Chocolate: do you think I can stay at your place after I have my baby??
Karis: of course. I told you I'm here for you. I'll have Taylor make room for you.
Chocolate: thank you so much.
"I'm about to go to my appointment. I'll see you later. I love you." Lennox said to Heather who just ignored her as usual.
Lennox sighed as she exited the house and got into her car. She backed out of the driveway and began to make her way to the doctors office. As she was driving, she received a call from Brandon. "Hello?" Lennox answered.
"Hey, I was able to step away from work for a minute. You good?" Brandon asked.
"Yeah, I'm on my way now. I'll be sure to text you any updates." Lennox said.
"Okay, be safe." Brandon told her.
"I will. I'll talk to you later." Lennox replied. Brandon told her a few more things before they ended the call.
Lennox stopped at a red light and sighed as she drifted off into a daydream. Depression was kicking her ass. She ruined her relationship with her family. However, Amaru has been affectionate towards her but he still didn't say any words to her. All of this has been killing Lennox on the inside and she didn't know what to do.
Someone honked their horn, alarming Lennox that the light has been green for a minute now. Lennox snapped out of her trans and pressed her foot on the gas. As Lennox crossed the intersection, a semi truck slammed into the driver's side of her car—flipping her car seven times until it landed upside down.
-
Amaru kissed Cali's cheeks, making her laugh. Everyone was gathered in the living room waiting for Lennox to get home. Amaru decided that the ignoring thing was getting too far—especially after Heather ignored her while she was cramping. Amaru just wanted to give her the idea of going to a counselor and resolving any other issues that lingered within the family.
"While we wait for Chocolate, we can talk about the issues we have with each other." Amaru said. "Anybody wanna start?"
"I'll start." Karis said. "I don't like how y'all neglected Chocolate. I do not condone what she did and she should be shown tough love; however, y'all basically left her stranded—especially today. Heather, you are her mother and you've also went through three pregnancies. There is absolutely no reason why Chocolate has to call me to get answers for her questions. There is no reason why I have to come over here to make sure she's prepared for her delivery. It's obvious that she is going through some type of mental crisis and she needs help. This ignoring shit is really getting out of hand."
"What she did was criminal, and I don't think I asked you for your opinion on what I do with my child. You're not a part of this family anyway." Heather retorted.
"Mama!" Micah shouted.
"Heather, that wasn't called for." Amaru said.
Karis chuckled. "You know what, it's cool. I'll take my kids and go. Fuck this trifling ass shit." She said as she took Cali away from Amaru. "C'mon, Zuri. Let's go home."
Zuri got up from the floor and followed behind Karis. Everyone sat in silence after they left. This meeting was turning into shit and everyone was over it.
"She should've been here by now." Jaxon said as he checked his Apple Watch.
"What time is it?" Mya asked.
"Almost four." Killian chimed in. "I'm about to call her." He pulled out his phone and called Lennox, but it went straight to voicemail. "Ah hell nah. Something ain't right."
Suddenly, the doorbell sounded off within the house. Amaru got up and answered the door finding two police officers standing on the porch.
"Umm—may I help y'all?" He asked with pure confusion written on his face.
"Yes, are you the family of Lennox King?" One of the officers said.
"Yeah—uhh—come in." Amaru allowed them in and led them into the living room. "We're all Lennox's family."
The other officer cleared his throat before speaking. "We regret to inform you all that Lennox was in a car accident." He began, causing everyone to gasp. "Unfortunately, the accident became fatal. She and her unborn child passed away in the ambulance on the way to the hospital."
Heather screamed to the top of her lungs as she hyperventilated. Her baby girl was gone and the last memory she had was ignoring her "I love you." She'll never get to meet her granddaughter and she'll never get to see Lennox's precious face again.
Everyone else was distraught. Their hearts were filled with pain, regret, and guilt. They wished they handled things differently and maybe Lennox and her baby would still be alive.
-
Karis opened the door as Jaxon stood there with red eyes and a tear stained face. She allowed him in without saying a word and they both sat down on the couch.
"Chocolate and the baby are gone." Jaxon said after a few moments of silence.
"What?" Karis asked in disbelief.
"Chocolate and the baby are gone." Jaxon repeated. "A semi ran into her car on the driver's side and they died on the way to the hospital."
Everything in Karis wanted to scream, but she couldn't do that because her girls were asleep. She wanted to blame everyone, but that would only cause more issues.
"Oh my God." Karis cried.
"Hey, what's going on?" Taylor asked as he walked into the living room. He instantly sat down and began to comfort Karis once he saw her crying. He hated seeing her upset.
"Chocolate and her baby were killed in a car accident earlier today." Jaxon sniffled.
Taylor didn't say anything as he allowed a tear to roll down his face while he still comforted Karis. Hearing the news pained his heart. Lennox was not on good terms with anyone in her family, and now things were never going to be repaired.
"You wanna stay here tonight? I don't think it's a good idea for you to be driving in this condition." Taylor said to Jaxon.
Jaxon nodded and agreed without protest. Taylor helped Karis to the bedroom so she could lay down and relax. He placed a cool rag on her forehead before taking a blanket and pillow to Jaxon who already pulled out the air mattress.
Taylor placed the items on the couch nearby before looking at Jaxon. Taylor gave Jaxon a hug, allowing him to break down. Taylor could not feel Jaxon's pain, but he knew he was hurting bad.
-
Brandon sat in Lennox's room as tears streamed down his face. He hugged on one of her pillows that still smelled like her naturally sweet scent. He felt like he lost everything and it was all his fault. If only he would've tried harder to get off for the appointment. If only he would've made sure she had a ride. If only.
"You didn't deserve this, Len. I swear you didn't." Brandon sniffled. "Our baby girl didn't deserve this either, man. I should've fought harder for you."
Amaru walked into the room and couldn't help but feel bad for Brandon. Amaru felt guilty because Brandon did ended up texting him to see if he could take Lennox to her appointment and he said no. Amaru would give up anything just to have his baby girl back.
"Son, if you—"
"I'm not your son." Brandon replied harshly. "I asked you! I fucking asked you and now they are gone! Y'all couldn't put the tough love shit to the side for a couple of hours?!"
"Listen, man—I would give up anything to trade places with Chocolate! I lost my fucking daughter!" Amaru retorted.
"I lost mine too! My baby didn't even get a chance to live! I'll never experience her first words, her first steps—none of that shit!" Brandon yelled.
"Any of us could've been in that accident, Brandon!" Amaru defended. "We all hurtin', man. We're all hurtin'."
Brandon stood up as he wiped his tears from his face. "Fuck y'all." He said as he walked out. He never wanted to see the Kings again.
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