A few weeks later
August P.O.V
"I'm so sorry for your loss, keep ya head up son." Mike, Natalia's uncle greeted me outside the funeral home.
"Preciate it Mike." I hugged him back, along with some other relatives and friends.
I spent days sittin' around a table with her parents plannin' her funeral. Kinda felt like I woulda been wrong not ta stick around until she was in the ground fa good.
Call it pathetic if you want, but I sat right there on that front roll in mah black suit, obituary in hand and cried. Just like her moms and pop. Cryin wasn't part of mah plan. Ion really got the right ta cry. I mean, how could I? They trusted me ta love her and I killed her. Played the part so damn good no further investigation was needed. It was a simple case, open and shut. Murder-Suicide. The only evidence they had was the scene I built. Only thing they could do was call it how they saw it.
Don't get me wrong, it was cold. Down right dirty. But that's just how the game goes. People get hurt. People die. And you get away with it. Prolly not something ta be proud of. But we don't make the game. We just play it; and we stick to it.
***
After the burial; the repass, the flower bearing, condolences and goodbyes, I did mah rightful duties and made sure her parents got home safe.
"Are you sure you're gonna be fine Aug?" Mrs. D asked still holding mah hand.
"I'm good ma. Ima be aight."
Mr. John wiped away another tear before he looked up at me.
"I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time Yungin'." He said. "I was just trynna be a good father. Trynna protect mah baby girl. I was so busy trynna get rid of you, when it was him I shoulda been after."
I felt bad. I neva seen her pops so emotional.
"You don't have ta apologize Mr. John. It came from a good place. You did the best you could. Nothin' wrong with that." I handed him a tissue.
"Aug, you don't have ta go." Mrs. D spoke again.
"I know. But I should. Prolly what's best fa me. Try ta get back ta the good life." I chuckled.
They laughed a little.
"Well, you take care of yourself son." Mr John walked me out.
"You too. I'll see y'all around."
***
A few days later
Dear Chay,
Seems like it was just the otha day, you was a baby
In my arms and soon you gon' be all grown and it's so crazy
I wish I could turn back the clock
Or better yet make it stop
And give you all that I got
Like every guy's gonna tell you that you're beautiful
Remember I would tell you first, so it ain't new to you
I know in a while, it's gon' be hard for me to get through to you
You gon' think that you know it all
But that ain't gon' be the truth
I'ma always be there for you, love and care for you
Treat you so royal, highly gon' spoil you
Long as you do what you're supposed to do
Givin' everythang you got in school
I will try to give you every tool
At mah disposal, so that you
You gon' know what kinda road to choose
Your decision, gon' be up to you
In a flash you gon' look up
You gon' be out there on your own, livin' it up
Hope whateva I teach will stick
In the moment, you feel it's dumb
Don't be wantin' you feelin' like
Ya mom and dad ain't here wit' ya
That you out here alone
I need that to be clear to ya
Sincerely
I love you with everythang in me
P.S., I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in mah heart
Yours truly
Dear Amaya,
I know sometimes how you feel overlooked, because you're quiet
I used ta be the same as you when I was younger
When I was hurtin' I would keep it all inside
'Til it burned me up and turned into a fire
It's okay, to tell someone when your heart breaks
Trust in me, promise that I won't betray you
We all need, need somebody to confide in
And a shoulder we can lean on
Safe space, you can cry in
In these arms, I got you
Want you to know how proud you make me, with your schoolin'
Anythang that you wanna be in this life, know you gon' do it
Not even the sky is the limit
Just gotta say that you want it
And then go out and get it
I can't wait ta see the woman you turn out to be
It ain't a moment you're alive, you ain't impressin' me
I only hope that I can bless you how you're blessin' me
You just put your trust in God and put the rest in me
Sincerely
I love you with everythang in me
P.S., I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in mah heart
Yours truly
Dear Kay-kay,
What can I say, say, say?
Ever since your first day
It's like you've been here before
Wiser beyond your days
Truly you move to the beat of your own drum
And your own parade
I know when life get tough, that you're gonna be okay
You keep a smile on your face, even on the darkest days
Even with an ounce of your strength, I can face a hurricane
And with a face just like mine, when you cry I feel your pain
And I try to hug it away
So that you ain't feelin' the same
Use your voice to sing, every melody
Fill it up with the joy you bring
Great things are done, so you gon' do greater things
Take your time young princess
One day you'll be a queen
You're so special, hope you know I'm here for you
I got so much love to give, I'll share with you
Stay who you are, don't let no one dim your star
Take it from me, anotha one who understands you
Sincerely
I love you with everythang in me
P.S., I hope that you feel me
Hope you know I got you
Without a doubt in mah heart
Yours truly
"It's a wrap Aug." Don said after the track was over.
I stepped out the booth with tears in mah eyes.
Here lately I been takin some time ta think about what's next fa me. Honestly I'm not really sure. But I know as of right now the most important thing ta me is mah nieces. After Natalia's funeral I just felt like it was something I needed ta say to em.
Not that they don't know how much I love em already, I just- God forbid, if anything eva happens ta me I just wanna be sure that they'll always remember I love em no matter what.
I just wanted them to have a piece of me ta hold on to, even if I'm not physically right there with em.
So, I did the best I could and wrote a song.
"You need a minute bro?" Chris asked handing me a face towel.
I wiped my tear stained face trynna pull mah self together again.
"I'm good bro. I just uhh. I got a lot goin' in mah head. Ion really know what's next fa me so I, I just wanted ta get that off mah chest fa mah babies." I confessed in between tears again.
"Damn. That's heavy bro." Don added. "I know the feelin'. It was that feelin' right there that really made me wanna get in to this engineerin'. Just so I can be able ta put together the broken prices that people lay down in the booth everyday. It just, ion know I guess it make me feel good to be able to provide people with a way to say what they gotta say and not be judged for it." He shrugged.
"I feel that." Chris agreed.
"Aug man," Don started again. "I know you said you just be playin' around but you got a gift bro. And I know you ain't really want me to but that's the real reason why I released Wait that night. You say you just be playin bro but people need ta hear yo voice. Man I wish I could sing half as good as you. Don't let that go to waste bro, You got it. Do something wit it."
I sighed.
"Yeah you prolly right. Maybe in the future. Right na I just need ta get mah self together. It just feel like a part of me is missin'. I think I know what it is but," I shrugged. "The only way ta know fasure is to take a chance on being wrong."
The room was silent for a while until Chris spoke.
"Yung you gon' be good bro. You'll figure it out. You always do."
I nodded.
"Preciate it bro." I dapped him up on mah way out "Say Don, do me a favor. Don't release this one. I just want it ta be available ta me and mah girls."
***
Later that day
"But Uncka Auggie I don't get it." Mya said followed by tears in her eyes.
"Babygirl, Uncka Auggie got somethings ta take care of. I'm not really sure how long it will take. But I gotta go." I tried to explain mah decision again.
"So you leavin' us forever?" Chay asked sending me into tears.
"Not faeva, just a little while. But it's ok cause you and ya sistas are gonna be just fine. Here, with Nanna and Maw Maw and Uncka Travis."
She nodded.
"But where you gon' be?" Kay asked, playin' with the strings on her hoodie.
I took a deep breath tryna wrap mah own head around it.
"Brooklyn."
***
Dynasty P.O.V
It was about five o'clock, maybe a little after. I was at the salon tryna finish up appointments. The shop was packed to the fullest. I was booked from top to bottom and could hardly squeeze in any walk-ins.
And not to mention I was covering some of Redd heads since her flight from L.A was delayed.
"Hop under the hood fa me." I sent mah current finger wave customer to the dryer.
"Hey! What you got?" Redd walked in like she had been there all day.
"Ya leave out is done, I bleached that unit fa you, and ya closure girl canceled." I filled her in on current events
"Hope she know that deposit don't cancel." She laughed.
"Britt, you got next. I'll meet you at the wash bowl." I said to mah next customer as I finished cashing out another.
All eyes was on me as I waddled mah way to the wash bowl, mah big belly leading the way.
"Fuck is y'all hoes starring at!" I joked in a fit of laughter, taking mah precious time.
"Brittney gon' be washin' her own hair by the time you get over there." Tamika said cleaning off her station.
I laughed obnoxiously.
"Ima remember these jokes when I need a babysitter." I said finally making it to Brittney.
"Babysitter!? You got a whole baby daddy ma'am." She laughed.
After a while she was the only one of us laughing.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" She looked worried.
"Take it easy on that." Redd warned her.
"Nah sis, it's coo'. She ain't know. Plus, I know she ain't mean no harm. we good." I assured her.
Sometimes I don't really know what ta say when people bring up Yung. I loved em, lost em, and now I'm having his baby. That's the story. I guess it's really nothing left to be said.
***
A few hours later
I was finishing up with mah last client when the baby started kicking harder than usual.
"You good sis?" Redd asked.
I stepped back from the chair and took a minute to breathe. Lately it's been happening a lot so I figured it would just pass as usual.
"I'm good." I rubbed mah belly a few times hoping to calm the kid before turning back to the client.
"Drizzy, you been doin a lot today maybe you should just sit down and let me finish for you." She offered.
"Nah sis I'm goo-" I was cut off by sharp pinching pains causing my knees to buckle.
Redd rushed to my side.
"Yeah bitch yo ass goin' ta the hospital today."
"Yeah Drizzy, don't worry about me girl you go get checked out." My client insisted.
"I'm okay y'all," I say in between deep breaths making my way to a chair.
"No you not. Mika, finish her up and call me when you done closin' so I can come back and lock up." Redd ordered before dragging me out the shop.
***
Later that night
"Hey, I came as soon as I could. I was on mah way but I got hungry." L.c walked in the delivery room stuffin his face with a slice of pizza.
"Not you comin' in here with food while mah good sis in labor." Redd laughed.
"I'm not in labor." I rolled mah eyes.
"Whatchu call it then?" Mama laughed at mah bedside.
"FALSE Labor." I put emphasis on false.
They laughed as if I was joking.
"Drizzy, baby ya daddy and the rest of ya brothers should be here soon. Said they in traffic." Mama informed me looking down at her phone.
I sighed.
"Why y'all call niggas out here? I am not having a babyy!" I was interrupted by another contraction.
"Good news!" Mah Dr., Dr. Robbins walked in. "You're having a baby tonight!"
***
"Aaahhhh!!!" I screamed to the top of mah lungs as the unbearable pain rushed through mah body again.
"You're doin' great baby, you got it. Don't forget to breathe." Mama coached.
I stopped pushing, trynna catch mah breath.
"I'm bouta pass out." L.c complained.
"Then you better get out cause the head is coming." Dr. Robbins said in a fit of laughter.
Everything was interrupted by beeping monitors.
"What's happenin!?" I panicked in pain.
"Don't you worry Dynasty everything is gonna be just fine. Baby's just workin' hard in there. I've got it under control." She said putting a end to the beeping sounds.
Before I could think about anything to say the pain returned, this time sending me into tears.
"Uh, doctor Robbins. I think you wanna see this."
"What is it Murphy?" She asked, rolling over to the screen. "Oh mah Lord." She said.
"Oh mah Lord? What's oh mah Lord!?" Mama asked?
"I gotta pushhh!!" I interrupted.
"NO! DONT PUSH!!!" Dr. Robbins rushed back to me.
"Fuck you mean don't push!" I snapped.
"Dynasty, I know it hurts. But whatever you do, Do. Not. Push."
"Doc whats goin' on down there?" L.c asked.
She ignored him.
"Murphy, book me an O.R. I need two scrub nurses. page me when you get it. Tell Tiff to prep for an emergency C section." She ordered her intern.
"Emergency C section? Dr. Robbins, what's wrong with mah Gran baby?" Mama spoke for me.
She looked at mama, then me, and back at mama.
"Well. The Baby is in distress. Right now it would be very risky to continue a vaginal birth."
I could tell she was beating around the bush.
The pain got worse.
"I need ta push!" I cried.
"Dynasty! You cannot push! Do you hear me! If you push you will kill her!!"
"What!?" I cried a little more. "Dr. Robbins what's wrong with mah baby?" I asked, starring at the wall.
It was quiet for a while.
"Dynasty, your baby's umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck."
***
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[Ohh baby 😳]
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