Always & forever

Reunions and Resentments

The air hung heavy with smoke as East and Chris sat in the dimly lit warehouse, the pungent aroma of the blunt mingling with the weight of their shared burden. East's words cut through the haze, his voice thick with frustration and desperation.

"She up and left with my daughter! Some cops looking for me now. What the fuck is going on, man?" East's words tumbled out in a rush, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Chris listened in silence, his brow furrowed in concern as he watched his brother grapple with the weight of his crumbling world. He knew that East was facing a crisis unlike any he had ever experienced before, and he was determined to be there for him, no matter what.

"Ima put the guys out to go find her. You think she went to the A?" Chris suggested, his mind already racing with possible scenarios.

East leaned back, his mind racing as he considered the possibilities. His wife had a troubled past, one that she had fought tooth and nail to escape. The thought of her returning to Atlanta, the place where she had once been trapped in a cycle of abuse and fear, sent a shiver down his spine.

"I don't think so. She wouldn't go there with Kai," East replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He trusted his instincts, but in the face of such uncertainty, even he couldn't be sure.

As Kierra settled into her hotel suite with her baby girl, the sound of Kai's cries for her daddy tugged at her heartstrings. With a heavy sigh, she decided to give East a call, hoping to provide some comfort to her daughter and her husband.

"Dada, dada," Kai's voice echoed through the room, a plaintive plea for the father she missed dearly. East's voice came through the phone, filled with love and longing as he tried to soothe their daughter's tears.

"Hey, baby, what's wrong? Be good for Mommy. I love you, Mama. I'ma see you soon,"

As East asked if she was ready to talk, Kierra wiped away her tears, steeling herself for the difficult conversation ahead. With her daughter playing on the floor, she gazed out at the ocean view, the vast expanse of blue offering a moment of tranquility in the midst of their frustration.

"I'm listening, East," she responded, her voice soft but steady.

East poured his heart out to her, expressing his longing for her and their daughter to return to New York where he could protect them. "It'll be easier if you were here in New York, I can protect y'all. I love you and my daughter misses me I need y'all babe." East express to his wife.

But Kierra remained solid, her priority being to protect Kai from the chaos. She knew that their safety lay in staying away from the drama.

"I hear you, but I just need time. I need to protect Kai from all this mess," she replied, her voice tinged with sadly. "East didn't wanna argue, he was happy she called. "Where y'all at babe? Please tell me!" Kierra thought about sharing her location. "We are good babe, we're safe" Kierra replied.

East didn't push the issue, instead choosing to shower them with love and support. He sent her money through Apple Pay, a small gesture.

As Kierra looked at her phone, With her daughter now in her arms, "Look, Momma, wanna go to the beach?" she asked her daughter, her heart swelling with love as she kissed her forehead. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the sun and the gentle sounds of the waves, Kierra felt a sense of peace knowing that they were out of harm's way and safe.

The click of the phone disconnecting echoed through the room as East ended the call with his wife, his mind already racing with thoughts of how to bring her and their daughter back home. His frustration boiled over as he turned to his worker, his voice sharp with urgency.