Madison

Next day

Victor never came to get Layla. Wasn't like I was going to allow him to walk in here and take her.

"What time do you plan on leaving?" Mahogany asks walking into my room with Layla sleeping between her neck

"Uhh I don't even know."

I was so pissed at him that I didn't leave. I didn't want to see his face nor hear from him. He hadn't even texted me so I guess the feelings were mutual.

"Look If me seeing her is a problem w-

"No Mahogany, you're okay. You're her biological mother, you choose to make a change in your life and to get back in Lay's life and that is very admirable about you."

I watch as she covers her mouth trying to cover her cries. I rise from my bed and walk over to her.

"Hey don't cry."

"I don't want to be the reason for the strain in your relationship."

"Look Mahogany don't worry about me and Victor. As you know relationships have bumps and we always have our bumps. He didn't like what I did and I don't like the way he thinks but that's just how it is."

"Just lay her down and let's have a drink."

After placing Lay on the bed me and Mahogany head into the next room to a nice glass of Taylor Port.

"How many of these do you have?"

"It's my favorite,About three." I answer shrugging

Taylor Port is one of my favorites especially when I'm trying to wind down. I'm pissed at Victor but I miss him. I expected him to see my point of things and apologize already. Once he does, I'll do it. I pour a half of wine in the wine glasses in front of us.

"You guys still haven't talked and I just feel bad"

"Don't be,I made the choice to disregard what Victor said. It doesn't even matter ,it happened already.

My phone buzzing besides me gets my attention.

Raniyah: I think I have cold feet

"Oh boy, give me a second I have to call my bestfriend"

I grab my phone and raise from my spot to go inside of the kitchen for my privacy. I press on her contact waiting for her to answer the call.

"What do you mean you have cold feet,your about to get married in like two weeks"

"Actually in a week." She whines

"What changed,you were so happy?" I asks

"Madison I'm scared. This man will be my husband in a week. He will be the man I'm sleeping the rest of my life with and the only man I- Forever...he will be forever."

"Raniyah I know it sounds intimidating but forever is better than never. He is a great man to you and Ava,right?"

The line stayed silent before she answered.

"He is"

"So what is holding you back?"

"I don't know Madison."

"Are you sure you want to get married now?" I asks grabbing a bottle of water from out of the fridge

"I- I don't know anymore." She whines softly

" Raniyah sit down with yourself and ask yourself if you're ready to be someone's wife. If you're ready to be Demetrius' wife and not Smiley's wife. Do you want to go home to him every night?"

"I-I do"

"I said to sit and think,which means call me when you have your true answer." I said before hanging up

The sound of footsteps entering in the kitchen gets my attention. Mahogany stands in the kitchen with her wine glass. She didn't drink much, making me frown.

"Did you not like it?"

"I did but I got called into work."

"Oh,place your drink down, I'll handle it."

"Thanks,kiss Layla for me." She smiles

"Hey let me walk you out the door."

I rise from my seat and head to the living room to unlock the door for Mahogany. The many locks that Dre installed on my door. I miss him like crazy and he's just been missing for a while. I open the door and am faced with the last person I thought I'd see.

"Ohh hello Victor." Mahogany acknowledges him sliding past him

"Wassup" he answers dryly

I don't know how to react to this. Should I act like a damn maniac or should I be nice? All of that is determined by what comes out of his mouth in a few seconds.

"Bye Madison"

"Bye love, call me when you get to work"

She waives her hand at me before walking down the hall towards the elevator. I look back up to Victor to see him staring at me.

Victor

I don't even know what I'm going to say. I came here with a whole plan and it flew out of the window. Now I'm staring at her with no thought at all. Should I yell at her or should I calmly ask her to bring me Layla or maybe I should push her inside and punish her. Nah that last one can't happen. As much as I would like to harm her in the most precious way possible I know we'd just be left still not talking. So I'm just going to stand here and stare.

"Victor what do you want?" She ask finally breaking the silence

So I said the only thing I can think of.

"Now that's a dumb ass question"

"If you came here to argue you can leave and I'm dead ass."

I couldn't help it, I had to.

I place my hand on her chest and push her inside so I could step in. I slam the door shut and step in front of her before gripping her neck. Not tight but tight enough for her to know I'm not playing with her.

"I swear you really like to push my buttons. You like to see a nigga riled up,so this is what you want,huh?"

"Victor let me go" she mumbles

"Let you go,your ass is pushing me. I told you not to have her watch my daughter alone and you just ignored what I said to you and did what Madison felt like."

"Victor s-

"I'm not finish talking" I stop her lifting a finger up

"I asked you to do one thing,One thing and you couldn't even follow that. How hard was it to follow what I asked Madison?"

I spoke in the nicest way possible I could. I really wanted to let it rip on her but I chose not to.

"Answer me "

She lifts her finger up and dabs it between the crease of her eyes.

"Ivy I'm not even yelling at you. What are you crying for?"

"let me go ."

I release my hand from around her neck and watch as she walks away. She's going to be upset but it's whatever,When it's about the kids I'm doing whatever.

"Madison where are you going?"

I follow her footsteps into her room watching her look around till she grabs abag,Lay's bag. She grabs a few things off of her dresser and places the items in the bag.

"Ivy you still haven't answered me."

"Victor I don't want to talk right now, okay. Just screw whatever you have to say right now. You're not the only one who can change, just take her if you're going to take her and leave."

All it took was her voice to crack at once for me to feel bad. She places the bag on the bed and makes her way towards Layla on the bed. I watch as she kisses her cheek and grabs her coat from the side of the bed and begins lifting her up to pull the coat on over her.

"put her down and come here."

She places Layla down and stands in the same spot. Once I realized her stubborn ass wasn't moving I walk on over to her. I place my hands on her hips and instantly my middle man started to grow. Now isn't the time but it has a mind of its own. The tank top she has on isn't covering up much and I just can't focus.

"You understand why i'm pissed, right?"

She stays quiet for a while before nodding. I place my hand under her chin lifting her face up to stare at me.

"I can't hear you"

"Yes Victor."

" you knew it would have made me mad and you still did it. So you just don't care about my feelings and what I have to say to you"

"Can I speak?" She asks

"You can speak now"

"Victor, she just wants to be in her daughter's life. Who are you to say she hasn't changed and that she's a feen. Victor ,she loves that little girl and I do too. I want her to have both me and Mahogany in her life and I know how you felt but she just wants to be there for her."

"Ivy there are no buts. That's like you asking me to pick up Cairo from dad's and I say I will but when the time comes I never do. You would be pissed at me so don't say but. I get what you're saying so since my daughter looks fine and harmless I will consider her further watching Lay but don't do that ever again,ever again. "

I get that she likes her but I have to make sure Lay is safe and doing that I have to make sure I made the right choice of having her back in her life.

"Okay" she answers

"I have a car waiting outside."

I decided to come to Manhattan because I knew Madison's hard headed ass wouldn't have come back until she felt like she wasn't mad anymore and I couldn't allow this to go on any longer. I let my hand rest to my side before walking away. I was so pissed yesterday that I couldn't even finish my day. I hadn't even gone to the club. I stayed in the car for hours smoking and yelling at exactly nothing.

"Let me grab Lay."

She steps to the side and I lean over to pick her up. She's going to be in her feelings or whatever but that's okay. At least she knows never to do that again. If something happens to my kids I don't know what I'll do. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I use one hand to slide inside of my pocket to grab it.

Warren:they have eyes on Dave

Just what I wanted to see. Dave has also been on my mind lately. I just want to get rid of him once and for all. I slide the phone back in my pocket and make my way out to the front door,waiting on Madison. The sound of her footsteps walking behind makes me turn around to see her with her bag but no jacket on or shoes.

"Where's your jacket and stuff?"

"I didn't know if you wanted me to come." She mumbles

She's going to be the death of me man,I swear.

"Why would you think that? Ivy get your stuff so we can leave. I have things I need to do."

"Just go on without me I-

"Go put your clothes on, I'll wait."

I walk over to the couch and plop down so I can place Layla on my lap. I'm a real strong man but this baby weighs a ton. I could use her as a weight in the gym. I watch as she walks back to her room. I look on the coffee table to see a wine glass full of what I assume is wine. I place Lay on the couch and place a pillow on the floor just in case she decides to roll off. I grab the wine glass and make my way into the kitchen. Instant memories come back of me piping her down. Madison can never take what I give her. It's funny because of how we started out,she really thought I was playing when I say I sex hard. Our wedding night I plan to have her crying and begging to stop. Wedding night is going to be about me,because I'm showing out. Once we're married I can do whatever I want. Not taking no or alright for an answer. We can argue all we want but that's still my wife. I'm marrying her and dropping babies in her. My hand tilts the glass pouring the liquid down the drain before placing it in the sink. I hear her soft voice calling out for me.

"Victor"

"Yea"

I cut the light off before going back into the living room to see her fully dressed and ready to go. I grab Layla off the couch and look back at Madison to see her staring at the floor. She looks like a little kid that just got scolded by their parents.

"Ivy, are you hungry?"

"No" she answers dryly

"Did you eat today?"

Instead of answering me like the last time she ignores me.

I open the door up and wait for her to shut the lights off so we can exit together. Food always fixes things,if it doesn't today then I don't know what to say. I'm not going to baby her. I hate to admit it but I have spoiled Ivy to the fullest when it comes to arguments and I can't blame anyone but myself. She was just so shy. She's beautiful, how can I say no to her? Going down the elevator didn't even make it better. No music was being played and I could just feel the nagging feeling . Notice how no one hasn't said the two words yet? Why am I saying sorry,she disregards what I said. Anything pertaining my kids deserves a cuss out and that's exactly what I gave Ivy, A good ole fashion one.

: keep eyes on him. I want to know where he lives. Give me two hours till I get back. Had to make a flight to Manhattan

Warren:let me guess little sis did something.

:When does she never? She has the nerves to be pouting and acting like I stole something from her. She put this on herself

Victor places Layla in her car seat buckling her up. The sound of the rear door opening gets his attention. He looks at Madison before chuckling to himself,shaking his head at her.

"Spoiled "

His hand closes Layla's door behind him before entering in the driver's seat. He starts the car up and looks through the rearview mirror to see Madison's leaning on the window. His first stop made Madison eyebrows raise and her stomach growl. After ordering food Victor looks through the rearview mirror to stare at her. She didn't tell him she was hungry but she hoped he would have bought her food. Victor places the bags on the passenger side and places the drinks in the cup holders. He digs his hand in the bag and pulls out a hot fry before stuffing it in his mouth. He pulls the car out of the drive thru and pulls over to park. The sound of her growling stomach makes him smirk.

"You either gonna sit back there hungry or you gonna come up in the front and eat. The choice is yours." He says looking throuhg the rearview mirror

Madison felt played. She wanted to eat so bad but she wasn't going to sit and allow him to manipulate her into getting her in the front. She's still upset with him which means she wanted to be far as she could.

"Fine don't eat,see if I care."

"If you didn't care you wouldn't have said anything." She mumbles looking out of the window

He smirks at her smart remark. He enjoyed her cheekiness. It built his sex drive and his ideas on what to do to her. He finishes up the last of his burger and starts the car up so he could depart from the restaurant. After a while of still driving he stops at a red light and decides to grab the food out of the chair to hand it to her.

"Here little brat"

He places the bag on her lap and looks back up at the road to drive. The sound of the bag being opened made him shake his head.

"Closed mouths don't get fed Ivy.Your drink up here"

On their way back to Detroit Madison kept her words very minimal with Victor. She has it planted in her mind that until the words I'm sorry leaves from his mouth then she's not speaking to him. The flight was quick. All Madison wanted to do was sleep. The jet lands and no longer after landing the door is opened.

"We are back home Family,hope you enjoyed the flight." Max says

Vito grabs Layla's carseat and places her bag on his shoulder. He takes a glance at her and watches her gather her trash.

"Leave it, they'll clean it up."

Madison ignores him and continues to hold her trash in her hand. He allows her to go first so he could stand behind her.

"Oh is that trash,I can take it for you" one of the flight attendant says

"It's fine."

She walks down the stairs all the way to the waiting truck in front of them. Vito catches up with her and pulls the passenger door for her before opening the rear door to place Layla inside.

"I have somewhere to be so you and Lay are being dropped off at home. My mom has Cairo so if you want him back you can call her to bring him home."

He buckles Layla up carefully , making sure she's okay. He kisses her cheeks countless times trying hard not to wake her. He closes the door behind him and steps over to the passenger window,knocking on it softly. The driver puts the window down causing her to frown.

"You can be mad all you want at me but I do know I need a kiss before I leave."

Madison didn't want to lean in so Victor did. He pecks her cheek and turns her head softly so he could peck her lips. His lips brush towards her ear.

"Kiss me back don't be that mad at Papa."

He pecks the side of her face and tilts his head back.

"I don't know when I'm getting home tonight. But when I do I hope that attitude will be so far gone."

He pats the car before walking off. On his way to the car his phone vibrates. He gets himself situated in the driver's seat and pulls his phone out.

Wife:I love you

: Papa loves you too,sleep that attitude off. It makes you ugly

He calls Warren waiting on him to answer. He couldn't wait to deal with Dave and to see his brother.

"They have a house address for him."

"Send it to me. He goes tonight" Vito says

"alright."

Madison sits at home with the kids watching tv and eating snacks. Before even getting there she made sure to call Maria to bring Cairo. She missed him and couldn't wait to kiss all over his chubby cheeks. She picks up her phone off the side of her to see Raniyah calling.

"Do you have your answer?"

" yes and I made the final choice that I love him so yes I'm going to do it."

"That's great Niyah." Madison smiles

"So what do I do,We haven't talked all day?"

"Y'all haven't or was it you not talking to him?" Madison questions

"Ohkay yes it was me. He thinks I'm feeling sick"

"Just go show him some love. I don't know though I'm not speaking to Victor."

"The way your sex life is made Madison You guys will be talking and more in no time."

Madison sits on the couch explaining the very quick and short version of why she's ignoring him.

"Oh what an ass hole. I get one hundred percent what you did,your an ass also but him. He's the bigger ass "

"I'll accept that" Madison murmurs

"Just apologize first."

"No I'm not, he's apologizing first. My intentions weren't bad and he knew it. She's her mother and she's changed."

"Babe I'm sorry but you can't win this fight."

Madison lets out a long groan making Layla giggle. Madison looks over at her and begins to smile.

"Mommy made you laugh?"

She does it again making her fall out again in a fit of laughter.

"Maddy I'll call you tomorrow he just got in." Raniyah whispers

"Bye "

Madison continues on playing with Layla letting her scream hysterically.

"Layla I am not that funny."

Warren and Vito sit outside of Dave's house waiting for him to come out.

"Man are you sure about this?"

"Nigga why do you keep on asking me?" Vito questions turning his head to look at him

"He's your dad man. As much as you hate him he-

"That nigga aint my kin,don't do that."

"Vito man,I don't think you can do this. How are you gonna go home to Madison with blood on you,man your kids are at home."

"I'll stop to take a shower." Vito shrugs nonchalantly

"That's not what I mean bruh and you know it. You know out of all of us I'm the most unphased let me do it."

"Warren I said I got this ain't nothing bruh I'm cool just relax."

Dave walking out of his house with a boy besides him gets Warren's attention. He moves his head towards the scene making Vito ready. He opens the door but Warren stops him.

"He's got the kid with him."

"I ain't shooting him now." He answers

Vito fixes his gun in his jeans and steps out of the vehicle. He could hear his heart through his ears. Everything he told himself flew through the window. He walks up to them unknowingly and grabs his brother by the arm,pulling him back. Warren goes the other way, taking his gun out immediately pointing at Dave.

"Dave I wouldn't do that if I were you." Vito taunts smirking

Dave closes his eyes as he feels the cold barrel behind his head.

"Make one move and it's over for you,right in front of your little pup"

Vito bends down to get a good look at him.

"Hey kid,you remember me?"

"You're the nice man who gave me money." He answers pointing

"Yea well I'm also your brother."

"My brother,so does that mean we have the same dad?"

Vito takes a glance at Dave and shakes his head.

"No we don't ,we're just related,hey you want to stay with me for a while I know your dad over there isn't much of a good person."

"Yes he is,he bought me a bunch of race cars and he picks me up from school. He's the best dad in the world."

Hearing him say that made a switch flick in Vito. He never got what Dave was giving to him. He got cars but he also got an ass whooping for not wanting to shoot guns.

"You should say goodbye to your dad. He's going on a trip for a while and I don't think he'll be back."

"But he said we were going out for cars."

"Hey Dave, you should tell your son about the trip you're going to for a while. You should kiss him goodbye."

In the inside Dave knew this day would come. His first born would always want to get back his revenge. Something he taught him at eighteen.

"Dad I thought we were going to the store to get more cars,what happened?"

Warren pushes the gun more in the back of his head.

"Answer the damn question, you know me Dave I ain't scared to pop your ass in front of your seed."

"Yeah I have a business trip I have to go on but-Victor here will take you and buy all the toys you want. Because he's a good man. A-

"Enough with that shit" Warren mumbles

"Go in the car over there." Vito points

"Wait I want to hug him bye."

Vito watches as his brother runs over to his dad and engulfs him in a hug. Warren pulls the gun down and places it behind him.

"I love you dad."

"I love you too Darnell, be good for him."

Hearing him say those words left Victor shocked. His eyes stayed on Dave and never left. The anger boiled in him before letting it out.

"You love him-YOU LOVE HIM, NIGGA YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE IS."

Darnell looks between the two nervous at what's to come next. Victor had just snapped and all his little mind could wrap around is that his father had made him angry.

"Look youngin go to the car so I can speak with your dad."

"Dad I don't want to go." He whines

"Darnell listen to him. He's your big brother"

"Warren take him to the car."

"Are you sure?" Warren asks startling Darnell

"Yeah I got this nigga"

Warren grabs Darnell by his arm and pulls him towards the car. Vito takes a few steps till he's directly in front of Dave.

"You even named him with a D,isn't that funny?"

"Victor I never named him,his mother did. Look if you're gonna shoot me, shoot me. Don't be such a punk about it."

His words didn't sting. It only encouraged his death more. Vito's mind went back to when he was a kid. All the things Dave did to him.

"You killed a man in front of me. You allowed a bitch to touch me. You slept with my girlfriend. You- nigga you did so many shit it doesn't even make any sense. You weren't a father to me. I hate you. I hate you so much."

The words hadn't phased him. He knew it. He felt it himself. Vito was only reminding him.

"Victor I never meant to hurt you."

Vito takes his gun from his waist and points it directly between his eyes.

"You lying is only pushing me more." "Answer me this why'd you do it. Why did you have to hurt me,why did you have to corrupt me. I can't even love my woman right. I have kids now man and I- I'm scared. You did this to me Dave."

"And I'm sorry okay. I'm sorry I hurt you and I'm sorry I hurt your mother. I loved Maria and I loved -

"Don't say it. Don't even say it." Vito says halting him to finishing his sentence

"Get on your knees."

Without hesitation Dave bends down on his knees.

"Look me in the eyes when I'm talking to you."

Vito felt the power coming over him. His hand places the gun back between his eyes.

"How does it feel to be the one below?" "ANSWER ME!" Victor shouts

"It doesn't feel good"

"Right"

The vibrating of his phone interrupts him. He keeps his hand on the gun still looking at Dave. His unoccupied hand travels to his jeans pulling out his phone to see a message.

Baby:I'm sorry

Baby:I don't want to be a brat towards you anymore. I should have listened to your feelings and I was wrong.

The text made him smile. He couldn't wait to go home to his family.

"She's a good girl,don't mess up like I did with your mother."

Vito puts his phone away and stares at Dave. Not knowing what to do anymore. For some reason his mind pushed over to Madison,guilt rushed over him. If Madison saw him she'd be in tears right now,begging him to drop the gun. Going ballistic at the fact that he has a gun pointed to his sperm donor's head. His eyes stay connected with Daves. Letting out a sigh he shakes his head.

"You have five minutes to leave my city. Never return and never call. Never contact them,me,or my woman. You will never see us again and you will never get a chance to be near my children. Ivy spared your life. Get the hell outta here."

Dave didn't think twice. He fidgetly opens his car door and hops in quickly,Driving away.

At eleven o'clock is what time Vito got home. Warren had decided to keep Darnell for the night and Vito just wanted to sleep. He walks up the stairs tirelessly. He pulls his feet out of his shoes and plants them in a corner in the wide hallway. He pushes his room door open to see Madison sleep with the lights on. Her body on his side of the bed with one of his hoodies on. He peels his clothes off and crawls into the bed to hover over her. His lips press against her cheekbones then to her moisturized lips. She stirs in her sleep before her eyes lid opens.

"Victor." She whispers

"Who else is it supposed to be, you have somebody coming through I don't know about?"

"My husband." She yawns

"Move over"

Madison scoots over onto her side and stares at his face,tired written all over him.

"Baby I'm sorry about-"

Vito cuts her off, shushing her.

"Right now I want my woman to caress me and tell me how fine I am till I fall asleep"

"Are you serious?"

"Deadass,that's your apology." He responds

He leans over to shut the lamp off but stops once he notices he hasn't checked on the kids.

"I forgot to check on the kids."

"They're fine ,they just went to bed so I think it's better if you didn't go in there. You turn that light on and Layla's popping up."

Vito nods and continues to shut the lamp off. He scoots over towards Madison and places his head on her breast.

"I don't hear anything."

She plants her hand over his head and begins rubbing it.

"My man is so fine."

"Mhmm and what else?" He mumbles

"And he's special to me."

"Yeah." He says more sounding like a question

"And I love him to the bottom of my heart."

"What else?"

"Uhhh one day I'm going to let him put a baby in me."

"Ivy,I said to compliment me. Not get me in the mood." He mumbles lifting his head up so he could kiss her chest

"I'm sorry,I wasn't trying to."

"That is true though. Ima put two babies in you at one time. We're going to name them-"

Madison smiles realizing his actions. He fell asleep in the midst of talking.

"We can name them whatever you want."

Ahhh omg one chapter left. What in the world?Man this is crazy. I can't believe it took 6 months to write this book. But 2 years to finish the first. Motivation is key.

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