Love in New York [Under Construction].

XXVI.

Two Weeks Later

September 20

A knock came from the door of my apartment. I walked over and let Adam in. "I'm sorry I can't be there with you when you tell her" Adam said. I crossed my legs Indian style on the couch. "It's fine really, I know you have to work. I'm kinda surprised you went and got another job." "Well I have to take of my children, and their beautiful mom." My face turned as red as it could for a black girl. He hovered over top of me and kissed my cheek. "I love you" I whispered. Adam sat down and kissed my cheek. "I love you too baby." We laid on the couch in a spooning position for a while in peace. Adam had dozed off watching mid-day tv with his hand on my stomach. It was almost one o'clock and I knew Adam had to being leaving right now. I poked his stomach, to wake him up. I didn't want him to go, because I wanted him to get rest, but if I didn't wake him he'd be pissed. He stirred and woke up yawning. I knew he wasn't getting much sleep working two jobs everyday. 

"Adam, you know I still have all the money that my dad left me right?"

"Yeah?" "I just don't want you to beat yourself up trying to have multiple jobs, I have money to spend on stuff myself. I can even get a job, ever since I've been fired from Star Magazine, I could use a new job." 

"Aaliyah, stop." I sat up and listened to the stubborn boy talk. "I need to provide for you. I'm the man in the relationship, it's what I'm suppose to do." "Now you stop. It's always about what the man does in the relationship. I'm pregnant not handicapped, I can do something." Adam sighed in frustration. "All I'm trying to do is take care of you and our kids-" "You act like I'm not capable-" 

"Am I interrupting something?" my mom (AKA Mrs. Irvin) asked, interrupting our conversation. I crossed my arms. Adam stood up, buttoning up his shirt to hide his chest tattoos. His job didn't like him showing them. "No, I better get going to work." He leaned down, and gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Where are you working now?" my mom questioned. "I'm still working at the institute, but I'm a car mechanic now too" he told her. "That's good." "I'll see you both in a few hours. Bye, Mrs. Irvin" he added as he walked out of the apartment. 

"What in the world were you two arguing about?" she asked. "Its not important" I replied. She didn't ask anymore questions and went into the kitchen area.

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My mom sat across from me, eating her scampi shrimp. 

"Alright Aaliyah, what did you want me to come all the way up here for?" I sat quietly. "I know you wouldn't pay for my plane ticket, give me a place to stay, pay for all the other expenses just cause you wanted to see me, now really wants going on?" I sighed. 

"I'm pregnant mom" I blurted. 

Her jaw dropped. "You're joking." 

"No. Adam and I found out like a few weeks ago. But we've already worked out everything. We're going to be adults and raise these children." She sat her fork down. "Aaliyah, you're only twenty and you're in school, you can't raise a child-" "Children" I corrected. "Children? You're having twins?" I nodded. She sighed in disbelief. 

"You can't raise children on your own like this!" 

I stayed as she scolded me like a little child. "Aaliyah, I think you need to come back with me to Atlanta to leave with me, there is no way you can live here anymore." "What?!" "You're not going to stay here and raise these children by yourself, its best if you just came back." "I'm not going back, I have to start attending school again soon!" "Aaliyah, you're pregnant and in this city all alone. And don't say you're with Adam. That boy is only a baby, you that's all you are too!" I decided not to argue. 

"I'm going to need to talk with Adam about this" she said, going up to pay for the food.

Adam POV

I took the money, and handed the cocaine to the man who was sweating profusely. Probably craving I thought. I walked back over to the car that Rico's been letting me use for drops, and looked at my profits so far.

Almost $600 in one week, better than being a damn janitor and a mechanic, however they did bring in more money. My mind wandered back to what Aaliyah said this morning, about her dad's money. I don't want to use his money, I'm determined to make it without using it. I got back in the car and drove up to Rico's house to give him half the profit's so he could take them to Ruben's (AKA 'Tupi') house, then I headed to the Art Institute. 

When I got to the intersection, I could see Aaliyah was going in the front door with her mom. Shit, she can't catch me. I pulled into the parking lot in the back of the building and ran inside to my locker. Just then Aaliyah came walking in. "Hey, baby" I greeted, putting an arm around her shoulders. Just like usual this time around, Aaliyah had a frown on her face. At first I thought pregnancy hormones, then I remembered that Mrs. Irvin probably knew she was pregnant now and wasn't happy about it.

"Adam, I know Aaliyah's pregnant, and she's coming back to Atlanta." I looked at Aaliyah. She didn't answer. "You can't do that" I told her. Her mom sighed. "She knows what's best, and that's to come back to Georgia with me." Aaliyah pulled away from me and walked out of the room. 

"Mrs. Irvin, those are my kids she's carrying!" 

"You can come visit with she has the ultrasounds down, but I'm not leaving her here. Just come down to visit every so often. Maybe when she's old enough and more responsible, she'll be able to work things out with you." I couldn't believe this woman right now. Now she was as bad as Aaliyah's, other 'mom.' Mrs. Irvin began to walk out with me right behind her. 

"Aaliyah, is staying here in New York with me." 

"She is not, now where is that girl?" she mumbled, going into the lobby of the Institute. We both looked around, trying to find the person who was the center of our argument. We looked throughout the lobby, outside the building, and still no sign of her.

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My POV

I wrapped my cardigan closer to my body to prevent the cool air from getting in. Walking down the street was Lyra and her new friend, Orlando, she had met at the party in the Bronx two weeks ago. She saw me and ran over. "Aaliyah? What's going on?" I shook my head. "I don't want to talk about it right now." "You wanna stay with me tonight?" I nodded. I followed her and the Latino man up to her apartment. I felt so tired. She gave me some of her pajamas, and I cuddled up in the guest bed.

I just needed time to think...

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