Raquel's POV

I sit at this steel table with steel seats and a thin sheet they call scrubs. It's cold in here, it smells in here, it's very depressing being in here. All my life I've been doing illegal things but the one time it wasn't my fault, I end up in here. A place I wish to never return once my days are up. I have no one to call and definitely don't have the money for bail. I guess I'll just have to wing this shit out. Moments later, then guards told me I was free to go. Someone bailed me out and I know it wasn't De'Mario. I was handcuffed and walked to the front. Since I came here naked, the person who came for me brought clothes for me.

Approaching the outside world, I become face to face to a woman I never met but I knew of very well. Despite her boyish looks and very short height, I can say she is one of the most respected Asian mob lords today. Why she rescuing me from my distress? I'm sure I'd get my answer pretty soon. All suited up in the same attire she brought for me to wear, she stood in an boss stance. Although she only reached 4 feet and 11 inches off the ground, she managed to intimidate me by giving a firm look. She directed me out the doors as she followed behind. I was lured by an asian man in a black suit into a black Lexus with tinted windows. No words were exchanged throughout the whole car ride, but I already knew what was up when I noticed a familiar feature in the woman's face. She looks like someone that I used to know... Someone who wants me dead... My husband. I frowned at the discovery and my stomach churned. Who knows what may happen next? The woman noticed i was feeling a little uneasy and she chuckled. Her laugh only made me more sick, it had Israel written all over it.

Woman : "Relax.." she chuckled. "We're not gonna hurt you. We've could've done that from inside the county." She assured me that she is very powerful, which is true. I eased up a little bit because if she says she's not gonna hurt me, then she's not. "But, get comfortable. We're going to be driving for a while."

De'Maria's POV:

Moments after I stormed into my room and buried my body into my covers of my bed as I drowned my pillow with tears, I heard a knock at my bedroom door. I was too upset to invite whoever it was at my door into my room, so I just sniffled and let silent tears fall. Eventually, my door opened with the force of Shawny's hands. She shut the door behind her as she entered my room and took light steps to the edge of the bed. She sat next to my feet as she began taking off my shoes and slipped off her sandals before climbing onto the bed. She sat indian style next to me with one hand on her belly and the other on my back. She stroked the hairs that I curled this morning that eventually fell becoming wavy. She let me calm down and didn't speak a word until I was breathing correctly again. It soothes me how understanding she is when it comes to me. It's like we have a connection and she just knows. I love the bond we have because I don't even have friends like her. I wish she knew how much I appreciate her, if only dad felt the same about her..

Shawny : "Princess, tell me what happened." She demanded, causing me to sit up and wipe my eyes. I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them as I sniffle up my pain. Shawny moved my bangs out of my face kissed my forehead before she let out a little chuckle. "First fight with Tee, huh?" she asked. I wonder what gave it away. I nodded and she rubbed my back. "I knew this was something serious between you two."

Me : "Howcome you say that?" I asked while furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. My red and puffy eyes came in contact with her smile that slowly decreased. She now held her belly with both hands and rubbed it stressfully in circles. She dropped her head a little before she picked it back up swiftly as if someone told her to. I don't think she realized that she did it but she I did. Taking a deep breath, she began to speak. I can't believe how different her voice sounds now. I feel like i just hit a soft spot just by feeling her vibe.

Shawny : "I say that because you'd be upset rather than sad right now." She replied. "So, what happened?"

Me : "He doesn't like me anymore.." I admitted as I glanced at Shawny's necklace that hung around her neck as it did when I was a little girl. Many things about her right now made me wonder. Like the fact that she doesnt have make up on that scar on her face that she covers up every day.

Shawny : "I doubt that, he's just upset. Whatever led to your argument, I'm sure he forgot about by now."She said nonchalantly.

Me : "Mom, are you okay?" I asked as I rubbed her arm. She nodded and pat my hand but I knew she was lying.

Shawny : "I have alot on my mind right now, I'm sorry." She apologized. "How do you feel about him in three words?"

Me : "I..don't know.." I looked away towards the door. We both know what I wanted to say but I haven't been in enough relationships to understand this feeling. I really don't want to look like a fool. Shawny laughed a little and rubbed my back.

Shawny : "It's okay to say you love him.. As long as you don't forget who you are without him." She stated as she looked sternly at me. I felt a wave in her voice a little, meaning she was serious about what she said. A tension began to grow inside of the room and I notice her eyes were watering. "You're a vry lucky girl, you know that?"

Me : "How so?" I questioned.

Shawny : "Most girls don't find love the first time around.." she sighed an looked at her belly. "Some of us cant see it, feel it, nor comprehend it. Some just.. let it slip right through our fingers.."

Me : "By our, you mean dad and yours?" I asked impulslivly. She glanced at me for the slightest moment but I lie to you not that, that one glance told so many painful stories in one. The of sorrow in her eyes were so powerful that I began to tear up as she did. She wiped her tears as quick as they came but she turned her body away from me so I could'nt see her face. She began taking deep breaths as her hands gripped her kneecaps. I never meant to hit a nerve, I just really need to know. "I'm sorry mom I-"

Shawny : "Yes, I mean us.." she said with a shaky voice. "Don't follow our footsteps..Love when you feel you need to. Cry when you know you have to. Laugh even when you know its hard to. But, never forget how to live if he moves on without you. Promise me that."

Me : "I promise." I nodded. She gripped the covers and turned to look at me with glistening eyes.

Shawny : "We fell for each other too young and too fast. We did things that will be impossible to erase from our memories and been through hell and heaven. We were all each other knew and that's why we'd always end up back together. But it got to a point where I loved him so much that whenever I was without him, I'd forget who I am. I would question myself andnot only did I not want to move on but I couldnt as if ut was just impossible... Love with open eyes, princess. Don't let any man fool you into thinking that you need him to breathe.Because once you have that mindset, he can control. Or worse.. you'll never get over him. And, whenever he brakes you, you'll never heal. You will always hurt. Why? Because, there is a thin line between love & hate. When the balance between the two become equal, you have chaos, pain, and confusion." She explained. Her words made me open my eyes because now I understand that even true love can be pure resentment at the same time. Her phone began to ring and she struggle to reach for it. So, I grabbed it and answered for her.

Me : "Hello? Maria speaking." I only felt comfortable answering because its my grandma.

Grandma : "Put your momma on the phone please, sweetie." She said in a groggy tone. Something's wrong.. I felt it.. I passed the phone to Shawny and it wasn't long before I noticed she caught the same vibe.

Me : "What's wrong? what happened?" I asked concerningly. She ignored everything I said and got off the bed, putting on her sandals.

Shawny : "I'll be back later. Call Terrence and tell that boy to come talk to you, I can even drop you off." she said as she walked to the door. I raised my right eyebrow and looked at her once I realized this isn't the first time she's said that to me.

Me : "Why can't Andre just watch me? I don't Terrence here all the time." I asked with an attitude.

Shawny : "Because I don't want you here with Andre by yourself.Don't question me." she scolded me.

Me : "Why not? It's not like my dad is here to do his job." I mumbled. She glared at me and sucked her teeth and chuckled a little.

Shawny : "Your dad wants to be here, we left him, remember?" she replied before walking out of the room and leaving me in deep thought. Let's just say, I should think before I speak next time.

De'Shawn's POV

No matter where I am, what time it is, who I'm talking to, or what terms we are on. If something is wrong with De'Mario, I'm there by his side no matter what. I would'nt know what I'd do if I let him leave this earth without knowing that I still love him... Walking down the hall to his hospital room, I block out my surroundings. A nurse opened the door for me as I walked into the room where my parents sat next to the bed. D is unconcious and currently is under alot of pain meds. Nurses say he'll be resting for the next 24 hours because of high dosage of meds. It pains me to see him like this and I'm trying my hardest to hold my composure. I haven't said a word and nor am I listening to anyone besides the nurses. I managed waddle next to the bed and grab ahold of his cold right hand. My dad pulled a chair up and held me sit down. He kissed my forehead and rubbed my back as I examine my ex husband. Tears slowly roll down my face, causing to close my eyes. Lifting his hand, I press my lips against his knuckles. Hoping he would feel it, kinda hoping it'll make him feel a little better. He failed to show any sign of a response to my touch but that was okay. I still feel his heart beat and that's enough for me.

Me : "Can I get a moment alone with him, please?" I asked. My mom gave me a hug before leaving out of the room with my dad. I sighed softly to released some of my worries. With his hand conjoined with my, I reminesce. Back when we were madly in love. Back when I would cry at night for this man to come to his senses. When I couldn't imagine myself breathing without him. Time, life, and shit happens on a daily basis. Whether we want it to or not. Neither does it care if we're ready. I used to hope that I found love one day. Now, I'm desperate for it to find me... I feel a twitch in De'mario's hand and it caused a little happiness in me to sprout. "Hey.. It's me.. Can you hear me?" I asked hopelessly. He squeezed my hand and open his eyes slightly. Given he can't move at the moment and sure as hell is high as a kite, this is probably the only way he can communicate with me. "That's good. I want you to do that twice for no. Okay?" he squeezed my hand to show his understanding. I sniffled and kissed his hand once again. I'm trying my hardest not to burst out in tears. I have no clue why I've been so damn emotional lately but right now is like trying to hold your piss. " I remember I was a teenager and I met you at the mall.." I chuckled to myself. "My god that was the worst way to meet but I loved how you found out where I lived and apologized.. I'll never forget it.." Tears formed in my eyes and they began to fall. I didn't bother wipe them this time because I didnt want to let go of his hand. "We been through soo much shit man.. We were kids, now I'm a grown ass woman and still find myself by your side. You've hurt me more than a woman can accept and look where I am the moment I find out that the man that I used to breathe for is in pain.You know that I love you,right? No, do you know why?" I pushed deeper into the question. He squeezed my hand tightly twice but he held it the second time. Without hesitation, I stood up and placed the palm of his hand against my belly. My baby boy was moving freely and his daddy got to feel him kick for the first time. A tear fell from his eye and his breathing quickened. I wiped his face and kissed his forehead before sitting back down. "You've brought me many blessings. More than anyone I've known in life. Nobody can ever take that from you, no matter how much you hurt me. You will forever be my children's father. You will always be my husband. You will be my first love til the day that I decide to rest. That can never be taken from you. I love you for ever giving me the chance to experiencing them. You've got some growing to do, but all I want is the man that I used to know. The man I fell in love with knew how to fix this empty space." Just when I finished talking, Raquel decided to walk into the room and interrupt me.

Raquel : "Can I speak to him for a quick moment?" She asked. She looked shocked and had tissue in her hand to wipe her tears as she sniffled. I nodded and was about to move when D squeezed my hand twice before I was about to let go. I struggled to remove my hand from his because his hand clenched tighter the more I pulled away. "Is he okay?"

Me :"Yeah, he's fine.." I lied before leaning in and kissing his cheek just to whisper in his hear. "I'll be watching from the window."

De'Mario's POV

Watching from the window? Watching from the window?! What the fuck can you do from the window? Especially you being pregnant and all. I don't like this paralysis shit. I cant even open my eyes all the way. One thing you do not do is leave a man that can't move or speak in a room alone with a psycho bitch. Any female that will visit a nigga in the hospital after he threatened to kill her and then put her out his house without clothes on is completely out of her damn mind. In other words, now is a great time to get pay back and I'm not stupid. I tried to watch Shawny leave but my eyes keep falling weak. I just gave up and let them close once I heard the door shut... then it locked. Ain't this some shit?