LEMONADE 2||

Chapter 35: Take Care

Christmas Eve Eve

Victoria came in with her suitcase and a new haircut. "Mommy" the kids smiled running to her. "Hey, my loves" she smiled hugging them. She stayed with her mother for the weekend to clear her head. "I missed you," she said kissing both of them. Cortez stayed on the couch he had no idea if she would spaz if he simply said hi. She didn't say anything she walked into her room closing the door. He looked over at the little Christmas tree he and the kids decorated over the weekend. He wanted to make the best of this complex living situation. "Daddy when are you and mommy gonna get along? She asked. "I'm trying kid," he said watching the game. "Why don't you try hard enough? Camden suggested. "You wouldn't understand baby girl" he sighed. "Why? Just because I'm a kid doesn't mean I don't understand" she said confidently. He laughed "Your Victoria's child for sure" he smiled. "I mean Anthony gives me his juice boxes every day and-

"Wait a minute who's Anthony? Cortez asked confused. "Huh? She asked. "Oh, now you can't hear huh? She shyly drew back in her coloring book. "Somebody" she giggled. "You better not have a boyfriend little girl until you're 50 and I mean that," he said. "Anthony made me mad so now he gives me his juice boxes at lunch. he's thirsty but I'm not" she said. He squinted his brow confused at her somewhat analogy. "Shut up," Jalen told her. Cortez hit him upside his head. "Ouch," he rubbed his head. "Don't tell your sister to shut up" he said getting from off the couch. Cortez wasn't done with his conversation with his daughter, but he needed to check on Victoria. He opened the door walking in he didn't see her in the bed. He knocked on the bathroom but there wasn't an answer. "Victoria" he called. He opened the door seeing her peacefully sleeping in a bubble bath. "Tori" he called. She jumped quickly covering her body. "You, okay? he asked concerned hoping she wasn't trying anything. He closed the door. She sunk deeper into her bubble bath not saying anything. He just knew she was going to yell him out of the bathroom "How was your trip? He asked concerned. She cleared her throat "It was needed" she finally spoke staring at the wall. "What happened? He asked. "I got an abortion," she said. Cortez sighed apart of him was relieved, but the other part knew she might blame him for it. "I'm-

"I know you're happy anyway so..." she said. "I hope you didn't do it based of what I said. I was being a dick. It doesn't matter if you kept the baby or not my mission of getting you back remained the same, and I still would've treated your child like my own" he admitted. Even that statement alone irritated her, but she didn't have the energy to argue. "You say that now" she scoffed. "I know, I was being an asshole.... I am an asshole" he admitted

It just hurts, everything does, and I don't know why" She paused. "I've been feeling crazy for a minute. I feel like I'm suffocating" she admitted as tears rolled down her eyes. "How long have you been in here? He asked. "I don't remember," she said. He got a towel "Come on" he said holding it. She slowly got up stepping down the tub. He wrapped the towel around her body. The both of them just looked at each other. "I'm sorry" he said. "I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry it took me so long to acknowledge where I was lacking. I don't want anything from you, a relationship, or sex but I do want to gain your trust back-

She laughed a little crying "It took me days to realize that's all you wanted is to feel like I got you, even when you were fighting me...I can't promise that we won't argue but I promise you I won't let you fall again" he said. She cried as he held her. He kissed her forehead as she continued to cry on him. "I'm sorry you had to go through that alone" he rubbed her back.

Later that evening

Josie laughed twerking a little in the mirror. She decided to hang out for a change and go to a Day Party with Erica and her friends. The Day party was a success, she definitely walked out with a few numbers she intended on going on dates with... the girls were super drunk now and hungry. "I'm so hungry," Josie said. "I know we should let our drunkenness wear off though" Salem laughed. "Bitchh were supposed to eat to let it wear off duh," Erica said. "I look so good; I could get me pregnant," Josie said squeezing her buttocks. "It's the confidence for me friend," Erica said plopping on her bed. "Oooo" Erica opened Zel's drawer grabbing hot chips she threw them at Josie. "Oh yes you know me, you got dip. She asked "I think so" Erica said walking to their kitchen. The girls spent a few hours sobering up before they got dinner. "Wherever we go can it just be far away I don't want to run into what's his face," Josie said popping a Tylenol. "Girl you act like he's everywhere," Erica said. "He is everywhere you would think he ran the whole damn planet" she scoffed. "He is everywhere" Erica laughed. "I'm over it" she said. "He's trying sis," Erica said. "He did leave a bunch of roses in front of my crib. I gave them to my neighbor... Ms. Kathy, she's a widow" she said. "Bitch you petty as fuck" Erica laughed