She's My Queen

Chapter Four

EVA

I inhaled sharp as I lifted my head from the cool water. A small breeze went by me as I swam to the stairs in the pool. And I was knew I wasn't by myself when I heard approaching footsteps.

A smile formed upon my face as I walked up the steps, water dripping down my body as I made my way to get my towel.

"Took you long enough. You were suppose to be here thirty minutes ago." I say, wrapping the towel around my body, not turning just yet.

"I don't mind making up for my tardiness, love." He replied, his voice thick with seduction.

My smile grew wider. "Does it involve a soft bed and some candlelight?"

He chuckles deeply and he was behind me in a second. His chuckles vibrated onto me while he wrapped his arms around me. I wrapped mine over his and he leaned down and kissed my cheek.

"If that's what you want." He murmurs, his hands roaming my body over the towel.

I turned in his arms and wrap mine around his neck and brought him forward, meeting his lips. He groans instantly, one of his hands traveling upward to cup the back of my neck to angle my head better. Sweet innocent pecks turned into a full out tongue war and he won. Like always.

With a final peck, he pulled away from my lips and stroked my face with that same hand while the other continued to rest on my waist.

"Everything go well today, amor?" I question, keeping my arms locked around his neck.

He exhaled a breath. "Not to much was out of order. Boss sent a few guys over to the states to find Cartron."

I smiled. "That's good news." I say but the joy of mine had not matched his facial expression. I frowned. "What is it?"

He stared down at me for a long moment before answering me. "I'm one of those men leaving for the states."

My heart stopped. "W-When?"

"Tonight."

I pulled away from him, running my fingers through my wet hair. Rick was leaving me again. Not that the first time he left really mattered to him but it did to me despite the fact we wasn't together at the time. I had deep feelings for Rick and I worry for him.

"Baby—"

"When will you return?" I asked, not intentionally cutting him off.

He exhaled a breath. "A few weeks. Maybe months."

I gasped. Months! Not months!

Rick took a step forward and I back as I took in what I said. This was all to sudden. Rick and I had yet to crack the surface of our relationship but I don't blame him. It's a lot going on at the moment. Most that is out of our control.

"Are you upset?" Rick broke through to my thoughts. I shook my head, brought my hand to my temple.

"No, it's just so sudden. I'm going to miss you." I whispered and the next thing I knew I was in his arms.

He kissed all over my face and pecked my lips firmly but sweetly. "I'm going to miss you too. But you know we all have our assignments."

I nod slowly. My assignment was to help Queen and the little princess. Meaning I have to make a mental note to go to her and talk about living arrangements. Boss claims she suffers postpartum and it was understandable given it's very normal for newly moms to go through such thing.

Rick and I lived with the Boss along with Rick's cousin, Mina. Mina was a great hacker and does great at following rules. The only problem is, she has a strong attitude problem but she doesn't give any to Boss.

Everyone knows not to cross that line with him. Especially if they value their life.

Boss has been through a lot and I've also took notice that he is still recovering from his injury. A injury that could've been deadly. But thank the mighty God he made it.

But that day made many problems for a lot of us. Especially on the Boss and Queen. Queen was by Boss's side the entire time and when it was confirmed he was alright, she just left and came and got the baby from Mrs. Maso. She gave her engagement ring back and told Mrs. Maso that she and Carter was not ready for marriage and that they have a lot of things to work out.

Which was true.

But the years I've known Boss, I've never seen him so distraught. I honestly felt bad for the two.

I don't know much about how Queen is feeling but there's no doubt she feels just the same as the Boss.

Pain. Angry. Hurt. Heartbreak. And maybe more.

Whatever it is, I just hope they get past this phase and move on with their lives. They have a newborn and Cartron is still alive, sadly, and he's roaming.

"I know." I say, bringing myself back.

He nods. "This will have no strain upon us, Eva. Think of it as me going away on a extended trip."

I smiled. "You are, Rick." I chuckle, shaking my head.

He smiles. "There's my smile."

A soft laugh came from me and his smile grows. He kisses me and places his arm over my shoulder after grabbing my things.

"Where are we going?" I queried with a raised brow.

A sexy smirk formed on his lips. "To find our soft bed and candlelight."

TIANA

"Postpartum is common for most newly mothers. What exactly do you feel when you're alone with you baby?" Dr. Ambrose questioned, her Italian accent flowing, a clipboard in his hand and a pen in the other ready to right.

"Hopeless." I breathed out shakily as I thought of the episodes Cariana had.

"Can you tell me how you get her to calm down?" She asked me.

"I just rock her until she falls asleep. But it was a time were her father held her and she immediately stopped crying."

"Can you explain what the father's emotions were like when he took the child?"

I nod. "He was calm and held her with so much love and though she has yet to understand, it was like she felt him and knew he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Protect her."

Dr. Ambrose smiles and jots it down. "That's good sign. This means the baby is easily attached to those she may sense can protector her. This is also a sign of a future daddy's girl." She chuckles.

"But why does she cry with me?"

"From what you explain to me, I can assume that you are very timid and scared and that's alright. But like she senses the protector and fearless, she can also sense you."

Tears form in my eyes. "I feel like I'm a terrible mother and I know it doesn't makes sense because I just had a baby recently but, when I can't get her to stop crying I feel helpless and I feel like a failure."

Dr. Ambrose looks at me with sympathy. She nods her head. "Will you believe me when I say it gets better, Miss King?"

I chuckle lowly. "My boyfriend said the same thing." I recalled Carter's words.

She smiles. "You have a really supportive boyfriend."

I sighed.

"Now," she continued. "You have three treatment options and they all work with time. It will be a challenge given your hormones are all over the place and more but I feel they all are one hundred percent."

I remained quiet and waited for her to speak.

"The first option is medication. I can prescribe you with a few choices but I suggest you take Fluoxetine if you decide to go down this route. The second option is therapy. I suggest Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. And the third option is self-care. Home remedies. Anything that will bring relaxation. Some suggestions are yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, or basically anything that will keep your stress level down."

I nod as I went over my options. "I want to try self-care. Can I come back if I change my mind for any therapy group or medication?"

She smiles. "Anytime. But remember what I said about staying relax and fearless. Your baby senses things though it makes no sense to some but she senses you and what you feel goes onto her. Stay calm and collective and hold her tight. You're letting her know you're there and not going anywhere."

I smiled. "Thank you. I will do that." Hope filled me as she got me together for me to leave.

Once back at the home, I was going to take Dr. Ambrose advice. This was just the first step of getting my life back on track. I am doing this for Cariana. Doing this for Carter. But most importantly, I'm doing this for me.

I am still going through the motions with everything that's happened but I am going to handle it one at a time.

Plus, more time to bond with Cariana if I can.

After a little bit more of small talk, I walked out the room and made my way towards the elevator. I was so close to it, I paused when I saw a doctor come out of a room and I swore I saw my father.

I frown. I walked in the direction and swiftly look around me before entering. I turn back to look and my eyes wide in shock when I seen it was him in the flesh.

And he was no longer in a coma. Strange.

The real question is, what was he doing on the Maternity floor.

He stared up at me in shock as if not believing I was here. I locked the door to the room and held my bag tightly.

"T-Tiana? He let you come see me?" His voice a bit raspy and my frown deepened at his words.

"What are you talking about he let you come see me?" I crossed my arms as I stood at the head of his hospital bed.

"Carter."

My blood began to boil. So, Carter knew my father was no longer in his coma. Matter a fact, was he ever really in a coma?

"It doesn't matter. I'm glad you came to see me." He smiles but never do I.

"Don't get your hopes up, Dad. What are you doing on the maternity floor?"

He exhaled an extended breath and rest back against the pillow. "I bribed a few doctors to put me in here. I couldn't risk anything, especially now that Cartron is out there."

My heart slammed in my chest. Damn, I really am a lazy shot. "H-He's alive?"

My father nods. "Yes, I suggest you come back with me as soon as I am released."

I scoff. "I'm not going anywhere with you. Don't think because I had an emotional moment when Carter shot you, everything is alright between us. It's not." I say.

He sits up slowly then, holding unto his bandages. "Tiana—"

"No. My emotions are everywhere and I just had a baby recently. I care because you're my father just like my no excuse of a mother and I'm disgusted to have parents like you. You even dragged Troy into you're guys bullshît."

He opened his mouth to speak again but I wasn't finish. I hold my hand up and his mouth shut back.

"I want you to know, even though it's not you're business anymore about my life, Carter and I we're both willing and yes, a beautiful babygirl was brought into the picture though she wasn't expected so soon but she's here now."

"You've sinned. A baby before marriage is—" he began but I cut him off again.

"Don't try to give me a sermon. I know what it means to have a baby out of wedlock and my baby is no bastard. And I'm sure you don't want to talk about sin." I glared at him.

He looks down at his hands.

"My visitation was suppose to be brief and I'm going to keep it that way. This is the last you're going to see me. Now, Troy told me everything but I want to know how far deep you are in with Cartron?"

He swallowed hard and he looked up into my eyes. I saw guilt and the sad look, it was not tricking me. I'm hurt and angry with him. I was born into a corrupting family.

But hey, you can't choose your family.

"Deep. Sign contract of my allegiance but I later found out it was my life I signed over to him."

A wave of nausea washed over me but I kept myself together. I shook my head. "Did you not read it?"

He sighs. "No, I did not. I was desperate for money at the time. I didn't know he would use me to plot the death of his children. That was back then but no one expected you nor Carter to be involved. How did you cross paths?"

"None of your concern. You've made your bed. I can't even wish you the best." I murmured and turned to leave.

"Tiana, wait!" He calls out desperately.

I paused and looked back at him over my shoulder.

"I-I'm still your father. I demand your loyalty to me."

I completely turned around, my anger rolling off me. "You demand loyalty from me?" I scoffed. "I don't have to give you anything of me. You don't deserve anything from me. Not after the bullshît. You've made your bed and you have to lay in it."

I turned back and unlocked the door. I looked back at him briefly and he genuinely looked hurt and had no idea what to do.

"One more thing," I stared him straight in the eyes. "Anyone that comes close to my babygirl will never see the next day. You all seen Carter's dark side but it comes nowhere near to comparing. Send the message and tell them to stay the fvck away." I snapped.

His eyes grew wide in shock and I did not say another word because I left.

****

It was dark outside and I was finally at home, resting with Cariana beside me in her pin. She was sleep and I was staring at her. I couldn't sleep and not because of her.

She was surprisingly easy to put to sleep. The doctors advice had worked and starting tomorrow is my exercises and probably finding more healthier things to eat. I would have to ask Camille to watch Cari so I could leave because I couldn't risk taking her anywhere with me.

Especially now that Cartron is out there roaming free.

Another thing to work on is my aim.

The sound of someone knocking at the door was heard from here. I pushed the covers off me and pulled the nightstand drawer and in reached for my gun.

I glanced at Cariana and she was sleep sucking on her pacifier.

I quickly made it out to the door, holding gun tightly. I looked through the peephole and frowned when I saw Carter leaned up against the door.

I placed my gun aside and unlocked and open the door.

Carter stayed leaned up against the other door and my nose scrunched up as the scent of alcohol hit me. He reeked.

"Carter?"

His eyes are closed but when I repeated his name, they opened. His head slowly lifted to mine and he lifted off the door and now stood in front of me. He reached out, stumbling a bit before his hands cupped my face and he stared at me intensely.

"Make it go away." His words slurred a bit and he swayed.

"Carter—"

In that moment, he almost collapsed completely on the floor if I didn't catch his upper body.

I cursed because he weighed a lot. I pulled him inside and closed the door, locking it behind me. Carter's groans filled my ears and I took the time to help him to his feet. We stumbled to the bathroom and we didn't make it on time because he threw up all over the hall floor and partially on me.

I lifted the toilet seat up and he kneeled forward and threw up once again.

"I'm going to change. Think you'll be okay?"

He grunts in response and I walked out, holding my breath as I made it back to my room. I was glad I had on my hair tied up in a messy ponytail which reminds me to wash it tomorrow. I changed into a loose tank and made my way back to the bathroom.

I noticed the retching sounds stopped and I saw him leaning against the wall, his head back with closed eyes

I've never seen Carter like this. He never drinks that much either. Not to the point he's unable to help himself.

I sighed and kneeled in front of him, stroking his face. I also notice his facial hair is getting a little bit thicker and though it's not the right time, I found it sexy. He groans softly and keeps his eyes closed.

I take it upon myself to unbutton his dress shirt that was now stained with throw up off. Just when I got to the third button, I frowned at what I saw.

His gunshot wound was not covered with the bandage and a huge purple bruising was forming around it.

Damn it, Carter.

_______________

Thoughts on Eva's first point of view?

Thoughts on Tiana and the conversation with her father?

Thoughts on Carter's drunken state?