Excuse any mistakes!

"Shit." I cursed under my breath seeing he was already wrapping up the class. I quietly sat down ignoring the stares I was getting.

"I want you guys to go out in life and start that business you want. Be your own boss. Make that bank. Be somebody. You came this far to give up now. Don't let anyone tell you, you can't do something because look where you are now. We only have a few months to go and then you graduate. Don't stop now. Y'all have a good day and think about what I said." He dismissed.

I sighed grabbing my bag. Life has been pretty hectic for me these past couple of months. I have missed a lot of school. Now that I was back, I'm trying to catch back up quickly.

"Hey." I looked up seeing Professor Boyd. He smirked showing off his golds.

I smiled. "Professor Boyd, how you doing?"

"I'm doing good. The question is how are you? This is your fourth time being late to my class in the last two weeks."

"I've been dealing with a lot of stuff. I'm trying to get back on track but it's hard."

"I understand and I'm sorry about what happened to you. Are you really okay? When I came to the hospital you were acting standoffish."

"My boyfriend was in the room. What did you want me to do or say?"

"Even though we had a sexual relationship only. I still care about your well being, Luna. Don't act like you don't know. I'm still with that shit." He leaned down kissing my cheek quickly. "Tell your uncle to hit me up."

"For what?"

"You don't need to know all of that."

I shook my head. "I don't need you getting into my mess. You have an amazing career. Don't ruin it please."

"If your going to be late then give me a heads up. By the looks of it, you had a great morning." He ignored my plead smirking.

"Who do you say that?"

"Because you look good as hell." He licked his lips.

I smirked standing up shaking my head. "Bye."

"Bye, Luna."

"What was that about?" Lilo questioned looking up from her phone once I walked out of the class. She was waiting outside the door for me.

"Nothing."

She raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"Positive."

"Shit." She gripped my shoulder which was still healing.

"OUCH! What the fuck?"

"I'm so sorry. I have been having these cramps for the past two hours."

"Why are you just saying something. Do you think it's contractions?"

"I don't know."

"Well, how far apart are they?"

She blew out a breath. "Now, about five minutes."

"Did your water break?"

"I went to use the bathroom but that felt like a normal pee."

"Lilo, I think you're in labor. Let's get you to the hospital."

She grabbed my arm lightly. "No! I'm scared. What if I'm not a good mother? What if she doesn't like me? This is going to be hard. I can't do it."

"Childbirth is always scary but you'll get through it. I mean look what I've been through in the last 6 months. Things will be hard at some point but be strong because things will get better. It may be stormy now but it doesn't rain forever."

"Isn't that what your dad use to tell you?"

I smiled. "Yes."

"That's beautiful." She laughed lightly wiping her eyes. She latched our hands together pulling me in the direction of the car. "Let's go have Adeya."

"And she wouldn't really have a choice but to like you." I reminded her making her laugh.

_______

"Where is he?" Lilo groaned throwing her head back.

"You know traffic is bad at this time." I was saying anything to get her to shut the hell up about this man. If he didn't walk through that door within ten minutes, I was going to do him worse than last time. She wanted to give him another chance, now look.

"I just want her to have a father in her life. Something I never had." She cried.

"I'm here!" He ran through the door out of breath. I smirked seeing his face fill up with fear.

"Hi, Julian. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm good." He swallowed hard. "How are you?"

"I'm great. I feel even better now that you're here. Take her hands because I'm done." I threw my hands up sitting off to the side. My hands felt broken from all the squeezing she did.

"I'm glad you're here." A smile tugged at her lips.

"I wanna tell you I'm sorry. I should have never put my hands on you. I shouldn't have tried to force you to get an abortion. I should've owned up and been the man I was supposed to be. I'm sorry to you and I'm sorry to Adeya. Neither of you deserved that. I love you both of you so much. I hope you can forgive me."

"I already forgave you, Julian. Just be there for our daughter and I'll be good."

He nodded kissing her forehead. He looked back at me mouthing thank you. That shocked me because I did put him in the hospital. I guess that knocked some sense into his big ass head. I waved him off rolling my eyes.

Dr. Santos came onto the room with other nurses. They started setting everything up while she checked Lilo. She informed us it was the time.

"Okay, mommy. Are you ready to start pushing?"

"Now? Can we wait like an hour or something?"

Dr. Santos laughed. "No, this baby is ready to come out now."

She gave herself a prep talk before nodding her head. She reached out for me to come back over but I shook my head no. I was fine sitting right here.

"Stop being stubborn. This is your Goddaughter."

I looked around. "Me?"

"You've been there for since I knocked on your door. You may have given me a hard time but you were always there. You know you're really my baby daddy." She joked making everyone laugh except Julian. I rolled my eyes smiling a bit.

"Fine."

"Now give me a big push." She started gripping my hand again making me slightly fall over. I bit my tongue keeping my composure as she pushed. After 8 long pushes, little Adeya was here. Her tiny cries filled the room making my heart warm.

"She's beautiful."

"Thank you." They said in unison.

"I'm going to go home and take a shower. I'll be back later."

"You sure? I don't think you need to leave by yourself."

"Zae is meeting me there. Plus, I'm not lacking this time."

She mugged me. "That's not funny."

"Sorry." I mumbled. "I'll be back."

I rushed out the door going to my car. I was developing a slight headache and needed to get home for my pills. After 20 minutes I arrived at my condo. I stayed in the car just because Zae told me to wait on him. I called his phone and got no answer. I was already in pain, so I decided to get out of the car.

"I told you to stay in the car." Zae appeared out of nowhere scaring me.

"You didn't answer the phone. I have a headache."

"My phone died. I'm sorry."

"Whatever."

As we walked up the steps I could hear a familiar voice. I felt like I heard that voice before but couldn't put my finger on it.

"You're tripping today. I ain't did shit but be a good son to you and now you don't care if I get kicked out? I had to pay for my tuition that you said you'll help with. You know my job doesn't pay that much."

"What do you want me to do about that? You need to get another job or something."

"Isn't that the waiter from the restaurant we went to?" Zae questioned causing me to shrug. I didn't have a good look at his face just yet.

"You have money. It's not like I ask you for money all the time. This is the only time and you can't do that? But you can afford to get your ass blown up? What kind of mother are you?" He yelled as they both walked closer to us. I got a good look at their faces and shook my head.

"She's not a mother. She's a money hungry bitch." I said mugging her.

"Chill." Zae rubbed my sides trying to calm me down. He didn't know who she was but he'll soon find out.

She turned looking at me. "You don't say anything to me. I'm having a conversation with my son."

I jerked my head back. "What am I?"

"You're nothing to me. I am not your mother. I never raised you, your father did."

"Wow." I bit the inside of my cheek feeling my anger skyrocket.

"What's going on?" He looked between us then his eyes widened in shock. "You're the girl who got shot in the parking lot. Are you okay? I didn't think you'll make it."

"Miracles happen." I shrugged. "I've been looking for you. I wanted to thank you for keeping me awake. If it wasn't for you coming out when you did then I wouldn't be here right now."

"It was the right thing to do. Everyone else just stood around and did nothing. I couldn't because that's not who I am."

"I bet you get that from your dad."

"Can you leave?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you? I never met you before until YOU called me over my uncle's house. You didn't ask how am I or if I was okay with my dad's death. The first thing you want to talk about is money. Who in their right mind does that to their child they abandoned. I didn't leave you. I didn't get up and say fuck you. YOU did all those things to me and all I get in return is this? I'm not the one to beg, so I won't. Just remember you're missing out on a good one. Keep living your best life because karma is going to bite you right in that ass and best believe that bitch is real. I wish you the best in your plastic ass life."

She scoffed. "He didn't care about me. All he wanted was you. What did you want me to do? Pretend and be happy with a child I didn't want?"

"I'm glad you left and did what you did. Now, please stop talking to me before I break your face this time." I flipped her off turning my attention to the boy. "What's your name again?"

"Noah." Zae was right, this was the boy from the restaurant.

"Are you her only kid?"

"I have two little sisters." When he said that I could feel tears burning to fall. I sucked it up putting a tight smile on my face.

"How much is your rent?" I know we lived in the same condos but he may have a one bedroom or something.

"$800."

I nodded pulling out my wallet. His mouth fell to the ground as I placed the money in his hand.

"I-I can't t-take this." He stammered.

"It's a thank you gift. If you need anything else I'm right here. I'm your older sister Luna. The one she decided not to raise."

I couldn't feel anyway towards him because he didn't know. Hell, I didn't even know. He also was there when I almost died. I felt like it was meant to be. Tears fell from his eyes as he pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you."

"No problem." I shrugged walking away.

"You amaze me all the time. That was nice of you." Zae told me as I unlocked the door. He kissed my forehead followed by my lips.

"It felt right." I smiled ignoring the pain I felt.

"You okay?" He asked as I nodded. My dad's words echoed in my head making me feel better.

"Beautiful girl you were made to do hard things. You have to believe in yourself at all times. I am your mother and father. I will protect you at all cost. I will protect your heart. Don't allow anyone to make you feel less than what you are worth. No matter what I'll love you and that will never change. You are a diamond in a ruff and one day you will be something, Luna Grace."

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