Unfinished Business

Chapter 6: Choosing Her Own Path

Lena sat on her bed, lookin' out the window at the North Carolina sunset. The past few months had been a whirlwind—adjustin' to college life, the baby on the way, and Que showin' back up in her life. It felt like she'd been pulled in a hundred different directions, tryin' to figure out what she wanted, where she belonged, and how to make it all work.

For the longest time, she thought goin' back home would be the answer, that somehow bein' around family would make it easier. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized she needed to stay right here. She'd started buildin' a life for herself in North Carolina, and she was finally startin' to feel settled. She didn't wanna uproot herself or the baby, especially with everything that was still unresolved between her and Que.

She took a deep breath and picked up the phone, callin' Que. It was time they had a serious talk.

The Conversation

Que answered on the first ring, his voice calm but curious. "Hey, Lena. Everything good?"

"Yeah, it's fine," she replied, her voice steady. "I just... I need to talk to you about somethin'."

"Alright," he said, his tone shiftin' to something more serious. "What's up?"

She hesitated for a moment, gatherin' her thoughts. "I think... I think I'm just gonna stay here in North Carolina with the baby. I know you were askin' about me movin' back, but I don't think that's what I want."

There was a long silence on the other end, and for a moment, she wondered if he'd hung up. But then he cleared his throat. "So you ain't comin' back at all?"

"No," she replied softly. "I've built a life here. School, the house... I just think it's better for me and the baby to stay here."

Que was quiet for another moment, then finally spoke. "If that's what you want, then I respect it. But I still wanna be close. I can't be a father from a distance, Lena."

Lena felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside. She knew she had to do what was right for her and her child. "I get that. And I want you to be close too, but... I don't think us gettin' back together is the answer."

He sighed, and she could hear the frustration in his voice. "You really don't think we got a chance, Lena? After everything?"

She swallowed hard, feelin' the weight of her words. "I saw you at that party, Que. I saw you with her. I can't pretend that didn't hurt, and I can't ignore that fear that maybe... maybe it could happen again."

Que sounded hurt. "I messed up. I know that. But you know me, Lena. I love you. I'm not that dude anymore. You and this baby? That's all I want."

She closed her eyes, takin' a shaky breath. "I just can't risk it. I don't want us together just for the baby's sake. We gotta be healthy, we gotta be right... and I don't think we're there."

Que's Plan

After a long pause, Que finally spoke again, his tone firm. "Alright. I respect that. But I'm still gonna be here. I'm buyin' a place out here in North Carolina. I don't care how long it takes—I'm gonna be around. Not just for the baby, but for you too."

Lena's eyes widened. "You're gonna buy a house here?"

"Yeah," he said confidently. "I told you, I ain't goin' nowhere. If you don't wanna be with me, that's your choice. But I'm not givin' up on us. I'm here, and I'm gonna show you that I can be the man you need, whether we together or not."

Lena was speechless. Part of her wanted to argue, to tell him it wasn't necessary, but another part of her felt... relieved. Que was showin' her that he was serious, that he was willing to do whatever it took to be there for their child. Maybe he had changed. Maybe he was really committed this time.

But still, she couldn't ignore the naggin' voice in the back of her mind, remindin' her of the pain he'd caused. "Que, I appreciate it. Really. But I don't want you to do all this thinkin' it's gonna win me back. I'm focused on bein' the best mom I can be right now. That's all I'm thinkin' about."

He chuckled softly. "I get it. I ain't tryna be pushy. I'm just lettin' you know—I'm in this for the long haul. I'm gon' be around, Lena, whether we together or not."

She nodded, a small smile tuggin' at her lips. "Thank you, Que. That means a lot."

A New Beginning

As they hung up, Lena felt a mix of emotions—relief, uncertainty, and maybe even a little hope. Que was serious about bein' in their lives, and while she wasn't ready to take him back, she couldn't deny that part of her still cared for him. She just wasn't ready to trust him again, and that was somethin' she had to come to terms with.

In the days that followed, she started settlin' into her decision. She was gonna stay in North Carolina, finish school, and focus on bein' a mother. And if Que was gonna be nearby, she'd welcome his support, but she wasn't gonna let herself get caught up in what-ifs. Her priority was the baby and buildin' a stable life for them both.

But deep down, she knew this wasn't the end of their story. Que was still a part of her life, and no matter how much she tried to keep things simple, the love between them wasn't somethin' she could just turn off.

Maybe, one day, she'd be ready to trust him again. But for now, she was takin' it one day at a time, focusin' on the life she was buildin' and the little one on the way.

Que's Resolve

Que, on the other hand, wasn't backin' down. He found a place not far from Lena, and every spare moment he had, he was there, makin' it clear that he was committed. He wasn't pushy, but he was consistent, always showin' up for doctor's appointments, checkin' in, makin' sure she was good.

Lena couldn't deny that his presence made things easier. The walls she'd built around her heart were still there, but with each day that passed, Que's actions chipped away at them, little by little. He was showin' her that he wasn't just talkin'—he was backin' up his words with real actions.