single dad: v.h

chapter nineteen

Vinnie was now talking with his mom again, Reggie was living with him, and he and Aaliyah were officially dating. Bear's attitude had only gotten worse and that resulted in her tablet being smashed with a hammer. Kaiser had learned to crawl and he was now able to say "dada" and had even taken a step further to call Aaliyah "mama".

——

"Baby your phone is ringing." Aaliyah said, shaking Vinnie from his sleep.

Vinnie sat up from the bed, confusion covering his facial features when the name "Seattle Police Department" appeared on his phone.

V: Hello?

PO: May I speak to Vincent Hacker?

V: This is him.

PO: I'm calling because you are the emergency contact on Miss Nicol's forms. I'm sorry to inform you that Emily has passed away from an overdose.

V: Oh, um. Th-Thank you.

He didn't even hear the police officers last words, he just hung up. As soon as the silence hit him, he felt as if he were going to cry and vomit at the same time. He stood up, sprinting to the bathroom and spilling his guts into the toilet while tears ran down his face.

——

"Baby what's wrong?" Aaliyah asked softly once he was done vomiting and brushing his teeth.

"Emily's dead." Vinnie answered, his face feeling tight from crying so much.

"Oh my g- What?" Aaliyah said.

"She's fucking dead. Did you not hear me?" Vinnie snapped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'll give you some time. Come back to bed when you're ready." Aaliyah said softly, kissing his shoulder.

She was never the type of person to yell or snap back because she hated conflict.

Vinnie leaned against the sink, the tears coming back. He wasn't crying because he loved her or he wanted her to be his. He was crying because she was the mother of his children and even though there relationship was fucked up from the beginning he still cared for her. But now he couldn't tell her that and his kids would never have the chance to meet there mother.

——

"Aaliyah." Vinnie whispered, pressing his lips to her ear softly.

"Yes?" Aaliyah asked softly.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you. I apologize." Vinnie said softly, his voice rough and scratchy from crying.

"You're fine, death is hard and I understand. Have you informed her family?" Aaliyah asked, turning over to face him.

"I called her mom and let her know. She thanked me for letting her know and stuff. The call ended pretty quickly." Vinnie answered.

"Are you okay though? I know that you had a rough past but she did mean something to you at one point. Maybe she still does." Aaliyah said softly.

"I'm fine besides the fact that if Bear wants to know her when she's older that she won't be able to." Vinnie wiped his dry face.

"That makes sense, but I'm here for your kids as there step in mom. Especially Kaiser, I love your little guy so much." Aaliyah said, never once claiming them as her own.

"You are Kaiser's mom Aaliyah. He's our little guy. You're the only woman he's ever known as his mom and I never want that to change. Bear unfortunately knows you aren't and I'm sorry she treats you the way she does. I think it's just hard for her to share me because she's had me her whole life. She was okay with sharing me with Kaiser but I know she hates knowing she isn't the only girl I have in my life now. Besides all that, I appreciate you more than you know and I love you so fucking much it hurts me to think of living a life without you." Vinnie said, cupping her cheeks and kissing her.

"I love you Vinnie just as much, if not more, than you love me."