Love in New York [Under Construction].

XXV.

Aaliyah POV

I awoke from my sleep being carried to my bedroom. "You need to stop falling asleep in the bathroom" Adam whispered. "I was throwing constantly for the past four hours" I admitted, "I just feel like sleeping all day." Adam laid me in bed softly and pulled up the sheet on me. "Well, I wanted you to meet a few of my friends later today in the Bronx, if you feel up to it." I yawned. "Yeah, sure" I replied, cuddling up to him. Adam stopped talking and let me go to sleep.

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Knocks came from my door, waking me up, "I'll get it" Adam said, getting up. I cuddled back into the bed. A few minutes later, Lyra came to the door of the bedroom. Her curly hair was curled into Bantu knots, and she was wearing a floral print dress, with some gold sandals. 

"Hey girl, I know you didn't want me to buy you anything just yet.. but I couldn't resist." She pulled two onesies out of a shopping bag; one pink one and one blue, both of them had matching hats, and booties. "Isn't it cute?" 

I smiled widely and sat up. "Yes! Thank you!" "Don't thank me just yet. I'm going to plan your baby shower, and I already had ideas that I know you're going to love." I started crying. "Thank you so much." She hugged me. "Stop crying, you're going to make me cry" she whined. I wiped my eyes, "Sorry." Lyra plopped down on the bed. I finished wiping the few tears that fell as she got comfortable. "So, what's the plan for today?" "Well, Adam was going to take me out to meet a few of his friends today." Adam showed up at the door, phone in hand. "Yeah it was just a little get together" he added. "Girl, I have to go!" she squealed, "please?! I'll provide the ride!" I looked at Adam. "We do need a ride, and I'm tired of walking back and forth to the subway." "Sure why not" Adam answered, looking at the little booties. 

A small smile lit up his face.

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I got dressed in a loose, white romper and looked over my body. I wasn't showing that much, which was nice, all I had right now was a small bump. I skipped out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. "Are those pan dulces?" I asked. Adam nodded and handed me one. I munched it down, savoring the taste of the sweet bread. "Adam, these are so good!" I shrieked, a little too excited, whilst I grabbed another. I felt the babies move. "I guess I'm not the only one that's enjoying these." I ate two more not wanting to spoil my appetite. "You guys ready to go?" Lyra asked. We both nodded and went outside.

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Lyra pulled up to the Bronx neighborhood, and looked around. "Look at all the cute Latino men here" she grinned. "Lyra Aamina Boro, you do not need to be looking at these men, they're nothing but trouble" I stated. "Well Aaliyah Rae Williams, your boyfriend is from here. If a guy as sweet as him came from this area there has to be at least one more." 

Adam's POV

I shook my head. "She's right Lyra, you don't want to get involved with these men out here, most of them are alcoholics, druggies, drug dealers-" I paused and coughed. 

I was going to be one of them. Lyra parked the car. 

"I'm not going to get involved with a drug dealer though" Lyra explained, "some Mexican guy was just shot last week out here in the Bronx, selling drugs, I don't need that." Aaliyah put an arm around my waist, while I put an arm around her shoulders. "I don't know what I would do without Adam," she started, "he's my rock." I leaned down and kissed her gently. "I love you too baby." Lyra sighed in frustration. 

"Why can't I have this?" 

"Hey! Adam!" Rico's raspy voice yelled. "Damn, you got two bitches" another voice interjected, Rico's brother, Juan. "Aye! Choochi! Get me three beers over here." "Only two" Aaliyah answered, not impressed in the men. Rico laughed. "We got a lightweight over here huh?" "No. I'm pregnant" she snapped. I chuckled at her sudden attitude. He held his hands up in defense.

A pretty, short, Mexican girl walked up with three beers in her hands. Her hair was blond and curly. She was defiantly mixed with something else. Looked to be Mexican and black? Damn, is this Choochi? My ex? She changed a lot from highschool. 

"Adam? Damn I haven't seen you in a minute! Is this your girl?" she handed Lyra, and I a beer. 

"Yeah" I answered, smiling at her. A throat cleared behind us. Lyra shot a small smile. I sighed." "And this is Aaliyah's friend, Lyra" I informed. God, I would've been fine just taking the subway then bringing her ass. She better be happy she was Aaliyah's friend. "Nice to meet you all." 

All the kids played in the street, adults just sat around, talking. Just as I got ready, Rico tapped my shoulder, and nodded. I didn't want to just leave Aaliyah here, but I had to do what I had to do. For her and my kids. I didn't want to be depending on her with her dead father's fucking money. Honestly, I still couldn't stand her dad. 

"Choochi, can you take Aaliyah over there with you? I got to run out for a few minutes." "Sure, come on." Aaliyah looked at me, then at Rico. "Don't do anything stupid." I chuckled. "What? You don't trust me anymore?" She crossed her arms, not looking amused. "I just don't trust the people you're with." Rico took a long drag of his blunt. "I'll be back in a few" I reminded. I leaned down to kiss her, but she moved away. 'Genial, ahora ella está enojada conmigo' (Great, now she's mad at me).' She turned around and followed behind Choochi, and Lyra.

"Damn, that girl got you on lock down." I shrugged. "I remember you use to be a hoe-hopper man. What happened to those days? Not having to worry about anything, fucking then just leaving." "Don't bring up my old days" I chuckled, "I would never give up Aaliyah for my old days. We got something real. I don't want to mess that up." He took another drag and held the blunt out to me. I shook my head. "I'm trying to quit, Aaliyah hates it." 

He laughed loudly as we crossed the street. "Bruh, she really do got you on lockdown!" "Alright, alright," I laughed,  "but I love her man. The way I felt about her, I never felt that way about any girl before." "You're sprung." We walked up the porch of a normal-looking townhouse. What was inside made it different.

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Aaliyah POV

"So how long have you and Adam been together?" Choochi asked. I munched on some more chips. "For like five months?" "Damn, you said you're pregnant right? Your relationship moved hella fast." "Yeah" I said sheepishly. "Hey, things happen, I wouldn't have believed Adam, could get a girl like you anyway." I took a sip of my drink, and watched behind Choochi as Lyra talked to some of the men. "And why not?" "Because, back in high school, Adam was one of the sneakiest boys ever and got pretty much any girl he wanted. That was until Alex died, then I think he learned to care for people more as, well, people, instead of just bodies. Now he's such a sweetheart, you're lucky." 

I smiled and stirred my drink around in my cup. We sat in silence for about ten minutes before Adam sat down next to me. "See I wasn't even gone that long." He kissed my cheek, before I even had a chance to lean away. "I just had to take care of some business."

Choochi:

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