-1 month later
Chris

I stared at Erin lying still with the ventilator breathing for her. I hate seeing her hooked up to all these machines and monitors.

"Baby, I don't know if you can hear me or not, but we miss you out here." I held Erin's hand "Masiyah needs her mommy...I need you." I sniffled as a tear trickled down my cheek

Seems like all I been doing lately is crying and praying.
I definitely have a newfound respect for mothers now. To be able to take care of a little baby and still manage everyday life is hard.
But I wouldn't trade my lil' princess for nothing in the world.

"Mr. Brown? Could I speak with you?" The doctor came in

"Yeah." I wiped my eyes

"Alright so Erin has been on the ventilator for a month now and we were wondering how long you'd like to continue this process." He said

"As long as it takes until she wakes up." I let Erin's hand go

"Sir, that will require thousands of dollars and-"

"And I'll pay it."

"Ok, but just to let you know if she doesn't wake up within a 6 to 12 month period her bodily functions will start to decline and eventually no longer work." He explained

"So you saying she might not wake up?" I asked

"There's a possibility." He winced

Masiyah began whining in her sleep so I gently rocked the carrier.

"Well...I'd rather try until I can't no more."

"Alright" he nodded before exiting the room

I shook my head.
Hospitals always tryna' rush shit. Let my baby take her time. I'm willing to pay whatever and sit here however long it takes.

*

I decided to take Masiyah home to give her a change of scenery. I know she probably tired of being cooped up in a hospital room all day.

"Chris she's beautiful." Yasmine and her wife Dedra came over to see Masiyah

"Yeah she's a good baby too. She rarely cries and when she does it's so soft." I looked at her sleeping in the crib

"Hopefully I get to experience parenthood one day." Yasmine sadly sighed

She was pregnant but couldn't carry the baby full term so she had to have an abortion. I feel bad for her because they've been trying for years but it never works.

"You will one day Yas. Whether it be adoption or physically pushing one out." I gave her some comforting words

She gave a small smile before we all headed back into the living room. I made sure I turned the visual baby monitor on so I could keep an eye on Masiyah.
Soon as we all sat down, Knox started barking.

"Aye, y'all cool wit' chilling in here while I go feed Knox?" I stood up

"No problem" Yas said, turning the tv on

I headed down into the basement with the baby monitor. Call me overprotective, but I like to ensure my baby's safety at all times.

"Hush 'dat shit up, Siyah sleeping." I said to Knox who was sitting on his couch. He immediately stopped barking like he understood me

We made the basement like his own little house so he can lay on his own furniture. I love my dog but I don't play that shit.

I poured his food in the bowl and then some water. "Come upstairs after you done." I pat his head

As I turned around, I saw Dedra coming down the basement steps.

"So this is what it looks like down here." She said, walking toward me

"Uh yeah." I chuckled "What's wrong? Masiyah crying?" I picked up the monitor and saw she was still sound asleep in her crib

"No she's fine." She came closer to me "I just wanted to say you're doing an amazing job, you know, being a single parent and all."

"Thanks Dee but I'm not single. Uh where's Yas?"

"She thinks I'm in the bathroom." She placed her hands on my chest "I know you have to be lonely with Erin being in a coma for almost 2 months now."

I moved her hands "Nah I'm straight. I think you need to keep yo' hands to yourself."

"I've been watching you for a long time Chris. I think you're so fine, and you being a dad makes you irresistible. It's making me hot." She lustfully gazed at me

"Oh I'm making you hot huh?" I smirked

"Yes baby." She smiled, placing her arms around my neck

I pushed her off "Well prepare to cool off. Yas! Yo wife down here tryna' fuck me!" I shouted, heading back upstairs

"Chris, don't tell her." Dedra whispered, following me

"Tuh, you gotta' be crazy. Yasmine!" I walked into the living room

"What's going on?" Yas looked between me and Dedra

"He tried to come on to me" Dedra quickly lied

"Bullshit. Bitch I was feeding my dog when you tried to come eat some dick."

Dedra had the nerve to gasp like she was shocked "You're lying."

"Yeah ok. Yas, didn't this bitch tell you she had to use the bathroom?"

"Yeah..." Yas is acting real slow right now

"Ok then put two and two together. She just came from the basement with me. Ain't no damn bathroom down there." I explained

"Dedra, how could you?" She faced her wife

"Baby I-"

"Triflin' bitch!" Yasmine yelled, about to fight her

"Unh-unh. My baby upstairs, y'all gone have to take that somewhere else." I stood between them

"I swea' we done." Yas took off her wedding ring as she walk to the door

"Baby waiiit." Dedra followed her

Dedra's been working with Erin and got the nerve to try and fuck me while my girl laying in a hospital bed.
That's some sneaky shit.

"Oh Dedra I almost forgot." I held the front door open. "You fired."

"That's why the building burnt down anyway." She snickered

Shortly after, Yasmine sent a hard punch to Dedra's nose and I heard a loud crunch.

"Damnnn" I instigated "Beat her ass Yas" I chuckled before closing the door

I would've stayed and continued being petty but I saw Masiyah beginning to wake up on the monitor.

I chuckled to myself as I washed my hands, thinking about that shit Dedra tried to pull "That bitch crazy." I said to myself while preparing a bottle

I reached the room just in time. Her eyes were fluttering open and her lip was poked out.

"Daddy's here princess." I picked her up before she could cry

-Carlisha ❤️