Chapter 3: Twist

I don't know who still reads this but here is another chapter. Please keep in mind that Nicki is eighteen in this story and Drake is twenty-five. You be the judge on who's the more mature individual here. Enjoy!






I felt so alone. Not only was I pregnant now and the father of my unborn had no clue because I was terrified to tell him, but also my parents had moved back to Trinidad and my brother was away to college in another state. I definitely didn't see my life like this a couple years ago. I always dreamed that I would go away to college like my brother did and pursue my passion which was dancing. Now, everything seemed up in the air. 

It was well into the wee hours of the night and Nicki was up with Noelle. She had just threw up all over herself and her crib. Having a sick baby who was fussy wasn't easy, but she wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. She loved her daughter unconditionally no matter what. At times like these, she wished she had someone to help her but she was all alone in this now. After calling Noelle's pediatrician's office and informing them what was going on, she was told to wait it out until the morning and if things hadn't gotten better to bring her in. 

She gave Noelle a bath and put on a new onesie. After that she cleaned up her crib and put new sheets on while Noelle cried her eyes out on the floor wanting to be held. Nicki hated to see her like this. But being back in her apartment, two hours away from Mrs. Johnson, she had no help. She took a leave of absence from school to focus on the empending custody battle of Noelle. Her instructor wasn't too thrilled that she was taking a break but understood that she had more priorities to attend to. Mrs. Micheal's also wasn't happy when she told her that she wouldn't be able to do the Broadway opportunity. She sighed thinking about how much she was going to miss out on but in her mind her baby was more important...and always will be.
  

"Ok Momma's baby" she said picking her up from the floor and taking the dirty linens to the laundry basket to be washed. Once she was finished, she settled into the living room. By this time, Noelle's cries had subsided a bit. She was sleepy. Nicki gave her some children's Tylenol before rocking her until her cries stopped completely and she was sleep. "My poor baby sick," she frowned while kissing the top of Noelle's head. The weather outside didn't do much for her mood at the moment. She looked outside her window to see that it was pouring rain outside. She sighed heavily thinking about Drake and wishing he was there to help. She didn't even realize the single tear that had rolled down her cheek when she heard a knock at the door along with a thunderous crackle which snapped her out her thoughts. She quickly got up and wiped away the tear while cradling Noelle and walking to the door. She had no idea who it could be at this time of the night. Looking through the peephole she was shocked to see him standing there waiting. She unlocked and opened the door, a look of confusion clearly etched on her face. They both stood there in silence for a moment not knowing what to say to the other. Drake looked at a sleeping Noelle in Nicki's arms before he returned his focus back at Nicki. 

"Hey," he greeted smoothly. He had on some faded jeans and a white tee. Nicki found herself locked into his gaze. She realized in that moment that she still harboured feelings for him which never went away even though he was being a jerk to her.

"Hi" she greeted back waiting for him to say why he was here especially now. 

"Can I come inside? It's raining out here." He stated obviously. Nicki hesitantly moved to the side to let him in. She was trying her hardest to hate him but seeing him for the first time in months, she couldn't. She still had love for him even though he had put her through hell. 

"Uh, sure come in," she said rocking a sleeping Noelle in her arms. Drake came in and she closed the door behind him. The moment got really awkward before he spoke up.

"Is she ok? You look worried," he pointed out.

"That's because I am," she stated frankly.

"Why? What's wrong?" He asked. Nicki rolled her eyes at him showing concern all of a sudden. Out of all the times he showed no concern for Noelle or her well being suddenly he wanted to start just when she was getting over the fact that the perfect family she had hoped for between them was a distant memory. 

"She's not feeling well," she informed him sighing.  "She's been throwing up all night." Drake reached out and touched Noelle's forehead checking for a temperature but he didn't find one. 

"Well she's not running a fever. Did you call the doctor?" He questioned. 

"Don't you think I already did that! Don't make it seem as if I don't know what I'm doing here!" She was aggravated now. How can he just come in here and make it look like she don't know how to take care of her own child? She hated when he did that. Regardless of her age, she was perfectly capable of taking care of Noelle and his stereotypical comments made her frustrated.

"You're right. I'm sorry. You're a great mom. I should've never insinuated that you weren't."

"Thanks. Why are you here anyway? Don't you have a wife to go home to? I'm sure she's worried about you." He let out a dry chuckle which Nicki didn't find amusing. "What's so damn funny?" She asked with attitude. 

"You." He stated simply. "You haven't changed one bit. Have you?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She was now fuming mad. "I changed a lot since she was born. I can't say the same for you though. You're still the idiot I met when I was fifteen" she paused for a moment. "You know what?" She asked walking over to the door and opening it with Noelle soundly sleeping on her shoulder. "Get the fuck out now!" She yelled. 

Drake felt like an ass. He wanted to talk to her and explain a few things that was going on in his head and also tell her how he truly felt about the situation between them but now he just ruined it by insulting her yet again. He had to make things right between them before they went to court. He walked over to the door and closed it back before turning to look at her tear stained face. She was trying to hide it but he could tell she was upset by his words. 

"Nicki I'm sorry. Please don't make me leave." He pleaded with her. Nicki didn't even had the strength to fight with him right now. She was worn out physically from working all day and dealing with a sick child. Despite that she worried about her baby and how she might be taken away from her. She didn't even look at him as she made her way to put Noelle down in her room. Drake just stood there dumbfounded. He didn't know what else to do. Slowly he turned and walked behind her. When he got there, he found her caressing the baby's head and looking down at her sleeping figure in the crib. He slowly walked over to them and gently took her hand in his, squeezing it knowing that it always gave her some comfort. Nicki still hadn't said a word. It was as if he was nonexistent to her now. Nothing that he could say or do would rectify his actions toward her. As the mother of his child, she just wanted a little more respect from him.

"What have I done for you to treat me like I'm nothing?" Drake shook his head.

"You haven't done anything. I just wanted  come talk to you in person before we go to court."

"Why couldn't you try to work this out before you went to ask for custody. You know I wouldn't have kept her from you. You're her father. Even if you had doubts about her being yours, you still should have came and talk to me about it. " She turned to face him but he had no words for her. Nicki stalked over to the recliner, pulling a blanket over herself before turning off the light in the room. "You don't have to answer that. Please lock the door before you leave again," she said getting comfortable. Drake looked around before doing just that. 

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Nervousness. That's what she was feeling at this very moment. The day had arrived quicker than she had ever imagined. The day she hoped would never come, but here it was. Like a thief in the night. She wished it would all go away. She quietly got Noelle dressed for the day. A feeling of helplessness over took her. It was out of her control. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She was scared, anxious even. Noelle looked up at her mother grabbing onto her necklace and standing on her two stubby feet. Her wild curls tamed with a pretty pink bow that matched her dress. She was beautiful. Every sense of the word. Nicki smiled at her when she clung to her on the bed while calling her name. Ma-ma.

"I love you so much pumpkin and I hope that you never forget it." She kissed her cheek as Noelle babbled on. Moments like these, she came to appreciate more and more. Whatever the outcome was, she made sure that her baby knew who she was and no judge could ever take that away.

Pulling up to the courthouse an hour later, Nicki sighed. She glaced back at her baby who was fast asleep in her carseat. "Everything will be fine. Whatever you need I'm always here." Mrs. Jackson smiled rubbing her arm. Nicki gave her a weak smile back knowing of the possibility that Noelle could go with her father. She watched as Aubrey and his wife held hands walking up to the building and she instantly felt angry. Nicki got out and retrieved her baby from the backseat, placing Noelle's tiny head on her shoulder and grabbing her baby bag. She began walking toward the brick building with Ms. Jackson following right behind with Noelle's stroller and carseat. This was going to be a long day.

Hours later, Nicki power walked down the busy hall towards the children's area with tears streaming down her face. She didn't even bother to wipe them. It was of no use. Her baby had been snatched from her by the idiots left in the courtroom. She gathered Noelle and her things quickly. She had a week left with her child before she was to hand her over to her father and she didn't feel like wasting precious time with people who clearly wasn't in their right frame of mind. In the back of her mind, she knew it would come to this. The judge figured that it would be best if Noelle lived with her father whose home was more stable than Nicki's. 

"Hey stop it! You will be ok." Mrs. Jackson said catching up to Nicki and hugging her.

"How am I supposed to be ok with this? I don't understand. My baby is going to this poor excuse of a man!" 

"That's her father.  You have to let him become one and he wants to. You still love him, I can tell but he has a wife so you just have to deal with it."

"I don't want to deal with him!"

"Baby you have a child with him so you have no choice but to deal with him. I know he messed up big time but you have to move on and forgive him because if you don't it will only hold you back from your happiness. You didn't lose Noelle so get that out of your head right now. No one ever said that you can't see her whenever you want. She'll just be living with him and I know you don't like it but don't let this destroy you, ok?"

"Ok." Nicki shook her head before they both went to get Noelle. Nicki wiped away her tears scooping her baby up and kissing her face. Noelle smiled, showing off her two teeth. She was happy to see her mom.

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Nicki entered the house hearing Noelle screams echo in her ear. She had packed all of Noelle's stuff the previous day and handed her baby off to her father this morning before going to work. When she got off, she received a text from him stating that she needed to come over quick because Noelle was in distress. She didn't even hesitate and wanted to know what was wrong with her baby. Drake was standing in the foyer cradling a screaming Noelle. She was red in the face letting Nicki know that she'd been crying for a long time. He was still trying to get her to take her bottle but she wasn't having any of it. Nicki walked over to him stretching her arms forward. He handed the baby off to her.

"I don't know what's wrong. She won't take the bottle nor the pacifier." he explained holding it in his hands. Nicki held Noelle tight in her arms and nodded listening to him explain what was going on. 

"What's wrong with mama's baby, huh?" she asked rocking her back and forth in her arms. Noelle continued to cry. It seemed like her screams were heightening by the minute. She was distressed. Drake handed her the bottle and right away Nicki knew what the problem was. The milk wasn't warm and she also noticed that Noelle hadn't been given her night-time bath yet judging by the clothes she had on. She looked at him as his wife Keisha stood helpless next to him. "Where's her room?" she asked looking between the both of them. Keisha pointed in the direction.

"It's right upstairs, the first door on the left" she informed.

Without hesitation, Nicki climbed the stairs as Drake followed leaving Keisha behind to finish cleaning up after dinner. As soon as she opened the door to the nursery, she looked around for her baby bags. She found what she was looking for after a few minutes of searching. Nicki pulled out a onesie and grabbed a diaper, and lotion all while balancing the screaming infant on her hip. She placed the items on the changing table when Drake came inside the room. She turned to him.

"I need you to find her towel in her pink suite case while I get these clothes off of her so she can get a bath" she ordered.

He said nothing but followed her orders. Nicki placed Noelle on the changing table and began stripping her of her clothes. Drake handed her the towel in which she placed across her shoulder before picking up a newly naked Noelle again. She went into the bathroom and began running the water in the baby tub that Drake pulled from the closet. 

Once the tub was filled she made sure that it was warm enough before placing her inside and began bathing her. Drake watched as Noelle almost immediately calmed down. She was no longer screaming but she was still sniffling. Nicki looked at him for a quick moment.

"She has a routine that she's used to for bedtime. It starts out with a warm bath and bottle and then usually she falls right to sleep. The bottle you was giving her wasn't warm so she kind of freaked out plus she didn't bathe yet. Her teeth are still coming in so she likes warm bottles that soothe her gums. You can rub a small amount of baby orajel on her gums that she have in her diaper bag," she explained. Drake nodded taking in as much information as he could.

When Noelle was all washed up, Nicki dried her off, lotioned her up and put on her clothes. By that time Keisha had came to check to see if the baby had calmed. They both watched as Nicki maneuvered around the room getting Noelle ready for bed. Noelle smiled up at her mother while she zipped up her onesie.

"That's all you wanted, huh cupcake?" she kissed her chubby cheeks. Noelle giggled when Nicki kept kissing on her. That smile warmed Nicki's heart. She lived to see that smile everyday. Her baby was happy again.

Keisha took it in for the night while Drake and Nicki went downstairs to fix Noelle's bottle. She handed the baby to him while she prepared it. She warmed some water in a small pot and once it was hot enough, she poured the warm water into a cup and placed the newly made bottle inside. Nicki waited for about two minutes before she took the bottle out and tested it on her hand. It was perfect. She walked over to Drake who was sitting on the couch with Noelle in his lap babbling. 

"You want me to feed her or do you want to do it?" she asked. 

"I can do it," he replied. Nicki handed him a bib and the bottle before sitting next to him. They both watched as Noelle fed not saying a word. Noelle's eyes got heavier and heavier as she sucked. 

Before long, she was done with her bottle. Drake placed the empty bottle on the nearby coffee table and wiped her mouth. He handed her back to Nicki not knowing what else to do. Nicki layed Noelle on her chest and rubbed her back in small circles. He watched her. She was so gentle and patient with Noelle that he was in awe. He never thought that the beautiful teenager that he had met two years ago would blossom into this young adult and mother of his child. Guilty thoughts plagued his mind. She had basically raised Noelle by herself with no help from him. 

"Why are you looking at us like that?"

"Nothing, just thinking"

"About?"

He sighed. "I'm amazed at how much you have grown up. You're not this teenager anymore. You're a young woman and a mother now."

She rolled her eyes. "Thanks to you," she glared. It went silent for a moment.

"You know if you want to come by and see her, you're more than welcome to do so. I know it's hard for you to believe but I don't want to keep her away from you. That was not my intention. "

"Sure seemed like it." 

"It's not. I look at how you are with her and I feel bad because I took her away from you and I don't even know how to do half the stuff you can for her," he looked down at his hands and sighed. "I don't know a thing about parenting and here I am having full custody of a child that I not only neglected but don't know anything about." 

"You'll get it. It takes time and effort but you'll get there one day. I was just a clueless as you are now when she was first born." She looked down at Noelle sleeping soundly on her chest. "I just hope that we can come to a happy medium for her. That's all I want"

"I hope so too."

Nicki stood up with Noelle in her arms and ascended the stairs once again. She was exhausted and she remembered that she had class early in the morning. Drake once again followed her as she placed Noelle in her crib and tucked her in before giving her another kiss.

"I think it's time for me to leave. I have a long day tomorrow. Call me if anything goes wrong." He nodded before she left to go downstairs and out the door. He waited before locking up the house and checking on Noelle one last time before he went to bed.

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"Alright class, listen up!" Mrs. Michaels said loudly as she entered the classroom with a stack of papers in her hands. Nicki had just made it to class in time. Everyone was on the floor stretching and doing their warm ups. "We've been asked by the dean to orchestrate a show to benefit local high schools with funding for the arts. I spent all night planning this show and everyone has to be apart of it. You will be broken up into groups that I have assigned and come up with a routine. Also, I'm assigning captains for these teams based on your performance in this class thus far in the semester. You guys get to choose what music that you want to perform to. This is apart of your semester grade so I don't want you guys to think that you can slack off on this. The show is next week Friday so I suggest that you all get started on this a soon as possible."

After getting put into their groups, Mrs. Michael's announced all the captains which included Nicki but her mind was elsewhere wondering what her baby was doing. Her phone vibrated in her pocket making her jump. She quickly unlocked her phone finding a message from her brother. He was coming into town this weekend to check up on her. Nicki's stomach dropped. Not only have she not told him that she had a baby but also he had no idea of her and Drake's past relationship. She wondered why Drake never mentioned any of it to Jelani. Maybe he was afraid to tell him he was having sex with his little sister behind his back. She bit her lip pondering on how to gradually tell him about it all. She knew that he would be furious.

"Onika!" Mrs. Michael's exclaimed making Nicki avert her attention back to the present. "Come, let's have a talk." Nicki placed her phone back into her pocket and followed her. If it wasn't one thing, it's the other.

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