VIXEN

47.

Chresanto.

"I can't believe she's six years already," Leanna said happily crying. Today was Bri's birthday, and I promised I would spend the whole day with her, along with Leanna. "Should I be upset that she doesn't call me mommy yet?"

"Nah, y'all just met. Give her sometime." She nodded her head, looking down. "I'm leaving friday," I said holding on to her hand. "I wasn't expecting you to leave so soon," she mumbled. "I know, but the earlier the better."

"What do you want to do for your birthday?" I asked Bri once she woke up. "I want to say home with you and mommy." She said mommy for the first time, and Leanna wasn't around to hear it. "Are you sure?"

"We'll we gotta do something?" I said trying to get to get her to come up with something than besides staying home. It's her special day, she deserves to have fun. "No we dont," she said shaking her head. "Anyway," I said trying not to argue. "You hungry?"

"Yes!" She yelled loudly throwing her hands up. "Mommy is going to help you get dressed, then we'll go to IHOP."

While Leanna gave Bri a bath, I walked to my bedroom, and took a shower. I stood in my closet ass naked trying to decided what outfit to wear. "Chresanto -- oop," Leanna said but covered her eyes once she realized I was naked. "There's no need to hide," she slowly uncovered her eyes, but looked straight ahead. "You act like you've never seen me naked before."

"I know, it's just been so long." Once I found an outfit to wear, I slipped it on. I looked at Leanna who eyes remained on the ceiling. "Stop being so shy."

"Y'all wanna go to IHOP with us?" I asked Lorenzo once he finally answered the phone. "Nah, y'all need to spend time together as a family." I sighed, realizing that I never thought about it. "I guess so."

"Stop eating so fast, your pancakes aren't going anywhere," I told Brianna as she ate fast. "I can't help it, they're soooooo good."

I looked at Leanna, who was eating slowly and quietly. "What's wrong?" I asked squeezing her thigh.  "Nothing," she said shaking her head. I wondered what she was upset about. "Hey mommy," Bri called. I watched as Leanna's face lit up, and a big smiled played at her lips.

"When do you plan on having the wedding?" I asked Lorenzo. "Hopefully when you get out of rehab, I wanted you to be my best man. And Lorraine wants Leanna to be a bridesmaid." I smiled at the honor, but it sooner dropped as I never told him when I was leaving. "I leave on Friday," I said quietly.

"Your leaving tomorrow? Why so early?"

"I need help, Lorenzo. The longer I wait, the worse it gets." I said looking down to the floor. "I'm leaving early in the morning, I don't want Bri to see me leave."

"You gotta do what you gotta do," he said patting me on the back. "I'm going to miss you," he said standing up and walking away. I watched him walk off, wishing I could tell him the truth.

One more chapter to go...