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I opened my eyes at the sound of glass shattering. I sat up in bed and looked at the clock on my nightstand which read 3:37am. I listened out for any more sounds and heard raised voices.

I just knew it was my mom and dad arguing. I laid back down trying to ignore the noise until I couldn't anymore. I shot out of bed angrily and went down the hall to listen in.

"I haven't seen him in 5 years Amir!" My mom shouted, she was sat on the couch whilst my dad was stood over her.

"So why's he messaging your phone Naala?" My dad fumed.

"I don't know," She cried in response, "You're trying to ignore the fact that I caught you sneaking in here at 3am,"

"That's not important," My dad responded. My mom's head popped up fast,

"That's not important?" She shouted, her tears streaming down her face. "Are you cheating on me again Amir? Why aren't I good enough?"

"Here we go with the victim shit," My dad chuckled. I hardly ever saw him talk to my mom like that but it wasn't nice to see.

I stood against the wall hoping that they didn't spot me. This was an everyday occurrence and I was started to feel like they were on their way to a divorce.

"I'm sorry that I can't trust you! You cheated on me at my lowest and then sent me into early labour," My mom said standing up.

I saw the shattered glass on the floor and then my dad followed behind her.

"Let it go Naala damn," My dad said loudly, "You want us to be done? Cool,"

"Amir get out of this house," My mom said holding onto the counter.

"I pay for this shit, I'm not leaving," I heard before I heard the sound of more glass smashing.

"Stop throwing shit," Daddy screamed at her,

"I hate you!" My mom yelled at him. "I'm so done with you, pack your stuff and get out of my house Amir I mean it. You wanna cheat, feel free because I can't do this anymore."

"I'm not fucking cheating on you Naala damn, I wish I was at this point,"

"Get out," My mom screamed following by a loud smashing sound. I heard my dad leave and slam the front door shut.

I waited a few seconds before coming out to where my mom was. She was leaning down trying to pick up the smashed glass.

"Mama I'll do it," I said softly making my presence known.

"I'm so clumsy," She responded dropping the glass in a bag.

"This is a lot of glass," I said side eyeing her. She nodded and wiped her face,

"You know I'm small, I couldn't reach it," My mom lied to my face.

"Was that daddy that just left?" I asked using a broom to sweep away the small shards of glass.

My mom nodded but didn't say a word. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water and drank some of it.

"Is he coming tomorrow?" I asked her making her close her eyes and breathe out.

"What's with all the questions? He told you he was coming right so he is," She replied leaning against the counter.

"When are you gonna wake up mama?" I said after a while, "I heard you guys, I'm sure the whole neighbourhood heard you guys,"

"He didn't mean what he said, I didn't mean what I said. Couples fight and we happen to be one of those couples." She said quickly trying to dismiss the conversation.

"I hate seeing you like this mommy," I said feeling myself get upset, "I really hate it,"

"Baby," My mom frowned walking over to me, "Your dad - he loves you, so much. He doesn't mean it."

"How do you know that?" I said letting my tears fall, "Y'all say such hurtful things, it's like your a different person mom - it scares me,"

"Stop crying," My mom said her own voice cracking. "I would never want you to hear those things, I'm sorry,"

"It's not your fault," I muttered wiping my tears. My mom leaned up and wiped my face.

"I've been failing at a lot of things lately but I try so hard to keep this away from you guys. This toxicity, —" My mom started crying as she spoke.

"Can I tell you the truth?" She said. I nodded and she tucked her lips in.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take. You say the word and I will take you guys with me and we can go."

I looked at her like she was crazy, "Go where mama?"

"Away from him, I can't have another baby like this - I won't," She whispered, more to herself.

"You want a divorce?" I asked to be sure.

"No but I can't stay here, it's breaking me apart." She said crying harder. I pulled her into a hug and let her cry into me.

"Mommy it's okay," I said soothingly. I didn't know what to do but I knew something needed to be done. "Let's go to bed," I said to her. She pulled away wiping her face.

I helped her upstairs and into bed. When I was about leave I heard her voice,

"Can you stay with me please?" She asked peeking over the covers. I sighed and turned back, slipping into the bed.

"I love you Angel," She said softly holding my hand.

"I love you too mama," I responded closing my eyes to drift to sleep. I could hear my mom sniffling but I kept my eyes closed - letting my mind wonder.

Surely, if you were this hurt everytime you spoke to your husband then you shouldn't be with him but my mom couldn't seem to see that.

~~

"I'm pulling up now," Tai said into the phone. It had been a week since Dave and Naala's big falling out and he only returned back to the house last night. Today was the day the Brewster family were leaving for Sinai's birthday. Maniya was nervous about the whole trip, her parents were still having problems and she didn't want Tai to witness that.

"Okay you can come in when you get here," Maniya said before they hung up. She took her suitcase and left her room.

When she got down the stairs she heard raised voices in the kitchen. Maniya creeped past and stood against the wall,

"Just tell me who she is," She heard her mom faintly say,

"Keep your hands to yourself Naala, cuz you're not about to keep hitting me," Maniya heard her dad shout.

"Who is she Amir?" Naala shouted, "Because you're not fucking me so you must be fucking her,"

"You don't let me touch you!" Dave shouted back, "Your my wife and I have to beg you",

"You make me sick," Naala responded, Maniya shook her head.

Instead of standing back and listening to this, Maniya walked into the kitchen, making her presence known.

Naala was leaning against the counter with tears streaming down her face and Dave was towering over her holding her hands down. When Naala saw Maniya she wriggled out of Dave's hold.

"You all packed up baby?" Naala said wiping her eyes. Maniya's eyes darted between her mom and dad,

Nodding her head she acting as if she didn't witness what she did. "Tai's outside," She mumbled.

"Tell him to come in, I made breakfast," Naala said walking away from Dave,

"Naala we weren't finished talking," Dave said walking behind her,

"You really want to argue in front of our daughter?" Naala asked Dave,

"I'm not arguing with you, we were having an adult conversation until you couldn't keep your hands to yourself," Dave replied pulling her hand back.

"Then tell me who she is," Naala replied sniffing, she was honestly tired of fighting with him.

"It was Chanel, I was with my sister baby, I told you that," Dave said letting her hand go.

"What's wrong with me?" Naala cried covering her face, "I'm sorry Papa,"

"I know," Dave said pulling her into a hug. A mixture of no medication and pregnancy was not good for Naala. She went through too many different emotions and she couldn't help it.

Maniya stood in the doorway awkwardly, she wasn't going to invite Tai in when her mom was balling her eyes out.

"I don't mean to keep pushing you away Amir," Naala muttered hugging him back. Dave nodded but didn't reply, this was exactly what happened her last pregnancy. She picked arguments with him all the time, which led him into Millie's bed.

"I'm not sweating it baby, I know you're not doing on purpose but you have to let me in," Dave said softly, he could be more helpful in these situation. When it's Sinai's birthday it's also Ameer's anniversary so he knew she was already upset.

Naala pulled away from Dave and turned to Maniya. "I've not been the best mom recently and I'm sorry angel,"

"Mommy don't say that." Maniya replied lowly. "I know you've not been yourself,"

"I don't like when you see this side of us," Naala said lowly to Maniya. Dave had walked out of the kitchen to finish packing up his stuff.

"Are y'all splitting up?" Maniya asked. She had been thinking this for a while and she had to know.

"Why would you think that?" Naala questioned pulling some plates out of the cupboard.

"Mama you guys argue all the time. You're always crying, he's always leaving —"

Naala slammed a cup on the counter to stop Maniya from speaking.

"I don't want to speak about this right now. Put a smile on your face and enjoy your boyfriend," Naala said sternly.

"He's not boyfriend," Maniya replied looking at her mom weirdly. This is how most of their conversations went; Naala would act as if everything was perfect when Maniya could see it with her own eyes.

"Whatever he is. Go and invite him in, first go get your daddy," Naala said dismissively bringing out all the breakfast food.

"You're delusional but whatever," Maniya said walking out of the kitchen.

Naala paused and placed the food down. Even Maniya could see that their marriage was on the rocks and she didn't know how to fix it.

Naala huffed and left the kitchen into the direction of her and Dave's room. Him and Maniya were standing in the doorway,

"Thanks Niya I've got it from here," Naala said putting her hand on her shoulder. Maniya didn't really care to get involved in her parent's toxic relationship so she dismissed herself from the conversation.

Naala took Dave's hand and pulled him back into the room. "What's up baby?" Dave asked as she ushered them to the bed.

"I'm sorry," Naala said softly sitting on his lap. "The way I've been treating you these past few weeks has been wrong,"

"It's okay Love," Dave answered. He wasn't okay with it but he still had to tell her about the tour and once he did, he wasn't sure how she would react.

"No it's not," Naala pouted, rubbing his face. Dave looked at her,

"Are you ready to tell me what's been wrong with you?" Dave asked her, making her straddle him, her belly stopping her from getting too close.

"I heard you on the phone to Dean, when were you gonna tell me about the tour Amir?" Naala said lowly staring at him.

"I didn't want to disappoint you Naala," Dave admitted with his hand around her waist.

"Disappoint me how? I want you to go back to work," Naala replied, "When do you leave?"

"Next week," Dave mumbled making Naala smack his head.

"That's so soon," She said with a frown. "Don't hide things from me again," Naala wasn't upset about the tour, she was more irritated at the fact that he wasn't gonna tell her.

"I won't," Dave smirked. "Now can I get some love?" He asked staring at her lips.

Naala leaned down and kissed him softly, Dave being Dave deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her tighter.

Naala started grinding on Dave causing him to groan and pull away,

"We've got 20 minutes before someone comes to look for us," Dave said to Naala,

"Perfect," Naala whispered. Dave took that as permission and started to kiss down her neck. Dave carefully lifted her up and laid her on the bed before separating her legs.

"Stop playing," Naala moaned as he kissed the inside of her thighs. Dave ignored her, it had been weeks since he'd been inside her and he wasn't about to rush.

"Why you so wet already?" Dave teased rubbing his finger up and down her slit.

"Amirrrr," Naala moaned throwing her head back and slipped his middle finger into her fold.

The tightness around his finger mixed with Naala's loud moans made his member rise. "Fuck this," He said pulling his finger out and replacing it with his pulsating dick.

"Ooo," Naala moaned as he filled up, slowly going in and out of her. "Take some out," She cried out as he started going faster.

"Take it," Dave grunted, moving his hips at a fast pace. He was trying not to buss quickly but Naala was making it so hard. She kept tightening herself around him.

Dave carried on plummeting into her, going as deep as he could. He didn't want to do too much because of the baby.

"Hold it Naala," He spoke as her legs started to shake around his waist.

"I can't" Naala moaned biting her lip, the pleasure was indescribable - she was in heaven.

As the both reached their peak, a loud knock sounded on the door.

"Amir wait," Naala moaned quietly, "It might be the kids,"

"Who is it?" Dave called out, still moving his dick in and out of her.

"Oh my God," Naala moaned putting her hands on his abdomen hoping to stop him.

"It's me daddy," Sinai called out, "I'm hungry," She added.

"I'm coming baby," Naala panted, "A-ask your sister to help you," She moaned discreetly.

Sinai replied but none of them heard, they were both too busy cumming.

"Shit," Dave groaned as he released himself inside her. Naala shook tremendously, squirting and soaking their sheets.

"You've not done that in a while," Dave smirked pulling out of her. Naala tutted and sat up on her arms.

"I don't want to stop," She whined watching him go into the bathroom and get a wet cloth to clean her up.

"I got you at the hotel," Dave responded cleaning her up.

"I am sorry Amir, this month is hard for me," Naala said sitting up properly. She felt bad for the way she'd been treating him.

"It's hard for me too Love but I don't take that shit out on you," Dave said sitting beside her. Naala nodded and wiped her eyes,

"I just hurts so much, no parent should ever have to bury a child - why did we have to do it?" Naala cried leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Ion know baby," Dave said quietly. He wrapped his arms around her but she pushed him off.

"You think it's my fault right?" Naala said with tears streaming down her face. Dave shook his head and stood up taking her hands in his,

"I don't blame you for anything Naala. God took him home, not you" Dave said rubbing her hands.

"But why him?" Naala sobbed falling into Dave's open arms, "Our son didn't get to live Amir? Why?"

Dave stayed quiet, he didn't have the answers for any of her questions because he was still trying to find them himself.

"Shh," Dave said rubbing her hair to quiet her down. Naala felt secure in his arms, like he could protect her from everything she was feeling.

"I've been selfish," Naala said once she finished crying. "You're grieving too, I didn't even think of that,"

"I'm good when you're good, when you aren't good I can't think properly," Dave said holding onto her waist. "I mean it when I say you're my life Naala,"

"I love you," Naala pouted looking up at him. "So much," She added.

"I love you too Naala," Dave said dropping his neck slightly so he could peck her lips.

Another knock sounded and this time there was no waiting, the person opened the door.

"The foods getting cold," Maniya said watching her mom and dad all hugged up in the middle of the room.

"We're coming Ni, thanks," Dave said sending her a reassuring smile. When he turned around to look at her, Maniya caught a glimpse of Naala's face and saw the tears on her cheek.

"Mommy?" Maniya said, she didn't know what had happened but she felt like her dad was the reason for Naala's tears.

"I'm fine baby," Naala said pulling away from Dave, "We we're just coming back out."

"Okay, Tai's downstairs," Maniya warned. Dave clenched his jaw,

"Ion know how I feel about Tyrone coming on this trip," Dave spoke taking Naala's hand and leading her out the room.

"Daddy you agreed though," Maniya said turning around.

"Papa you did say yes," Naala said putting her hand on his chest.

"I can't change my mind?" Dave retorted making Maniya groan,

"Mommy please tell him not to do anything silly," Maniya practically begged.

"Your daddy doesn't scare nobody," Naala said waving him off,

"Really?" Dave said slipping his hands from her waist to her ass and squeezing it lightly making Naala moan lightly.

"Ok ew," Maniya gagged jogging down the steps. Tai was sat at the island with Sinai who was talking his ear off.

Naala went into Saint's room and he was still asleep. "Stinka butt you have to get up," Naala said wriggling his feet to softly wake him up. Saint started to stir then belted out a loud cry.

"Bubba there is no need for that," Naala said shushing him. She wiped his face and laid him on the diaper table.

Naala changed his diaper and dressed him up in what she wanted him to wear for the day.

"Maaaa," Saint squealed making Naala pause, she looked at him and squinted her eyes.

"Say it again bubs," Naala smiled poking his cheeks.

"Daaaaa," Saint dragged making spit bubbles. Naala sucked her teeth and picked him up.

"Still a dumb baby," Naala mumbled, picking up his Fendi patterned diaper bag.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Dave was grilling the hell out of Tai.

"So you play basketball or something?" He asked Tai leaning against the refrigerator.

"Yes sir," Tai nodded, "I'm the team captain," Tai said proudly.

"Daddy you were the captain too weren't you?" Maniya said trying to lighten up the mood.

"Mmm, I'ma have to see how you play boy," Dave said sizing Tai up. He did not like him at all, not for his baby girl.

"Amir leave that boy alone," Naala said walking in holding Saint on her hip. Dave sucked his teeth and took Saint from her putting him on the floor.

"He can crawl Naala, you don't need to be carrying him all the time," Dave fussed at her.

"Shut up," Naala said to him, "Is that all your having baby?" Naala asked Sinai kissing her head.

"Mmm, I'm not hungry," Sinai responded playing with the strawberries on her plate.

"You're too excited that's why," Dave said putting another pancake on her plate, "If you don't eat we're not leaving."

"Hello Mrs Brewster," Tai said standing up to greet Naala. Naala gushed at how respectful he was.

"I've told you about calling me that, makes me feel so old. I'm young like you guys," Naala said pointing at him and Maniya.

"No you're not Ma," Maniya said sitting beside Tai. Dave watched as Tai put his hand on her thigh and squeezed it. Naala saw but didn't say anything, she thought it was cute.

"I'm very young," Naala replied putting her hand on her hips. "Tai have you ever seen a mother of 3 soon to be 4 look so good?"

Tai shook his head, "No ma'am," He spoke honestly. Naala smiled and stuck her tongue out at Dave,

"I've still got it," She said moving around the kitchen. Dave chuckled,

"You ain't got shit but a baby face," He said taking a strawberry off Sinai's plate.

"Daddy said a curse word," Sinai called out quickly.

"Yes he did Bug, pay up," Naala said holding her hand out.

"All y'all do is drain me," Dave mumbled as he pulled out a hundred dollar bill.