feeling was telling me this was a lie? I had seen the video, listened to the doctor words, even researched him for the past week only to find out that indeed he was the best in the field.

Sitting up in the bed I must have gone through two boxes of kleenex today. My eyes were almost swollen shut from the hurt and the pain. A whole week of feeling lost in emotions was finally taking a toll on me. My body ache, my tear ducts were numb and my heart, oh geesh the waterworks were starting up again.

"Lizzy where are you," I heard my mother's voice call out. I couldn't even speak, I just couldn't answer.

I heard her coming up the stairs. "Lizzy are you up here?"

I shook my head yes but my mouth was glued closed. She knocked and opened the door. The expression on her face caused me to start crying again.

"Oh honey," she said walking up to the bed and putting her arms around me.

"Mom...how could he...," and I broke down again.

"Everything is going to be okay."

"No it won't. He's ruined everything. He asked me to give him a chance and now he got some two-timing piranha pregnant. She's horrible mom. She's a user and taker and she thinks she has this whole situation under control. I should have made her beg even more when I was kicking her sorry ass."

"I know you're angry."

"Angry doesn't even begin to cover the surface. I can't believe he let her play him."

"I'm sure it was an honest mistake. Sometimes guys get caught up in the heat of the moment not realizing the consequences to be had."

"That is besides the point. He had to have some physical and emotional attachment. Even after our altercation, he tended to her. He said it was to calm her down but maybe he did still have some feelings for her." I stared at my hands watching them tremble.

"You and Sean are going to work this out and live happily ever after."

"That's easier said than done."

"Lizzy I've known Sean since he was an infant. You two were made for each other. You two will get through this, you'll see. Now clean that face up so you can start packing for your trip tomorrow."

"I can't go."

"Why not?"

"This mess with Sean has me on edge."

"Well this is perfect timing. You can visit your so-called boyfriend, you remember him?"

"Very funny, of course I do. He's called everyday, has sent me chocolates and flowers. He's been a real pick-me-upper."

"Well if that's the case why are you still crying over Sean?"

"Because Sean stuck his sausage in between some cheap ass buns and now he is having acid reflux."

"They were dating, so you can't be upset of their relationship. Wait you've been jealous this whole time."

"Have not."

"There is nothing she has that you can't offer him."

"Exactly."

"So why are you sitting up here crying? Go get your man."

"It's easier said than done mom."

"Okay you have officially lost me Liz. You love him and God knows he loves you, what's the damn problem?"

"How would that look for me to come between him and his so-called pregnant ex-girlfriend? Once the media gets a hold to it and I come along, people will say I am the home wrecker. I don't want to be labeled and have the public after me. Maybe I should just poparize. It's just like Olivia Pope with President Fitz Grant. It doesn't matter how much I would want to be with him, it would be too hard."

"Life isn't easy Liz."

I started to cry again. My love life was now based off a television show. I was Olivia Pope, Sean was Fitz, Shae was Millie and Aries was Jake. Oh goodness I was doomed.

"You can't keep torturing yourself, you have to decide what is more important. To be happy with Sean, Aries or by yourself, but you are going to make yourself go crazy and I'm not going to sit here and watch that go down. I love you baby but this has to stop. Are you going to Atlanta tomorrow?"

"I guess so."

"Are still going to the photo shoot on Thursday?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to LA on Saturday?"

I couldn't say anything. More tears started rolling down my eyes.

"Are you going to LA?"

"I don't know."

"Lizzy regardless whether you and Sean get you know...he is still your bestfriend. You've always been there to support him and he's done the same for you. Remember he paid a ten thousand dollar fine for being late to a game because you had your white coat ceremony?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember he missed an advertisers event to come to your medical school graduation and bought you that top of the line stethoscope with your name and the case. The one you had been wanting but they were completely sold out and Sean made some calls and they specially made one for you just in time for graduation."

"Are you trying to make me feel bad?"

"You've done just as many sweet things for him as he's done for you. I'm surprise you still have a job running up behind me. You should have more frequent flyer miles than Tom Joyner, I'm just saying."

"Not funny," I said watching her snicker.

"Let me ask you this, are you really falling for Aries or is he just a placeholder until you and Sean come to some agreement."

"I like him mom. Aries is sweet and kind."

"He's not Sean sweetie."

"I know that, but there is something intriguing about him and I can't walk away."

"Would you marry him? Can you honestly see yourself with someone besides Sean?"

"Of course, why would you ask me that?" I looked away gathering my used tissues.

She laughed. "You're lying child of mine. You have always loved Sean and nothing is going to change that. A baby by someone else is not going to keep you two apart. You love him and he most definitely love you. This is just a test but the two of you will get pass it. He really needs you right now, especially your friendship."

"Mom I can't be with him if she is indeed pregnant with his child. This is not how life was suppose to be. We were both suppose to be successful, then settle down and have a family later on in our careers. That was the plan but he ruined it. No one ever told him to move to LA and get this whopper head chic pregnant."

"He went because there was opportunity and he got to follow his dreams."

"Big freaking deal!"

"Lizzy, you always wanted to be a doctor. You wanted to fix things. You could have easily moved to LA and studied medicine there. You two could have been together then but you chose to stay here. You can't put all the blame on him."

I rolled my eyes.

"I get it. You want him at your beck and call. You wanted to control this relationship but it didn't turn out the way you wanted. It's okay honey not to always have to run the show. I know you're independent, passionate and a true fighter for what you believe in. I know you still love Sean, I don't think that will ever change. You have to stay true to yourself. If you really, really want Sean, then be the woman he needs. If you can't be that and you think Aries is the guy for you, then you need to focus on him, either way you can't continue like this." She pulled me in her arms.

"It's time to make a decision. Remember your happiness is important too. Now get up so we can pack."

"No, I want to stay like this. It's not everyday I get this much attention from my mommy."

"You can have whatever you want. I miss us talking and I will admit I hate that you are now an adult and you don't need me as much."

"See that's where you are wrong, a girl always needs her mama, especially when she's right. I'm going to Atlanta tomorrow and break it off with Aries. Then I'm going to my photoshoot and then to LA. Sean needs me and in truth I need him too."

"So are you coming back from LA?"

"Yes, maybe not on Sunday but by the end of the week. I could go visit the UCLA Orthopedic Spine Clinic and speak to the director. I attended one of his presentations and I told him I would stop by next time I was in LA."

"So Sean it is?"

"Yep, I want to be with him."

"Good. See that wasn't so bad. What about Shae?"

"What about her?"

"She will be there."

"I will bite my tongue and be the charismatic bestfriend that everyone loves and be the woman Sean can be proud of."

"Ah baby I'm glad. I really thought you and Sean would have had me some grandbabies by now. You do know I am not as young as I use to be. Shit, the longer you wait the likelihood of me having one is looking pretty dismal."

"Oh so you want me and Sean to produce a litter so you can be a grandma?"

"Actually in the famous words of Nene Leakes, Glam Ma. I'm still fabulous you know. I can still strut in my six and half inch Christy-Lou's being gone with the wind fabulous. I look just as good as Christy Brinkley at sixty-one. I'm not there yet, but I plan to have legs like Tina Turner, a body like Jasmine Tookes and a hunk on my side like Sullivan Stapleton."

"Mom you watch way too much television. I am getting you a library card and canceling your cable service."

"Girl don't make me kung fu ya," she said laughing which made me laugh.

"Mom as soon as you raise your leg, you would be in traction," I said returning the laugh.

"Baby chiles, I've been going to yoga. I can do the downward dog and best believe I have a few admirers. I can hit a cat position and end with a side bow. Best believe Mama is getting her groove back, watch out Red Stick, Hurricane Johnson is ready to make landfall."

"Oh no...I better get the casting materials for the broken limbs, screws for the broken hip bones and a neck brace."

"Get whatever you need because I have arrived and the spotlight is on me, hunty. If you know like I know it's going to be one hell of a wondrous ride."

"Speaking of that, why don't you meet me at the photoshoot or better yet come with me to Atlanta. You can help me out with breaking it off with Aries."

"Oh no honey, you can do that by yourself, you don't need me for that."

"But I might crack under pressure and not do it."

"You love Sean, that's who is going to make you happy right?"

"Yes," I kept repeating in my head over and over again.

"Then you don't need me. You're a big girl."

"Well at least meet me at the photoshoot in Hawaii. We can get some mother daughter shots and you can start your alter ego MJ."

"MJ?"

"MJ, Ms. Johnson if you nasty."

My mom got up and started dancing and snapping her fingers grooving to her own beat. I flipped on the stereo and Mary J Blige's original, Real Love, was on and I got up and joined her. It was nice to clown around like this. I could always be myself around my mom and Sean. They both loved me for who I was and through my faults.

I laughed as my mom twirled me around and a remix of New Edition's, If It Isn't Love, came on and we started doing the dance steps from the video. Once we finished dancing we both fell backwards on the bed out of breath.

"We still got it chica," she said turning towards me.

"Yeah I realize I need to take some vitamins to keep up with you mom."

She laughed. "Seriously Lizzy, I truly want you to be happy, you deserve happiness. Your dad would be so proud of you and what you have accomplished just like I am. Stay strong Lizzy, that's one thing about you, that I so admire. Your fear makes you stronger. I know that deep down inside you are scared to face that fear with Sean but I bet you will be surprised how fast you can overcome it. I love you my angel."

"I love you too mommy."

"We better get up so you can pack."

"So are you going to meet me on the beach in two days? Free drinks and you could come to Sean's Fan Day with me. Cute guys, beautiful weather and you could meet tarantula face, Shae, plus you can keep me out of jail."

"Okay, since you put it like that. The beach and LA."

"Yeah! We are going to have a blast."

I had just gotten off the practice field. Reporters were lined up waiting on interviews since our first game was next Sunday. We were looking pretty good for the pre-season and I expected us to be top contenders. I walked in the locker room getting my stuff to take a shower.

"Man I'm so pumped for the real season to begin," my linebacker Jeremy Coe said.

"I am too. I can't wait to try out these new plays. We have a lot of talent on the team."

"We do. So you ready for Fan Day?"

"Yep and my girl is coming tomorrow."

"That's right, you and Rue are back together."

"We aren't. Rue and I are finished."

"That's not what she told Felicia the other night. She told her you two have been hooking up a lot lately."

"Tell your sister that's a lie. There is nothing between Rue and I anymore."

"So you two weren't popping bottles the other night."

"Is that what Rue told her? If so she's lying. I am committed to Lizzy."

"We will see," he said walking away.

I showered, did a few interviews and went home. My phone started to ring. I clicked on the bluetooth and said, "hello."

"Hey it's me, Sharon. AJ and I just touched down and we don't see you here."

"I never said I was picking you up. There should be a car waiting at baggage claim to take you to the hotel."

"I thought we were staying with you."

"You were mistaken. I have arranged for the two of you to stay at a hotel and the itinerary is waiting at the front desk. You need to go outside and there should be a driver with a sign with your name on it."

"I just assumed we would be staying with you after all we are suppose to tell AJ you are his dad."

"I have no idea why you think you would. I'm not sure if it's the right time for us to tell him."

"We can't keep putting this off. He is your son Aries. He has every right to stay with you. You invited us here and I am not going to let you treat us like this."

"I'm busy for the next two days and I don't have time to argue with you. My parents will be here and I don't need any drama."

"Oh so now I see. You don't want your parents to know you have a son. Let me guess that girlfriend of yours is coming?"

"Look I don't have time to talk about this, I will see you tomorrow at Fan Day." I hung up on her and veered off onto the freeway. Women!

When I got home there were a couple of cars in my driveway. I pulled up to the garage and got out. Smiling from ear to ear when I opened up the door the aroma of fresh baked bread and roast filled the air. I walked in the kitchen, threw my arms around her waist and kissed her on the cheek.

"You scared me baby. You can't do that Aries. You are going to give me a heart attack. You know my heart can't take all the excitement."

My mother, Mildred Ariana Wilson, didn't play games. Her smooth brown skin, dark brown eyes and naturally turned gray hair was pinned up in a bun. She stood at a merely five feet tall with a sassy attitude. Oh and she didn't mind giving you a piece of it every chance she got. Not only was she a God fearing woman but she didn't mind slapping the crap out of you.

"Mama I've missed you."

"And I have missed you. So where is she?"

"Lizzy?"

"Yes, who else?"

"She will be here tomorrow. She can only stay for the day as she has a photoshoot the day after tomorrow."

"I've seen her pictures and she is absolutely beautiful. Even better she's a model and a doctor. You've come a long way from messing with these nappy-headed leeches."

"My love life isn't that bad."

"That last girl, Ruth Paul, Ruthie Ann, RufRuf..."

"Mama her name is Rue."

"Whatever the heifer name was, she wasn't no good. She was a taker and that included spending all your money."

"I almost married her."

"Thank God you didn't. Your father and I would be living in a nursing home if we were her parents I bet. She had more attitude than a snake. So disrespectful. I'm so glad you found out the truth before it was too late."

"I have some news and you aren't going to like it."

"Aries let me sit down." She turned off the stove and sat down at the table. I sat across from her just in case her hand winded up going across my face.

"I'm waiting."

"Sharon is here."

"Sharon who?" Her eyebrows scowled up.

"From college."

"I don't remember her."

"Ma, Sharon and I dated for years."

"She must not be worth remembering."

"She has a son and his name is AJ."

Her eyes got wide as saucers. I could see the steam coming from her ears and her eyes slowly narrowed.

"I've already had a DNA test done and I am his father."

She remained quiet. This wasn't going to be good. She folded her arms as I explained how I met him and that he was in town with Sharon.

"You have a son?" My father asked walking in the kitchen along with my niece Denetra.

"Yes."

My dad, James Wilson was a retired postman from Fayetteville, North Carolina. He stood at six seven and two hundred and ninety pounds. His medium brown skin, with greenish-brown eyes bore straight through me. He was a no nonsense kind of guy and he didn't mind whipping off his belt like the ghetto hero, Pootie Tang.

"Who did you get pregnant and when?" He asked scratching the side of his face.

"My girlfriend from college, Sharon."

"I don't remember her."

"We broke up once I got drafted."

"He should be around eight or nine."

"Actually he's almost ten."

"And you just finding out about him?"

"Yes dad. I found out about a month ago."

"Let me guess she wants you back and wants you to take care of him."

"The second part yes. He is my son, I have the papers that say he is."

"So you are not interested in her," he asked giving me the side eye.

"No."

"So this woman named Lizzy, the doctor right, that's the one you want to be with?"

"Yes she will be here tomorrow."

"Does your current girlfriend know about this son of yours?"

"No and I want to keep it like that for now."

"Wait, let me get this straight? Lizzie, Sharon, your baby mama and son are going to all be here tomorrow, together?"

"Not all together dad."

"What?" He yelled out.

"Lizzy will be with you all in the suites while Sharon and AJ are with the fans. He doesn't know I'm his father."

"What?!" My mom yelled jumping up.

"What is his name?"

"AJ."

"Wait his name is AJ?" My father asked.

"She named him after me. I swear I didn't know until she told me."

!

"Ouch! Mom!" She slapped the crap out of me and I never saw it coming. I could feel a headache starting to flare up.

"Don't mom me! I am so disappointed in you. I've always told you to strap up. I can't believe you, I bet that girl knew one day she would be sitting pretty. Next thing you know that Root, Ruety Paul, Dodo girl is going to have your baby too."

"Her name is Rue."

"Shut the hell up! I didn't ask you to correct me. Boy you lucky I don't put you across my knees and tear that butt up," she said making me flinch. She was beyond angry and it was understandable.

"If you are in love with Lizzy then you need to tell her now. You don't need to wait or have Sharon tell her," my dad said.

"I don't want to lose Lizzy."