I stopped in my tracks as I watched my mother that died 8 years ago walk and laugh with a little girl that looked Justin's age. "Baby you good" Destin asked but I did not move. "You good" he asked as he wiped a tear from my eye. They looked like a happy pair enjoying a nice vacation like most people here. I looked until we made eye contact and she stared at me confused. When she noticed who I was she covered her mouth and walked towards us. I watched as the girl she was walking with followed confused. The little girl looked like me when I was younger.
"Cl-Clover" my mom said pulling me into a hug but I didn't move. She squeezed me as she cried and my face was soon flooded with tears. She pulled away and looked at me. "I thought you were dead" she said. "Where were you" I whispered. "What" she asked wiping her face. "Where were you" I said louder. She opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off. "He said you died. Where were you" I cried as Destin rubbed my back. "No. I was in the hospital for a while because I was pregnant. I was at risk losing my baby. I told your father and he left and never came back. You guys moved and I couldn't find you when I finally got out. I looked for you I swear. Then I heard your dad got killed by his girlfriend. I sent some guys to go find you and they said that they saw blood. I thought you were dead. I'm sorry baby" she said. "Where were you" I cried. "What happened baby" she asked looking concerned. I covered my eyes as flashbacks flooded my head. "Clover" Destin said. I looked around to find a seat. I walked to the sitting area as everyone followed me.
I sat down and put my head in my hands. My head started to hurt. "Fuck where is Loyalty" I yelled she helps me calm down with stuff like this. "Who is Loyalty" my mom asked. "Do you need to call her" Destin asked. "No give me my baby" I said. He grabbed Niya and handed her to me. I held her as she slept and played in her hair. "She really pretty Clover" my mom said but I ignored her. "He let his girlfriend convince him to let people have their way with me" I said slowly looking at Niya. "I was only 14" I said as she sat beside me. "I had 3 miscarriages and 2 abortions before I finally had Loyalty" I said. "Clover" she said but I cut her off again. Denise killed my dad and the next day some men came to kill her. I took my baby and ran" I said and of course she tried to speak again. "Just listen" I yelled making Niya wake up crying. I rocked a little until she quieted down. "I stole from stores, ate out of trash cans, and slept in a beat up shed to survive. Then someone saw me and decided to help. They adopted us and put me through school. They instantly felt like family although I just met them but it's all I needed to be happy. I went through so much and they were always there for me. Then I met Destin and I felt something but I didn't want to jump too soon. He followed me to Florida and he gave me Saniya. This is all I got and I worked so hard to get here. You don't understand how many times I cried for you. I wanted to end it all but my baby" I said and paused. I looked at Niya as she watched me.
"Mommy" I heard someone yell. I looked up to see Loyalty run towards me with Rocky following. "You want me to take her" Destin asked. I nodded and he grabbed Saniya. "Mommy" Lo said running in my arms. "Hey baby" I said squeezing her. "You okay Mommy" she asked wiping my face. "Yea I just missed you girl" I said playing in her hair. "Well you gotta be a big girl remember" Lo said patting my hand. "Yes ma'am" I laughed. "I missed you too mommy" she said hugging me again. "Ugh did daddy not do your hair" I asked pulling it up in a ponytail. "It's too much man" Rocky said. I looked at him holding Niya. "Clover" my mom said. "Yes" I asked. "I'm sorry I wasn't there" she said. "I'm over that part of my life now. In the end I have Loyalty" I said tickling Loyalty.
"Well this is your sister Courtney. She's 7" my mom said. I looked at the little girl and she smiled. "You're really pretty Courtney" I said. "Thank you. Your babies are pretty" she said. "Well they are your nieces" I said. "Are those your only two" my mom asked. "Well we have Justin, he's 7" I said. "That's my son" Destin said. "And we have Marcus, he's 6" I said. "Also my son" Destin said. "So you have a bunch of boys and then the baby" my mom said and he nodded. "And who are you" she asked pointing at Rocky. I started to braid Loyalty's ponytail. "I'm Loyalty's dad, Rocky" he said. "So that means you were one of the guys that-" she said but I cut her off. "Mom we are over that" I said finishing Loyalty's braid. "Okay sorry. So do you live here" she asked. "Yes sweet home Florida" I joked. "That's cool" she said. "You still live back home" I asked. "Yes. We were here for the weekend but we go home tomorrow" she said. "Babe call Paris and tell her get us a room ready" I said. "We goin on vacation" Rocky asked. "You comin Rock" I asked. "Heck yea. I'm not letting my baby go nowhere without me" he said motioning at Saniya. "Boy get cho bright ass on" Destin said texting away. "I gotta show my new baby momma my hometown" Rocky said. "Nae pregnant" I asked. "Not yet" he laughed. "Man get out of here" I said. "Hey babe we gotta pick up J" Destin said. "Okay" I said standing up. "Wait let me get your number" my mom said. We exchanged numbers and went out separate ways.
We walked towards the exit. "Rocky how did you know we were here" I asked. "Destin texted me that it was an emergency" Rocky said. I looked at Destin and he smiled. "I know how you get and I know how Loyalty helps" Destin said. I pulled him into a hug and kissed him. "Thank you Destin" I said. "I love you Clover" he said.
