Regina and Indigo sat in her room, gossiping and laughing. They've recently become friends after bonding about mutual interest. Indigo felt like Regina was the only one in her life who didn't treat her as if she was so fragile because of Sevyn's death.

"So, are you going to Cali?" Regina asked, lying on her back and texting her man. 

"Yes, I've finally made up my mind." 

"I'll be getting ready for school, but make sure you take so many pictures. I wanna see everything." 

"Girl, I'm going to FaceTime you all the time." Indigo chuckled. 

"Can I ask a question without you getting offended?' 

"Go ahead." 

"Are you interested in dating?" 

"Not at all, my vagina only gets wet for one man." 

"So, since you've had sex, is that not something you're interested in?"

"Sex felt amazing with Sevyn, but I think that's because I wanted him physically and emotionally. Sevyn made me feel complete, and I can't imagine getting that feeling from anyone else." 

"That make sense." 

"And I enjoy being single because how do you explain I sometimes go lay up in my dead boyfriend's room and spend time with his parents more than mine?" She smiled. "Also, I don't want to have to explain how much time I spend with Milly and Martin."

"I honestly thought you and Martin were going to become something." 

"Ew," Indigo scruned her face. "Martin literally is a brother, I would never date him or Milly. That's disgusting to even think about." 

"I see both sides, I'm not mad at either choice. Both of them men are fine." Regina laughed making Indigo throw a pillow at her. 

"Girl, speaking of fine your man is whew." 

"Isn't he? I cannot wait to have sex with that man." 

"Bitch, hold the phone! You've been with that fine ass man for like a year and you haven't had sex with him yet?!" 

"We've only been together for five months," Regina smiled rolling his eyes. "It's hard for me having sex."

"But you've had sex, right?" 

"Yes, but the last time I had sex was against my will, and it's traumatic thinking of it for pleasure." 

"I did hear something like that; I'm sorry you had to go through that." Indigo shook her head. "Don's so understanding." 

"He is," She nodded agreeing. "We've tried having sex, but the last time we did, I basically had a panic attack, so he hasn't tried again. I want to try again but I don't want either of us to feel uncomfortable." 

"Maybe try masturbating first so you can get used to being touched down there again. If you can please yourself without thinking of negative thoughts, have a conversation with him then try again." 

"That's actually very smart, you're so smart to be so young." 

"I have older sisters." 

"I wished I would've had a better family." 

"I wished you would've as well, would've taken a lot of your hurt." 

"Indi baby," She heard a knock on her door making both of them look at it. 

"Come in."  

Aziel walked in expecting just her but was surprised to see someone else, he stopped his steps and smiled. "Well, hello, I'm Aziel." 

"Um, h-hi I'm Regina." Regina nervously said. "I'm-I'm umm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" He furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Stop being awkward, Daddy this is that Regina." 

"What do you- Oh!" He stopped to look at her. "You don't have to apologize for anything; you aren't your parents. You're just a child."  

"Thank you for saying that," She sighed in relief. 

"Wassup daddy?" Indigo asked.

"Your guidance counselor called and told me y'all had a talk a few weeks ago, but she hasn't heard from you. Care to explain?" 

"She wants me to skip my junior year and go straight to senior year." 

"And you don't know?" 

"Yeah," 

"If you don't skip, you're basically doing a filler year though," Regina said. "If they want you to skip, then that means you will take advanced classes, so you might as well just do it." 

"Why don't you want to?" Aziel asked.

"It just seems like it's moving too fast," 

"I can understand that. Ultimately, it's your choice, but I think you should."

"I think I am, but I just wanted to think about my decision a little more." 

"And that's no pressure; no matter what you do, I support you 100%. Come give me a hug." He smiled as she ran into his arms. "Regina, are you staying for dinner?" 

"No, I wouldn't want to intrude." 

"Girl, this my house." He joked, making them chuckle. 

"I can eat," 

"Okay, food will be done in five minutes." 

"Girl, your daddy is fine." She mumbled as soon as he closed the door. "Got me over here sweating and studdering in front of that fine ass man," 

"Don't be nasty bitch," Indigo scrunched his face up. "I think he got a girlfriend." 

"You don't want him to have a girlfriend?" 

"I don't want to sound bratty, but no." 

"That's your mother's husband; I get it." She nodded. "But you don't think your father is lonely? He's been in jail for years, and I can see y'all make him happy, but there are things y'all can't do for him, and I think he deserves to finally be one hundred percent happy without worrying if y'all are worried about his love life." 

"That's basically what Gen and Flaire said."

"I know you probably hate my dad, but he was an amazing dad to me. If he was alive and my mom wasn't, I would want him unconditionally happy without restrictions. Plus, think about it. Your family and friends make you happy, but Sevyn made you happy differently. A happy they couldn't possibly ever give you." 

"Damn, I feel bad for telling him I don't want him to have a girlfriend." 

"Go tell him you don't feel that way anymore." She shrugged.

"Let's go eat, I'm hungry." 

They both stood going to the bathroom; they took turns washing their hands and then rushed downstairs, where Ezra, Keygan, Devon, Flaire, Tyke, Haven, Genesis, and Aziel sat at the table.

"What you doing here, big head?" Tyke mushed Regina's head. 

"Stop," She pushed his hand. "I was chilling with Indigo." 

"Since when you and Indigo friends?" Ezra asked.

"We've been friends since she came back to school after Sevyn died."

"That long, huh?" Flaire asked. "I've never been told this." 

"We're our own people, I don't have to tell y'all everything." Indigo sat next to Regina. "It's not y'all business anyways." 

"Exactly," Devon agreed. "I'm here for you are making friends; you are the only one who never had friends." 

"She got sisters; she doesn't need friends." Haven said.

"Not the girl who had the most friends at this table saying anything about friends." Indigo tilted her head.

"Right message, wrong messenger." Genesis nodded.

"Yeah Hay, you was the wrong one to say that." Flaire chuckled. "Anyways, Regina, where is that fine man?" 

"He's at home, he has finals coming up." She smiled.

"Sissy, you seen her man?" Flaire asked Gen. "Show her ya man." 

"You're dick riding," Tyke laughed. Regina pulled out a picture of her and Don, making Gen's eyes widen. 

"I'll knock them motherfuckers right out ya head," Devon looked at her.

"No I wasn't-" Gen laughed. "He is a good-looking man; there's nothing wrong with that." 

"I'm not Key bitch ass, my wife not talking about no man in my face." 

"Key is a very secure man who has the common sense to know his woman has eyes that can see other men. Key knows his woman could never wander to another man because he does everything to keep her happy, right baby?" 

"Right, baby," He kissed her temple, making Aziel smirk.

"Man, Keygan is a bitch." Tyke said, making everybody laugh.

"That was so cute, though; y'all relationship is so wholesome." Regina smiled. 

"My brother loves my sister down; it gives very much don't play about her." Indigo smiled.

"And he don't, never did. My man my man my man." Flaire smiled, leaning onto Keygan.

"Anyways, I'm not in a relationship so I don't care." Tyke said. "Let's talk about something else." 

"I actually have a few announcements." Indigo smiled. "I'm going to Cali, I'm skipping the junior year, and Daddy I think you should start dating." 

"That was a mouthful." Flaire chuckled. "Congrats, sissy, I'm coming to support in California, of course, and I know you and Haven finna kill senior year together." 

"What changed your mind about daddy dating?" Genesis asked.

"Reg made me look at it from another point," 

"Thank you for that, but I don't think I'll be dating soon," 

"Why are you discussing anything about Daddy to her anyway?" Haven asked. 

"Because I can, that's my friend." 

"The amount of times she spoke on our mother, she shouldn't even be in this house." Haven scrunched her face up. "And considering everything she did to me, you shouldn't be friends with her." 

"Haven, I actually never said anything about your mother. I can admit I've said things about your dad but that was when he was the villain in my story. I do apologize for that."

"As I said, you're a child; I would never hold you accountable for feeling anything for me after hearing I killed your dad." Aziel nodded.

"Haven, I thought we agreed to be cordial after Tyke's party. I don't want any problems with you."

"We were cordial, but that doesn't mean I wanted to be having dinners with you." Haven rolled her eyes. "I don't want to see you in my house, and I find it crazy my sister, who was ready to kill you, by the way, is even cool with being friends with someone who could do the things she did." 

"Ohhhh brotherrr," Indigo rolled her eyes.

"I'll just go, Ezra can I have your house key? I think I left mine in the house." 

"Are you trying to be funny?" Haven stood up. "Bitch-"

"Woah." Flaire furrowed her eyebrows as Ezra held her back.

"What the fuck?" Devon tilted his head.

"How am I trying to be funny?" Regina asked, confused. "Never mind, Ezra I'll just text your mom. Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Aziel." 

Regina walked out of the kitchen without saying anything else; meanwhile, everyone looked at Haven as she sat back down.

"You're a weirdo," Indigo furrowed her eyebrows. 

"And you're weirder." Haven shrugged. "You want a friend so bad that you'll go against me." 

"Haven, you are literally the last thing in my head. This is not your world."

"It doesn't have to be my world, but to even be with someone who talked so much down on me and put their hands on me is so weird. You're the type of person who'll do anything for a friend."

"You should've fought back then. The fuck? You now have all this mouth and hands when they should've been used. You always crying about how you got bullied, boohoo bitch get over it." 

"Indigo-"

"Don't say Indigo anything! I was the first motherfucker at this table swinging for Haven when she was a punk ass bitch, and now her balls dropped she always got something to say to me. That's so aggravating! I been like this; nobody ever had to tell me to fight back." 

"I think Haven probably feels betrayed," Genesis said.

"And I don't care! Haven was just taking selfies with Regina and joking with her two weeks ago. She's so flip-floppy. I don't know where she got it from 'cause none of us is like that. This a weird ass bitch."

"Bitch, you're a weirdo the fuck."

"So be it!" Indigo yelled, throwing her arms in frustration. "I'm finna leave before I beat your ass up,"

Indigo walked off with her plate as Keygan and Aziel followed behind her; meanwhile, everyone continued looking at Haven. She looked around the table then shrugged, she didn't feel like she was wrong.

"Haven, why you make up with the girl if you gon keep reminding her what she did to you?" Genesis asked. 

"I decided to be cordial because she and Ezra are friends. I don't want to see her in my house, and I feel like I'm not wrong for feeling like that." 

"You're entitled to feel however you want. We weren't in your shoes; we won't ever truly know how you feel." Flaire said.

"Exactly, that's why I don't care." 

"But-" Flaire held up her finger. "Everything isn't about you."

"Literally nothing is ever about me." Haven rolled her eyes. "I always have to just deal with things while everybody tell me to get over shit."

"Haven, you're so selfish and becoming a mean girl." Flaire chuckled. "You didn't like it when people bullied you, so why are you so comfortable just saying anything?"

"You should be the last one talking about saying anything; you literally smacked Regina because she said something over the phone you didn't like, and now you're comfortable with having dinners with her." 

"I can say anything because I can and will smack anybody. I'm also not just going around and picking with people because I'm in the position to. You're literally going against everything you used to speak of. Don't half ass anything, if you don't like her don't pretend to just to pick with her. That's weird Haven."

"I think you need counseling," Devon announced. "Nobody telling you to get over shit, but I think the way you handle shit isn't healthy. You're not on the same page with us so maybe a professional can help you navigate shit better. I thi-"

"I'm not taking advice from nobody who beat his girlfriend up because he couldn't stay in the NFL." 

"Woah," Tyke said wide-eyed.

"Haven, that was too far," Ezra mumbled in her ear.

"I hope Genesis smacks the fuck out of you," Flaire said. "Actually, my sister has a high-risk pregnancy. I'm going to slap the fuck out of you for her." 

Flaire stood up, going to do exactly what she said, but Ezra pulled her back. Due to the noise, Aziel, Indigo, and Keygan came back into the kitchen confused. Keygan took the place of Ezra and held Flaire as she tried to get out of his grip.

"What the fuck is going on?" 

"Haven's so fucking disrespectful," Genesis threw her fork down as angry tears came to her eyes. "I will no longer be coming over for dinner and she's not invited to my house for anything. I don't want to hear any apologies once your dense ass feels bad. Shove it up your fucking ass." 

Devon reached over, helping Genesis stand up as they began walking out of the kitchen; Aziel furrowed his eyebrows, so confused, until Devon spoke up.

"Also, I never laid a hand on my wife dumb ass." Devon threw over his shoulder while walking out.

"Why would you in your life ever say that?" Flaire asked. 

"He did beat her up; why do we gotta sugarcoat stuff?" She shrugged.

"Haven, what are you talking about?" Tyke asked.

"The day he found out he got dropped from the NFL, he got drunk and beat Genesis up. I remember Daddy and Mommy rushing in the room to get him off of her." 

"Haven," Aziel sighed, shaking his head.

"You idiot, Genesis beat the fuck out of him. They were getting drunk, and he began flirting with a girl in her face, she literally almost killed that boy. You say anything out of that stupid ass brain and run with it. I hope when my sister drops, she remembers this and beats the fuck out of you."

"Why would you say that anyway?" Indigo asked.

"All because Devon said the way you do shit is not healthy, then you go and prove him right. You retarded ass bitch. You gon say that to a bitch who literally washed your grown ass up when bitches beat you so bad you couldn't."

"Flaire relax." Aziel said.

"I want to beat her up," Flaire chuckled.  

"Haven, let's go to my house," Ezra suggested.

"I'm not running; I'm not scared of Flaire." Haven lied; she knew nobody would let Flaire get to her. "Flaire is upset because she has no drama going on so she has to get some, she's been itching to fight someone. She is so bothered and bored with this peaceful life she is trying to portray."

"Why are you trying to bring her out of retirement?" Tyke asked, confused. There was no way Haven could beat Flaire, so he was confused about why she was acting like she wanted to fight.

"You know what, I'll let God handle you. He got a funny way of humbling." Flaire chuckled backing up. "Daddy, I'm going to go check on Genesis and Devon." 

"Y'all better lock that door; she gon come back and sneak Haven." Tyke chuckled.

"Give me a minute with Haven," Aziel spoke to everyone as they walked out, except Haven. "What is wrong with you?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"This hasn't been the only time you said something like this to your sisters. I know I've been missing, so there's probably a bunch of unspoken feuds, but lately, it's been as if you think it's everybody versus you. Help me understand so I can help you." 

"Daddy, it's nothing to help me with. Everybody just isn't my cup of tea lately and I'm tired of not speaking up. I've been getting messed with for a whole school year, then I had to compete with her over Ezra, now I got to watch her with my sister. There's nobody else Indigo could become friends with?"

"Sometimes people come into your life when you least expect it. I'm pretty sure Indigo didn't just look at Regina and become friends. I'm also sure your sister didn't ignore what happened between you and Regina either. I do think you're negatively coping with things and need therapy, and that's okay. Therapy isn't a bad word or place; it can help you unjumble the things going on."

"Do I have to?"

"It's not a choice." 

"Okay," She sighed.

"Also, you will apologize to your sisters. Especially Genesis." 

"Okay, can I go to Ezra's house?" 

"No ma'am," He shook his head. "You have school tomorrow and I think you need some time to yourself."

"That's not-" Haven stopped talking due to his face changing. "Can he stay for a few?" 

"He can stay until nine."

"Okay," She walked into the living room bypassing Indigo.

"It was a lil shaky, and there's room for improvement, but I think you did a good job. 7/10." Indigo said, making him turn around.

"7/10?" He asked before putting her in the headlock.

"Daddy, stop! This wig not glued down, you gon make my lace show." She said as he started giving her a noogie.

"7/10?" He questioned again.

"10/10!" She yelled, laughing as he let go. "Daddy, don't make me a liar." 

"Haven's not used to standing up for herself, so she doesn't know how to do it. She's hurt because it's been an ongoing competition with Regina, she wants to know her sister is on her side. You're going to apologize to your sister."

"Okay," Indigo rolled her eyes.

"Y'all kids stress me out." 

~

Tyke dropped Keygan off and then drove two minutes to Sage's house, Sage was currently four months pregnant and was already looking every bit of seven. She didn't understand how she blew up so fast but completely loved her belly.

"Hey, Ms. Nora and Mr. Muhammad." He kissed her mother's cheek and then patted her father on his back. "What y'all got going on?" 

"Nothing much. Are you coming to the doctor tomorrow?" Ms. Nora asked.

"Of course, gotta see how much lil one looks." He smiled. "You saw them, Celtics?" 

"Yeah, man, fuck Jayson Tatum." He said, making Tyke bust out laughing while he dug in the fridge. "Pass me a beer." 

"I just made some pot roast."

"Good looking," Tyke smiled, making his plate. He sat at the table while continuing to talk to her parents and eat.

Fifteen minutes later, Sage, her little sister, Anise, and her best friend, Charm, walked downstairs while laughing. Sage furrowed her eyebrows when she saw Tyke. She tilted her head while Anise hugged him.

"Why you didn't say anything?" Sage asked.

"I don't gotta ask your permission to come over here," Tyke told her.

"Um, yes you do. This my house." 

"Ms. Nora, tell her I don't gotta ask for permission." 

"Sage, leave this boy alone while he is eating; he is not doing anything."

"Momma, you always taking his side." She kissed the side of her father's face, making a plate.

As soon as Sage sat down, Tyke began rubbing her belly. He already loved the idea of being a father, and was hoping the days came even faster.

"Stop," She pushed his hands down, but he just put them back. "Can you go to Walmart for me?" 

Sucking his teeth, he looked at her. "For what?" 

"I need some mochi."

"What is that?" 

"Ice cream."

"If I gotta go, you gotta go." 

"Tyke-"

"You heard what I said." 

"Imma go home, best friend; I'll see you tomorrow." Charm kissed her cheek.

"Can we go now?" 

"Duh, come on so I could take a nap." 

"Mommy, but you say nothing about how he talks to me." 

"What he say?" Ms. Nora asked, making Tyke laugh.

"Nothing," She rolled her eyes, standing to get her jacket. "Boy, come on." 

"Stop playing with me before I make you drive." 

Sage shut up cause he really would, and she didn't want to. They drove fifteen minutes to Walmart, and he grabbed a cart because he knew she wouldn't just want one thing once they got to the snack aisle. 

"Wait, doesn't dates sound good?" 

"You wanna go on a date?" 

"No dates like the fruit. Dates with peanut butter and butter with some salt. Oh my God." She picked up the bag of dates.

"Hell naw, you tripping."

"And I need lays and whipped cream. The salt with the cream, I can just taste it." She shimmied as he shook his head. "Bittersweet." 

"You gon have my kid have an eating disorder." 

Twenty minutes later, they were in line with a bunch of creations Sage put together in her head. Tyke held her stomach from behind while she smelled dish soap as if it was edible.

"This is doing something to me," 

"I'm telling your doctor all this." He shook his head.

"Tyke?" He heard Ms. Gina as he smiled, immediately hugging her.

"Damn, momma, I miss you." He hugged her tighter.

"I miss you big head, I had to hear from Mai that you having a kid. Why you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't want nobody telling my momma before me." 

"I won't say anything. Is this the baby momma?" 

"Yeah, Sage, this like my second momma. Well, this really my first momma if we being honest." He smiled. "Ms.Gina."

"Hi ma'am, nice to meet you." Sage held her hand out. 

"Oh, girl put that down." She hugged her. "You're so pretty; how many months are you?" 

"Four." 

"Four? Damn, are you having twins?" 

"Just one big baby," Sage smiled, rubbing her belly.

"May I?" 

"You don't even have to ask," Tyke said, grabbing her hand to put on Sage's stomach.

"Yes, I do. I hated it when people just randomly touched my belly. I see you smelling that soap; your iron is getting low." 

"Is that what that means? I've been craving soap or dish detergent; I just want to eat it. Especially bar soap. It's such a terrible craving." 

"Yes, momma, you have pica due to anemia. My craving was chalk or corn starch, but don't get me started on ice."

"Tyke had to buy me an ice machine, it got so bad." 

"She was crying at four in the morning about ice; all she had was that one time, and I never wanted to go through that again." Tyke chuckled.

"Tyke's going to be such a good dad." 

"We have to invite you to the baby shower," Sage said. "I'll make sure Tyke sends an e-vite," 

"Mommy, are you-" Mai stopped her sentence, seeing Tyke rubbing Sage's stomach while her mother rubbed his back. She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Tyke!" 

"Mac, I have been meaning to tell you to welcome home." Tyke smiled, hugging her. "This is my baby's mother, Sage. Sage this Mac and uh- you know Maicee." 

"Hi, Mac and Mai." Sage smiled.

"Why are you all up in her face smiling?" Mai asked her mother, making Sage's smile drop. 

"Mai-"

"Why are you even talking to him? He and his bi-"

"Watch ya mouth," Tyke said, catching her off guard as tears pooled her eyes. 

"You serious?" She asked before turning around and leaving out of Walmart.

"I'm sorry for-"

"She's fine; I wouldn't know how to act either." She cut off Ms. Gina. "Do you wanna go after her?" 

"Nah," Tyke spoke.

Mai wasn't his girl, and he could no longer chase after her; he had to move on.

"I'll be looking out for that invitation; it was nice seeing you, Tyke. Stop being a stranger." 

"I got you, momma," He hugged her again, then Mac. "Don't get into no shit, this ya year."

"You right about that." 

They walked away just as it was their turn to put their stuff on the conveyor. Tyke paid for everything and then carried the bags to the car, he drove then helped her in the house.

"You're leaving?" 

"Yeah, I don't feel like having to drive all the way back home in the morning. I'll see you tomorrow, big mama," He kissed her belly, then her.

"Are you okay?" 

"We'll talk about it later." He kissed her again as she nodded.

He said bye to everybody then got into his car, his mind was blank and it was as if he was driving on autopilot. When he finally came to, he was sitting in front of Maicee's house. He sighed as tears came to his eyes.

Maicee was supposed to been the one having his kid, he was supposed to be planning his future with her. He felt like he loved Maicee more than she could ever love him because if she did they would've still been together.

The door opened as he leaned back a little to avoid getting seen; Maicee walked out of the house with a garbage bag in her hand. She put the bag in the trash can. When she looked up, they made eye contact, making it feel like time stopped.

Her breath got hitched in her throat as they stared at each other; a tear went down Tyke's cheek as he started his car. Maicee stepped up, about to walk to the car, but a cop car swerved in front of her as Ron smiled, looking at her. Tyke pulled off, unable to continue looking, leaving her there while she followed the car with her eyes, not acknowledging Ron yet.

Tyke drove through blurred vision, running a light and almost hitting a car. He swerved out of traffic as he cried a bit, then grabbed his phone, FaceTiming Key and Ezra.

"Yo?" Keygan yawned.

"Y'all niggas- wait, what's wrong Ty?" 

"Where you at?" Keygan sat up, grabbing his car keys. "I'm bout to check yo lo." 

"We'll be there in a minute," Ezra said.