𝙼𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚂 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁...

A few moments of them saying nothing had passed. Priest stared at the picture of his daughter. Cherish just didn't understand how fucked up his head was thinking she got an abortion. But this took the cake. A daughter who looks every bit like him.

"How old is she? 6?" He asked, but still stared at the phone.

"Yes. She just turned 6." Her voice cracked.

He tossed Cherish off his lap, but not in a rough way. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The Cherish he knew and love wouldn't have kept his daughter from him. He could only imagine how abandoned Malaysia must feel.

"SIX FUCKING YEARS?!" He yelled, causing her to jump.

"I'm sorry." She sniffled.

"You're sorry?" He scoffed. "You kept my daughter from me for 6 fucking years and all you could say is you're sorry."

"YOU SAW HOW THINKING YOU GOT AN ABORTION MESSED WITH MY HEAD, AND YOU STILL CHOSE TO KEEP MY DAUGHTER FROM ME. YOU SELFISH AS FUCK, YO!" He yelled. She saw the pain all in his eyes.

"I tried to tell you. I called you weeks before I went into labor, and you didn't want to hear anything I had to say, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try again. The day I had her, I called you hours before, and you went off on me. Your words played on a loop, and I was determined to prove you wrong and be the best mother I could be." She cried. "You knew how being a mother scared me because my own mother is dead. You threw my insecurities right in my face."

Cherish sat in the corner of hers and Priest's room, crying. Seems like everything was moving fast in her life, but she had no regrets. She grabbed her phone that was by her feet and called Priest. It rang twice before his voice came through the speaker.

"What's up, baby?" She couldn't see, but he was smiling all hard. It was something about Cherish that he couldn't get enough of. That was his baby fasho. Asking her to marry him months ago was the best thing he did in his life.

"When are you coming home?" She bit her lip to stop the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

"Late. It's one of those days." He told her. "You hungry or you miss me?" He licked his lips.

Normally. she would've broken out into a smile because he knew her so well. She would've been calling him for one or both reasons.

She sniffled while chuckling a little. "I guess both."

"What's wrong, mama? I'm about to come home fuck this shit." He stood from his desk.

"No. Take care of business, I'll see when you make it home. Be safe and I love you."

"I love you too. I'll try to be home a little earlier."

"Okay." She hung up.

She stood to her feet and walked over to their bed before snuggling under the covers. As much as she wanted him to come home, she knew she needed to stop making him come home for the simplest reasons. He didn't care, he'd still come home had she told him to. She also knew if she wanted him to reach his money goal and be done with the streets, she needed to stop nagging him.

45 minutes later, she was finally able to doze off when she felt the bed dip. She grabbed her gun, then turned around. Noticing it was Priest, she lowered it.

"My lil gangsta." He smiled.

"Don't do that. You could have woken me up." She set the gun down on the bedside table.

"C'mere." He held open his arms; she crawled over to him, then straddled his waist.

"You didn't have to come home, Priest." She sighed.

"Like hell, I didn't. You think I couldn't tell that you were crying? Talk to me. What's wrong, mama?"

"Priest—" She hopped off his lap and ran to the bathroom that was in their room. She dropped to her knees and clenched the toilet as she vomited.

Priest stood behind her, patting her back and holding her hair. She had stopped, but he still rubbed her back soothingly in case she started throwing up again. After a couple of minutes, she stood and walked over to the sink. He watched with a smirk on his face as she brushed her teeth, then used some mouth wash.

Turning around, she caught him smirking. "Glad to see me throwing up is so amusing." She rolled her eyes before walking out.

He slapped her ass hard causing her to rub it. "I told you about that attitude. You pregnant?"

"How did you—oh my God! You got me pregnant on purpose!" She frowned. "I'm only 20, Priest."

"20 and engaged."

"That's beside the point." She sat on the bed.

"You mad at me?" He sat next to her and kissed her cheek.

"I little bit. Even though you got me pregnant on purpose, this baby was made out of love." She looked at him with teary eyes. "I'm scared."

"Scared of what? You never have to be scared. I got you and I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm scared about that as well, but I'm scared I won't be a good mother. My aunt raised me and my brother, and she did a good job. She never tried to be our mother, so it was always an Auntie's type love we got from her. I can't help but feel like I won't be any good at being a mother because mine is dead. I know that makes no sense, since some parents are horrible to their kids and their grandkids still turn out just fine. I just... how would I be able to give our child a mother's love when I don't remember what having it feels like? I know my momma loved me and my brother, but that feeling ended when I was 6, and I can't remember what it felt like."

Priest pulled Cherish onto his lap. "Listen to me, baby. You don't need a mother's love to be a good mother. Parents aren't perfect as much as we would like to think ours are. We won't be perfect, but we will be good parents. Our baby is going to be loved. He or she will know that they have a mama and daddy that's going to love them unconditionally. I know we young and things has been happening fast. Moved in. Got engaged. Now you pregnant with my baby. Just know I got us. Whenever you feel like you won't be a good mother, I'll be right here to remind you that you will be one." He pecked her lips twice.

"I love you, Priest." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love yo stubborn ass too. Gimme a real kiss."

She leaned down and kissed him. Priest was definitely one of the best things to come into her life. She knew she'll continue to have her doubts, but she also knew he'll be right by her side.

"If anyone knew, you did. You knew and used my own insecurities against me twice just to hurt me. You knew part of me was—is still broken. I just wanted to prove that I would be a good mother. I didn't keep her from you to hurt you. I know I should've told you, but I couldn't have her hating me."

"So, you wanted her to hate me instead? Where does she think I'm at? I swear on everything I love, Cherish, if you filled my daughter's head with lies as if I don't love her—"

"I would never do that. She knows who her father is—well, how you look. She sleeps with your picture every night. I always tell her how much you love her, and she thinks nothing less about you. She never met you, but she loves you so much."

"Why would you do me like that? Our daughter?" She could see the tears in his eyes, and her heart tightened with guilt. "You told a nigga that you had a one-night stand with that you were having his baby, but it was fuck me."

"It wasn't like that."

"I did nothing but love you, Cherish. I never looked at another female. Was never tempted. You were going to be my wife. Those two years we were together, you made it so damn difficult to love you with constantly wanting to put up a wall, pushing me away out of nowhere. Completely shutting down, then you finally gave me all of you. Despite any of that, I still loved you. Seeing that raw and vulnerable side of you, I couldn't help but love all of you. You were my heart." He looked at her and shook his head. Tears rolled down her cheeks rapidly.

"Seeing you again, I couldn't help but thank God for bringing the love of my life back into my life. Yeah, I felt some type of way about you having kids, but I knew I'd love them like they were mine because the love I have for you is so big. The three of you are a package deal. When I came over here, I just knew I was getting my heart back. I didn't hate you when I thought you aborted our baby, but this..."

"Priest—" She reached out to touch his hand.

"Don't fucking touch me!" He shouted before snatching the engagement ring from around her neck.

Now she knew how New New in the movie ATL felt. Despite what she told Yazmine about giving the ring back and what she had mentioned to him about maybe giving it back, she had no intention of doing so.

"Don't be snatching shit off my neck! Give me back my ring." Her voice cracked.

"I bought this ring for the woman I planned on spending the rest of my life with. I was young as hell, but I knew you were the one. You had it right earlier. That is the problem when you think you know someone and you don't. I don't know this Cherish at all. The woman I love would've never kept my child from me just because I hurt her feelings. Type of shit is that? I wouldn't even be this mad if it was only a couple of years, but you wrong as fuck. My fucking daughter." He shook his head.

"I know it was fucked up—"

"Keeping my child away from me is next level fucked up! From here on out, we don't have shit to talk about if it's not our daughter. I'm done with yo ass." He mugged her. He wanted to get real disrespectful, but he couldn't see himself disrespecting her despite what she did. He wanted to go off on her, but that wouldn't have made him feel any different. He wasn't that same 22-year-old Priest. He's a grown-ass man now.

Hearing he was done with her affected her more than she wanted. She wiped her tears and walked over to grab her phone. She texted her aunt to bring her kids home. Priest never moved from the spot he stood. She blew out the candles and turned off the music, then she turned on the lights.

"My auntie about to bring Malaysia over here."

"That's why Yaz didn't want me stopping over there first? Who all know?" He frowned.

"Just my aunt, uncle, Yazmine, and Marcus. They all wanted to tell you, it just wasn't their place and I made them promise not to. Truth had just met both of them when we ran into him at the grocery store." She sighed. She never even told Paris she has kids because Paris would've pillow talked to whoever she was sleeping with. Thankfully, Cherish didn't. Considering Paris is sleeping with Shooter, and he would've definitely told Priest.

There was a knock at the door, so Cherish walked to open it. "Mommy! I missed you." Malaysia hugged her, she was so dramatic at times.

"I missed you more, Snuggle-bug."

"Me too, mommy." Honesti chimed in while hugging her leg.

"I missed you too, Pooh."

"I'll call you, Auntie. Thank you." Cherish cleared her throat. She knew her aunt was going to want to talk once she had a chance. Rissa nodded her head before giving her a sad smile. Rissa already knew Cherish revealing the truth would not go over well.

"Why are you crying, mommy?" Malaysia pouted.

"No cwy, mommy." Honesti added.

"Mommy okay. Someone is here to see you, Snuggle-bug."

"Who is it, mommy?" Malaysia asked, before walking into the house. Cherish locked the door then looked at her daughter. Malaysia's eyes landed on Priest, who stood awkwardly, not sure what to do. You never know what to expect with kids.

Malaysia put her face in her little hands before crying. "Daddy! My daddy!" Malaysia ran over to him. He caught her in his arms and lifted her up.

"Daddyyyyyy!" Honesti started to run, but Cherish caught her.

"No, Pooh." Cherish's voice cracked.

"Me want daddy too." Honesti poked out her bottom lip as tears filled her eyes.

Cherish walked away to her room before she ended up breaking down in front of both her daughters. Plus, she wanted to give Malaysia and Priest some time alone. She cracked her door then sat on her bed with Honesti.

"Me want daddy too."

"I know you do. Mommy is sorry she failed you and your sister. I try, and I try to be the best mother you two could have, but I made so many mistakes that affected you and your sister. I'm so sorry, Pooh." Cherish tears flowed down her cheeks.

She felt like she needed to apologize to both her daughter as her actions affect them both. It's not like Honesti understood what Cherish was apologizing for.

"No cwy, mommy. Please no cwy." Honesti wiped her tears.

Cherish smiled while sniffling. "I love you so much, my sweet baby girl."

"Me lub you too, mommy." Honesti kissed Cherish's cheek.

Malaysia was hugging Priest's neck tightly, causing a feeling he's never felt before in his heart. He couldn't help but drop a tear as held her tightly.

"You're here, daddy. You're really here." She cried as he rubbed her back.

"Stop crying. Daddy's here and I'm not going anywhere." Priest said. His voice cracked a little. He couldn't believe he's a father to a beautiful little girl that looks a lot like him and his father.

"I wished and wished and wished. My wish finally came true. I wished to meet you, and now you're here." She hugged him tighter not wanting to let go while sniffling. "Please don't leave, daddy. I want you here with me." Malaysia pulled back and looked at him as her bottom lip was trembling. "I don't want you to go."

"I promise, I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry you're just now meeting me." Tears filled his eyes again as she hugged him again.

Malaysia had a reminder of Priest every time she looked at his picture, even though she had never met him, but Priest didn't have any. He was more determined than ever to be the best father he could be. She's literally everything to him, and he just met her. Maybe because he loved her so much when she was growing inside her mother's stomach. Whatever the reason, he truly loves his daughter.

Priest sat on the couch with her still clinging to him. He could tell she's been wanting this for a long time. "I look like you." She smiled as he wiped her tears.

"Yeah, you my lil twin." He chuckled.

"Mommy said I act like you, too. She's always so sad when we talk about you. I sometimes find her crying on the kitchen floor when she thinks we are asleep. I hug her, and she stops. That's why I'm her Snuggle-bug."

"I used to do the same." He said truthfully. There were times when he came home to find Cherish either on the kitchen floor, leaning against the cabinet doors, or in the corner of their room crying.

"Really? I love my mommy a lot. She is the best. That's why I don't like to see her cry. When I tell mommy how much I love you, she cries too."

"Your momma crying was always a weakness for me. She was my first love." He didn't know why he just said that to his daughter.

"That means she was the first person you ever loved. Aside from your mommy." Malaysia giggled.

"How you know that?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I asked my mommy because she said you are her first love. I didn't know what that meant. Then she said she still loves you. Don't tell her I told you. I'm not supposed to tell other people's business unless someone is getting hurt."

"How old are you again?" He smiled.

"I just turned six. Guess what, daddy? I'm in the second grade."

"Second grade at 6?"

"I skipped because I was too smart." Malaysia giggled.

"You are definitely your mother's daughter. Smart just like her."

"Do you love my mommy?" She asked.

"I do." Priest sighed. He wasn't about to lie to her about it.

"Does that mean you will marry her, and we can all be a family? My sister too. I can never leave her out." He didn't know what to say, so he smiled.

Malaysia talked Priest's ears off for twenty minutes, but he wasn't complaining. He learned so much about her in those minutes.

peeked one eye open. Cherish had cried herself to sleep, but she thought Honesti had fallen asleep before her, which she didn't. Honesti was faking. This wasn't the first time Honesti faked being asleep.

"Night night, mommy." Honesti kissed her.

She grabbed a pillow before throwing it on the floor. Honesti looked down at the pillow on the floor then tried getting down from the bed but fell face first on the pillow. "Oof!" Honesti rubbed her head. She laid there for a minute before kicking her legs wildly and getting up.

Cherish's door was cracked, so it was easy for Honesti to walk out. She really is a smart two-year-old. Honesti walked to the living room, peeking her head around the corner. Priest looked up and saw her, so he smiled.

"Hi, daddy." She happily said.

"Hey, pretty girl. Come here, you don't have to be shy." He held open his arms, and she ran to him just giggling.

He lifted her up; she was a beautiful little girl. It was freaky how she was Cherish's mother twin. She looks just her Cherish's mother baby picture that she has hanging up.

"You daddy?"

He didn't want to overstep any boundaries when it came to Honesti. What is he supposed to say? Would she even understand him if he said he wasn't? He felt bad that she was crying for him, thinking he was her daddy as well. He couldn't explain it, but he felt like he was meant to be her father as well. She's just a little girl, she shouldn't have to suffer being fatherless. He looked at Honesti, and she smiled, just that easily she softened his heart. It was at that moment he knew what his answer would be.

"Yes. I'm your daddy too." He kissed her forehead.

"Yay! Me daddy!" Honesti clapped. He kissed Malaysia's forehead and hugged them both. He was going to be the best father he could be to both of them.

He only hoped Cherish didn't have a problem with him being one to Honesti.

__

It was around 9pm when Cherish woke up. She moved her hand around the bed to feel it empty, causing her to jump up. Honesti never sleeps in her own room, she always wants to be under Cherish. Of course, Cherish knows she has to break her out of that phase, but she couldn't help but cave whenever she looks into Honesti's eyes. Malaysia would sleep in Cherish's room sometimes, but for the most part, she sleeps in her own room.

Cherish saw the pillow on the floor and chuckled. "This lil girl is something else."

Walking out, she looked into Malaysia's room and noticed she wasn't in her bed. She then checked the living room, only to stop when seeing Priest, Malaysia, and Honesti asleep. Both of them slept in his arms as held them protectively. Her heart warmed at the sight.

She noticed the TV was on, so they must have fallen asleep while watching something. What, she did not know. Honesti would cry to watch Cocomelon while Malaysia always wants to watch Disney animated movies or anything Barbie related.

Cherish walked over and gently tried to take Honesti out of Priest's arms. He opened his eyes and stared into hers. A few moments went by before she broke their staring match.

"Uh, I wasn't trying to wake you. I was about to lay them down in their rooms. Well, Honesti will not sleep in hers. She sleeps with me or Laysia."