MARIO's POV

"Baby!" I said taking Lauren into my arms.
Tears filled her eyes as she clenched onto my shirt.
My heart filled with pain.
Looking around the room for a phone I began panicking.
Knowing someone in the neighborhood was going to report gunshots and for the first time in my life I prayed for the police to arrive.
Tears fell from my eyes landing on her.
"I'm gon take care of you--just hold on baby. Please."
A frightened look came across her face with the fear of dying as she tried to control her breathing.
Blood poured from her wound and the more I saw her struggling the more tears fell.
"Am--am I goin--to--die?" She managed to ask in between breaths.
"No. I got you." I said pulling her closer into my arms kissing her forehead.
I'd lost every person that ever mattered to me and it was my fault.
"Th--the babe--the baby." Lauren said slightly lifting her arm to bring it to her stomach.
Wiping my tears away I directed my eyes towards her stomach that held our child.
"The baby is going to be okay." I said trying to stay positive.
Hearing police sirens in the distance I cradled her in my arms as I rocked her back and forth.
Shortly two uniform officers ran into the house.
"Shit, we need a paramedic." The officer said instantly getting on his radio. "I need an ambulance right now--I have a woman with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and the stomach--victim is with child."
"Sir, are you okay?" The other officer asked approaching me practically having to pull me away from Lauren.
Still in shock I was unable to speak.
"Sir, do you hear me?" The officer yelled desperately trying to get my attention.
Turning towards him I nodded my head.
"I'm good."
The other policeman tried to keep Lauren conscious.
"Ma'am, ma'am--can you hear me?" He asked. "If you can, blink once for me okay?"
Inhaling deep breaths Lauren did as he instructed by blinking once.
"I need you to stay awake for me." The officer continued. "The ambulance is on the way."
Arriving less than five minutes later the paramedics ran into the house taking over.
"I need everyone to get back!" One paramedic called out to the officers as he wheeled in the gurney.
Lauren was still awake but was slowly falling in and out of consciousness.
Grabbing ahold of her hand I walked out with them towards the ambulance.
I wished for everything to be alright.

***
Sitting in the waiting room for over two hours while Lauren was going through surgery, I placed my head in my hands praying for my family.
Closing my eyes the vivid image of my mother being shot in front of me replayed through my head.
"Mario?"
Rubbing my hands down my face I looked up to see Alaina's mother standing in front of me dressed in blue scrubs.
I stood to my feet to get a better look at her.
"What's going on?" She asked noticing my blood stained shirt.
Inhaling a deep breath I swallowed hard to rid the lump from my throat.
I'd forgotten she began working at the hospital as a nurse assistant after the incident with CJ.
"I don't wanna talk about it--it's been a long day." I finally stated. "How's CJ?"
"He's doing good but I'm worried about you--I didn't expect to see you here today." She said glimpsing me over.
"Lauren was shot." I sighed before finally admitting.
Covering her mouth in shock Amelia eyes widened with fear.
"Is the baby alright?"
Looking down at the floor my mind filled with "what if's".
"I don't know." I answered truthfully.
Sitting back down I returned my head back to my hands.
Comforting me Amelia rubbed my back before taking a seat next to me.
"I know we haven't had the best relationship and Alaina is to blame but I'm here if you need to talk."
"Thank you." I said nodding my head in agreement.
"Mr. Johnson?"
Directing my attention towards the doctor that walked up to us my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
"Yea?" I asked standing to my feet again. "Is everything' okay?"'
Nervous about the news I was minutes away from receiving I braced myself for her response.
A smile appeared across her face as she looked at me.
"Lauren is going to be fine."
Letting out a sigh of relief I smiled.
"What about the baby?"
"She's fine as well--." The doctor said placing her hand on my shoulder. "When Lauren is brought from the intensive care unit you'll be able to see her--but we do advise that she rest. It'll be best for her and the baby."
Giving me an assuring smile she walked off.
"Thank you god." I silently prayed.
Alaina's mother stood to her feet.
"Congratulations." She said causing me to turn back around to face her.
Giving her a confusing look I tried to understand what she was getting at.
"Thanks."
She shook her head noticing my expression.
"She's having a girl." She laughed.
My eyes widened as I replayed what the doctor said to me. "What about the baby?"
"She's fine as well."
I was going to have a daughter.

***
Walking into Lauren's hospital room she laid in the bed with her shoulder bandaged together.
Guilt washed over me seeing her lying in pain.
"I guess we have matching wounds." She joked in a raspy voice.
It was good to see her still joking and still full of life.
Making my way over to her bed I took her hand in mine.
"Your face--." She said noticing my busted lip.
"Bae, I'm good." I said slightly moving back.
Taking a glimpse over her body I could feel tears welling in the back of my eyes.
"All of this is my fault--."
"Stop it." She said cutting me off. "Just promise me your done with this life."
Looking her deep in her eyes I lifted the back of her hand before kissing it.
"I promise."
Basking in our moment a knock came across the door before it opened.
"Hello?" A familiar voice called out causing both of us to look in the direction.
Walking into the room with Nicholas was her Aunt and Uncle Roland.
"How's it goin?" Roland asked as he passed a black duffle bag to me.
Unzipping the duffle I peered inside noticing a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
"Thanks Ro." I said dapping him.
Lolita walked around the hospital bed examining Lauren.
"Are you okay?" She asked taking a seat on the bed.
Still having tension against each other Lauren replied with a head nod.
"How did you know I was here?" Lauren asked breaking the silence.
Turning towards me Lolita smiled.
"Mario called Roland."
"Yea, the nurse was nice enough to let me use her phone." I assured her.
Roland gave a head nod and smirked before turning his attention back towards me.
"Come outside." He instructed before making his way towards the door.
Placing the duffle to the floor I followed him into the hallway.
"Sup?" I asked closing the door behind me keeping our conversation private.
Roland's facial expression changed to serious as he placed his hands inside his pants pockets.
"You know, it's a lot of niggas after you." He assured me.
Rubbing my hands down my face I blew out a deep breath.
"I know, I'm already on it--."
Being an emotional wreck I was in no position to hold this conversation as memories of my mother flashed in front of my eyes.
Knowing our relationship wasn't perfect, she didn't deserve to lose her life because of me.
"Rio--." Roland said snapping his fingers at me.
Shaking the thought from my head I glanced at him.
"Did you hear what I said?" He asked annoyed.
If it was anything Ro hated was for someone to ignore him as he spoke.
"I gotta handle the niggas that killed my mother in front of me." I snapped.
Roland shook his head in disappointment.
"No, you're going to take care of your family like a grown man suppose to and get the fuck outta this city." He spat.
I looked at Roland in disbelief.
"I'll handle it-just go." He said with sincerity.
Realizing that he was right I nodded my head in agreement.
Roland was like a father I never had. The kind that would set his son straight and handle the situation personally to keep him from getting into trouble.
"I think I met my real father." I blurted.
Roland looked at me with confusion.
"I wanna be sure, he'll be the only person I have left."
Taking in a deep breath Roland removed his hands from his pockets before leaning against the wall.
"What if he's not though?" He questioned. "That's adding more salt to the wound."
Shaking his head in disagreement he leaned off the wall.
"Don't get yo hopes up to be let down." He added.
Once again he was right but I just wanted to be sure.
"You have all the family you need in the people that's here today bruh--Don't go searching. If Celia didn't want you to know then just let it be. I'm sure she wouldn't have lied to you your whole life."
Not noticing tears falling from my eyes until one hit my hand I quickly wiped them away.
"Let it out man." Roland encouraged before patting my shoulder.

***
Walking back into the hospital room interrupting Lolita and Lauren's heart to heart.
Both ladies were crying as I made my way towards the bed.
"I want you to know that I'll always love you. No matter what." Lolita stated before kissing Lauren's cheek. "You too lil man." She said to Nicholas before standing from the bed.
Noticing my appearance Lolita turned to look at me.
"So we're expecting a baby girl?" She smiled widely.
Forgetting everything Roland and I just talked about the thought of having a daughter was the best news I had all day!

***

A/N: Yayy!!! They're having a little girl!!! Nick-Nick is going to be a big brother :-D ;-D
My question is...What should they name her?
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