"I've been through a lot Aiza, before even meeting your dad. What I realized is that I took all that trauma out on you, I passed it to you" her mom said.

"You did, but I've been working through that" Skai told her.

"I'm glad that you are, I want to apologize Aiza. I've caused you so much pain for years, I killed my grandchild. For that I'm sorry, I've been getting help in here. You never have to forgive me, but I want to at least apologize" she expressed.

By that point the two were both in tears. Cassandra sat on one side of the glass in shame, she missed so much of her daughters life because of hate and now she could never come back from that.

Skai sat on the other side feeling pain rip throughout her body. Pain from her childhood and pain from losing her first child.

"I don't forgive you, I'm working on it. But it's a lot, and you just shot me two years ago" Skai told her.

Cassandra nodded as the prisons' counselors made her aware of all the reactions she might receive from Skai today.

"Congratulations on your baby, I wish you the best" she said as they both got up.

Skai sat in the car and broke down, that short interaction brought out a lot of emotions for her.

When she got herself together she headed home.

Quietly, she headed up to her and Kareems' room and packed her stuff.

Kareem came upstairs from the kitchen with a smile that slowly left his face.

"Hey baby, why you crying?" He asked walking towards their bed.

She shook her head "I'm sorry Kareem, I can't do this"

"Do what, where you going?" He asked confused, he closed her suitcase and pushed it to the side. "Do what Aiza?"

"Kareem I'm not good for you, and I'm not gonna be good for Jelani" she expressed.

"Aiza, you perfect for me and you'll be even more for Lani" he told her.

She shook her head "I can't Kareem, I love him too much to put him through this. What if I don't ever heal, then I hurt him how Cassandra hurt me? I don't want that, I've hurt you before"

"Mamas we not gon be perfect parents but we'll be better than our own. You know why?" She huffed as he pulled her into his lap.

"Because we taking the initiative to do better. You gon be the best mommy, because you taking that initiative" he told her.

She cried into his chest "K-Kareem what if you just take him when I have him. I can't do this to him"

"Aiza you letting that visit get in your head. Another way I know you'll be a good ma is because of this right here. You already worried for his well being, that's a big part of motherhood. You improved so much in 2 years and think about how much more you gon improve" he told her.

Soon she calmed down and moved into a more rational mindset.

"So you sticking wimme?" He asked rubbing her stomach.

"Yes, I'm sorry Kareem" she apologized as he kissed her.

"Don't apologize for that, I understand. As long as you keep trying you ain never gotta apologize"

She kissed him back "I love you Kareem"

"I love you more"

....................................

"Jelani stop running" Kareem huffed as he followed the boy upstairs.

"Bestieeee" he called for his mom as he made it inside their room.

Skai instantly lit up and rushed to him. "Hi my baby, how was school?" She asked.

"I like school mommy" he smiled and laid his head on her chest "Can I go back?"

Jelani started kindergarten today, that morning he had threw a tantrum all the way to the school. Skai almost took him home, but Kareem was able to reason with her.

"You can go back tomorrow" she smiled.

Kareem mugged the both of them "Bae I ain get no hug or kiss nothing"

She playfully rolled her eyes and sat their son down.

"Hi baby. How was your day?" She asked kissing him then rocking them side to side in a hug.

He nodded "It was straight, how was that maternity shoot you had? And the birthday shoot?"

"It was good" she smiled.

Jelani decided they had enough time together and pulled his mom's hand.

"Daddy can we play 2K?" He asked, Kareem nodded.

"Yea we can later, go to your room for a minute and lemme talk to your mom" he said causing Jelani to rush out excitedly.

Kareem tackled Skai with kisses "I missed you cuh"

Skai blushed "I missed you too"

Although Jelani needed a lot of attention at this age, Kareem and Skai always managed to spend ample enough time together.

"Lemme eat" Kareem said rubbing her thigh.

"Why we can't just chill?" Skai whined.

Kareem nodded "Ight what we doing?"

Skai smiled "Make a Tiktok with me?"

Kareem chuckled and got out the bed with her, they spent an hour making Tiktoks until Kareem went to play with Jelani.

the end.