New Beginning

CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE

Christopher
Earlier That Day

Once I left my office I got a call from Ammika asking me to pick up Aeko. She said it was an emergency so I damn near sped the entire way to her house. Like damn, what was in the air? She answered as soon as I knocked.
"Mika what's up," I asked her as I stepped inside. She looked frantic as she assembled all of Aeko's stuff to take with me.
"It's Vince, he passed out at work today and they had to rush him to the hospital."
"Aw damn, I know he and I are not the best of friends, but I hope it's nothing serious," I offered. I picked up Aeko's little bag and his backpack helping her out.
"Me too. Thanks for this Chris.. I know it's so short notice."
"Ammika this is my son. It's never a problem," I assured her. She nodded her head placing her hair behind her ears.
"Yeah.. right.. thanks. Well all of his clothes, socks, and pajamas are in his suitcase. His favorite toys are in his backpack along with his favorite snacks. I don't give him anything too sweet after 8:00PM. Don't have him up all night because then he'll be sleeping all day. Don't have—"

I cut her off. "Ammika, I got this. I have a child already if you haven't forgotten. He's in good hands trust me."
"Okay, I'm sorry. This is all still new to me," she grinned sheepishly. "Hold that thought and I'll go get him."
As she went upstairs I decided to take a look around. I have to say she's doing pretty well for herself. This was a nice home located in a nice, quiet neighborhood. I'm glad my son gets to grow up somewhere like this. I looked at all the pictures she had on the mantle. There were several photos of her and Aeko as well as photos of her and Vince. I clenched my jaw staring at the photo of her, Aeko, and Vince looking like a happy family. I still haven't really healed from the fact they were going to continue life without including me. I still can't believe Ammika to be honest. It's funny how you honestly could never really know a person or what they're capable of or how they could hurt you.
"Look who's here sweets," Ammika held Aeko's hand all the way down the stairs. When he and I made eye contact his little eyes lit up as he ran over to me.
"Pop pop," he yelled running as fast as his little legs would carry him. I bent down smiling hard to embrace him. It's like Aeko knew immediately that he was my son. He never hesitated to accept me to be his father and that made me more happier than words could express.
"Ohh what's up my big man," I groaned as I picked him up. "Did you miss me?"
"Mhm," he nodded quickly.
"Aeko, mommy has to go visit dad so you're going to stay with Chris okay," Ammika told him. I refrained from going off on her because Aeko was there. Did she really just refer to that nigga as his dad and me like I'm some random babysitter off the streets?
"Ammika don't push it. Don't make me snap on you in front of my son right now," I whispered in her ear as I gripped her by the collar of her shirt. She pulled away from me giving me an angry glare.
"Aeko give me a kiss," she ignored me and planted a kiss on his lips. "You and Chris have to go now," she opened the door letting me know I was no longer welcomed. I brush past her with my free shoulder and walked out without another word.
"Chris. Call me if you need anything," she said as I closed the door to the side Aeko was sitting on.
"Ammika fuck you." I got in my car and swerved off. That's the shit that makes me want to knock her head off.

*******
I had already decided I wasn't going to listen to any of Ammika's demands on what to do with my son. This is the first time he's ever spent the night with me and I just wanted to make sure he had a fun time. But I have to say I wish I would've listened to her. Aeko's little ass been bouncing off the walls all night. It's currently 12:39 am and this little joker was still right beside me smiling in my face.
"Canto! CANTO," he shouted extending his arms out. I sighed loudly throwing my head back.
"Come on man we watched Encanto two times already," I argued with him. I'm not exaggerating either. At this point even I know why we don't talk about Bruno. God Damn.
"Watch again pop pop," he poked out his bottom lip and I instantly gave in looking in his big eyes. He looked like every bit of his mother here.
"Alright son, we'll watch it again. But hey this time you gotta promise me after we watch this, you'll go straight to sleep. Okay?"
"Deal," he held out his pinky. I laughed.
"Now who the hell taught you that," I squeezed his pinky with mine and he curled up on my lap as I began the movie once more. Thank God, this round wore him out. He was out after the first song. I couldn't wait to press pause. Gently, I carried him upstairs to his room. The minute it was discovered he was mine his room was picked in instant.
"Sleep tight big boy," I whispered as I kissed his plump cheeks.
"Whoo! Finally," I exclaimed when I closed the door. There was a bottle calling my name downstairs in the cabinet and I was headed there right damn now. A nigga was tired!
Unfortunately for me, I couldn't make it to the couch before my phone got to ringing.
"Nah, y'all gonna have to wait," I threw the phone down on the couch so I could open my whiskey. "Ahhh," I shook my head in satisfaction as the dark liquid burned my throat. Just the way I liked it. My phone rang again. I ignored it, closing my eyes for my moment of peace. It rang again.
"Damn can a nigga drink in peace," I yelled as I answered not bothering to see who it was. There was some shuffling on the other end.
"Fuck you! You stupid ass nigga. You haven't called me at all. Haven't even checked on me. I fucking hate you I swear," it was Raya and she was shouting right through the phone.
"Raya," I don't know why I asked. I knew exactly that it was her. I guess I was shocked to hear her voice.
"You niggas are all the same," she shouted some more. She sounded drunk and now that I was listening more I heard muffled music in the background.
"Where the fuck are you," I asked.
"Don't you worry about it! You haven't been worrying. Probably with that big booty ass hoe that you hired. Who the fuck hires a bitch that looks like a stripper?"
"Raya shut the fu—"
"No you shut the fuck up CHRISTOPHER," she enunciated my name strongly. "You think I ain't on to you nigga? Yeah I know all about you. I know how you move! You back to hiring bitches just to fuck them?! HUH??"
"Raya you're drunk. I'm not talking about this with you right now," I shouted. Why did this woman choose today to disturb my night.
"Bye Chris I'm done with you! I'm not going through bullshit with a nigga again. God needs to send me somebody real. Somebody that's all about ME! You niggas be so shady and low down and sneaky and trifl—
There was more shuffling and muffled yelling.
"Hello Chris? This is Asia."
"Asia let your cousin know I'm not about to let her keep starting shit with me," I warned.
"She doesn't mean it I promise. She was just crying up in here saying she missed you. I was calling to see if you could pick her up actually. We're about to go to the strip club and I don't think she needs to be alone. I would have August to get her, but Naomi hasn't been feeling good and they're at the hospital."
"I can't come get her Asia I have my son with me."
"Damn.. okay well could we bring her to you?"
I sighed. "I guess."
"Aite cool. We'll be there in a little bit."
I threw my phone back down and groaned in frustration. I'm not trying to fight with this girl tonight. I can't believe she got the audacity to still act like I'm the only one at fault. Yes, I hate fighting with her, but I also expect respect the same way I give it to her. I love her, but I need to not be the only one being one hundred.
About 40 minutes later my doorbell rang with Asia at the door.
"Wassup cousin," I smiled. She laughed while coming inside that was our little joke now whenever I see her.
"Hey cuz. Trey is bringing her in. She passed out in the car."
"Thank God," I mumbled. She punched my shoulder.
"Hey now nigga that's still my cousin."
"Yeah I know and that's still my girl, but she's stressing me the hell out."
"I know," she laughed again. "You know she loves you."
"Make way, make way. Raya little, but this dead weight got her heavy as hell right now," Trey had her slung over his shoulder. "Where am I taking her?"
"Follow me," we went up the stairs and into the guest bedroom. I didn't need her waking up in my bed going off because she's here.
"Alright man thanks," I told Trey as we did a little handshake.
"No problem my boy and y'all two get that shit right," he pointed at the both of us. I only nodded and walked him out.
I returned upstairs to Raya so I could get her comfortable and out of these tight ass clothes she went and threw on.
"So what you was tryna do find another nigga or some," I asked rhetorically.
"Chris," she mumbled looking confused.
"Yeah it's me baby. Raise up for me so I can get this over your head." She did as she was told leaning over my shoulder. Trey was right, her dead weight was heavy as fuck.
"You know I didn't mean anything. These are my feelings," she slurred.
"I know Ry. We'll talk about it tomorrow alright?"
"Mmm," she nestled deeper in the covers. I gave her a kiss and walked to the door. " I love you Maurice."
I chuckled lowly. "I love you too Simone. Sweet dreams."