October 10th | 7:42am|

Silence filled Dave's room, all that could be heard with Sinai's faint snores. Dave sat up in bed unable to sleep as he watched his daughters chest fall up and down. He was waiting for Sinai to wake up so he could get her ready for school. He sighed as he thought about the events of the past few days. Naala has been hospitalised due to her mental breakdown so Sinai has been staying with him. Dave has loved this time as he's been able to get to know her but he misses Naala.

"Daddy?" Sinai mumbled, with her eyes still open. Dave grew alert,

"Yes baby?" Dave said softly, admiring his creation,

"Do you think mama is okay?" Sinai finally said, looking up at her dad, she continued,

"I had a dream and she was there but she didn't look happy," Dave turned to the side to face her properly,

"I'm sure she's okay baby, do you wanna call her?" Dave had been FaceTiming Naala every day for Sinai to speak to her, it kept Sinai happy and that's all he wanted to do.

Nodding rapidly, Sinai jumped up and snuggled closer to her dad, excited to speak to her mom. The phone rang a few times before Naala's face popped up the screen. Luckily the bruising on her face had gone down but she didn't look her self. Her brown eyes that are usually bright were dull and sad. Her braids were in a messy bun on her head and her busted lip had healed but a small cut was still there She was there physically but mentally Naala was far away.

"Hey my baby," Naala said, her voice quiet however she put a small smile on her face, Sinai was what had been getting her through this time.

"Hi Mama, I miss you so much! Daddy has been doing my hair and he don't do it as good as you," Sinai said while touching the makeshift buns that Dave managed to put in her hair. Dave gasped and put his hand on his chest,

"Wow 'Nai you told me I do it just like your mama, I'm hurt" Dave wiped fake tears from his eyes which caused Naala to chuckle,

"Leave your daddy alone 'Nai, he's trying!" Naala smiled, the first genuine smile she's smiled in a while. She felt better talking to the two most important people in her life at the moment.

"I'm sorryyyyy daddy," Sinai giggled, clinging to Dave,

"You miss us Love?" Dave asked licking his lips unintentionally,

Naala blushed at his gesture, she had missed him.

"Yeah I miss you guys so much, but guess what 'Nai?" Naala quizzed,

"The doctor said I'm clear to come home," Sinai didn't even let her mom finished, she jumped up on the bed and started dancing,

Dave burst out laughing and flipped the camera so Naala could see Sinai, they both cracked up at their daughter. When Sinai was tired she finally collapsed back onto the bed out of breathe,

"I guess that means you are excited baby?" Naala asked, still giggling, she couldn't wait to be back with Sinai and finally start to build a relationship with Dave.

"I can't wait mama, me and daddy gon' pick you up?" Sinai asked excitedly, Dave looked at the time and realised he had to get 'Nai ready now.

"It's up to your daddy sweetie," Naala said staring at Dave who was looking back at her.

"Yh I'm gonna pick you up then we go get mommy," Dave said directly to Sinai,

"Now go brush your teeth stinky, so I can drop you off," Sinai jumped off the bed and hurried to the bathroom to do her hygiene. That was something she had learned from her mother; independence.

Dave directed his attention back to the phone and bit his lip,

"I miss those lips Love," he said softly. Naala smirked and looked to the side,

"How they been treating you in there? They moved you to the better room yet?" Dave asked tugging on his beard. He requested that his 'wife' be moved to the Supreme Suite at Mount Cedar which is normally reserved for high profile patients.

Naala rolled her eyes, "Yes, they moved me on Sunday night," It was now Tuesday morning and Naala was ready to get the hell out of there.

"Good, so you don't miss me?" Dave asked again, with a slight smirk, he liked making her nervous.

"I miss you Amir, damn, I just don't know if I'm ready to come home," she said with doubt evident in her voice,

"What if I break down in-front of 'Nai?" She continued. She had never let her daughter see this part of her and she never wanted it to happen.

"We gon' get through this together Lala, remember what I told you in the hospital, we a family now," Dave could only reassure her so much, she had to believe it.

"You're right, I'm just nervous - make sure my baby doesn't drown herself in there," she said referring to Sinai who had been in the bathroom for some time now.

"She good, lemme go change so I ca' drop her off, you want me to bring you sum' when I pull up?"

"Mmm - can you bring my ugg slides? My feet hurting," Dave went by her and Darnell's house to pick up Naala's and 'Nai's stuff - there was no sign of Darnell of course.

"I already packed them, ain't nobody wanna hear about your crusty toes hurting,"

"Get slapped Amir." Dave laughed out loud because he knew how much she hated him talking about her feet.

"I'm sorry baby I had to, —"

"Just go see what 'Nai is doing, bye Amir." She said with so much attitude. She hung up before he could even reply.

I know she did not just hang up on me. Dave thought as he got up to go help Sinai.

30 MINUTES LATER

Dave locked the door behind him as Sinai ran in front of him to the car. They were running late because he struggled with her hair. He wanted it to be perfect and Sinai kept moving which didn't help. He decided to leave it down and made her wear a Chanel bucket hat he packed for her.

"Quick Daddy, we gon' be late and Miss Honey don't like when we late!" Sinai squealed, with a mug on her face just like her daddy.

Dave let her pick out her own clothes today and she actually snapped. He had to help her with the boots because she wanted to wear her Cinderella slippers but he of course stopped her.

He shook his head at her but she was truly her mother's daughter - zero patience.

He unlocked the doors and helped her into the car seat, making sure she was buckled in properly. Once she was situated, he jogged over to the drivers side and got in. The car came to life and he sped of into the direction of the school.

As he was driving he thought about how much his life has changed in the space of 2 weeks; this time last week he didn't know that Sinai existed and now here he was driving his daughter to school. Some may say he was too quick to forgive Naala for hiding this from him, but it was all in the past to him - he wanted to move on and build a solid relationship with his daughter.

He looked in his rear view mirror and saw Sinai, watching YouTube on her iPad that she managed to sneak in the car. He shook his head and chuckled, she knows her mom doesn't like her using her iPad before school, he left her to it because she might aswell enjoy it now.

A message came through to his phone that sat in the cupholder, causing him to pick it up but immediately put it down when he saw who it was.

🥺

Dave sucked his teeth and ignored the message. Millie didn't know how to take no for an answer. He keeps forgetting to block her.

Pulling up at Sinai's school, he parked in the first space he saw and turned off the ignition. For someone that was fussing about being late, she looked pretty comfortable in the back.

"Alright 'Nai cut that off so we can go," Dave said, grabbing his phone and sliding it into his hoodie pocket.

He was dressed in a chill outfit because he was probably gonna hit the studio after dropping 'Nai off. He was sporting a off-white tee and a pair of grey joggers. He had on a Jesus piece chain and a silver Rolex hugged his wrist.

Sinai turned off her iPad and slide it into the little sleeve behind the passenger chair and then unbuckled her seatbelt. She waited patiently for Dave to get out and open her door. Before she knew Dave had swung the door open for her, allowing her to jump out of the car. He grabbed her actual school bag because the small crossbody was really just for show.

Walking through the reception, Dave felt eyes on him. Behind the main desk, there was an unfamiliar woman staring at him a bit too much for his liking. He stared at her back but with a mug on his face. He bent down slightly and whispered to Sinai,

"Who's that staring at us 'Nai 'Nai?" He assumed Sinai must know her the way she was staring them down.

"That's Ms. Moore, she always be staring, mama said she a busybody," Sinai said a little bit too loud,

"Well, she need to find her some business —" Before Dave could even finish 'Ms. Moore' was in front of them. Mandy Moore was known for causing trouble at that school. It was rumoured that she is sleeping with the principal.

"Good morning Sinai, who may this be?" She questioned eyeing Dave up and down. She knew damn well who he was but she wanted to act clueless.

"This my daddy," Sinai replied, attitude laced her voice. Dave chuckled at the cold response then cleared his throat. The woman narrowed her eyes at him, she didn't find that funny.

"Well Hi Mr. —" she drug out her words with her hand out waiting for him to finish her sentence and shake her hand. Dave looked at her hand and then back up at her, he had a thing about hands. Ignoring her he turned to Sinai,

"Take me to your class 'Nai," he spoke completely dismissing the young woman standing behind him dying for his attention. Without even acknowledging the receptionist, Sinai grabbed her dad's hand and pulled him towards the classroom.

Mandy blew out a breathe. She will let the disrespect slide for now because she had her eyes set on him. She flipped her hair and made her way back to her desk thinking about her next challenge.

————————————————————————-

Naala sat on her hospital bed on a Group FaceTime with Taina and Azure; Mia was at work so she wasn't in the call. She was listening to Azure vent about her latest argument with Derrick.

"— he's working my nerves y'all - I'm so close to just packing me and Veah's things and leaving," That's when Naala tuned in again.

"You don't mean that Zuri, have you guys tried couples therapy," Taina asked, she was currently on her lunch break. She was still at the office looking after Naala's work.

"That's some white people shit man, therapy ain't gon' change a cheating ass nigga," Naala's face screwed up from hearing that,

"That's dumb ass hell Azure, anyone can go to therapy," Naala said, she was tired of people thinking that a black person couldn't go to therapy and benefit from it.

Taina and Azure stared back at Naala in the camera. Azure knew her sister had been seeing a therapist but had said that comment without thinking.

"You know she didn't mean it like that Lala," Taina said attempting to ease the hostility.

Naala stayed silent as did Azure, she knew she was wrong for her comment but she didn't want to upset her sister further.

"Anyway, I gotta go, Dave is coming to pick me up," Naala said quickly and ended the call. She didn't want to speak to them anymore. This was exactly why she hated opening up to people, they treated her like she was glass, too scared to upset her.

Huffing, Naala looked at her messages, Dave should have been here now. She opened up their text messages, seeing his last message. It was now 4pm and she was ready to get home and have a proper shower and sleep in a normal bed.

As she began to type a message, she heard a familiar squeal, Sinai came running into the room with Dave not far behind her.

"Mommyyyyyy," She screamed,

Naala didn't even get the chance to reply, before Sinai came crashing into her, clinging onto her neck tightly.

"Careful 'Nai, Mama might still be a bit sore," Dave licked his lips. Even dressed down, Naala still looked amazing. Her chocolate skin was bruise free and glowing, her long braids were pulled back to showcase her amazing bone structure. He had missed this face.

"Mama, I've missed you so much! I can't wait to show you my new room," Sinai rambled on but Naala wasn't listening. She was staring at the beautiful man infront of her. Dave didn't even have to try to look sexy. The grey tracksuit he had on showed off his nice physique and the joggers were very tight around his lower region. They caught each others eyes and its like everything stopped around them. Sinai was still rambling on about her new room as they stared hopelessly at each other, not saying a word.

"Mama, you not even listening!" Sinai snapped, causing Naala to tear her eyes away from Dave and look at her.

"I'm sorry baby, I can't wait to see your new room, is there space for me?" Naala chuckled, tickling her,

Sinai wriggled out of her mother's hand, laughing profusely,

"Of courseeee, we can have sleepovers with Veah aswell," Sinai managed to get out, she was out breathe after her Mom's tickle fest.

Dave still stood by the door admiring the two leading ladies in his life. He felt extremely blessed. His phone buzzed drawing his attention away from the two and onto the phone. It was Millie calling him for the fifth time today. He silenced the call, sucking his teeth. Naala caught his annoyed expression and raised her eyebrows.

"Y'all ready to head out?" Dave said while slipping his phone back into his pocket, his signature mug out on display.

"Mmm, you bring my slippers?" Naala questioned, she wanted to know what made him so annoyed, probably work, she thought.

"Shit, I mean, shoot, I forgot them ma," Naala nodded her head curtly, she slipped her feet into the hospital slides as when she was admitted she didn't have any shoes on. Dave sighed because he could she was annoyed but it was an honest mistake.

Sinai held her Mom's hand as Naala got up and tried to walk to the door, she hissed in pain as her stitches had still been bothering her. Dave walked over to hold her other hand,

"I've got it," She gritted out, cutting her eyes at Dave.

Ignoring her, Dave grabbed her hand and the bag with her things with ease. She looked up at him and huffed,

"I'm not a baby, Amir, I said I got it,"

"You my baby," He smirked, not phased by her annoyance.

"I thought I was your baby Daddy?" Sinai questioned, with a pout,

"Yh Daddy?" Naala said looking up at him.

"Both you my babies, okay," Dave said, pushing open the main hospital door. Unaware of the paparazzi seated in a blacked out car, getting multiple shots of the family walking to Dave's car.

Naala chuckled at his response, she was feeling less annoyed now. She was just happy to be out of the hospital. Dave opened Naala's door first and helped her into the car, careful of her wound. He then turned to Sinai's door and helped her into her seat and buckled her in. Jogging over to his side, he hopped in the car and put on his seatbelt. He looked over at Naala who was staring at him.

"It's aight ma, I know I'm sexy," Naala blushed and looked away, he had caught her staring once again.

Dave pulled off and began driving towards the house. Sinai looked out of the window already drifting off from the motion. One thing about Sinai is she could sleep any and everywhere, she could not hang at all. Switching lanes, Dave placed his hand on Naala's thigh and caressed it,

"You good ma?" He caught her staring out of the window, looking like she had a million things on her mind. Which she did, Naala was scared to move in with Dave. Their relationship was still new and she wanted Sinai to have a stable environment, one that isn't gonna change.

"Promise me something Amir?" Naala said looking at him,

"No matter what happens with us, you always gonna be there for 'Nai," She continued twisting her lips to the side like she was in deep thought.

Dave was hurt by that comment. It was like she was willing their relationship to end, he would never leave them and that comment made him feel like Naala didn't want this.

"What do you mean Naala? You think I'm just gonna up and leave my daughter that I just found out about? That's some foul shit ma," Dave grumbled, calling her by her real name,

"I'm not saying that --"

"Then what you saying? Man, this is the dumb shit I hate Naala, how many times do I have to tell you? I ain't going nowhere! That girl is my main priority right now,"

"Wow, so now I'm dumb," Naala said hurt evident in her voice.

"Out of all I said that's all you heard?" Dave questioned, he had now removed his hand from her lap and was tugging at his beard.

"It's fine, I'm sorry for even saying anything," Naala said staring out of the window once again,

"Nah, don't do that, stop shutting me out Love, talk to me man," He sulked. He hated when Naala shut down like this, he knew she had more to say but when she gets like this she locks all her thoughts away.

"I'm not shutting you out Dave, I'm scared okay?" She said, tears gathering in her eyes. She angrily wiped the tears away, she was tired of crying.

Dave sighed, he knew there was something more to this. He didn't expect her to come out of hospital and adjust to her new life immediately but causing an argument doesn't help.

"I know Love, but I keep telling you, I'm here! I'm not going nowhere, you and 'Nai are the most important people to me right now. If you guys aren't straight, I ain't straight," He said rubbing her thigh lovingly.

Naala sniffed and held his hand. She wanted them to be okay for her sake and Sinai's sake.

"I'm sorry," She sniffed. Dave stopped at the light and turned to her. He gently grabbed her chin and planted a soft kiss on her lips,