Chapter 3

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"More music?" Aubrey asks, walking into the living room holding her babygirl Neveah along with a play mat. Keenan is sitting on the couch with his laptop nestled on his thighs and squinting at the screen in deep concentration.

 "Yeah," He says without looking at her.

 "Can I hear it?" Aubrey gets to her knees and unrolls the play mat with one hand while balancing a squirming Neveah on her hip. She clumsily unrolls the pink and green mat before placing Neveah onto her back where she gurgles and kicks at the toys arched abover her head.

 Keenan clicks a few keys on the laptop before unplugging his headphones. "It's not done yet, I have to talk to Marcus about the beat." He says, turning up the volume. Aubrey watches Neveah reach for her toys as a catchy beat start playing from the laptop speakers.

"Good things come to those who wait

well I'm tired of all the time it takes.

Moments come and go and I see my chance,

gotta snatch it while it's hot and wow them with the romance.

Not all the hearts and love but the beautiful words

that I'm spitting to you and beauty takes work.

Blood sweat and tears I've released it all,

now I've got to show them what I've been working on.

They thought I lost my charisma in this messy world,

but I've been busy preparing to hurl

these beats and rhymes that are out of control,

yall not ready for the stories I behold---"

The rapping ends there but the music continues, Aubrey applauds making Neveah jump and stare at her. "I like that one. When will it be finished?"

 "I don't know, I'm working on a hook right now." Keenan says stopping the music. "You know anyone that can sing?"

 "Well people have told me I sound like Mariah Carey." Aubrey flips her long brown hair over her shoulder confidently and Keenan bursts out laughing at her.

 "Yeah, deaf people." He laughs some more as she gives him a blank look.

 Rolling her eyes she tickles Neveah's stomach making her kick her feet with joy. "You should work on getting some of your songs to the radio station. They're really good."

 "Nah, not yet." Keenan says. "They're not good enough."

 "How do you know that? The only people who have heard your music is me and Marcus and we both agree that it's good quality." Aubrey says. "Some people even asked me to get them a copy of the song you rapped for me at the baby shower but I said no because it's special and was made only for me. They want your music Keenan."

 He disagrees with a shake of his head. "Not yet Aubrey."

 "Why? Are you really that scared, I thought you were the oh so confident rapper."

 Keenan gives her sharp glare, "It's my decision Bre, just leave it at that." He closes his laptop and sets it next to him before standing up and wondering into the kitchen. Aubrey watches him go then looks back at Neveah who's staring up at the ceiling in awe.

 "Hopefully you're not as hardheaded as he is." She says, nudging her drool covered chin.

The screen door opens and in walks Keenan's mom. "The first day of summer vacation and y'all got my baby cooped up in this house." She says, announcing her arrival as she walks into the living room. "Why aren't you out enjoying the day?"

 "Ma we just woke up." Keenan tells her walking in from the kitchen. He kisses her on the cheek softly and she flicks his head.

 "It is ten in the morning, go out and do something." She scolds him. After setting her purse down in the recliner she walks over to the mat and Neveah stares up at her. "Hey grandma's baby." She coos.

 Aubrey lifts Neveah up and hands her to her grandmother. She kisses her cheek softly, "Hey Mrs. Moore."

 "Hey sweetheart," Mrs.Moore sits down in the recliner. "Look how big my baby got. Four months already and just as chubby as ever."

 "She should be, all she does it eat." Aubrey's aunt laughs as she comes in and hugs Mrs. Moore. "How you doing Tracy?

 "I'm still living so I'm doing pretty good. What about you Janet, how you holding up?"

 Aubrey's aunt takes a seat on the couch. "I'm fine, it's summer, the sun is shining, the days are warm, things couldn't be better." She says then looks over at Keenan and Aubrey, "Except having these little rugrats taking up residence in my house."

 "Dang Auntie, that's how you treat me?" Aubrey says feigning hurt.

 "Yeah, yall nocturnal. Up all night, sleep all day." She chuckles. "Nevy is cool though, that's my buddy." Keenan shakes his head as she continues. 'Which is why I asked your mom to come over."

 Keenan's face drops, "Don't tell me you're kicking us out." He says. Janet and his mom exchange a look like they just got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Aubrey's eyebrows furrow and she sits up straighter. "Are you serious?"

 Her Aunt nods her head. "Nevy needs her own room and you and Keenan need to be together in your own living space."

 "Where are we supposed to go? I moved with you for a reason." Aubrey snaps, feeling herself getting upset. Her aunt opens her mouth to speak but Keenan cuts in.

 "We're still in highschool, how are we going to afford to get and keep a roof over our heads." His eyes dart back and forth between their faces. Aubrey crosses her arms as they wait for an answer.

 "Well that's what I was trying to explain before I was rudely interuppted." Janet says eyeing Keenan. "I've been talking with both of your parents and we're all willing to chip in and purchase a nice apartment or condo for you three. Keenan you're turning eighteen in a few weeks which makes you legal to live on your own."

 Aubrey's mouth drops. "You guys are really doing this for us? Thank you so much!" She exclaims, jumping up to hug her aunt.

 "Hold it," Keenan's mom holds up her hand to freeze her. "We will pay for your house but of course we have a budget that will be discussed later. Also, we will pay your first two months rent and after that, you guys have to provide for yourselves." She looks towards Keenan with an arched eyebrow, "Which means getting a job."

 Keenan nods his head in understanding. "I'm just grateful that you guys are doing this for us. Thank you," He says.

 "Anything for you baby." His mother says, as Neveah pulls at her necklace. "In the mean time you guys should start searching for homes."

 "I'm so excited to have my own place." Aubrey clasps her hands together with a big smile.

 "Oh trust me, I'm real excited too." Her aunt teases and Aubrey playfully mugs her. Neveah starts to whine and kick her fit in the air. Keenan's mom bounces her in her lap, "What's wrong grandma's baby, you need some air? These bad people have you cooped up in here on such a nice day huh?"

 Keenan stands up with his hands in the air, "Alright alright, we get it. I'll go get her stroller and we'll take her out. Jeez, stop hassling me." He heads towards the stairs and his mom chuckles.

 "For once in his life he actually listens." She says. Keenan gives a sarcastic laugh before jogging up the stairs.

**COMMENT AND VOTE, EXCUSE ERRORS!

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