Bad Boy Gone Good

32. Haunted

"VIN, this isn't fucking cool." Josh came running downstairs, shirtless and concerned.

"Aye Vin, Ice. What's going on? Y'all making too much noise, your daughter and my girlfriend is sleeping."

"Vin is being dick towards Nova. He been drinking again." Ice said, honestly.

"Vin, are you kidding me? You can't be putting people through this shit every time you get in your feelings about her! You acting like a bitch! You ain't going to be putting this sweet girl through this shit no more! Do you fucking hear me?!" Josh said as the whole house is silent.

I began to cry and I turned to find Vincent's arms, hugging me. But I was wrong and found Ice's. Everyone remains quiet until Lia screams Mommy.

"I'm coming baby!" I ran to her and the three boys stayed downstairs, like silent killers.

"What's the matter princess? Is everything okay? Are you catching a fever?" I asked while cuddling her in my arms as she cried.

"I had a bad dream.. I'm scared mommy.."

"I am sorry baby girl.. You want to sleep with mommy tonight?" She nodded in agreement and I picked her up while she held her stuffed animal, the same white tiger with the blue eyes, with her head laid on my shoulder and both arms wrapped around my neck.

"Mommy, what's wrong with Daddy? Is he okay?"

"Daddy is just mad at himself." I said, knowing that I was going to get a confused face back. She looked at me with a blank face, confused, just like I knew that I was going to get.

"Hey baby girl." Ice said as he entered the room, as I glared at him deeply.

"Oh, I'm sorry.. I thought that you were Vincent."

"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have busted in like that. I was just looking for my room. That's all. I wouldn't want to hurt her in any shape, way, or form. I promise you this." He concluded as I smiled and pointed down two doors which was Mel's old room. He mumbled lowly thank you as Vincent stumbled into her room and she darted her eyes at him.

"What? I can't see my own daughter?"

"I never said anything in that manner Vincent. You just go into your room and wait to see her tomorrow when you aren't drunk?"

"Wow, you going to act like her bitch ass mother now? I thought that you were-" His sentence was cut short by a tackle to the ground and Amelia, not screaming, but holding me tightly into my chest. Her breathing started to speed up and I tried to calm her down and she started breathing more slowly. I hurried up and closed the door.

"Mommy's here Lia, okay? Just breathe and calm down, I got you. I promise, I won't let anyone hurt you." She nodded and slowly took big deep breaths and started to loosen her grip around me and fell asleep.

I threw my head back on her headboard and made sure my breathing was slow and steady because she seemed to react better to that than me comforting her with words. I paced my breathing and made sure it didn't freak her out. With each of my inhales and exhales, I could feel her body become more relaxed and her falling into a deeper sleep. I didn't understand what made him snap like that. I saw Ice and Josh come inside her room and my eyes started to tear up. I held them in and looked up so tears didn't fall onto Amelia. She looked so peaceful for restless sleep, I couldn't think of anything to describe how peaceful and tired she looked. I couldn't believe that Vincent would act this way in front of her, I don't know what has gotten into him. But this wasn't right and it clearly shows that Amelia knows that something is up. Ice and Josh both came to my sides, Josh slightly smiling for reassurance while Ice didn't do anything but copy his smile and look down to Amelia.

"I don't know what has gotten into him at all."

"He just isn't used to loving someone after Amelia's mom. She messed him up pretty bad." Ice said as Josh agreed.

"Why won't anyone tell me her name or the reason why he's like this?" I said with a hint of attitude in my voice.

"First of all, no one likes to say her name in front of Amelia. Second, because it's a long and harsh story that if Vin hears it. He goes into a panic attack, so no one likes to talk about it."

"Why can't I be in the loop? Does Melanie know, Josh?" I asked and he looked down again.

"Wow.. so my best friend knows but I can't because I decided to gain feelings for Vincent? Some pair of friends I have right?" I stood up with Amelia in my arms.

"Where are you going Nova?" Ice asked, concerned.

"To my room, what does it look like to you?" I said as he followed after whispering and debating with Josh until he finally said whatever.

He followed me into my room and closed the door, slowly. I tightly held Amelia in my arms as she moved and groaned. I softly shushed her and she resumed into her deep sleep. I looked at Ice and he had a remorseful look on his face. He brought a chair and sat right in front of me.

"I know this is probably really hard for you to hear and to be a part of. And you asked me why I am here or why I came out of the blue. I am Vincent and Josh's best friend, I grew up in the house right next to them until my dad went on a drunk rampage and killed my stepmom right in front of my older brother. He couldn't take care of me and went to a mental hospital for PTSD. Vincent's family took me in as their own and us three became so close, we went through everything together. This is what truly did happen, Amelia's mom met Vincent and they were in love with each other. They were the true definition of relationship goals. Josh and I would be so jealous. Then all of the sudden everything grew dark and so painful. Everyone had that feeling except Vincent because he was so blinded by her beauty and her sway that he didn't see what happened. She announced that she was pregnant, she disappeared for nine months, Josh and I would ask where she would be. We soon found that Vincent had no idea himself, but he spoke to her on the phone. Every time he wanted to FaceTime, ooVoo, even Skype her; she said no. We never understood why and neither did he. Erica answered his phone while he was the shower, She is out of the hospital. That's all she said and we were so confused because she called no one and we drove there in an silence while Vincent is excited to see his new baby girl." He paused for a second as he sat still as Lia moved in my arms. I looked at the clock and it was 2:32 in the morning.

"Continue." I said softly, but eager.