𝑵𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 ™

𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

Karma pulled up to the crib, one hand on the baby bag, the other holding Carmen's little hand as they walked toward the front door. The autumn breeze caught her hair, and she took a breath, trying to steady her nerves. She wasn't used to this. Not after everything. But they were here now, and it was time to make it work.

Dd opened the door, leaning against the frame with a casual smirk that was halfway hiding something deeper. "Took ya long enough, ma." His eyes dropped to Carmen, and a softer look crossed his face. "Come in."

Inside, the apartment had that familiar mix of cologne, burning incense, and faint weed smoke. Dd guided them to the living room, where toys were already scattered — a little setup he must've done. Carmen ran to grab a stuffed bear, and Karma let out a laugh.

Dd watched her, his eyes never fully leaving her face. "So... how you been, Karma? Like, really?"

She sat on the edge of the couch, smoothing down her jeans. "I been doin' what I gotta do, feel me? Workin', takin' care of our baby. You know how it go."

Dd nodded, leaning back and stretching his arm along the top of the couch. "Yeah, yeah, I hear that. I just... I don't like thinkin' 'bout you doin' all that by yaself."

Karma shrugged, trying to keep it cool. "We manage. But Carmen good, I'ma tell you that. She love her cartoons in the mornin', but don't even try givin' her oatmeal — she'll throw it. It's gotta be waffles or nothin'."

Dd chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Waffles, huh? Lil' miss got taste." He shook his head, a hint of pride creeping in. "What else she into?"

Karma leaned forward, her voice more animated now. "Oh, she love that one song you got with Notti. Be playin' it on repeat like she know the words."

"Word?" Dd's eyes lit up, and he laughed harder, clearly moved. "Aight, now that's fire. She got good taste too."

Just then, the door creaked, and Ddot and Notti poked their heads in like two nosy uncles. "Ayo, where lil' Carmen at?" Ddot grinned, stepping in and scooping Carmen up before Karma could even react. "You lookin' just like ya daddy, for real."

Notti leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a teasing smirk on his face. "We just tryna get our niece time, don't mind us."

Karma rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't fight the smile. "Y'all so extra."

Dd stood, moving closer to Karma, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Ayo, thank you for bringin' her here. For real."

Karma met his gaze, and for a second, there was just quiet understanding. "It's what she need. What we need, maybe."

Dd reached for her hand, a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. "We gon' make it work, ma. I gotchu."

For a moment, it was just the two of them, even with Ddot making Carmen giggle and Notti trying to keep up with her energy. It wasn't perfect. But it was a start.