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"Stop," Naala moaned into her pillow. "He's gonna wake up Amir," Naala moved forward but Dave pulled her back, opening her legs wider.

"He won't if you're quiet," Dave said into her ear. He slid into her from the back, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Naala moaned softly, they hadn't stopped all night. Samar had woken up for his night feed and gone back to sleep, all while Dave and Naala spent their night fucking.

"That feel good?" Dave mumbled in her ear,

"So good," Naala cried out loudly,

"You're too loud," Dave taunted. On cue, Samar started to fuss in his cot.

"Not now," Naala whined holding Dave's hand. Dave chuckled and sped up, flipping her over so he could hover over her.

Samar's cries got louder while Naala's moans also increased.

"Let me get him," Naala panted pushing Dave's stomach. He nodded and pulled out rolling off of her. Naala huffed and sat up, reaching over to pick him up.

"Samar that isn't fair," Naala said to him, rocking him. "Mommy was making more babies," She whispered to him.

"Yeah we were," Dave said standing up and going into the bathroom.

"You've made step daddy mad," Naala laughed getting up. She grabbed his diapers and wipes and sat back on the bed, laying him down in front of her.

Samar cooed and shoved his hand into his mouth. Dave came out of the bathroom, on the phone.

"How can he mess up a whole track Dean?" Dave grumbled moving around the room.

Naala minded her business and tended to Samar, lifting him up so he could eat.

"So sort it out then!" Dave shouted hanging up the call. He didn't realise he was being loud until he felt Naala's eyes on him.

"I'm sorry, they just pissing me off," Dave apologised immediately. His anger was once something that scared Naala and he didn't want to scare her anymore.

"It's okay," Naala nodded, "Tell me what's wrong," She patted the space on the bed next to her.

Dave sat beside her, holding Samar's hand. "All I want is to make music so I can take care of y'all but they keep messing my shit up,"

"Then get a different team. You've been with Dean for almost 10 years, maybe it's time for change," Naala suggested.

"He was the first person to take me seriously," Dave replied lying back down.

"But now he's messing with our money," Naala answered. "Get someone else, you don't owe him anything," She added using her one hand to rub his head.

"Maybe after the tour," Naala convinced him. Dave was due to go on tour in a few weeks for about 3 months. Naala wasn't looking forward to it but she couldn't stop him.

"You're right," Dave mumbled, "I'll get someone new," He agreed.

"Good," Naala smiled pecking his lips. "I don't like when you're all stressed," She spoke looking down at Samar.

"I ain't stressed no more," Dave replied, "Mar you didn't even wanna eat nothing," He said turning his attention to Samar was barely eating. He was staring at Naala and holding onto her shirt.

"I feel like he just likes the option," Naala laughed bringing her shirt down. "You're staring at mommy?" Naala cooed poking his cheek.

Naala lifted him onto her shoulder and a moment later, he vomited all over her and the bed.

"Samar," Naala pouted, "Bae can you take him," She asked holding him far from her body.

"He's never sick like that," Dave commented taking him.

"I know," Naala frowned getting out of the bed. She took off her soaked shirt and then started to strip the bed.

"Love he's doing more," Dave alerted her. It was projectile vomit and had gone everywhere.

"What is going on?" Naala muttered trying to clean up as he carried on.

"Let me put him in the tub," Dave spoke walking into the bathroom.

"Is he still doing it?" Naala called out, she was on her hands and knees wiping the vomit up.

"Yeah, this ain't right," Dave announced, "You wanna take him to the hospital?"

"I can't take him to the hospital because of vomit Amir," Naala huffed walking into the bathroom. "What's going on my handsome boy?" Naala asked wiping his mouth.

"Do you want me call someone?" Dave asked wiping his own chest which had a bit of vomit on it.

"Can you call my mom? I don't know what to do," Naala replied fearfully. It was normal for a baby to be sick but not this much.

"Calm down," Dave spoke rubbing her arm. Naala sighed and carried Samar up, stripping him out of his dirty clothes.

He appeared unbothered by the whole situation, not even one tear.

"Mommy I don't know what to do," Naala said as soon as Dave handed her the phone.

"Well first of all calm down darling," Miani coached, "Has he stopped now?"

"I think so," Naala said looking down at him. "It was so much, and it was all white and thick,"

"Yuck," Dave said quietly turning on the shower.

"Check if his formula is in date," Miani spoke over the phone. "It's probably the mix of the formula and your milk,"

"I gave him some formula last night because he wouldn't eat, " Naala fretted, rubbing Samar's back.

Naala left the room holding onto him to check on the formula,

"It's in date Ma," She answered walking back to their room just in case he started again.

"Do you think he has food poisoning?" Naala questioned.

"Possibly, give him some water," Miani answered. Dave got into the shower while Naala and Miani talked.

By the time he was done, Samar was asleep again and Naala was making their bed.

"What did your mama say?" Dave asked walking into the closet.

"She said I should let him sleep and then try feeding him again," Naala replied fluffing out the pillows. "It's only 7am and I feel like I've been up for years," Naala groaned sitting on the bed.

"Go back to sleep, I got some work to do," Dave said coming out dressed in sweats with his top half bare.

"Are you sure? I can make breakfast," Naala yawned standing up.

"La go to bed," Dave laughed. "You half asleep and you want to make breakfast?"'

"If you're hungry, I'll make something," Naala mumbled hugging his waist.

"I can wait," Dave replied moving her hair out of her face. "Go to sleep," Dave repeated kissing the top of her head.

"Wake me up before 9," Naala answered letting go of him.

"I'm gonna work in here," Dave nodded getting his laptop off the desk. Naala climbed into the bed and cuddled up to him, inhaling his scent.

"Stop sniffing me," Dave chuckled looking down at her.

"You smell good," Naala whispered closing her eyes. It took her a moment, but eventually she fell into a deep sleep.

~~

Maniya stared back at the pregnancy tests laid out on her bathroom counter. It was now the next morning and she was finally ready to face her fate.

She woke up feeling worse than the night before. It had finally dawned on her that her and Damon had broken up and also that there was a possibility that they were going to be having a child together.

Flipping them over, Maniya sighed in relief at the 3 consecutive negative results.

"Thank God," She breathed out holding onto the counter. Her next train of thought was letting her dad know before he went over to Damon's house.

She picked the tests up and put them in her robe pocket, leaving out of her bathroom and then room. She walked down the hall to her parents room and knocked lightly.

Maniya waited until she heard her dad's deep voice summon her into the room. Pushing the door open, she walked in on both her mom and dad in bed.

Her mom was feeding Samar with her back against the head rest and her eyes closed. Her dad was sat up, using his laptop.

"What's up?" Dave spoke first, looking up from his laptop.

"I wanted to tell you that I took the tests," Maniya said, her voice coming out low and quiet.

Naala's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice. She adjusted Samar on her nipple and looked directly at Maniya.

"You're pregnant?" Dave asked while clenching his jaw.

"No they were negative," Maniya announced pulling them out of her pocket. Naala inwardly breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't pregnant while Dave had a bigger reaction.

"Damn right they were," He spoke loudly. "Bring em here," He held his hand out.

"Shh," Naala mumbled, Dave's loud voice startled Samar.

"I'm sorry, sorry little man," Dave said a bit quieter, stroking Samar's head.

Maniya stepped forward and handed her dad the tests. He looked at them closely,

"Does that mean negative?" Dave asked showing it to Naala,

"I wouldn't know, all the ones I take are positive," Naala said sarcastically. "It says there, one line is negative Amir," She used one hand to point it out.

"Hmm, I still want you to be sure. Baby can't you take her to see your doctor today?" Dave said handing the tests back to Maniya.

"I thought we were going to get my car," Naala turned to him. Maniya rolled her eyes and stepped back, she still wasn't cool with her mom.

"I'll take you when you get back." Dave replied. "The cars more important than our daughter?" He asked confused.

"Obviously not but you promised," Naala answered. "I'll take her, go and get dressed," Naala spoke to Maniya.

"Does she have to?" Maniya sighed. "I can go by myself,"

"What do you mean does she have to? Go and get dressed Maniya, Ion know what you think this is," Dave said picking his phone back up.

"Fine," Maniya mumbled turning on her heels and leaving the room.

"Don't worry baby, I'll take you right after," Dave said to Naala, "I don't break my promises to you," He added kissing her lips lightly.

"Can you watch Samar? I don't want Hassan around them," Naala said lifting Samar up.

"I don't want y'all fighting over custody, let him see them," Dave answered taking Samar from her.

"Since he got with Dess he's been spending more time with Mocha, which is expected but Saint feels left out," Naala explained. "I've confused our kids so much that at this point, they probably hate me,"

"They don't hate you," Dave said in response, "But keeping him away from his dad isn't gonna do anything. I'm not his real dad but it hurt when I didn't get to see him,"

"Really?" Naala questioned, Dave nodded and wiped Samar's mouth.

"I'd been with him since the day he was born La, he was my son, of course it hurt," Dave mumbled. Naala started to feel bad all over again for what she did.

"I didn't know," Naala responded lowly, "I'm sorry,"

"You don't need to apologise," Dave answered her, "What's done is done but call Hassan and let him see them,"

"Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" Naala pouted leaning to kiss his cheek.

Dave chuckled and pecked her lips. "Are you ready to tell me what happened last night,"

Naala frowned, her smile immediately dropping. She had forgotten what happened the night before, and now he had reminded her.

"Your disrespectful ass daughter happened," Naala spilled. "I'm really trying to heal from everything and it's like every step of the way someone finds a way to remind me of my past," She added.

"Don't get upset La," Dave sighed putting Samar down in the cot next to their bed.

"I'm trying Amir, she told me she wouldn't raise her children the way I do," Naala sniffed leaning against his chest. "I'm just doing my best,"

"I know you are," Dave said into her hair. "I know you're trying. You're doing a good job." He assured her.

"It made me feel like a bad mom, I already feel like that everyday. I'm a failure at everything I do," Naala cried in his arms.

"You're not a failure, you're too hard on yourself. Maniya didn't mean it," Dave tried to calm her.

"She did," Naala nodded. "Look, Samar is sick and I don't know what to do,"

"But you handled it," Dave replied hugging her. Naala didn't respond, she continued to cry and think about how she's failed them.

"You're not a failure Naala. Nobody is perfect, you can't let what she said get to you. We've been doing so good, don't fall back now," Dave preached to her.

"I'm tired of feeling this way," Naala sniffed, "I was getting stronger,"

"Stop crying baby seriously. You're fine," Dave said once more wiping her face.

Instead of wallowing in her self pity, Naala got up. She was not going to let anything get her down anymore. Maniya was upset and that's why she took it out on her, she couldn't dwell on it for too long.

"I'm gonna get ready and drop off Saint," Naala cleared her throat.

"What about Samar?" Dave said letting her go.

"I don't trust Hassan to look after him, especially now that he's sick," Naala said softly. "I'll take him to my mom so you can concentrate,"

Dave didn't protest he watched Naala move around their bedroom, getting ready. Samar babbled and cooed in his cot, no signs of him being sick.

"I'll be right back," Dave announced standing up.

"Where are you going?" Naala poked her head out of the closet.

"Down the hall baby relax," Dave laughed. Naala wanted to be up under him all day long.

"Mmm okay," Naala responded focusing back on what to wear.

Dave left the room and headed to Maniya's knocking on the door.

He waited for her command and entered the room, looking around it.

"Yeah?" Maniya said coming out of the bathroom. She was fully dressed with a brush in her hand, indicating she was doing her hair.

"Why would you say all that shit to your mom?" Dave asked sitting at the end of the bed.

"She told you," Maniya rolled her eyes,

"Yeah she did tell me. It had her upset last night and I just had to convince her that she isn't a bad mom." Dave said angrily.

"I know you're an adult Maniya but she's still your mom. Things like that only make her cry, you want her crying all the time?" Dave questioned.

Maniya's face softened because that was not her intention. "I don't want to make her cry,"

"Then why did you say you wouldn't raise your children like she did?" Dave repeated what Naala told him.

"Because she was encouraging me to get an abortion." Maniya said with a frown.

Dave's face contorted in anger, "Whatchu mean?"

"She kept telling me I had options and I didn't have to have a baby if I didn't want one," Maniya spilled. Dave clenched his jaw,

"She didn't tell me that," He responded.

"Of course she wouldn't because she wants to be the victim. I should be the hurt one not her," Maniya said crossing her arms.

"Alright now," Dave said standing up. "Don't start throwing that victim word around. Your mom is sensitive, you know that."

"Whatever, can you go now? I don't even wanna go anywhere with her," Maniya said turning back to the bathroom.

"Watch your mouth when you speak to her Maniya. I don't wanna hear nothing when you get back," Dave warned before leaving the room.

Maniya tutted and continued doing her hair, she was planning to ignore her mom anyway.

~~

The driver pulled up to Hassan's house and their new security hopped out of the car to open Naala's door for her.

"Thank you," Naala smiled taking Saint's hand. Maniya sat back and pulled out her phone, she didn't need to come out.

"Ion even want to be here," Saint said under his breath,

"Why not?" Naala asked him. Saint shrugged and held onto her hand tighter.

"Is it Mocha? Have y'all been fighting?" Naala questioned stopping before they could get to the door.

"Daddy always takes her side, even when I don't do anything," Saint said. "Then it makes me angry at everyone so Mocha's mom puts me in the naughty corner,"

"She doesn't need to be disciplining you at all," Naala said with a screwed up face. She carried on walking to the door and rang the bell.

"Can you not say anything about it?" Saint begged pulling his mom's hand.

"Oh I'm gonna say something," Naala scoffed hiking her purse up her shoulder.

"No mommy please," Saint said, his voice cracked and Naala looked down.

"Papa what's wrong?" Naala pouted bringing him closer to her.

"I don't want you to say anything," He said with tears rolling down his face.

"Okay, I won't," Naala said quietly. She got down to his level and wiped his face. "You know you can talk to me about anything, or even your dad," Naala said referring to Dave.

"Dad would be angry," Saint mumbled. Naala squinted at him, she opened her mouth to say something but the door swung open.

"You took your time," Naala said standing up straight,

"I wasn't thinking you would actually bring him," Hassan said opening the door wider.

"Come on Papa," Naala muttered taking him inside. "He's not staying the night, so I didn't pack him a bag,"

"Why not?" Hassan said closing the door behind them.

"He doesn't want to stay and I'm not going to force him," Naala responded. "I'll be back soon Saint, okay?" She leaned down to kiss his head.

"Bye mommy," Saint mumbled hugging her waist. Naala could sense there was something wrong with him but she didn't know what.

"Where's Samar?" Hassan asked. Dess came out from the back with a mug on her face, confusing Naala.

"He's with my mom today, he's not feeling well," Naala informed him.

Saint started to walk off to the back of the house before Dess spoke up,

"Saint don't go back there and make a mess, I'm not cleaning up after you," Dess said loudly.

"Did you just shout at my son?" Naala asked in disbelief,

"He has no respect," Desiree responded looking Naala up and down.

"Get your bitch before I pull that cheap ass hair out of her head," Naala pointed at Hassan. "Saint come back here!" Naala snapped.

"Naala why've you always got to start shit?" Hassan sighed. "You can never just drop him off and not start with me?"

"I'm not even gonna reply to that. Saint come on we're leaving," Naala said shifting her weight onto the other foot.

"I told you that filing for custody is a better option," Dess said to Hassan.

Naala laughed and nodded, "Try it and we'll see how far you get," She spoke helping Saint put his shoes back on.

"You're really not gonna let me see my sons? After how you cried about not seeing your daughters?" Hassan said looking at her.

"Why would you throw that back in my face?" Naala questioned. "He doesn't want to be here, I'm not forcing my son to be around you," She explained.

"He doesn't want to be here because I don't take his shit," Desiree answered.

"Desiree you've got one more time to address me or my son," Naala warned her. "You're not going to see them Hassan, I'm not having my children around this," She gestured to them both.

"Mommy can we go?" Saint said dragging her hand,

"Yeah we're going Papa," Naala replied turning around.

"Naala if you leave this house I'm filing for full custody," Hassan said firmly. He didn't want to but Dess had been in his ear about it.

"I don't care, do it," Naala shrugged, "I'm doing better now so I want you to do it."

"We're doing it," Dess nodded, linking hands with Hassan.

"See you in court then," Naala smiled opening the door and leaving.

Maniya sat up when she saw Naala approaching the car again, still with Saint.