Together 4Ever

Chapter one

Jay
I sat back in my leather chair, rubbing my jaw. Every now and then I think about my divorce and the weight of it hangs heavy on my shoulders. I looked at the photo of Blueberry on my desk- she's fourteen now, growing too damn fast. I fought hard for custody of her, and worked even harder to make sure she had everything. I didn't know taking her from B would ruin things that bad. But after I did, the tension between us never really healed

Out of nowhere my phone started ringing. I knew who it was.

"Shawn," Beyoncé started over the phone. I could feel my own expression soften slightly at the sound of her voice, but I had to keep my tone guarded, no funny business, "Beyonce." I stood up, pacing the room with the phone pressed to my ear. "What do you want?" The words one cold, clipped. "It's late." I knew what she wanted and I hated it.

"I want to see Blue." She sounded stressed, and a bit upset. That ain't my problem now. She's with Carlos anyways. I paused for a moment, my heart pounding. This was always the hardest part- denying her access to our daughter. But if I'm being honest I'm too stubborn and still hurt from the divorce to give her up. "No." I said flatly, "she's asleep." It was a lie. I knew my baby was likely awake, prolly listening to music or reading.

"Okay, then tomorrow!" Bey tried to negotiate. I knew she was getting pissed. "Nah, B. You ain't getting her." I didn't want to share my daughter with the woman that had my heart and left. It was selfish of me and I knew it because the divorce was mutual. She spoke up, "Yes I am damnit! It's my weekend, Shawn!"

My jaw tightened at her words. She's right. Court said she got her every other weekend and on holidays. I'd blocked it all out - I wasn't ready to share custody again. Keeping Blue more than her was my way of holding on. "Right. Nine then. I'll have her ready." I hung up abruptly, tossing my phone on the desk.

I stood there staring out the floor-to-ceiling window at the city lights. Fourteen, my little girl was fourteen. She looked more and more like Beyoncé every day - that same fire, that same determination. But she had my stubbornness too. She'd been asking to see her mama more lately, and quite frankly I wasn't feeling it. It twisted something inside me. I poured a glass of henny, sipping slowly.

Beyoncé

I sat at home sipping my wine in my new boyfriend's lap. Well he really wasn't new but compared to Shawn he was. "Carlos, where did I go wrong?" I asked. Referring to my divorce and the custody of Blue. He wrapped an arm around me, stroking my hair. He's so handsome- the same age as Shawn, and a businessman. "B, you didn't go wrong." He said softly. "You built an empire, you raised a beautiful daughter." He squeezed my side.

"But she loves her daddy more than me!" I said loudly, but not yelling. He paused, his hands stilling on my side. He was choosing his words carefully, I could tell. He's knows that Jay is a sensitive topic for me. "That's not true, B. Blue loves you just as much. She's just... she's a daddy's girl. It's different." He hesitated, then continues. "You made a good decision with this custody arrangement. At least this way, you're free. Free to move on, to find someone who can give you what Shawn couldn't." I stared at him thinking, there's nothing Shawn couldn't give me. We just fucked up and got up with work and were too busy for one another. Obviously I didn't say that cause Carlos was a whiny baby to be completely honest. He says it like he's being supportive, but there's a hint of smugness he just can't quite hide. "I want another baby." I blurted out without thinking.

Carlos's eyes widen slightly. He hadn't expected that. He pulled me closer, his voice low and seductive. "You want another baby, mama?" He kissed on my neck softly. "I can give you that. We can start trying tonight if you want." I knew that I wanted a baby but if I was being honest... not with him. Don't get me wrong he's perfect. Tall, dark and handsome. But he's such a whiny baby when nobody is around. "We're not even married yet." I said softly. He began laughing immediately- this shit ain't even funny? -he wasn't put off by my hesitation. "I'm working on that ring beautiful. You know I'm all in." He spun me around to face him, his hands resting on my hips. "But if you want a baby now, I'm ready." He said with a big smile.