Always & forever

Crossroads

East sat quietly next to his brother at the bar, the dim lights casting shadows across their faces as they drowned their sorrows in alcohol. The bartender, with a seductive smile, took their orders, but East's mind was elsewhere - weighed down by the burden of his own mistakes.

As Chris downed his drink and poured out his heart, East listened in silence, his heart heavy with guilt. "I fucked up, bro. I'm man enough to admit it," Chris confessed, his voice tinged with regret. "I got into it bad with Brooke. She might leave me for good this time. I swear, I just pushed her. I didn't mean to. She just made me so mad, and she told me she was done with me."

East shook his head, his thoughts swirling with the pain of his own recent losses. He couldn't bear to think about Kierra and their unborn child, or the fact that he had been put out of his own house. But he knew that he had to focus on making things right - for both himself and his brother.

"Whatever you gotta do, make it right. You love Brooke, and we shouldn't be putting our hands on our women," East admonished, his words a stark reminder of the importance of treating their loved ones with respect and care. "We gotta get rid of this nigga and make our women happy."

Returning home, East found Kierra and baby Kai asleep in their daughter's room, their presence a bittersweet reminder of the love he stood to lose if he didn't get his act together. He watched them for a moment, a lump forming in his throat as he realized just how much he stood to lose.

Deciding to leave the girls be, East retreated to the master bedroom to shower and clear his mind. As the warm water cascaded over his body, he felt a sense of calm wash over him, a newfound resolve taking root in his heart.

With Malik still on the loose and his family hanging in the balance, East knew that he had to get it together - for their sake and for his own. And as he emerged from the shower, his mind clear and his heart determined, he vowed to do whatever it took to make things right and reclaim the happiness he so desperately craved.

The scent of freshly cooked pancakes wafted through the air, coaxing East out of his slumber. Descending the stairs, he was greeted by the heartwarming sight of his daughter in her high chair, her eyes fixed on Ms. Rachel's every move.

"Hi, baby, daddy missed you," East whispered, planting a tender kiss on his daughter's forehead, eliciting joyous laughter from her. Kierra, busy preparing breakfast, couldn't help but smile at the sweet interaction between father and daughter.

"Good morning, mamas," East greeted Kierra as he poured himself a cup of coffee. But Kierra's response was curt, her gaze avoiding his as she focused on her task.

Undeterred, East reached out for Kierra's hand, a silent plea for connection. "I need to help your daughter before she makes a mess," she said softly, his heart heavy with regret.

But Kierra pulled away, her eyes brimming with unspoken pain. "Baby, I'm sorry about everything. Let me be here for you, please," East implored, his voice tinged with longing for the family he had always dreamed of.

"Let me go, please. I'm alright. Your food is ready," Kierra replied, her voice choked with emotion as she turned away.

Resigned, East released her hand and settled next to their daughter, determined to make amends. As he took over feeding duties, Kierra's words cut through the silence like a knife, her voice laced with doubt and fear.

"Am I in this marriage alone? Do I have to raise her alone? Let me know now, East," Kierra demanded, her eyes locking with his in search of reassurance.

With unwavering resolve, East met her gaze head-on. "No, I'm here. I'm always gonna be here. Stop with that shit!," he asserted, his tone firm and unwavering.

But Kierra's frustration simmered beneath the surface as she retreated, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "I have errands today, you take Kai," she declared, her voice tinged with resignation as she left them behind.

Alone at the table, East watched Kierra's retreating figure, his heart heavy with the weight of their fractured relationship. As he turned his attention to their daughter, a newfound determination took root within him - to rebuild what had been broken.

As Kierra and Brooke sorted through inventory at the makeup store, their conversation turned to the tumultuous state of Kierra's marriage.

"He does what he always does, yell and try to be the boss of me, so I left him with Kai and said I have things to do," Kierra recounted, frustration evident in her voice.

Brooke nodded in understanding, her expression filled with pride. "Girl, I'm proud of you. But he knows he's in the dog house; he's gonna buy you whatever to get back on your good side."

Kierra sighed, weary of the cycle of apologies and empty promises. "Yeah, well, enough about him. Is there a place you'd like to go, just me and you and Kai, to start over?" she asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

But Brooke's resolve wavered, torn between her loyalty to Kierra and her own life in New York. "I can't up and leave my store, plus Chris and East are gonna go on a hunt looking for us, you know that," she replied, her tone tinged with resignation.

Kierra's determination remained unwavering. "Look, if he doesn't get it together, I'll serve him divorce papers and leave New York. We can have split custody; I wouldn't take Kai away from him," she asserted, her voice tinged with sadness.

But Brooke knew the reality of the situation all too well. "He's not gonna let you walk away that easy, or Kai, and you know that. So whatever plan you've got, it better be good if you do it," she cautioned, her eyes filled with concern for her friend's well-being.

Kierra listened to Brooke's words, the weight of her decision heavy on her heart. She didn't want to leave East, but she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that staying with him might not be the best choice for her or Kai. As she contemplated her next move, she knew that whatever path she chose, she would need Brooke by her side for support.