No answer for the 3rd time I exhaled sitting in the 9pm hour of the night feeling like I was in prison.

My Mind began to wonder on just why the hell he wouldn't be answering and I was concerned about Power. He wasn't keen on being away from mommy long, since we had never been far.

"She's fast asleep after our little movie. I laid her in Jason's old room for bed." Rick uttered coming to the bridge of my bedroom as I ended the voicemail of Steph's that was playing.

"Without a bath, Great fathering."

"Just give me credit, Allure loves her daddy already. I'm a father of 3 prior to your 2 don't try to school me on parenting. I do a damn good job. Besides I'm not here to prove that to you. This is my visitation due to your antics."

"I know it would make your day to have my child as your play house object but that's not happening. Now as I said earlier, we don't have to correspond at all. Shouldn't you be making your way home to your wife."

Rick chuckled slumps I behind him as if he was trying to ensure the coast was clear.

"I actually have a flight to get on in the morning due to business so our date is actually going to be cut short. I enjoyed my time with my daughter however I'm sure I'll be seeing her more often than you. So this should be time for you to enjoy, I do have a heart... I mean you know that Madison." He grinned.

"Pathetic. Goodbye Rick."

Rick blew a kiss attempting to intimidate me, but I gave him zero satisfaction initiating  the strength I had without acknowledging his attempt.

I had finally made it threw the day and could exhaled deeply. But this relief was short lived, once 11pm struck and there was still no word from Steph.

My mind couldn't rest. I packed Allure into her car seat and left without awaking my mother or batting one eye. I must've called atleast 10 times back to back before whipping into the drive way of the house where Steph's car wasn't present but an unknown Jeep was.

Not knowing who it could be I left Allure in the back seat refusing to awake her as I shy and locked the door while tucking my pistol close to my side.

Who's car could this be? I questioned myself without losing a step, quickly walking up to the front entrance of the home I was once in so comfortably.

Whoever it is I was about to find out. Slowly inserting the key and opening the door without a squeal, the front entrance of the house was pitch dark, but the sound of cartoons coming from the kids room sounded off.

I had to first assure the front was clear as I walked threw silently but carefully gun drawn flicking on the lights to clear sight.

On the stove in the kitchen was baked cornbread and a entree for dinner that I didn't bother to take a look at as the intriguing thoughts flew threw my head clearing the rooms then hall, heading towards Gigi's room where the tv was sounding off, to see Gigi fast asleep and turned to powers room where he was sleep and could've flew my top to inquire who's car was out front and if it was plausible that Steph had replaced his car somehow.

The light was off in the other rooms so I entered the bedroom he and I shared where the in the midnight shadow from the moon revealed the silhouette of a woman asleep at the edge of my king size bed fully dressed.

My heart dropped into my chest as I flicked on the light to see it was Cindy.

Before I could even flip out she awoke groggily.

Coughing to clear her throat as she set up, "umm-umm... hey Madison. How are you? Whew that light is bright girl." She chuckled before laying eyes on the seriousness of the situation as I tucked the gun away and tried to fix my face but it was sold.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep in here Gigi and power told me it was okay. I had the worse headache. I also borrowed some of your aleve and must've slipped right into a deep sleep in here. Comfy bed though. How are you, don't shoot please."

"Where is Steph?"

"Oh Steph. He called me up at about 8 he has to host tonight at the club. So he asked if I could babysit the kiddos. They are a sweet bunch. Gigi always is a. Sweetie pie but power is so smart and mannerable. You did a wonderful job." She sighed now standing face to face with me.

"You always sleep in other peoples beds?"I questioned disregarding the topic.

My question obviously caught her off guard as she sighed taken aback, "I'm not sure if I know what you mean? Like I said earlier I fell asleep after taking some aleve—."

"Yeah well earlier you also said power and Gigi gave you permission but that's neither here or there. Thanks for watching the kiddos I'm going to take over from here. I hope you're headache feels better by the way."

"Madison I think we're not on the same page here."

"What'll you mean?"

"You're my best friends fiancé I think we should have a healthy relationship. However I'm not feeling like we do."

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"I'm not screwing Steph if that's ever crossed your mind. I don't like beating around the bush and as a woman myself I know how it could seem."

"I never said you were, but thanks for the guilty explanation. Could you please leave my home now."

Cindy nervously laughed as she stood speechless, before forfeiting and lifting her arms to state she gives up as she turned away.

—————————————

I laid in bed with Allure just barely asleep as the clock struck 4:03am and the sound of Steph undressing awoke me generously.

"You're just getting in?" I groggily stated without even opening my eyes.

"You weren't even supposed to be here this weekend I thought."

"Yeah I found your girlfriend asleep like Goldie locks in our bed."

"I heard. I don't even want to talk about it right now. I just need sleep before I pass the hell out."

"You don't get to pick when and where to discuss this."

"Oh yes the hell I do. My body is shutting down in 5-4-3-2 —-."

"Never, because ready to hand you this engagement ring back. I am not going to accept you leaving my child with someone I barely know, who cooks dinner in my home, sleeps in my bed awaiting for you to get home, and scream at me that she's not fucking you like I'm some lunatic!"

The steam building in me rattled me out of bed as Steph stood nonchalantly per usual as cool as a cucumber.

"You're exaggerating many things. But I can understand your frustration. I'll explain everything later." He replied calmly undressing down to his boxer briefs and heading for the exit.

"Steph I deserve an answer do you really understand how I feel!?"

"I do but you're going to wake the kids and I just told you I am exhausted."

"You know what here is your damn engagement ring!" I exclaimed throwing it at the back of him.

"That ring is worth a wraith you lose hat you won't get another one. You'll be the ringless wife."

"Fuck you when you wake up I won't be here and neither will my kids."

Steph finally paused in his steps turning in my direction. "What the fuck is the reason for this tantrum Madison, like seriously. I called Ms.Youlous she didn't answer, I had an important opening I forgot all about so I switched with Cindy, and like a good friend she did just that without a complaint. When Gigi's mother was killed she stepped in and helped me, teaching me a hell of a lot that I didn't know, so I trust her, I'm sorry I didn't consult with you about her coming over and baby sitting Power too. I get it, i fucked up but I didn't intend to and would never leave my child let alone power who's also my son with someone who would harm them in the least way. I didn't know you felt so strongly about her. But damn it coming in here like a rookie cop in beat with your gun drawn and insulting her wasn't the best route. HOWEVER I understand it was the heat of the moment and so does she, there's no love lost. I love the hell out of you Madison, but I don't know how much more of the accusations I can take. Seriously, now can I please get some rest!"

Steph huffed exhaling as we stood in silence before he took my silence as a yes and turned to the couch and slumped onto it to fall into a deep sleep.

I felt a bit disappointed in yet again not controlling my emotions and impulsiveness. It every day I was learning and experiencing a night mare that I had to prepare myself for or just improvise.

Deep down inside I had a strong feeling about Cindy and Steph but I couldn't prove it. I had bigger fish to fry. Maybe it was my conscience of screwing over Angela with Rick haunting me to believe I would experience the same.