ALIVE

3

Beyonce POV

"Mommy's home!" My ten year old son, Ryan excitedly said as I entered the front door and he took the groceries from my hands.

"Hey baby," I said matching his excitement. I got inside the house and went to the kitchen. "Hey everybody," I greeted everyone.

"Hey sis," Eric said warmly as he held his six month old son in his arms.

"Hey baby," mama Rose greeted as she chopped some vegetables.

I went to the fridge and got myself and apple and yoghurt then I went to sit on one of the stools.

I looked at Eric. "Where's your wife?" I asked him as I opened my yoghurt and started eating.

"Rihanna's on her way from work. She said she's about twenty minutes away," he said.

I smiled at him. "I have some news for you guys," I announced.

"Are you pregnant?" Ryan said as he tilted his head.

I scrunched up my face. "I'm not pregnant. Mommy ain't getting pregnant anytime soon," I said. "I'll share the news when we are all at the dinner table."

Before I get to the good news, I feel like I have to explain to y'all how my ass is still alive after Gwen and Staci failed to kill me ten years ago.

The night my car was pushed off the bridge, the river currents carried me to some place where Eric was night fishing. Eric is very brave and is pretty much ain't afraid of anything or anybody so that may have been the reason he was night fishing that night.

I was told that when Eric saw my car, he went to my car to see if there was anything inside. Lucky for me, he found me unconscious inside so he decided to take me to the hospital.

I woke up in the hospital where Eric and his mother, Rose were so noble to me and my unborn baby, they took me back to mama Rose's place. I told them my whole story and how I never wanted to go back to California so mama Rose gave me a job in one of her bakeries.

The Gomez family really helped me get back on my feet so much so, Eric helped me get a proper job three months after I gave birth to Ryan.

I enjoy living with my mama Rose so much I decided to not move out of her house but Eric lives with his wife and child just a couple of miles away.

On weekends, Ryan and I help mama Rose in one of her bakeries. When Eric and Rihanna come to visit they help but Rihanna is mostly occupied by taking care of Junior.

I love how this family warmly accepted me and Ryan into their lives. I can never thank Eric enough for pulling me out of the jaws of death and being given a second chance in life. I also love how he treats Ryan like his own son and makes sure that my son has a father figure in his life.

"So what did you want to tell us girl?" Rihanna said as we were all finally seated at the dinner table.

"Tell us mommy," Ryan said as he stuffed his face with mash potatoes.

I looked around and everyone had their eyes on me. I took a deep breath. "I got a promotion," I smiled.

"WHOOPEE! CONGRATULATIONS SIS!" Eric yelled in excitement which startled Junior who was sleeping peacefully so he started crying in Rihanna's arms.

Rihanna hit Eric upside the head. "What's wrong with you? You're scaring my baby," she said consoling a crying Junior. "Did daddy scare you my baby?" She said in her baby voice as she patted Junior's back and rocked him a bit.

"That's not all," I said. "I'm also being relocated...to California," I said.

"Cali?" Mama said. "Baby, are you sure you wanna go there?" She said lowly.

Its bout time I went back to California. I should toughen up and finally face my demons.

I smiled at mama. "California ain't ready for what imma bring," I said with a poker face.

Rihanna cleared her throat. "Ryan, let's go upstairs and help me put Junior to bed," she said.

"Huh? I'm not even done eating," he spoke with his mouth full of food.

I hit him upside the head. "Don't talk with your mouth full and listen to your auntie," I spat.

"But mommy-"

"Don't make me smack the black out of you Ryan Corey Carter! Now get your little narrow behind upstairs!" I sternly said.

This boy likes challenging me at times and that pisses me off.

I watched as Rihanna and Ryan left the dinner table.

"Are you prepared for California? I mean, the whole Shawn situation and...I'm concerned here Bey," Eric spoke up with worry laced in his tone.

"My ex-fiancé you are concerned about is busy living his best life with that snake, Gwen. They'll be busy rubbing shoulders with the big ones. I ain't afraid of nobody at this point," I said.

These past ten years I've changed. I'm no longer the Beyonce everybody walked over and treated like dirt. I take no bullshit from anyone and I'm not afraid to take a bitch down if she steps on my toes.

"If you say so but remember, we are always there for you my baby. We are also your family and we want nothing but the best for you," mama said. "I just wish you the best and don't be doing things you'll regret."

I will not regret nothing. I want a better life for my son and and teach him to not take shit from anybody.

***

I laid in my bed with the lights off as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

I heard my door open then the side of my bed dipped. I felt arms being wrapped around my torso.

"Why you like sleeping in bed?" I said lowly as I ran my fingers through Ryan's curls.

"You're my mommy and I love you," he whispered. "Mommy?"

"Yes baby boy."

"Why aren't you and my biological father together?" He said.

I hate it when he asks me questions about Shawn. I mostly avoid answering them but I can't in this case.

I sighed. "Its because your father hurt me a lot-"

"Was he physically hurting you?" He interjected. I could sense in his tone that he was getting agitated by the mear thought of someone hitting me.

I love how my son is overprotective at times.

"He never laid a hand on me," I assured him as I slowly stroked his arm. "Your father hurt me emotionally. He did stuff that left me insecure and questioning what I did wrong for him to treat me that way," I said and I could feel the tears burning my eyes as I thought of the times Shawn did all those hurtful stuff to me.

He lifted his head up and looked at me. "Since you have a job opportunity in California. Are we moving?"

"I'm afraid so my baby. You and I will be living together and you'll have to attend one of the private schools there," I said looking at him.

He scrunched up his face. "Why private school? I don't wanna be bougie," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "You ain't bougie. Just consider us as hood rich. Earned all of this money but they never take the county out of me," I said and he chuckled. "Now let's sleep."

"I love you mommy," he said snuggling closer to me.

I kissed his forehead. "I love you more my prince," I said then I slowly drifted off to sleep.