Fatima: She IS my sister, Danni. My blood. Don’t minimize that.
Danni: And you don’t minimize me because I’ve been with you through everything, Tima. I know when somebody’s running game. She’s too eager, and you’re falling for it because you want it to be real. I get it you want family on your dad's side. But she ain’t it.
The stung.
Fatima: Like I said before, it sounds like you’re jealous? Afraid she’ll replace you? You're crazy bro.
Danni: Don't make this about me. This is about you being naïve, and me caring enough to say it.
Zac stepped in, voice calm but firm.
Zac: Y’all need to breathe. You love each other too much to let this turn ugly.
I dropped onto the couch, suddenly exhausted. Danni stood stiff for a moment before finally sitting beside me. She bumped her shoulder into mine, not meeting my eyes.
Danni: I just don’t want to see you hurt, that’s all.
Fatima: I know and I appreciate that, but I can’t just slam the door on Nalani. She’s my sister whether you like it or not.
Danni sighed. Fine. But when she shows her hand...and she will, I’m not holding my tongue.
That cracked the tension, and I managed a small laugh. I wouldn’t expect you to.
Danni: Good. Now, are we still on for wedding dress shopping, or are you canceling on me to play sisters with Miss Mystery?
Fatima: I wouldn’t miss that for the world. Somebody’s gotta make sure you don’t pick something that looks good under champagne lighting but terrible in daylight.
We laughed together, the argument still hanging between us but softened by the reminder that no matter what, we're sisters and we're locked!
Later that night, when the house was quiet and Karter was finally down, Zac stretched out beside me in bed. His hand slid over my stomach like it belonged there.
Zac; You ever think about another baby?
Fatima: No, and babe we’re not doing this again.
Zac: Why not? I want a family with you?
Fatima: We're a family now. Karter is still a baby. My hands are already full with him and the spa. I’m running myself ragged as it is, and you’re asking me for more. You're pressuring me babe. I have dreams beyond being a baby mama.
Zac: It’s not pressure, It’s just something I want with the woman I love.
Fatima: It is pressure, Zac. Every time you bring it up, it feels like you’re not hearing me. We’re not married. We’re still figuring us out. And you want me to tie myself down to another baby when I’m still trying to figure out how to breathe?
Zac: I hear you. But I don’t see why it has to be either-or. You can have your dreams and we can grow our family too.
Fatima: Not right now. I need to know who I am outside of diapers, bottles, and late-night wake-ups. I love being a mom, but I want to be more than just that. And right now, with everything going on? Another baby is the last thing I want.
We were both irritated but doing very well with communicating without yelling but we were both ready to scream inside. The silence stretched heavy between us. Then my phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from Nalani.
Nalani: Hey sis, I hope I’m not overstepping. I just want to explain why I’ve been asking about Karter. I never got to have family like this, and I don’t want him to grow up without knowing me. I promise I’d never hurt him or you. I just want to be part of his life.
