Atlanta, GA

The plane ride back to Atlanta was tension filled to say the least.

Knowledge now watched Amber sleep in the car as he drove to the address she had given him.

Although she had developed a hard demeanor physically, he could still tell she was that soft girl who was always shy around him. He knew that was something she did when she was scared, she did it when they first met.

He still couldn't believe he was a father.

They had decided to pick Mecca up so he could meet her, then take her by his parents later on.

"Aye.."

He softly shook Amber as he pulled in front of Sky's apartments.

She refused to wake up, and he sighed.

He didn't want to just go and get Mecca by himself, but he also knew Amber needed to sleep.

After composing himself a little, he made his way to the apartment door and knocked.

Sky immediately opened the door, out of curiosity from what Amber had texted her.

She'd been waiting for him.

"Wassup," Knowledge waved as Sky held Mecca on her hip.

"Hey, where's Amb?"

"S-she's in the car sleep." He said, keeping his eyes on the child, who was staring him down.

"Okay, and I'm guessing you don't have a car seat.. so hold her and I'll get the backup." Sky smiled trying to pass Mecca to him.

Sky noticed his hesitation and set Mecca down.

Knowledge was surprised to see the child ran and clung to his leg.

He stared down at her, until he finally picked her up out of instinct.

"Da.." Mecca mumbled as she traced her hand on his face.

"Amb shows her pictures from time to time." Sky said as she came back with the car seat.

"Come lemme show you how to strap her in."

Knowledge followed as Mecca held onto him tightly.

Once Sky had got Mecca in the car, Mecca began to fuss.

"Da!" She screeched.

Knowledge looked and saw Amber begin to wake up.

"I can drive, so you can sit back with her." She mumbled.

"Yea." Knowledge mumbled and passed her the keys.

______________________

"Good job pretty girl."

"Ahhhh" Mecca screeched as Knowledge kissed all over her face.

Amber smiled as she took their picture.

Mecca and Knowledge were literally instant best friends.

He didn't understand how he could love her so much already.

"My mama getting impatient." He chuckled as he looked at the tenth message from Ivory so she could 'see her grand baby'

"You can take her over there." Amber smiled.

He scrunched up his face "You not coming?"

She bit her lip and shook her head.

"I don't think it's best for me to right now."

"Amber.. if it's about pops, ignore that nigga. We family now, and you the mother of my child. He gon have to get over whatever." Knowledge shrugged.

"..D-do you wanna DNA test? I promise I haven't been with anyone else but you before she was born and-"

Knowledge chuckled and cut her off.

"You already explained and I trust you ma.. plus this lil nigga look just like me. Yo genes ain even try.."

Amber just smiled as she looked at Mecca who played in Knowledge's hair, not even aware of everything going on.

".. she got them eyes tho." He nodded as he stared Amber down and licked his lips.

She clenched her legs a little, then refocused on the child in the room.

"Ma.. food." Mecca said with a frown.

"What you want? Nuggets?" Amber asked as Knowledge stood with her in his arms.

Mecca immediately nodded.

"Chic fil a?" Amber asked causing the child to nod again.

"We gon get it on the way to the hotel." Knowledge said.

"Daddy's gonna get you some." Amber told Mecca as she helped her with her shoes.

A wide kool aid grin made it's way onto Knowledge's face 'daddy.'

____________________

"Look, she looks just like you in this." Ivory smiled as she pulled up a picture of Knowledge from one of his early jail visits on her phone.

Knowledge chuckled as he held onto Mecca in his lap.

Ivory and Asahd had gotten to hold her a little until he felt he was gone for too long.

"Amber.. I owe you an apology." Asahd said, causing everyone to look over at him.

"It's fine." Amber said offering him a polite smile.

"It's not, I let a lot of things cloud my judgement the other night. It was wrong and disrespectful, I'm sorry. But I also thank you for my grandchild."

"You're welcome." She smiled as he stood up to hug her.

"Da." Mecca called as she played in his hair.

"Yea baby?" He immediately put all his attention on her.

"Shlee." She said resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes.

"We gon head out.." Knowledge said standing to his feet.

Ivory smiled at how fast her son had assumed his role.

"Y'all be safe."

📍

Once they had made it home, Knowledge got Mecca ready for bed then laid her down to sleep.

Now, he and Amber were in the living room.

"We need to discuss what we doing.. imma be in Memphis a lot now on top of being on the road." He told her.

"I know." Amber nodded.

"My first thing is, do you wanna move?"

"Honestly?" She asked.

"That's all I'm asking for Amber.."

"I don't."

"Ight," he nodded.

Amber sighed "How's this gonna work?"

"Imma make it work. I just need you to work wimme."

"Okay.. we can come down on whatever weekends you're in Memphis. I can try to make it to some games too. Then I'm sure you'll pass through Atlanta at some points." Amber said.

Knowledge smiled "Yea."

".. What are we gonna do about the internet?" Amber asked.

"Fuck them." Knowledge shrugged "I just wanna enjoy her without anybody having anything to say.. and if they find out oh well, it don't gotta be a big drama cause she well taken cared of."

"Okay." Amber smiled, feeling like they had made a little progress.

"Gimme a hug." Knowledge said, opening his arms up to her.

He was a hugger and at the moment he felt like they both needed a hug.

"I'm sorry." She said into his chest.

He just pulled her in tighter.

Knowledge was still upset with her, but no matter what she still had his heart.