Roses are Red ( Book 2 )

Permission

Rosalina

Finally finished furnishing my home, The girls and I decided to grab lunch at a nearby restaurant . Hungry as I am, I was still upset being ambushed by Dorinda and ShaMilla . Something changed between the two of them and I was determined to find out what . The hostess quickly seated us and I rushed in the booth after Kailey, leaving Rinda and Milla sitting across from us . Dorinda gave me a funny look but took her seat as Milla pulled it out for her .

Our waitress took our drink orders leaving us with our menus . I eyed the two over my menu, seeing Rinda giggle at something ShaMilla whispered . I felt hot with anger all of a sudden . Smacking my menu hard on the table, everyone's eyes darted to me .

" Soo, what's up " I broke the ice, waiting on a response . " Nothing much , whats up with you " Dorinda shot back, raising her brow as we eyed each other . " Seems to me, your the one with NEW information , " I scoffed rolling my eyes as her jaw dropped . I played nice with her the entire time we were shopping and I was done at this point . Once again I'm in the dark when it comes to Dorinda, and she thinks it's all fine and dandy, to pop up with the main problem nipping at her heels .

" I don't know what your talking about . " she dismissed me in a nonchalant tone . Just then our waitress appeared with our drinks . We accepted waiting for her to leave . Once her back was turned, I focused back on Dorinda .

" What you trying to say Rose . " stated Milla cooly, as my words died on my lips . I looked to her and back at Dorinda, before focusing on Milla . So she was speaking for her now . " Exactly what it sounds like Milla . " I snapped staring her down . I felt my nostrils flaring as the tension rose . " Heeey " swooped in Kailey, trying to keep the peace . " Stay Out Of It ! " we shouted in unison, bringing attention to our table .

Our waitress came over quickly. " Is everything alright? " she asked nervously, as everyone went back to their menus . I nodded, handing her mines . " I will take the seafood macaroni dish . Can I add hush puppies as well . " I ordered as she nodded going around the table, jotting down orders . " And what would you like ? " she asked Dorinda, who was still thinking on her food .

" You might want to ask her mouth piece over there " I shaded, pointing to Milla . Dorinda shook her head passing her menu up . " I'll take the chicken finger plate . " she rushed out . " Rose can I talk to you real quick. " stated Dorinda, standing and heading for the bar . She didn't wait for me to follow, but I slowly rose as Milla watched me . I eyed Milla right back, following after Dorinda.

I found her at the bar ordering a drink . " Day drinking too huh ? " I spoke, taking a seat next to her . " Why you being so shady " she snapped, clearly irritated . " I thought I was being direct. " I stated shrugging as she kissed her teeth . " Thats bullshit . "

" You want to ask me something, ask it . " she demanded. " Your my bestfriend, so we shouldn't be at each other's necks . " she huffed .

" I agree . " I nodded, relaxing a little. Dorinda's right . Technically, I didn't give her a chance to explain . My emotions were just everywhere and I found myself reacting instead of dealing .

" Look Rinda, I see you all happy and things changing . " I began, as Rinda downed her drink . " I support everything your doing and I'm happy for you really . " I said to her .

" But ? " she added, raising her brow . " But, with ShaMilla ? " I questioned her . " Your not even gay and you and I both know this . " I explained.

" Ok so . " she fussed . " Milla makes me happy and I don't even know what we are to tell you WHAT WE ARE . " she stressed .

" I'm the one figuring things out , I owe you no explanation . " she went on as I frowned but listened. " Im not searching for a label but I am attracted to her, and she being a female does not bother me . At all . " she bottom lined .

" You and Jamir are all perfect and s**t, moving in together. " she retorted . " I want that Rose and I really do feel, I can get that with Milla . " she softened . I reached out to touch her hand and gave her a reassuring rub . " This is new to me and I know you don't like her . I'm not asking you to . Just don't rain on my parade. If your for me and my happiness then be that, because I. Am. Happy. Rosae' " she finished as I nodded .

I understood her completely and realized that I overstepped . " I sowy . " I told her in my baby voice . She laughed me off, and leaned over to hug me . " Your alright girl , I know you care about me . " she stated . "I do . " I agreed . " I'm just saying , Milla's a tough pill to swallow. Are you up for that ? " I asked her, curious to know her answer .

Dorinda shrugged, " Sometimes, I think I am and other times, I feel I'm in way over my head . " she confessed, rubbing her head . Sighing, Rinda looked at our hands deep in thought . Her whole demeanor changed as she shook her thoughts away . " Our date was unusual but it ended on a good note . " she smiled a little.

" Awh, what did you do ? " I questioned as her eyes got big . " What !?" She deflected . I'm sure she heard me . " Where Did Y'all go ? " I asked again, signing to her as I spoke . She laughed nervously and rubbed her neck . " We went to an exclusive event . " she mumbled. " Thats it ?" I pressed . " I mean, I did meet some friends of hers . " she added . I noticed her cringing a little but knowing Milla, I'm sure meeting her friends would do that to you .

" Foods here . " butted in Kailey. She walked over to Dorinda and I . We both nodded and followed her back to the table . ShaMilla was getting off the phone as we approached.

" Come on Dorinda . " she stated, before standing up . " but I'm hungry . " she whined as Milla laughed. She held up a bag with two to-go containers in it . Now looking at the table, I saw only me and Kailey's orders . Milla must have made their orders to go when we were at the bar . I watched my bestfriend, she wasn't really bothered about leaving . ShaMilla whispered something in her ear and she nodded, looking to me . " Your leaving aren't you . " I asked, already knowing my answer . She nodded, coming over to hug me . " We can hang out another time . Love you, later . " said Dorinda hugging me and Kailey before leaving with Milla who said nothing .

I shook my head before saying grace . Kailey moved across from me . " That was awkward. " she broke the silence. I continued eating and Kailey dropped it .

" Can I ask you something Lena ? " she spoke after silently eating for a minute.

" Si , of course you can ." I smiled .

" why do you hate Milla soo much ? " she asked, catching me by surprise. I laid down my fork and thought about it . " It's not that I hate her . " I began, folding my arms . " It's just I really don't know much about her . " I sighed , as Kailey nodded . " All I know is she is very much deadly and acts like the world owes her a favor . " I explained. " Jamir doesn't speak on her . He just tells me he trusts her and that's it . " I huffed, losing my appetite all together . " Yes , she rescued Rinda, and Mir and me but what happens when she's tired of us too . "

" I'm sure Mir , would handle that . " added Kailey in a cocky tone . " And you really think he's gonna switch on her just like that ?" I reasoned, snapping my fingers.

" If she switch up first, HELL YEAH . " she stressed, looking at me like I was stupid . " Look Rose, I've known Meanor for a while now and I'm still exactly where your at, when it comes to details from their past . " she explained finishing her food . " Meanor got a lot of respect but I don't know how . She's past excellent at what she does and I don't know how but I do trust her . " she summed up .

" Well wassup with this " Meanor " crap . Whats that about then " I pressed, since finally someone was giving me answers . " Uhm , I think she was in a g**g or something. Thats how she got the nickname. " Kailey shrugged. " It's really not a big deal Lena . " she sighed seeing my face . " Last year, was the most action we've seen in awhile and I have a feeling that came from your past and not hers . " she told me as I sat back . She was right and I wasn't feeling too well about that .

" Ready to go ? " asked Kailey, seeing me no longer touching my food . " Yeah . " I answered . Signaling the waitress, I gathered my things as she approached us . A few minutes later, we paid for our meals and I left her a healthy tip . Since we disturbed the peace earlier.

Once outside, I turned to Kailey and we embraced each other . " I'll see you at the house . " I told her as we separated. " I have to pick up Scilla from karate but then I'll be there. " said Kailey as she departed and I headed for my car .

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Jamir

I took a deep breath before knocking . If I was gonna do this, then I would do it right . The unusual door opened inward as Lupita stepped out . " Jamir ? qué estás haciendo aquí " . She greeted me . Lupita looked healthy . Her hair was completely grey now , more ashy than peach but I don't know much .

" I came to see you actually. " I answered her question . " Can I come in ? " I pressed, tired of being in the hallway. She nodded slightly and stepped to the side . I entered, taking in my surroundings on my way to the living room . I saw Rose's touch all over this place . No more clutter and somewhat decorated .

I took a seat looking over to Lupita . She really was healthier, which made me smile . I thought maybe I pushed Rosalina too hard about patching things up, but it turned out to be good for both of them . I'm glad their relationship was working now, so that they could heal each other .

I do love Rose and I'm here for her, but I can't fix that kind of hurt . There's no woman in this world that could replace my mother, even if I could barely remember her . It's the principle . That woman gave me life . Lupita f****d up horribly , and I didn't expect that to be forgiven, but I know Rose's heart and she will forgive her eventually.

" Is Lena ok ? " she worried out loud, coming to sit across from me . I chuckle and relaxed more on the couch . " No Maam she's good . Swear it . " I told her firmly . She nodded, more at ease now . " Are you thirsty? Can I get you something? " she fussed, trying to be hospitable. I waved her off .

" No thank you I'm ok . I actually wanted to talk to you about Rose . " I stated, stroking my chin . " Oh I see . " she began . " Well , I did want to thank you . For taking care of my baby. " she commented. " You don't have to thank me . I love your daughter . " I confirmed, shrugging .

Lupita started laughing quietly before getting louder . She wiped her tears away as I looked at her like she was crazy . " What do you want Jamir ? " I rose my eyebrow .

" This is the first time you've come to see me by yourself . Despite the fact that Ellaysia was a close friend of mine . " she clarified as I grew rigid, hearing my mothers name . " I know you love my daughter . I've watched you for quite sometime. "

" How long ? " I questioned, sitting up a little straighter now . " Not important. " she dismissed. " You want to marry her don't you ? " she challenged, sitting calmly in her chair .

So maybe it was obvious, my purpose for being here, but there ain't no f*****g way Lupita knew my moves like she claimed . I eyed her, chewing on my response. She waited, so I knew she wasn't gonna continue. " Your right . " I confirmed. " Thats what I'm gonna do . " I told her, making it clear I wasn't asking .

I thought I would come here and make nice, so I could get her blessing, but now I was more interested in her words . Lupita was way out of pocket and I'm still wondering how long she's been watching me .

" You remind me soo much of your father . " she broke the silence leaning forward and sitting up . " So cold and calculating . Vonte' was as smart as they come and he laid his life down for his family . " she went on , staring off . " Would you do such a thing ? " she asked suddenly, but I answered with out missing a beat . " YES , because that's my family . An extension of myself . " I summed .

Lupita smiled, then stood coming over to me . " Of course you can marry her . " she answered, hugging my side . I returned her side hug, and nodded . " Thank you . "

" Take care of my baby Jamir . " she warned, making me chuckle. " Of course . " I responded seriously. I could tell she wasn't trying to tell me more but the conversation wasn't over for me . At least I got what I came for.

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Rosalina

Exhausted, I parked my car in a space and headed up the elevator. Taking it all the way up , I stopped on my mother's floor . I no longer had a problem visiting her, and sometimes I would just come and sit with her . I needed that today, just something simple to take my mind off of my thoughts . I felt like since no one knew the real reason for my moods, I should distance myself a little .

My mother opened the door smiling. " Buenas tardes mamá ! " I greeted her, embracing her in a hug . We spoke in Spanish, as she took me inside . She asked me how I was doing and I told her I was a little dizzy after lunch . We sat together, before she went off to get some tea .

After a moment in the kitchen, Lupita came back with a tray, holding turkey sandwiches, and two tea cups with warm tea . I danced in my seat , making her laugh and shake her head . Snatching a sandwich, I took a huge bite .

I gagged, tasting something horrid on my tongue. Spitting out my half eaten food into a napkin . I looked in my napkin, inspecting my food . I smelled the mustard then, seeing the yellow. Darting to the bathroom, I let out everything I had in me . I felt my mom rubbing my back and holding my hair . I clenched the toilet, hovering over the bowl . I felt horrible as my stomach emptied itself .

Once finished I sat up and she gave me space . Avoiding her eyes, I washed my mouth and left the bathroom. Sitting down , I reached for the tea that sat lonely on the table . With the tray gone, and the lingering smell of air freshener . My mother sat next to me . " Look at me." She practically demanded in Spanish. I faced her " I know what your gonna say . " I began .

" You can't have this baby . " she went on interrupting me . " Baby, look at what's around you. You just reached normal. This will change everything. " she ranted surprising me .

" I think it could be a good thing " I told her shaking my head . " Jamir is great with Scilla, he might even want a baby . " I explained, watching my fingers as I nervously played with them . I might actually be jumping the g*n here, but I love my child already. Mir would too and I was confident in my decision .

" I hope so, because Jamir takes me as a man that does things the right way . The right ORDER . " she fussed being shady . " Like there is a right order . " I rolled my eyes . " We love each other, a baby came out of that . " I stressed, getting pissed . " This wasn't planned and my mind isn't on marriage. I just want to be happy . I already know he's mine and I'm not going anywhere soon . " I summed up, deading the conversation .

" Alright. " she conceded, shrugging . I nodded taking my tea cup to my lips . I came here to relax not to stress myself about the unknown. I need those results ASAP, but at this point , it's just to tell him what I already knew . I was pregnant, but I needed to know how far I was before I told him . There is no telling what could happen, since I lost a child before, in a tragic way . I just pray for a stress free and comfortable pregnancy.