Dave

We had just buried my Aunt Michelle and Melissa and my heart felt heavy. How does this happen? They were buried right next to Malik. After they finished lowering the caskets Ezekiel came over to me and I hugged him. Not only did he lose his brother, but now his mother. "You know I got your back forever." I told him still in the hug. He just nodded his head.

He pulled away from me. "For a short moment I was questioning God. Like why the fuck does he keep taking people from me? Like what the fuck did I do?" His eyes were glazed over and red. I could see tears forming. "But I know this is a blessing in disguise. I just know it is. I hope it is. I pray it is, man! Because this shit is getting too much for me. I don't have nobody now, D."

I hugged him again. "You don't have nobody. You got me. I told you until the day I die, you're always gonna be good. I put that on everything! I love you."

"I love you too." He walked away then my mom came up to me. She gave me a small smile so I pushed one out too.

"The service was beautiful. They would've loved it." She paused, "I need to talk to you about something."

"What's up, Ma?"

"You know Malachi is your God-son and you see his grandmother on his mom's side isn't in the condition or position to take care of him. Melissa said the next best person she would want to take care of him is you. Her family wants to know if you can adopt Malachi.."

I scratched my head sighing. "Momma, I-"

"I know, I know that's a big responsibility. You don't have kids, so you don't know. You're newly married too. But who's going to take care of him? You know Malik would want you to take him. I'll help you, you know I will. Just please, think about it."

"Fine, I'll have to talk to Bernice about it also."

"Of course!" I nodded then she walked off. I looked over at Zeek who was holding Malachi. Am I really in the position to take care of someone else's child? I'm a rapper, so I'm gone a lot doing shows or just in the studio. Not to mention I haven't even finished my album that's supposed to be done by December.

Bernice came up to me rubbing my back. We left going to my mom's where everyone went to eat. Then after that me and Bernice left going to a hotel until our condo is done. I was laying in the bed when Bernice got in the bed. She laid her head on my chest. "Whatcha thinking about?"

"Today. At the cemetery my mom asked me to do something and I don't know what to do..."

"To do what?"

"Adopt Malachi. What do you think?"

"I mean, I don't think he has anybody else that can take him. What are your reservations?"

"I don't know. I just feel like I can't do it. Plus, I already have enough going on. I don't want to take him if I can't do a good job with him. And I don't want to adopt him, but be gone all of the time. Then that'll leave you taking care of him by yourself. That's not right."

"You can do it. You're great with kids. What ever you decide you know I'm supporting. But really who else can take him? Zeek is trying to finish up school and his other grandmother just can't."

"I know. It's just...We just got married. I don't want you to feel like you're stuck with my burdens and baggage because it is my family. We didn't even get to really enjoy the fact we're married."

"It's not a burden. This is life and life happens. I would be mad selfish if I said don't take him just because we just got married. I'm a big girl. I can handle it and so can you. Plus, your mom will help."

"I guess you're right."

"I know I am. We'll get through this." She kissed me. I hope.

Bernice

I was getting dressed to go to a meeting with Def Jam Records. I looked in the mirror putting my lipstick on when Dave came in. He kissed my cheek. "Where you going?"

"Meeting with Def Jam."

"I told you-" I gave him that look indicating I didn't want to hear it. He smacked his lips starting the shower.

"I gotta get going."

"Alright. We're going to start moving stuff into the place, so it should be done by tonight. If I check out I'll text you." I nodded, kissed him then left.

While I drove to the office I thought. I can't lie if we end up adopting Malachi I'm a bit nervous. But I had to suck it up and be supportive for David. I've never really been around kids or babies being an only child. Malachi is only a year going on two years old. What if I don't do a good job?

I parked going into the Def Jam office. After waiting in the waiting area they told me they were ready for me. "Hello, Bernice. Glad to have you back. How was your honeymoon?"

"Great! Thanks for asking."

"Now down to the business. You did such a fantastic job working for Dave we want to hire you permanently. Give you an office and everything. We sent you all of the paperwork. Did you have a lawyer look over them?"

"Yes, I did and everything checked out." I took the contract out sliding it across the table. They flipped through the pages making sure I signed everything.

"Great. To start you off we want you to pick three artists on our roster you would like to do marketing for. People you think could use your help, besides your husband of course. I hope he doesn't mind sharing." They laughed and I lightly chuckled along. They slid a paper with a grid of each artist. "Circle three and we'll determine if you can help them."

I looked it over. "Big K.R.I.T. No offense, but the marketing you're doing for him sucks ass. Pardon my French. He's a fantastic artist, but he's always being overlooked. Not because of the music, but poor marketing."

"Okay, he's yours."

"Also, Jeremih and Vince Staples. Same goes for them. Honestly you guys are a great label, but the marketing department is ehh," I shook my head. "Both of them had great albums, but you damn sure wouldn't know it by their album sells. I'll change that."

"That's why we decided to hire you. There all yours. Before we make you get straight to work the intern will give you a tour and show you to your office. Glad to have you on the team." I shook hands with them then left following the intern.

Dave

I was watching as the movers brought in countless boxes into our new condo. I'm positive 90% of this stuff is Bernice's because I got rid of a lot when I moved out of my apartment. This condo was three bedrooms and two living rooms with a nice ass view. "Why the fuck are we doing work while you're just watching?" Buddha asked putting a box on the kitchen counter.

"I'm monitoring. I'm making sure none of my shit gets broken, so quit slamming my shit down!"

"Monitoring my ass!" I laughed then Zeek walked over.

"Any snacks up in this bitch?" He asked looking in the empty fridge.

"No, we just moved in." I said in a duh tone. He closed the refrigerator groaning.

"Well, for our payment you're ordering pizza for us."

"Aiight, I got y'all. Are you going back to school this fall, Zeek?" I didn't want him to do what he did when Malik died, give up.

He shrugged. "I don't know. Brittany thinks I should transfer to a school in NY and I think she's right. I only have one more semester. At this rate it feels like I'm never going to finish."

"You'll get it done."

"I know. Only for my momma." He sighed. I'm surprised he even came out of the house considering we just buried her yesterday. But he insisted on coming to help me. "Aunt Janice told me about you maybe adopting Malachi. You know I would, but I don't really have the means right now."

"I know. How do I even go about this?"

"I don't know. I think your mom's looking into it. For the time being he's staying with his other grandmother. It's just she got all her other grandkids from Mellissa's sister who's on drugs. She's barely managing with them. It wouldn't be fair to leave her with another one."

"I get it, so I'll do whatever I can to help."

"We appreciate ya." I saw the movers bring in my picture of Biggie.

"Hey, be careful with that! That's going right there." I said envisioning it.

Buddha laughed, "Are you sure Bernice is going to let you put that up?"

"Let me? I paid 2/3 of the down payment, I have the most say so. I don't need permission!"

"Alright, your gonna find something out about that married life. What the woman says goes. That's why I'm divorced now." Buddha laughed. When he was in the navy he married some chick and was divorced within a year.

"Well, unlike you I wear the pants in my marriage."

"That's what you think till she get to batting her eyelashes, whining, crying, throwing it back, and sucking your dick to get her way!"

"Man, whatever." I said chuckling.

"I haven't listened to any advise Buddha gave about relationships since he can't even get Toya. It's been how long since we met her? The man hasn't even got one date," Zeek said shaking his head.

"Oh, that's cold! He's trying, give him a break."

"Right? She's a hard nut to crack."

"If you can't crack that nut you'll never bust a nut..." Zeek said pointing at Buddha like he said some real philosophical shit.

I died laughing. "Yo! What?! What does that even mean?"

"Just face it, you'll never get her. My dumb ass got Brittany, but you can't get Toya after a year? It's not happening. I put $500 on it."

"5 hunnid?" I said instigating. "Do you take his bet, Buddha?"

"No, I'm not betting on a female. That's not right."

"Dave bet me about Brittany. It's only not right when it's just a game and you really don't want her. So?"

"Fine," They shook on it. "It's not right, but fine. Y'all act like I've made absolutely no progress with her. Last week she hugged me for 20 seconds. That's a long ass time."

"This nigga was counting savoring every second!" I said as me and Zeek laughed. Buddha smacked his lips walking away. "Aw, he mad!"

I grabbed a box labeled with my name to see what was in it. There was a bunch of stuff, but what stuck out was a picture. It was a picture of Malik in a picture frame. I wiped the dust off of it sitting it on the table by the entrance smiling. Freaky Forever was the motto and I'd be saying it to the death of me. If the mother of his child thinks I'm fit to take care of their child I will. I can do this, right?

. . .

I was tired as hell from carrying countless box after box and furniture into our place, but we're finally done. I was relaxing on the couch watching the game with Buddha and Zeek who were still here. I could see and here the door jiggle. Bernice opened the door standing there in a pants suit for work. "Dave, woohoo!" I could here her yell.

"Yeah? Why you not coming in?" I asked still laying on the couch looking at her standing in the doorway. She cleared her throat then crossed her arms full of attitude. The fuck wrong with her?

"Did you forget? This is a new place and we're newly married. You're supposed to carry me over the threshold!"

I did a sarcastic laugh looking back at the tv. "Girl, if you don't bring your ass in this house letting all the air out!" I said like a scolding parent.

"No, I'm waiting!"

"You better do it. She doesn't look like she's playing," Buddha whispered to me. I sucked my teeth getting up fixing my clothes.

"Finally!" She said throwing her Givenchy bag that I bought her on the floor like it was some cheap shit. I furrowed up my brows at her ungrateful ass picking it up sitting it on the table.

"I'm not buying your ass not now 'nother thing, so don't ask! C'mon!" She giggled as I scooped her up into my arms.

"Take me to the couch, my feet hurt!" She whined.

"I know you're tiny and all, but ya ass weigh at least 50 pounds alone! What you got back there? Bricks?" I said sitting her on the couch laughing. She rolled her eyes. I sat next to her then grabbed her legs taking her heels off.

"Thank you, hubby!"

"No problem."

"No wonder Brittany always complaining. Saying you don't do this, you don't do that! Bernice probably always telling her what your whipped ass do!" Zeek said smacking his lips.

Bernice grabbed my face saying, "He is not whipped! He just knows how to treat a woman. Take notes, Zeek!"

"Yeah, what she said! Thanks for having my back, bae." We high fived.

"Always and forever."

"Y'all so corny! On that cue it's time for us to leave." Zeek and Buddha got up. I showed them to the door then locked it. I went back to the couch laying my head in her lap. She immediately started rubbing my head. One of my favorite things.

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