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Khadijah (KUH•dee•juh)

I was currently sitting out on the sand of the beach, enjoying my fourth day in the Dominican Republic.

While here on my own personal vacation, I've learned that nothing is more important than family. I've been missing all of them like crazy, I've been reading all the texts, and watching as my phone rang with all the calls, but I just needed this time to myself.

It seems like my stomach is growing bigger over night and I've been eating everything in sight. I even ate some crab meat, and I've always hated crab meat, but somethings change I guess.

"Hey, do you mind taking a picture of us?" A light skinned older woman with long hair asked.

"Sure." I struggled to stand to my feet and took the phone.

"Okay, one, two, three!" I snapped the picture and looked at it. "Okay, go back I don't like that one."

I took another picture of the woman and I'm guessing her husband, and it came out perfect.

"Thank you so much!" She grabbed her phone and showed it to the man.

He looked like he was uninterested in the whole scene and wasn't impressed by the picture. He walked off as if he was no longer in the mood to be around her presence, leaving her looking at the phone smiling to herself.

"Do you like it?" I asked walking towards her.

"I love it, thanks again." She sent me a genuine smile. "Don't mind him he's just a grump."

I looked at the man who was now at the day bar, taking shots with these other two women who were way younger than him.

"How long have you guys been married?"

"Oh we're not married yet, but we've been together for sixteen years." My eyes nearly popped out of my head at her response.

"Wow, sixteen years and no ring? How did you do it?"

She took a deep breath and sat down in the sand and I followed suit, of course much slower since my belly was so big.

"When I met Del, my boyfriend, he was such a charmer, a smooth talker, and a flirt." She smiled reminiscing. "I knew he dealt with a lot of girls but, I didn't pay it no mind at the time because I didn't think we would get serious. About six years into our relationship, he decided to up and leave me for another woman. He had already been cheating and lying and sneaking around, but he always came back to me. I was heartbroken and depressed when he left, and I couldn't move on from it. I found myself chasing him, only to be embarrassed and still left behind. He started a family without me, something I always wanted. I decided to fall back and let life play itself out. Four years later, I get news that he has cancer, his wife left him and took the kids, cleared his accounts and changed her number. She was gone with the wind. So of course he reached out to me, pulling the 'don't leave me hanging after all we've been through' card. I ran to his rescue, and now we're here, six years later and he treats me like I owe him something, when in reality I've had my whole life on hold for him. I just can't find the strength to leave him." Her face was full of tears, and the once joyous woman I saw was now swallowed by hurt and pain.

I rubbed her back and noticed she had bruises on her arms and face.

"He hits you?"

She sniffed and quickly nodded her head. "Yeah, we fight like cats and dogs. That's why his wife left him, because he was abusing her and she wanted to protect her kids. Sad thing is, he later found her and got her taken from her kids, he has her somewhere in hiding and he goes to see her from time to time. Something I'm not supposed to be speaking on." She turned her head to look back at him making sure he was still in his previous place by the bar.

I sat thinking for a while, wondering how such a beautiful person inside and out, could get treated like that.

"You shouldn't stay with him."

"I know that. I just, you wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"It's not easy to just up and leave someone you were once and still are in love with. No matter how bad he treats me or how much pain he puts me through, I can't shake the love I have for him."

"And I get that, I'm not in your shoes necessarily, but I'm in a little problem with my relationship at the moment, and this time away from him has made me realize that I love him unconditionally and the problem I have with him can be fixed and worked through. But sixteen years of abuse, lying, and cheating can take a toll on someone's health, mentally and physically. You can't keep that mask on forever, put yourself first. It's not worth keeping if the love isn't reflected."

She nodded her head and stared out into the water as if she was pondering on everything I said.

"If you don't mind me asking, how far along are you?"

"Three months." I smiled and rubbed my belly.

"You're really big."

My face turned into a frown, as I looked down at my baby bump.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude, I'm an OB and it looks like you're carrying heavy. Maybe three." She added examining my stomach.

"Three babies?! Oh no, it's just one, I just eat really good." I let out a nervous chuckle.

"Hmm." She smiled playing in the sand.

"Well it was very nice meeting you and talking to you, but I think I'm gonna go catch up on some sleep before I head back home tomorrow. What's your name, I didn't catch it."

"Debra, everyone calls me Debby though. And yours?"

"Khadijah, or Dijah."

We smiled at each other and said our goodbyes, we even exchanged numbers in case she ever wanted to talk. For some reason she gave me a really strong motherly vibe and I liked it.

Trey (Tr•āy)

I knocked on Khadijah's door to grant her some privacy instead of using my key. After four rounds of knocking, I pulled my key out and unlocked the door stepping in.

"Khadijah!"

I didn't see her car outside so I figured she parked it in the garage. I went to open the garage door, but her car wasn't in there.

I pulled my phone out to call her.

"You have reached the voicemail box of  312-" I hung up the phone aggravated that it went straight to voicemail like it's been doing for the past couple of days.

I sent a text to the group chat that Mo started a few weeks ago.

💙Shootas💙
(11 members)

Me
Anybody know where Dijah is? -2:19 p.m.

Trin
No, she hasn't answered me. -2:19 p.m.

Mark
No clue. -2:20 p.m.

Mo
😞 no -2:20 p.m.

Trin
Twan talked to her last I believe. -2:21 p.m.

Twan
Nigga... -2:22 p.m.

Me
Twan, hit my line bro. Yo sneaky ass know where she at. -2:22 p.m.

Twan
I swore I wouldn't tell bruh, I can't go against my sis. She'll kill me. -2:23 p.m.

Me
Ima kill the both of you...tell her ass to call me then since you pussy. -2:23 p.m.

Twan
Never no pussy, I gets the pussy. She went out the country to the islands of the Dominan, but ight I'll tell her, she may not call tho. -2:24 p.m.

Me
Tell her I said to call if she know what's best for her. -2:24 p.m.

Mo
Threat to my good sis? -2:24 p.m.

Me
Promise -2:25 p.m.

Twan
Oop, noted. I'm telling all this tea😂 -2:25 p.m.

Trin
Get off my line! Stop stealing my quotes Twan!!! -2:26 p.m.

Korie
All you bozos get the fuck off my shit. Nigga can't even sleep in peace. -2:27 p.m.

I shook my head at all the clowns that I call my family and sat on the couch waiting for my phone to ring, ping, ding or something.

Twenty minutes later my phone rang and it was Dijah.

"Hello." Her soft voice flowed through my receiver.

"Why you like playin' with a nigga D?"

"I'm not- I wasn't, I just left because I needed to, and I'm grown if you haven't noticed."

"Yeah, and you also pregnant. With my child, so don't you think you should let me know when you takin' yo ass out the country?!" I spat trying to contain my anger.

"You weren't even speaking to me!"

"Okay, still you let somebody know to tell me. Or send a text, shit anything. You was tryin' to hide it cause you told Twan clown ass not to tell, which he did."

The line grew silent because she knew I was right.

"When you come back? You need to be making it soon."

"My flight leaves at seven in the morning, so I should be home by one or two."

"Alright, when you get back we need to talk."

"Okay? Is it bad?" Her voice got lower.

"Knowing us, there's no telling which way it could go." I spoke honestly.

"Alright, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yep, see you." I pulled the phone away from my ear about to hang up but quickly brought it back. "Aye!"

"Yes?" She was annoyed.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I could hear the smile forming on her face.

We ended the call and I stood up prepared to leave. I locked the doors and headed to my car pulling off.

Monique (MO•nēēk)

I walked into the restaurant that Trin and I decided to meet up at, I was greeted by the host and he led me to the back where Trinity sat.

"Hey love!" She stood to hug me.

"Hey, how did he know I was here to meet you?" I questioned.

"I told him to look for a fine, thick baddie with some plump lips." We shared a laugh and I took my seat ready to order.

"So what you been up to? How was your exam?" I scanned the menu debating on if I wanted salmon or chicken.

"The exam made my whole ass itch, I really hope I pass because if I don't my courage to continue school will just fly right out the window." She rested her head on her fist and took in a deep breath.

"Well I know for sure you passed, so quit stressing it."

"Hello ladies, my name is Carter and I'll be serving you today. May I start you off with something to drink?" He smiled between us.

"I'll take the strongest wine you have." Trin winked.

"Really? It's only four in the afternoon and you're drinking?"

"Honey, tipsy has no time."

"I'll take water with lemon."

"Okay, and were you ladies ready to order or you need more time?"

"We're ready, I'll have the shrimp scampi but hold the shrimp and add chicken." Trinity smiled at the waiter.

"Soooo, you want chicken Alfredo?" I asked rolling my eyes.

"No I want shrimp scampi hold the shrimp, add chicken. The sauce and noodles are better in the scampi."

I laughed and waved Trinity off. "I'll have the salmon and scallops, but I don't want any of the garlic butter on there, and can you put some lemon juice on the side to put over my salmon?"

"Sure thing, I'll have your drinks right out and your food will follow shortly. Again my name is Carter if you need anything don't hesitate to ask." He smiled before walking off towards the kitchen.

"He was cute, you should definitely get his number." I encouraged Trin.

"Umm, I would if I was available." She scrolled through her phone.

"Run that back? If you were available? Well whose this lucky guy I have yet to meet?"

"It's this guy I met at the mall the day we went, I caught a flat tire and he was mister Superman and coincidentally stopped and changed it. We've been talking since then and he's really sweet, caring, and nice." She blushed talking about him.

"I'm excited, and if you're happy I'm happy. Just be careful and make sure everything checks out, and is as it seems."

Carter placed our drinks on the table and handed me a straw.

"I know, which is why we've both agreed to take things slow, I'm really feelin' him though." She sighed and played with her nails. "But enough about me, lets get to the important stuff, what we got planned for D?"

"Oh! That reminds me, we need to go to her doctor and find out what she's having. I want to throw her a surprise gender reveal!"

"Oooh! That would be so nice and unexpected, she would never think we'd go to her doctor to find out the gender behind her back."

"Yeah and when I found out Twan talked to Dijah last, I called him and he said she didn't find out the gender when she went to her last appointment because she was waiting on Trey to go with her so they could find out together." I clasped my hands together.

"But what if they decide to go and find out before the reveal? And how certain are you that the doctor will even disclose that information with us?" She questioned.

"I went to a couple of her appointments and Dr. Chan loves me, he'll definitely tell me if I tell him it's for a gender reveal. But we do need an inside man so D doesn't go and find out."

"How about Twan?" She suggested.

"You saw how fast he told Trey where D went, hell no, that nigga can't hold water."

"Truth, what if we ask the doctor not to tell Dijah."

"That could possibly work, but if they want to know he can't just withhold the gender of their baby from them."

"Well looks like we've got a gender reveal to put together before her next appointment." Trinity gulped down the remainder of her wine.

"Here you ladies are, I hope you enjoy everything. I'll go get you a refill Miss." He took Trin's glass.

The remainder of our time at the restaurant was spent eating and talking about ideas for the reveal. We even booked a building for the reveal and picked a date. We texted everyone letting them know the time, place, and date and also not to tell Khadijah, Trey, or Antoine.

We decided to head to the doctor's office in Trin's car, so we dropped mine off at Korie's house and made our way there.

At the doctor's office

"Well if it isn't the beautiful Monique."

"Hi Dr. Chan, how are you?" I spoke walking back to his office followed by Trinity.

"I'm well, I don't see Khadijah with you today. Is everything alright?" He closed his door.

"Everything is fine, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

He took his glasses off and folded his hands across his lap. "Depends on what it is?"

"My sister and I are trying to surprise the mommy and daddy to be with a gender reveal. Sooo we were hoping, that you could give us the envelope with the gender?"

"Technically you're supposed to come up here with at least one of the parents."

"I know, but if I did that then it wouldn't be much of a surprise."

He played with his pen and stared at us for a moment.

"Since I know you're like Khadijah's sister, I guess I can do a little something."

"Yes! Thank you so much!"

He went to his file cabinet and searched for Khadijah's envelope.

When he found it he looked through it and then gave it to me.

"If they want to know the gender you know I'll have to tell them, right?"

"We're going to try having it before she comes back up here."

"Her next appointment is in two weeks when she hits three and a half months, unless she tries to come before then."

"Thanks for that information, we'll try to keep her away from here until her scheduled appointment doc. But we're gonna head out because we got some planning to do." I spoke standing up from my seat.

"Actually, we have another favor." Trinity took the envelope from my hands.

I looked at her and furrowed my eyebrows because we didn't talk about anything else.

"Would you mind running some tests to see if Monique is pregnant?"

My eyes almost popped out of my head and a nervous smile plastered across my face.

"Trinity what are you doing? I'm not pregnant."

"The way you ate at that restaurant showed otherwise and you've had twelve different moods in the three hours I've been with you." She walked to the door. "I'll be in the waiting room."

Doctor Chan looked at me as if he was asking me if this is what I wanted to do. Truth is, I just didn't want to be disappointed because I know I can't get pregnant.

"I don't want to waste your time, I was raped a long time ago and got pregnant. I ended up losing the baby and they said I couldn't get pregnant again. Actually, it's impossible...their words not mine."

"I wouldn't mind double checking, us doctor's can tell you what we know, but in the end, the only person who has a certain answer and can make anything happen is the man upstairs."

I looked to the ceiling trying to hold back the tears that threatened to run away. I did a silent prayer and nodded my head 'yes' for him to do the blood work and urine sample.

Forty-five minutes later, the process was over and Doctor Chan had to help me out of the office.

The waiting room was empty besides Trinity since it was closing time, and I was happy because my sobs would've made anybody think the worst.

"Are you okay? Is this a happy cry or..." Trin looked from me to Dr. Chan.

"She's not pregnant, but the mood swings, weight gain, and fatigue is coming from her having premenstrual syndrome."

"What? I'm lost." Trin rubbed my back.

"It's just a big word for a group of symptoms that occur typically between ovulation and a period. And since she's irregular with her periods, her body can still go through this phase because her mind thinks a period is coming. It's all just her body trying to function regularly as if a period were to take place."

"I'm so sorry for bringing it up. I should've stayed in my place, I'm so sorry Mo." she pulled me into a hug.

We managed to make it out to the car and get buckled up to pull off.

"What's on your mind?" Trinity asked in a soft voice as she drove.

I silently cried looking at the scenery outside the window.

"I'll let you know when I find it."
_________________________
Excuse any mistakes...

What's today? WEDNESDAY? (yes)...OH OKAY, and did I give y'all a chapter MONDAY too? (yes)...OH OKAY.

What do you guys think about Del and Debby?

FYI - Debby will be back..

How did Trey handle the situation with Dijah being gone?

Who's ready for their "talk"?

Should Trin have brought up the pregnancy thought to the doctor? Was she in the wrong? Or just trying to be a good (nosey) friend?

And there you have it, y'all always think y'all know something!

"sHe PrEgNaNt! I'lL pLaN tHe BaBy ShOwEr! I'lL bRiNg ThE fOoD!"

🙂 y'all funny asf bree bree.

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