Turnover

38.

"You were right , I made a mistake. I should've listened to you."

Blinking in her dimly lit room, Kesi thought on the words trying to formulate a response just as she heard a click. The first time she'd heard from Aziah directly in years and it was all to convey one sentence. Was she talking about college or Dejounte?

It was 5:00 AM.

Maneuvering out of her sheets , she peaked back at a still sleeping Brandon before she tip toed to Kaidence's nursery. Something about the space soothed her. Maybe it was the position of the rocking chair that was facing the window or just the promise the room held. Nonetheless as she sat staring at the stars she tried to piece together what could've possibly been going on.

Aziah's career was thriving , despite the many roles she and River Cook had battled for, they both managed to find their niches. Aziah was booked and busy so that only left Dejounte as the issue.

They had been spotted out less and less as time went by , only really coming together for their two young children. Whatever it was , Kesi didn't find joy in her being right. In fact , she wished she was anything but.

"I really can't sleep without you."

Brandon's arms quickly laced around his wife's stomach before he rested his head in her neck. Placing a soft kiss along the side , he sighed before moving away and leaning against Kaidence's crib in front of her.

"I tried not to wake you, sorry."

"I didn't feel you move. I just knew you weren't there and woke up."

"So we've become that couple now huh?"

Smirking at his wife's question Brandon shrugged before he took in the crib and then looked back at her.

"Whatever we are , we're just us Kes. What woke you up?"

"Aziah."

That name hadn't been heard since their wedding so Brandon's reaction was understandable. The confusion that crossed his face mirrored Kesi's lost gaze as she began to explain.

"She sounded tipsy , she just said two sentences. Basically, that I was right and she should've listened."

Placing his hand under his chin, Brandon waved the ordeal off as he took an ottoman from nearby and sat on it in front of his wife.

"Mrs. Ingram , whatever she called you about..." He sighed before he continued "It's not your concern , if Aziah sounds like she's not in any direct danger you've got to let her live her life and navigate this. You two can't become friends again just because she needed someone to vent to. She's family , that'll never change but let her find her way back alright?"

It was hard to argue with him on that matter. Sighing , Kesi rubbed her stomach just as Kaidence kicked about four or five times in her own rhythm. Kesi held her side at the pain the last one brought to her.

"Still kicking up a storm in there?"

Brandon beamed before placing his hand next to Kesi's. However, his wife was glaring at him playfully.

"She didn't kick this hard until you played G Herbo the other day. Now my daughter's a baby banger in my uterus."

"Our daughter." The correction was swift as he got up and kissed her lips softly "It's better off this way , it's the Kinston in her."

"This baby will be born in LA Brandon."

"Blood is blood, did Indiana leave you when you came to Kinston? I didn't think so."