When Jaida Met Kadeem

33

***

I rested my head on Curtis's shoulder as my eyelids began to close however I tried extremely hard to resist the urge of sleep but it was the early hours of the morning and I was anticipating the arrival of baby London.

"Do you want me to drive you home, it's getting really late?" Curtis suggested his whispering voice making my urge to sleep even stronger.

"No," I simply whispered back as my eyes closed completely. "I want..." I do not remember finishing my sentence, I just remember being gently awoken by Brianna's mother, Cassandra and staring up at her beaming face. I slowly sat up immediately as a response a small smile stretching across my lips as I stretched.

"Is London here?" I yawned while still stretching.

"Yes, my beautiful Granddaughter has arrived," Cassandra gushed.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It is nearly five in the morning, Brianna has spent nearly seventeen hours in labour," Cassandra informed me while my eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Wow, Janelle was a quick delivery then," I laughed as Cassandra steered me towards the room Brianna was in. There in the room sat an exhausted looking Brianna who was staring down at her baby which lay in her arms in awe, as soon as my eyes landed on the tiny little baby who wrapped her small hand fiercely around Brianna's index finger.

"Oh my gosh," I whispered as I slowly made my way towards her bed, Brianna looked up at me with a smile stretched across her face. She was beautiful, just like her mother she had inherited her dark hair, she was a light, milky complexion her smooth skin resembling the colour of white chocolate, she had a small button nose and bright pink lips.

"Meet your Goddaughter Kia Arianna London Maurice," she began watching my expression carefully as I registered her words, a big grin stretched onto my face as I looked down at Brianna gratefully, in response her smile widened before she stared back down at baby Kia before she spoke once more, addressing her daughter, "Kia, this is your Godmother Jaida,"

"Hi darling," I beamed down at Kia before glancing at Brianna, "Can I hold her?" I asked.

Brianna simply nodded however seemed reluctant as she carefully placed Kia into my open arms. "M-Mind her head," Brianna stammered worriedly causing me to shoot her a deliberate look.

"I know, Bri," I reminded her recognising the overwhelming attachment that Brianna was feeling for her daughter.

"We've all been there," Cassandra chuckled warmly as she appeared by my side unable to keep her eyes of Kia who truly was a beautiful child who was conceived by two equally beautiful parents, this thought caused me to tear my eyes away from Kia and ask where Jamal was. As soon as I mentioned Jamal's name, Brianna's face darkened momentarily before she turned away from my curious gaze, in confusion I glanced up at Cassandra who exhaled deeply before shaking her head. My eyes widened in sudden fear. "What happened?" I demanded.

"He didn't tell his mum that I was pregnant," Brianna suddenly spat.

"What?" I frowned. "Why?"

"Because he's ashamed of me, Jaida, that's why." Bri responded in a low voice which contained a bitter edge to it, I frowned at this statement.

"Bri, we both know that's not true!" I exclaimed, "There has to be another explanation for it, we know that Jamal doesn't get along with his mum."

"That's no excuse," Brianna shot back. "This is her grandchild."

"He should have at least told you that he did not feel that he could tell her," Cassandra chimed in, her voice firm and her arms folded. She then shook her head and exhaled deeply once more. "You kids, you will honestly be the death of me. So much conflict and drama, Brianna you need to speak to him, stop being so stubborn, there is a baby involved now -"