She's My Queen

Chapter Fifteen

TIANA

"I mean it, Troy. Stay away from the house and away from Eva. What you did was unlike you and disrespectful. If you want to meet up then call me." I say into my phone while rocking a crying Cariana.

After spending time with Carter yesterday, he took me back to the place I call home and left to handle his business. Business he has yet to explain to me but I knew that snake Mina was involved.

I trust Carter with everything in me but who I don't trust is Mina. She's one you'd call a thirsty woman.

Anyway, it was the next day and Cariana was giving me a hard time. She would cry everytime I tried to get at least ten minutes of quiet or rest time, but no. It's like she woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I fed her and that was difficult, burped her, and tried to make her sleep.

My hair was a mess and pure exhaustion was evident on my face. I had thought I was nearing the end of postpartum but turns out I'm far from it.

I was here alone since Eva left to meet up with Amelia who I haven't heard from in a while.I sometimes forget that everything that happened in the month caused everyone to split.

"Alright, sis." He speaks up, taking me away from my thoughts.

I sighed. "Mean it, Troy. There's something different about you and I'm assuming it's because of those fake parents of ours."

His silence was my answer. Cariana's cries grew louder and I had to hurry up and end the call. "Stay away from her, Troy. My last time telling you." And with that, I ended the call.

I placed my phone on the kitchen counter and continued to rock Cari back and forth. "Please, calm down."

Her cries continued. I tried the pacifier and that didn't work either. My fingers went to sooth around her face and I frowned when her skin was feverish.

She wasn't like this moments ago.

Worry courses through my vein and I picked up my phone and scrolled through contacts to find Carter's number. I pressed his name and pressed the phone to my ear while going to get my shoes on.

His line continued to ring and it reached voicemail. I sighed and slipped my phone in my pocket and went by the door to slip my shoes on. I grabbed my car keys and grabbed the ready baby bag and walked out the house, locking the door behind me.

Unlocking the doors, I pulled the car door opened and placed the baby bag on the floor before buckling Cari in her seat. Her wails began to soften a little bit but she was still feverish. After making sure she was secured in, I hurried to the drivers seat and started up the car and was on my way to the hospital.

I tried Carter's phone again and it kept going to voicemail. After four calls, I decided on the final try I left him a message to call me back and meet me at the hospital for Cari.

Around thirty minutes, I arrive at the hospital and I found a close parking spot. I grab the baby bag and my daughter before locking the doors and heading right in. I signed her in and ignored the stares I got due to Cari wailing.

I didn't care. I was going to make sure my baby was alright.

A few moments later, her name was called. I looked up and smiled positively when I saw Cariana's last doctor, Dr. Piscino.

"Miss King." He greeted me with a smile.

"Dr. Piscino."

He led me back to a empty room and I placed Cariana, who was still in her the car seat.

"What seems to be the issue?" He questions, his Italian accent pushes to the surface while stands with his clip board in hand.

"She's been crying most of the day and she wasn't feverish early but almost hour before coming here, she was feverish and she won't stop crying."

He hummed while slipping on his rubber gloves and walking over towards us. "Did she eat?"

"Yes, but not like she should. It was difficult trying to feed her." I say, running a shaky hand through my messy hair. I just pray that it was nothing serious nor harmful.

Then suddenly, Cariana becomes fussy and her little light face begins to turn a shad of red. The doctor, carefully opened her mouth and flashed his flash light. He stared into her mouth intensely before moving to take her temperature. After he gave me a positive smile.

"Seems like the princess caught a cold."

I frowned. "A cold? During this time?" It was early spring in May.

"Yes, it's very common for newborns to catch a cold here or there."

As if on cue a soft very light sneeze escaped my princess and her nose runs and she is wailing loudly. I cleaned up her nose and wiped her small face.

"What can I do to get rid of her fever?"

"That should pass with the help of a warm bath and make sure she doesn't have too much clothes on. A lot of rest and I can prescribe you some saline nasal drops for her runny nose. If fever doesn't go away within the few days then come back."

I nod and sighed in a bit of relief. "Thank you. It's been a wild roller coaster with this one." I smiled down at my beautiful daughter. "Even though she puts me through exhaustion, I'm happy to be her mother."

He chuckles a bit. "You're still a newly mother, it will progress to something better within time." He says while tending to Cariana.

For some reason, she calmed down when he placed her pacifier in her mouth. She coos softly, tiredly.

He looks back to me with a smile. "Dont stress, Miss King. It's all part of the process. Also note that she feeds off the energy around you."

I gather Cariana's things and nod my head. I grabbed the handle of Cariana's car seat and looked at hi, giving him a thankful smile.

"Thank you, Dr. Piscino."

I held out my hand to shake with his. He took my hand in his and shook my hand. "Call me Marco."

"Well, thank you Marco." I pulled my hand away. "Enjoy the rest of day." I say before leaving with Cariana.

***

I was finally back at home and was halfway submerged in the warm water. Cariana's small wet body was set perfectly on my chest. I held her with one hand while taking the warm soapy sponge along her back, gently with the other.

Her fever had calmed down a bit but she was still a bit warm.

I sighed. "You gave mommy a scare, princess." I leaned and kissed her wet curls on her head.

A soft coo made me smile.

The little moment was lifted when I heard my phone vibrating on the side of the tub. I looked over and my smile slipped a bit at the sight of Carter's name flashing across the screen.

I let it go to voicemail because my hands were full.

About five more minutes in the tub, I decided to get out. I carefully managed to get out and wrap a soft polished towel around Cariana before wrapping one around me.

Walking out of the bathroom with her close to my chest, I went to my bedroom.

I pushed the door open and gasped in surprise when I saw Carter sitting on the edge of the bed.

Inhaling slowly, I calmed myself. "You really have to stop doing that." I say.

He stood to his feet a look of anger crossing his face. "I went to the hospital and you weren't there. What happened?" His tone a bit snappy for my liking.

"First, I need you to calm down. Second, Cariana had a fever and I got worried because she never had one before. Dr. Piscino said it was just a cold which is common in newborns." My words flowing through my mouth calmly.

That didn't change his expression. "Why didn't you answer when I called you?"

I laid Cariana on the bed and pat her lightly to dry her.

"Tiana." He spoke my name in warning.

I felt my own anger surfacing. What was wrong with him?"

I met his eyes, mine narrowing. "I was tending to our daughter. So, forgive me if I didn't get the chance to answer your call while breaking her fever." I say angrily. "What is wrong with you?"

He rubbed a frustrated hand down his face and sat down on the bed, careful not to make Cariana cry. "I'm sorry, it's been a...bad day."

My anger calms and I exhaled a tiring breath. "I'm sorry that you had a bad day, baby, but that doesn't excuse the way you just tried to talk to me. You didn't answer my many calls, remember?"

I walked over to a big duffle bag a pulled out baby wipes and a diaper. I placed it the side of Cariana and finished patting her dry.

"So, do you want to explain to me about what's going on with you?" I queried while wiping Cari and putting on her diaper.

"Rick called me and it was something I didn't want to hear."

I picked Cariana up by under her arms and kissed her cheek. "What was it?"

"Carton was there. He was in f*****g Paris and he slipped through his fingers."

I swallowed hard as my nerves shook nervously. I walked with Cariana to her crib and laid her sleepy self down. She would be sleep within minutes.

"You'll catch him, Carter." I tried to lift him up while walking over to him. I sat down next to him and grabbed his hand, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Not like this." He murmurs.

It didn't take me long to know what he meant. He had to go. Carter wanted to face his father alone and I understood. After everything, I knew I needed to give him this.

I turned him to face me. Inhaling slowly, I raised our hands and kissed his sweetly. I love him so much that it hurts.

I wish to go with him but I know I can't. This was something he had to do and I was to stay and watch over our daughter till he came back.

"Go."

"Tiana..." he sighed and my grip on his hands tightened. His eyes staring into my own.

"This is something you need to do and though we are at a rocky place right now, I'm supporting whatever you think is right." I say, looking him in his eyes.

He breaks our joined hands and cups my face, kissing me. His lips were urgent and I gave in to him. Grasping hold of his wrist I kissed him back. Before the kiss could evolve to something more, I pulled away from him and lifted my hands to stroke his light stubbled face.

"I love you." My voice was soft and meaningful.

Emotion crossed his face. Pure love. "I love you too, my Queen."

__________________

Thoughts on Tiana and Carter?

Carter is going to Paris.

A bit short but Happy Fourth of July.

And a reminder, this book WILL be more intense than the first book.