Can't Leave It Alone

by Nicole Jackson

  Ryan rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She wobbled over to the nearest table and took a seat. Her feet were swollen and her back was killing her. She’d almost forgotten how hard it was carrying twins. However, this pregnancy was a cruel reminder.

  Sometimes in her mind she still had trouble formulating everything that had happened. One day she was single and the next she was about to be the parent of four. It was crazy how Desmond came back into the picture and rearranged her entire life like a whirlwind. They hadn’t even enjoyed their reuniting fully when she became pregnant. She walked around for two months not knowing that she had two babies in her belly. Everyone around her kept bringing her physical changes to her attention, but she ignored them. It took Desmond to force her to take a pregnancy test. They both knew that she was pregnant before she ever pissed on that stick. He just needed her to deal with the denial.

  Desmond had been her support system throughout her pregnancy, making this experience much better than the last. He was always right there, comforting her. He massaged her feet at night, and would rub her belly until they’d both fall asleep. It made her feel so special. He was ecstatic about her giving him two more kids. Things couldn’t be better.

  “What’s up Big Mama?” Vanity asked as she stepped into the building.

  Ryan smiled. “Hey, anty.”

  Vanity walked over and hugged her niece. “You look good.” She stroked her hair.

  “Thank you.” She grinned like a Chester cat. She had on a long flowing strapless pink dress, with silver Chanel scandals. She wore silver chandelier earrings that fell to her shoulders. She wanted to look pretty that day. So, she had her hair stylist do her hair in an abundance of dramatic curls.

  “Where’s the twins?” Vanity questioned as her eyes searched the room.

  “They’re with Desmond.”

  “Ooh.” Vanity poked out her bottom lip with a nod. “He hasn’t made it yet?”

  “Nu uh.” She shook her head. “He claimed that they had a few stops to make.”

  “I heard that.” Vanity sighed as she took a seat.

  Soon the guests were pouring in. Trinity and Raven came in with their kids. They’d been there earlier to set everything up, and then had to rush home to get dressed for the day.

  “You looking good, girl.” Raven complimented Ryan with a smile, as she had Jahrein bring in a gigantic neatly wrapped gift.

  “What is that?” Ryan asked nosily.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Raven laughed.

  “I like this set up.” Paris nodded as she took a seat. “Trinity and Raven did that.”

  “I know, right?” Dina nodded. “I offered to help, but those controlling broads weren’t trying to hear it. You know they’re compulsive with things.”

  Paris shook her head. “Don’t I know it?”

  “What’s up, Ryan? Where my nigga at?” Jay Rock questioned as he sat next to Paris and draped an arm over her chair.

  “He’ll be here in a minute, I guess.”

  “That’s what’s up.” Jay Rock nodded, before he turned and gently kissed Paris’s lips, as if they hadn’t pulled up together.

  By the time four o’clock arrived, the shower was packed with women, kids, and men. Trinity wanted to make sure that it was appealing to everybody, so she had a section designated for kids, there was an open bar for any kind of alcohol known to man, and various activities for everyone to engage in.

  Ryan was about to get a little pissed after she’d called Desmond’s phone twice and he hadn’t answered. Right when she about to call him again he strolled in with the twins. A smile involuntarily crossed her face.

  “We’re running late like a muthafucka.” He told her as sat down.

  “I see.” She nodded. “What happened?”

  He shrugged. “I told you that I had a few errands to run.”

  “Um hmm.” She cut her eyes at him. She could tell that he was lying, but it was all good. She was going to get her babies to share all the details.

  “What up, De-De?” Kevin, Raquel’s husband, spoke.

  “Shit, chilling my nigga.” Desmond smiled. “What you drinking?” he asked eying the cup in Kevin’s hand.

  “Some Ciroc.” He grinned, revealing all his gold fronts. “That bartender got this shit right.” He nodded, as Raquel attempted to stroll pass him. “Come’ere,” he commanded as he grabbed her hand. “Come talk to daddy.” He spoke boldly, as she giggled.

  “Yeah? I need a little of that.” Desmond chuckled, as he stood up. “I’ma go get a drink.” He informed Ryan without looking her way.

  “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. He’d spoiled her, so when she didn’t get the attention she wanted, she’d become bitchy.

  After everyone had become fat full Raven announced that it was time for Ryan to open her presents. So, everyone gathered around to watch her open the tons of gifts they’d bought her.

  Cameras flashed, capturing the glow around her. Desmond stood off to the side admiring her beauty. Being with her seemed to never get old, and he would always appreciate her efforts of looking her best. In his eyes, she was a direct reflection of him.

  Ryan opened gift after gift, and once that was done she let out a sigh of relief. She thought that she’d never finish. She wouldn’t have to personally buy anything for the babies. They’d gotten it all from the baby beds to the strollers. They were definitely set.

  “That’s it.” She smiled as she took a seat.

  Raven stood in front of the crowd and told Ryan, “Why are you sitting down? You aint done yet.”

  Ryan sassily snaked her neck. “Well, I don’t see any more gifts.”

  “Well, you got one more.”

  She playfully rolled her eyes. “And what is that?”

  Raven turned to Desmond. He smiled nervously as he swaggered over to Ryan. He grabbed her hands and pulled her back to her feet.

  “I wish you people would let me sit down.” She whined.

  Desmond placed his finger over her lips and on cue the deejay dropped the beat. “Baby, I have something that I want to ask you. Baby, so sit back and listen. Hey beloved we are here, to join each other hand and hand, no more playing house, no, cause I want to make it real do you understand,”

  “Shh.” He hushed her, before bending down on one knee.

  “Uhhhh.” All the women in the room chattered.

  Ryan’s heart began to race as tears clouded her eyes. Her hands trembled as he held them in his hands. He reached into his back pocket and grabbed a little black box.

  “Baby, you know that I love you right?” he asked as he gazed up into her eyes.

  She nodded, not able to find her voice.

  “And I want to thank you for blessing me with my sons. I never thought that I could love anyone the way that I love yall. It’s like God smiled down upon me, when he brought you into my life. I’m even more grateful for the set of twins growing in your womb. This time I’m going to be there from the beginning. But I realized that we can’t keep having all these kids out of wedlock.”

  Everybody in the room laughed.

  “So, will you please make me the happiest man on earth by being my wife?” He opened the box and revealed a princess cut five carat diamond ring.

  She nodded as the tears escaped her eyes. “Yes.”

  He slid in the ring on her finger, before standing and taking her into his arms. “I love you.” He whispered into her ear.

  “I love you too.” She smiled as she kissed his lips.

  Everyone in the room clapped and cheered them on. It was almost story-book like, and nobody could think of a better way to have done it.

  ******

  Jada pulled her BMW into the parking lot. She was parked right outside Ryan’s baby shower. The building was made mostly of glass, so she could see that the shower was now in full swing. She couldn’t believe the turnout for a damn baby shower.

  “Who the fuck does this bitch think she is?” she griped to herself as she eased out of her car. She did
n’t quite know what she was about to do, but she knew that she was doing it. These muthafuckas were all happy-go-lucky, while she lived in daily misery. So, if she couldn’t be blessed with happiness, then she’d ruin theirs.

  She wobbled to the door as a guy stepped out, holding it open for her. “Thank you.” She smiled as she walked into the building. She was amazed at how the baby shower was designed. She’d only seen shit like this on TV.

  There were caterers serving food and drinks. A local radio station deejay was spinning the music, while everybody in attendance was dressed to the nines.

  Her eyes scanned the room and she spotted some familiar faces. She noticed Ryan’s cousin off in a corner, snuggled up with some dude. She saw Zyrie sitting comfortably in her man’s lap. Everybody was enjoying themselves so much that they hadn’t noticed her.

  She continued to look over the crowd until she saw them. Ryan and Desmond seemed to be in their own worlds. They were wrapped into each other’s arms, while Desmond whispered in her ear. The sight of him being so affectionate towards another woman churned her stomach.

  Ready to confront his inconsiderate ass, she briskly walked over to them. “De-De.” She tapped his shoulder.

  “What’s up?” He turned his head to see Jada standing behind him.

  “I need to talk to you.” She gritted with her hands on her hips.

  Ryan looked up and realized that Jada was standing there…pregnant.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” he growled.

  “I’m here, cause she needs to know the truth about her man.”

  “Bitch, if you do…” he got out as Ryan cut him off.

  “What truth?” she spoke up.

  “The truth that he has three babies on the way at the same time.” Jada stated as a matter-of-factly.

  Desmond stood. “Hoe, you know that aint my baby.”

  “Hoe?” she repeated in disbelief. He’d never been that disrespectful towards her. “If this aint your baby then why the fuck do you take care of it? Why you drop off cash, if it aint yours? Tell me that, De-De.” By this time everybody in the room was staring at them.

  Ryan shot to her feet. “You need to get your raggedy ass out of here.”

  “Bitch, make me leave.” Jada challenged.

  Ryan narrowed her eyes. “You’s a bold bitch. You actually have the balls to come to my baby shower and clown over a nigga that don’t want you? Hoe, you definitely don’t know who you’re fucking with.”

  “Ay, get the fuck on.” Desmond seethed as he shoved Jada hard.

  Jada stumbled, but managed to keep her balance. Tericka had seen enough. Even if she was going to piss some folks off, she had to have her girl’s back. She walked over to her. “Jada, let’s go, mama.”

  Ryan’s eyes bucked. “You told this bitch about my shower?”

  “No.” Tericka lied.

  “I think she did.” Raquel whispered to Raven.

  “Me too.” Raven nodded.

  “Tericka, you foul, main.” Dina snarled.

  Tutu could see that the situation was about to get out of hand, so he stepped in. “Come on, let’s go.” He really wanted to slap the shit out of Tericka for putting him in such an uncomfortable position.

  “Yeah, get these bitches out of here, before I mop the floor with their asses.” Vanity spoke up. Everybody in the room knew that she meant that.

  “Bitch, fuck you, you don’t know me.” Tericka fumed.

  “Oh, this bitch don lost her mind!” Dino fumed, pissed that the broad had disrespected his mama.

  “Aw, naw.” Dina moved in before anybody had a chance to grab her. She tackled Tericka down to the floor. “What, bitch! Who you talking to?” she barked as she punched her in the face.

  “Naw, naw.” Tutu tried to pull Dina off his girl, but Chad decked him.

  “Fuck.” Amir mumbled. He knew that Tericka was dead wrong, but he couldn’t let his cousin go out like that. So, he ran over and pulled Tutu and Chad apart. “Chill out, nigga.” He ordered as he held his cousin back.

  “B, you tripping.” Sincere scolded his cousin, Chad. “Yall clowning at a fucking baby shower.” He didn’t want to fall out with niggas he ate with over some petty drama. Most of the men in the room dealt with one another on a business tip, and he didn’t want there to be a conflict of interest.

  Jada stood watching the chaos unfold. She was smiling on the inside, until a slap to the face brought her back to her senses. “Bitch get out of here!” Ryan raged, as she raised her hand to strike her again.

  Jada attempted to lift her hand in defense, but someone roughly shoved her from behind. She fell to her knees.

  “Bitch!” Ryan punched her in the face, before spitting on her. Then Jada felt a foot connect to that back of her head.

  She realized right then that she’d made a grave mistake in of coming there. She was surrounded by people who loved Ryan, and they came at her viciously with no regards to her pregnancy. She crawled to her feet as Desmond held Ryan in his arms.

  He was so pissed that if Ryan wouldn’t have been carrying his babies he would have let her beat the shit out of Jada. Baby and all. “Bitch, take your nasty ass on!” He barked.

  She scampered to the door, leaving behind Tericka. Hell, at least her man had her back. And he had a few family members present. Obviously, the most vulnerable person there was her.

  As she made her way to her car she felt warm piss sliding down her leg. “Oh my God.” She leaned against her car as she held her stomach.

  Just then Tericka and Tutu stepped outside. Immediately, they could tell that something was wrong. “Are you okay?” Tericka questioned.

  Jada shook her head. “I think my water just broke.”

  “Shit.” Tericka cussed. “Let’s get you to a hospital.”

  “Okay.” Jada breathed heavily. “Can somebody go tell De-De that the baby’s coming?”

  Tutu shook his head, tired of her stupidity. “Man, that nigga aint worried about you. You see how he let two different bitches kick you while you were on the floor? You think he gives a fuck about you being in labor?”

  “Tutu?” Tericka cut her eyes at him.

  “Don’t Tutu me.” He snapped. “You got me falling out with my niggas over some bullshit. Now, I gotta try and fix the shit you started. I told you to mind your fucking business. Now, she got you in the middle of some shit that aint got nothing to do with you.”

  Tericka shook her head knowing that she’d done irreversible things, shooting herself in the foot.

  Tutu cringed. “Is that blood dripping down your legs?” he asked Jada.

  She looked down in shock as her leg became saturated with blood.

  “Fuck.” Tericka whipped of her phone and called an ambulance.

  Chapter 17

  Jada lied in the hospital bed after giving birth to her son, Dashon. He was in NICU after the doctors had to resuscitate him. He’d stopped breathing on his own and was now on a bubble c-pap.

  She’d been calling Desmond’s cell, but got no response. She’d begged Tutu to deliver the message, and he claimed that he had. He still reminded her that Desmond simply wasn’t interested in her well-being. The paramedics had picked her up in the parking lot, where Desmond was only a few feet away. A few spectators watched her get wheeled into the ambulance, so he definitely knew the deal.

  Jada silently sobbed into her hands as she thought about her current circumstances. She didn’t know what was about to happen. She’d been relying on Desmond financially and more than once he’d threatened to stop supporting her, if she said a word to Ryan.

  Over the years, Jada had become the envy of her family. Plenty of her relatives would remind her that she wouldn’t be shit without De-De’s assistance. Jada was the type to throw her fortune in people’s faces, so she’d always made it known that her man took care of her. Even her mother had warned her about moving to Houston with him. She could still hear her voice in her head.

  “Guh, you don’t need to be follo
wing that boy across state lines. His ass gon get back home and get brand new on you. Then what you gon do?”

  Jada shook her head, realizing that her mother’s words had come to fruition. Desmond had definitely gotten brand new on her, and here she was looking like complete a fool.

  ******

  Ryan angrily stormed upstairs and into she and Desmond’s bedroom. She didn’t utter a word as she ventured into the closet, ripping her clothes off the hangers.

  “Baby, could you just listen?” he pleaded, as he tried to stand directly in front of her.

  “Move.” Her chest heaved up and down.

  He hated looking at her tear-stained face. He shook his head. “Baby, I can’t do that.”

  “Move.”

  “No, Ryan. Don’t do this, okay.”

  “Get the hell out of my way!”

  “Baby, I keep telling you this happened before we got…” Whap! Her hand going across his face, interrupted his words.

  “I don’t give a fuck! You’ve been lying this whole muthafuckin time! Aint no telling what you and that bitch been doing. And now, nine months later, you want me to believe that you had the best intentions?”

  “But I did. I was just helping her, because I knew that one of my rubbers busted. So, there is a possibility. But baby I was just doing what a man is supposed to do.”

  “You was still fucking her, Desmond.” She spoke slowly. “I know that look a bitch has when she thinks that a nigga is still hers. You gave her that fucking hope.”

  “No, I didn’t!” he shouted, causing her to flinch. “I don’t want that bitch! Why can’t you see that? You and her are the only two people that can’t seem to understand that.”

  Ryan sniffled as she said nothing.

  He searched her eyes for some sort of understanding. “Baby, why would I ask you to marry me if I didn’t love you and wanted to be with you? Huh? What do I stand to gain by doing that?”

  “You can’t do that!” she shouted shaking her whole body. “Don’t use your love for a justification! You have to love me enough to resist temptation. Don’t stand here in my face and tell me that you love me when you can’t do right.”

  “But I can.” He insisted.