*one week later
Eden

"And don't forget to check the schedule book. You never know when you'll have a new customer or someone changes their time. Also, don't forget to lock up this place every ni-"

"Eden. Go home" Jessica, my coworker/assistant, chuckled

"There's a bunch of people coming in for pictures today, maybe I should stay and help" I don't want to leave

As of today, I am officially eight months. I said once I hit eight months, I'd go on maternal leave so I could get myself relaxed before the baby comes. I also took two more months off to recover and be with my little guy 24/7. This was partly my idea, but mostly Chris's. He doesn't want me to put too much stress on myself or the baby.

"I will take care of everything" she reassured "You just go home and worry about pushing out that beautiful baby boy"

"Alright" I pouted "I'll see you in three months" I said, more so to the building than to Jessica.

"Don't be ridiculous" she chuckled "I'm sure you'll stop by and check on things every once in a while, and show off that sweet baby."

"Yeah" I nodded "You have my number, text me if you ever need any help with anything." I said

"Ok. See ya" she smiled as I headed out of the building

I sighed, waddling my way to the car. My belly almost touches the steering wheel now. I scooted the seat back as far as I could and everything.

I started the car and headed home, ready to spend the day with my man. Chris said he had a day planned for us, but he won't tell me what we're doing because it's a surprise.

*5 hours later

I sat on the couch, eating my pickle, watching tv, and waiting on Chris. He was supposed to be here when I got back home, but he's nowhere to be found. I've called him at least six or seven times and got no answer.

I pressed Sean's contact and waited for him to answer.

"Yeah?" He said onto the phone

"Where's your friend?" I asked, referring to Chris

"Uhm..he's not with me"

"Don't lie for him. Put me on speaker"

"Ight" he sighed

"Get your ass home right now" I said to Chris

I heard an "uh-oh" from Sean and Josh.

"I'm on my way now" Chris smacked his teeth

I hung up the phone.

How dare his dumb ass have me waiting this long? He could've at least called.

Chris

"Baby?" I entered the house a little scared

I was handling some business, trying to get my money back on track, and I wasn't paying attention to the time.

"In the kitchen, babe" Eden's sweet voice hit my ears

I walked in the kitchen, still a little worried about what she'd do to me. She sounded like she was ready to kill a nigga over the phone.

"I'm sorry" I leaned against the counter "I lost track of time"

"It's fine" she turned around and smiled "You hungry?"she had a big ass sandwich in her hand

"Did you poison it?" I asked

"No, silly" she giggled "I'll take a bite if you don't trust me"

"Nah, I trust you" I shook my head

"Good. Sit down" she placed the sandwich on the table

"Thanks. Can I have a sprite?"

"Sure" She turned around, going in the refrigerator

I quickly sniffed the sandwich and examined it throughly. Nothing seemed wrong with it, so I put it to my mouth, about to take a bite. Before my teeth could sink into it, the sandwich was smacked out of my hand, lunch meat and shit flying everywhere.

"What the hell?" I looked at Eden like she had three heads

"How does it feel?" she laughed

"What?!" I asked in confusion

"You had plans to eat that damn sandwich, but they were quickly changed when I knocked the shit out of your hand" she said "No warning or nothing, just a change of plans" she shrugged

"Calm down" I stood up

"Don't tell me to calm down! I was waiting for your ass for five whole hours" she pushed me in the chest

"I said I was sorry" I ran my hands down my face

"Whatever. What were you doing for those five hours?" She folded her arms

"I was at the warehouse"

"Doing the same shit that got you locked up in the first place, huh?"

"You ain't never had a problem with it before. What's wrong with it now?" I waited for her answer

"I've always had a problem with it, I never said anything because that was your way of eating and I couldn't just come into your life demanding stuff."

"Tuh, whatever" I fanned her off "I ain't finna argue with yo ass. I'm grown, I do what I want"

"I might as well leave now then" she shrugged

"Fuck you say?" I stood in front of her

"Because when they dig deeper into the evidence and realize that it's you who's been running the drug business, you're going away for a long ass time!" she started crying "And I'll be raising Mason by myself...I'll be alone again, but this time with our child" she put her head down

"Babe" I took her hand in mine

She pulled away "No...I'm gonna go lay down" she walked around me and out of the kitchen

Damn. I thought to myself. I gotta get it together.

Thoughts?

-Carlisha ❤️