Capricorn
Chapter 38

Examples of Yin Manifestations (Opposite of Yang):
* Moon (Sun)
* Dark (Light)
* Feminine (Masculine)
* Water (Fire)

*

It was Sunday night and Craig had just gotten home from a gig. Missy and Ron were cuddled on the couch, each having a blunt in their hand, watching cartoons. Once Craig was settled, Ron raised his blunt in the air, offering it to him, while not taking his eyes away from the TV. Craig shrugged, walked over, and sat down. Ron passed him the blunt, still not looking away from the TV. The more Craig smoked, the funnier the cartoon was. What the hell were they watching?

The cartoon went to a commercial and Missy's phone began to ring. She was going to ignore it but she looked to see who it was anyway.

Adena.

Missy sat up, now remembering that Adena would call once she was on her way back to the city after visiting her parents. "Hey Dena, heading back?" she asked. Craig's ear perked up at the sound of her nickname. Adena said she would call him once she was headed back too.

"Yeah just waiting for the train," Adena said with a sigh. Missy could hear a train screeching by as someone was announcing something on the loudspeaker.

She also could hear something in her voice, "What's the matter? Dad freaked out? Mom too?"

Craig and his perked ears sat up straighter in his seat, he snapped his fingers at her until he got her attention and mouthed for her to put it on speaker. She was going to call him anyways, so she might as well only tell the story once, especially if it was a disappointing one. Missy rolled her eyes and pressed the button. She picked up the remote and turned the volume down to almost mute. Ron gave her an annoyed look.

"Dad was...Dad" Adena's voice filled the room and Craig smiled as he sat back in his seat. He handed the blunt back to Ron, for some reason he looked pissed. "Worried, more worried than excited."

"How about Mama Gladys?" Missy asked and Craig gave her a look. That's what she called her?

"She was surprisingly happy. Reacted like I hope she would but even happier. It doesn't matter who it belongs to as much as Dad. She's just happy to have a grandbaby coming."

"Aww, I'm glad she was happy for you at least," Missy said, "Which means..?"

"Daddy actually asked if I was going to get rid of it. Mom and I were shocked" Adena continued. "I kind of already made my decision at that point but I figured they could give me some advice on what to do you know? I don't want to disappoint him either."

Craig shook his head, whether she was keeping the baby or not, he understood why it was shocking to hear him say that. Was he going to treat the grandchild differently because of their father?

"So what does that mean?" Missy asked again as she glanced at Craig.

"We talked for hours about it but it turns out Craig was right and my parents are going to do their best to support me. He said, choose what makes me happy, and this was my dream. I've literally wanted this for so long-"

"I know," Missy said, before she and Taye actually got married, she was planning on when to get pregnant as well. She wanted kids immediately.

"So I'm keeping it," she said and Craig nodded his head. Ron looked shocked. Missy had a mixture of emotions.

"Yes! Congratulations bestie! I know you've wanted this and I'm sorry it's different than you planned."

"Me too," Adena said, "I just don't see myself even being able to go through with it. Now I have to tell Craig."

Craig looked up, was she sad? Disappointed? Did something change? Missy got up, he's heard enough already. Craig hissed at her to sit back down. She can't leave him hanging like that! She sighed and sat back down.

Ok, it was his funeral if this went left. "What are you worried about?" she asked as she looked at Craig. Did he really want to eavesdrop on this type of conversation?

Craig didn't care.

"It's just going to take a toll, he's adamant about jumping into a relationship. Not trying to convince me or anything but he made sure to let me know where he stood. I kind of wonder if he really understands what's happening?"

"He does," Missy said to her. She looked at Craig pointedly, he better be. Can't say big words like that and then change your mind.

"It's just too soon. My mom gave me all these baby books and a lot is going to happen in a short amount of time. I want to trust that he'll stay but...trust is hard to find recently."

Shit, maybe he's heard enough.

"But anyway, don't tell your bestie, let me."

"What are you talking about?" Missy asked her.

"You've seen Craig more than I ever have, especially before this weekend. You two see each other all the time, don't mind each other."

"Adena, stop tripping. I won't tell him" Missy said, deciding to get up. Yeah, that was probably a good idea. Ron nodded his head toward his room. Missy got up and walked while giving Craig an 'I told you so" look as she did. Once his bedroom door closed, Ron sat up and turned the TV back up to normal volume.

He then looked at Craig and said, "Man, are you crazy?"

"No, I'm not," Craig said, not looking at him as he inhaled the blunt slowly.

"You're already offering to be the baby daddy?! It's only been 2 days since you two reunited again. You're really sprung!"

"Men have been raising other men's kids for hundreds of years," Craig said, passing the blunt back.

"Yeah after the baby is already here. You met her and the baby at the same time. She's had ample time with the baby and has truly sorted out what the arrangements are. What about her ex?"

"Todrick? He ain't shit. He's not stepping up."

"That's what he said?"

"That's what I know he'll say."

Ron looked up at the ceiling and shook his head, "Dude, you know this baby is going to change everything. What if he comes back? This is HIS child, you know. If he wants to be in the baby's life, there is NOTHING you can do about it and she's not going to turn him down because who wants to be a single mother? Babies have also kept even the most toxic marriages and relationships together."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there, which I'm sure it won't."

"Nah man, you gotta research that bridge now. She's going to start spending more time with him. The feelings may come back and once that baby gets here, it's sometimes impossible to walk away at that point. What if she wants him again and they can be a happy family?"

"She hates his guts."

"Hate is just as unpredictable as love is."

"Stop talking man," Craig said as he snatched the blunt from Ron. "That's not helping right now."

"I just don't want you to be like the suckas I see standing off to the side at the hospital all the time. 'Oh him? That's just my boyfriend. This guy is the baby's father.' ''Scuse me Craig and everyone else who isn't parents to the child. We need some privacy.' And you're stuck in the waiting room not knowing where the fuck you belong."

Craig didn't know what to say about that. He knew that would be a fucked up situation and he wasn't a fan of being around Toby, just thinking about the guy made him angry. Back at the courthouse, Craig was pissed that he got to the divorce trial before her damn husband did. The more they waited and he hid, the more he could see how uncomfortable this was for Adena. So when Taye finally waltzed in, he had to hold on to the pew to keep himself from beating his ass and going straight to jail.

"Adena's right, you gotta take shit slow. There are more cons than pros you know."

"How do you know?" Craig asked him, "You're basing this off of guys you've just seen randomly at the hospital?"

"Dating a pregnant woman for the first time is going to be the hardest thing you'll probably ever do, besides maybe the second time she gets pregnant. But at least she's carrying your child. Dealing with someone else's child inside your girlfriend just fucking sucks man. Why can't you see that?"

"You're just being really negative at the worst time. Talking like this right now is a waste of weed!"

"You wanted to listen to her say the worst thing while being high. I'm pregnant, I'm keeping it and it's not yours. No bueno no matter what the circumstance."

"You don't know what you're talking about" Craig grumbled as he stole a bottle of beer out of the box Ron bought.

"Dude I've dated pregnant bitches before but it all crumbles once she starts showing. I've dated bitches with baby daddies, baby daddies are just as bad as baby moms. You ever date anybody with a baby?"

"No"

"Why is that?"

"I don't want that drama."

"Boo-yah!"

"Adena's different."

"Aye yo, my dawg! My man's!" Ron said disappointedly as he put his head in his hands. "It's too late, you're beyond help! Oh! Your stepdad, didn't you hate your stepdad? That's what you'll be."

"Stanley wasn't my stepdad, he was just another motherfucker using my mom for her money and helping put her into an early grave." It then got awkwardly quiet.

"You're in love with her?!" Ron asked with a gasp, breaking the silence.

"No I'm not but I really-"

"Nah, that's love. Shit, you're farther gone than I thought."

"I'm serious about her but not that serious."

"I hope so because being in love is a whole other monster."

"You think I don't know that?"

"I think you forgot. Or think Adena is too different and will never break your heart. Well besides what she said just now." Craig glared at him. "Dude. I just want you to be smart about this. You both have been through a lot in the romance department lately. Assess the situation before getting fully involved." Craig turned the volume on the TV higher. Ron was on a roll now though, the weed setting in more, he put it on mute. "Ok let's do this now. Women who are not pregnant have a lot more freedom and nothing holding them back. She can be up in the booth with you. Party with you. Drink with you. Stay out all night with you. Preggers? She's going to be too exhausted to do all the partying you two have been doing now. She's going to get bigger and pregnant women don't go to the club, they can't fit into their favorite dress, their feet are swollen, and it's not a fun time for them. She's not gonna even want to have sex anymore!! Her libido is gonna slow down so enjoy it while it lasts, she ain't gonna put it on you like she obviously has been to make you even consider this."

"Let's not do this now," Craig said, hoping Adena and Missy hung up soon so she could save him.

"Healthy relationships sometimes can't make it through something like this. Do you even want kids Craig?" Ron continued, ignoring his request.

"One day."

"Soon?"

"Not soon."

"Isn't 9 months pretty soon?" he asked and Craig sighed. "She's going to be sick a lot, sleep a lot, hormonal, she'll cry a lot, she's not going to like her body, she's not going to wear skimpy shit anymore. She's going to get upset by basically everything."

"Ok, my turn," Craig said as he got up and paced. "You've named every worst scenario possible but this isn't some new thing! I'm good, I can make it work if she wanted to. So it's my turn, she may not love her body, but she's going to love to eat. She's going to be hungry all the time just like I'll be hungry all the time. We'll be able to eat anywhere and she'll be fine. Which also means she's going to get thick. 'Thicc' 'thicc'" he emphasized. "She's going to get more curves and I love the way her body is now but once she gets some thicker thighs, ass, breasts!? She's gonna get that glow. She's going to be even more beautiful. Why because I KNOW how much she really wants this. This is going to make her happy."

"Having a baby will make her happy but the pregnancy won't dude. Trust me."

"She's going to be more mature. She may not be ready now but as time goes on, she's going to think about the future more and she'll change her mind once it comes to us. She's gotta trust me. She's right too. Missy sees me more than she does. Missy and I get along just fine. I love Missy actually and think she's really good for you though she may get you in trouble here and there. She just needs to see me step up and that's basically my personality trait. I step up when it comes to her. Naturally. I took care of her before even truly knowing her for real and we just keep getting closer and closer the more we spend time together. I'm tired of dating chicks that are just more concerned about how she looks or what she wears. She's going to be giving up a lot to raise this baby and she's not going to be with the bullshit. No more games, she's too smart for all of that now. She's performing a miracle all on her own."

Ron sighed, Craig was beyond help. He only could see what he wanted to see. "Craig it's as simple as this. At the end of the day, the baby isn't yours. It may just feel weird and then go away but realistically, she's going to ask you to step up but make you take the backseat at the same time. This is just her baby now, not yours. You're along for the ride. You gotta agree with her on everything that goes on for the next 9 months, she's going to know best. It's her body, her choice. Any opinion you have about the baby won't want to be heard, it's going to be her way or the highway. What if things go your way and she wants your name on the birth certificate?"

Craig paused, "I don't know, we'd have to talk about that."

"Yeah because it sounds weird doesn't it?"

"Look Ron, just drop it, alright?" Craig said as he sat back down and opened another beer, "I'm going to feed her, pamper her, respect her boundaries, I won't judge her and I will help her out as much as she needs me to. Because I want to. She's not twisting my arm about this. I want to. I'm going to be fine. We're going to be fine."

Missy then walked back into the room. "So I hope you're happy," Missy said to Craig as she sat back down and lit her blunt.

"He is. He is ignorantly happy" Ron said.

"I am happy. I'm fully prepared for what we're going to talk about. I'm going to be there for her because that's what she needs" he said as he got up and put his coat on. "Did she say when she would be home?"

"She said an hour but we were talking for a while."

"I'm gonna head out then," he said as his phone rang. It was Adena. "And here she is," he said, "Hey babe."

"Hey I'll be home in like 30 minutes or so, are you busy?"

"Nope and I'm on my way to you now," he said as he opened the door and left. He heard her sigh with relief as he walked to the elevators. He appreciated Ron trying to help but he really sucked at it. He knew what he was doing and what he was getting himself into.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

*

After the Rat, the next Chinese Zodiac animal is the Ox. In China, many don't eat beef because the ox is respected for all the help it gives working the land. The ox is a water element and figures of oxen were thrown into rivers to prevent flooding.

*

Adena smiled, she didn't know how she could get so lucky. She was going to get to keep the baby and Craig was fine with it?! He even wanted to be with her too, but they should do things one at a time. She didn't want to put too much on him too soon. She didn't want to scare him away. Yeah, he said he wasn't going anywhere and would always be there for her but every man has their limit.

And she still didn't really know what Craig's was.

She sighed as she lay down on the bed in the examining room. The ultrasound machine was sitting right next to her. Her heart skipped a beat knowing she was going to hear her babies heartbeat for the first time.

Unfortunately her mother couldn't make it. She wanted her to go to a practitioner on Long Island but Adena didn't have the time to go out to Long Island for an appointment and make it in time to get back to work. Her mother was disappointed but promised she would make the next one.

Thankfully she wasn't doing this alone. She grabbed his hand and smiled as she looked up at Craig. He looked back down at her and smiled as the door opened and the doctor came in. He could feel Adena's grip tighten knowing the moment she has been waiting for was here.

"Alright, let's take a look," the practitioner said after applying jelly on top of her stomach and gliding the Doppler on it. She gasped when she heard the heartbeat. They all looked at the screen and then the doctor pointed, "There they are. The fetus is now 3 inches long, about the size of a peach."

Adena squeezed Craig's hand tighter. Her other hand covered her mouth in shock as tears rolled down her face. There it was. Her baby. "That's a normal size, right? Does he, she look ok?"

"They are coming along just fine" the practitioner smiled. "This is the head, and its cute little body is already hard at work. Now that you're almost done with your 13th week and your first trimester, your baby's intestines are starting to grow. It grows inside of the umbilical cord and then once it's ready, will start its journey out of the cord and to its permanent place in the body. In their abdomen. Also, your baby is developing vocal cords, all better to cry with."

After the practitioner checked everything from Adena's weight and blood pressure all the way to sizing up her uterus by feeling around on her stomach... "Physically how are you? How's your fatigue? Lack of energy?"

"It's taking some getting used to. It doesn't help that I can't sleep through the night, I'm already peeing all the time and baby isn't even showing at all."

"That is very common. How are you emotionally?"

"Up and down, I'm having mood swings, cried a lot over this past weekend. It's all still hitting me. I feel this is surreal is this really happening? I'm happy and excited but I'm also apprehensive and have so many doubts and questions."

"That is also normal," the practitioner said to her. "How about you Daddy? Have you noticed anything different about her, emotionally?" they asked, looking at Craig.

"Oh no, I-"

"He's not the Daddy, he's just a really great friend of mine" Adena struggled to say. He was more than a friend but they weren't exclusive. How could she explain that? It wasn't any of their business anyway. Craig didn't know how he felt about that title but he swallowed it down. Awkward moments like these were bound to happen.

The practitioner nodded and looked at Craig. They could tell just by looking at them that they were more than friends.

After asking every question on her 4-page list of questions, the two left and Adena had to rush back to work. Craig was working at the clubs tonight as usual and wouldn't be able to see her until the next morning. "Oh, I almost forgot," Adena said as the Uber pulled up to the gallery. She dug into her purse and pulled out a small key on a key ring. "Here," she said as she gave it to him. "It's a spare key."

Craig looked at her with surprise. You don't give someone who is just "a great friend of yours" a spare key to your apartment. This was a big step. "Really?"

"Yeah, I feel bad when I'm so tired that I can't even stay awake long enough to really see you but when I feel you get in bed next to me in the middle of the night, after a gig, it helps me sleep even better, knowing I'm not alone." She pulled him close and kissed him and then opened the car door, "So see you tonight?"

"See