C H A P T E R
F O R T Y - F O U R

Walking inside his condo, Ahmad looked to see Amira in the kitchen cooking. This was one of the perks he liked about her moving in since she loved to cook just like their mama so a hot meal was something he always came home too.

"Sup ugly," He greeted mushing her head then went over to the fridge to grab something to drink.

"Hey, I'm almost done." She stated plainly which only made Ahmad frown since he knew Amira like the back of his hand. She would usually crack back on him but instead she didn't. He watched her body language sensing something was off and as her big brother he had to make sure she was good. "What's up with you?" He asked taking a seat at the bar.

Flipping the last chicken fajita and beef quesdilla, she turned the burner down made their plates then took a seat beside him. "Boyfriend troubles,"

"Talk to me,"

"If I tell you this, please don't get mad.."

"I'm not making any promises but get to talking."

She sighed, "I really love Twan, and I know I'm young Ahmad and you may think I don't know anything about love but I really do feel that what we feel for each other is love .." She started off but that only confused Ahmad since she said she was having boyfriend troubles but instead of saying anything, he let her continue.

"...and because I love him, I had sex with him." She mumbled feeling a wave of relief come off her shoulders since it was something she has been holding this secret in for a while now but now things were getting serious and she felt Ahmad was a good person to come too.

"Is he acting funny or something? Like what's up? You stalling and I'm tryna get the whole point of this story you telling me."

Pushing her plate away, she just shook her head. "He's going to this party tonight and he didn't even tell me about it. I heard about the party but usually he tells me if he's going or not and we've been talking like all day and I even asked him what he had planned for later today and he just lied and said he would be home .. I'm not trying to overthink the situation but the situation is suspect, he's not telling me because he doesn't want me there so it just lets me believe that he's up to no good and I feel stupid for trusting him and giving him something that means a lot to me, cause if someone can easily lie about that .. its a million other things he could be lying about."

Ahmad nodded, was he mad that his little sister was out here having sex? Beyond, but he had to remember that he was once young and in love before. So the last thing he wanted to do was jump on her when she's already feeling down.

"I'm not happy that you're having sex but don't be too hard on yourself. We were all young before and did dumb shit .. yeah the regret and stupidity you feel in the moment sucks but its only temporary. Now look, I don't know much about Twan only know a few things from what you have told me. You say you heard he was going to this party, not saying he is lying but he could also be telling the truth like be honest has he ever lied about anything else before?" She shook her head no, "Okay then why are you so quick to believe what someone else says .. if you really want to know the truth just ask about the party, you making yourself mad when you not even sure who telling the truth yet. All this moping over nothing and not knowing if the rumor is one-hundred percent sure true is stupid, find out the facts first."

She nodded, "You're right, but what if I found out he's lying? and then find out that he's cheating on me.. what do I do then?"

"Come to me and I'll beat his ass. Simple." He shrugged taking a bite out of his food.

She laughed, "I'm serious bubba,"

Looking over at her, he sat his drink down. "If you find out he is cheating, do not let the heartbreak control you. Don't be like me and shut everyone out because of what one person did. Always remember that at the end of the day, they messed up not you, they lost out on something good not you. Look at it like you won, you got rid of something you didn't even need and just continue to love, I don't like having these conversations especially with my little sister since I wish you could just stay young forever but if Twan isn't your match, always know that the person for you is out there somewhere. Everybody has somebody in the world made perfectly for them and one day you'll find em." He told her and she nodded giving him a hug which he gladly gave back.

"Thanks bubba," Kissing his cheek, she wiped the lip gloss she left on it before turning back to her food.

"You're welcome, but are you sure that's all that is bothering you?" He asked.

A million things ran through her mind, but she only smiled. "I'm good, I just needed that talk."

"Alright, well I'm always here for you remember that."

"I know,"

"Good, well I'm going to Cali's tonight so I won't be home." He told her getting up to throw away his plate.

"You must really like her don't you?"

Turning to face her, he chuckled a little. "Why you say that?"

She shrugged, "I mean you've been going over her house almost everyday and when you guys aren't together y'all talk on the phone for hours and hours .. and I know you, you don't do this with females so she must be special."

"I'll admit, I like her but right now we just chilling and getting to know each other ..it ain't that serious between us."

"Do you think things will get serious between you guys?"

Washing off the counter and cleaning the sink then stacking the dishes, he just simply shrugged. "I don't know, it could. We share a lot of the same interests. She's funny, beautiful and easy to talk too and we just sorta click real well but only time will tell if its meant to be for us."

Amira smiled geniunely happy for her brother. "I have a gut feeling she is the one, and for the record .. I will be in the wedding, and I want to name your first child .. if its a girl her name should be Armoni because the name is just cute, and if its a boy Adrian cause I don't know I just like the name .. keep the A names going since thats what mama and daddy did."

He nodded laughing, "Slow down, you talking about stuff that might happen years from now, plus how are you so sure she is the one? What if its someone else?"

"I'm telling you, I just have a feeling that she has been the girl you've been needing. You know we both have that thing were we can kinda read people, well that time she was over here, I just checked her out and everything about her just seemed authentic, and geniune. Unlike Chanel ass, I knew from day one she was trash."

"How come you ain't say shit then?"

She laughed standing to her feet, "I did, you didn't want to listen because you were so in loveee but all that matters now is that she is out the picture and Cali is now here to be the woman you need." Sighing in content, she held her hand to her ear swaying to a nonexistent beat. "I can hear the church bells now," She joked bumping pass him.

Shaking his head, he kissed her forehead laughing. "You something else, but I'm finna get ready for tonight."

When he disappeared down the hall, Amira smiled to herself. She hoped Cali was indeed the woman for him, she felt in her heart that Ahmad couldn't take no more hurt and she knew Cali would be there at his time of need and that was something Ahmad needed.

But now her focus was on getting to this party without getting caught, and confronting Twan about his lies and to open up about something else she has been dealing with.

Descending down the stairs to see what was the noise he was hearing. He yawned rubbing the sleep out of his eyes to see Cali and Marquette dancing together. It had to be at least seven or eight in the morning, which is when Ahmad usually still sleep in bed.

Promises by Jhene Aiko was the song that was playing, as she held her baby boy in her arms dancing. "My first baby, my first love," She cooed kissing his cheek before letting him down. She woke up very emotional, she walked in her room to see her baby boy playing with his toys and just silently cried at how fast time has flew by.

She remembered when she brung him home, and how little he was in her arms when she would rock him to sleep. She hated the thought of him growing up, she wanted him to stay little forever, she wanted him to stay her mamas baby until the end of time but she knew that was impossible.

She knew soon he would be starting kindergarten, then middle then of course high school and she honestly just wasn't ready for it.

When he got down on his feet, he just hugged her legs and had his hand on her growing belly as he sipped from his sippy cup.

Over the months, Marquette started to become aware that he was about to be an older sibling. And shockingly he was cool with it, he would kiss Cali's belly every night before he went to bed, it was his way of showing his baby sister some love so she wouldn't feel left out. Cali of course always thought the gesture was cute and would cry.

Making his presence known, Ahmad stepped into view smiling. "Good morning,"

Both looking up at the sound of his voice, Marquette walked over to hug Ahmad then pulled his hand dragging him to the kitchen and putting him close to his mama. Wrapping his small arms around their legs he let em know he wanted a group hug.

"Y'all in a good mood, I see." He laughed, lifting him up in his arms.

Cali just smiled, "I just don't want my baby to grow up." She sniffled walking over to the sink.

"Well get ready, Armoni not even here and I'm already not ready for her to grow up." He told her while he tickled Marquette who was having a laughing fit.

"I knoow, just the thought of it makes me feel sad." She chuckled knowing she looked crazy since she was crying.

"Big ass baby, but is Ken mama still picking him up today?"

Cali nodded wiping her eyes, "Yeah she should be pulling up any minute thats why we're up so early. Surprised you're even up to be honest."

"I heard the music and wanted to see what y'all asses was up too but meet me upstairs once he gone." He told her then turned his attention to Marquette kissing his forehead. "Be good at Ken's and you'll get a suprise."

Nodding his head excitedly hugging Ahmad's neck before he was put down then ran over to Cali hugging her leg to watch her make his lunch.

Kissing Cali on the lips, he walked out of the kitchen and back up the stairs to their room. Stripping out of his shirt, he picked up the few clothes that were on the floor throwing them in the laundry basket to straighten up the room.

After making the bed and vaccuming up the room, he walked inside the bathrom cleaning off the counter and putting Cali make-up back in its rightful place. Cali eventually came up there to see he had cleaned and smiled following the sent of fabuloso to see him cleaning out the tub.

"What made you clean?" She asked scaring him a bit.

"It's Saturday, growing up I used to always wake up in the morning and clean whatever that needed to be cleaned." He explained and she gave a simple nod in return. Getting up off his knees, he walked passed her only to earn a smack on the butt from her.

He used to get mad at first when Cali would do that, but now he just let it slide. "I'm finna wash a load, you got anything that needs to be washed?" He asked and she shook her head no.

"Alright, when I'm done putting this load in the washer .. I'll run us a bath to take. I heard you groaning last night and the hot water can sometimes help with the aches." She blushed at how thoughtful he was being today.

Getting comfortable in the bed to wait on him, she laid on her side and rubbed her belly in a soothing motion. Last night she got little to no sleep at all due to having to use the bathroom over a million times and not being able to get comfortable.

Ahmad tried having her cuddle up next to him with her back facing his front and he would massage her lower back area. But it only helped her a little but not much.

Walking back in the room, he walked inside the bathroom turning on the water making sure it was hot then poured epsom salt in the water since he heard that would help as well. Adding bubbles he let the water run then walked back out to help undress her.

Taking off her shirt and the tights she wore, he smirked watching her shift as she tried hiding parts of her body out of insecurity. She was starting to get stretch marks on her hips and belly and she felt they were ugly and she hated when Ahmad would see her naked and saw em.

But Ahmad loved them of course, he felt they only added to her body of art. He never tripped on anything when it came to Cali's body. The weight gain was a plus, and the expand in her hips only made her ass fatter and that was one thing he loved.

He always thought it was a myth that girls get insecure when they are pregnant and sorta made him feel bad that his baby was having doubts about her beauty when she was stunning and drop dead gorgeous, killing every woman in the world with her beautiful smile and eyes.

Leaving her standing there in her undergarments, he turned the water off then felt around to see it was hot and was going to let it cool down first before they got in. Walking back towards her he rubbed his hands up and down the sides of her back pulling her closer to him.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" He asked unhooking her bra letting it fall off her shoulders. She nodded relunctantly not totally postive about what he was saying.

She felt beautiful some days, but not all the time.

"I need that answer to be confident Cal, you know you're beautiful ma'," He stressed leaving kisses on her neck as he slide her panties down to her ankles and letting her step out of em.

Rubbing his index and middle finger over slit, a moan escaped her mouth when he slide the two fingers inside her tight walls and moved them in and out but not once stopping from biting and sucking on her neck which was her hot spot.

Trailing kisses from her neck to her chest and to her stomach, he kissed her stretch marks on her hips then kissed her belly before making direct eye contact with his favorite set of lips.

Placing a gentle kiss upon them, she moaned lightly. Standing up he pushed her gently against the wall shutting their bedroom door and locking it before getting back down on his knees. Raising her left leg placing it on his right shoulder to gain more access.

She simply loved when Ahmad would touch her and have his way with her body. He always did things that simply made her feel beautiful and like the only girl that mattered to him.

As he feasted on her other set of lips, Cali clutched the back of his head moaning loudly. "Fucking beautiful," He groaned sending chills all through her body.

When she came in his mouth, he licked and sucked up all her juices before raising up and kissing her lips deeply. Lifting her up by her legs, he carried her to the bathroom not breaking the kiss sitting her on the counter as he stripped from his clothes.

Helping her down, he walked her over to the tub and let her step in the water. Sitting down she made sure she left enough room for him to get behind her.

Stepping in the water behind her, he leaned back as she rested her back against him. Rubbing circles around her belly, he kissed her shoulder blade as she relaxed against his touch. "Tell me why you don't feel beautiful Cal.."

Sighing, she looked up at him. "I don't know, its like when I look in the mirror .. I know I don't look like the woman you first fell in love with. I'm bigger now, and I'm far from the same person. I just be thinking one day you're gonna wake up and be digusted with me."

"I don't know why you feel that way when time after time, I show you how much mean to me. The day my love for you will ever fade is when hell freezes over, in other words never. I love you Cali and nothing can change that. You are beautiful and I wish you could see your beauty in my eyes, but one day you will. The day I make you my wife and I see you walk down the aisle looking as beautiful as ever, the moment we hold each other hands and we lock eyes, you will see that you are the love of my life, that you are the woman I want to spend eternity with." He told her and she blushed touching his cheek, leaning her head up some she kissed his lips.

"I love you,"

"Do you believe that I love you?"

Staring at him for a minute, she nodded. "Yes,"

Wiping the sweat off her face, Ahmad held Cali's hand as she pushed making it one step closer for them to welcome their baby girl into the world. Catching her breath, he kissed her forehead and hand, "You got this baby, you're doing amazing." He told her and she nodded then groaned when she felt another contraction coming.

"Just like before push on three." The doctor told her.

Pushing on three, she cried from the pain wishing this could be over by now. She had been pushing for two hours straight now and her body was ready to give out but the thought of holding her baby girl and wrapping her up in her arms kept her going.

But after that last push, she couldn't go anymore. "I can't push anymore," She cried breathing heavily. "Cali darling, you have to calm down or you will stress the baby out. Just a few more pushes and your princess will be here in your arms. You can do this Cali, but you have to calm down and control that breathing." The nurse told her and she nodded.

Ahmad gripped her hand tighter just as Chris gripped her other hand letting her know they were there for her and weren't leaving. "We almost done baby, you can do this." Ahmad whispered in her ear and telling her how much he loved her.

When they looked at her monitor and saw her rate was slowing down and going back to normal, everybody in the room smiled grateful that she was calming down so they could proceed.

"Are you ready sweetie?" Her doctor asked and she nodded slowly.

"Alright, next contraction push on three for me."

Push after push, and scream after scream an hour later Armoni Helane Sinclair entered the world healthy and strong seven pounds, twelve ounces crying her little heart out.

After seven more hours of contractions, pain and pushing, Armoni finally entered the world and she had already snatched Ahmad's heart. Both Cali and Ahmad watched as they cleaned her off just waiting to hold her.

Wrapping her up in the blanket, the nurse turned around with a bright smile on her face. "Who wants to hold her first?" She asked and of course Ahmad stepped up with his arms out and ready to take her.

Support her head, he craddled her small body in his arms as her cries soon died down from being in his arms. "Yeah that's right, daddy's here baby girl." He cooed kissing her forehead.

Cali laid in the bed completely exhausted but she couldn't tear her focus away from Ahmad as she smiled watching him hold their daughter. This was the reaction she pictured from him.

"I'll never let anything or anybody hurt you," He mumbled as tears of joy fell from his eyes. The moment she was placed in his arms, she had his heart. He just thought it was crazy at how fast took over his heart. The love he had for her was a different kind of love, and he couldn't explain it he just knew he wanted to give her the world, and love her and take care of her like a little princess.

She looked exactly like Cali but she had his nose, she was simply adorable and as chocolate as she can be which is another thing Ahmad loved. After holding her a little while longer, he handed her off to Cali. Kissing Cali on the lips almost a thousand times. "I love you, and I thank you for going through all of this with me and standing by myside but this.." Pointing at Armoni who was now sleep. "Is the greatest blessing of all and I wouldn't want to share this moment with anybody else."

"I love you too," She said back looking up at him with lazy eyes but you could still see the love in them.

Soon the whole gang entered the room behind Chris ready to see her. "Can I see my grandbaby?" Ashley asked already on the verge of tears.

Handing her over, everybody watched Ashley hold her and talk like a baby to her. Aaron soon walked over grabbing her small hand. "You marked her Cal, she looks nothing like Ahmad black ass." Aaron mumbled causing them to laugh.

"Where's the big brother at?" Ashley asked looking around for him.

When no one saw him, everybody frowned. "Y'all don't know where he is?" Ahmad asked raising up off the bed.

"He was with us when we came in here," Chris explained to him.

Cali tried sitting up growing concerned but Ahmad stopped. "You be still and rest, I'll find him." Kissing her forehead, he left out the room with Marcus, Amir, Aaron and Chris.

Tapping a nurse, they got her attention as she smiled cheerfully. "Yes?"

"Have you seen a little boy wandering around by himself around here?" She nodded then pointed to the waiting room area.

Thanking her, Ahmad walked over to see Marquette sitting in one of the chairs with his head down. Ahmad held his hand up telling them he had it and they nodded leaving him alone and headed back to the room.

"Why you out here by yourself little man?" He asked catching his attention instantly by his voice.

Marquette hopped out of the chair running over to him hugging his legs crying. Lifting him up Ahmad took a seat forcing him to look at him. "Why you crying man?"

He shrugged, of course Marquette knew why he just didn't know how to put it all into words. His fear was that Armoni was going to take all of their attention and they would forget all about him. He was happy he was a big brother, but also sad that it wouldn't just be him anymore.

Ahmad sensed what was wrong and smiled. "You think everyone is going to forget all about you?" He asked and Marquette slowly nodded.

"That could never happen son, we will always love you and your sister just the same and you will always be mommy's first born and her first son so you hold a special place in her heart and in mine."

"I do?"

Ahmad nodded, "You do, plus what's better than being a big brother?"

Marquette smiled, "Nothing," He replied softly as a small blush appeared on his face.

"Exactly, now you're the leader of the household, and you have the responsibility of looking after your sister when mama and daddy can't. She's going to be looking up to you for guidance and love and you have to set a good example .. but how is she going to do that when you're out here?"

He shrugged, "I don' know,"

"She's also sad too, she wants to see her big brother but feels like her big brother doesn't want to see her .. do you want her to be sad?"

He quickly shook his head no, "Then you gotta cheer up, we all don't want to see you sad. We love and care for you just as much as we do for and never forget that okay?"

"Okay,"

"You ready to see your little sister now?"

Smiling widely, he nodded. Standing up Ahmad carried him in his arms walking back to the room. "Here comes the big brother." He announced and everybody clapped and cheered which only made him feel better.

Chris handed Cali Armoni and Ahmad put Marquette in the bed beside her so he could see Armoni up close. "Meet your little sister stink,"

He stared at her for second then rubbed her head softly then smiled when she moved a little. Leaning forward he kissed her forehead then laid his head on his mama shoulder not once taking his eyes off her.

Everybody cooed at the moment and Ashley decided this was perfect for pictures. "Ahmad stand next to Cali so I can get a picture."

Shaking his head, he walked over and bent down some so he was face to face with Cali then smiled for the camera. "Aw look at my baby," Ashley commented getting emotional all over again.

She had been waiting on this moment for Ahmad for the longest, she thought about all those times she preached about him finding love and when she would see him and Cali in a room together she could see that he found it and she couldn't happier for him.

"Call Alisha back on Facetime, remember you had lost connection." Cali told him and he nodded.

Calling her on facetime, she handed Cali the phone then walked over to his pops and brothers who all congratulated him. "How does it feel?" Marcus asked.

"It's different, I can't explain it though." Aaron patted his back understanding, each time Ashley gave birth to his kids the love he had for them all was different, it was just love you could never have with anybody else.

"Proud of you man she is beautiful," Amir complimented. "Me and Justin were even thinking about adopting soon as well after we getting married." He announced proudly.

"Y'all getting married? Congrats nigga. When?" Ahmad asked getting hype as they shared a brotherly hug.

"It's not written in stone yet, he wants to try and reach out to his folks again before he proceeds but he said if they still want nothing to do with him then we'll just get married without them being there but I really want you guys there."

Aaron nodded, "Of course we'll be there front and center."

They all continued talking and laughing while Cali laid in bed with her babies and on facetime with Alisha so she could see Armoni as she watched the door on the low wondering where her mother was.

She knew Chris had told her, but she was just wondering why she never showed up to see her grandbaby be born. Chris noticed the look on her face and knew right away what was bothering her.

He had texted and left a voicemail on his moms phone about Cali going into labor. He hoped she showed up either today or tomorrow or he knew this would only start problems between them again, just when they were getting back on track.

But other than that the day was good, they spent the rest of the evening together as a family taking pictures with Armoni, talking, and cracking jokes until it was time for visitors to go home.

Everyone said their goodbyes and giving hugs and kisses leaving Cali, Ahmad and Marquette alone. They all couldn't fit in the bed, they moved her to a two patient room and pushed the beds together to make one.

Ahmad slept with Armoni sleep on his chest, while Marquette laid right beside him tucked under his right armpit sound asleep. Cali was on his left side awake watching as all three of her babies slept peacefully.

Growing up she imagined the way her life would turn out and never pictures this but she was grateful with the blessing she recieved the day Ahmad entered her life and wouldn't want her life to have turned out any other way.

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ONE more chapter before the Epilogue (:
Thanks for the love & support
- Denise 💋