It's been a week since we came back from New York and I haven't seen Essence at all. We've been texting but she just won't come kick it and whenever I want to kick it she's "busy", but I know it's because I haven't been able to talk to Harmony. She just got back from being in Miami with her family, who she apparently just told about the pregnancy.

It took everything in me not to go the fuck off on her ass when I first messaged her. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was all some bullshit to get me caught up. I honestly didn't have a problem with her keeping the baby. My issue was that she fucking lied to me after go off on me about it being her body and her choice. Not to mention the $850 I gave her for the abortion. I just was ready to get it over with.

Harmony agreed to meet up at the park between our places. I sat on the bench pissed off watching people run around. It was taking her forever so I decided to check out IG.

: Bubba always laughing at me 🙄😂 got me out here making boss moves tho #MiniBoss #FamilyBusiness

...

Pulling up because stole my bestie

see we gone have to pop up on em 😡 outta pocket asses

...

My bestie is my favorite hair model! #ThatsMyBestFriend

😍😍😍

🤤😍😘🥰

...

Weekend with Bump 💓

👀

Stop tagging him!

Cute girl

...

Once I saw that she was posted up near the entrance on IG, I text her where I was and tried to collect myself. I watched as she walked to the bench and sat down leaving a good bit of space between us. I watched her feeling my anger radiate so I stayed silent until I calmed down.

"Phar—"

"Why?" I cut her off shaking my head "Why would you do all this... to me?"

"I didn't mean for it to be like this Pharaoh"

"I can't fucking tell! Harmony I begged you to take my feelings into consideration and you argued tooth and nail that you didn't want this! Why take the money? Why not tell me? I tried to be there and support you! Now I've missed half of the whole pregnancy! You're selfish as fuck!"

"Look! I had to come to terms with this! No I couldn't go through with it! I changed my mind! But you! You were soooo happy when you thought I did it"

"Because that's what you fucking asked for! You asked for support so I support you! I didn't want you to feel bad about doing what you thought was right! I would've been there! But you lied to me!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Are you?" I chuckled dryly "You blocked my number months ago! You ain't even used social media since our last argument and ignored any of my attempts to talk to you! I just wanted to make sure you were good! You had plenty of chances to tell me"

"It wasn't that simply Rao!" She started crying "I had to tell my family! I had to deal with being sick and finishing the semester! Shit wasn't that fucking easy! And you moved on to the next! Every time I look up you with that girl!"

"Chill out" I sighed moving over to hug her "I don't want you to cry... I'm just mad man. I don't get to prepare like I should and that's stressing me out"

"I'm only 4 months, we got time"

"But I have to talk to my family and get my shit together too"

"I really am sorry Rao... I just didn't think you really wanted this"

"I mean Harmony this was never planned and we weren't together.... but that doesn't make it less of a blessing"

"Do you forgive me?"

"Yeah" I smirked at her "it's still frustrating but I'll get over it. We just gotta be honest with each other from this point forward"

"Okay" she smiled "Umm I have a doctors appointment in like an hour... you want to come?"

"Of course I do"

"It's actually the gender appointment"

"Really" I felt excited "Bet. Umm tell Des you're riding with me and we can go"

"Okay"

We got up and headed to my car. I was nervous but excited to go to the doctor with Harmony. As fucked up as the situation is I can't do anything but deal with it, and being mean to her isn't going to make it any better for us or the baby.

When we got to her doctors office we still hadn't talked since we left the park. I followed her every move just watching how it works. It wasn't long before we were in a room with a monitor. The doctor came in and they talked about the pregnancy. Apparently, Harmony was fine and gaining weight perfectly. The appointment was much shorter than I expected as far as talking to the doctor and checking her out went.

It came time to turn on the monitor and the ultrasound machine. I couldn't stop the smile that formed as I watched in anticipation.

"Alrighty" the nurse smile "Dad look at the big screen and there it is"

Instantly, I felt the tears leave my eyes as reality and a plethora of emotions hit me all at once.

"Wow" I whispered

"Our little baby" Harmony grabber my hand "Thank you Rao"

My eyes didn't leave the screen as I watched the baby move and kick around.

"And we want to know the gender, correct?"

"Yes" Harmony spoke excited "I really want a girl"

"What about you daddy?"

"I mean" I wiped my eyes "It doesn't even matter. Just want a healthy kid"

"Well daddy looks like you got a healthy baby boy"

"Wow" I watched the screen "A little me"

"Great" Harmony rolled her eyes "I do the work and he gets a small him"

I laughed along with the nurse as she printed out pictures for us. Once we had everything we left so I could take her home. As we pulled up to her spot she turn to face me.

"I really hope we can do this together Pharaoh. I want my baby to have the family I didn't have"

"We gone be straight Harm. Calm down"

"I mean it's hard to believe that when we are what we are. I mean you got a whole girlfri—"

"I don't have a girlfriend so chill. Essence is my best friend. But none of that has anything to do with us raising our baby together"

She sighed looking down "Okay"

"Look" I grabbed her hand "We not together and I'm not at all saying we gone go there. But we are friends and now we got a kid together. We just gotta focus on your baby boy and let everything else fall into place. Aight?"

"Okay... Thanks Rao" she learned over and kissing my cheek "And his name is Royal"

She got out the car and I watched her go inside before letting out a deep as breath. I had so much shit on my shoulders and my mind now. There was only one person I wanted to talk to. I decided to just call.

:

"Hello" she spoke

"Hey... I really need to talk to you. You busy?"

She paused "Nah. Come pick me up"

"Be there in ten"

"Okay"

I was surprised, happy, and nervous about meeting up with Essence. I definitely didn't know what was going to happen with me and Ess... but I needed her. She always knew what to say. I knew it nobody could help me sort threw my thoughts and feelings, she could. As I drove to her house though, I couldn't help but feel like none of this would play out in my favor in the end.