I can't believe I fucked up so badly and didn't remember to use a condom. Hopefully, I'm wasn't fertile at the time we had sex. I'd hate to find out I'm carrying again. Altier was already eager to carry an egg and that wasn't up for debate or future occurrence.

My main focus right now was Zyaire and Drakos. We were a family now. She wasn't even a month yet and I went and slipped up. I was too afraid to carry another addition, even though Altier offered to.

Zyaire was three weeks old now. She slept throughout the night, thankfully. It took me to wake her up for her feedings. I loved bonding with her and watching her beautiful face as she slept or fed from me.

Because she wasn't a normal child, her growth was a bit faster than the average infant. At two weeks, infants still woke up in the middle of the night, but she didn't. Did I forget to mention that she's a glutton?

Zyaire drank fifteen bottles a day and sometimes more with an addition of breastfeeding. Our child was going at it strong. When we didn't meet her demands, she cried at the top of her lungs. We had no choice but to oblige her unless we wanted our eardrums shattered.

I held her to my chest as I read a story to her in the rocking chair that was situated at the window in the nursery. She loved it when I read to her or when her father did. It was one of her favorite pastimes.

I rocked back and forth gently, holding her with one hand and the book in the other.

Her eyes were closed now as she clutched my shirt and sucked her pacifier. She was dressed warmly in a purple, all-in-one bodysuit designed with flowers on it. Her hair was beautifully tousled on her head, an unruly gathering of waves that framed her face. Her hair growth alone was out of this world.

As the days went by, the shade got darker, almost a crimson red, and her freckles became more pronounced. My heart swelled with pride and love at our amazing creation.

Our daughter was no doubt breathtaking and I knew I'd have to buy a shotgun someday to ward off all predators. I'll protect her with my life.

"So beautiful," I breathed, kissing her forehead.

The doorbell rang and I went to answer it, rising slowly and placing Zyaire in her crib on her back.

I left the nursery and sauntered into the living room, peeping through the viewfinder where Stephon stood outside with a giant teddy bear in his hands.

I inched back from the small hole and unlocked the door, opening it to reveal my ebony-skinned ex-best friend? Or something along those lines. I didn't know where we stood when it came to our shattered friendship.

"Hey," He greeted, balancing the oversized, ivory teddy bear in one hand. "Sorry for popping up unannounced. I wanted to surprise you and Zyaire and also...I knew you wouldn't have agreed to see me in private." He looked unsure if he should be standing here.

My lips turned down as I held on the doorknob, staring at him.

Drakos was at his publishing company today and Felicia was here earlier this morning with Kirk. They left almost an hour ago. Falcon usually came in the evenings tagged along by Stephon who almost always gave Zyaire all of his attention.

My eyes lowered to his stomach that was starting to show now. My heart clenched when I saw the pain in his hazel eyes. This is the man who I once called my backbone and my partner in crime. I knew Stephon still blamed himself for my miscarriage. But it wasn't his fault. That was in the past. My baby is already born and I am complete. There's only the awkwardness between us that lingers after I forgave him for making such a foolish mistake.

We all make mistakes, don't we?

Stephon shifted from foot to foot. "Are you going to let me in or not?"

I blinked. "Oh, sorry. I spaced out for a bit. Come on in." I stepped aside and allowed him to walk past me. He placed the teddy bear on the couch and stood in the middle of the room glancing around anxiously.

"Have a seat Stephon. You look like a lost animal. Do you want something to drink?" I went over to the refrigerator, opening it.

He complied and sat gingerly on the couch. "Cranberry juice please if you have it. If not, I'll take a glass of water."

I nodded and filled him a glass of juice, taking it over to him. He accepted it, thanking me and I sat opposite him on the reclining chair. I crossed my legs and took a deep breath, exhaling.

"So what brings you here, besides the gift that you have for Zyaire?" I cut to the chase.

He licked his lips after drinking half of the juice, looking nervous.

"Remember the conversation we had a few months ago right before the baby shower?" He asked, fidgeting.

"Yes," I replied slowly, remembering we came to an agreement to address the matter.

"Well...I thought now would be the right time to discuss it." He got out, his eyes filling with determination.

I gazed at him, nodding. "I do agree. Zyaire is asleep now so I've got all the time."

"I'm glad she's going to have a playmate soon," He smiled fondly, rubbing his stomach.

My eyes darted to the bulge with a mirrored expression. "Yeah, that's great. You came up with a name for her as yet?"

"Noelani because she'll be born in December, close to Christmas. Falcon adores it so that's what we're going with." His face beamed as he spoke.

"It's a pretty name. I've never heard it before. I bet she's going to be as pretty or prettier than her name." I complimented.

"Definitely," He grinned. "So, that aside..." He trailed off. "Are you okay to talk?" His expression shifted.

"Of course." I drew my legs up and tucked them, preparing myself for the inevitable.

"Are we going to be this way forever?" He asked, placing the glass down on the coffee table between us. His expression was serious.

"What way?" I questioned.

"Awkward, nonchalant, barely talking." He went on, ticking his fingers.

My lips pursed and I smoothed my hand over the arm of the chair, avoiding his gaze, gathering my thoughts.

Were our interactions considered awkward? Yes.

Did I notice? Yes.

Did I care?" Possibly.

Will I show it? Nope.

I've been scarred for so long, I barely trusted myself. But, that doesn't mean I haven't forgiven Stephon for what he did. When I sat down and thought about it, he didn't intentionally do it but he knew the consequences. Stephon knew me. Drakos didn't.

In my mind, I thought he went against me. I thought he deceived me for a man he just met. It hurt. It stung and I loathed it. Tye, Nathan, and then Stephon. It was too much. Even my parents. They left me to fend for myself. I had a living father out there who didn't give a fuck about me. Who didn't even care to check and see if I were dead or alive.

The man was heartless.

I was consumed by anger and betrayal, unable, or a better word, refusing to see reason. I was just so sick and tired of people stabbing me in the back. And what made the wound ache all the more, Stephon knew, but he didn't think. We all make mistakes and I'm sure Stephon learned from it. Tye, Nathan, and my father? I'm not so sure.

"We parted with you in tears. I didn't know how to face you. I behaved like an ass, I must admit." My lips pressed together in bitter remembrance.

Stephon sat up and regarded me with sympathetic eyes, "I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm really sorry for acting like you had no right to behave the way you did. I asked myself to take a step in your shoes and I saw what I did had dire consequences. I'm sorry you lost your baby and I'm sorry for my ignorance. Will you find it in your heart to truly forgive me? I miss being with you it hurts seeing us this way."

I blinked back tears as my eyes watered. Seeing him like this made my heart break. I actually missed him. We were so goofy together. If I can forgive Drakos for everything why can't I do the same to Stephon? I knew Stephon longer and he may have done something that he thought was right that hurt me, but it all turned out for the better. We argued and had a few misunderstandings but I can't hate him forever.

I will hold him at a distance but he won't have my full trust like he did.

I promised myself that I wouldn't subject myself to possible betrayal. And that's the way it's going to be.

"I forgive you, Stephon, so don't cry." I got up and crossed over to him, kneeling in front of him, placing a hand on his thigh.

"I--thank you. It's been on my chest for so long, it ached. I'm so sorry." He choked and I smiled faintly.

"It's okay. That's over and done with. We both were wrong for the way we behaved. I snapped at you instead of hearing you out. I was a complete douchebag. For that, I'm sorry. Consider this water underneath the bridge, okay? Cheer up, you're gonna make me tear up."

"Sorry," He sniffed, looking at me through tear-filled eyes. "I'm so happy right now."

"I know," I said, using a thumb to swipe at a stray tear. "Will a tub of ice cream work?"

He nodded, looking relieved.

"Then ice cream it is."

***

So we made up.

Stephon couldn't stop crying and I couldn't stop consoling him. It was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders after we resolved our differences. Stephon smiled more too.

He even started spending the night over in the spare room. Him and Falcon, that is. Zyaire loved them both but she leaned more to Stephon. I think it's because Stephon is pregnant.

Felicia paid her bi-daily visits and bought tons of toys and necessities for Zyaire. My baby was blessed and she didn't need for anything thanks to her aunt, uncle, and Kirk as well as her dad and myself.

Per usual, I went out to the supermarket to go grocery shopping once a week, and that day, Stephon tagged along. Zyaire stayed at home with Drakos and Falcon as they had a few drinks over business plans.

It was late in the afternoon when both of us stepped out of the car and into the supermarket. The automatic doors whooshed open for us seconds before we came into contact with the glass doors. I took the initiative to push the cart as Stephon plucked the items off the shelves.

We chatted a bit and discussed future plans for our children. Stephon glowed when he spoke about Noelani and it made me happy that he had the chance to experience this with me.

We were lucky.

Maybe it was fate that I walked into Drakos' publishing company that morning.

The conversation steered on food when we got in the produce aisle.

"What are you planning to cook tonight? I heard from Falcon that Drakos is a sucker for your cooking." Stephon asked as we walked side by side.

"Hmm...I'm not sure but it'll be heavy. Drakos eats a lot. I think I know where Zyaire gets her eating habits from."

Stephon chuckled, "I do agree. Falcon's mouth is always in the working."

I hummed with a smug grin, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Not in that way, silly." He slapped my shoulder playfully with a laugh.

"Don't hit me, I have a right to think that way!" I protested.

"Your mind is like a cesspit," He shook his head, picking up a bundle of green onions.

"Just like yours," I retorted with a grin.

"Asche?" My smile died out as my head snapped on a woman who stood seven feet away, in front of us, accompanied by a teenage boy.

My heart dropped and my face lost its color. Stephon glanced at me and then at her with a frown.

"I've been trying to reach you," She said, looking like my mother with her hazel eyes.

"No way," I whispered, my eyes ticking between her and the teenaged boy. He looked just like me. Chestnut hair and hazel eyes. We were almost the same height. My dad has chestnut hair.

Suddenly sick to my stomach, I dashed out of the aisle and fled outside, vomiting beside a car in the parking lot.

Stephon tried to run behind me as the woman called out my name desperately but his stomach slowed him down.

This can't be real.

This can't be real!!

***