Chapter 04.

Nashira sat cross-legged on her bed in her Los Angeles house. The sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting warm shadows that danced across her walls.

She stared at her phone screen, where Trinity's face appeared, bright and animated despite the miles between them.

"When are you coming home from LA again?" Trinity's voice bubbled through the speakers, a familiar comfort in Nashira's otherwise tumultuous life.

Nashira bit her lip, a nervous habit she had developed over the years. She paused, weighing her words carefully. "Yeah, about that...I'm not sure," she finally said, her heart sinking a little. "I think I'm going to stay here a little longer than usual."

Trinity's expression shifted from eager curiosity to a pout that tugged at Nashira's heart. "Why?"

Nashira hesitated, her mind racing back to her earlier conversation with Temia, whose opinions she had always valued, despite their recent tensions.

Temia had challenged her perceptions of her relationship with Trinity and Jon, making Nashira question everything.

How long could she keep living in this delicate balance, maintaining a relationship with a married couple that felt increasingly fragile? The weight of uncertainty pressed down on her.

"I just need some time to think," she finally replied, avoiding eye contact with the camera.

The silence on the other end of the line stretched uncomfortably before Trinity finally broke it. "Is it about Temia? Because I swear—"

Before Nashira could respond, Jon burst into the room, his energy crashing like a wave over her quiet moment. "Yoo! What the fuck is up with your best friend?" he shouted, leaning into the frame, his expression a mix of irritation and confusion.

Nashira's heart raced at the sudden shift. Trinity raised an eyebrow and rolled her eyes. "Oh, she did get into your head. That's why you said you weren't sure when you were coming back."

Jon's face darkened. "Nash, I told you that Temia is a hater. That girl is jealous of you." His phone buzzed, a call from Temia lighting up the screen. "Look, she's calling me again," he said, showing Nashira the caller ID.

Trinity snatched the phone from him, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Trin, don't," Nashira warned, but it was too late. Trinity had already answered.

"Temia! What the hell are you trying to do?" she said, her tone sharp. "You're trying to come between Nashira and us. What kind of friend are you?"

"A good friend," Temia's voice crackled through the speaker, dripping with sarcasm. "Because y'all are keeping my friend from getting her happy ending."

Nashira felt her chest tighten. The tension in the room grew thick as Trinity and Temia began to go back and forth, their arguments colliding like competing waves. Jon interjected his own frustrations, but Nashira felt frozen, a spectator in a drama she never intended to star in.

"Do y'all know she wants a baby? Huh? How is she going to have a baby with a married couple? Let my friend go so she can be happy," Temia declared, her voice rising with every word.

Nashira's eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, feeling exposed and vulnerable. The conversation had spiraled into territory she had barely begun to explore herself.

Trinity's anger flared. "Temia, you are so wrong for this! I'm beating your ass when I see you!"

"See me when you see me, but get off of Nashira and let her go get a real relationship," Temia retorted, her laughter ringing out like a taunt.

"Hang up," Jon said, his eyes darting between Nashira and the screen. Both Trinity and Jon turned to her, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion.

"Is it true? Do you want to have a baby?" Jon asked, the weight of his question heavy in the air.

Nashira felt her heart race, not just from the sudden shift in conversation but from the deeper implications of Jon's question.

"I don't want to talk about it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then what's all this about?" Trinity pressed, her frustration giving way to concern. "You're not serious about this, are you?"

Nashira rubbed her temples, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions swirling around her. "It's not that simple," she replied, her voice steadying as she spoke. "I love you both, but after hanging out with Temia, I started to think about my future. I don't want to be the other woman forever."

Trinity's expression softened, but Jon's brows furrowed deeper. "What do you mean? You're not the other woman; you're our partner."

"Are we really?" Nashira's heart ached as she posed the question. "How long can we keep this up? You two have a life together. What if you want kids one day? What if... what if you decide you don't want me in the picture?"

Jon ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "Nash, you're not thinking straight. Temia is just messing with your head. We're happy with you. You belong with us."

"But do I?" Nashira felt the tears welling in her eyes, the conflict tearing her apart. "I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to hold you both back."

Trinity's voice was gentle, but firm. "You're not a burden. We chose you. But you have to choose us too. Don't let Temia dictate how you feel."

Nashira stared at her friends through the screen, their faces a blend of concern and determination. She wanted to believe them, to trust that their love was enough to overcome the doubts swirling in her mind. But in that moment, she felt lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

"What if I don't know how to choose?" Nashira whispered, her voice trembling.

"Then let's figure it out together," Jon said softly, leaning closer to the screen. "We can talk this through. You don't have to face this alone."

Nashira took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of their support wash over her. Maybe it was time to confront her fears, to explore what she truly wanted. With her friends beside her, she felt a flicker of hope. The journey ahead would be complicated, but perhaps it was one worth taking.

As she looked at the faces of Trinity and Jon, Nashira realized that they were all in this together, and perhaps that was enough to guide her through the uncertainty.

"Okay, I want a baby," Nashira said.

Trinity's expression shifted from anger to concern. "Nash, you want a baby?" Her voice softened, the initial bite fading as she leaned in, seeking clarity.

Nashira struggled to articulate her feelings. "It's complicated," she began, her mind racing. "I love both of you, but after talking to Temia, I started questioning everything. I don't want you guys to be the reason I can't have what I want, and I don't know if I can be the person you both need me to be."

Jon ran a hand through his hair, the frustration still evident but mixed with confusion. "Nashira, we've talked about this. We're a family. You're not just a placeholder in our lives. We love you, but if you're feeling like this... why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"I didn't want to hurt either of you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I didn't want to feel like I was pushing you away."

Trinity exchanged a glance with Jon, a silent communication that Nashira couldn't decipher. Finally, Trinity broke the silence. "So, you're doubting us?"

Nashira hesitated, feeling cornered. "I just... I can't help but wonder how long can we go on like this before you both realize you could be happier without me?"

Jon's voice turned firm, cutting through the uncertainty. "This isn't about whether we could be happier without you. It's about what we have right now. You bring something to our lives that we can't just replace. We're in this together, Nashira. You know that."

Trinity nodded in agreement. "But you can't let Temia dictate your feelings. She's always been jealous. What does she know about our relationship?"

Nashira felt the warmth of their support, but the doubts still lingered. "But what if you both want something I can't give you?"

Jon's frustration returned. "You're the one we want. We're not looking for someone else. We're happy with you, Nashira. But you need to believe that."

Trinity leaned closer, her expression earnest. "Look, if it's about kids, we can talk about that. We're not rushing you into anything. But don't let outside voices steer your feelings."

"Exactly," Jon added, his tone softer now. "We can figure this out together. Just don't shut us out."

Nashira felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. She knew they had built something unique together, but the uncertainty nagged at her. "I guess I just need time to sort out my feelings. After talking to Temia, it all feels so jumbled."

Trinity's eyes softened further. "Take your time, but please talk to us. Don't let that negativity fester. We're here for you, always."

Jon nodded, his expression more reassuring. "We're a team, remember? Whatever you're feeling, we can work through it together."

As the conversation shifted, Nashira felt a wave of relief wash over her. The chaos of Temia's interference seemed to fade, replaced by the solid support of her partners. They were in a complicated relationship, but at that moment, she felt the truth of their bond.

"Okay," she said slowly, "I'll try to be more open with you both. I just... I need to think about everything."

Jon and Trinity shared a glance that spoke volumes, their worry giving way to determination. "Good," Jon said, "just know we're not going anywhere. We'll be right here, waiting for you to figure things out."

Trinity added, "And remember, if Temia tries to mess with your head again, I'm ready to throw down."

Nashira laughed lightly, the tension easing. "I appreciate that. But let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Their conversation continued, weaving through feelings, fears, and affirmations of love. The issues at hand were far from resolved, but in this moment, Nashira felt empowered by their willingness to engage, to listen, and to support one another.

As they ended the call, Nashira sank back onto her couch, a mix of exhaustion and relief washing over her. She realized that the conversations she had dreaded could lead to deeper understanding and growth. It was the first step toward navigating the complexities of their relationships, but she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Nashira stared out the window as she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, but for the first time in a while, it felt manageable. With the love of Trinity and Jon at her back, perhaps she could find clarity amidst the chaos.

And as the world buzzed around her, she held onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, they could forge a path forward together—one that embraced all their desires, fears, and the unique love that bound them.