Losing Angel

Chapter 27

Author's Note

Hey beautiful people! I know I left y'all on a bit of cliff hanger. Here's the next chapter. It's a bit short. I plan to put out another one soon. 

Hopefully you guys are enjoying the story!

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3 years later...

Elijah POV

"Uncle E! Come play tea party with me!" I heard my niece Bella call from her room.

"I'll be right there, give me a second!" I responded.

It's been three years since everything went down and a lot has changed since then. After my sister passed I adopted my niece Bella and became her full-time guardian. My grandma tried to help as much as she could but she's getting older now. She wouldn't have been able to raise a then three-year old little girl. Bella had a hard time adjusting after her mom died, but I was able to get her in therapy and over the last two years, she's been thriving. I didn't expect to become a parent so soon, but I'm proud of myself for stepping up.

I've stepped back from the game quite a bit since I've had to focus on raising Bella. Six now runs the day-to-day and I just oversee the organization in terms of making the big decisions.

We haven't been able to find Layla since that night. I searched everywhere I could think of and tracked down every lead I got for the better part of a year, but nothing turned up. It got to the point where I had to make a sacrifice so I could give Bella the attention she deserved.

But I'm definitely lost without her. She was the love of my life and I haven't known what to do with myself since everything went down. Outside of Bella, I really don't talk to anybody unless I have to. I guess you can say I've been depressed. I just do what I can to make sure I keep a smile on Bella's face. Other than that I've just been doing the bare minimum to keep myself above water.

After attending Bella's tea party I put her down for a nap and went back to my room. I spent most of my time in here just laying in my bed in the dark staring at the ceiling. Depressing I know. But its the best way to pass the time without turning to a bottle or something stronger like drugs. I'm trying my best to stay strong for Bella but after losing my sister, my friend Marco, and my girl all within such a short time span, I just don't have it in me to be my old playful and energetic self.

Just as was about to doze off I heard my doorbell. I checked my security cameras through the app on my phone before opening the door. I can never be too careful these days. Seeing that it was Six and D I jogged down stairs and opened the door for them.

"What's up?" I said dappin each of them up.

"Nothin much man we just wanted to come by and check on you." Six said as they both walked in.

"Y'all want a drink or sum?" I asked.

"Yeah I'll take a beer if you got it" Six responded.

"Same here" D said.

I went into the kitchen grabbing three beers for us and walking back over to them in the living room.

"We need to get the girls together soon." D said.

"Yeah you right. It's been a minute. I still can't believe you're a dad now man." I said. D had finally settled down with a girl named Brianna. Their daughter was almost three now. You would think age difference would keep our girls from being that close, but Bella was obsessed with his little girl. Her name is Raegan.

"We'll set somethin up then." he said.

"Well other than that, you know my bachelor's party is comin up and I wanted to make sure you were gon be able to make it since you're my best man and all." Six said. He and his girl Anita were finally tying the knot.

"Of course Ima be there. I know I've been keepin to myself lately, but I'm not gon miss your bachelor's party man." I explained.

"Bet. Well it's gon be in New York on the 27th." he said.

"Aight I'll be there. But catch me up on what's been happening wit the business. Bella's gon be up from her nap soon." I said and then we spent the next half-hour going over the logistics of the business before they left.

Layla POV

I laid in the bed daydreaming about my old life. I wondered how Eli was, how Sienna was. It had been three years since everything went down. Kaine brought me to New York after the shootout at the warehouse. He kept me imprisoned in this penthouse apartment. The building was extremely secure with his men at every entrance.

I gave up on any idea of escaping a long time ago. Trying to leave only made things worse for me here. The last time I tried, Kaine beat me so badly that I was on bedrest for six weeks. He had nurses come to the penthouse to care for me because he refused to let me leave to go to the hospital. Since then, I've just done what I can to make peace with the situation.

But every now and then I wonder what my life would have been like if none of this happened. Eli and I probably would have been engaged or married by now and building a life together. I would have graduated and been in law school or maybe even starting my career. Whenever I think about it I just become enraged realizing what Kaine took from me.

The sounds of my son's cries brought me back to reality as I left my room to go check on him.

"Mama's coming baby." I called as I rushed over to get him. He had just woken up from a nap and it was time for him to eat. I picked him up from his crib and carried him into the kitchen so I could make his bottle.

"It's alright baby. You're okay." I said as I caressed his back while his bottle warmed up. Once it was ready I walked us back into the nursery and sat in my rocking chair as I fed him.

My son's name is Amir Josiah Walker. He's six months old. I found out I was pregnant by Kaine last year. I was sick to my stomach when I first found out. I couldn't believe what my life had come to. That not only had this man been forcing himself on me, but that I was going to me having his child. I spent my entire pregnancy in denial. I did not want to have Kaine's baby.

But when my son was born, he became my pride and joy. My only reason to wake up everyday and find the will to keep going despite my circumstances. He has brought me so much joy and peace since his birth and I am grateful everyday to have him.

Since Amir was born I have put forth the effort to play the wifey role with Kaine. I want my son to be able to have what I didn't, which is two loving and attentive parents. Despite everything that Kaine has put me through over the last few years, he has been an amazing dad to Amir. I want Amir to experience the joy of coming from a good family. So I've put on whatever front I had to so I could make that happen for him.

Within 20 minutes of feeding him, Amir fell right back to sleep. I made sure he was tucked in properly and set the baby monitor before heading back to the kitchen. It was about 8pm and I knew Kaine would be home soon, so I got started on dinner. I poured myself some wine and played some old school Musiq Soulchild so that I could relax my mind and mentally prepare myself for him to come home.