Feeling for a pulse.💔❤️ {Complete}

{8}

"We can do it babe"
Pulse by Toni Braxton
>>>

Toni's POV

"Girls, I want you to meet someone very special,"
I said with a warm smile, gesturing towards Kenny. "This is Kenny, a very good friend of mine from way back."

Kenny stepped forward, his eyes twinkling with recognition and warmth. "Hey there," he said, his voice as smooth as ever.

"This man right here," I continued, looking at Kenny with gratitude, "was the one who signed me when I got my first record deal. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Kamari and Karri looked up at him with wide eyes, curiosity piqued. "We met years ago," I added, chuckling softly. "But Kamari and Karri you two met him years ago when you were babies."

Kamari, always the more outgoing one, stepped forward and extended her hand.
"Hi, I'm Kamari," she said confidently.

"And I'm Karri," She added shyly, peeking from behind Kamari.

Kenny shook their hands warmly.
"Nice to see you both again . You've grown up so much! Your mom has told me so much about you."

I watched them interact, feeling a sense of pride and nostalgia. "These two keep me on my toes," I said with a laugh. "But they're my world."

>>>

Kenny agreed to staying a couple nights with me since the other incident when driving home.
I told him he could sleep in the bed with me because I didn't want to put him in the couch or I'd feel bad.

He's been here for a night already and he settled in pretty good, he's been driving me around all day and helped with the girls since they've been on summer break. He really helped.

Right now we were sitting on the patio while the girls played in the pool while he had a couple drinks and talked over some things.

"So Tone I know the other day we talked over the phone about some things. I just wanna go back over it with you"

"Sure..just keep your voice down Ken..please"

"Of course Tone..But first..Do they know we dated?"

"No"

I nodded..

"Okay good to know..now you said bills.
I can write you a check"

"Ken no. I..I just need you-"

"I need you to just sit back and listen Tone"

I sighed and sat back taking a big gulp of my drink.

"I can write a check. You say a number and I'll pay it off. That's number one."

"Kenny-"

"Aht! Now that we got that out the way..
Talk to me Tone..what going on forreal?"

"Well Kenny"

I took a long dramatic pause and looked down..

"What's going on, Toni? You know you can tell me anything."

I took a deep breath before revealing.

"I have Lupus. I've been struggling with it for a while now, but I never told my family. I didn't want to worry them, especially the girls.

"Toni, why didn't you tell me sooner? How bad is it?"

My voice trembled as I said,

"The doctors... they said it doesn't look good. I've been trying to stay strong for Kamari and Karri, but it's getting harder every day."

"What can I do to help? You know I'll do anything"

Tears welled up.

"That's why I'm talking to you. My ex-husband, Keri, can't provide for the kids financially right now.
If anything happens to me, I need to know that Kamari and Karri will have a stable life.
If anything happens Ken..I need for you to take them

"Of course, Toni. I'll take care of them. You have my word."

"Thank you, Kenny."

My voice break from finally telling him that.

"But nothing will happen Tone. I promise.
I'll take care of you."

"I know that's the mindset I have.
It means the world to me to know they'll be safe and cared for. I've been so scared... scared of what might happen to them if I'm not around.

Kenny pulled me into a hug.

"You got me."

I sobbed into his arms and spoke in between my break down.

"I've been hiding this for so long. Pretending everything's okay when it's not. I just want them to have a normal life, to not worry about their mother being sick all the time."

Kenny stroked my hair

"I know, Toni. And they will. I promise you, they will. We'll make sure they grow up happy and loved, no matter what."

"I don't know how to thank you. You've always been there for us, and now, more than ever, I need you."

I said that because a few years ago, I had got sued from a residency in Vegas I'm supposed to do but I became pregnant with Karri and my doctor put me on bedrest from the beginning because of how serious my pregnancy.
I gained preeclampsia and it was severe.

So when Kenny heard about it, he got in contact with me and helped me pay so much debt although I was married Kerri never played a part in the financial role.

>>>

Kenny wiped my tears

"You don't have to thank me. We're family, Toni. We stick together through thick and thin. And right now, we need to focus on you getting the best care possible."

I nodded..

"I'll fight this, for them. But knowing you're there for them if I can't... it gives me strength.

"And I'll be here, every step of the way. We'll face this together, one day at a time."

I smiled through my tears and I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"Thank you, Kenny. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kenny smiled back..

"You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere."