I Wanna Be.

Part 37

                                                                                  Rome

We pulled up to Mani's house, and it was in the middle of nowhere. I understood why Tee's slow ass couldn't find her; she hid well, I'll give her that. Mani and Lynn got out with the baby and Prince, while Dre and I unloaded the car.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt relief. Her house was nice as hell. I never once thought about letting her decorate my house, never even crossed my mind, but now, looking around, I realized things were gonna change. Once I found a way to bring her back home, she was putting her stamp on it.

"Bring everything in here," Mani shouted from one of the downstairs rooms. Turned out to be the baby's room. I set everything down softly since baby girl was asleep. Mani told me, "Just drop it here, I'll fix it later." She was trying to handle everything herself, even fresh out the hospital.

Before I could argue, Lynn cut in. "Girl, you just had a baby. I'm grabbing a chair, and you're gonna sit down and point." Mani didn't fight it—just nodded.

We got started. Lynn started arranging decorations, carefully hanging up photos of Mani when she was pregnant with Prince beside her. Each picture found its perfect place, making the room feel warmer and more like home. Mani was particular about where things went, but none of us minded. I started on the crib with Dre while Prince tugged at Mani's arm. She tried to get up, but I stopped her.

"Sit down, you can barely walk right now. I got him," I said firmly, taking Prince's little hand in mine. He snatched his hand away from me and started to whine. That shit cut me deep—I ain't even gonna lie. Lynn paused what she was doing and said, "Slow steps, Rome. I'll do it." Then she let Prince drag her off wherever he wanted to go, while I went back to working on the baby bed.

Me and Dre locked eyes. I was lowkey telling him to dip so I could talk to Mani.

"I gotta pee, gimme a sec bro," Dre said.

"Alright," I nodded. He asked Mani where the bathroom was, and she started to get up to show him, but he stopped her.

"Nah, just tell me where it's at, I follow directions good," he said.

So she gave him directions, and just like that, it was only me, her, and a beautiful, sleeping baby girl.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"Sure, she replied.

"Well, first off, you don't have to lie to me about nothing. Yeah, the trust between us is broken, but whatever you tell me from now on, I'mma try my hardest to believe."

She shot back, "Listen, Rome. I'm at a point in my life where I don't really care what you think of me."

"I'm not trying to fuss with you, Mani," I said. "So why did you come here, she replied.

Instead of waiting for me to answer, she started listing off things I never even considered—like me trying to take Prince from her. I opened my mouth to argue, but Lynn came back in, breaking the moment.

Hours later, the nursery was finally complete. It was dark outside and too late to leave. Mani yawned. "I'm exhausted. Lynn, can you roll the bassinet to the guest room? I'll sleep down here. You and Dre can take my room; fresh sheets are in the closet. Rome, you can use Prince's bed or the couch. Thank you for all yall help it's much appreciated."Me and Dre walked to the kitchen, Dre leaned on the counter. "You think the baby's yours?"

I swallowed hard. "Honestly? I do. She looks just like Prince when he was a baby. Same features and everything. I'll end up doing a DNA test just to know for sure."