Chapter 13

Junior opened his door, allowing him in.

He said, "We're leaving in a couple of hours."

Junior responded, "Great!

"Now talk to me.

"What's it gonna be?"

Dominique responded, "I'll support her throughout the decision to keep it."

Junior asked, "What about Marie?"

Dominique responded, "Marie and I had nothing serious going on, June.

"It was just a fling."

Junior asked, "I see.

"What does Alayna mean to you?"

Dominique responded, "She's the mother, and I have to respect that she's carrying my kid."

Junior said, "You need to stop being cold and decide your mind on who you love.

"You can just get girls pregnant and leave it like that."

Dominique said, "I know.

"Now, let me handle my problems.

"You deal with yours."

Junior said, "I'm just saying, man.

"I don't want my best friend to fuck things up."

Dominique smiled and left Junior's room.

She asked him, "Is it time to leave yet?"

He responded, "We've got another hour.

"I brought you something to eat and drink."

She said, "Thanks."

He moved his things over to the couch and sat down.

She got off the bed and said to him, "Dominique, we need to talk."

He responded, "Not right now, Alayna.

"Save until we return."

She said to him, "That's the thing.

"I want to have this child, but I don't want to do this with you."

He paused as she continued.

"Look, I know this isn't what you want, but I'm not having an abortion.

"If this means we have to raise the child like supportive parents who aren't a thing, I'll do it.

"I don't want you to think I'm doing this on purpose.

"I never wanted a kid so early and unprepared in my life, but I'm having one, unfortunately.

"I can take care of myself.

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

Dominique turned to her and said, "Isn't it too early for these mood swings?"

She looked at him, confused.

He smiled.

"Alayna, we've been over this already.

"We're keeping that child, and I'm going to be with you throughout the pregnancy, as I said.

"Look, I don't want to talk about this now.

"I have a lot going on, and there's a lot on my mind, and I need time to think, okay?

"As I said, we'll talk about this when we get home."

She smiled and said, "Okay, great."

Her phone rang.

She sees Kathy calling.

She answered.

"Hey, What's up!?"

Kathy responded, "Hey, why weren't you answering my call?"

Alayna said, "Sorry, Kat, I forgot my charger at the house, and I got one today to charge my phone.

"Is everything alright?"

Kathy responded, "No!

"Darla had a seizure.

"I'm at the hospital with her.

"I need you, Alayna.

"I'm scared!"

Alayna's eyes widened as she responded, "What!?

"Is she okay?

"Kathy, I-"

Dominique rushed over to her and asked, "What happened?"

"Darla is in the hospital," She responded.

He took her in his arm, took the phone, and said to Kathy, "Kathy?

"Don't worry.

"We'll be there soon.

"Is Simon with you?"

She responded, "Yes, please hurry."

He responded, "We'll be there soon, hand the phone to Simon."

Dominique spoke to Simon and asked him to stay with the girls until they returned.

After an hour, they're back in the air.

When they landed, they drove directly to the hospital.

Kathy ran towards Alayna.

"What took you so long?

"I've been waiting for hours!" she said.

Alayna responded, "Sorry, I was in Spain, and we were heading back later, but we changed everything after you called."

Kathy looked at her confused and peered over her shoulder, seeing Dominique.

She whispered, "You went to Spain with him!?

"I thought you were just a maid."

Alayna responded, "We'll talk about that later.

"Where is Darla?"

Kathy carried her to the room where Darla was on a bed.

She rushed to Darla, who yelled, "Alayna, I miss you.

"I'm scared."

Alayna hugged her and said, "Oh baby, I'm sorry I was away.

"I left right away when I heard you weren't well.

"I'm here now.

"There's no need to be afraid."

The nurse came over to her and asked, "Are you the parent?"

Alayna responded, "Yea.

"I'm the elder sister.

"Our parents died."

The nurse responded, "I'm sorry to hear that.

"Well, I'm sorry to say this, but Darla seems to be suffering from Epilepsy."

Alayna sighed as she said, "Oh God, no!

"What can we do to help her with this?

"She's just a kid."

The nurse responded, "I'll let you speak to the doctor about this."

Alayna nodded as Dominique entered the room.

He sees Darla on the bed and approaches her.

She asked, "Are you like my dad?"

Alayna said, "No baby, he's not like your dad."

Dominique smiled and asked Darla, "Do you miss your dad?"

Darla responded, "I do, and my mom.

"I know it's hard on Alayna, but she has been my mommy."

He held her hand, sat beside her, and said, "Well, if you miss your dad, feel free to call me dad."

Alayna's eyes widened as Darla said, "Yay! Daddy!"

He smiled at her and got up to face Alayna.

He asked her, "What's her condition?"

She said, "The nurse said she has epilepsy.

"She's so young I don't know what to do."

He said to her, "It's alright.

"If she's needed to go through any surgery, I can handle the expenses."

Alayna responded, "Dominique, you don't need to do that I-"

He held her hand and said, "Alayna, it's fine.

"After all, we're expecting a child, and I intend to be there for you.

"If I'm going to take care of you, then I'll take care of your sisters too."

She said, "I don't know what to say."

He smiled as the doctor entered the room.