𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋, d. swing

𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈, part 2

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 22ND, 1995
𝐎𝐌𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓

Malik told Devyn to meet them at their usual spot only to see her. He can't seem to keep his hands off her lately. But now he's looking after Vanessa; he can't take her with him. It's too early for Devyn to meet her.

Malik pulls out his phone and dials Kimberly's number. She answers, and Malik quickly says, "I got an errand to run. I need you to watch 'Nessa for a little."

Kimberly, concerned about the sudden request, asks, "What type of errand?" She's still at the boutique with Tiffany, but Devyn left early to freshen herself up before meeting with Malik.

Malik sucks his teeth, snapping, "Damn, do I ask you what you be doing?"

Kimberly falls silent on the phone, but she lets out a long sigh. "I was just asking. You don't have to talk to me that--"

"Are you getting Vanessa or not?" Malik rudely interrupts her. 

Despite his tone, Kimberly remains composed and replies, "Yeah, I don't mind."

He hangs up, shoving the phone in his pocket. Malik is still skeptical of Kimberly. He's just waiting for her to up and leave again. He'd hate for her to do that when he's comfortable with her being around. So, he'll keep his guard up until she does.

"Vanessa!" he calls out, rising from the couch. He walks to Vanessa's room and knocks gently before opening the door. There, he finds his daughter sitting at her little table, engaged in a playful tea time with her teddy bears. She glances up at her dad but then turns her attention back to the bear sitting across from her.

"Excuse me, Mr. Snuggles. My dad is here," she says politely to her furry companion before getting up.

Malik grins at the adorable scene and kneels to her height. "Your mom is going to pick you up and keep you for a little. What you gonna wear?"

Vanessa rolls her eyes and pouts, "I don't wanna go over there."

Malik is taken aback by her response. "Why?"

"She doesn't know how to play princesses right." 

"Well," Malik begins, "try to explain the rules to her. Okay?"

Vanessa nods with determination, grabbing her dad's hand as she takes the lead toward her dresser. "I want the unicorn shirt," she declares with a big smile.

Malik chuckles lovingly, enjoying his daughter's passion. "The unicorn shirt it is then," he agrees, happy to indulge her choice.

Vanessa excitedly pulls open the dresser drawer, searching for the prized unicorn shirt. As she finally finds it, her eyes light up with delight. She carefully hands it to Malik, reassuring he doesn't forget it.

"Here, Daddy," she says, proudly presenting the shirt to him.

"Thank you, sweetie," Malik responds, taking the shirt from her with a grateful smile.

He helps her put on her shirt with tears burning through his eyes. It feels like just yesterday he was holding her when she was a newborn. He can feel his heart burst with joy and hurt as he realizes that Vanessa is growing up fast.

Malik pulls her into a tight embrace, giving her kisses all over her cheek. "Eww!" Vanessa exclaims, giggling and trying to wriggle out of his embrace.

Malik chuckles, wiping away a few stray tears from his eyes. A knock at the door interrupts the special moment. He stands up and walks to the door. When he opens it, he reveals Kimberly standing there. "Where is she?" she asks.

"'Nessa!" he calls out. 

As they wait, Kimberly decides to break the silence, her voice filled with warmth, "Hey, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

Malik turns his head towards her, a faint smile on his face, "We're going over to my mom's house, you know that."

"Yeah, but..." Kimberly pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts, "I was thinking, maybe you guys could join us at my parent's home. They'd love to see how big Vanessa has grown."

Malik hesitates, considering her suggestion, "I'on want none of that rich shit y'all eating. We straight with the soul food."

"Oh..." Kimberly's voice softens, feeling a bit disappointed. "I was just hoping we could spend more time together, you know, as a family."

"A family?" Malik repeats, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Nothing, just forget I even said anything," Kimberly says, turning her head away from Malik to hide the tears. 

"Daddy, can I bring Mr. Snuggles?"

"I don't know you'd have to ask your mom that."

Kimberly, standing nearby, joins the interaction, extending her hand to Vanessa. "Yeah, I don't care, kiddo," she says kindly. Vanessa takes Kimberly's hand, and they walk together towards Kimberly's car.

"Bye, Daddy!" Vanessa shouts cheerfully, waving back at Malik as she heads to the car with Kimberly.

Malik waves goodbye, closing the door. He pulls out his phone to dial Devyn to tell her that he's on the way there. 

As fate would have it, they both reach the cliff's edge simultaneously. Stepping out of their cars, Devyn's face lights up with excitement, and without a second thought, she rushes over to hug him. The embrace brings a mix of emotions, and as she leans in, she catches a whiff of his musky perfume, causing her heart to flutter. He reciprocates the hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"Even though we just saw each other yesterday, I missed you," she admits, still hugging him.

"I missed you too," he says, his tone hardened. 

Concerned, Devyn glances up at him, her eyes searching for any signs of distress. "What's wrong?" she asks gently.

He lets out a sigh, gathering his thoughts before answering, "It's Vanessa's mom. She's been bugging me lately."

Before he can explain further, she grabs his hand and leads him to the bench. The sun shines brightly, basking the afternoon in warmth, yet the cool autumn air brings a refreshing contrast. "Speak," she softly orders. 

"I know she wants to get back together. I can feel it," he reveals. "I'm not tryna do that though after everything she did."

Devyn turns her body towards him, making sure to give him all of her attention. He notices her expression, she's basically telling him to explain further. "She walked out on me and 'Nessa when she was just two." Malik shrugs it off like he isn't fazed, but Devyn can see right through like he's glass.

"So you've been pulling the strings all by yourself," she says. "I cannot understand how people are so comfortable with leaving their children."

"Me either."

A moment of silence passes between them, filled only by the gentle rustling of the trees in the wind. Malik contemplates their relationship and its direction. He had already told Kimberly about her, and now he's eager to shout about it from the rooftops.

Suddenly, he cups Devyn's chin, drawing her close for a kiss. "Even though we've only known each other for a month, I want you to be my girl," he confesses. "I've been feeling that way since I met you."

Devyn's face lights up with a dazzling smile, "So, what are you waiting for?" she playfully teases.

Now it's official. They're finally together.