(CAMREN) Falling For You

33

It's been three months since Dinah left. Camila was upset because Dinah didn't say bye to her. But she told Lauren that she also understood why.

She put herself in Dinah's shoes and couldn't imagine how it would feel to have the person you love in front of you and around you all the time and know that you could never have them. Knowing now how it feels to be loved by Lauren, Camila knows she wouldn't of been able to handle it like Dinah did.

They haven't spoken to Normani since court. Normani and her parents as well as some aunts and uncles came in support or Lauren and Amelia. Lauren won the case against crystal and her parents. With the video evidence of her threatening Camila and the neighbor who witnessed her try to attack Amelia with that and some of the family statements the judge ruled in favor of Lauren.

The judge denied visitation rights to the grandparents as well stating it was unsafe and not in the best interest for Amelia since Crystal lived with them. They tried to get monitored visitation but that was also rejected because they have a tendency of informing crystal of things happening in Lauren's current life and they also condone her behavior when she finds out said things.

So now here they are getting ready to go to the Hamilton family reunion. Which Amelia was very excited for. not only did she get to play with her cousins but she gets to also finally see Normani and Dinah. She's FaceTime with Normani here and there but hasn't gotten to see Dinah or even spoken to her in months and everytime she asks Normani to speak to Dinah. Normani tell her she's not home. So Amelia is hoping to see her auntie Dinah today because she really misses her.
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Since the drive to Temecula is over a hour and a half long. Camila makes sure to bring her iPad for Amelia.

"I excited!" Amelia says while they're driving.

"What are you most excited about baby?" Camila says as she turns her head to look back at Amelia.

"Mmmm.. to see Alisha, Adonis, Monique, and Dmitry. Oh! And.. And.. Baby Lijah." Amelia says excitedly. "Oh and imma tell them all bout my birfday weekend. And that I had so much fun at universal and Disneyland." Amelia said with a huge grin. "Oh and.. I get to see Auntie Mani and Dinah. How come they no come over no more?"

Camila's smile falters a little then she looked at Lauren then back to Amelia. Right when she was going to say something Lauren spoke up. "Well because they've been really busy. Auntie Mani has been working a lot and she's also moving and auntie Dinah is on vacation that's why we haven't seen or heard from her in awhile."

"Ohhhh.." Amelia says not really understanding but nodding anyway. "But I see them today?"

"Normani will be there she already told you this morning when you called her to make sure. Or did my silly mermaid forget already?"

"No mama I no forget I members. I just... I just make sure. I misses them a lot. Only Auntie Ally come wif us for my birfday."

"I know baby. They miss you too. And they were really sorry they couldn't make it to your birthday but don't worry you'll see Normani today and auntie Dinah will be back soon." Camila says reassuringly.

Amelia looks out of the window and nods then she looks back at Camila and smiles. "Mama can I play now?"

Camila nods and then reaches into her bag to get her iPad out. "Her you go baby. Do you want me to put the headphones in for you?" Amelia nods then reaches for the iPad when Camila hands it to her.

The rest of the way Camila and Lauren talked or sang to the music. While Amelia played on the iPad and squealing every once in a while then showing Camila what she did.

When they finally arrived. Everyone was so happy to see them. Camila had already met a few relatives at the court house three months back. She was glad that the rest of the family were excited to meet her too. They kept making sure she was comfortable and fed throughout the day. Asking her if she needed food or water periodically. Of course some of the aunties kept trying to make her eat telling her that she needs to eat more for the baby.

They all had a lot of fun. Amelia stuck to Normani like glue most of the time except when her cousins would come steal her to play. But she'd only play for awhile then go back to snuggling Normani or dancing with her on the grass.
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It was now 9:30pm. The girls have been there since 2. And Amelia was currently passed out in Normani's arms. Most of the family had left already. So Normani and the girls decided to call it a night too. They told everyone goodbye and headed out.

Normani walked with them to the car still carrying Amelia. After placing her in the back seat. She shut the door and stood by the driver side with Lauren. Camila was already seated in the passenger seat while Normani and Lauren were standing outside on the driver side with the door open.

"I'm really sorry I haven't been coming around guys."

"It's okay Mani, we understand." Lauren says as she places her hand on Normani's shoulder.

Camila nods. "You know we're here for you Mani no matter what."

Normani nods and looks down. She looks back up and sighs. " I know it's just.. it was hard you know? Especially with Dinah not even saying bye to me. She just left. She went from needing space to think to just leaving and not even saying a word. Well except to Lauren and Ally." Normani looked down and sighed again. "I'm really sorry I missed Amelia's birthday and I'm sorry I haven't been coming around to see her. I know she missed me but until today I didn't know how much my absence affected her. I thought FaceTiming her would suffice but I see now I was wrong and I'm sorry for that."

"Normani don't be so hard on yourself. Yes she missed you but seeing you today made her day and that's all that matters. You're going through something you need time. She may not understand that but she loves you no matter how much time you spend away. And you FaceTiming her means a lot." Lauren says squeezing her shoulder for comfort.

"I resorted to drinking." Normani sighs again. "I was out getting drunk and partying everyday. A lot of the time to the point where I'd black out. I just.. I just felt so alone... ugh. I just felt like I wasn't good enough. After years of being together she just left without a word like I didn't even mean anything to her. It just hurts you know?"

Camila got out the car and walked toward Normani and went to hug her. "I know. I went through something similar. But everything will be okay Mani." Camila looked up at Lauren and smiled. "Trust me. It gets better. And it'll be better than you've ever imagined." Normani nods into Camila's shoulder.

When they release from the hug. Normani looks down and sighs again. "I... I got drunk a few times with these people I met at a bar one day. We would meet there like 3 or 4 times out of the week and just drink and have fun. I started hooking up with this girl and one day I woke up and she was next to me we were at some guys house. We were both naked so I didn't think anything of it you know? Anyway.. uh... these last two months have went by in kind of a blur and well.. I just found out that I'm pregnant.