The Eye of the Storm - Sequel to The Oncoming Storm

Chapter 16

"I can't believe it... you're a father!" Jess smiled shaking her head.

Prince sighed heavily and buried his face in his pillow. Reliving his visit with Apollonia as he told everything to Jess wore him out.

"Come on, Prince, I know it's a lot to take in, but aren't you excited?" Jess sat on Prince's back and gently massaged his shoulders.

"I am excited," he began, looking up from his pillow, "but I'm still in shock. I honestly don't know what to do. I mean, I can't just up and move to Los Angeles. I can't leave the club, my job is here. Their ain't no way I can get a gig in L.A. That's damn near impossible. And Apollonia... oh God. What the hell am I supposed to do with her?"

"Hey, it'll be okay," Jess laid down on top of Prince and kissed his shoulder blade. "I know Apollonia really cares about you and that baby. She'll get some help."

"I hope she does," grumbled Prince. "If she hurts my baby, I swear I'll..."

"Calm down, it's alright," Jess said soothingly, trying to calm Prince before he got himself all worked up again. "She won't hurt your baby."

Prince let out a breath. "I just... I feel like maybe I should go back and try to help her. Maybe encourage her to go see an addiction specialist and make sure she sticks with the program."

"Whatever you think is best, I'm here to support you in your decision. You don't think you could convince her to move back here?"

"No way in hell she'll give up her new famed life to come back here. Jess, I don't know what I should do. Do I give up my job and the club and go to L.A? Do I stay here? What do I do?"

Prince buried his face back in his pillow. Never before had he been more stressed out in his short life. Jess sighed and tangled her fingers in the black curls of Prince's hair. "I honestly don't know what the best thing to do right now is," began Jess. "But I do know you'll never be forced to make any decisions alone. I'm here for you. Just give it some time. Time heals everything."

Jess's voice had a way of always making Prince feel reassured. "You're my copilot," he smiled looking up at her from his pillow.

"I always will be," she smiled back, and kissed Prince softly on his plump lips.

When Prince's lips finally parted from Jess's, he smiled, gazing into her eyes. He loves her emerald eyes. But then his smile faded and he sighed, "God never in a million years did I think I'd have to worry about being a parent. I barely make enough money now to keep Morris off my back about taking this club away from me. How the hell am I supposed to support a kid?"

"Well, Apollonia makes a shit ton of money now. I'm sure she'll pay child support."

"Is that a thing?" Prince asked tilting his head to the side. "I'm so goddamn clueless. I know nothing about being a father. All I know is I don't want to be like my father."

"You won't be, Prince. You're gonna be a great dad. It'll all come naturally, you'll see. Once you hold your baby for the first time, your parenting instincts will kick in."

"I'm only 25."

"Yeah, that makes you a young, hot dad." A devious smirk formed across Jess's red lips.

"Oh? You like young, hot dad's?" Prince teased, playing along with her game.

"Kiss me, daddy," she purred, bitting her bottom lip as her intoxicating smirk widened.

Prince crashed his lips into hers and slid his tongue into her mouth. She took in the minty taste of his tongue as he swirled it in inside her mouth. Her tongue fought for dominance with his, until she finally surrendered to him, allowing him to deepen the kiss. She pulled at his top lip with her teeth as he sucked hard on her bottom lip. Then he tilted his head and wrapped his lips around hers, earning a slight moan from her.