Look What You've Done

Chapter 1

"You know, Rayne, I am so glad that you are with my son. Braxton hasn't been this happy in years. I am truly honored to call you my daughter sometime soon."
I blushed as my boyfriend's mother raved about me. We had a great relationship. She always referred to me as her daughter and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
"Mrs. Harris, you're too kind. And hopefully one day I will be your daughter. I really love Brax. I know that you and Mr. Harris really took the time to raise him up right."
"Of course, dear. We didn't tolerate any of that nonsense and still don't. Now you get on out of here and tell my son to call me when he gets home from work tonight."
"I sure will. See you later, Mrs. Harris!"
She reached out to me for a hug and I embraced her. I noticed that there were a stack of pictures of a little boy sitting on her dining room table with a pair of scissors next to them.
"Now that's a very handsome little boy! Who done gave you some school pictures of their child?" I asked with a slight giggle.
She turned to the pictures and grew silent before speaking.
"Those are of my Grandson, Bryson. Brax's nephew. You haven't met him yet?"
"Not in the whole two years of us dating. I thought Brax was an only child," I said confused.
"He is, darling. Bryson is like family to us so we treat him like he was one of our own."
"Oh, where is his mother if you don't mind me asking?"
"I have no idea. I just received these in the mail. I hadn't seen Bryson or his mother physically in years. I'm surprised Brax hasn't mentioned him. He loves Bryson so much. Always buying him something or sending him something."
"Oh. No, I haven't heard anything about him. Maybe I will soon, though. But I'm about to get on out of here and get dinner started before my man gets home. You know he loves to eat," I joked giving her another hug.
"I can not believe that you are having my gran-girl. I've always wanted a granddaughter. Now, I have a reason to share all of my secret family recipes."
I rubbed my growing belly and smiled.
"I can't believe it either. I can't wait until she gets here."
"Have you figured out a name for her yet?"
"Yes! I meant to call you and tell you when we did. We're going to name her Summer Breeze."
"As a first name or a first and second name?"
"First and second. Summer Breeze Harris."
"Boy, you millennials are so creative. But I'll grow to love it I'm sure. Now, get on home and get my gran-girl some rest."
"Yes, mam. I'll call you tomorrow!"
It was a chilly day in November and I shivered as the crisp wind caused my face to sting. I felt a little rush of relief as I hopped into my Toyota Camry and turned the heat on. I sat for a moment to give my car a chance to warm up. It had been a few hours since I last spoke to Braxton. I figured I would give him a call. He didn't answer the first time so I called back. He had told me plenty of times that he didn't receive my calls sometimes.
"What's up, baby? Everything alright?" He greeted.
"Yeah, I'm fine. We're fine. I was just thinking of you. Wanted to see what you were up to."
"Oh, shit. Nothing. You know. The usual. Stressful work day. Where you at right now?"
"Leaving your mother's house on the way home."
"Can you stop by the cleaners out east and pick up my slacks for me? I won't have time to get to them when I get off."
"Baby, that's all the way on the other side of town. It's four oclock in the afternoon now. You know that traffic is about to be crazy. I won't even be home for another two hours," I complained.
"You know I have that presentation tomorrow."
"Alright," I gave in.
"That's why I love you. Because you take of your man."
"I love you, too," I said in a low voice.
"Put the phone by your stomach so I can tell my baby girl that I love her."
I smiled and did as he said. I put him speaker phone.
"She's listening."
"Baby girl, I just wanted to tell you that I love you so very much. And I can't wait to see your beautiful face when you get here. Don't drain mommy's energy out too much. Cause daddy needs her to be alert when he gets off."
I laughed.
"I bet you do. No sex. Remember? She'll be here in less than a month and I don't want her coming earlier than she's supposed to."
"Fuck that. You know what type of nigga I am. Summer ain't even gone feel me in there."
"No, Brax. You are not about to be poking my baby in the head with your penis. Besides, it's only a month. You act like that's a long time."
"I'm not waiting a month for no pussy and I have a woman in my house. So like I said, have some energy when I get home."
I decided not to argue with him about it. He could get very out of character when he didn't get his way.
"Alright. I'll see you in a few hours."
We hung up as I backed out his mother's driveway. My car had finally warmed up and I was feeling very cozy. I came to a red light and stopped. Looking around, I saw traffic from every direction beginning to pile up.
"Shit, I'm probably not even going to make it in time."
I scrolled through my phone to find the number to the cleaners and called it.
"Mr. C's Cleaners, how may I help you?"
"Hi, I'm calling on behalf of some slacks for Braxton Harris. I know you guys close at five today. Is there any way that you could stay open a little longer? I really have to pick up those slacks no later than today. There's so much traffic right now and I know for a fact that I won't make it before you close."
"Mam, we now have a delivery service. Just provide your address and we will send one of our representatives out to you with your order."
I said a silent prayer and thanked God.
"Oh, my goodness! Thank you guys so much!"
"You're welcome. Address please?"
"5000 Airborne Lane. Mt. Juliet, TN."
"Perfect. We'll have someone out to you soon with your order."
"Thank you!"
I hung up happy as hell because I could finally take my ass on to the house. Summer was kicking my stomach hard and it was making me uncomfortable as hell.
"I really wish you would raise up off of mommy's bladder just a little bit, Summer."
I felt another kick and laughed.
"Don't try to be smart already, little girl."
I tapped the spot that she just kicked gently. I was so excited to be a mother. I already wanted to do better with myself just because I knew she was coming. It's something about having a child that makes a parent want to get their shit together.
"Home sweet home!" I sang, pulling into my designated parking spot.
Residents were allotted two parking spots per apartment. Normally, One of two was always empty when I got home, because Brax worked a later shift than I did. But for some odd reason, his car was already there.
"That's odd. He could have picked up his own slacks if he was off, instead of having me do it," I said to myself.
I walked into the apartment and heard music blasting from the bedroom.
"Baby?!" I yelled over the music.
I didn't get a response but I instantly had an attitude. That music was too damn loud and he knew that we had complaining ass neighbors.
"If you don't do something about her, Braxton, I'm taking Bryson and we are leaving! You will NEVER see or hear from us again. I can't believe you! I was gone overseas fighting for our country and a better life for our son and you fuck around and get in a relationship with someone else and now she's pregnant! We are married you stupid dumb fuck! Not once have I ever cheated on you! I even left Bryson with my mother so you wouldn't be distracted from starting your business and this is how you repay me?!?!"
My heart raced. I couldn't believe what I hearing. It was another woman in our house. In MY house. Arguing with my man, my daughter's father, about cheating on her in their marriage.
"Alicia, baby. I didn't mean for this to happen. It just did. I was lonely. I had no way to contact you. She was around and the next thing I know, two years goes by and now we have a baby."
I held my stomach and stumbled into the wall in the hallway. I didn't know how to take any of it.
"Do you love her, Braxton?"
"I care about her, yes. But, love is pretty extreme."
"Well you better fix this shit and fast. Because I will divorce your ass, take Bryson and EVERYTHING that you have if you don't. I can't believe your mother didn't tell me this when I saw her this morning."
His mother? She knew? I couldn't take it anymore. I rushed to the kitchen looking for any type of weapon and came across Braxton's emergency gun on top of the refrigerator. I saw nothing but red as I slowly made my way down the hallway and into the bedroom where I saw them.