It was 3:00 in the morning, and I lied there on my stomach as Rich massaged my entire body. He's literally just given me a bath, and now this. He said he was trying to keep me from being as sore as I probably would be. I don't know about all that but it sure felt good.

"You like that?" He asked, slipping his hand in between my thigh.

"Rich, I quit" I looked back at him.

"Awwww my baby can't take no more" he joked, laying down beside me.

"Whatever I'm not the the one who-" my thoughts were cut short by phone ringing phone.

I leaned into the nightstand to see who is it was. When I saw the name I fell flat on my ass out onto the floor.

"Hey dad?" I said nervously into the phone.

"Where the hell you at?" He yelled into the the phone.

"H-huh?"

"Stephanie, I know you better have your ass here within the next fifteen minutes" he hung up.

I knew he was heated because I've never heard him curse. Well I guess I can say goodbye to daylight for awhile. See what people fail to realize is, there's a difference between being grown, and being grown and living with your parents. Especially if your parents are the Pastor and First Lady.

I looked up from my phone to Rich. He looked at me like he already knew.

"How mad is he?"

"Extremely" I said leaving his room to get my things from the other one. I quickly threw on some sweatpants and a hoodie, my Nike slides and put my hair in a bun. I wanted to look like I normally do when I go to bed. If that made any sense.

I was halfway out of the door when Rich grabbed my arm and back me into it.

"Call me later?"

"Yes sir"

"Thanks again sweets," he kissed my lips a few times and walked me to my car.

**********

I pulled up to my house and took a deep breath. I know I was about to get an earful from mommy and daddy both. I personally didn't know what the big deal was, but then again I wasn't raised like this. I hate the fact that they act like they weren't young once. I don't know about mommy, but I know for a fact that daddy was a ladies' man in his day, so me dealing with one guy- just one... Shouldn't be this hard to deal with.

I walked up, unlocked the door and went inside. My daddy came outside of his home office and looked at me. I kept waiting for him to say something...anything.

"Steph... I trusted you" he said looking at me like he knew what Rich and I had done. I felt like just a random jump off from the street the way he was staring at me.

"Dad I-"

"Good night" he started for the the stairs, leaving me standing at the door by myself.

It tore me apart to hear him say that, and look at me that way. He had to know that one day I would "grow up". By the same token I was angry. Daddy always told me he would never judge me, even if I made wrong choices. I used to be able to go to him about everything, but the moment he found out about Rich that changed. And after tonight, our relationship took a turn for the worst. He barely even looks at me, we never have real conversations , and when I come into the room he leaves shortly after. Clearly we're back at square one. I talked to mommy about it, she said he'd come around sooner or later, That he was just in one of his moods. I talked to my brother Stephon, he told me not to worry myself about it. He said when dad found out about him and Anise in high school, he threatened to put him out. I even talked to Rich. He offered to talk to him but that wouldn't do any good. So after a couple weeks passed I said forget it.

*********

"You okay sweets" Rich asked rubbing my back while I brushed my teeth. I'd just puked my guts out for the third time this morning.

I've been stressing myself out for the past couple months over my dad and school, and I guess it's all catching up to me. Thankfully the semester is over and we'll my dad? Whatever. I'm still think about taking a couple of courses over the summer but Rich thinks I should slow it down.

"I'm fine" I replied as he placed a cold towel on the back of my neck.

"Go lay down. I'll fix you some ginger ale and soup."

"Where's Skye?" I asked

She's been living with Rich now since school ended. He's talking about filing for full custody because the bum bitch up and decide she wanted to be an escort. Skye talks about all types of men coming in and out of her house. Poor baby thinks she's got twelve new uncles. Rich and her mom have been battling hard and it's starting to piss me off. He works hard to support both of them and she still finds a way to work his nerves. Plus, he spends just a little too much time over there for my liking. She can play the whore for as many men as she likes, but not mine.

"Playing in the living room. She wanted to come talk to you, but I told her you needed to rest."

"She's fine Rich, don't do my baby like that" I laughed

A few second later she came in the room and jumped on the bed with her baby doll.

"Quanni!"

"Hey mama, I missed you!"

"I missed me too" she grinned.

I couldn't help but to laugh. She was so cute and innocent. Since we first met I would take her out with me on Saturdays to get out hair and nails done. She loved it, but we hadn't done it in awhile, so it's a must that we get back on track.

"Here you go sweets, this should help"

He placed a tray in front of me with chicken soup, ginger ale and crackers. My baby was so sweet. I took a few bites and sat it to the side.

"Baby go pick out something to wear for today while I talk to Quanni okay?"

"Anything?"

"Sure, I'll be there in a sec" he said rubbing the top of her head before she ran into the direction of her room.

He put the tray on the dresser before he got in bead and wrapped his arms around me. I couldn't exactly rad his face, but I knew he had something he wanted to say. Lord knows I couldn't take too much more so I hope it's nothing major.

"What wrong?" I asked stroking the side of his face.

When he didn't respond I sat up and looked at him.

"Rich?"

"There's something I think you should know."

Here we go.

"Just spit it out" I sighed looking down at he floor. It was obviously gonna be something I wasn't happy about. I swear if he tells me he's rethinking us, I'll punch him right in the mouth.

"The condom ripped" he mumbled looking off the other direction.

"Come again?"

"It ripped Quanni... I think you may be pregnant"

"Dammit Rich," I shouted getting up from the bed to find my shoes.

"You don't think that's something I may have wanted to know before now?" I asked looking at him in disbelief.

"I- I thought you were gonna think it was on purpose"

"Stop pinpointing my fuckin reactions and let me think for myself" I snapped.

He looked so scared. It was halfway funny but I was too mad to laugh right now. What's wrong with him? Am I that mean?

"I can't believe you..."

"It's not my fault Steph" he said calmy clenching his jaw.

"But you didn't say anything. This could have been avoided" I said glaring at him.

I grabbed my purse and keys to leave and he stood in the doorway.

"You can't walk out every time something happens sweets..." He said looking into my eyes.

"Watch me"

I pushed him out of the way and left without another word.

*******

Instead of going straight home, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a pregnancy test. I don't know what I was upset about the most, the fact that Rich didn't tell me about the condom, or the fact that I had already suspected I was pregnant anyway. My cycle had been irregular these two months. I only had a couple days of spotting so I knew something was up. I just wanted to push pregnancy out of my mind.

I got home and ran straight up stairs. I followed the directions in the box and sat on the toilet waiting anxiously. When the timer went off on my phone my heart skipped a beat. I turned the stick over and tears began to freely flow as I saw 'Pregnant 😊'

I looked in the mirror and my eyes went immediately to my stomach. There was another person growing inside of me. As beautiful as it sounded, it felt completely wrong.

"Quanni your mom wants you to help wit-" My dad was saying before he froze in his tracks.

I jumped and dropped the test on the floor right in front of him. He looked at me, then down to the floor. He shook his head then turned to leave, but not before he punched as big beautiful hole in the wall of my room.

" I knew it" he yelled, with his hands on his head.

"What's going on in here?" My mom asked rushing into my room. Looking back and forth from my dad to me.

"She's pregnant Lauhren"

"Quanni you didn't" she gasped

I turned my head as the tears fell. I didn't know that to say so I kept quiet.

"Stupid!" My dad yelled as he left my room.

"Stephon wait" my mama called

She walked over to me and grabbed my hands. I looked up at her.

"I'm sorry mom" I cried in her shoulder as she rubbed my stomach.

"Hush baby, it happens. You're not the first and you won't be the last, I should know"

I picked up my head and looked at her in shock.

"What?"

She just gave me a look, and that was all the answer I needed. Her getting pregnant with my brother shortly after their marriage was all a lie. Here I was feeling like the worst thing in the world, and my mom and dad had done the same thing. Which explains why he'd been acting completely out of character. He saw me making the same mistake. I just couldn't deal with all this. First Rich, then mom and dad, I just needed be by myself to clear my head.

I walked to the lake in our neighborhood and watched the sun set. I thought about my grandma Stephanie. She would know exactly what to say and do right now, and beating my ass would definitely be involved. I laughed to myself because I knew it was definitely true. I stayed out on the lake for another hour and thought and prayed.

"Lord,

I know even you must be pretty

disappointed in me right now. I don't know where I went wrong. I can't blame Rich because I played a huge part in this too. I'm sorry. Could you please just help me? I know my life just completely changed. Help me to mend every broken relationship, because I can't do this on my own. Every one including ours. I never imagined bringing a child into the world this way, but since I am. I pray that you guide me to be the best mother I can be. Thank you, Amen.

I went back home because I was getting hungry. I guess my appetite was finally coming back. As soon as I shut the front door my dad called my name.

I headed to his office, went in a sat down by the window. I knew he was looking at me, but I couldn't look back. I was too embarrassed and angry at him. I couldn't believe he had kept that secret from me.

"Steph, I'm sorry. I really haven't been good father to you lately. You kept reaching out to me and I kept pushing you away. I feel like this is kind of my fault."

I looked at him and he had tears in his eyes.

"Dad, why did you lie about when mom got pregnant?" I looked, waiting for an answer.

He shook his head before talking

"I didn't want you or your brother to think what we did was okay. I never meant to get her pregnant, it kind of just happened. I was gonna marry your mom anyway, but when I found out she was carrying my seed, I married her as soon as I could. I just didn't want you all to think of us any different"

"Why is everybody so gung-ho about the way I think?"

"It's not fair dictate the way I react to life. You're my mom and dad, and you'll always be. I don't care how we got here, but I care that you guys lied. It's life dad..."

"I know baby, I really am sorry" he said getting up to sit closer to me.

"Can we just move on from here? I miss my baby girl" he asked reaching out for a hug

I jumped up and ran into his lap.

"I miss you too daddy. I'm sorry" I said crying again

"It's okay baby, now stop all this crying. Save some for my grand baby" he smiled looking at my stomach

"What's the church gonna say?" I looked up nervously

"You let me handle that. These people are not flawless, so nothing will be said. Unless they need to be remind of a few things. Besides baby girl, the sin was in the sex, not what's growing inside you." He smiled and rubbed my stomach.

"I love you dad"

"I love you too baby girl."

*************

"Hello?" Rich said into the phone

"Hi"

It's been three days since I've talked to him or seen him, and it wasn't for his lack of trying either. I just wanted to be in the right head space before I said anything I would regret.

"How you been?" He asked genuinely.

"Fine. Listen, I'm sorry for shutting you out, that wasn't fair."

"You don't have to apologize" he sighed

I paused for a second before I spoke again.

"Anyway... I have an appointment today at 2 if you want to come." I mumbled.

"Of course I'm coming Quanni"

I smiled. He was right, I knew he'd come but I still wanted to hear him say it.

"Well I'll see you later" I said getting ready to hang up.

"Wait. You can't talk to your man anymore?"

"Sorry"

"Stop apologizing." He laughed

"Sor- ugh whatever" I laughed at myself.

"Skye misses you" he said softly

"Tell my baby I miss and love her too" I smiled into the phone.

"I miss you too." He answered

"I know, I don't know what I was thinking." I said honestly.

"It's fine. You just had a lot to figure out."

"Right"

"I love you Quanni"

That was just what I needed to hear.

"I love you too"

I gave him the directions before hanging up and continued getting dressed. It was June, and nice and warm out so I decided on a plain white tank top, my gray love sweat capris and pink, gray and white Jordans. I put my hair up in a high messy bun and put on some mascara.

I got into my car and headed to Chic Fil A to pick up something quick before my appointment. I was pulling out of the drive thru when my phone started ringing. I connected it with my radio and picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Peanut" my brothers voice rang out through the speakers.

"What's up big head" I smiled

I hadn't talked to him in a few days either. I'm sure he knew already but I was avoiding having to tell him.

"Well, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were ignoring me. Now is that any way to treat your brother?"

"Now why would I do that?" I said sheepishly.

"That's what I wanna know" he said. I knew he was smirking. I could hear it in his voice.

"I'm pregnant Stephon" I sighed

"Oh, well that could be it," he laughed

I rolled my eyes. I loved my big brother but he always rubbed it in when he wasn't the one on the line of fire.

"Yea mama and daddy told me after dinner last night. I was just waiting for you to say something. I'm kinda jealous that they knew before I did" he said sounding hurt.

"Well, I wasn't exactly expecting them to find out the way they did" I said pulling into the doctors office.

"Well, as long as you know that you're still my baby sister and I love you. I'm still so proud of you. Not only are you you in your second year of college, but you've already completed your first semester of nursing school, at just 18? You gotta give yourself some credit." He pointed out

"Yea I guess you're right," I agreed turning off my car

"Thanks big bro, you always know what to say. I'm about to head into the doctor's office. Love you"

"Alright, love you too baby girl. Stop stressing and take care of my other little peanut" he said before hanging up.

Ugh I hated that nickname, and now he was about to give it to my baby too. Sad.

I called Rich to see how close he was. He said he was five minutes away so I went ahead and checked in.

"Okay Ms. Cartwright you are definitely pregnant. 10 weeks to be exact"

That's was all I heard before I drifted off into another world. Here it is... I'm about to be somebody's mommy. Oh how I wish I was dreaming, but unfortunately not this time.

You can pick up your prenatal vitamins later on today, and see the receptionist for to schedule your 12 week appointment.

"Oh I'm sorry I forgot to ask... Would you like to see?" She asked putting on her gloves.

I looked over at Rich who had tears in his eyes and told her yes. I've never seen him like this.

She rubbed the cold gel on my stomach and turned on the machine. The minute I heard the heartbeat I cried. Like ugly crocodile tears.

"Oh my goodness" I grabbed Rich's hand. He just looked at me and smiled. I didn't know how to read his reaction but I'm sure he was excited.

The doctor removed the gel, gave me my printouts and left the room to give us some privacy.

"This is so surreal" I said sitting up to look at him.

"I know"

"We're having a baby" I cried.

He walked over and grabbed me from behind. He placed his hands on my stomach and kissed my cheek.

"My baby" he said looking and rubbing my stomach.

I looked at him and finally realized his emotion. I was giving him his first blood child, no questions about it.

I grabbed him in a hug and kisses his lips. When I first found out I was pregnant I was terrified, but now I was happy knowing I'd be giving birth in 6 and a half months to a beautiful baby girl or boy with the love of my life...

After leaving the doctor's office we went to the grocery store to pick out something to cook for dinner tonight. I carried the list and picked out everything while Rich pushed the basket and watched.

We were having homemade country fried steak, grilled asparagus, and breadsticks.? I also noticed that all the junk foods I put in the basket kept disappearing. I threw in a bag of family size Doritos and he took them right back out.

"Will you stop that?" I laughed trying to take them back from him.

"You don't need all this" he said holding them up in the air so I couldn't reach them.

"Yes I do" I jumped up with no success

"You not gone be feeding my baby this junk all through your pregnancy" he fussed finally giving in when he saw me pouting.

"Thank you" I smiled hugging him

He lifted my chin and gave me three pecks on the lips.

"Well ain't this a sight for sore eyes" I heard a familiar voice say.

I turned to see a tall dark skinned lady who looked to be about thirty. She was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and an old white oversized t shirt and some flip flops. A bum bitch.

"Trice, gone on about your business" Rich said with his jaw clenching.

So this is the infamous LaTrice. The low down dirty female who played him and pinned another nigga's child on him... His own flesh and blood. I just looked at her, laughed, and shook my head. Oh but best believe I was heated.

"This is a public place. I have the right to be here, right Mr. Lawyer man?" She folded her arms

"I'm tryna tell you girl" he warned looking down at me. He knows my attitude oh so well.

"So this the young female that's got you smelling your piss. Really man? She don't look a day over twelve. That'll never work." She laughed

"Aye I'm good. Watch yourself" I glared putting my purse down discreetly behind Rich's back.

"Was I speaking to you? Bitch, I didn't think so. Know your place." She walked up closer.

She was about to say something else before I took my right hand and dotted her right in the mouth. She fell into a shelf of drinks and onto the floor.

"Speak on that Bitch" I stepped over her and walked out of the store.

A few minutes later Rich came out of the store carrying the bags and my purse. I forgot he was even with me. I just wanted to get out of the store before anyone noticed what happened.

As soon as he got in and shit the door he slapped my thigh.

"Ouch, what was that for?"

"You know why. Why'd you do that? What if she had got back up to fight you. Did you forget you're pregnant" he looked disappointed.

I honestly hadn't thought about it that way. Even though I knew for sure she wouldn't be getting back up, it was selfish of me to retaliate that way. It was time for me to stop reacting off of my own emotions and consider the baby now.

"You're right, I'm sorry" I looked out of the window. I was crying before I knew it.

"It's okay sweets don't cry. Just don't let it happen again." He said wiping away my tears.

"She started it... Bum bitch" I rolled my eyes.

He laughed for at least five minutes before he spoke again.

"You are somethin else" he shook his head pulling out onto the freeway.

We picked Skye up from the day camp and went back to his place and got started on dinner. I let Skye help me crack the eggs for the steak breading because she kept pouting. Kinda like I do when I don't get my way, it as cute.

"I'm a big girl" she smiled

"Yes, daddy's big girl. You'll make a great big sister one day" he said looking over at me.

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