Not edited. Sorry

"Yes Q, I promise he is on his way home as we speak. He's most likely gonna be an asshole, but it's only because he feels hurt... be patient." Sniffling through tears, I fell back onto our bed. I quickly pulled myself back up to go downstairs and finally shut down the house.

Rich and the kids have been gone all night, and he won't respond to any of my calls or texts. I've been thinking all day of ways to try and explain to him what happened today. Truth of the matter is, Rich was completely right. I showed my ass today and didn't have any regard for anyone else, not even my children. I just couldn't help myself though. The more Raye talked, the angrier I became.

"I never meant to make him feel that way Rhea. No other man in this world could ever have my heart, but Rich. He knows I love him."

"Girl, of course he knows that... but no man ever wants to hear about your connection with anyone else besides them." She quickly reminded me of the mistake I made, by being so verbal about Christian.

"I didn't even mean anything by what I said; not as if would pertain to him, Rhea. That conversation had nothing to do with Rich or Christian, and everything to do with Arayia. She knew how I felt about Chris. But Richard? Rhea, he's my soulmate. That man is my partner, my best friend, my confidant, my children's father, no man could ever take his place.. I-"

My sentence was cut short when I heard a pair of keys being thrown onto the counter behind me. I don't know how long he was standing there, but by the look on his face it didn't too much matter.

"Hello? Quanni? Quanni, are you there?" Rhea inquired on the other end of the line. I was staring into his eyes the entire time.

"Y-yea Rhea... I'll call you tomorrow okay?" Before she could respond I hung up the phone and hop down from the counter.

He had the dual car seat in his hand, but Skye was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Skye?" I ask before taking the babies' carrier from him. They were sound asleep and looking just like their daddy.

"She had a fit because Mona couldn't come with us, so Rhea thought it best that she spend the night." He spoke at me with a straight face.

I could see that Deuce was stirring in his sleep, so I checked his diaper. Since he needed changing, I unfastened him and put him up on my shoulder.

"Well I think that was a good idea, seeing as those these two probably won't wake up for the rest of the night... and well... we need talk."

He grabbed the carrier with Bunni still inside and headed for the stairs without answering my question. Taking Rhea's advice, I decided to be patient with him and just carry Deuce with me on the elevator to meet him upstairs. I'm absolutely terrified of walking with them in my arms on the stairs. As soon as we were in the twins' nursery, I walked straight to the changing table. Rich was there with Bunni, so I took the advantage in trying to spark up a conversation with him.

"Have you bathed them already?"

"No."

"Okay cool, I'll go get their tubs togeth-" I turned to go to their bathroom but he stopped me right in my tracks.

"It's cool, I got it. You can go ahead..."

"I don't mind Rich... plus we need-"

"I got it Quanni, you can just go study. I know you need to since midterms are coming up." He started undressing Deuce like I was never there. I could feel myself getting hot, but I was trying my best to remain calm.

"I read those books and my notes until I'm blue in the face," laughing I try and lighten the mood. He knows that I'm well prepared for these exams so I don't know why he's playing.

"Seriously I don't mind... just let me help so we can talk." I reached for the soap in his hand and he pulled away.

"I got it."

"For real..."

"I'm good." I kept reaching for it and he kept resisting. By this time, I'm sure we were both growing frustrated.

"C'mon Rich. It's not that big of a-" He backed up and took a deep breath. I could tell I was pushing it now so I prepared myself for what he would say next.

"Steph... I'm really trying to keep my cool with you right now. Stop talkin' to me like it's all good 'cause it's not. I ain't really tryna hear shit you gotta say right now.. so you can just go." He bit his inner jaw so I knew he was serious.

With tears in my eyes, I put down the babies' body wash and pulled my hair away from my face. It's been so long since he's treated me this way. I know he only does it because he wants me to hurt like him.. and damn it works.

"Um.. o-okay... fine." One tear escaped my eye while I shook my head and left.

Lord knows my sensitive ass cannot take him being angry at me. Once in our room, I ran a steaming hot shower and got in to clear my head. I'm not sure it actually worked, but it definitely relieved tension from my body. I waited up an hour for Rich to come to bed, but he never did. Part of me wanted so bad to be frustrated with him, but I guess I understood where he was coming from.

A Week Later

"Hey ma', how you feelin?" I was so happy to hear her voice.

I mean, we talk every single day now but since discovering her illness I cherish literally every moment.

"All is well baby. Your father is taking good care of little ole me," I could hear her smiling through the phone, and that was all the assurance I needed.

"Hey, I'm gonna switch to face time ma. Skye wants to see you." She quickly responded and I was blown away by what I saw. She had beautiful flowing brown hair that rested on her shoulders and her face was beat to capacity.

"Mama, oh my gosh you look amazing!"

"Hi Grammy!" Skye yelled into the phone. I had just finished braiding her hair and she was feeling herself . I admire her relationship with my parents. Blood literally could not make them any closer.

"Hey pretty girl! Oh my, aren't you getting just big." She clasped her hands together and smiled.

"And where are my other babies?"

"Rich is upstairs changing them." The smile on my face quickly faded at the mention of his name. He only just recently started acting normal a couple of days ago. But by day two I was over the whole situation, and especially over him.

At first I could understand. But when he went out of his way to make a point of giving me the cold shoulder, and teaching me a lesson? I was more than done. Unless we're taking about the kids or my parents, I don't say a word.

"And how is everything?"

She gave me a look, meaning that she knew something was still off.

"Who knows?" I rolled my eyes and attempted to change the conversation.

"How's your shoot going?" She was being featured in Essence as an Emerging Pastor's wife. They were also featuring her Christian faith while being a cancer patient. I am so extremely proud of her and her strength that she has through everything.

"It's great, honey. Actually I'm going to change looks. I'll talk with you later sweetheart, kiss the kids for me and tell Rich I said hello." Her assistant was right on her heels as she talked and walked.

"Okay, I'll kiss the kids."

"Quanni." She gave me that look I used to get when I was younger. She knew what I meant by the way I answered. I'm too petty to talk to Rich right now, so I couldn't promise that I would do as she said.

"Mamaaaaa." I whined and rolled my eyes.

She shook her head and chuckled to herself.

"Girl, you heard what I said, and when I call you tonight you'd better have a real answer for me." She blew me a kiss and hung up the phone.

I grabbed the salad bowl and walked to the dinner table. Skye was sitting across from her brother and sister, causing them to giggle. I'm so proud of how she is adjusting to being an older sibling. She helps me with them in every way she can. I'm almost convinced that she think the babies are hers. She quickly took her attention off of them though, when I placed her favorite meal on the table,  bruschetta chicken with 4 cheese mac and cheese and garlic crescent rolls.

"Yes!" Her hand went to her side and she did a little dance. With a smile still on my face, I returned to the counter to put the twins' bottles in the warmer. I've been trying to get them on a new feeding schedule; Bunni seems to be adjusting pretty well, but Deuce is not happy if he can't eat when he wants.

"I got it sweets, you can go ahead and eat. Bunni is sleep already anyway." With one arm around my waist and one around his shoulder, Rich kissed my cheek. He still makes me feel warm inside but I could not hide my annoyance.

I pulled away slightly and handed him the bottle. I could feel him watching me while I went to take my seat.  As much as I wanted to get over it and for everything between us to be back to normal, my feelings were hurt and I just couldn't get out of them.  I was nearly finished eating my Caesar salad when he took his place at the table.

"Daddy are you coming with mommy and me to the zoo tomorrow?"

"Daddy can't stay long but I wouldn't miss it for the world." He gave her a hi-five and went back to eating his food.

I picked at my food and did my best to avoid eye contact with him.

"The mayor invited me to speak at his dinner Friday night. Did Rhea tell you?"

"Yea, that's great."

"That's clinical's night right?"

"Yea, I'll ask Ms. Cherie if it's okay for me to leave a little early." I continued to poke around at my food and fuss over Skye. I could tell he was annoyed because he had stopped eating and folding his arms across the table.

"Stephanie..."

"Sup fam?" I smirked as I took a bite of my mac and cheese. He didn't find it too funny though because the way he mugged me set me straight real quick.

"I'm tired of this game you're playing."

"So, you think my feelings are a game?"

"I don't know what the hell your feelings are because you keep shutting me out." His lips were pressed together and he was talking between his teeth so Skye couldn't understand.

"Kind of like you did when you left and took my babies huh?" I could feel the tears moving to the front of my eyes.

He didn't even bother saying much else to me; he knew he was working my last nerve. For the sake of Skye, I stayed and listened to her tell us about her day, and everything that she plans to do at the zoo tomorrow. By the time she was finished talking in between her meal, she was half asleep. Rich took her upstairs and put her in bed while I cleaned up the kitchen. On my way upstairs to our room, I looked in on the twins. I don't know if anyone understands the joy I feel when I hear a cry out on the baby monitor and it's 5 am. Some mothers say they never get a full night's rest. I'm just glad to say that I currently cannot relate.

A long breath of relief escaped my body as the bed caught my free fall. After three tests, clinicals, keeping up with Sky and the twins, cooking and cleaning the house, me saying that I'm exhausted would be an understatement. I would just lay here
for a few minutes and rest my eyes until I found the strength to get up again and run water for another bath.

"Stephie.. can we talk?" One eye peered open to see a shirtless Rich hovering over me with a puppy dog expression on his face.

"Come on baby, please? Don't shut me out."He pulled and twisted my body back around to face him.

"How can you even find it within yourself to say that to me after the way you treated me?" I snapped.

Of course I was angry, but I was still in his embrace. Something about being in his arms made me feel safe. Even though I was so upset at him, I still loved him and needed his touch.

"I know- Steph I know that I was wrong for the way I treated you. I wanted you to feel the way I did. Here I was thinking that I had all of your heart, and no man could ever have such an affect on you, that you act of character. I wouldn't even make you do that. I'm still competing with this kid." I tried to hold back my tears as he moved away from me.

"But you're not though, Rich. What happened between me and Arayia was simply a conversation that was long overdue. I needed to address that place of pain for myself- so that I could move on. There's not one single part of me that ever wants Christian back. I'm complete with you. I'm happy doing life with you. I'm building an empire with you. I want you. I need you. I love you." With my hand caressing his face, I kissed his chin.

He looked beyond my eyes and deep into my soul; I could feel my heart flutter. Like kinetic sand, our bodies were drawn to each other. He graced my lips with the sweetest kiss and I felt like everything was okay again. Our relationship was in sync all thanks to one of the most important skills in the world- communication.