Unfinished Business

Chapter 15: Back Home, Old Ties

Lena felt a wave of excitement as she pulled up to her parents' house, the familiar sight of her childhood home bringin' back all kinds of memories. This time was different, though—she was back not just as Lena, but as a soon-to-be mom, carryin' the news of a baby girl that she and Que were about to welcome into the world. The thought filled her with a warmth she couldn't quite put into words.

Her family was already waitin' for her on the porch, big smiles and hugs ready as she got out of the car. Her mom was the first to pull her into a tight embrace, her excitement practically contagious. "So, what's the news, baby girl? Boy or girl?"

Lena grinned, glancin' at Que, who was standin' nearby with his own smile. "It's a girl."

Cheers and laughter filled the air as her family embraced the news. Her dad's face softened with pride, her mom teared up, and her younger siblings clapped, all eager to meet the little one soon. Even Que's family, who came over later to celebrate, couldn't hold back their joy, his mom already hintin' at all the ways she planned to spoil her granddaughter.

But in the midst of all the happiness, Lena couldn't shake a strange feelin'. She'd caught a glimpse of Que off to the side earlier, deep in conversation with his father. From the way they were talkin', their faces serious, somethin' seemed off. She didn't ask, lettin' it slide for now, but the sight lingered in the back of her mind.

The Back Porch Conversation

Later that evening, Lena sat alone on her family's back porch, enjoyin' the cool night air. She needed a moment to herself after all the excitement, takin' in the peace of the night as she tried to push her worries aside. But it wasn't long before she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Que, his face unreadable as he joined her.

"Hey," she greeted him softly, scootin' over to make room on the porch steps.

He sat down beside her, sighin' as he looked out into the dark yard. After a moment, he finally spoke. "I gotta stay back here for a little while. Somethin' came up. Gotta handle some things with my dad."

Lena nodded slowly, tryin' to keep her expression neutral. She knew what "business" meant for Que and his father. It was always the same story—somethin' that needed takin' care of, somethin' that kept him tied to a life she wished he could leave behind. Even if she didn't know all the details, she knew enough.

"Is it... dangerous?" she asked carefully, glancin' at him.

Que shrugged, his face hard to read. "Could be. But it's gotta get done. My dad's countin' on me."

Lena felt a pang of frustration but kept it to herself. She didn't wanna start somethin' right now, not when he was already dealin' with so much. But she couldn't help herself from askin' the question that had been burnin' in her mind for a while.

"Do you ever think about gettin' out of all this?" she asked quietly, her eyes searchin' his. "Chasin' your dreams, doin' somethin' you actually want to do? I know this is... family business and all, but it's dangerous, Que. Maybe... maybe you should think about leavin' it behind."

Que looked away, his jaw clenchin' slightly. She could see the conflict in his eyes, the tension that always came up whenever they talked about his life, his choices.

"It's all I've known, Lena. Since I was a kid, this was it," he admitted, his voice heavy. "And right now, with the baby comin', I feel like I gotta step up, make sure y'all are safe, taken care of. This is how I know to do that."

Lena reached out, takin' his hand gently. "But maybe there's another way. A way that don't risk so much. You got a lot of talent, Que. You're smart. You could do so much if you just... let yourself try."

He let out a soft laugh, his gaze softenin' as he looked down at their joined hands. "You really think so?"

"Yeah, I do," she replied, her voice firm. "You're already provin' to me that you can be there for me, for our daughter. But I just... I don't wanna lose you. Not to this."

Que was quiet for a long moment, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't quite place. "I don't know, Lena. Leavin' ain't that easy. But I get what you're sayin'. And maybe... maybe I'll think about it. For you and the baby."

Lena felt a glimmer of hope, but she knew this was somethin' that would take time. Que was tied to his life, his family, in ways she couldn't fully understand. But the fact that he was even considerin' it, that he was willin' to think about a future outside of the life he knew, meant more to her than she could say.

The Night Ends

They sat together on the porch, the quiet of the night surroundin' them. Lena leaned her head on Que's shoulder, her hand still in his, feelin' a sense of peace despite the uncertainty ahead. She didn't have all the answers, and she knew they had a long way to go. But for now, they had each other, and that was enough.

"Just... promise me one thing," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Promise me you'll be careful."

Que looked down at her, his eyes filled with a gentle determination. "I promise, Lena. I'm not goin' nowhere. I'm gonna be here for you and our little girl. No matter what."

As they sat together under the stars, Lena held onto that promise, hopin' that one day, they could find a way out, a way to build the life they both dreamed of. But for now, all she could do was trust him and pray that the path he chose would lead them to a safer future.