In the luxurious expanse of Yusuf's penthouse, Christopher slumped on the Italian leather sofa, a beer in his hand. His mind was a maze of regret and confusion. Why did he have to complicate his life like this? He was a doctor, for heaven's sake, he should have been smarter.

Malik, Yusuf's six-year-old son, was absorbed in a game of Fortnite on the enormous television. Without taking his eyes off the screen, Malik commented, "Uncle Chris, I say this with all due respect, but are you drunk?"

"No," Chris groaned, feeling every bit the mess he thought he was.

"Yes, he is," Yusuf interjected, walking over and plucking the beer from Chris's hand. He walked to the kitchen and poured it down the sink.

"Man," Chris complained weakly.

Yusuf turned to his son. "Malik, I need you to go to your room for a minute."

The boy's eyes widened in protest. "Wait, why? I can give tons of good advice about not doing drugs or alcohol."

After a firm look from Yusuf, Malik reluctantly retreated to his room, leaving the two men alone.

Yusuf returned and sat across from Chris, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Look, man, you've made me so damn depressed I can't even drink anymore. What the hell is going on?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," Chris muttered, sinking further into the couch.

"Really?" Yusuf leaned forward, patting Chris's cheek lightly three times. "How many beers will it take for you to open up?" He stood up, went to the fridge, and pulled out a six-pack of Samuel Adams. Cracking open a can, he handed it to Chris.

Chris accepted the beer, taking a long swig. The cold bitterness of the beer was somehow comforting, a small respite from the storm of emotions inside him.

"I fucked up." Chris said.

"Well that's for damn certain. It's written all over your face. You look like you've just been hit by a truck," Yusuf replied.

Chris sighed, the weight of his words settling over him. "I'm going to be a father. I'm having a baby girl."

"Okay, and...?" Yusuf questioned.

"I'm not ready. I had sex with my ex. Sarisa, we ran into each other on the beach." Chris emptied the contents of the bottle. Yusuf hands Chris another one.

"And?" Yusuf asked.

"I just told you. I'm going to be a dad." Chris slurred.

"No. You said you fucked up. How?" Yusuf clarified.

"I'm not ready to be a father," Chris responded, his voice full of shame and regret.

"You're a damn fool." Yusuf scoffed. "You're gonna have a baby whether you're ready or not. And as much as I love you man how the hell did it cross your mind to hook up with that white bitch, who, no offense but is the female version of you."

"Hey! You don't have to be so disrespectful," Chris defended.

"Whatever, man. That chick's crazy. And I mean certifiable." Yusuf laughed. "The last thing you need is her toxic ass hanging around. You need a good woman, someone like Skye."

"Skye? She hates me." Chris said, his voice laced with a bit of surprise.

"I doubt that," Yusuf reassured him. "She's just pissed. Who wouldn't be after what you did?"

"I didn't think it would bother her. We're not dating or anything. And we're not even friends," Chris reasoned.

"You're not?" Yusuf challenged, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "You're having a kid together, man. That's as close to friendship as it gets."

"I guess you're right," Chris relented.

"Hell yeah, I'm right," Yusuf asserted.

"What should I do?" Chris asked, feeling lost.

"Apologize," Yusuf stated plainly. "And mean it. Make it up to her. Show her that you're a changed man, that you're worthy of her trust. And most importantly, that you're a man that's ready to step up and be a father."

"Wow. You make it sound so easy." Chris snorted. He picked up his 3 bottle.

"It's not. But it's what you need to do." Yusuf stood up, clapping his hand on Chris's shoulder. "You can do it, man. You just gotta get your shit together."

"That's what I was going to tell him," Malik hollered from his room.

Yusuf rolled his eyes. "Get back to your game, kid."

Malik grumbled and disappeared behind his closed bedroom door.

"I can't believe you're actually encouraging me to pursue Skye. Don't you think it's a conflict of interest? We work together." Chris asked.

"I can't believe you're actually making excuses. If she's the one, you're not going to find anyone else better. She's the mother of your child, man. You're meant to be." Yusuf retorted.

"Wow, you're really going there, huh?" Chris joked.

"You bet your ass I am. You deserve a good woman, and I'm not gonna sit here and let you mess this up." Yusuf stated.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it." Chris said.

"Anytime," Yusuf replied, smiling.

The two men sat in silence for a moment, each contemplating the situation.

"So, how are you gonna apologize to Skye?" Yusuf asked.

"I don't know, man. I'm gonna have to think about it." Chris sighed.

"Well, don't take too long," Yusuf cautioned. "Time is running out, and you're not getting any younger."

"Gee, thanks for the reminder," Chris quipped.

"Don't mention it," Yusuf chuckled.

As the night wore on, the two friends shared a few more drinks, chatting about life, work, and family. By the end of the night, Chris felt a renewed sense of determination.