-the next day
Mariah

I stretched and yawned as Dorian came out the bathroom "Are you supposed to be walking around by yourself?"

"Yeah I'm good." He limped to his bed "A nigga couldn't get no sleep anyway wit' you snoring and shit."

I light gasped as I took the blanket off and sat up "I was not."

"Shittin' me. Yo' ass sounded like mama, papa, and baby bear." He chuckled

"Shut up." I laughed, walking to the bathroom

I peed then did a hospital version of my morning routine to freshen myself up.

The thought of me possibly being pregnant was still fresh in my mind. Dorian is the only person I've had sex with.
How the hell am I gonna' explain that to Tyler?

"I'm gonna go get Sky from yo' mom's." I said as I exited the bathroom

"Aye, can you drop me off at home?" He was gathering his belongings

"You haven't been discharged" I stated with confusion

He fanned me off "Girl you know I don't care 'bout all'lat."

"No D, I really think you need to stay. Ok? That bullet was 1 inch away from a main artery, you need to chill."

He sucked his teeth "I'm good Ry."

"If not for yourself, do it for Sky."

Yes I use his child against him, but for a good reason. Dorian is hardheaded and stubborn. If nobody can change his mind, Skylar can in an instant.

He sat on the edge of the bed, contemplating "And lil' Dorian Jr." He pulled me to him and rubbed my flat stomach

"Jr?" I scrunched my nose

"Yeah, 'dis one gone be a boy."

"Boy, move." I playfully pushed him

He hissed and grabbed his shoulder "Damn Ry."

"Sorry, sorry." I rushed to his aid

He started laughing "I'm just fuckin' wit' you."

"I don't like you." I scoffed, going to grab my purse

"Can you bring Sky back? I miss my lil' princess."

"Sure."

"And some food. This hospital shit ain't it." He got back into bed

"Anything else Massa Dorian?"

He smirked "Some head would be nice..."

"Goodbye" I rolled my eyes, leaving out the room

*

"Dada!" Skylar ran over to Dorian's bed soon as we entered his room

"Princess." He put his phone down and picked her up

She cuddled into his chest as they shared a warm hug. I smiled watching them as I sat his Chic-fil-a on the table.

"I also stopped by your place and got you some deodorant and extra clothes."

"Thanks baby." He switched Skylar to his side that wasn't wounded

I raised an eyebrow at him in pure confusion. "Baby?"

"My bad, that's the painkillers talking." He innocently grinned

"Mhm. Speaking of babies..." I sighed "I picked up a test on my way home and I'm not pregnant."

"Damn..." he sat back, looking disappointed "You sure?"

"Yes Dorian." I chuckled "I'm probably just late"

"I was looking forward to us having another lil' one." He tickled Skylar

"Boy, not with me in a whole 'nother relationship."

He covered Skylar's ears "Fuck that nigga."

"Hush and eat this food before it gets cold." I squirted some sanitizer in Skylar's hands

"A'ight, a'ight."

"Fwen' fry." She pointed as I approached her with her food

"Yeah. You gonna' eat with daddy?"

She playfully grinned before picking up her fry and going to work. My baby love her some French fries.
Dorian and her began eating together and he turned to cartoons.

"How you feeling?" I asked, getting my food out of the bag

He opened his box "I'm good, you know 'dis ain't nothing to me." He shrugged

"Yeah but it's something to me, D. What if one day it's not just a bullet wound?"

"Don't think like that. Everything gone' be a'ight." He sipped his Arnold Palmer

I sucked my teeth "Yeah, but what if one day it's not, huh?"

"Can we not talk about this right now?" He looked down at Skylar

I sighed and dropped it for the sake of Skylar.

"Wassup family." Tim came in the room, followed by Omari

"Yoo." Dorian gave a head nod

"Hey lil' Sky." Tim and Omari greeted her as she waved

"Big Sky." She said before picking up another fry

"Period baby." I smiled brightly

They all chuckled and shook their heads, knowing I'd taught her how to say that.

Omari sat down beside me "How you feelin' nigga?" he asked while digging in my bag

I popped his hand "You ain't put in on this, man."

"Ouch Ry" he flinched "Lemme just get a fry."

I pursed my lips and handed him two fries.

"I'm good. What's the word on dude and 'nem?" Dorian helped Sky open her second sauce

"We saw them niggas out having a party last night, celebrating on a yacht. They actually think they killed you." Tim said

"Wit' they lame ass aim?" He cackled "They oughta be ashamed."

I cleared my throat and eyed them, letting them know to watch their language.

"My bad."  They replied in unison

"We gone' talk more later." Dorian said to them

"So when you get discharged?" Omari asked

"I don't even know, hopefully soon. I can't stand sitting still 'dis long."

"Maybe you need to chill sometime." I said

"Uh-oh." Omari instigated

"Don't start Mariah." Dorian said

I pursed my lips, feeling my phone ringing in my pocket.

"Whatever. I gotta call." I announced before I got up and walked into the hall

"Hello?" I answered

"Hey beautiful. I've been calling and texting, everything ok?"

"Yeah, my bad I've just been busy."

"Oh, ok...so what happened last night?"

"Oh uhm, Dorian's mom wasn't feeling too well so I had to go pick up Skylar." I lied

Of course I couldn't tell him my baby daddy got shot and I went to be with him. Not to mention I had a brief pregnancy scare thinking I was pregnant with my baby daddy's child.

"Oh ok, ok. I'm gonna' bring you lunch today, what you want to eat?"

"I'm pretty busy today. I'll-" I watched the doctor go into Dorian's room "I'll talk to you later." I said before hanging up

I followed behind the doctor while putting my phone back in my pocket.

"So we've scheduled your follow up appointments." He explained to Dorian, handing him a paper with the information

"I'm tellin' you Doc, I don't need no-"

"I'll make sure he goes." I interrupted, taking the paperwork

"Thank you." The doctor gave me a nod of appreciation "You should be able to go home tomorrow morning Mr. Jones."

"A'ight. 'Preciate it." Dorian replied

Once the doctor left out, I put the paper in my purse. "You going to them appointments."

He sucked his teeth "I'm not a child Ry."

"You sure about that?" I furrowed my eyebrows

"Aye man we finna' head ova' to the warehouses and make sure everything moving smooth." Omari stood up

Tim and him said their goodbyes and left. There was a comfortable silence as Skylar watched cartoons and Dorian tuned in with her.

"Thank you for being here." He said out of nowhere

"No problem, stubborn." I smiled

-Carlisha ❤️