🥺

"Mommy are we going to see Daddy today?" Sinai spoke from the back of the car. Naala looked in her rear view mirror at her,

"Unfortunately," She mumbled tapping the steering wheel. It had been 3 months since Dave left the house with Sinai. He ended up dropping her off at Mama Sonia's and disappearing. His management sent someone to pack up his clothes a few days later. Naala hasn't seen him since that day nor spoken to him but she drops the kids off at his mom's house so that they can spend time with him.

Today was Mama Sonia's birthday so this would be the first time in months that they are going to be in the same room.

"I wish he could just come home," Sinai said rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. Since Dave left, her behaviour had taken a turn for the worse - she blamed Naala for him leaving.

"We've spoken about this before Sinai," Naala warned,

"It's not fair! Bella and her mom and dad all live together, why is it different for us?" Sinai sassed.

"I'm not doing this with you today," Naala muttered turning into Sonia's driveway. There were a lot of cars already packed up in the driveway but because it was a cookout they were all in the backyard.

"Look, I am not in the mood for this little girl, now get out of this car and I don't want to hear about this again," Naala scolded her. She got out of the car and walked over to the right side, where Saint's car seat was.

"Come on Papa," Naala said to him as she lifted the car seat out. Saint had grown a lot since his birth but still had frequent doctor visits to check on his lungs.

"I hate you," Sinai mumbled slamming the door of the car. Instead of waiting for her mom, she ran towards the front door and pushed it open. This was nothing new to Naala.

Naala sighed heavily and set Saint's seat on the floor so she could pick up his changing bag. A pair of large strong hands, scooped up the seat for her.

"My nephew can't chill on the floor," Priest joked as Naala turned around.

"Thank you," Naala breathed out, "I just needed to grab this," She continued holding up the changing bag.

"That's cool, how've you been Tyson?" Priest said as they walked up to the door,

"I'm good and it was one time," Naala giggled thinking about the time she whooped Millie's ass.

"I need to see that shit again," He laughed, "Those tiny hands can definitely put in some work," He commented as he pushed the door open for them.

"Knowing this family it won't be too long before I have to check someone again," Naala said looking around.

The house was decorated nicely and the music was already playing lightly through the house.

"I've got him from here," Naala smiled taking back Saint's carrier.

"I'ma see you soon Tyson," Priest winked before retreating back to the backyard. Naala smiled and carried Saint over to the couch. She set the carrier down and began to unbuckle him.

Saint was such a calm baby. He could sit and stare at you all day. He only fussed when he was hungry or needed a diaper change.

Naala lifted him out of the seat carefully and fixed his clothes,

"You took my entire face," She mumbled as she ran her hands through his hair. Naala laid him on the couch to fix his sock,

Saint babbled and kicked his legs up in excitement as Naala cooed at him. He was what had been getting her through the last few months.

"Lala?" Sonia's voice rang through the house, "Where's my handsome grandson?" She asked as she approached them.

Naala smiled but didn't speak. Her and Sonia's relationship was in a weird place because of course Sonia sided with her son and believed that Naala was in the wrong.

Without even asking, Sonia scooped up Saint and tried to walk off,

"He needs to eat first," Naala spoke up quickly. Sonia turned around,

"He doesn't have a bottle?" She questioned as she rocked him.

Naala held her tongue, "No," She replied with a tight lipped smile, "Let me feed him, I will bring him out when I'm done,"

Sonia returned the fake smile and handed Saint back over to her. Instead of speaking, Sonia turned on her heels and left the room.

Naala scoffed. Saint didn't need to eat but there was no way she was going to let Sonia take her son out there without even speaking to her.

Her phone rang as she sat down with Saint cooing in her arms. She answered quickly and put the phone to her ear,

"Hello," She answered, her voice low.

"I've got to come down there already?" He asked making Naala pout,

"I can't deal with these people," Naala replied,

"Baby it's just a few hours," Gray convinced her, "Remember what we spoke about?"

"Grin and bare it," Naala sighed, "But Teddy it's so hard, his mom just came in here and tried to take Saint without even speaking to me first,"

"For real?" He replied, shocked at Sonia behaving in that way.

"Yes!" Naala said, "I'm really trying to not blow up here but I'm so close," She complained,

"You're doing this for the kids, don't stress it," Gray said reassuringly, "You sure you don't want me to come down there?"

Naala shook her head as if her could see her.

"Words, baby," He spoke knowing that she probably shook her head.

"No, I don't think it will be a good idea," Naala said truthfully, "I don't want any drama, I haven't seen him since that night,"

"Mmm, but if you need anything make sure you call me Lala, I'm serious," Gray added, "Just remember, keep your head up and don't let anyone get under your skin."

Naala nodded, "Thank you Teddy,"

"Where's my beautiful smile?" Gray asked,

Naala smirked, "You wouldn't know if I'm smiling or not,"

"I can hear the smile in your voice," Gray chuckled, "Now keep smiling and hurry back so I can love on you," Gray added,

"Okay, are you going to do that thing I like?" Naala asked rubbing Saint's back,

"I'll do anything you like," Gray replied flirtatiously,

"Shit you don't have to tell me twice, see you soon," Naala smiled before hanging up.

At first, Naala avoided having a relationship with Gray but he became her shoulder to cry on and then their relationship bloomed from there. They were not official yet but they both knew what it was.

Naala looked out towards the backyard and saw a bunch of faces. She really didn't want to be here but if her children were here then she had no choice.

Fixing her clothes, Naala stood to her feet and put Saint on her shoulder. She walked out towards the backyard and immediately set eyes on Sinai who was running around with one of the little kids.

"There's my grandson," Sonia said loudly getting up from her seat. She waltzed over and grabbed him taking him back over to where she was sitting.

Naala breathed in and out so she wouldn't explode. Instead of standing around awkwardly, she went to take a seat. A light skinned girl that looked around her age was also sat there, looking bored.

"Is this seat taken?" Naala asked as she approached her,

"No please, do sit," The girl smiled sweetly. Naala returned the smile and sat down,

"Drink?" The girl offered holding up a bottle of wine.

Naala shook her head, "As much as I would love to, I'm breastfeeding," Naala replied,

The girl raised a brow, "You just gave birth to a baby?" She asked with a bewildered look.

Naala smiled, "4 months ago," She spoke proudly.

"Girl you look amazing," The girl smiled, "Like really good,"

"Thank you," Naala smiled, "I'm Naala," She said holding her hand out,

"Brianna but you can call me Bri," Brianna said shaking her hand.

"Where is the baby?" Brianna asked looking around,

"He's right there," Naala pointed at Saint in Sonia's arms, "And then that's my daughter over there,"

Brianna followed Naala's hand and gasped again, "Girlll," She dragged out, "How old are you?"

Naala chuckled, "I'm 23,"

"You're younger than me," Bri pointed out. "I'm sorry I'm here asking you all these questions, I belong to that fool over there, and that's our son over there" She added pointing to Priest who was grilling and dancing at the same time and then to her son who was running around with Sinai.

"Aw you two make a beautiful couple," Naala said honestly, "I didn't know he had a girlfriend,"

"It's on and off but today as you can see we are on," Bri laughed,

"How old is your son?" Naala asked, he looked around the same age as Sinai.

"He's just gone six last week," Bri spoke looking at him with a smile,

"That's so cute, Sinai is five," Naala replied. She didn't really have friends that had children so she was happy to speak to someone that understood her struggle.

"They seem to be getting along well, maybe we can have a play date?" Bri asked as if she was reading Naala's mind,

"I would love that," Naala smiled at her. Bri returned the smile and brought out her phone,

"Put your number in here, I've been needing a new girl friend," Bri said holding her phone out.

Naala smiled, "Girl me too, all my friends are still living life and I'm stuck being mommy all day round,"

"We gotta link up soon, have a drink or something," Bri laughed taking her phone back from Naala.

"Oh my God, I need a drink," Naala dragged out, thinking of having a glass of wine.

"I got you," Bri said bumping shoulders with her, "Not being rude but who are you related to here?" Bri asked looking around.

Coincidentally Dave stepped into the backyard just as she asked. He was gripping someone's hand and when the person stepped out fully, Naala saw who it was ; Sevyn.

"Funny you asked that," Naala muttered, "That's my baby daddy," She said nodding her head in Dave's direction.

Brianna looked at Dave then back at Naala, "Now I know where I recognise you from,"

Naala looked at her, "From the blogs?" She asked shaking her head,

"Girl yes, theshaderoom love y'all," Bri laughed.

"It's not a good thing," Naala spoke as she watched Sinai run over to her dad. She rolled her eyes as he leaned down and picked up Saint.

"Trouble in paradise?" Bri asked as she picked up on Naala's change in mood,

"I wouldn't even know where to start," Naala muttered, "But let me go over there,"

"Of course, I'ma be by the grill," Bri smiled as she stood up.

Naala didn't know how to approach this, so she walked over but made it seem as if she was getting a drink. She couldn't lie, seeing Dave with Sevyn made her feel some type of way.

"Mmm there she is right there," Sonia said to Dave clearly referring to Naala. Dave cut his eyes towards her but didn't say a word.

Sevyn stepped up to the drink table and tapped Naala,

"Hey!" She said enthusiastically, Naala looked at her shoulder then at Sevyn,

"Hello," She replied with a confused look, "Who are you again?" She said tilting her head to the side. She knew who she was but just wanted to be petty.

"Oh," Sevyn replied with a flustered look, "I'm Sevyn, Dave's girlfriend" She added,

Naala blinked a few times, "Nice to meet you Six!" She smiled before attempting to walk off.

"Naala let me rap it up with you real quick," Dave's gruff voice said from behind Sevyn. He was still holding onto Saint who began to fuss when he saw his mom.

"Sure," She mumbled following him inside,

Naala reached for Saint and surprisingly Dave handed him over.

"I know we ain't been speaking but I wanted to ask you something," Dave spoke first pulling Naala's attention away from Saint.

"Go on," Naala said shifting her weight to the other foot,

"I've got a show in Miami next week and I want the kids with me,"

Naala laughed before clearing her throat, "My children are not going to Miami with you,"

"Why not?" He asked making a face,

"This is the first time you've spoken to me in 3 months and the first thing you ask is if my children can fly to Miami, you're still doing crack I see," Naala laughed.

"Why are you being so difficult?" Dave asked mugging her,

"Are you being for real right now Amir?" Naala questioned,

"I'm deadass, you can come with them if you want," Dave said reaching over to hold Saint's hand,

"I can't just go to Miami," Naala replied, "What's the occasion?" She asked handing Saint over to him,

"The show is dedicated to them," Dave said rocking him,

"I'll see what I can do," Naala said looking up at him,

"I would appreciate that," Dave said licking his lips, "You look good," he spoke honestly.

"I'm a hoe remember?" Naala retorted tilting her head and left him standing in the house before she went back out to the backyard.

"Naala," A voice called out as Naala slipped back outside. She turned around and was genuinely surprised by who was calling her.

"Chanel?" Naala replied, "What is it?" She asked. She still owed her an ass whooping so she hoped that Chanel wouldn't be on any shit.

"I wanted to say hi," Chanel said softly. There was something different about her. The way she spoke down to the way she looked, something was wrong with her.

"Hi," Naala said looking at her weirdly, "Are you okay?" She asked as she watched Chanel fidget,

"Naala I'm so sorry," Chanel spoke sincerely,

"Sorry for what?" Naala asked with a confused look,

"I'm sorry for everything, I can't believe I acted that way, it was wrong and now I know everything you went through-"

Chanel was stopped by Von putting his hand on her shoulder. Chanel tensed up at his presence and Naala peeped it.

"Lala, long time no see," Von smiled. Naala rolled her eyes and walked off, she wasn't going to engage in a conversation with someone who hurt her best friend.

Naala went back over to her seat and saw that Bri was still over by the grill with Priest. Naala watched them interact with each other and a pang of jealousy ran through her. That used to be her and Dave and now here they were sitting on separate sides of the yard, not speaking to each other.

Naala heard a baby crying and instantly knew it was Saint. She rose up and saw Dave's aunt Tonya trying to rock him. She sucked her teeth because she hated when random people were holding her baby. She walked over to them,

"I think he's too warm," Naala smiled attempting to take him,

Tonya moved him to her other arm, "No he's spoilt, he doesn't need to be carried all the time,"

"He's clearly agitated, let me take him inside," Naala said reaching for him again. This time Tonya let her,

"That boy is never going to learn if you react every time he cries," Sonia spoke up,

"I know how to raise my son," Naala replied blankly looking between them,

"I'm sure you do," Sonia mumbled,

"Mama stop," Dave spoke as he walked up to them. "Naala hasn't spoken to you any type of way today,"

Naala was surprised, she didn't think Dave would stand up for her.

"Oh, y'all must be fucking again?" Tonya laughed. Naala sucked her teeth,

"Yeah I'm done, Amir go and get me my daughter," Naala said hiking Saint up on her shoulder.

"She doesn't need to leave," Sonia said turning her nose up, "I barely see my grandchildren and now you want to take them,"

"You see them more than you should," Naala replied. "Amir go and get her so I can leave now, thank you,"

Instead of arguing Dave went over to the kids and picked Sinai up. Naala went back inside and began to strap Saint into his seat.

"Naala you don't have to go," Dave said as he entered the house holding Sinai,

"Trust me I do," Naala spoke. She wanted to leave before she blew up on all of them.

"Can I at least have Sinai for the day?" Dave pleaded, "I'll bring her home later,"

Naala sighed, "Baby do you want to stay with your daddy or come home with me?"

Sinai nodded quickly, "I want to stay with daddy but I want you to come too Mommy,"

"We can go for ice cream?" Dave spoke, with pleading eyes.

"If I say no I'm the bad guy," Naala muttered, "Fine we can go," She said gaining a cheer from Sinai,

"Thank you," Dave replied, Naala nodded and picked up Saint's seat,

"Are you going to tell your girlfriend that we are leaving?" She asked as she swung the changing bag on her shoulder.

"I'll be back, she'll be fine," Dave said dismissively. Naala didn't reply as she walked towards the front door.

~~

Dave and Naala sat at a table at the ice cream parlour, watching Sinai watch them make the ice cream. Dave looked at Naala and sighed,

"So you're really not going to speak to me at all?" He spoke nudging her,

"There's nothing to speak about," Naala shrugged,

"Y'all been okay with the money I've been sending?" Dave questioned. After he left, he began to send Naala weekly checks to look after the children.

"I haven't touched it," Naala replied, "I don't need your money,"

"It's not for you, it's for my children," Dave responded,

"I can give them anything they need," Naala replied,

"But you're not working," Naala screwed up her face. He was telling the truth, she hadn't been working since she gave birth but that was due to maternity leave.

"Don't worry about me David," Naala said holding onto Saint,

"Why are you so angry when you're the one that cheated on me?" Dave said pulling at his beard,

"I cheated on you?" Naala laughed, "We were not together," She spoke slowly,

"We're always together," Dave said confidently, "You cheated on me with that whack ass nigga and now y'all are running around together,"

Naala rolled her eyes. Her and Gray were spotted out by TMZ and of course they assumed that they were together.

"Don't worry about what I've got going on," Naala replied rudely,

"I will worry cos you have that nigga around my kids," Dave spoke angrily. Naala looked him up and down,

"He's never around them, they are always either asleep or with your mom." Naala started, "I don't have to explain myself to you," She finished shaking her head.

"You right," Dave smirked, "I missed you,"

"Stop it, I didn't miss you," Naala replied,