2 chapters in one day, I'm really spoiling y'all!! Comment + Vote 💕

I rolled over and squinted my eyes shut at the bright light shining through the room. I felt around on the bed and to my surprise Naala wasn't laid beside me. As I adjusted the smell of bacon wafted up my nose. Naala must have been in a good mood today because she hadn't made breakfast in a while.

I dealt with my hygiene and threw on a pair of shorts, not bothering to put on a t-shirt. I jogged down the steps and into the kitchen where Naala was holding Saint in one arm and making eggs and Maniya was sat at the island, eating some fruit. Saint babbled loudly when he saw me making Naala look up.

Maniya had been staying with us for a few months now and has easily become a part of the family. Both Saint and Sinai loved her which was a plus. Naala had convinced her to enrol back in school and she was getting back into the flow of normal life.

Naala had assumed the mothering role and I saw how much she cared about her. I had also grown quite attached to Maniya, she was a great girl that just needed the right direction in life.

"I told you food would wake him up," Naala smirked at Maniya,

"You were right," Maniya smiled. She turned back and squealed covering her eyes, "Wear a shirt old man,"

I scrunched up my face, "Ain't nothing bout me old, ain't that right baby?" I said leaning down to kiss Naala's cheek,

"Mmm," She giggled. I reached for Saint and lifted him up in the air,

"Why you here chilling with the girls son? Girls are whack," I mumbled the last part.

"Amir I will shove my foot up your ass," Naala snapped,

"Why did you even hear that?" I said looking at her, I turned my attention to Maniya, "I hope she hasn't been driving you crazy,"

Maniya giggled and shook her head, "No, she's not,"

"You don't have to lie, I won't let her hit you," I smirked watching Maniya blush,

"I'm not even gonna do anything because you're holding my baby," Naala pointed out. She had been in much better spirits now that Sinai was at home, I could tell she was also really trying with Saint.

"Where's Nai?" I asked looking around, a look of sadness washed over Naala's face.

"She didn't want to come out and eat," She replied. Saint reached for Maniya so I handed him to her. She sat him in her lap and started playing with him.

I walked over to Naala and took the plate out of her hands, "What's the matter?" I asked lowly,

Naala looked up and me and frowned, "It's like she doesn't want to be around me,"

"She does, she's just hurting," I explained,

"But she's my baby, why can't she talk to me?" Naala replied looking down. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer,

"I'ma talk to her," I said kissing her lips, "Stop worrying,"

"Please, she listens to you," Naala responded. I nodded and kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss,

"Ew, there's children in here," Maniya said with a disgusted look. I pulled away and mugged her,

"I thought you were grown?" I said to her. Naala laughed and pushed me off her,

"I am grown," Maniya replied holding Saint up, "Saint knows it too,"

I sucked my teeth, "His little ass don't know shit apart from taking my woman,"

"Grow up," Naala laughed getting out 4 plates and setting them down, "Please go and talk to her,"

"I'm going," I said stealing a piece of bacon off the plate,

"I hope you choke," Naala called out as I stuffed the bacon into my mouth. Now if I was to die, tell me she wouldn't be the first one on the floor screaming.

I got to Sinai's door and knocked lightly. I pushed the door open and she was laid in her bed with the tv on.

"Hey baby," I said taking a seat on the bed.

"Hi daddy," She replied in a low voice. I got comfortable and looked at the TV,

"What are we watching?" I asked her. She smiled and pointed at the screen,

"Barbie Dreamhouse," She said in an obvious tone,

"Oh I thought this was Doc Mcstuffins,"

"No silly, Doc Mcstuffins is black," She said almost immediately, " And she's a doctor,"

"Righttt," I dragged out, "Now I know," I mumbled. We sat in silence for a few moments before I turned to her.

"Why don't you want to come down and eat breakfast with everybody?"

She shrugged and continued looking at the screen. I watched her intentensly,

"Is it because you're in pain?" I asked holding her hand,

"No," She shook her head, "It doesn't hurt anymore," She said referring to her head.

"So what's up mama? You like Maniya so I know it's not her,"

"I like Niya," She nodded, "She's like my big sister, she always plays with me as well," Sinai said with a small smile on her face,

"Then what's the matter?" I repeated. She huffed and looked at me,

"I don't want to make mommy sad," She said lowly. "Every time she sees me, she looks sad Daddy."

I knew what she meant. Naala was still torn up about what happened so it was no surprise that Sinai picked up on it as well.

"She's not sad baby, she's happy you're better now," I responded putting my arm around her shoulder, "You are making her more sad by staying up here on your own,"

Sinai nodded and turned to me, "I want to go downstairs now,"

I smiled and sat up, "You're chariot awaits," I turned around so she could climb onto my back. When she was situated, I stood up and she clung to my neck. I walked her back into the kitchen, Naala's eyes lit up when she saw Sinai coming down.

"Nai Nai," Maniya cheered, "I missed you stanka butt," She smiled when I put Sinai down.

"I missed you too Niya," Sinai smiled back, "And you bubba," She cheesed kissing Saint's cheeks. Of course Saint loved all the attention he was getting and started babbling.

"Yeah yeah yeah nigga, put him in his chair so we can eat," I said taking a seat at the island. Naala threw a tablecloth at me and Sinai gasped.

"Daddy you said a bad word," She said putting her hand on the hip. I huffed and looked at the swear jar that was full.

"There isn't anymore space in it because you do too much," Naala said as if she was reading my mind,

"That's okay Mommy, we can get a new jar," Sinai smiled. This little girl.

"After I just carried you down the stairs, wow," I said with a fake hurt expression.

"Don't worry baby, I'm gonna get a bigger jar this time," Naala spoke, "Niya take them over to the table please?" Naala asked Maniya who happily stood up.

I watched Naala put the food out on the plates but realised there was hardly any food on one particular plate.

"That's yours?" I asked pointing to it. She nodded and put on waffle on it.

"You on a diet or something?" I laughed but she didn't laugh with me,

"I don't have an appetite," Naala shrugged. I nodded and took the plates, "I'm not pregnant,"

"I didn't say anything Love, you know your body," I said blankly.

"Why are you getting angry at me?"

"Did I say I was angry? You said you're not pregnant and that's it," I replied, "I didn't even say anything so it seems like you're convincing yourself,"

"See you've got an attitude," Naala sucked her teeth,

"I ain't got an attitude but I'm about to get one if you keep up,"

"Whatever Amir," She mumbled taking the juice and the glasses over to the table.

I shook my head and took Maniya and Sinai's plates over to them. I took my plate and sat next across from Naala. Saint was in his high chair and Naala was feeding him his nasty ass baby food.

We were eating in silence until Naala spoke, "Maniya do you think I'm pregnant?"

Maniya's eyes widened and she looked between us both.

"Naala stop it," I said simply sipping on my orange juice.

"No, Maniya answer my question?" Naala said directly to her.

"I um I don't think so," Maniya stuttered. I chuckled and continued eating, I wasn't even gonna pay Naala no mind.

"Mommy what's pregnant?" Sinai asked tilting her head to the side.

I looked at Naala with an amused expression, I would love to see how she spun this one.

"It's when mommy has a baby in her belly. Like how I had you in my belly and Sainty," Naala replied, putting the spoon into Saint's mouth.

"Oh," Sinai whispered, "Then yes, you are pregmant," she said mispronouncing the word.

"It's pregnant," Naala corrected her, "And no I'm not, how would you know that?"

"Grandpa told me, when I was with him and Ameer,"

I stopped chewing and put my fork down. Naala paused, blinking slowly.

"Who's Ameer?" Maniya asked Sinai. I watched Naala's every move, how she stopped feeding Saint and was just staring blankly at him.

"Ameer is my brother, we were born on the same day," Sinai smiled happily.

"H-how —" Naala started but Sinai cut her off,

"My baby sister is in mommy's stomach, I know it,"

Sinai repeated. Even Maniya was stunned.

"Lala are you okay?" Maniya asked Naala who was still in the same position,

"I'm fine, aren't you going to school?" She asked her standing up,

Maniya nodded, "We start late today," She said standing to her feet also. "I have a parent teacher conference today, it's okay if y'all can't make it," Maniya said lowly. Naala shook her head,

"I'll be there, what time is it?" She asked. They both walked to the kitchen still talking about the parent teacher conference.

"Nai," I said to Sinai who was still seated, eating her food carelessly. "How do you know about Ameer?" I always assumed that was a dream but now Sinai had mentioned it, I'm weirded out.

"You met him, silly," She laughed. "Ameer is my brother but he's up there not here," She said sadly.

I nodded and looked up at Naala who was watching us from the kitchen. "Your mama doesn't know about that, so we have to keep it to ourselves,"

Sinai nodded, "Like a secret?"

"Yes, a secret between just you and me," I said lowly. She smiled,

"I'm very good at keeping secrets. I didn't tell when Maniya's boyfriend came here,"

I raised an eyebrow, "Maniya's boyfriend? Where was your mama when he came over?"

"Mommy was in her room, she said she was feeling sick and needed to lie down,"

I made a mental note to talk about that with both Maniya and Naala.

"Alright, remember keep this a secret," I said to her.

"I will," She nodded with a smile. I kissed her head and she started to eat her breakfast again. Saint was still in his high chair with his hand in his mouth,

"Come on big boy, let's get you ready," I mumbled lifting him out of the chair.

Naala was in the kitchen packing everything up quietly.

"Where's Niya?" I asked setting my plate in the sink, with one hand and holding Saint in the other.

"She went to get ready for school so I can drop her off," Naala mumbled. She was avoiding eye contact and moving around the kitchen fast.

"You okay?" I asked her. She nodded quickly and reached up to pack the plates away. One of the plates slipped and smashed on the floor making her jump back.

"Naala chill," I said walking over to her.

"I've got it," She snapped, leaning down to pick up the broken shards of glass.

"You ain't got it," I replied. "Stop moving for one second damn,"

"Why?" She asked me, "What do you want to talk about?"

"Don't start pushing me away Love, let's talk," I moved closer and taking her hand in mine.

She huffed and looked up to the ceiling holding tears back, "I don't know why I'm crying," She sniffed,

"It's okay to feel overwhelmed," I said softly,

"But how does she know about him? I've never spoken to her about him,"

"Maybe she overheard us speaking," I decided I wouldn't tell Naala about what I dreamt about because I knew it would upset her.

"Maybe," Naala sniffed, "I guess it's time we have that conversation with her,"

I nodded, "I think so too, she should know about it properly,"

Maniya came back into the kitchen, "Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt," She said looking between us. Naala wiped her tears and smiled,

"You're good girl, are you ready?" She asked her. Maniya nodded and hiked her bag up her shoulder.

"Let me go and throw something on," Naala muttered, she gave Saint a kiss on the cheek,

"Damn I don't get a kiss," I said with a scrunched up face.

"Here, grumpy," She laughed and pecked my lips.

Once she left the kitchen, Maniya was sat on a stool scrolling on her phone. She seemed to be amused by whoever was messaging her.

"Who's got you smiling like that?" I said watching her.

"Nobody," She said quickly locking the phone.

"It's not that boy that you had up in your room?" I asked her.

She looked at me with wide eyes, "Wow Sinai can't keep a secret for shit," She groaned.

"Language," I warned her. Saint was slowly falling asleep so I shifted him lightly. "So who was he?"

"His name is Adam and we had a project that's why he came over,"

"He's white?" I asked drawing my head back.

"Yea," She giggled, her cheeks flushing bright red.

"You like him?"

"I do," Maniya nodded. "But I'm not looking for a relationship,"

"You definitely aren't looking for no relationship, we haven't even met him yet," I responded, "Invite him over for dinner,"

"Oh my God Daveeeee," She dragged out. "I don't want a big deal,"

"Big deal about what?" Naala asked walking back down. I licked my lips at her appearance. She was dressed down in a grey sweatsuit and some sneakers. Her hair was pulled back into a bun and she wore big sunglasses.

"Maniya has a crush on a white guy," I spoke out loud.

"Stoppppp," Maniya said covering her face to hide her blushing.

"Really?" Naala beamed, "invite him over,"

"That's what I said, tell him tonight," I smirked.

"I want to meet the person that has my dau- you blushing like this," Naala said stumbling over her words.

I could see how flustered Naala was so I spoke up, "He's already been round here,"

Naala gasped, "You had a boy in your room?" She asked.

Maniya nodded shyly, "The door was open the whole time,"

Naala shook her head, "We gon talk about that, no boys in your room Niya you know that,"

"I'm sorry," She mumbled,

"Mmm, y'all get going before you're late," I said standing up.

"Are you sure you're okay with the two of them?" Naala asked me picking up her purse,

"I've got it," I assured her. I leaned down and pecked her lips three times.

"Mmm stop before I make Niya get the bus," She mumbled.

"I'm standing right here," Maniya groaned and turned around.

"Sorry," Naala giggled. "I'll see you later Papa," She smiled at Saint and kissed his cheek.

"Bye Nai," She shouted and was Sinai returned it by shouting back.

"Do you think this is cute?" Maniya asked me showing me her phone. It was a photo of her,

"Yeah I like it," I said glancing over at the phone. "These braids suit you, what you wanna do next?"

"I don't know yet, maybe a frontal?"

"I can arrange that," I mumbled, "Have you got that maths grade back up?" I asked Maniya, she huffed and shook her head.

"I feel like my teacher don't like me," She whined, "I got a C minus"

"A C minus? Even after all out extra work?"

"Yeah, I don't even care anymore," Maniya replied lowly.

"No I'm gonna talk to him,"

One thing I didn't play about was her grades. Even though we had a playful relationship, I made sure her grades were always up.

"I guess you can," She shrugged, "Your birthday is coming up, are you excited?" She said nudging my shoulder.

"Not really, what's there to celebrate?" I responded.

"I'm sure Dave has something nice planned," She smirked.

"Tell me," I said quickly. "I hate surprises,"

"My lips are sealed," Maniya laughed and sat back.

"You're no fun," I frowned, "I'ma take that purse back to the store,"

"You bought it?" She cheesed leaning forward. I promised her that I would buy her a new purse if she passed her finals. I bought the purse already to give her something to work towards.

"I'm taking it back," I said softly tapping the steering wheel.

"Hmm," She said crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm still not telling,"

"The purse won't run away, when you're ready to tell me, let me know," I chuckled, looking into my rear view mirror.

"Your phone is going crazy," Maniya commented as I turned a corner.

"Who is it?" I asked keeping my eyes on the road.

"It's says Egg donor," Maniya read out, looking at my phone.

"Decline it," I said quickly. Maniya nodded and hung up.

"You never speak about your mom," She said to me, "We've spoken about your family but not your mom,"

"There's not much to say," I shrugged. I stopped at a light and fixed my self in the seat.

"Okay, but if she's trying to reach out maybe you should hear her out," Niya spoke, "I wish I could speak to my mom,"

I looked over at her, "It's not that easy Niya, I'm still hurt,"

"Then tell her that, you never know what can happen. You only get one mom, don't let her slip away." I twisted my lips. I knew this was a tough subject for her because she's never met mother.

"Look at you spitting facts," I joked. Niya laughed and sat back,

"I had to," She smiled. I nodded and pulled into the school's parking lot.

"Maniya, do you think I'm trying to be your mom or anything?" I asked. After my slip up in the kitchen I felt like I needed to say something.

"You are basically my mom, you take care of me and you listen to me, you make sure I'm okay." Maniya replied turning to me, "Do you think I'm too dependent on you?"

"No no, I like our relationship," I replied quickly, "I just wanted to make sure I wasn't making you uncomfortable,"

"You don't," Maniya responded shaking her head,

"Okay I'm glad," I breathed out. I parked up and stopped the car, "Do you want me to walk you in?"

Maniya straight faced me, "No mom you don't have to walk me in," She said sarcastically,

"Mmm who's that little boy staring into the car," I said looking at a brown skin boy stare at us,

"Oh that's Tru," She said picking up her purse.

"He's staring you down, uhn uhn I'm getting out,"

"Lalaaaaa," Maniya groaned. "He likes me but I don't like him,"

"That's what I said about Amir and now look, I don't trust it," I said unbuckling my seat belt, "Come on, I need to speak to your math teacher anyway,"

Maniya sighed and got out of the car. I grabbed my purse and phone and jumped out of the car. I slide my sunglasses onto my face and waited for Maniya to shut the door.