New Beginnings

Too Early.

I took my shirt off and they took my measurements then when they were done I put my shirt back on. We started designing my outfit.

“What about a baby blue dress?”

“Nothing too sexy because you are carrying a baby and engaged.”

I chuckled.

“The theme is batman.”

“What about a long dress that is grey with a yellow belt. Or something like that?”

“I think you’re onto something.”

“We will get on it right now.”

We talked for a little while longer then they left and I went back to work. I was answering a few emails then I heard the front door open then shut and Apollo start barking. He calmed down after he saw who it was then Tariq walked upstairs with Apollo waging his butt really hard.

“Hey baby.”

I smiled at him.

“Hey.”

He walked around my desk and gave me a kiss.

“What’re you working on?”

“Right now I’m answering emails. We have a shipment coming in today with our coke that we were missing. We have another shipment of marajanna plants coming in tomorrow to start a new grow.”

“Alright.”

“How was work today?”

“s**t. Rodney tried taking over the job knowing that I was running the job.”

“I will talk to him.”

“Not needed. I told him off then made sure everyone was listening to me and not him.”

“Good. I am going to talk to Elijah about getting rid of him. He is no longer needed and was never wanted. We already have all of his contacts in the government and contacts in other countries and they all cannot stand him. But money is money to them so if I offer them a little more than he’s offering and be kind to them, they will more than likely stop helping him and we can get rid of him.”

“Thank god. I hate him.”

“Same babe.”

He kissed me again then walked out with Apollo. I finished emailing a few people then I called Elijah.

“What’s up?”

“So I have been informed that Rodney was just trying to take over Tariq’s job today and he’s been making moves on my job. He thinks that I am not fit to take over because I am a woman and that I’m going to get soft when I have my baby.”

“What do you think should happen?”

“I’ve heard whispers that he was the one who talked to the FEDs and got my site busted. We lost a lot of product and have more on the way. Only two people besides me know where they are coming from and going to.”

“Well are you going to take care of him?”

“I need probable cause first so I have Francis tapping into his phone and computer and monitoring where he’s going and talking too. As soon as he sees something slightly off, I’m killing him.”

“Good.”

“We have everything that he had to offer us. We have his contacts in the government and in other countries. I’ll wave a little cash in their faces and have them work for me and when he’s taken care of, I can put someone else on the board that I know that I can trust.”

“Well you’re going to take over sometime soon. Make sure you trust everyone on your board like I did.”

“I will. Where are you going?”

“Tennessee. Bought a plot of land and my new house is being built right now. As soon as they are done and everything is all good, I’m stepping down and getting out of here.”

“Well good for you. But we are staying in contact.”

“Of course. You’re like a daughter to me.”

“Well you’re also going to be there for me while I raise this baby. I can’t do this without parental support.”

“I know. And when you two are getting married I am going to get my marriage licence and blessing your marriage.”

“You and my nana. She wants to bless it the Wiccan way too.”

“Well we can arrange some things.”

I chuckled.

“I’m going to let you go now. I have to call Francis to see what’s happening.”

“Alright. I’ll talk to you in a bit.”

I hung up then dialed Francis.

“Hello?”

“Hey it’s Sophia.”

“Oh, hey. What’s up?”

“Did you get a message from Cam?”

“I did. I just finished a few minutes ago and I’m going through his messages and deleted history.”

“Thank you. When we take care of him, I want you to take his place on my board. I trust you and I would like to have you work at my side.”

“Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t joke about that. I want you on my board.”

He was silent for a second.

“I found something. ‘Meet me at the Holiday Inn & suites in downtown Chicago tonight. I found new information. Eight o’clock.’”

“When was this message?”

“Today, he just sent it.”

“I’m going to tell Cam. we will have a team waiting for him and whoever he’s meeting. Thank you for this.”

“No problem.”

I hung up.

“CAMERON!”

He came sprinting and so did Tariq with the dog.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but we just got new information, Rodney is meeting with someone at the Holiday Inn & suites in downtown Chicago tonight at eight o’clock. Get a team ready to go and as soon as he enters the room, bust in there. We need to find out who he’s meeting and why.”

“On it now.”

“You’re in charge of the job. Tariq you are meeting with your friend tonight. We need to make him think that we don’t know.”

“I’ll text him.”

Cam walked away texting someone and Tariq walked in then shut the door. He walked over to me then spun me around so I was facing him.

“God you are amazing when you do that.”

“Babe, I am working.”

“I know.”

He made me sit on the desk then started kissing me.

“I’m too pregnant.”

“So? I can bend you over the desk and do it like that.”

He kept kissing me then started kissing my neck. He gave me a few love bites which turned me on. 

“Cam might walk in.”

“Doors locked.”

“But-”

He grabbed my throat then looked me in my eyes.

“Quit talking. Just be quiet and he won’t know.”

He pulled me off of my desk then turned me around he took my pants off then my panties. He pulled his down then put it in. He grabbed my hips then went a little rough. I let a loud moan slip then I bit my lip to try to stay quiet.

“You can’t get loud mamas.”

“I’m sorry.”

He pulled out then cleared a little space on my desk then made me lay down on my back. He put it back in then went slowly and deep.

I moaned, “Oh f**k Tariq.”

He bit his lip then got a little more rough. He went all the way in which made me moan his name again. He went faster and a little more rough and stayed like this for a few more minutes. He started slowing down and came then pulled out. He fixed himself then I got up and put my clothes back on.

“I can’t stand you.”

“Well usually you can’t stand period.”

I got red then turned around. I sat back down and tried pulling myself back together. I finished emailing people back then I made sure that I had nothing else to do today. Once I was done I texted Kyle.

“Hey I have nothing going on today so do you wanna hang out?”

“Once school is over yeah.”

“Okay, I can pick you up.”

“Ight bet.”

I set my phone down then went into the room. I walked into the bathroom and started the water then went back into the room to pick out an outfit. I grabbed a longer black dress that looked like a really long tee shirt. I went back into the bathroom and got undressed then got in the shower. I washed myself of then washed my hair and got out of the shower. 

I got dressed then dried my hair and did my makeup. I walked downstairs and saw Cam arguing with a girl.

“What’s going on?”

Cam turned around then the girl scoffed.

“So you were cheating on me!”

I walked up to them.

“I’m his younger sister.”

“That has a house, pregnant-”

“Look shorty I am not dealing with this right now. I’m at the point in my pregnancy that I just wanna shoot everything that tries to argue with me so I am not the one. Cam is my older brother and is staying with me until you are out of his life completely.”

I slammed the door in her face then turned to Cam.

“She’s a piece of work.”

He started laughing then I went to the kitchen. I reheated a piece of dorito chicken that Cam made a few days ago. I sat down and started eating then Apollo walked over and started begging.

“No Apollo. Go ask Cam for a treat.”

Cam opened the pantry and grabbed one of his treats.

“So I was thinking, can I take him to a dog park?”

“He’s never around other animals.”

“I know. But he’s young still and can be socialized.”

“Who’s the girl?”

“What? What’re you talking about?”

“Because you never think and you never ask to take him to a park randomly.”

“Her name is Iris. She owns an animal business and it comes with a park. I’ve never talked to her though.”

“Why not?”

“She’s different. She’s a good person and I don’t think I’d be good for her.”

I stopped eating then looked at him.

“Holy hell she’s the one.”

“What’re you talking about?”

“You’ve never once said that about a girl. She’s the one that’s going to calm you down.”

He rolled his eyes.

“She’d never be interested in me.”

“Who knows. Take him and talk to her. See what happens.”

He nodded his head then grabbed Apollo’s leash and they left. I finished eating then put my shoes on. I walked outside and locked the door then left. I was on the highway then Tariq called me.

“Hey mamas.”

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Nothing. I was checking on you.”

“Well I’m okay. I’m going to pick up a few friends and we are going to hang out for a few hours then I’m coming home.”

“Alright.”

“Have you met up with your friend yet?”

“I’m waiting for him. He said he was going to be here in a few minutes.”

“Okay, I hope you two have fun.”

“Who knows, we haven’t talked to each other in a long time so I don’t know what he’s like anymore.”

“I’m sure you two are going to get along just fine. You aren’t the same guy either.”

“Well that’s just it. I changed for the better and I have no clue about him.”

“Babe what do I say?”

“Give them a benefit of the doubt. If it doesn’t work out, don’t talk to them again.”

I chuckled.

“I think I see him.”

“Well I love you and I hope that you two have fun.”

“I love you too.”

I hung up then went back to driving. I started getting close to Kankakee then Kyle texted me.

“Are we still hanging out?”

“Yep, I’m on my way there.”

“Okay, just making sure.”

“Yeah I’m sorry. Cam distracted me because he wanted to take Apollo out with him to get this girl he likes.”

“Didn’t he just get out of a relationship?”

“Yep.”

“Wow.”

“Believe me I know. I’ve seen him do this a thousand times.”

“That’s sad.”

“It really is but he doesn’t listen to anyone that has a different opinion than him.”

“Just like you.”

“Not like me. I listen but I know when I’m right and when I’m wrong.”

Mhmm.”

“Hush, I’m going to be there soon.”

“Alright.”

I set my phone down and focused on the road. I felt the baby kick then chuckled.

“Hey, I’m driving. Please don’t kick mommy.”

He kept kicking so I controlled my breath. 

“Baby please, I can’t be distracted right now.”

He kept kicking so I took a breath and focused on driving. I was about to get into Kankakee then he kicked really hard.

“Ow f**k!”

I rubbed where he kicked me then when I stopped at a red light I rubbed my stomach and checked to see how far apart the kicks are and to see if they are contractions. I started driving again then called Kyle.

“What’s up?”

“I don’t know but I think somethings wrong. You’re closer than Tariq is.”

“Yo, breathe. What’s going on?”

“The baby is kicking more aggressively than usual and I think I’m having contractions.”

“Okay, umm, I don’t know what to do or to say so I’m going to ask how close are you to the hospital?”

I chuckled.

“A good thirty minutes. I’m closer to you than the hospital.”

“Okay, hang up and call Tariq because he knows more about what to do than me.”

“He’s with a old friend and I don’t-”

“Sophia do not argue with me. This is serious and he has to know.”

“Alright, I’m calling him now.”

“Good, call me after.”

I hung up then called Tariq.

“Hey baby. What’s up?”

“I think somethings wrong with the baby.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. He’s been kicking more aggressively and I think I’m having contractions.”

“That can’t be right. We have another three months before the baby comes.”

“I know. I’m in Kankakee right now and I’m going to go to the hospital.”

“Why are you in Kankakee?”

“I was going to meet up with a few friends then he started kicking and started causing me to have contractions.”

“Okay, focus on breathing and getting to the hospital. Stay on the phone and we are leaving to meet you at the hospital.”

“We?”

“Yeah my friend said he’s coming too. Morgan said he wasn’t going to leave me high and dry so he’s going to follow me.”

“Okay umm, OW f**k!”

The contraction hurt really bad that time. I started breathing.

“Oh God he cannot be coming right now.”

“How close are you to the hospital?”

“Ten minutes?”

“Can you make it faster?”

“I don’t know but I don’t want to speed.”

“That’s a first.”

“Tariq.”

“I’m sorry! It was just a perfect time for a joke.”

“Yeah well I’m not in a laughing STATE!”

I took a breath. I sped up a little bit more and kept driving to the hospital. I started getting closer.

“Okay, I’m close to the hospital.”

“Okay stay on the phone. Keep breathing and time your contractions. See how far apart they are.”

“I have been. They are five minutes apart.”

“That is really close.”

“I can’t be having the baby. I’m too early!”

“I know but sometimes babies wanna come out early.”

“What if something goes wrong?”

“Nothing will go wrong baby. Just focus on breathing.”

“How close are you?”

“I’m on the highway driving as fast as I can without breaking the law too much.”

“I can’t have this baby without you.”

“You won’t Sophia. I am going to be at your side the whole time.”

I pulled into the parking lot and parked.

“I’m here.”

“Try walking inside. Don’t rush yourself.”

“I know.”

I got out of the car and walked slowly to the main entrance. As soon as I walked in a nurse walked up to me.

“Are you alright ma’am?”

“I think I’m going into labor. I’m six months and twenty two days along.”

“Okay let's get you in a wheelchair. Can you tell me your name?”

“Sophia Marie Jones, born on April thirtieth two thousand and three.”

“Thank you.”

She got me into the back and I got on a bed. They started checking my vitals then the nurse made me breathe with her.

“Do I need to call anyone?”

I handed her my phone to show her that I was on the phone. She started talking to Tariq then she nodded her head.

“He will be here soon. We need to get her stable.”

They started taking my dress off and scanning my stomach. She injected me with an IV line.

“Are you allergic to anything?”

“No. I am healthy and so is the baby. I don’t know why he’s coming early?”

The doctor walked in.

“Hello Miss. Jones. Have you been stressed lately?”

“Yes my work stuff and my family.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“My father is dying from cancer and someone is trying to take my job from me. I’ve been finishing school online so I can take care of my baby.”

My contractions started again and this time it really hurt.

“How close are they?”

“Four minutes.”

“You’re going to go into labor. We need to take her into the room now.”

“Not without Tariq.”

“Who’s that? The father?”

“Yes, I can’t do this without him.”

They looked at each other. 

“As soon as he gets here we will bring him back with you.”

“His name is Tariq Brown. Six foot four black male with a lion tattoo on his left arm and a ‘King of Hearts’ tattoo on his right wrist.”

“Alright.”

They brought me back and started prepping me. I handed the nurse my phone again.

“Password is one- one- eight- zero. Call ‘Kyle’ and tell him where I am.”

“I will.”

“Thank you.”

They took me into the main room then started prepping.

“Do you want to be sedated?”

“Yes.”

“Are you allergic to anything?”

“No.”

“Alright.”

They put the sedative in the IV line in my arm. 

“Alright, I’m going to need you to start pushing.”

The nurse grabbed my hand and I squeezed as hard as I could. I started pushing then the doctor nodded his head.

“Good, good. Just like that. Give me another big push.”

I pushed again and it hurt so badly. I kept going for fifteen minutes then I saw Tariq sprinting into the room.

“Hey baby, I’m here now.”

He took over from the nurse and held my hand.

“Keep going Sophia, you’re almost there.”

“You said that ten minutes ago!”

Tariq chuckled.

“Baby calm down. Breathe with me.”

He looked me in my eyes and started breathing slowly. I breathed with him then pushed again.