A/N

Trigger warning. Abortion. MM is Marlee's room. If I had to name this chapter lol the awakening.

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💔Keep ya head up by Tupac💔

☑️

"She wouldn't know what to do with a nigga like Glock." A comment on the YouTube video said. So she wrote back, "Sucked the soul out that nigga."

A few other comments said they would be a cute couple and talked about how they had really great chemistry. Chalynn smiled to herself as she thought about the phone number he left her. How long should she take to text him?

Key Glock didn't seem like the type of nigga who would go for plain Jane like Chalynn. Sure, she dressed nice and was pretty but she wasn't an Instagram model or anything, according to her anyway.

So why did he give her his number? Maybe all he wanted was sex from her. Sure he called her pretty but don't all niggas do that when they want something from you? Pussy in particular. Before anybody could see her comment she deleted it.

If he wants me. He'll find me.

She turned on her lamp and swung her feet over the side of her bed as her stomach began to cramp tremendously.

"Ugh." She groaned as the cramps progressively worsened. Followed by a warm sensation that coated her panties, pants and the towel she had laid on her bed. Inhaling and exhaling a few times, Chalynn found the strength to get up from her bed. Hunched over, she made her way to the door and locked it before going to the other side of her room where the bathroom was.

Flicking on the light, she yelped out in pain as the contractions worsened. Whoever online said it felt like a strong period. Lied.

Chalynn heard shuffling coming from Marlee's room and tried to quiet her groans but the paid increased as she stood there.

"Ahh!" She grabbed the counter for support knocking the green bottle of Listerine on the floor. The cap fell off and bounced on the granite tiling.

"Sissy? Sissy! Are you okay?" Marlee asked fully alert, at first she was going to ignore her sister. It was four o'clock in the morning and while she didn't have anything to do, she enjoyed her rest. "Answer me or I'm coming in there." She warned.

"Please come in." Tears burned Chalynn's eyes as the pain became insufferable. Marlee quietly and quickly came into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

"Oh my gosh. Sissy, what the hell? Why are you bleeding so much? We need to get you to a doctor." Marlee rushed over to her sister who was becoming weaker by the second.

"No! I can't. I took abortion pills and I guess it's working. Ah! It just hurts so much Mar. I don't want you to see this. Go back to your room." Another round of blood trickled out of her as the contraction rolled back around almost knocking Chalynn off of her feet.

"I'm not going anywhere. Here, sit down." Marlee assisted her sister by opening the lid on the toilet and helping her get out of her pants so she could sit down. Chalynn grabbed the trash can next to her and began to puke from the pain.

Marlee grabbed a face towel, ran it over cool water, and wiped her sister's face with it.

"I don't think I can do this. I shouldn't have done this. God is punishing me." Chalynn put the trash can down and tied up the bag.

"He may be a little upset with you but God knew you were going to do this when he put that baby in your stomach. He knows what we're going to do before we do it." Marlee set the rag down and rubbed her sister's back.

"When did you get so wise?" Chalynn laughed through her tears.

"How can I not be with a sister like you? What you gone do about the father? Are you going to tell him?" Marlee knew of Dorian but she had never really met him before. She knew Chalynn had strong feelings for him and possibly loved him but she was also reserved when it came to him.

Marlee also knew that Chalynn wasn't the only woman Dorian was with. She had eased dropped plenty of times before when Samaria came over. Like a typical younger sister.

"I'm gonna tell him but I'm scared of what he'll do." Chalynn admitted putting her head in her hands.

"He hitting you or something?" Marlee stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest. Chalynn was too pretty to go with a nigga who beat on her.

"It's not like that Mar. He helps me pay for my car, I can't afford that note by myself, especially with the two jobs I have now." Chalynn sighed, she didn't want her little sister to worry about her but it was becoming inevitable.

"Mhm bet not be. I know daddy ain't shit but he'll kill a nigga behind you." Chalynn cracked a small smile, they didn't call him CRaymond for no reason.

"Daddy's the reason I'm sitting on this toilet right now about to push a dead baby out. Boy, do I miss my daddy though." She didn't need another reason to cry at the moment. While sitting down was helping relieve some of the tension in her body another wave of contractions was setting in.

"You should go see him Lay. He misses you too." Marlee said softly, rubbing her sister's hair through her bonnet.

"I'll pray on it. You think Glock liked me for real or he was just playing?" Chalynn asked trying to take her mind off the opening of her cervix.

"Lemme show you something." Marlee pulled out her phone and pulled up the YouTube video that was now at five hundred thousand views. "You see that?" She rewinded to the part where Key was smiling, licked his lips, and eyed her up and down when she was looking at her computer.

The oxytocin from seeing the way he looked at her caused her to contract further.

"If he wants me. He'll find me. Until then. I'll stay in my lil poly relationship." Chalynn blurted on accident. Marlee knew Dorian was with other women but she didn't know Lay was too.

"You have a girlfriend and a boyfriend." She squealed excitedly.

"Marlee. Don't go running your mouth okay? About any of this." Lay motioned a finger between the whole situation.

"How about you have a little more faith in me, Chalynn." Marlee was offended here she was trying to help her and she thought Marlee was going to rub off and tell.

"You're right. I'll tell you all about it once this is all over." She said gripping Marlee's hands and squeezing her eyes shut. "I think it's coming out." She panted feeling her muscles push down towards the toilet until there was a small plop.

Marlee and Chalynn sat there in silence staring at each other. She felt ten times better now that it was out of her but mentally, she couldn't stand herself. She had killed an innocent baby. Removed it from her womb as if it was a tenant late on rent.

"Ima grab you some clothes and we'll get you into the shower okay?" Marlee didn't want Lay to see her cry so she left the room. She felt her sisters sorrow. She grabbed her a bra, panties, some new sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Marlee wiped the stray tears from her eyes. She knew how bad Lay wanted to be a mom and for her to take abortion pills she knew the situation between her and Dorian must be serious.

"I'm gonna run you a shower, make you some hot tea and you can tell me all about your lil freak fest you have going on." Marlee tried to lighten the situation a little bit but she knew it would only take time.

"Thank you sis. I owe you one. Forreal." Lay kissed Marlee's hand before she walked off and she knew what had to be done. Taking a deep breath, she got up from the toilet. Don't look Lay don't look. She tried to coach herself to just wipe but it didn't work. She saw the little baby with a small umbilical cord and placenta sunken to the bottom of the toilet.

Chalynn wept.

Until she couldn't anymore. She cleaned herself up and hesitated. Saying a prayer and asking God for forgiveness she put her hand on the toilet handle as she looked one last time.

If you bless me with another baby, Lord, I promise to protect it with my life.

And with that. She flushed.

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✨No Gray Jonathan McReynolds✨

☑️

"You know we have to start off with praise and worship which is led this week by sister Flo's daughter Chalynn. She and sister Ximena go back and forth each week leading us. Chalynn, come on up." Pastor Anthony said motioning for her to come to the stage. She stood up and flattened her skirt down.

"Gone head baby!" Flo stood and clapped having the other mothers of the mega-church clap along with her.

"Come on Lay Lay!" Ximena yelled sitting next to her husband Sutton. Chalynn turned around and looked at the two of them smiling and giving a thumbs up. When she got up to the stage she took a deep breath.

"This has been a trying week for me. I won't go into too much detail but this song will reflect how God brought me through this week. This life and to this day," Lay's voice broke as she started to think about the child that she flushed down the toilet this week. "God continues to help me through the hard times and I am just grateful for that. So I hope this song helps you as much as it does me and I hope that you all excuse me if I cry."

"That's alright!" Some random auntie yelled out in the crowd as she was about to start singing.

"It's over now, it's over now, I feel like I can make it. The storm is over now." Chalynn gripped the microphone as she felt herself become overly emotional. "If I walk alone, I know I'm not on my own. Yeah, I feel like I can make it the storm is over now."

As the song progressed so did Chalynn's thoughts about Dorian, Emaje, and Dylan. She began to feel so dirty. While it was an agreement made that included his wife, she didn't feel right about sleeping with a married man. Even with her permission. It almost made a broken home for her, what about Dante?

"No more, sickness in my body." Chalynn lightly touched her stomach, Marlee stood to her feet in support of her sister and began clapping for her. Many people in the crowd felt her pain through her singing and began to cry for her. "The storm is, over now. No more, crying at night. The storm is over now. No more, tears and sorrow. No more heartache and pain. No more suffering. No more, it's over now." As she began to harmonize the last note of the song everybody stood to their feet and began clapping for her.

Handing the microphone back to Pastor Anthony, she sat back down near her mother who kissed her forehead. Flo always wished she could be a better mother, she just felt like it was too late. She had done something's she wasn't proud of but her girls made her proud everyday.

"Thank you Chalynn. Let's go ahead and get into this message. Bow your heads please as we get into this prayer."

☑️

"You look mighty pretty! How was church?" Keisha asked as she moved swiftly through the kitchen to get everything ready for the second rush.

"It was excellent. I'm sad you weren't there though. I sang my lil heart out." Chalynn softly smiled placing the burners under the food so it'll stay warm.

"I know baby but I'll be there next week and every week after. Did anybody record it? What was his message?" She asked walking around to grab the drinks.

"I think the church did. I can send it to you later once it releases. He preached out of Timothy 22. Fleeing the youthful desires and find righteousness, faith, peace and love along those who call out to the Lord with a pure heart. It was eye opening to me to say the least." Chalynn was only being surface level. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't want to worry Keisha.

"You still in that polygamy thing?" Keisha raised her eyebrow.

"Can I tell you something?" Chalynn asked gnawing on her bottom lip.

"Of course baby girl. What's up?" Keisha wiped her hands on her apron and took Lay's hand. She led her to a table so they could sit down.

"You've known me for like five years now and I know you have a son that I've never met before and you call me your daughter so I just don't want to disappoint you with what I'm about to say. You promise this won't ruin our relationship?" She asked her.

"If you were worried about that you would've never told me you were sleeping with a married man. Baby girl I'd never judge you. What's going on?" Keisha gave her a reassuring nod before taking a sip from her coffee.

"I was pregnant." She adverted her eyes anywhere but Keisha.

"What do you mean. Was?" Keisha leaned forward pressing her lips together.

"I .. got rid of it." She said barely above a whisper. Keisha's face softened when she saw how sad Lay become when she spoke those words. "Today is church. I just felt so disgusting. I felt sad for the baby I killed but deep down I know it was the right thing to do because I simply refuse to raise a baby with a man who doesn't love me enough to make me a priority. He's made it very clear he will never leave his wife."

"You're young. You have to learn what works for you and if you think a polygamy is what works who am I to tell you it doesn't. The Chalynn I know though, wants a family. Ever since you were a teen you always talked about getting out the hood and raising your kids in a two parent household. Because that's what feels right to you. So, in my opinion. I think you did the right thing. But, are you going to keep aborting every time you get pregnant or what are you going to do moving forward? You know you don't want kids with him." Keisha had known for five years.

Through Chalynn's toughest years she was always there. She used to come and eat when her mom was strung out with her dad or they hadn't been home in days. Marlee didn't like coming to Keisha's soup kitchen, it reminded her of the hard times they used to have.

"I'm thinking about breaking it off. It's just that, he pays for my car. I can't afford it with out him. I already work two jobs." Chalynn rubbed her temples trying to relax herself.

"God, baby. The cars in your name right? You've always had a hustling spirit." Keisha looked at Lay as she didn't respond. "Right?"

"No ma'am. I asked him but he said no because of the loan or something like that." Keisha sucked in her breath as she looked at Chalynn.

"Before you do anything. Try to get that car in your name LayLay. Don't tell him about the abortion and I'm assuming he doesn't know. Get that car first and then go from there. I'm proud of you though. Thank you for coming to me." Keisha stood up as she looked at the clock.

"You're right. I'm going to do that first. I know I'm so dumb. I just .. Dorian he's so perfect." She sighed, shaking her head.

"They always seem that way at first but speaking of men. I seen your interview on YouTube girl you did your thing. That man was looking like he wanted to devour you." Keisha shimmied her shoulder and tickled Lays cheeks as she walked back.

"Mama. He gave me his number!" A huge smile spread across her face.

"You better text that handsome man. You never know. He could be what you were praying for." Keisha winked at her.

"But if you don't want him. I can hook you up with my son. Since you haven't met him."

"I might have to take you up on that offer."

By the time Chalynn had finished at the soup kitchen and got a well deserved hug from Keisha. She felt much better about her decision and she was excited to move forward. She could only hope, Dorian didn't react as badly as Emaje said.

Or she was toast.

A/N

How we feeling?

Y'all think Lay was too emotional over her decision?

You think she gone leave Dorian?

It was Marlee showing up for her sister for me.

What was your fave part?