Happily Ever After?

"So, you're really leaving?" She asked as she watched him place another item in his suitcase.

"Why you keep trippin' like you didn't know?" He asked growing irritated.

"You need to stay here! I can't believe your leaving me to hang out with them."

"Nicki, I'm going to New York for business."

"At a strip club?"

"I'm going for business and once business is taken care of I'm going to hang out with my friends. Yes." He was speaking calmly but she knew that it was only because he didn't want to argue. The irritation was all in his body language and voice. "You never have a problem with me going any other time so-"

"Because we go together, Safaree. As a couple."

"Either you trust me or you don't. Either you wanna be with me or you don't."

"Excuse me?" She asked angrily. "If I didn't want to be with you then we wouldn't be here, now, having this conversation."

"Oh? This a conversation?" He chuckled.

She sighed and walked up to him. She looked down then back up at him. He shook his head already knowing what she was about to do. It took him almost ten years to figure out the difference between her real tears and her 'get my way' tears but he knew now.

"Faree, I'm just scared."

"Your mom is coming today."

"And the baby could come any day!"

"Nicki-"

"Safaree, I can deal with you possibly missing my birthday but I won't deal with you missing the birth of our child. Figure that shit out." She began walking away. "I'm not doing this again!"


Ten Years Ago

"Oh. My. God!" Nicki screamed with tears flowing steadily. "Is it supposed to feel this bad?"

"Yes, Nicki." Her mother looked into the back seat at her.

"Candi, drive faster!"

"I'm going as fast as I can, Nicki. We'll be there soon, babe."

"I need to be there now! Oh my God!" She cried out as another contraction hit her.

Her water hadn't broke yet and she was seven and a half months pregnant but she knew that it was time. The hospital kept sending her home and everyone dismissed her complaints as false labor but she knew that something was wrong. Just because it was her first time having a child nobody wanted to take her seriously but she knew that it was time and she wouldn't leave the hospital until her baby was delivered.

"We're here." Candi said. "I'll go get the wheel chair, Ms. Carol."

"Ok." Nicki's mother sat her up in the backseat and then got her out once the wheelchair was brought to them.

Candi went to park the car while they went to check in. Nicki began doing her paperwork with the help of her mother. The pain was too overwhelming for her to concentrate on one thing.

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to try calling him again."

"Ok." Nicki's mother got up and left the waiting room to get a signal to call Safaree.

"These young girls be in and out of here." Nicki heard an older lady say. "Don't know nothing about raising a kid-"

"Cause they kids themselves." Her friend chimed in and they both laughed.

"Got they mamas up here stressed. Baby daddy else where."

"If they even know who the father is." She laughed.

"Excuse me?" Nicki said. "My baby is good. Worry about you and why you sitting over there damn there 50 years old and about to go into to labor. Where's your man? Oh. Ok." She rolled her eyes and just then she felt a contraction.

"Nicki." Her mother said. "He's on the way."

"I'm going to kill him."


"Nicki," He quickly walked over to her and grabbed her arm. He turned her around and placed his hand on her chin. "Baby, I'm gone be back before the baby gets here."

"But the doctor said-"

"That he's in position but the earliest he will come is two weeks before the due date. I'll leave on the seventh to be back for your birthday."

She sighed, "We didn't think Caiah was gonna come that early."

"And MacKenzie took forever coming. Its gonna work out fine. You keep stressing and he's gonna come tomorrow." She laughed and he kissed her forehead.

"Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yeah. Do you need help packing?"

"Almost done, actually. Thanks though."

"What time do we need to go get my mom?"

"Um, we should leave in an hour. I'm gonna just stay at the airport. My flight leaves at three."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Did you order everything for my baby's party?"

"Yes, babe."

"Do I need to check behind you?"

"No, Nicki." He said dully.

"Is it gonna be a party befitting of a princess?"

"Nicki, please." He laughed.

"What?" She laughed. "Its her first birthday."

"Which she won't remember."

"But I will. It has to be perfect, Faree. I'm counting on you."

"I can't believe you let me plan it."

"Me either." She laughed. "Don't fuck this up." She kissed his lips.

"I won't!" He said as she walked out of the room. He knew that she was beyond serious since she still felt bad for missing Micaiah's first birthday.

Ten Years Ago

"Pick up. Pick up." Nicki mumbled as the phone rang. This was her forth time calling and him.

"Yo!"

"Safaree?"

"Yeah. Where are you?"

"I been calling you."

"Oh, its storming pretty bad here so-"

"Thats why I was calling."

"Nicki, dont do this."

"The snow storm is really bad. They said if I fly out now that I'll have a delay in like timbucktwo."

"Nicki-"

"Safaree, Im really trying to make it but-"

"Its always so shit, yo! If Wayne told you to get your ass-"

"Safaree, this isnt in my control. Im trying to be there but-"

"Thats alright. Just stay where you at. We good, Nic."

"Safaree-" All she heard was the dial tone. She sighed and grabbed her lugguage and found her way back home. She was officially done with trying anymore with him. It was very apparent that neither him or their son needed her.



After picking up her mother, dropping Safaree off and doing some running around they were finally home. Nicki's mother went to clean up MacKenzie who had gotten her hands on Micaiah's chocolate bar and made a mess. Nicki put away the rest of the groceries and then went and sat on the couch with Micaiah. He looked at her and she smiled.

"Come here." He scooted closer to her. She wrapped both of her arms around him and he rested his head on her chest. "You know that I love you?"

"Yes."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"I know your dad talked to you about that stuff you said and made you apologize."

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Saying that stuff."

"Is that how you felt?" He didn't respond. "Be honest."

"No. . . Well, some of it."

"Which parts?"

"The part about Bash. I don't hate you, Mommy. I love you."

"I know." She stroked his cheek. "I understand why you were mad and I don't want you to feel sorry about that. The way you said it was disrespectful but what you felt wasn't. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you know why I left you?" He shook his head no.

"Nobody ever told me."

"Ok. So, when I was really young Grandma and Grandpa left me and your uncle in Trinidad for about two years so that they could build a better life for us in New York."

"Really?"

"Um hmm. So, when I had you and an opportunity came for me to give you better I didn't think that it was wrong to do the same thing that my parents did. The reason that I stayed away so long was because I started to feel bad, like I wasn't good enough for you."

"But you are." He looked at her.

"Micaiah, you and your sister are the best things in my life." She tried to blink away the tears that were teasing the rim of her eyelids. "I don't want you because I'm with your dad. Sometimes, you guys are the only thing that keeps us going. I didn't want to put Bash above you. I just wanted him to feel like he had a home. When I left you, I left you with people who would love and take care of you. Bash, he didn't even know us. Imagine how scary it was for him."

"I didn't think of that."

"As far as things changing because of Kenzie they have but not necessarily because of her. You're getting older and I expect more from you. You can go live with Carol if you want and I promise you gone be doing more shit than you do here." She laughed.

"I love you, Mommy."

"I love you more." She kissed his forehead.

"Look who's all clean!" Nicki's mother said as she entered with MacKenzie.

"My baby." Nicki opened her arms and her mother handed her over. "What time is it?"

"Um, almost seven thirty."

"Oh! Caiah, go get my laptop. We gotta call your Dad."

"Ok."

Nicki sent Safaree a quick text before she called him on Skype. She placed the laptop on the coffee table and she and the kids sat in front of it.

"Sup, yall?" He asked.

"Hey babe."

"Sup?" Caiah asked.

"He just too cool for me." Nicki rolled her eyes and laughed. "What are you doing? Where are you? Do you miss us?"

"Dang, Nic." He laughed.

"What?" She smiled.

"I ain't know we was playing 21 questions."

"Oh. My bad."

"Kenzie, you aint talking to Daddy?" He asked but she had Nicki's phone in her hand and that occupied her attention.

"Kenzie?" Nicki said as she took the phone away. "Say hi to Daddy." Nicki pointed at the screen. "Say Daddy."

"Dadadada." They all laughed.

"Yo, I love hearing that." He smiled.

"Yeah, well she aint gone be allowed to speak if she don't start saying my name soon."

"Hater."

"Whatever."

"Caiah."

"Yes."

"I ain't forget to get that thing you asked for. Silver, right?"

"Yeah." He smiled wide. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"What?" Nicki asked.

"Mind your business."

"Safaree, you gone keep trying me and come home to not one bed to sleep in."

"What's SJ up to?"

"What else would he be doing?" Micaiah asked seriously and Nicki laughed.

"He's sleep." She said as she rubbed her stomach.

"Oh."

"What trouble are you about to get into?" Nicki asked. MacKenzie suddenly got a burst of energy and began to scream. "Shhhh."

"You know." Safaree said.

"And what business have you taken care of?"

"Don't start."

"I can't ask a question?" She asked with an attitude.

"Is MacKenzie walking yet?"

"You just left like four hours ago, Dad." Micaiah laughed.

"I left the room for a minute and she was standing."

"Really, Safaree?" Nicki asked now actually upset because he completely ignored her.

"Yo, you tryna start trouble, son. Chill."

She sighed, "Well, we have to get ready for our busy day tomorrow. Say bye, Caiah."

"Bye, Dad."

"B-" Nicki hung up the Skype call. Micaiah looked at her funny.

"Ok. Time to get ready for school."

"But, Ma-"

"No buts. I want you in the bed by nine and sleep no later than nine thirty. Lets go. Come on." He stood and she watched him drag his feet as he walked out of the room.


*Days Later*

Nicki stood around in the kitchen waiting for Safaree to arrive home. She couldn't figure out why he took such a late flight knowing that she would wanna be with him as soon as he got home. The front door opened and she immediately smiled.

"Faree?" She heard him drop his bags before following her voice.

"Hey, baby." He pecked her lips.

"What do you have behind your back?" She smiled.

"You still mad at me?"

"Didn't you get my edible arrangement thingy?"

"I never know with you." He laughed and looked at the clock. "Happy Birthday." He pulled a bouquet of red roses from behind his back.

"Aw, baby."

"Read the card." She sifted through the flowers until she found it. She pulled it out and looped through a whole on the card was a diamond tennis bracelet.

"Its beautiful. Thank you baby." He kissed her.

"You're welcome."

"I have something for you." She sat the flowers down.

"Really?" He like his lips.

"Don't even." She laughed.

"They way that message was set up on that card."

"The way I was joking."

"Word? You turning down head?"

"You gone want more and I'm too far along for that."

"Alright, man." He laughed.

"All you want me for is sex."

"I don't." He laughed. "Come on. What you got for me?"

"Are you hungry? I made your favorite earlier."

"Nah. I'm good. I appreciate that though."

"Ok." She grabbed his hand. "Come on."

She led him up to their room. When they entered the bedroom their were movies scattered all over the bed.

"What's this?"

"Caiah suckered me into going into this video store to see if they had any games he wanted and so I started looking at the movies and picked up a few.'

"A few?" He laughed.

"Ok. I got carriedaway but they're like pretty much every movie you made me sit through. Except, The Devil Wears Prada. Like, how could I not own this?" She laughed.

"We about to watch one."

"Um hmm." She smiled. "Oh, and I got your favorite chips and candy. Its in the closet. I had to hide it from your greedy ass son."

He laughed, "Good looking. Imma just take a shower and-"

"I ran us a bath. It should still be hot." He just looked at her and she blushed. "I mean, if you wanna shower that's fine. I'll just-"

"How is it that on your birthday you wanna do all this stuff for me?" He laughed.

"Two reasons."

"What?"

"One, you do nice, romantic, random shit for me all year round. Two, this is exactly how I want to spend my day."

"Alright. Come on with yo ass backwards ass." He laughed.

The next morning Nicki and Safaree were awoken by MacKenzie's loud babbling. They looked around to see Nicki's mother holding MacKenzie and Micaiah with a breakfast tray. They were both grateful that they did no more than make out last night or this morning would've been a lot more awkward.

"Happy Birthday!" Nicki's mother and Micaiah said. Micaiah placed the tray on her lap as she sat up.

"Thank you." She smiled.

"I made it all by myself." Micaiah said proudly.

"Really?" She smiled.

"Yes." Nicki's mother said. "All I did was supervise. He made enough for daddy too." She smiled.

"Thanks, man." Safaree smiled.

"Mommy, Mookie made you this." He pulled a piece of construction paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. She smiled at all of Mackenzie's small hand prints. She knew that it had to have been a complete struggle to get that project done.

"Thank you guys. This is really nice." She smiled.

"What are we going to do today?" Micaiah asked.

"Well, since I'm fat and uncomfortable no matter where I go or what I put on we're just gonna stay in and watch movies all day. Cool?"

"Cool." He smiled.





I know the ending is blasé and the transitions kind of such but I wanted to do something simple. Not drama filled. The last chap will def have more excitement. And I couldn't figure out how to write it but with Caiah Nic had an emergency C section. Well, that's what it was supposed to be. That's why in FS she's just getting out of surgery at the beginning I believe? You guys know? Anyway, that's  also why she's so nervous to be alone. Ok. So, yeah.

Team Us

"Hi. We're sorry to just come over unannounced but we're looking for our Grandson. . .Sebastian." The man said.

"Yes. We were told by Bridgette that she dropped him off here and-"

"Nanny!" Nicki whipped her head around to see Sebastian running towards them. At first she thought that he had said "NiNi" but he jumped into the woman's arms.

"I'm sorry. Who are you?" Nicki asked as she pulled Sebastian out of the woman's arms.

"I'm Joan and this is my husband Arthur. We're Stephanie's parents."

"And?" Nicki asked with an attitude.

"We've come to get our, Grandson." She had a look of confusion on her face.

"You can't just come in here and-"

"Um, ma'am -" Safaree interrupted Nicki before she could go off. "Sebastian has been here for two, almost three months. You can't expect us to just hand him over when we don't even know who you are."

"Actually, we have rights. Legally we are his guardians. Have been for some time now." Arthur said.

"Is that so?" Nicki asked. She was growing increasingly angry. Sebastian was one of hers now and she couldn't help but be protective of him.

"Yes, yes it is. We have the papers to prove it." He pulled some folded papers out of his pocket and Safaree took them and read them.

"Well, where the fuck have you been?!" She yelled.

"Nicki-"

"Bash, go color." She put him down and watched him walked away. "In the middle of the night that little boy was dropped off and not once did anyone come back to get him! He's fine with us!"

"We understand that you might have grown an attachment -"

"An. .an attachment?" Nicki laughed. "That might be a bit of an understatement!" She took a deep breath when she felt her stomach tighten. Safaree saw the look of distress on her face.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, we have two options here." Joan began. "Either we can leave right now with my grandson or we can call the police and inform them of the kidnapping and leave with my grandson."

"Kidnapping?" She asked shocked. "Kidnapping!?!"

"Nicki, calm down." He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She squeezed his hand back tighter. Something he had always had her do in an attempt to calm her. "That won't be necessary, ma'am. See, Sebastian is my son and we intend on-"

"No, he's not." Joan said.

"Well, we took the test and-"

"Sebastian's father was a marine. He died in combat several months ago. I told them not to get married but-"

"So, because she was married to this man that automatically means that he's the father?" Nicki asked.

"Stephanie wanted to be married for all the wrong reasons and when she found out she was pregnant started this talk about leaving Allen because the baby wasn't his. Of course, we got a test as well and when our he died we got partial custody in case Stephanie flew off the handle again. We didn't think to look for him because Stephanie loses contact with us for weeks at a time. We thought that was what was happening."

"How do we know that you don't just wanna take him and drop him on another doorstep?"

"He's my grandson." Joan cried. "He's all I have left."

Nicki rolled her eyes. Safaree pulled her to the side.

"What are we gonna do? The test hasn't came back and they have legal documentation."

"But it has." She swallowed hard.

"What?" He looked at her funny.

"Yeah," She scanned his face then looked at the ground. "A while ago."

"Please, excuse us." Nicki said to the couple.

"Ma?" She looked at Micaiah who wasn't necessarily her favorite person.

"Micaiah, take them to the living room." She said aloud before pulling his arm and whispering in his ear. "If they try to leave this house with Sebastian while we are upstairs scream as loud as you vmcan and let it be known."

"But-"

"Just do it." She said before turning to Safaree. "Come on."

"How long have you known?" He asked as she tossed her shoes around the closet.

"I don't know. I never opened it." She put her hand inside of a tall boot and smiled. "Got it."

"What it say?" Safaree asked urgently as Nicki read the paper over.

"I-I'm not understanding. I think-"

"Give it here." He snatched the paper and read it over. He clenched his jaw.

"Safaree-" She grabbed his arm. "I'm so sorry, baby."

"I guess we need to pack his stuff." He pulled his arm away.

"What if-"

"Nicki, don't make it harder than it needs to be."

"I was just trying to help!" She said defensively.

"You helped enough." He turned to walk away but felt a tug on his shirt. He looked into her face and could tell that she felt bad.

"I'm sorry. I was just trying to avoid all of. . .all of this!" She wiped the tears from up under her eyes. "Please, can we just be on the same team today?"

"Yeah." He sighed and kissed her forehead. "Yeah, come on."

Nicki and Safaree packed Sebastian's things in silent. Neither had anything to say for the fear of further upsetting the other person.

"Alright. Is that all?" Safaree asked.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Lets go."

"No, go ahead."

"You ain't gone say bye?"

"No." She shook her head.

He sighed, "Alright." He said not wanting to push her.

Nicki listened from upstairs as everyone said their goodbyes. Sebastian was completely oblivious to what was going on. When Safaree asked when they could see them again Joan said that they needed time to "heal" as a family. When Nicki heard the front door close she realized that she couldn't let him leave without saying goodbye. Micaiah was sitting in the middle of the stairs and Safaree was by the door. She walked pass them both without saying anything. When she got outside, Arthur was putting the last of Sebastian's things in the trunk.

"Can I say goodbye?" She asked.

"Of course." He closed the trunk.

She climbed into the back seat but left the door open. Sebastian's booster seat was in the center. He smiled when he saw her and she immediately teared up.

"NiNi, we go bye bye." He said.

"No, just you, Bash." She forced a smile.

"I come back?"

"Umm hmm." She wiped the single tear that had fell and blinked rapidly to prevent more from falling.

"You ok?"

"Yes."

"You got a boo boo?" He asked and she laughed and nodded. "Where?" He sat up and looked her over.

"Right here." She pointed to her heart.

"You need 'sage?" He asked and she laughed as her tears escaped. Every since he seen Safaree massaging her feet because they hurt he thought that everything that hurt could be fixed that way.

"No." She wiped under her eyes. "Listen, be good for Nanny and Grandpa."

"Pop Pop." He corrected her.

"Ok." She smiled. "Be good for them and come back to see us."

"I come back."

"I love you, Bash."

"Mhmmm." He nodded and she laughed.

"I'll see you later, ok?"

"Ok." She kissed his cheek and got out of the car and closed the door. She walked into the house and up the stairs.

"Ma."

"Not now, Micaiah." She said as she continued her walk up the stairs.

Once she made it to her room she laid in the bed. She pulled a pillow in front of her and squeezed it while she cried hard. It seemed like once things were perfect they fell apart once again. She heard the door open and knew that it was Safaree. She felt the bed shift and a much smaller arm wrap around her body. It was Micaiah.

"I'm sorry, Mommy."

Nicki held on to his arm as he attempted to comfort her. She wouldn't have asked for anyone else to be there for her in that moment. Despite his age and the things that had just previously transpired between the two of them, she knew that he had a full understanding of how she was feeling. Safaree watched from the door with a strong sense of pride in his son. One day, he would be a better man than him and that's all he ever wanted.


A few days later Nicki was still in a slump. Everyone was but she was the worst because she wasn't expressing anything. Like a blank canvas. She displayed no emotion. Safaree walked into the dining room where she was on her laptop and shut it.

"Stop!" She went to open it and he put his hand on it. She looked up at him angrily.

"Go get dressed."

"No."

"Go get dressed, now. I'm not asking."

"And I'm not asking you to move your big doofy ass hand. Move!"

"No, we going out." He unplugged the laptop from the charger and picked it up. He began walking away. "Lets go!"

She got up and followed him with the intention of retrieving her laptop. She was in no mood to play his game but little did she know, the feeling was mutual. When she reached their room she looked around for her laptop.

"You'll get it back after dinner." He came out of the closet. "Put this on."

"Safaree." She rolled her eyes.

"Shut up." He warned her. Before she could speak he spoke again. "Yes, I said shut up. I'm not arguing with you. This ain't up for discussion. You got an hour to get dressed. We're going out to eat. The two of us. No kids. No attitude. If you ain't ready in an hour I will take you as you are."

He walked out of the room as she stood their stunned. He had never gotten her together so quickly and with so much ease. She picked up the dress that he had picked out and tossed it to the side knowing that she wouldn't be able to fit it. She mumbled and cursed him out all while she got ready.

"You look pretty, Ma." Micaiah said.

"Thank you, baby."

"You wearing heels?" Safaree asked and she cut her eyes at him. "I mean, you look beautiful."

"You look, alright." She shrugged and he laughed.

"We shouldn't be out too late." Safaree told the nanny.

"Ok." She said.

They kissed the kids goodnight and left. Safaree tried to conversate with Nicki but she was still mad that he had dragged her out. They pulled up to a hotel and she huffed.

"Are you trying to drop me off again? It didn't work last time and-"

"Chill." He popped the trunk before handing the keys to the valet. After he got the bags out of the trunk and checked them in they headed up to the room.

"Why do you do stuff like this?" She asked.

"Like, what?" He laughed.

"The hotel rooms. Anytime you surprise me with something its in a hotel."

"When I take you out it turns into a paparazzi circus. You don't never say nothing but most of the time it change your mood."

"True." She smiled at the fact that he knew her so well. She leaned against the wall while he went in his pocket for the key. "I just feel like a whore."

"My whore." He winked and she punched him in the arm and walked in.

She had her mine made up to be mad at him but once she saw how the room was set up she forgot all about it. He had candles lit all over and rose petals all over the floor. There were trays sitting on the table. Under each tray wasn't a gourmet meal from the five star hotel but the things that she had been craving the most. She turned around and he caught her lips with his lips. She smiled.

"Thank you."

Hours later they were sat in the bed with food all around them. They did nothing but eat and talk since they had arrived.

"Alright, what was the high of your week?" Safaree asked.

"What?" She smiled and tilted her head.

"The best part of your week. What was it?"

"Um."

"Don't say this."

"I wasn't." She rolled her eyes with a smile. "Ok. So, I was laying in the bed with MacKenzie and I was sad about Bash or whatever and she just randomly crawled up to me and kissed me then laid her head on me and then Micaiah came in right after and told me that he loved me and kissed me." She smiled. "It was like, perfect timing. What was yours?"

"Feeling the baby kick." They both smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I can't believe we have three kids, Faree. Well, three and a half. Bash is always gonna be apart of this family."

"Yeah. We gone see him again. Don't worry."

"But-"

"What I say?"

She rolled her eyes, "If you say so. I just can't believe everything happened like that. I guess I was just in denial."

"How?"

"I don't know. I just thought that if we ignored the test results and the possibility of somebody coming to get him then he could stay forever. Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I mean, I kind of knew but like you said. . . I was in denial."

"You know how I knew?" She didn't wait for his answer. "Micaiah and MacKenzie both look exactly like you when they're mad. You ever notice that?" She smiled.

"Nah."

"Its the cutest thing." She smiled. "Sometimes, I make all of you mad on purpose."

"Really, Nicki. The kids?"

She laughed, "I be bored."

"And we here for your entertainment?"

"Basically." She yawned. "Can we go to sleep?"

"Its only 8:30." He laughed.

"Do you realize how great this is that I can sleep when I want and not after I just got done cooking, cleaning, homework, baths-"

"Ok." He laughed. "Let me clean this stuff up."

After he had taken all the dishes out of the room he returned. Nicki had already dozed off. He laughed lightly before lifting her legs to put her up under the covers. He turned off the lights before getting in the bed and finding something to watching on tv. He knew that everything wasn't all right but they were no longer all wrong.

Shit Hits The Fan

Nicki and the kids sat in Micaiah's game room turned play room. Micaiah wasn't happy that he had to share his space but Safaree made it very clear that he shouldn't make a big deal about it. Nicki was currently laughing at MacKenzie dancing to the sound effects of the game. Whenever she heard a beat, no matter the tempo, she began to bounce up and down and wave her hand.

"Go, Kenzie. Go, Kenzie." Nicki encouraged her. She stopped and looked at Nicki before she squealed with a big smile and started bouncing harder. Nicki laughed.

"Stop!" Micaiah yelled at Sebastian.

"I wanna play, Cai." He said sweetly.

"No." Micaiah kept his eyes on the game.

"Micaiah." Nicki said.

"Ma, he don't need to play."

"Please." Sebastian begged.

"No." Micaiah said.

"Don't be selfish."

"Man." He smacked his lips. "He gone mess me up. I'm gone have to start this whole thing over and I'm in the middle of-"

"Forget it, Micaiah. Come here, Bash." She grabbed her phone and went to the app store. "What kind of game do you wanna play?"

"Something that go boom!" He nearly screamed and got MacKenzie's attention. She crawled over to them and held on to Nicki's leg while she stood and babbled.

"You wanna play sports or zombies or-"

"Cycles like Fareeeee." He explained and she laughed.

"Motorcycle game, eh?"

"Mmmhmmm." He nodded and she began looking for it.

"Stop little girl." Nicki said as MacKenzie began trying to snatch her phone out of her hand. MacKenzie stared at her blankly for a minute before plopping onto her butt and crawling towards one of her blocks.

"I play basketball ball?" Sebastian asked.

"No, you just asked for the motorcycle game. Its downloading." He stared at her blankly. She sighed. "Fine."

"Here." She said when she had downloaded it.

"Ma." Micaiah said still looking at the tv screen.

"What?"

"Kenzie pooped."

She sighed, "Come here, Kenzie." MacKenzie looked at her then back at the tv. "MacKenzie, come here right now." She pointed at the floor by her feet. MacKenzie slowly crawled towards her. Before MacKenzie reached her she saw a spot on the back of her light pink shirt. "Oh. My. God."

"What?" Micaiah paused his game and looked back at his mother.

"She shit up her whole back!" She said disgusted. Micaiah laughed but Nicki found nothing funny. "Give me this." She took her phone from Sebastian and called Safaree who Nicki had given the task of painting the new babies toy chest because it was the wrong green.

"Yo." He answered.

"Can you come get MacKenzie?"

"Why?"

"She shit up her whole back." She said, now irritated by the whole situation.

"How come you can't clean her up?"

"She needs a bath and you don't want me leaning over the tub."

"Aight. Here I come."

"I play now." Nicki heard Sebastian say. She looked up to see him with a controller. She thought Micaiah was about to let him play but Micaiah did the opposite. He snatched the controller from him. Sebastian began crying.

"Turn it off." Nicki said sternly.

"What?!" Micaiah said.

"Turn it off! I'm not listening to this shit all day. Either you share or turn it off."

"No!"

"No?" She repeated shocked. She stood and went to turn off the tv. She stood in front of it and Micaiah stood.

"You can't do that!"

"Who said?! Maybe you forgot who the parent is."

"No, maybe you forgot who your son is." He said with lots of attitude.

"Wh-"

"You always baby him and give him whatever he wants cause he got left! Nobody treats me nice cause you left me! You treat me like crap! I'm sick of it. I hate it here. Every since you had Kenzie and he came you expect me to do everything. Sometimes I wish you never came back and just left me with my Grandma because she loves me. You only want me so you can be with Daddy!"

After he had finished his rant they just stood staring at each other. His breathing was erratic. He used the back of his hand to wipe his tears away. Nicki was at a loss of words. She had no idea that he had felt that way. Just like her relationship with Safaree, she fixed nothing with Micaiah before opening new chapters in his life. He was hurting and it was evident. She didn't know if and how she should punish him. He had never spoken to her that way. She simply went and picked up MacKenzie who was now crying.

"Come on, Bash." She said lowly. She walked them upstairs and was met at the top by Safaree.

"Oh, I said I would come get her." He smiled. He was completely oblivious to what had just happened.

"Its fine." She said dully before handing MacKenzie over.

"You ok?" He asked.

"Yeah." She forced a smile. "Just tired. This baby is kicking my ass." He laughed and rubbed her stomach. "I'm gonna start dinner."

"Alright." He kissed her forehead. "You think Lil Ma need a nap?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, Princess." He said to MacKenzie. "Lets go get you cleaned up.

"I color?" Sebastian asked.

"Sure." She went into one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out a coloring book and crayons. She kept it there especially for him when she was cooking.

As she began chopping the vegetables she couldn't help but to replay Micaiah's words over and over. She never thought that he would be capable of tearing her down. Her vision became blurred by her tears but she only increased her chopping speed.

"Shit!" She said as she cut her finger. She put pressure on it. "Stay here, Bash."

She made her way upstairs to get a band aide. It wasn't a deep cut. She walked pass MacKenzie's room where she could hear Safaree talking sweetly to her. She went in to their bathroom. She wiped her tears before running water over her finger.

"What are you doing?" She heard Safaree's voice.

"I cut my finger." She said still looking at her finger.

"Let me see." He said.

"No, I-"

"Let me see, Nic." He turned around and saw the redness in her face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired." She sniffled.

"Who you talking to?" He asked before lifting her onto the counter. "What's wrong?" He asked as he went into the drawer for the alcohol and band aides.

"Micaiah,"She sighed. "He said he hates me. He thinks. . .ow." She said as he poured alcohol onto her finger. "He thinks I only want him because we're together and that I give more attention to Bash than him."

"He said he hates you?" He asked as he bandaged her finger.

"Yeah."

"Alright. I'll handle it."

"No, Safaree."

"I know him and I know you. He was being mad disrespectful."

"That's how he feels though so-"

"Nah. Just let me handle this, Ma. I'm tryna raise a man. The first woman he needs to respect is you, no matter how that little nigga feel." He kissed her finger. "All better?"

"Yes." She smiled and kissed his lips. They were interrupted by the doorbell sounding off.

"Who is that?" She asked.

He shrugged, "Only one way to find out."

They walked down the stairs together. Safaree opened the door to an older white couple. Safaree knew exactly who they were.

"Hi. We're sorry to just come over unannounced but we're looking for our Grandson. . .Sebastian."

FLASHBACK

Nicki picked at the food on her plate. Her stomach was tossing and turning and she had a million thoughts going through her mind. She looked around the table at her mother, brother and niece. Right now was as good of a time as any to tell them her news. The only thing holding her back was the fear of what they might think or say. She was grown though, twenty years old, and on her own. They really had no say so in her life but their support was needed.

"So, how's Pop's liking the new job?" Jelani asked.

"Good." Nicki's mother replied. "He mostly works nights. He says it keeps him from going back to that other stuff."

"That's good." Jelani said. "Nic, you still working in that office?"

"I'm pregnant." She blurted out. She scanned their faces. Nothing. "Mommy, I know you wanted me to be married and do things the right way but-"

"Who was it?" Jelani asked angrily.

"Jay-"

"Don't fucking play with me, Nicki." He stood up.

"Daddy?" Nicki's niece looked concerned.

"He wanted to be here to tell you guys with me but-"

"It was that nigga SB?" He stared at her breathing heavy. She just stared back. "Imma kill that nigga!"

"Jay!" She stood up and followed him to the door and her mother did the same.

"Jelani, calm down." Their mother said.

"No! That's my baby sister!"

"I'm grown!" She yelled.

"Do mommy know who he is? What he about?"

"Jay." She looked at him with pleading eyes, tears now falling. She looked at her mother who was in a state of shock. "Mommy, he's a good guy." She nodded then glanced at her brother. "Safaree, is a really good guy and. . .and I know he's gonna be a great father."

"Fuck SB!" He walked towards the door but Nicki ran and stood in front of it. "Move, Onika."

"Where are you going?"

"To talk to this nigga."

"I'll tell him to come over here."

"Nah."

"Jay, please." He huffed. "Lani, I. . . I really love him and I would appreciate it if you officially met him for yourself before-"

"Before what?! You better than that, son! A fucking no good ass nigga. I told you. ." He shook his head. "Man, all these niggas out here the same. I been in these streets."

"He's not like that!" She said defensively. "He really cares about me."

"Son." He shook his head.

"Please." She pleaded again. "I can't bring a baby into this world knowing that the two most important men to him or her hate each other. Just. . .please."

"Call em'." He saw her face lighten up. "He got twenty minutes to be over here."


Safaree arrived in ten minutes. He had dropped Nicki off and she told him to stay in the area in case she needed him. Now, he and her brother were in the basement talking. They had been down there for almost twenty minutes. Her leg bounced nervously as she waited. It didn't help that her mother wasn't talking to her. She sat up straight when she heard them coming up the stairs laughing.

"You staying here?" Safaree asked her smiling.

"Um, no." She tried to read him.

"Oh, well, you ready?"

"Just a second. Can you wait for me in the car?"

"Sure."

She got up and walked into the kitchen. Her mother was sat at the table, reading her bible. She didn't even acknowledge her presence.

"I'm about to go." She said but her mother said nothing. She sighed. "I can't keep apologizing. I mean, I'm not trying to be disrespectful but it is what it is, Mommy. You not talking to me won't change anything." Her mother still didn't respond. "Seriously?! Of all the mistakes you made. . ." She sighed and went to turn away.

"Onika." Nicki turned to her mother with tears steadily streaming down. "I just. . . I just always wanted better for you." She shook her head. "I should've pushed you to go to school or-"

"Ma."

"Are you ready for this?"

"Yes."

She shook her head, "Nicki, this won't be like when you were little and playing with dolls on my kitchen floor. This is real life."

"I know."

"You can't just toss a baby to the side when you're tired. Its a twenty four seven job until the day you die."

"Are you trying to talk me out of it?! I mean, what am I supposed to do? Get rid of it?"

"No, but you and that boy need to get your lives together. You were never able to fool me. I know you aren't living how you were raised. Now, that doesn't mean I love you any less but until I see things looking up. . ." She shook her head and she began crying.

Nicki rolled her eyes in attempt to keep the tears from falling again but she failed. Her mother stood and they embraced each other. Nicki's mother pulled away and wiped her daughters face. She put her hand on her abdomen.

"You know, I already knew." She smiled.

Nicki smiled and sniffled, "How?"

She shrugged, "A mother just knows these things."

"You think I'll be a good mother?" She asked seriously.

Her mother nodded and smiled, "The best."






This is short, I know, but it's something. AOL might be the next thing I post on, if not it will be the One-shots/short stories. Hopefully, everyone who is reading this has read Falling Star and understands this completely though it's really not complex at all.

Under Pressure

"Ma." Micaiah gently pushed his mother. "Ma."

"What?" She groaned.

"I'm late." He said.

"Shit." She quickly sat up and threw the covers off of her. She looked him over and saw that he was dressed already. "Why didn't you get me up sooner, Micaiah?"

"I just got up."

"Finish getting ready." She stood up and went into the bathroom to quickly brush her teeth and wash her face before getting the other two kids up.

Safaree had been out of town for a few days for business and Nicki was left alone with the kids. The new nanny, Valerie, had been by a few times but Nicki didn't know her well enough just yet to leave the kids with her all day. Nicki was trying hard to balance everything without Safaree but it was a lot harder than she'd expected.

She picked MacKenzie up out of her crib and she instantly rested her head on her mothers chest. She had been up all night crying because of the two teeth that were currently coming in at the same time. As Nicki began changing MacKenzie, who was still sleep, Micaiah came in.

"Ma, we gotta go." He huffed.

"Micaiah, please. You see me getting her together. You should've been up on time."

"You're supposed to wake me up." He said with an attitude.

"Not anymore. You're old enough to do it." She redressed MacKenzie in her pajamas. "Go wake up your brother. Just put his shoes on." She picked up MacKenzie.

"Brother?" He looked at her funny with his head cocked to the side.

"What?" She matched his expression. She knew what she said but she hadn't meant to say it aloud.

"You just-"

"Go put on Sebastian's shoes and hurry up."

He walked out of the room without saying anything else. Nicki walked to her room with MacKenzie in her arms. She laid her in the center of the bed and made her way to the closet. She placed a pair of UGG boots on the floor and stepped into them. She didn't think twice about the fact that she was still in her pajamas or that she still had a scarf on her head. She just wanted to get her son to school on time. She reentered the room and answered her ringing phone after she picked up MacKenzie.

"Hey, babe."

"What's going on?"

"We're running late." She said as she walked down the hall. She followed the sound of Sebastian's cries. He never liked to be woken in the morning.

"Why didn't you get up on time?"

"Well, maybe it was because I was up all night with a teething baby." She snapped. "Or, or maybe because I was exhausted from running around all day getting shit for Micaiah's stupid project that's due today."

"Alright, son." He sighed.

"No, you know what it was? Fighting with a two year old about why he shouldn't be jumping on my damn furniture."

"You done?"

"For now." He laughed even though he knew that she was serious. "Hold on." She said. "Sebastian, stop that crying. Don't nobody wanna hear that."

His breathing became hitched as he rubbed his eyes. He let Micaiah finish putting on his shoes before he walked over to Nicki and put his head on her thigh.

"I know baby. Once we drop off Caiah we can come back and go to sleep. Micaiah, you ready?"

"Yeah." He picked up his book bag.

"Safaree?"

"Still here."

"Where are you?" She asked. She didn't want to come off as insecure but him being away was a test in their trust of one another; she was failing.

"My room."

"You didn't tell me where you were staying."

"Ma." Micaiah said.

"I did. Last night, Nicki."

"No, you-"

"Ma." Micaiah said louder.

"What?" Nicki said.

"Which car?"

"Which car has both of the car seats?" She asked.

"The truck." He said.

"Well, wouldn't that be the obvious choice?" Micaiah huffed. "Safaree, I'll call you when we get back."

"Alright."

As soon as Nicki placed MacKenzie in her seat she woke up. She sighed knowing that MacKenzie would soon be whining because she was hungry. After everyone was in the car Nicki drove as fast as she could to get to the school. Micaiah had only a limited amount of times to be late before it would effect his grade. They had pretty much used all of his tardies up in Safaree's absence. Nicki was relieved to pulled up to the school just as the first bell rang.

"Thanks, Ma." He kissed her cheek before jumping out of the front seat and running towards the door. Just as she began to pull off MacKenzie began to cry out.

"Ok, Kenny. We'll be home soon." She tried to calm her by speaking to her but it didn't work.

MacKenzie cried the whole way home and Sebastian reminded Nicki every second of the way that the baby was crying. By the time they were home Nicki was ready to pull her hair out. The thought crossed her mind of possibly having to do this alone, if she and Safaree hadn't begun working out their problems, and she couldn't imagine it.

 Once she got them in the house she put both kids in their high chairs and began feeding them. MacKenzie fell right back to sleep after eating and Nicki had no problems following her lead but Sebastian wanted her to watch cartoons with him. Everytime she would doze off he would wake her.

"NiNi." He tapped her after she had dozed off once again.

"Yes?" She huffed.

"I sleepy." He frowned and rubbed his eye.

"Come here." She opened her arms but he shook his head. "What's wrong?"

"Faree?"

"You miss Safaree?" She asked and he nodded.

She rolled over and reached for her phone. Once she had it in hand she dialed Safaree's number. The phone picked up and all she heard was heavy breathing. Her face instantly twisted up.

"Safaree!" She said with and attitude.

"Yeah?" He panted but she didn't respond. "Yo, Nic."

"What are you doing?"

"I was working out." He was still breathing heavy. "Did he make it?"

"Um, yeah." She said hesitantly.

"What's wrong?" He asked concerned with his voice now regular.

"Bash wants to talk to you."

"Oh, alright. Put him on."

"Here, Bash." She handed him the phone.

She watched Sebastian give Safaree short answers and laugh. They had a real relationship. Everyone had a relationship with Sebastian now. She couldn't picture their lives without him now. Sebastian crawled over to her and kissed her cheek and then put the phone to her ear. She smiled.

"You told him to kiss me?" She asked still smiling.

"Yeah."

"When are you coming home?"

"Two days if all this paperwork goes through and we pass inspection."

"Can't you get somebody to do that for you?"

"Do you get people to go to meetings for you and take care of your business?" She didn't respond. "Babe, I'll be home soon."

"Yup." She said dryly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just-" She looked at her phone and sighed. "Hold on. Micaiah's school is calling." She switched lines. "Hello."

"Ma." She heard Micaiah.

"What's wrong?" She asked concerned.

"I left my presentation consume at home."

"Can't you do it without the costume?"

"No, we get points for dressing in the traditional clothing of our culture."

"Ugh, Micaiah -"

"Mommy, please."

"What time?"

"Lunch, we present right after."

She sighed, "This is the last time I do this shit. You need to be more responsible and-"

"I love you, Ma. Bye!" He hung up.

"Safaree?"

"Yeah."

"I'll call you back. I gotta get the kids up and go take your son his costume."

"Costume?"

"Yeah, he did a project on Trinidad and he's dressing in Carnival stuff."

"You going to the studio?"

"I don't have time."

"What about-"

"Bye, Safaree, I'll call you later."

"Alright, Nic. You keep on trying to do all this shit by yourself and-"

"Get off my phone. Bye!" She rolled her eyes and hung up.


By the time she had gotten herself and the kids cleaned up and dressed it was time to drop off Micaiah's costume. She pulled up to the school and got both of the kids out. She carried MacKenzie in one arm, the costume in the other, and instructed Sebastian to hold on to her dress. She made her way to the office to check in and call for Micaiah.

"Hello." The secretary smiled. Mackenzie let out a high pitch squeal and the secretary laughed. "Well, hello cutie."

"Hi." Nicki smiled. "I just need to drop off this costume for my son. He has a presentation right after lunch."

"Of course. Would you like for me to call for him?"

"Please." She smiled.

"Name?"

"Micaiah Samuels."

"Ok." She began typing into the computer.

"Excuse me, ma'am." Nicki turned to the man. "I'm sorry but I'm Mr. O'Connell, Micaiah's social studies teacher." He held out his hand and she shook it.

"Oh, yes." She smiled.

"I was hoping to meet you during parent night but this is probably better."

"He's on his way, Mrs. Samuels." The secretary smiled.

"Thank you." Nicki smiled before turning back to the teacher. "You were saying?"

"Oh, yes. Micaiah has been slacking lately."

"Oh?"

"Yes. The presentation he's doing in my class later was due almost two weeks ago. He's very smart so I don't know if he's bored or-"

"Hey, Ma." Micaiah's smile dropped as soon as he seen his mothers face.

"Micaiah, when was this project due?" Nicki asked and watched his eyes bounce between her face and the teachers. "You don't have anything to say?" She asked and he didn't respond. "Mr. O'Connell, what's Micaiah's grade looking like?"

"A low C."

"A low C?" She chuckled. "Since when do we do C's, Micaiah? Huh?" He shrugged. "And you still have nothing to say? Ok. Thank you Mr. O'Connell, I'll call my husband and see if Micaiah will talk to him and-"

"Noooo." Micaiah whined.

"Excuse me?" She asked with a raised eyebrow and Micaiah lowered his head.  "Again, thank you. We'll see you parent night." She smiled.

"Ok." Mr. O'Connell smiled. "Nice meeting you."

"I'll see you when you get home, Micaiah. Do you have your key?"

"You're not coming to get me?" He asked shocked.

"No, get on the bus. I'm not driving all the way back up here."

"But-"

"Don't start. Here." She passed him the costume. "Kiss me."

She leaned towards him and he kissed her cheek. She could never stay mad at him long. That's why she let Safaree handle his discipline. She also felt bad for making him catch the bus but she was beyond over the five minute naps she was allowed to take in between MacKenzie's whining , Sebastian talking, and running up to the school.






The next day Nicki sat in Micaiah's room with all of the kids watching him play the game. Micaiah was really playing but Sebastian had a controller that was turned off. Every five minutes Nicki would have to yell at MacKenzie for getting into something.

"MacKenzie, come here." Nicki said sternly. MacKenzie looked back at Nicki and then crawled quickly towards the door.

"I'll get her, Ma." Micaiah said as he paused his game. Nicki tried not to show the amount of stress that she was under but he could see it. He tried to reduce the amount of stress on her until his father returned but she was reaching her breaking point.

"Here, Mook." He sat on the floor with MacKenzie in between his legs and handed her a controller. She instantly put it in her mouth and started chewing on it. He didn't mind though because she was quiet and still. Besides, if it broke his parents would just replace it.

Nicki stared at the kids. Each one provoked a different thought and caused her to become even more emotional. Micaiah was way too mature for his age only because of all the things that they had put him through. She found herself being emotionally dependent on him whenever Safaree was away and that wasn't fair to him at all. With Sebastian coming she also wondered how he felt about her leaving when he was a baby.

Sebastian being there gave her the same kind of joy that Micaiah and MacKenzie did. He belonged with them even though he wasn't theirs. She had yet to open the DNA test that she had been hiding but she had a gut feeling about what it would say. She wasn't ready to face that truth but Safaree had begun asking about the test and she wouldn't be able to hide it any longer.

Then there was MacKenzie. Nicki found herself being guilty for being pregnant again so soon. She found herself too tired sometimes to give MacKenzie the attention she deserved. It also broke her heart that soon everybody would shift their attention to the new baby.

She felt her eyes getting glossy so she excused herself. She went into the master bathroom and closed the door. She looked into the mirror as the tears began to flow. Her breathing became hitched as she began to cry hard.

"Mama." Micaiah knocked on the door. She took a few deep breathes and wiped her face. "Ma?"

"Yes?" She finally answered.

"Kenzie needs to be changed."

"Can you change her?"

"She pooped."

"Please, just change her."

"Fine." She heard him say.

She tried to pull herself together but it wasn't happening. Everytime she calmed herself she thought of something else to work herself up again. She didn't understand what was going on but she didn't want to leave the bathroom and freak out the kids and she was too prideful to call her husband who would've no doubt flew right back home. She decided to get into the shower so that Micaiah wouldn't get suspicious or worried.

Nicki got out of the shower feeling fifty percent better. She wasn't so sure if she would fall apart soon or not. She walked down the hall and stopped when she heard Micaiah talking to Safaree.

"When are you coming home, Dad?" Micaiah asked.

"She's still acting weird?" Micaiah didn't respond so she figured he nodded. "Alright. Um, where are the little ones?"

"Right here. Kenzie is chewing on something and Bash thinks he's playing the game."

"Whatever she's chewing on take it from her. Come on now, Micaiah."

"Alright." He huffed. Nicki heard him get up and moments later MacKenzie began whining.

"Where's your mom?"

"She been in the bathroom for like an hour."

"Alright. Well, um, my laptop about to die so imma check in on yall later."

"Ok."

"If she don't come out in the next thirty minutes call me."

"Ok."

"Aight. Love you."

"Love you too."

She wiped her face and sighed. She took a deep breath before entering. As soon as she walked in Sebastian ran to her and hugged her legs.

"I miss you." He frowned and she laughed.

"I missed you too."

Once MacKenzie saw him on Nicki she crawled quickly over to them. She used Sebastian's clothes to pull up and stand. She tried to pull on his arm that was wrapped around Nicki.

"Stop Kenny." Sebastian whined. MacKenzie continued to try to get him away from Nicki. Sebastian pushed MacKenzie. "Stop!" MacKenzie started crying.

"Sebastian." Nicki frowned at him.

"I sowwy baby." He said. MacKenzie crawled to Nicki and used her leg to stand up.

"Come on." She picked up MacKenzie who was now just whining. "Its ok, Bash." She looked at Micaiah who was paying her no attention. "Are you hungry, Cai?"

"Sure." He said nonchalantly.

"Ok. I'll make us something."

"Can we just have pizza?"

"Sure. I'll order it now."


After feeding the kids she put them down for a nap while her and Micaiah watched tv in separate rooms. She turned on the television to find an episode of Unfaithful. One episode turned into two and then three. The couch shifted. She felt strong arms wrap around her and pull her close. She took in his scent and her heart skipped a beat. She pulled away and stared at him. Watching that show had made her suspicions grow.

"What's wrong, Nicki?" He asked.

"Where were you?"

"Huh?"

"Safaree, please. Don't act stupid. You've gone out of town for business but never for a week."

"Nicki, what are you saying?"

"What do you think? Cause I think everything you said was a lie. Who are you fucking this time?! The new nanny?"

"Yo, you trippin'." He stood up and she followed.

"Am I?"

"Yes!" He turned to face her. "Nicki, you're supposed to trust me, forgive me. I don't -"

"Do I forgive you for that other shit? Yes. Do I trust you? No. Hell no!"

He sighed, "Well, I don't know what to tell you."

They stared at each other for a minute. She tried to keep the tears from falling but they fell down anyway. He pulled her into a hug and let her cry.

"I'm sorry, baby." He rubbed her back. "I'm sorry for putting you through all of this. I'm sorry that you feel how you do. I'm going to make it better. Whatever it is, I'm going to fix it."

He carried her up to their room and laid her down. He was used to her trying to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders but things were going too far. He couldn't help but to blame himself. He could see in the way that she carried herself lately that she was extremely vulnerable and insecure.

"Talk to me." He said.

She looked and him and shook her head. She felt stupid and weak for breaking down. He kissed her lips softly. She looked down.

"Talk to me."

She began talking. She told him about how overwhelmed she was and the guilt and insecurities that she felt. He just listened. Never saying a word unless she asked, "You see what I'm saying?" to which he would nod. She talked and talked until she fell asleep.

The next morning Nicki awoke to an empty bed. She got up and followed the happy voices and laughs. She could feel the positivity with every step towards her family. The black cloud was gone, all because of Safaree.

"Hey." He smiled and licked some syrup off his thumb. He stood and went to kiss her forehead. "I made pancakes. Kenzie loves em'."

"Aw. My Kenzi Cat had panny cakes?" She said in a baby voice. "Where's mine?" She smiled.

"Not here."

"What?!"

"Go get showered and dressed and come back down."

"But I'm hungry." She whined.

"Go." He turned her around and pushed her out of the kitchen.


Nicki came back about forty five minutes later. She, once again, followed their voices to the living room. MacKenzie was in her walker bouncing up and down while Safaree played with Sebastian. Everytime Sebastian would jump up and swing at Safaree with his tiny fist, Safaree would push him to the ground. Sebastian would laugh then jump back up. Safaree picked him up and held him upside down when he saw Nicki.

"You ready?" He smiled.

"Yeah, I guess. Is this ok?" She said in reference to her being dressed in simply sweat pants and a plain tee.

"Pefect." He said before putting a screaming Sebastian on his feet. Once he was down he began swinging at Safaree but he held him back with one hand. Nicki laughed.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm dropping you off." He picked Sebastian up. "That's enough, man. Stop."

"Where?" She walked up to him.

"I'll let you know when I'm ready." He pecked her lips before putting Sebastian down. "Go get your shoes, Bash."

"Where's Micaiah?" She asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Washing the cars."

"What?"

"We don't do low C's." He smiled. "Go get in the truck. That's where the car seats are, right?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. You don't need anything. Just go."

"You know I don't like shit like this."

"You know I don't give a fuck."

She rolled her eyes and did as he said. Within ten minutes Safaree had all of the kids in the car. Micaiah had a displeased look on his face. Safaree held Nicki's hand for majority of the ride. He pulled up in front of a nice hotel and parked. He got out and went to open her door.

"What-"

"Shhh." He said. He pulled a key out of his pocket. "Room 2201."

She smiled, "Saf-"

"Go."

"Fine." She kissed him before getting out.

She opened the door to her suite to find breakfast. She couldn't stop smiling. After she finished eating she didn't know what to do with herself. It was quiet, too quiet. Soon a knock came on the door. It was a masseuse. After her massage she was relaxed enough to sleep.

Nicki slept for almost seven hours before waking. A combination of Safaree Jr.'s movement and the storm outside woke her. She rubbed her eyes and stretched before sitting up. She looked over at the clock that read ten thirty. She couldn't help but think about how the kids were sleeping. The baby began to move and she rubbed her stomach.

"I miss them too." She sighed and picked up the hotel phone.


After hearing the sound of the doorbell Safaree looked at his phone to check the time. The last time that someone showed up unannounced, late at night it was nothing but trouble. He made his way downstairs and to the front door. He sighed when he looked out the front door.

"What are you doing?" He asked after opening the front door.

"I was bored." She pushed passed him.

"I went through all that trouble to-"

"Safaree, shush."

"Are you wet?"

"Do you want me to be?" She smirked.

"Nicki." He laughed.

"Where are the kids?"

"Sleep."

"When it's raining like this?"

"Yup."

"Oh."

"I would've came to get you." He said while following her up the stairs.

"No, you wouldn't have. You would've left me to rot in my loneliness."

"What are you doing?" He whispered as she opened the door to Sebastian's room.

"Can the kids sleep with us tonight?" She whispered. "Please, baby?" She pouted.

He huffed, "Fine."

"Get Bash." She smiled. After he picked up Sebastian they walked to Micaiah's room.

"Baby." Nicki sat on his bed and kissed his temple. "Get up. Come on."He mumbled something that only she understood and laughed at. "No. Come on."

She helped him stand and wrapped his arms around her body. He was still half sleep and rested his head on her bosom while they walked to MacKenzie's room. Nicki picked her up and they all made their way to the master bedroom. After placing everyone comfortably in the bed Safaree got in.

"Goodnight, Safaree."

"Goodnight."

"Thank you."

"I love you."

"I love you."

















Um, yeah. . .so I'm kind of in a rush to finish these stories but I'm trying not to BS it. If this sucks, sorry. I didn't proofread so sorry for that too. Lol. Also, I'm not gonna tweet that i posted only because people are starting to ask what I'm talking about and idk. Its weird. Thanks for the comments on the last post. Bye.

Love Game

"Seriously, Safaree, where are you taking my son?" Nicki asked with a raised eyebrow and her hand on her hip as they waited for Micaiah to come down to leave.

"Where ever he wants to go." He smirked. "Its father and son time."

"Sa-um." He cut her off by kissing her.

He knew that it would be the only way to shut her up. As she began to deepen the kiss he hoped that this was as far as she wanted to take things. If she wouldn't pull away soon he would be tempted to take things further. He wanted her badly. The hadn't had sex in almost a month and it was killing not only him but her as well. They honestly didn't have the time for it though. If they weren't working then they were tending to the kids. The schedule got ten times tighter since Sebastian came and Micaiah started school.

"Get a room." Micaiah said as he was greeted with the image of his fathers hands on his mothers behind and them swapping saliva.

Safaree pulled away, "I own every room in here."

"Can we go?" He huffed.

"Yeah, go get in the car. I'll be there in a sec." He tossed him the keys.

"You owe me." Nicki said seductively.

"I got you." He pecked her lips.

"One more?" She smiled and he pecked her lips again. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He released her. "Call me when the delivery guys come and if you need something."

"Ok." She smiled and watched him walk to the car from the front door. "Whatever dangerous shit yall going to do yall better be careful!"

As soon as she closed the door she heard Sebastian crying loudly. Whenever he woke up he would search the entire upstairs for them and when he didn't find them he would just cry. Nicki could already sense that he had abandonment issues at his young age.

"And the day begins." She sighed as she walked upstairs as quickly as she could in her pregnant state hoping that MacKenzie was still asleep. When she made in upstairs she opened the child safety gate and moved passed it. Sebastian was sitting on the floor in the hallway sobbing.

"Come on baby." She held her hand out for him to take and he did. "Sorry I left you. Are you ok?"

"Um hmm." He nodded as he stood.

"Stop crying." She watched him wipe his face. "You hungry?"

"I hungry." He nodded. "Eat?"

"Yup." As soon as they began walking towards the stairs she heard MacKenzie's playful scream. "Welp, there goes our quiet breakfast."

Once they walked into the room MacKenzie let out a loud squeal. She was standing up and holding on to her bed as she bounced up and down smiling and screaming. Nicki smiled and shook her head as she silently thanked God for blessing her with a happy baby.

"Hi, sweetie mama." She released Sebastian's hand and picked her up. MacKenzie instantly began bouncing in her arms until her eyes locked on something shiny, Nicki's necklace. She grabbed it and tried to pull it towards her mouth.

"No, Kenz." She pulled her hand away but MacKenzie reached for it again. "No." Nicki said more sternly.

"No!" Bash repeated.

As soon as Nicki looked at him and smiled MacKenzie got her hand on the necklace and snatched it agressively. Nicki looked at her and frowned. MacKenzie starred back, as though she had no fear of her mother, and began reaching for it again. For the first time, Nicki popped MacKenzie's hand twice. MacKenzie frowned for a few seconds before her lip began to quiver. She scanned her mothers face for sympathy but there was none. Her feelings were hurt. She began to cry.

"Baby cry." Bash stated as he followed Nicki over to the changing table.

"Yup." Nicki said as she laid her down. MacKenzie was now sucking in air rapidly as she tried to calm herself.

"Baby K?" He looked up at Nicki.

"She's fine." She smiled at him and he smiled back. She then began changing her. "What's the baby's name, Bash?"

"Bash!" He said excitedly.

"No," She laughed. "That's your name."

"Me." He pointed to himself. "Bash."

"Yup." Nicki laughed. "And what's the baby's name?"

"Kenny!" He smiled wide.

"And what's my name?" She asked while she finished up changing a now calm MacKenzie.

"NiNi Ma!" He screamed and Nicki laughed as she picked up MacKenzie.

"What's this, Bash?" She pointed to his nose.

"Nose."

"And. . .this?" She pointed to his lips.

"Lip."

"Very good." She smiled. "Um, what are these?" She pointed to each of his eyes and he shut them tight and giggled. "What are they, Bash?"

"Ears."

"Noooo." She shook her head.

"Uh huh." He pouted.

"These are your ears." She pointed to his ears. "These are your-"

"I hungry."

"Oh, you just gone cut me off cause you don't wanna hear the truth? Ok, Safaree." She rolled her eyes. "Come on."

Once they were downstairs Nicki got both of the kids sat in their chairs. She washed her hands then began looking for something to make. She finally came to the conclusion that she didn't feel like cooking.

"Bash." He looked up at her. "Pop tart or cereal."

"Cereal." She smiled at him replacing the 'r' with a 'w'.

"Ok."

She fixed MacKenzie a bottle before fixing her and Sebastian's cereal. She gave MacKenzie her bottle before getting her and Sebastian's cereal. She sat in between the two of them because she knew she would have to assist both of them with their meals.

As soon as she began to feed herself her phone began to go off. It was the cellphone used for business. She huffed as she got up to go answer it. It was left on the charger overnight. That particular phone was not allowed into their bedroom anymore. A rule Safaree had made during the couples retreat.

"Hello."

"Hey, Nicki." It was her manager. "We need to give these networks answers."

"No to all of them." She glanced at Sebastian who was making a mess and MacKenzie who was slamming her bottle on her table top.

"What?"

"I don't-" The doorbell rang out. "Hold on."

She put the phone on the counter and walked to the front door. She could see that it was the delivery man through the glass front door. She opened it.

"Hi." She smiled.

"Hi, um," He looked at his clipboard. "Mrs. Samuels?"

"Yes."

"Well, it seems your delivery is here."

"Ok."

"Can you show me where the baby furniture goes?"

"Actually, my kids are down here and I don't wanna leave them but-"

"NiNi Ma." Sebastian tapped her leg ugently and she heard her phone going off again.

"How did you-" She huffed. "Give me a second." She turned her attention back to the delivery man but Sebastian tapped her again.

"I gotta go potty." He looked up at her.

"Ok. Give me five minutes." She turned back to the delivery man yet again and tried not to show the irritation caused by her phone going off nonstop. "If you go up the stairs and go to the right, the second door on the left side is the baby's room. It has a green wall."

"Ok."

"And you guys are setting it all up, correct?"

"Yes. Where would you like it?"

"You know, it doesn't matter because I'm probably gonna have my son and husband change it fifty times before the baby gets here." The mention of her unborn child instantly sent her hands to her abdomen as they shared a laugh.

"And the toys and things?"

"Oh, just leave them up here by the door."

"Ok, we'll get started right away."

"Ok." She smiled. "Oh, how many of you are there?"

"Three, ma'am and we all have company shirts on."

"Ok. Feel free to take the baby gate down at the top of the stairs if you need to."

"Ok."

She walked back into the kitchen. She picked up her phone and called her manager back.

"Hello."

"Yeah, did you have to call me a million times?"

"They need an answer."

"I told you no. I don't want a million cameras in my house right now. I'm trying to pull together an album and a book, raise my kids and be pregnant."

"All which make for good t.v."

"You sound like them." She rolled her eyes. "Im not doing it."

"The fans-"

"My fans have met my kids at meet and greets, book signings. . .they know. Everyone else is irrelevant."

"But-"

"Bye." She hung up.

She sighed as she turned around and leaned back against the counter. She bit her lip and let her mind wander. She looked over at the table to see Sebastian wasn't sat.

"Now, how did he get out?" She huffed. "Bash?!"

She walked into the living room to see him sat in the corner crying. She frowned.

"Whats wrong, Bash?" He shook his head no. She bent down and saw his issue. He had peed his pants. "Oh. Did you pee on yourself?"

"No." He frowned and looked down. He wouldn't look at her.

"Don't lie." He began shaking his head yes. "Why you crying?"

"I not big boy."

"You are." She smiled and stroked his head. "It was my fault. I should've taken you potty. You just had an accident."

"I baby like Kenny." He pouted.

"No, you aren't." She smiled. "Come on. We gotta get you cleaned up."

As soon as she entered the kitchen her phone began to ring.

""Fuck does he want?" She huffed and answered without looking at it. "Hello."

"Yo, what the fuck?"

"What's wrong?" She rolled her eyes.

"I been calling you, nigga."

"Safaree."

"What?"

"Call me another nigga and I'll make you my bitch."

She looked at Sebastian who was talking to MacKenzie but she was busy reaching for the bottle that she threw too far.

"Where is your phone? I been calling you."

"Upstairs father." She said sarcastically.

"Whats wrong?"

"Its just so much going on." She walked towards MacKenzie to get her out. "Oh, I told your ass don't put underwear on Bash. He was fine with pull-ups."

"He need to be a big boy."

"Stop saying stuff to him like that. He just," She looked at Sebastian and didnt want to embarass him. "He p-e-e-d and c-r-i-e-d cause he's not a b-i-g b-o-y."

"Did you really have to spell that shit?"

"Come on, Bash." They began walking. "Yeah, I did. When are you coming home?"

"I don't know. What time them people get there?"

"They here now." She let Sebastian walk ahead of her.

"What?"

"They're. Here. Now."

"I told you to call me."He said with an attitude.

"Sorry if I had better shit to do." She matched his mood. "Go to my room, Bash."

"Nic, I'm serious. I need to know who's in my house with my family."

"Please. If you cared you would be here with us instead of taking Micaiah to ride dirt bikes." He didn't respond. "Yeah, I already know nigga and if my son get hurt I'm fucking you up." She hung up.


Nicki laid across her bed staring at the tv but not watching it. Now was a rare moment where she had to do absolutely nothing and she had no clue what to do with herself. Micaiah and Safaree had were still out together and MacKenzie and Sebastian were both taking a nap.  She rolled onto her back and let out a long sigh. She placed her hands on her stomach and waited for her baby to move but he too was asleep.

When she thought that she'd heard something she muted the tv. She listened closely and smiled at Micaiah's high pitched voice. Moments later Safaree entered the room.

"Hey." He kissed her forehead before walking towards their closet which used to be just his but she slowly moved her things in and now took up half of his space.

"Hi." She smiled and followed him with her eyes.

When he disappeared she got up and followed him. She watched him strip down to his boxers. He paid no attention to her voyeuristic ways. He was used to it.

"You about to take a shower?" She asked softly and licked her lips before biting her bottom one.

"Yeah." He chuckled hearing the lust in her voice.

"Can I watch?" She smiled michieveously.

The question threw him for a loop. On countless occassions she had asked to join him but never had she asked to watch.

"Um, sure." He looked back at her and she smiled.

She followed him to the bathroom like a little puppy needing attention. He started the shower and pulled down his boxers. She made sure that the door was locked.

"Faree?" She said sheepishly.

"Yeah?"

"Lift me onto the counter."

He did as she said. Before he could pull away she pulled him into a kiss. She gave him all the passion she had. By the time she pulled away they were both breathing heavily. They locked into a stare. He went in for another kiss but she pulled away.

"Go get in the shower." She smiled.

He shook his head. He didn't know what kind of games she was playing but it was driving him mad. He went to close the shower door but she stopped him.

"Leave it open."  She smiled as she swung her legs around to rest on top of the counter.

As he began to shower she peeled off her clothing piece by piece. He wasn't even paying attention. She laughed to herself. Any other man in the world would have been going to extremes to impress 'Nicki Minaj' with a sexy shower scene but he didn't even care that she was in there with him. That's why she loved him though. Once she was completely nude she straightened her leg closets to the edge and bent the other one.

"Safaree."

He laughed when he looked at her. She took no offense to it.

"Yo, what you tryna do?" He smirked.

"Watch you, watch me." She smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"Word?"

"Um hmm." She licked her lips as her hands began to wander her body.

She closed her eyes and imagined him much closer to him. His lips in the places that her hands were. She began using her left hand to tease her left nipple while her right hand still roamed freely. She opened her eyes to see him just staring. She looked him up and down. His member was probably softer than when she sent him to the shower. It wasn't his fault though. It only meant that she wasn't doing her job.

She scooted back into the corner. She opened her legs so that he could get a good look at her box. She teased both of her nipples simultaneously and massaged her breast.

"Is that what you want, daddy?" She asked seductively. All he could do was nod.

"You like when I touch myself like this?" She continued to play with her boobs.

"Yeah." He nodded as he began to grope himself. He turned his body towards the shower knob but kept his eyes on her.

"Leave it on." She said.

Just the way she was speaking to him got him worked up. It was calm but held a certain urgency, it was pure yet filled with lust. He turned to face her.

"Stroke him for me?" He began doing so. "Think about how tight and wet this pussy is."

She began touching her center. She rubbed it in the way that he always did. Circles first then up and down then circles. She imagined his strong, rugged hands in the place of her soft, danty hands. She moaned quietly.

"Are you there?" He looked at her funny. "Is it hard?"

"Yeah." He continued to massage it.

"And what were you thinking about?" Her voice was still low and seductive.

"You."

"What about me?" She continued to play with herself while she watched his hands. He did the same.

"Fucking you, eating you."

"How do I taste?"

"Sweet. All the time. You smell. . .uh."

She smirked and bit her lip. She didn't know what caused his "uh" but it made her center jump.

"How do I feel?"

Her speaking that caused him to think about how she felt. He closed his eyes and she did the same. Both of them had quickened their hand movements.

"Slick, tight as fuck. Everytime I'm in it. . ." He shook his head but she couldn't see. "I swear you was made for me."

"Baby, you're so big." She moaned out as she pushed her fingers inside of herself.

"You like that?" He opened his eyes and smiled as he watched her.

"Yes, baby." She plunged her fingers in and out of her as quick as she could. Watching her made him pick up his pace.

"What you want me to do?"

"Fuck me." She moaned.

The tables had turned. He was now in control. He was asking the questions. She didn't mind though. This is how it should always be, in her mind.

"How?"

"Deep. Go as deep as you can baby."

She pushed her fingers as far as they could go. In any other circumstance she might of said "fuck it" but his dick was on her mind heavy. That's all she thought about. That's all she felt.

"How you feel, baby?" He asked.

"Good."

"What are you thinking about?"

"You." She moaned. "Hmmm."

He continued to watch her. He felt himself about to cum but held back. He felt as though it was too soon but not having her how he was used to turned him on even more.

"Fuck. . .Sa-"

"Nic."

"Baby. . .mmm. . .you feel so good. I'm about to. . .I'm. . .uh. .uh. . .cum with me baby. . ."

It was almost as if they had counted to three the way they had came together. They stayed in their positions for a few minutes just breathing heavy. Nicki slid off the counter and walked to him. She placed her fingers to his lips and watched him lick it all off before kissing him.

"Can I shower with you?" She smiled.

"Any time."



After finally getting MacKenzie to sleep Nicki made her way back to bed. She didn't know why but tonight was a night that she needed to be up under him. She climbed into the bed me with her eyes locked on him. As she crawled towards him she heard a squeak. She rolled her eyes and he laughed.

"Seriously?" She pulled back the cover and grabbed the toy that belonged to one of the kids. She held it up and shook her head before tossing it. "Our room is so not sexy."

She got under the cover and snuggled up close to him. She rested her head on his chest.

"Did you think about what I said?"

"About the vasectomy?"

"Yeah."

"No."

"You're being selfish."

"How? I don't want niggas playing around down there. You should just get your tubes tied."

"And lets say five years from now I want another kid then-"

"If you want another kid why would I get a vasectomy?"

"I don't right now, Safaree. Plus, they're reversible or whatever." He didn't say anything and she sighed. "I have to have the kids and get the procedure done? Its not fair. Plus, my recovery time would be way longer than yours."

"I'll think about it."

"Its that or condoms." She smirked and he deadfaced her but she couldn't see. "Faree, you need to take me out."

"What?" He laughed.

"On a date."

"You asking?"

"Telling."

"Nah."

"What you mean 'Nah'?"

"Why don't you take me out?"

"Oh, you tryna be on some Usher 'Trading Places' type shit." She laughed.

"If that's what you wanna call it." He shrugged. "I want some romantic type shit. Wine and dine me baby."

She laughed, "Ok. You tryna fuck though?"

"What?" He laughed.

"Might spend a couple thou if you bust that open."

"Onika, take your ass to sleep."

She laughed, "But the light is on."

"Not it!" They both said.

"Not it!" They both said again.

"Stop!" Nicki whined.

"Not it!" They both said again.

"You ain't shit. Stop!" She hit him and laughed.

"Not it!" He said.

"Fareeee." She whined.

"Man, go turn off the light." He laughed.

"Safaree, why would you treat your pregnant, very hormonal wife like this?"

"Nicki." He laughed.

"Is this how you want some man to treat your daughter?"

"That'll never happen."

"How are you so sure?"

"Cause Imma teach her how to win 'Not It'."

"Fuck you!" She slapped him with a pillow before getting up to turn off the light.










It was weird writing that scene. I hate writing sexual scenes. Personal problem? Ok. I'm forgetting to ask or tell yall something and that just very well might be a mutual problem but whatevs. Thanks for the comments on the last chap.

Family Values

Nicki held on to MacKenzie with one hand while Sebastian held on to the other one as they made their way up the stairs. It was taking longer than normal to make it up because Sebastian went up the stairs one at a time as opposed to putting every other foot on every other stair. In the moment Nicki took to catch her breath when they reached the top Sebastian broke away from her and took off down the hall. She knew exactly where he was going and why so she took her time following behind him.

"Sebastian." She said when she reached Micaiah's room.

He was sat on his knees with his feet going in opposite directions. He had Micaiah's Xbox controller in his hand, ready to play. She knew Micaiah would have a fit if he seen this.

"Come on babe." She extended her hand to him.

"Play." He said after shaking his head no.

"We're gonna take a nap then we'll play when we get up." She rocked in place as to further soothe MacKenzie who was resting her head sleepily on her mother.

"I not sleepy." He pouted.

"Come on, Bash." She said more sternly and he began to cry.

"I not sleepy."

She sighed. She was too exhausted to put up a fight with him but she knew very well that he was tired. In the short time that he'd been there she'd learned him well. He always got stubborn and whiney when he was tired. In fact, that was the only time when he was acting out.

"Bash." She approached him. "Stop crying." He sniffled and looked up at her. "You wanna watch Ninja Turtles?"

"Ninja Turtles?" He rubbed his eye sleepily.

"Yeah. Me and Kenzie are gonna take a nap but you can watch that, ok?"

"Ok."

"Come on." She extended her hand to him again and this time he accepted it.

They walked to her and Safaree's bedroom. She watched him climb into the bed while she found the program that he wanted to watch. Once she found it she laid down with MacKenzie laying on top of her. She watched as he rubbed his eyes trying to stay awoke.

"Bash, you wanna lay down?" He looked at her with his tired eyes and shook his head no. "You don't have to go to sleep."

He crawled up beside her and laid down. He continued to watch tv until Nicki rubbing his back disabled him from fighting his sleep. He snuggled into her side as he drifted to sleep.

Nicki stared at his small body beside her. Everytime she looked at him she couldn't help but wonder why and how Stephanie just left him. He was one of the sweetest kids she'd ever met and it was almost impossible not to fall in love with him. He reminded her so much of Micaiah in that aspect and she couldn't help but to wonder if God placed him in her life for her to do that situation over.

The two weeks had passed but neither her or Safaree mentioned it. What was there to say? He'd already worked his way into their home and hearts. As far as Nicki was concerned, he wasn't going any where. That's why when the DNA test came back she didn't tell Safaree or open the results. She was too afraid. How could she send him to live with someone who just abandoned him on a porch at two am? She wouldn't.

She continued to let the tears roll down her face before drifting asleep. Not thirty minutes into her nap and she felt Safaree nudging her. She tried to ignore him but he just continued.

"Nicki."

"What?" She groaned with her eyes shut.

"Come on. We got shit to do."

"Just give me five minutes."

"Your five minutes is too long. Lets go." He tapped her thigh. She opened her eyes and glared at him. He was holding Sebastian. "Yeah, I love you too."

""Fuck you." She laid MacKenzie beside her before sitting up.

"Fuck." Sebastian repeated her.

"Noo-ooo-ooo. Don't say that, Bash." She frowned and looked at him.

"Fuck?" He said again.

"Nicki." Safaree huffed.

"I'm sorry." She looked at Safaree and whined then back to Sebastian. "Bash, don't say fuck. It hurts my feelings." She frowned dramatically.

"No cry." He slid out of Safaree's arms, with Safaree's help, then stood on the side of the bed. "No cry."

"Ok." She pouted and looked at him.

"Big girl, Mama."

Both Nicki's and Safaree's eyes grew wide. Usually he would only call Nicki that when Micaiah was around because he was repeating what he heard but Micaiah was at school.

"Nicki." She pointed to herself.

He shook his head no, "Mama."

"Nicki." She pointed to herself again.

"No, Mama." He pointed to her.

"No, Nicki. I'm Nicki." She said more sternly.

"NiNi Ma?" He cocked his head to the side and asked. When she smiled, so did he. They came to an agreement.

"NiNi Ma." She smiled.



After Safaree finally forced Nicki out of the bed they made their way out to shop for the new baby. They had just left the kids clothing store, paparazzi free, and were now at the kids furniture store.

"Hi." Nicki said to the sales associate as they approached the register.

"Hi." She smiled back. "How may I help you?"

"My name is Nicki. I called the other day and spoke to-" She frowned trying to remember the name.

"Megan?"

"Yesss!" She smiled wide. "Is that you?"

"No, my manager but she told me to be expecting someone special." She smiled.

"So, how does this work?" Safaree asked.

"Simple. The same way you would register for your baby shower, by scanning items that you want on your registration, is how you will shop. Once you're done I ring you up, you pay and in about four to seven business days you will receive all of your purchases."

"Ok." Nicki smiled and took the small scanner that she had extended out to her.

"Oh." She stopped them. "We have a small play area. I'll take the little guy if you'd like."

"No, I'll take him." Safaree said when Sebastian began hiding behind his leg.

While Safaree took Sebastian to the play area Nicki began walking around the store with MacKenzie on her hip. When he returned to her side she smiled wide.

"Isn't this so cute?" She pointed to a stuffed monkey.

"Yeah." He replied.

"I wanna change the theme to monkeys."

"Ok."

"Look." She began walking past him and he followed. "Isn't this cute?"

It was a blanket set that was green and brown and covered in monkeys. Safaree could have cared less but he knew to keep her happy he had to seem somewhat interested.

"Yeah, that's dope."

"And Micaiah will like it. You think he will like it, Faree?"

"Its not his room so it doesn't matter."

"Well, I know that but it would be nice if he did." She rolled her eyes. "Here." She tipped MacKenzie's body towards him to take. Nicki moved to something else that caught her eye after scanning the set and Safaree followed.

"Oh." She said. "I've been meaning to talk to you."

"About?"

She looked at him and bit her lip. She didn't know where to start.

"A lot actually."

"Well. . ."

"So, Wayne wants me to do another album and I know I said the last was the last but-"

"When would it be released?" He asked with little emotion.

"I don't know." She sighed. "I really wanna do it though."

"You already said yes." He said factually.

"I mean, yeah, but-" She looked over his face. She couldn't read him. "Look, I love all the time I get with the kids now but I don't think being a housewife is something for me. Like, I need to be working."

"You're always at meetings and sending out emails, at the studio-"

"Right but it's not enough." She turned and scanned a green piggy bank then turned back to him.

"What about SJ?"

"What about him?"

"He needs his mother, Nicki."

"Why do you assume that he won't have me? I can bring him and Kenzie to the studio with me and you know I only tour during the summer. Plus, we're interviewing nanny's later so-"

"So, you're gonna let her raise our family?"

"Wh-, I don't understand. Like, one minute you wanna get help and then the next its a bad thing."

"No." He sighed. "I just gotta look out for everybody."

She placed her hand on his cheek and looked up at him, "The kids will be fine. I can balance it all. Trust me."

"The minute shit goes wrong. I mean the very minute it looks like you can't handle or, or you stressed or something. . .you're pulling out."

"Eeeek." She leaned up and pecked his lips. "Pauz but eeeek!"

"Yeah. Whatever." He watched her scan something else then followed behind her. "What else?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. . . So, we've been here in California for a long time and I was kind of thinking that it's maybe time to find a church home."

"Nah."

"Faree." She whined.

"Nic, you know how I feel about church."

"And you know how I feel. I really want our kids to grow up in that environment."

"I don't. They don't need to be in a church to have a relationship with God."

"But it helps and they can be around people that have similar morals and values as us."

"Nicki, you can go and take the kids but I don't want to. My experiences with churches ain't the same as yours."

"I'm sure we can find one that works for us all Faree."

"Nic, you doing the same thing my aunt used to do. Try to force me to go. That's the main reason why I don't like it."

"I wasn't trying to force you." She said solemnly. "I just wanted that one thing for our family but nevermind."

"Nic-"

"No, its fine. I'll just take the kids and it'll kind of just be our thing, ya know?" She forced a smile but he knew she was upset about it.

"We can go." She heard him say as she turned around. "Nicki, we can go."

She turned to fully face him with a smile.

"You want to?"

"Yeah, man." He smiled.

"I love you, Faree." She hugged him tight.

"Yeah, lets just find my son a crib."

"Alright." She held on to his arm with one hand while the other rested on her stomach. She pulled him towards a simple brown one. "Oh, I like this one."

"Yooo." He pulled away from her and went to an all gold crib. It had a large, gold lions head at the front that had its mouth open.

"No." She said as she walked over to it, with both hands on her stomach now.

"What?!" He asked shocked.

"Its too, its too gaudy." She turned up her nose at it. "I mean, its beautiful, yes but it's too much for a baby."

"You," He pointed at her. "You think it's too gaudy?"

"Yes." She said as she walked around the crib, still observing it even though she had her mind made up. Her eyes landed on the price tag and she let out a small laugh to accompany her smile. "Yo, guess how much this costs."

"How much?" He asked as he walked towards her side carrying a now sleeping MacKenzie. She covered the tag.

"Guess." She smiled. Before he could answer she spoke. "One hundred and fiftey thousand dollars."

"Lets get it." He smiled.

"Hell no."

"We got that."

"Just because we have it doesn't mean we need to spend it."

"Aw, Nic. Its dope!"

"And you must be smoking dope to think Imma spend that kinda money on a crib. Our bed didn't even cost half of that."

"I'm paying for everything anyway."

"I won't let you buy that. Its stupid."

"My kids deserve the best."

"Your kids deserving the best is why we're having another kid." She walked away from him. "Its still a no." She called over her shoulder.



*6 months ago*

After laying down her three month old, Nicki walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. She looked down the hall to see a giant box in the hallway. She frowned as she walked towards it, trying to figured out what it was. When she got to the front of it she tilted it back to look at the front of it. She huffed when she saw the picture of the large flat screen tv. She pushed open Micaiah's room door to see him flicking through the channels with a wide grin as Safaree watched with a similar face.

"Safaree." She said angrily. He huffed when he heard her voice. When she disappeared he knew that was his cue to get up and follow.

Things were good between them up until she had given birth to MacKenzie. She slipped into a depression for the first two weeks then suddenly jumped into motherhood. Once she was there being his wife was her last concern as she pushed him away. Things became more awkward and strained as time went on, getting worst than they were before her pregnancy.

"I told him if he made honor and a spot on the basketball team that I'd get it for him." He said after closing their bedroom door.

"And I told you that he didn't need it." She angrily folded the clothes that were in the laundry basket.

"Why?!"

"Because he doesn't. There's a tv in the living room, which I didn't want, and two in the basement."

"So what? He wants his own and he deserves it."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. "You know what, I'm so fucking over this shit."

"What?!" He scrunched up his face.

"You and your shit! You don't never do what the fuck I ask."

"Cause I'm a grown ass man and I don't need to be told what to do."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah." He bucked his eyes at her.

"Well, your grown ass can fold your own damn clothes." She threw a shirt at him.

"Aye!" She threw another piece of clothing and continued as he walked towards her shielding his face.

By the time they were face to face she had ran out of clothes. They just stared at each other angrily. Both of their chest rising and falling quickly, waiting for the other one to make a move. Suddenly, Safaree ran his fingers through the back of her hair and pulled her close before he began aggressively kissing her. She put up no fight but instead matched his agressivesness. One thing led to another and now they were shopping for yet another baby.


Safaree pulled up to Micaiah's school thirty minutes late. He knew they would be getting an ear full once he got in the car. Micaiah approached the car angrily.

"Yo, he's pissed." Nicki said.

"I know."

Micaiah got in and slammed the car door. He didn't speak a word to anyone as he put on his seat belt. When MacKenzie reached for him smiling he pushed her hand away.

"Hi, Micaiah." Nicki turned to him smiling.

"Hi." He huffed and looked out of the window.

"What's wrong?" Nicki continued to smile.

"Nothing."

"Oh, he mad." She said. She rolled her eyes and turned away.

"That's cool." Safaree nodded as he began to drive. "I guess tomorrow we'll just take him to school while we go to the circus. I mean-"

"The circus?!" He perked up.

"Circus! Circus!" Sebastian yelled.

"What you happy for?" Nicki asked. "You wasn't happy when you got in the car."

"I didn't know we were going to the circus!" He smiled wide.

"We? You aren't going. You'll be in school." Safaree said.

"Yes! Please?! Please, mama. Please." He reached for her arm but she snatched it away laughing.

"Nope." She said.

"Im sorry."

"Tell your sister sorry." She said.

"I'm sorry, Mook." He rested his hand on one of hers and she began hitting it. They all began laughing hard when it sounded like she said "Un uh.".

"See." Nicki laughed. "Be careful who you're mean to cause they might hold your fate."

He smacked his lips, "Ma, please."

"Ask Bash." She laughed.

"Bash, say yes." Micaiah instructed.

"Yes!" He began laughing.

"Yo, you a cheater." Safaree laughed.

"Right, that don't count." Nicki laughed.

"You ain't say no rules." Micaiah said.

"That wasn't a question." Safaree said.

"Right." Nicki agreed.

"Bash, can I go to the circus with you?"

"Bash go to circus." He said.

"Can I go?" Micaiah asked.

"Sure." He said perky.

"Sure." Nicki mimicked him. "He is adorable and you, Micaiah, you're lucky."

"I know." He laughed. "Hey, Ma, is Bash gonna stay with us a little longer?"

"Um." She glanced at Safaree trying to find the right answer but he didn't have it either. "We'll see."

"Ok. I hope so cause he's like a brother now. He gets on my nerves like Kenzie but he's kinda cool, ya know?"

Micaiah continued to ramble about Sebastian. With each word he spoke both Nick and Safaree's hearts broke. They were attached now. How could they part with him if and when the time came? Sebastian's arrival had been like a rainbow appearing during a horrible thunderstorm. It was beautiful to look at but the dark clouds still lingered.

Nicki shook the thoughts when Micaiah started singing some song that was playing on the radio. Soon Sebastian joined in and then MacKenzie began screaming along. Nicki was already laughing but when Safaree tried to join in and Micaiah denied him access to their trio because of his age she began hysterically laughing. If only for today, or the next day, she would enjoy the family that God had given her. What other choice did she have?