Rags to Riches: My Thug Angel 2 (13 page)

Chapter 20:

The next day... 

I was sitting in Longhorn waiting on Rico’s wife when I noticed a beautiful woman walk in. She was short with her hair in a bun at the top of her head. She was wearing a grey PINK sweat suit with white writing, and white Jordan 11’s on. She walked closer to my table, and I could see that she had a really nice shape with an ass on her—not fatter than mine, but it was a nice size.

“Well hello,” she said, sitting down.

“Hi umm,”

“It’s Layla. My name is Layla Martinez,” she said, emphasizing her last name which made me chuckle.

“Well. I’m here because you said you wanted to talk, so I’m all ears and if you’re lucky, I might give you some answers as well,” I said, looking at her dead in the eyes. She cleared her throat while turning her lip up.

“Well, first things first. Did you know about me?” she said, squinting her eyes.

“No. I actually did not. It wasn’t until I saw you two at the restaurant that night that I found out, and we had already done what we did,” I answered truthfully. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

“I’m a business woman, so let’s talk business. How much to get rid of all of this?” I squinted my eyes.

“Explain what you’re asking?” I asked, trying to make sure she meant it the way I thought she did.

“To get rid of the baby, Rayna,” she said annoyed. I smiled.

“I guess you took a moment to lose your fucking mind before you got here, huh,” I said with a blank expression.

“He doesn’t love you, little girl,” she said laughing.

“Well, something completely different came out of his mouth last night when I was in his bed being HIS big girl,” I shot back, raising my eyebrows in the process.

“Did he go down on you?” she asked bluntly, sitting up in her chair.

“Why is that any of your concern?” I asked, amused at her question.

“Because he said he only does that to a woman when he actually loves her,” she said giving a sly grin like she had won, not knowing that I was about to break her poor little heart.

“He ate my soul out of my body, baby. Ate my ass too. Is that enough information?” Her entire face got red. “Listen, I didn’t come here for this. I came here because I actually felt bad about the position I had put you in, but I’m not anyone’s punk, so when you first opened your mouth I knew what kind of conversation this was going to be. I cocked my guns and you continued to bust, so it was only right that I bust back. I’m no bitter bitch and I own up to my mistakes, and this started off a mistake that I am extremely sorry for, but I can’t change what already happened in the past; but if this does turn out to be his baby, we will have children that are siblings, so we will have to tolerate each other one day. I’m just trying to be grown up about this whole situation, so let's not be childish and do this shit woman to woman.” I watched her allow my words to sink in.

“Bitch, fuck you,” she spat.

“I expected more from a business woman,” I said, holding up air quotes. She leaned over the table and slapped me in the face. I forgot that I was pregnant when I flipped the table over and hopped on top of her, grabbing her by her bun and slamming my fists into her face until I felt strong arms lift me up.

“Why the fuck would you be in this bitch fighting,” Rico said in my ear. I cursed myself because I had forgotten he was here.

“Talk to your fucking wife!! She fucking slapped me KNOWING that I was pregnant. Weak ass bitch. I still worked yo ass. Pregnant and all, you thought this shit was a fucking game, huh!” I spat, laughing and looking at the red marks on her face and her messed up bun.

“Watch it Rayna, she’s still my wife and we may not be together, but she’s the mother of my children,” Rico said, asking her if she was okay in the process.

“Aye, fuck you and that bitch right now,” I said, walking out of the restaurant and leaving him there to talk to management, who had called the police—nothing money couldn’t fix. I got into my car and pulled out of the parking lot.

Rico

“You okay, Layla man?” I asked her, looking at her face and hair.

“Fuck you, Enrico. Do you know how much this is going to fuck up my reputation?” she asked with venom in her voice.

“I done told you about thinking you can whoop everybody, man. That girl had a much harder life than you.”

“I don’t give a fuck about her or her sad ass petty life,” she stated. I slightly rolled my eyes at her comment.

“Why would you fight her though? She’s pregnant, Layla. That’s weak as fuck on your part. If somebody would have slapped you while you were carrying my child, I woulda had their fucking heads at their mama’s doorstep. Be mindful of the shit you do, Lay. Also, I’m picking Jayla up from school, and Christian up from Tati today.”

“No. They don’t have any clothes or anything at your house,” she spat.

“See, that’s where you fucked up at. My children come FIRST regardless of the situation, so when I got another house I had their rooms decorated, and I bought them both clothes and shoes to fill up their closets. Everything they need is there. Now, this petty game is over. I’m going to get my kids,” I said before walking towards the exit.

“I don’t want my kids around that bitch.”

“Whatever, Layla. I would never have anybody around my kids who would harm them, and that’s all you need to worry about.” I walked away shaking my head.

China 

“Well Ms. Brown, it looks as if you’ve dilated 5 centimeters. That would explain the pressure and contractions that you’ve been feeling. We are going to try and stop your labor because you’re still a week shy of eight months, but usually once you hit 5 cm, it’s very hard to stop the labor. I need you to stay here at the hospital. You will have to be monitored for a couple of days.

“Oh goodness,” I said as tears began to cloud my vision. “It’s too early. My baby won’t make it,” I said, starting to panic “Calm down, Ms. Brown. I have delivered babies earlier than this and they spent a little time in the NICU, but they made it. I have no doubt that your baby will make it,” my doctor said, looking at me concerned. I called Kay telling him to come because I needed someone, and I wasn’t putting up with Slick’s attitude at that moment. A nurse walked in the door.

“Hello, Ms. Brown, I’m Cece and I will be your nurse today. I was directed to come and give you a shot. The shot that I will be giving you is a form of steroids that will strengthen your baby's lungs. Now I need you to turn over, because it’s going to go into the lateral portion of your backside,” the older lady said over her glasses. I turned over, giving her full access to my rear end. She wiped the spot with an alcohol prep and stuck the needle in, and I swear that damn medicine burned like hell. Just as she was finishing up my shot, Kay walked in.

“What’s up, mane,” he said, smiling all big. At that moment, I felt my heart skip a beat.
What the fuck. Do I like this nigga?
I thought to myself.

“Hey Kay,” I said, covering up my ass.

“You better get comfortable my nigga, ‘cause I’m gon’ see more than that if you have this baby. I’d never let you go through this alone,” he said, touching my forehead.

“Stop Kay. You’re making me emotional.”

“Crybaby ass,” he said laughing.

The next day...

I got another one of those stupid ass steroid shots this morning, and they’d been giving me medicine to stop my labor but my contractions were picking up. I was doing my breathing exercises when Kay walked back in with the nurse. She checked how much I had dilated.

“Oh, it’s time,” she said, getting up and calling my doctor and the team from the NICU. They got me prepped and slid me down to the end of the table. “On your next contraction, I’m going to tell you to push. Bear down like you’re having a bowel movement, and you’re going to hold it for ten seconds. Hold your own legs if you can. It makes for a stronger push. Are you the dad?” she said, turning to Kay.

“Yes,” he said surprisingly. I guess he didn’t want me to feel embarrassed.

“Well dad, she will need all of your encouragement”

Kay 

“Push China!” I said, encouraging her to push harder. She pushed harder and I could see the baby’s head come out.

“Give me a big push, mama,” the doctor said, and I could see the baby’s shoulders come out.

“One more!” I said, amazed at what I was seeing. It was beautiful and disgusting at the same time.

“Happy birthday! It’s a girl!” they said, putting her on China’s chest.

“Did you pick out a name yet?” I asked her. She looked at me.

“What’s your whole name?”

“Kaleb Mateo King,” I said proudly.

“Kalyn Matea Brown, I guess,” I looked up.

“Damn girl. I’ve been that good of a friend?” I said, referring to baby Kalyn’s name.

“You’ve been that and so much more.” I thought for a second.

“Kalyn Matea King,” I said aloud.

“Huh?” China said, confused.

“Give her my last name. She’ll be like mine anyway since you’re my friend.” I saw her facial expression change, and tears stream down her face “Aye. You done had ya whole pregnancy to do that crying shit. We’re completely done with that pussy shit,” I said, making her laugh loudly. “Let me hold her,” I said, reaching for her.

“Do you know how to hold a baby?” she asked.

“Girl, you know how many homeboys I got with kids. I used to babysit all the damn time,” I said, throwing a cloth blanket over my shoulder and grabbing Kalyn and cradling her.

“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered to her. She was so cute; she had a head full of straight hair. She opened her eyes and they were huge and hazel, just like mine.

“It’s crazy cause she has some features just like me. I guess we’re special, huh,” I said aloud.

“Yea, I guess so,” China said in a low tone.

“We need to give her a bath,” the nurse said, walking toward me and grabbing Kalyn. I followed her over to the table where they washed her.

“Damn, you kinda rough,” I said to the nurse, who was being a little too rough.

“It’s okay,” she said, not even looking up at me.

“Nah, move. Move,” I said, scooting into her space.

“Sir, let me do my job,” the nurse stated.

“Get the fuck on. I got it,” I said, washing Kalyn’s hair. I heard China laughing in the background. I finished washing her and putting lotion on her. I grabbed a diaper and put it on. I grabbed a long sleeves onesie out of the bag I brought with me for Kalyn, and put it on her along with a hat.

“Damn, how’d you become so good at this?” China asked, causing a sting in my heart. It hurt to tell this story so nobody really knows, but I hate to hide anything from her ‘cause she’d been a great friend, and didn’t hide anything from me. She’d been completely honest with me from jump. I took a deep breath.

“I became a father when I turned 16 from my girlfriend.” She scrunched her eyebrows like she was trying to figure something out.

“Where are they? How come you never talk about them?” I took a deeper breath.

“When my son was one, they got into a car accident and passed away. It killed me, and I was depressed for so long. I loved her, but my son was my everything. We always dressed alike, and he was always so happy.” I looked up at China and saw the sympathy in her eyes. “Don’t feel sorry for me. God does everything for a reason. God allowed us to become friends for a reason. So Kalyn can have somebody to look up to,” I said proudly.

“Thank you, Kay,” she said, lying in her bed.

“Are you going to titty feed her?” I asked.

“Breastfeed nigga, and yes. Hand her here.” I handed her to China. “Thank you for being such a great friend, Kay,” she said to me in the most genuine tone.

“It’s all good. Just stay down and as a friend, don’t ever lie to me.” She shook her head and placed her attention back on Kalyn.

Chapter 21:

Kay

6 months later…

“Ewww Kalyn,” I said as she kissed me all over my face, leaving slob everywhere.

“Da,” she said, showing all of her gums. “What did you say?” I asked her; she looked at me with a blank stare. “Say it again, mama,” I tried coaching her. She just laughed and began putting her toes in her mouth. “You hungry, Matea?” I asked, getting up and carrying her to the kitchen to make her a bottle. “Here, fat girl,” I said, putting her bottle in her mouth gently. I heard the door open, and China came walking through the house.

“Wassup. How was work?” I asked her.

“It was good. Heyyyy Kalyn. Mama missed you,” she said, grabbing her and spinning her around.

“Aye, don’t spin her around. You see she’s eating. You already know how her stomach be acting,” I stressed.

“Boy, shut up,” she said, continuing to spin her around like a dumbass.

“You know she’s going to throw up and when she does, I’m knocking you straight the fuck out.” China slightly raised her above her head, and that’s when it happened. I grabbed Kalyn and pushed China for making my baby throw up. She turned around and took her shirt off, and that’s when I saw it—the tattoo at the bottom of her back. It was a dragon with other designs. I had only saw that tattoo once on the girl from the escort service that I fucked that night. I was sitting on the couch trying to add shit up. How the fuck was it a coincidence that China may be the girl from the escort service that I know I fucked around the time she got pregnant, who had a baby that looks just like me? Nah though. She wouldn’t lie to me like that. We’re better than that. I know we are. After she got cleaned up, she came back in the living room.

“Her sleepy butt fell asleep that quickly,” she said, walking towards the couch.

“China, is there anything that you’ve lied to me about in the past that you need to tell me?” I watched her breathing speed up, so that was all the confirmation I needed to know that she was about to lie.

“Something like what? I’ve told you everything” I hopped up, getting in her face.

“Who’s Kalyn’s father?” I asked, trying to get some answers.

“I don’t know, Kay. I was fucking off around the time I got pregnant,” she said, giving me the look of a liar.

“Lie to me again, and I swear I’ll slap the shit outta you. Why do you have the same tattoo as a girl I fucked from an escort service?” She lowered her head in shame. “You a disloyal bitch. Tell me the truth before I snap yo neck up in this bitch.”

China

Damn, I fucked up
, is all I could think. I was frozen, trying to speak, but nothing came out.

“You a disloyal bitch. Tell me the truth before I snap yo neck up in this bitch.” My heart was beating out of my chest.

“I was embarrassed, Kay. I acted as if I never met you because I didn’t want you to see me in that light,” I said aloud. I watched his nose flare out.

“What light you think I see you in now? Now I can’t trust yo ass,” he said with venom in his voice.

“Kay, I was just scared. You have to understand,” I said, trying to convince him.

“I ain’t got no rap for that shit. Just let me know one thing.”

“What is it?” I asked, waiting for his question.

“Is she mine?” I started to feel the warm tears well up in my eyes. I breathed out heavily.

“Yes.” He started shaking his head.

“I’m so happy because I already looked at her as my child, but her mama got some fucked up ass ways. I’m going to get a DNA test just to be sure. Until then, you can let yourself out.” I tried to walk past him, but he stopped me.

“Where are you going? The door is that way,” he said, pointing in that direction.

“I was going to get my baby,” I said in an upset tone.

“Nah, see you good. Let me spend some more time with my daughter. She’ll see you tomorrow. Go home and get yourself together.” I wanted to protest, but at that moment I just didn’t have it in me. I had fucked up, and now it would be on me to right my wrongs.

3 days later
…

Rayna

“Breathe through it
,
Rayna
,
” Rico coached me as I sat on my bed having a contraction. I had decided to have my son at a birthing center with a midwife, and I was trying to take the pain as long as I could before I left to go to the center.

“I am breathing Enrico
,
shut up. Damn
,
” I snapped
,
which caused him to chuckle.

“Here
,
” he said
,
handing me a big ball.

“I’m not sitting on that shit
,
Ric
,
” I snapped.

“Yes you are. Get up
,
” he said
,
helping me sit on the ball. I sat and started to rotate my hips like my midwife had taught me to do. Rico sat on the floor and rubbed my back, helping me through the contractions. He kissed my forehead.

“You’re doing great
,
baby. Just keep relaxing.” I shook my head
,
closing my eyes.

“Babe
,
” I said.

“Wassup baby
,
” he replied.

“I think my water just broke
,
” I said
,
referring to the liquid sliding down my leg. Rico got up and went to get some towels, wrapping them around my bottom half and between my legs.

“Time to go then
,
” he replied. I grabbed my phone and called my midwife, explaining to her what was going on
,
and she told me to come in.

“I gotta call Ace
,
” I said painfully.

“Okay” he replied.

Ace

I had just walked up to my door when I noticed an envelope sitting on the welcome mat.

“What the fuck is this
,
” I said to myself
,
knowing that the mailman didn’t come to the door unless the package was large. I opened the letter and began to read it.

Dear Ahleya Briyana Rowland,

Your mother and I miss you dearly. I don’t ever want you to think that we don’t love you. We love you more than life itself, but we knew that we couldn’t take care of you like your uncle Ace and Auntie Rayna could. One day you’ll learn that sometimes you have to make hard decisions in order to make sure your children have a great life. We got a second chance at life, but we had to get away from Atlanta in order to live it, it was either that or die, and we had way too much to live for. Like you. We had to completely start over, but we were willing to do that if it meant we’d have a chance at meeting you again one day. I miss your little face. I should have been a better man, but I know your uncle Ace will set a great example of what a man is supposed to be. He was always more of a man than I. Your mother wanted to write you a letter as well, but every time she’d try she would boohoo cry. So I told her to just give up and let me do it. She wants you to know that she loves you so much and she wishes that she never made the mistake that had you taken away, but she’s also grateful that Ace did step in because she put you in harm’s way, and she would have never been able to forgive herself if something had happened to you. We’ve seen how much you’ve grown up. Yes, we sneak to Atlanta sometimes just to see you playing in the yard with Ace. We sit and cry like big babies, but it warms our hearts to hear you laugh at the top of your lungs and to see that you are beyond happy. Always follow your heart, baby girl. I know you’ll be great in everything that you do. We love you so much

- Mommy & Daddy <3

I didn’t know how to feel about this letter. I knew they weren’t dead. I could feel it. My thoughts were interrupted by my ringing phone.

“Yo
,
” I said into the phone.

“I’m in labor
,
” Rayna said into the phone. I could tell that she was in pain.

“Alright. You having him at that place you showed me?” I asked.

“Yes
,
” she simply said before hanging up. I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

Rayna

3 hours later…

“Push
,
” my midwife said as I pushed on my knees in the heated tub. I felt Ace rub my back while Rico watched with not one care in the world. I was happy they had put their differences aside, because when we first got here they were ready to turn this establishment out until they realized how much pain I was in
,
and how much they were stressing me the fuck out. Gena cussed them both out as well, so that helped. Slick’s ass was ready to act a fool too, but I’m glad they were over it. Gena was sitting in the tub with me, rubbing my back while Slick was sitting on the sofa couch a couple feet away.

“One more big push
,
and he’s out.” I pushed as hard as I could
,
feeling the pressure ease as my midwife grabbed my baby. He instantly started screaming, showing off those strong lungs. They laid him on my chest
,
and I looked at his face. I looked up and everybody was staring at me. I started crying looking at his little handsome self. I looked back up at everybody
,
knowing that we were all thinking the same exact thing. We knew exactly who this baby boy belonged to.

“Hello
,
Anthony Jermaine Rowland Jr
,
” I said
,
kissing his nose. He was the spitting image of his father. I looked at Rico
,
who was still smiling at me. He looked at Ace and said congratulations. Rico walked over to me.

“I’m going to go home and get everything prepared for ya’ll. Also, to give Ace sometime to enjoy his son. I’ll be back tomorrow
,
” he said
,
looking me in the eyes. “you did a beautiful job
,
” he complimented me.

“Thank you
,
babe
,
” I said
,
kissing his lips.

“See ya’ll tomorrow
,
” he said
,
standing up and walking out, not looking defeated at all. I looked back down at my baby
,
taking in all of his features that were identical to his father’s. He had dark hair. I didn’t even know it was possible for a baby to be born with this much hair on their heads; looked like he had just gotten a fresh blowout. I was still going to get a DNA test so I never had to hear that
he might not even be mine
bullshit.

“Hand him here
,
” Ace said
,
reaching for Anthony. I watched him put his lips to his baby’s cheek
,
giving him a kiss. Mrs. Camila and Mr. Mark walked in looking at Anthony
,
and congratulating us both.

“He looks just like Ahleya
,
” Mrs. Camila said
,
putting Ahleya on the bed, allowing her to get a good look at her brother.

“They do look just alike
,
” Ace said
,
looking at them.

“Baby
,
” Ahleya said
,
kissing AJ’s cheek.

“Awww
,
” we all said at the same time.

“That’s so cute
,
” Gena said with tears in her eyes.

“Sit yo lil’ emotional ass down somewhere
,
” Slick said laughing.

“Shut the hell up
,
Kendrick
,
” she said quickly.