Chapter 9*~

I stared at Aaliyah who was sitting there reading the paper. I just didn’t understand her sometimes. After last night, I have no idea how she can just sit here, acting like nothing happened. Her hair was tied into a long ponytail in the back, she looked very relaxed in her short blue jean skirt and halter top, and she had her sunglasses pulled down over her eyes; letting me know she was going out this morning. “So where are you going miss thang?”

She laughed and looked at me. “Out, is that alright with you?”

“Sure but what’s with the damn attitude this morning?” Yes I said it. I knew when she was talking to me with an attitude and this morning, she definitely had one. I still don’t know if it was something I did, or if she just wanted to sound like that this morning.

“What attitude?”

See I knew she would say that. I just sighed and shrugged. It was a good try. “I don’t know it just sounded like you were upset or whatever.” I saw her glance over the paper at me before she put it down to look me straight in my eyes. Lord knows what she was thinking.

“I have no reason to be upset but I’m just having one of those days, where I just feel like being in a shitty mood. You did nothing wrong so stop thinking you did.”

With that she kissed me and was out of the kitchen. I just shrugged and closed my eyes for a second. I woke to the sound of crying and looked over at the baby monitor that was sitting in the corner of the kitchen near the fridge; blending in perfectly with the color of the kitchen. I sighed and headed upstairs and into Drew’s room where I looked at him as he propped himself up so that he was standing. I laughed and leaned against the crib and looked him in his eyes and shrugged. “So you were going to jump huh?” I watched as she rested his head on my shoulder and I smiled softly. “Come on little man.” I picked him up and held him in my arms. Feeling the warmth of his little body. I slowly walked down the hall; taking my time with my son. I peered into the light purple bedroom and could see that Dana was still asleep. I smiled softly and closed the door back, making sure she got her sleep. I took Drew downstairs with me and went into the living room where the stereo was still playing from when Aaliyah was dancing earlier that morning. I looked at Drew who was smiling as he heard the song on the radio. I laughed. “Yes that’s your mother...you’re good, you could probably pick her voice out of a line up baby boy.” I sat him down in the play pin Aaliyah had put together earlier yesterday and looked at him. “Promise me you won’t try to climb your way out of here?” I laughed as he laughed and shook my head as I went back into the kitchen to get him something to eat. I turned the corner and met eyes with the familiar face. “Shit, you scared me...”

“Maybe I was intending to do that...” She said as she kissed me softly; making me suspicious.

“Aren’t you supposed to be gone?”

“Yeah, but...oh well...”

Alright. That’s when I was really suspicious. Why in the hell was she this close to making me pick her up and fuck her brains out right here on this kitchen table. Then again I wouldn’t mind doing that anyway...I shook my head and looked her in her eyes. “Drew is in the other room and Dana is upstairs. Are you ok?” I watched as she nodded and I kissed her before looking her in her eyes. “Weren’t you going to go down to the label?”

“Yeah but I was just afraid because last time....”

I looked at her, not even needing her to finish. “I understand...” I bit my lip and looked her in her eyes. “I was gonna go drop the kids off with my mom and then me and Trace were gonna go out. Do you wanna go with us?”

She shrugged. “Sure,”

“But I hafta warn you, it’s gonna be a little loud...”

“Loud? Trust me I can handle loud.”

~*3 hours later*~

I stood there with Trace, my mouth hanging wide open. We stood there staring at Aaliyah who was holding the gun out in front of her. Shooting every target that came in front of her. I didn’t know she could handle a gun so well but boy was I surprised. “Damn Li how in the hell did you learn to do that?”

She sat the gun down and looked at us. A smile across her lips. “Every woman should have at one point thought of owning a gun. Not as something to kill something with but to you know keep us safe. I’ve been to a few shooting ranges. I’ve gotten increasingly better.”

“Well we know not to give you a gun.” Trace said and looked at her. “You’re dangerous, you’d probably shoot our heads off and then say that it was an accident.”

“Oh come on guys, you can’t possibly think that I would say that...Instead I would say that it was rape...”

“Oh you are one nice little girl Lili.”

“I know I know.”

I watched a grin form on her face and stuck my tongue out at her. She could be so sadistic sometimes. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her neck softly; not regretting her at all.

~*4:32 p.m.*~

“¿Voluntad del papá usted me leyó este libro?” Dana looked at me with a wide smile on her face. Aaliyah had insisted on her learning Spanish as a first language and English as a second language.

I looked back at her, smiling softly. “Si Bebé Muchacha. ¿Cuál uno?” She handed me the book and I smiled opening it. I read through the entire book and sat it down on the floor. Looking at Dana who was sound asleep. I heard the sound of the door and looked at Aaliyah who stood in the doorway with Drew in her arms. “What are you two still doing up?”

“We couldn’t sleep, right Drewy?” Aaliyah said and looked down at Drew who was sitting there.

“You can’t sleep? Aww want me to ready you a story too? It seems to work...”

“Sure,”

We sat in the other room. Reading a book. I looked over half way through the book at Aaliyah and Drew who were sound asleep. I smiled and kissed their foreheads and pulled the cover up over them. “A day is never over for Mr. Daddy...”