Forever

thirty-five.

Orlando, Florida

Aurora laid in her mother's bed as Angela ran her hands through her hair. The tears stopped falling hours ago but her entire body just felt heartbroken. She stopped checking her phone for any texts once she realized they were never going to come.

"You should eat, honey." Angela spoke into the silent room.

"I don't have an appetite." she weakly responded.

"Your dad's brothers are coming to cook for everybody tonight. They'll be excited to see you." Angela smiled, trying to get her to eat in any way.

"I'll think about it."

Angela sighed as she looked down at her daughter who she felt so deeply empathetic towards right now. Angela hadn't offered any advice or said anything after Aurora told her what happened because she was at a loss for words. She knew Jameer loved her daughter but she was beginning to question it.

"Your brother doesn't even know you're up here right now. How do you feel?" Angela asked, switching topics.

Aurora sighed as she thought about finally facing Hakeem. Her mind had been reliving the last 24 hours so much, she had barely thought about him. She was still nervous about being face to face with her brother. She knew that however they chose to move forward, it'd be a long time before she completely came to terms with it.

"I'm still nervous. How did you and dad feel when you met him?" she asked, cuddling deeper against her mom's stomach.

"The first thing I felt was relief then came the shock. I think I was more so relieved that he was actually in front of me and we hadn't gotten tricked. I know it's hard on him to adjust to all of this but I think he has to realize it's hard on us too."

"Did you guys ever get an explanation?" Aurora asked.

"We did. He told us everything from the moment he left that hospital up to the day we saw him again. All I want to ask you is that you give him just a little grace. I know how strongly you feel about this but he's your brother. There's no one else who's gonna have your back like he will." Angela told her, caressing her cheek.

The conversation was interrupted when Deon came into the room. His eyes softened when he saw his daughter practically curled in a ball against his wife. He came to sit down next to her and leave a kiss on her forehead.

"If you need me to beat him up, I can. You know I don't play about my baby." he said, showing her his fists.

"You don't need to do that, Dad. I'm pretty sure he's already doing that himself." she sighed, sitting up against the headboard.

"Here's what I'll tell you. You're pregnant with his child. The decisions you make aren't just about you and him anymore. I understand that you're hurting and I hate that I can't fix that for you but you're gonna have to make a decision sooner rather than later." Deon told her.

"But what if I can't make that decision? I love him so much." Aurora frowned.

"Would a man who loves you say what he said to you?" Deon asked. Aurora felt her heart break once more as she remembered their argument.

"N-no." she whispered, feeling her eyes slightly sting.

"You'll know when it's time to make that decision and what it will be. We can't do that for you. You know your parents are always going to be here for you no matter what. We love you." Deon smiled, coming to kiss her forehead.