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“Aye, give me my damn phone back. I didn’t ask your ass to babysit me.” Freedom fussed then winced in pain.

“Uhh huh. God doesn’t like ugly. Now lay your ass back down and get some rest. I’ll send Sincere in here to bring your cup. Bye, Honesty.” Bre sang as she walked out of the room.

I eyed Freedom curiously as I waited for him to explain what was going on.

“Don’t even give me that look because it’s not what you think. Sincere hasn’t wanted to leave my side since I came home from the hospital, so Bre has been bringing him over every day after school. My nurse had some car trouble, so she couldn’t come today and my momma had some errands to run. Her thot ass probably wanted to spend time with this mystery man I still haven’t met.” He grunted as he attempted to lay back in his bed.

Recovery has been a long and painful process for him, but he was alive and going to make a full recovery. That first month was touch and go and had the whole family on edge. When he finally woke from his coma, it felt like God had finally listened and was answering our prayers. Every time I saw his face, I was reminded of his sacrifice and the miracle of life. He still had a long road ahead of him, but he was still here with us.

“Oh, cause I was about to hit up the cousin chat and start a rumor. I’m glad you cleared that up.” I giggled.

“Yeah, whatever. Onyx has been here a few times. Hell, even Zamore’s wishy washy ass has stopped by.”

I smirked at the mention of his pretty co-star. We were all surprised to see her at the hospital, but she visited Freedom regularly. He was very tight-lipped about the status of their situationship, but I had a feeling there was more to the story.

“Hmm, I can’t wait until you fully recover because I need the tea on Ms. Zamore.” I snickered, causing Free to shake his head.

“I wouldn’t necessary call it tea, but I guess only time will tell. That’s not why I called though. I wanted to check on you to see how you were doing? Solo mentioned something about you having trouble sleeping lately. What’s up with that?”

I rolled my eyes because he sounded just like Messiah and Rule when they called me on FaceTime earlier. My panic attacks had returned and were accompanied by insomnia. My therapist encouraged me to talk about what I was feeling, but that wasn’t helping. Solomon and I talked in depth about that night, but I still couldn’t seem to find peace. It was obvious that he was worried because he had told everyone who would listen about my sleeping issues.

“I don’t know. I’ve tried everything, but nothing has helped. I’ll sleep for a few hours and be right back up looking crazy. These bags under my eyes are starting to make me self-conscious.”

Solomon swore I was the prettiest pregnant woman he had ever seen, but I disagreed. I was starting to look like Bella, from Twilight, when she was pregnant. My belly bump was growing, but the rest of me looked like I was fading away.

“Yeah, you might need to get some of these drinks that I have. We can’t both be looking like roadkill.” He teased.

“I know. I’m hoping things get better, but I guess only time will tell.”

“Just know I’m here when you need me. I might now be in the best shape, physically, but I can be a listening ear if you want to talk. You’re fiancé is over there losing his mind trying to figure out how he can make things better for you and I kind of feel guilty. If I had told them what was going on sooner, maybe⁠—”

“Don’t do that, Free. This isn’t your burden to carry and if we’re being honest, I owe you. If you hadn’t jumped in front of that bullet, Solomon and I could have been dead right now. You risked your life for me, so you don’t get to feel guilty. Trust me, I’m just happy to wake up every day and be surrounded by family. I’m gonna be alright.”

The last thing I wanted was for Freedom to carry guilt for what happened. I was still trying to forgive myself for the role I played and it wasn’t an easy journey. Solomon suggested therapy, but I told him I would only agree if he went to. We had separate therapist, but I was still proud of us for doing the work.

“Well, I love you, Nes. I would do that shit again if I had to, so don’t feel bad for me either. We’re alive and life is still good. We have a lot to be thankful for.”

I nodded because he was absolutely right. There was always something to be thankful for.”

“Baby! Come here!” Solomon called out for me.

“Let me go see what this man wants.” I grunted as I attempted to get up from the floor. This belly might have been cute to others, but it was a pain in the ass at times. I felt like a big old blimp.

“Alright, baby girl. I’m about to take a nap myself. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

After we hung up, I scooped Pebbles in my arms while Bam-Bam followed after me. I headed into the living room because that’s where Solomon usually was. My steps halted when I laid eyes on my momma with five large suitcases behind her.

“Hey, momma. W-What are you doing here?” I waddled over to her and hugged her. She was here for the first few weeks that Freedom was in the hospital, so it hadn’t been that long since I saw her.

“Solomon called and said you’ve been having trouble sleeping.”

I glance over at my man who simply shrugged with a blunt in his hand.

“I don’t understand. What is the luggage for? You look like your moving in or something.”

“Well, I guess you could say that.”