Hustle. (Book 2)

Chapter 20: What Now?

Lauryn P.O.V.

A few hours had passed and I had reassured my friends that I was fine and just waiting to be released. The nurse said that I needed to be kept another day for monitoring and to try and keep my blood pressure down.

Gigi had stepped out of the room to get me some crushed ice and to take a phone call. I heard the door open and close.

"Did you find it Gi--" I cut off my words as I saw Chris appear in my room. "Chris?" I questioned with a little relief.

"Hi, baby," he whispered, smiling and walking over to me.

My relief instantly turned to anger. "Chris!" I threw the TV remote at him and it knocked off his shoulder before falling to the ground.

"Lauryn, I can explain. Just hear me out," he pleaded.

"Get out!" I screamed, cutting him off.

A nurse immediately shuffled in. "Is everything okay in here?" she asked, eyeing up Chris.

"Actually," I began, but I was cut off by Chris yet again.

"Everything's fine in here. We just need some privacy to discuss our situation." She nodded and smiled before exiting the room.

"Lauryn," he said, brushing my hair away from my face. I turned away from him, facing the window and attempting to relax. I knew I couldn't get too worked up or I could put myself or my baby in danger.

I started taking deep breaths.

"Baby. I can't even begin to apologize about how sorry I am. I know this sounds corny but I will make it up to you in anyway possible. Anything that you want, I gotchu. I promise."

"What if I want you to leave me alone?" I asked.

He sighed. "You know I can't do that babygirl."

"And why not?" I questioned, still avoiding his eyes.

"Because I love you. I have this feeling inside that you are the one for me. You remind me so much of my mother. It's crazy. You respect yourself and your body and you've done everything you could to protect yourself while you carried my child. Our child." I looked him in his eyes now. "We did that," he said, rubbing my stomach. I winced as some pain hit me.

"What happened Chris?" I inquired. "What happened that you couldn't call? Couldn't text? Couldn't come home?" Tears began to well up in my eyes. "I can't keep doing this!"

"Oh baby, don't cry. What happened to you?" He wiped a tear that rolled down my cheek.

"Do not change the subject Christopher." He hated when I called him by his full name.

"I...I...don't know where to start," he stuttered.

"Well, find someplace!" I shouted, nudging his shoulder.

"I was setup by Paris, the other woman carrying my child. She allied with my biggest enemy and the plot they had was to kill me." More tears formed in my eyes.

"Please don't cry, babygirl. I'm alright. I promise," he reassured, sitting down next to me on the bed.

"To make a long story short, she ended up getting shot and she...she, uh, she's not waking up." I gasped deeply. Although I hadn't liked Chris having another baby mother, I would never wish death upon her.

"What about, what about the baby?" I stuttered, trying to wrap my head around the situation. I wouldn't forgive myself if I was being so harsh to him if he just lost his child and her mother.

"She's okay. She a premie, but she's downstairs in the NICU. She's gonna be okay."

A big smile appeared on my face which caused him to smile. "I really would never put you through anything like this on purpose Lauryn. This was a serious matter and I couldn't detach myself. I just want to say--" He was cut off by the door opening.

Gigi walked in carrying a picture of ice but her jaw dropped when she saw Chris. "I'm going to get a nurse," she stated, making steps towards the door.

"It's okay, Gi. We're working this out." I paused. "We have to work this out."