single dad: v.h

fifty

"I've got everything taken care of with my apartment. I'll meet you there?" Aaliyah asked.

"Yeah, send me the address. I've got everything already in my car." Vinnie answered.

"Alright text me when you leave." Aaliyah said.

"I will." Vinnie answered shortly.

She didn't expect him to talk much today. He had lived with his parents during the hardest moments of his life. She knew this wasn't easy for him.

"I love you very much, I'll see you there."

"I love you, bye baby." Vinnie hung up and continued to buckle Kaiser in his seat.

He glanced up to see Bear looking down at her hands with tears in her eyes. She had just found out that she wouldn't see her grandparents as often. Vinnie gulped down a sigh before closing the door. He turned around to see his family standing there, including his mom even though she didn't want to be there.

"It was nice to have you back home with us while you were Vinnie." Nate said.

"I appreciate your help. I just need a little time to figure everything out." Vinnie said.

"That's fine son, you let us know when you're ready." Nate said.

"I'll let you know when the baby is born so you guys can come to the hospital and Reggie can come pick the kids up from Aaliyah whenever you wanna see them." Vinnie said.

Nate simply nodded and pulled his son into a hug. Next was Reggie and the two brothers stayed like that for a moment, silently forgiving one another for everything that had happened. Lastly was his mom who barely even looked at him.

"Do you want a hug?" Vinnie asked softly as Nate and Reggie walked away to give them a moment.

"No, I would like for you to leave my driveway if you aren't living here any longer." Maria answered.

"Okay, as you wish." Vinnie answered, walking away and around the other side of the car.

He got in the drivers seat and watched his mom through the mirror as she walked into the house. He sat there for a second, trying his best to rid himself of any tears, before starting the car and pulling out of the driveway, not even for a second regretting his choice.

——

"I think that's it." Aaliyah said as she stared at all the stuff piled up on an extra couch in the cabin.

They'd only be there for a few weeks at most so they mutually decided to just leave it all packed. Vinnie turned, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.

"Sorry I'm sweaty." Vinnie said as he spoke into her hair.

"You've smelled worse." Aaliyah answered which made Vinnie pull away and the two of them start laughing.

"I'm kidding, now hug me again." Aaliyah smiled.

"No cause I stink." Vinnie said, pouting as he walked away. "Bear! Aaliyah made me sad!" Vinnie whined and dragged out the "a" in sad.

"Did you deserve it?" Bear yelled back from upstairs.

"No." Vinnie answered.

"Be nice to each other. Now quiet down, I'm trying to get Kaiser to go to sleep." Bear yelled back and giggled at the end along with Kaiser who giggled with her.

"Hear that? Be nice to me." Vinnie said, running up the stairs.

"You be nice to me." Aaliyah responded, chasing him.

"I'm always nice." Vinnie said, diving into the bed and "hiding" under a pillow.

"Shit where'd my boyfriend go?" Aaliyah said to herself pretending to search for him.

"Yeah, where'd he go?" Vinnie stood up, placing his fingers on his chin.

"Carson? Carson where are you?" Vinnie said, pretending to look for him.

Aaliyah burst into laughter, Vinnie joining in laughter. As they settled down from laughing, both of them crawled into bed and turned all the lights off. It was dark but they could still each other, faces illuminated from the hallway lights.

"I can't wait to start my life with you." Aaliyah whispered, running her hand along his cheek and into his hair.

"I couldn't agree with you more."

THE END