“Rick, why are you here? And don’t wake him up. He just went to sleep.”

“Can we have our talk without screaming and hollering at each other? I have something we need to discuss.” I told her, still heading down the hall to the baby’s nursery.

Nina looked at me with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes. I could tell she missed me. But I could also tell that her and Kyra’s minds were in the same place. They weren’t about to allow me to be at peace with them both by my side like I intended for it to be.

“What’s up, Rick? Say what you came here to say. But do not wake up my baby.”

“Your baby?” I stepped into the bedroom where my son, Rick Jr., was sleeping peacefully. I rubbed his back, in awe of my creation. This was my first child and I hadn’t seen him in almost a month.

“Rick, please don’t wake him up,” Nina pleaded. “Let’s go back to the kitchen.” She grabbed my arm and led me out of the baby’s nursery.

I took that as an open invitation to swoop her up into my arms.

“No, Rick. Put me down. Say what you came to say and then leave.”

“You know I love you, Nina, and I love Kyra. We thought Kyra was dead, so I went on with my life.”

“Put me down! I don’t want to hear none of this bullshit.”

“You told me to say what I got to say.”

“But you’re trying to convince me to accept why you’re trying to openly fuck with the two of us. Get the fuck outta here. And put me down, Rick.”

“Be quiet and listen.” I snapped. “We thought she was dead. You have my child and she’s about to have my child. I love you and I love her. So, this is what we are going to do. I’m going to set up my security business in PA and I’m going to be back and forth between there and here. One month with you and one month with Kyra or two weeks, however we decide. Only until we can agree on a better living situation. Bottom line, we eventually will all be together as one big happy family.”

“The hell we will! Get the fuck out of my house!” Nina yelled as she tried her best to wiggle her way out of my arms.