My father died last week.

I didn't attend his funeral and I didn't make an effort to go and see him. I decided to send a picture of me and Zyaire to him, at least satisfying his wish to some extent. I felt nothing after his death. No hurt, no pain, no sadness.

Drakos was the one who told me because I was against holding a conversation with that woman. On the brighter side of the situation, I kept in contact with my brother. How I viewed it, it wasn't his fault that his mother was a deceitful bitch who kept secrets from him. We got along just fine. Three days after my encounter with my aunt, he reached out to me through Drakos. He found his number in my aunt's phone after eavesdropping on her call with Drakos. We both came to an agreement that Drakos would handle the affairs of my aunt until dad passed. After that, I wanted to have nothing to do with her. That came into effect last week.

His funeral was today and I chose to stay at home. Devin begged me to attend but I couldn't see a dead man whom I had the last memory of him walking away from his wife and child like we were dirty trash. I wouldn't cry because I had no tears to shed for my father. That sounded cold but it is what it is. My tears were reserved for my mother who suffered undeservingly.

Nonetheless, I sent my condolences.

It was midday when I sat on a play mat with Zyaire who was sitting up strongly, babbling away as she played with her toys. What a cutie. Her hair was pushed back with a pink headband that had a beautiful purple flower on it. Her auburn curls fell in soft waves at her neck, a stunning color that always had me in awe.

Zyaire loved playtime and I spent most of my days with her. Drakos preferred for me to stay at home and raise her while he went to work. I was against it at first but he convinced me to do it at least for her first year and then he encouraged me to try and open my own business. Whatever I liked he offered to assist me in getting all of it done. That was the agreement.

Zyaire gurgled and I smiled at her as I took a few pictures of her with my cellphone.

Just as I did, my phone rang and I answered it, seeing Stephon's name on the caller i.d. When the call went through, shrill screams burst through the speaker and I winced.

"Hello?" I said, feeling awful for Stephon. Their daughter was born two months ago, on the twenty-third day of December. A beautiful caramel-skinned baby girl with the most gorgeous cognac-colored eyes. We were blessed to have such beautiful children. He stuck with the name Noelani and it suited her. Since her birth, Stephon hasn't visited because he had his hands full. I went to see them on several occasions, offering a helping hand.

"Asche, I need you," Stephon's voice was hoarse and I heard the fatigue in his voice. As he spoke, I heard Noelani wailing inconsolably.

"Noelani is fussy?" I asked sympathetically. I had my fair share of Zyaire crying her lungs out so I knew how he felt.

"I haven't had proper sleep since the first week she was born," His voice cracked with emotion. "I feel like I'm about to shut down. Please, help me. Falcon can only do so much."

"Oh, gosh. You sound horrible." I gathered Zyaire's toys together as I spoke to him. "Where's Falcon?"

"He stepped out for a few hours, business calls. I've been trying my best to soothe her but nothing's working." Noelani's wails continued.

"It's okay, I'll be there in thirty minutes tops. Let me just straighten up in here. Zyaire's toys are everywhere. When I stood up, my head swung and I quickly held on to the arm of the sofa to catch myself. What just happened?

I blinked rapidly to clear my blurry vision and the white spots that appeared before my eyes. Something's not right. I slowly moved to her toy box and deposited them in there, returning to pick her up and fetch my car keys and her diaper bag.

About forty minutes later I was parked in front of Stephon and Falcon's family home. A five-bedroom, four and a half bath that towered above by two storeys in a mint color.

I walked up to the door after unbuckling Zyaire from her car seat and rang the doorbell. From the front porch, I could hear Noelani crying. Stephon must be going out of his mind. I feared that he might slip into postpartum depression so it's best that I help as much as I can. Zyaire was a sweet, quiet baby and she liked Noelani. She knew that they both shared a connection not just through blood.

Stephon opened the door holding the small, crying infant on his shoulder with eyes swollen and dragging.

"I'm so glad you made it," Tears was in his eyes.

"I have no problem helping you," I said, offering a smile as I balanced a gurgling Zyaire on my hip with her diaper bag strapped over my shoulder.

He allowed me in and I closed the door behind me, stepping in their warm living room. The fireplace was lit, bathing the room in a comforting warmth.

"Make yourself at home," He tried to talk over her crying but failed miserably. I frowned. "Here, let me help you with her. You can take Zyaire."

Zyaire made a happy sound as I placed her diaper bag in on the sofa and took Noelani in my free hand, allowing Stephon to take her who made excited noises.

"Did you give her a bath?" I asked as I gently rocked her to soothe her.

"I did everything," He sighed."I fed her, I bathed her, I played with her, I made sure her diaper wasn't soiled. She just kept crying."

"It's okay, baby your daddy's probably tired." I cooed then glanced at Stephon. "Why don't you leave them both to me and try and get some sleep? You look awful, Stephon."

He ran his hand through his unruly curls with a nod. "You sure you're okay?" He asked, giving me a perceptive look.

I stared at him, confused. "I got this. Zyaire loves Noelani so she won't give me a hard time. Once she's in front of the TV, she'll be still. Besides, I don't mind her crying, I'm used to it. She'll calm down eventually. Now go, rest is calling." I shooed him with one hand as I walked over to a sofa as he placed Zyaire in Noelani's bouncer that was situated in the corner of the room, waiting for Noelani to grow big enough to fit in.

After he brought Zyaire a bit closer, he informed me where her bottles were and other necessities before retiring to his bedroom upstairs. By this time, Noelani simmered to soft cries.

"Don't snore too loud!" I teased.

"If the children weren't here I would have given you an earful!" He yelled back, his voice echoing.

I snickered.

***

Stephon slept for almost four hours. By the time he woke up, it was almost evening. He slowly sauntered downstairs as I sat on the long sofa, watching an action movie. Both babies were asleep in the nursery when he got down.

I used the extra playpen that he bout for Noelani to lay Zyaire in. It didn't take me long to assemble it. The baby monitor was sitting on the table in front of me, so I can keep a close eye and ear on them.

He yawned and stretched, drawing my attention.

"Hey," I smiled. "You slept well?"

He crossed over to me and took a seat beside me. "That's the best sleep I've had since I gave birth. You saved me, Asche. Thanks." His smile was full of gratefulness.

"No problem. I'm glad you were able to get some shut-eye."

"Indeed." He said, sighing. "I guess the girls are asleep."

"Mmhm," I nodded, folding my legs underneath me. "Noelani fought sleep but I was able to get her to finally give in. She's a fighter, that one."

Stephon chuckled. "I don't know how you did it but thank you. I don't know what I'd done if you didn't step in."

I placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly, "That's what friends are for. They help each other. "

A smile lit up his face. "Yeah, you're right."

My phone rang and I reached for it, answering. I placed a finger up, indicating for Stephon to give me a minute. It was Drakos.

"Hey, babe." I cupped the phone to my ear with a boyish grin.

"Hey, love." His mellow voice caressed me. "I'm on my way home. Take a bath and put on something sexy. We're going out." The sound of passing cars filled the background.

"Ooh, interesting. What's the occasion?"

"It's a surprise." He said. "You'll love it. I've got a babysitter to watch Zyaire tonight, so don't worry yourself."

I looked over at Stephon, whose attention was fixed on the television. He gazed at me with a questioning look.

"I'm not home, I'm by Stephon's house. I'll be there soon enough. I'm excited to see what you have in store for me." I said, lowering my voice.

"Great things," He promised. "Now hurry home and doll yourself up for me."

"Yes, Mr. Dick Almighty." I teased.

He grimaced. "You know I dislike that name."

"And that is why I always call you it because it irks you." I grinned.

"You're incorrigible," He chuckled.

"You like me this way," I said cheekily.

He laughed, "Yes, I do. Now run along and head home. I'll meet you there."

"Okay. I won't speed. Baby on board."

"You better don't. See you later, love." The call ended, leaving me grinning like a fool.

"Let me guess, he promised you sex?" Stephon shook his head with a grin.

"No, silly!" I smacked his shoulder. "We're going on a date! I'm so excited!" I shot up and my head spun, causing me to lose my balance.

Stephon exclaimed in fear, jumping to catch me, steadying me after he got a good grip.

I blinked rapidly with my heartbeat rising.

"Are you okay? What happened?" His eyes scanned my body and face with concern.

"I don't know," I winced as a throbbing headache pounded in my skull. "The room tilted for a moment and my head felt light. I think my iron must be low."

"Or your blood pressure." He added with a searching stare.

He took my hand in his and dragged me upstairs. "What? Where are you taking me?" I asked as he opened the bathroom door and pulled me in, ordering me to sit on the toilet as he rummaged through his bathroom cabinet.

I obeyed then stared at him in confusion. "Stephon, what is going on?"

"Found it!" He pulled out a small white box and closed the cabinet.

I regarded the box with a frown. It read 'EPT pregnancy test'.

My eyes shot on him. "This isn't funny Stephon."

"Do you see me smiling?" He placed his hand on his hip as he waved the box at me. "Take this. That's all I'm asking."

"I'm not pregnant," I grumbled, taking the box from him. "But if it satisfies you, I'll do it."

"That's the spirit!" He cheered. "I'll be back to see the results, I'm going to check on the babies."

He left me to stare at the box with a racing heart.

***

The first thought that came to mind was that I'm hallucinating.

I washed my face at the sink and took deep breaths, feeling like I'll pass out at any minute. I glanced at the test and tore my gaze away with an anguished wail.

No, no, no. How long has it been since we had unprotected sex? That was six months ago. Six fucking months ago! After that, we used protection straight through. It was hard finding condoms to fit Drakos' girth but we did.

Did that one time resulted in me conceiving? I gripped my hair as the positive sign stared at me.

Fuck.

I'm pregnant.

I felt so symptoms. Nothing at all. Until earlier this week. Only dizziness and fatigue. I thought it was a result of me dealing with an infant full-time. The crazy part is, I wasn't showing. Now I understood what those tiny flutters were when I thought that was moving gas in my stomach.

Turns out I'm baking, again.

I bit my lip as I tried to keep calm.

Zyaire is seven months now. I have a baby and I'm carrying one again. Can I do it? Will I survive this one?

Stephon knocked on the door and came in, gasping. "You're as white as a sheet! Don't tell me it's positive!" He scrambled in and snatched up the test, covering his mouth.

"Did you bond with Falcon?" I asked, my lips trembling.

"Yes, I did." He said, staring at me quizzically, placing the test down on the sink. "Oh, Asche. Don't cry." He took me in his arms, hugging me.

"It's not the end of the world. All things happen for a reason." He stroked my hair as I held him, sniffling.

"I'm scared," I confessed.

"I was too. But it went well, although it was painful. No matter what, we're here for you."

Atlier stirred awake, listening to the conversation diligently. I bet his ass is gloating right now.

"How will I tell him?" I knew Drakos desired more children, but was this okay? Zyaire was still a baby. She needed our full attention.

"Don't worry. I've got an idea." He smiled.

***