I AM BACK! PLEASE READ THE NOTE
NOTE: I decided to rewrite this chapter because it was just…bad, and actually really rushed. I couldn't read it without cringing. However, I'm obviously not going to make you guys wait forever just to have a rewritten chapter, so you get two chapters. You're welcome.
So here are the changes I made:
More dialogue between Cindy and Jazzy
Huey is still struggling to accept Jazmine and Caesar
Jazmine and Caesar have a moment
Jazmine questions her feelings for Caesar.
Jazmine Dubois wasn't ready for this.
Two days. She had to be away from her little girl for two whole days. She had never been away from her longer than that. Hell, she had never been away from her longer than a day. Lela had never left her side since birth. Huey had asked Jazmine if he could have Lela for the weekend. Jazmine allowed it since Huey deserved to spend some time with his daughter. But it was difficult for her to just drop her baby off and leave for a couple of days. Jazmine sat at the table, starring into her mug. Her best friend, Cindy, noticed her distress from the couch.
"Jazzy, it's just two days," Cindy reassured.
"I know." Jazmine groaned and put her head on the dining room table. "I have never away from my baby that long." She then lifted her head from the table. "What am I supposed to for two days? Not be a mommy?"
Cindy snapped her fingers. "That's exactly what you do! Take the mom hat off. I would kill to have two days away from my wild child. Shit, you think Huey would take Justin too?" She joked.
"Take the mom hat off?" Jazmine wondered. "What do people without kids do again?"
"Shit girl, I don't know." Cindy gasped. "I remember being pregnant 9 months, me being paralyzed from the waist down because that damn epidural struck a nerve, staying up with a newborn, puke, changing diapers, potty training, and now I am starting over again." Her eyes widened. "God damn it! What was I thinking of having another baby!?"
Jazmine laughed at her best friend, resting her arm on the back of the dining chair. "See, you are just like me."
"Nah, there is a huge difference between us." Cindy pointed to her pregnant belly. "I am 9 months pregnant. My ass can barely get off the couch. You, however, are going to be child-free for the weekend. "Cindy's face lit up when an idea popped into her head. "Maybe you can stay at Caesar's house for the weekend." She suggested.
"Oh, I don't know." Jazmine blushed. "Caesar's house? The whole weekend?"
"Come on Jazzy." Cindy sighed. "When was the last time you got some action?" She asked. Jazmine stayed silent. "Let me guess, since you and Huey?" Cindy raised hey eyebrow. Jazmine still did not answer. "Girl, you haven't had a dick in four years!?"
"Is it that bad?" Jazmine asked hesitantly. "Look, with school, work, and raising a kid, sex has not really been on my mind. I mean- it has been on my mind, but I'm not the type of girl to hook up with someone."
"I get it Jazzy, but you have a man now," Cindy said. "Not just a man, you're with Caesar. Who happens to treat you way better than Huey did?" Cindy added.
"Well, yeah," Jazmine admitted. Caesar and Huey may be best friends, but they were two different people. Huey was cold, rational, intelligent, and seemed to lack any emotion. Though Jazmine was the only one to see a vulnerable side of Huey. Then there was Caesar. He was charming, optimistic, funny, and was not afraid to be emotional around anyone. Caesar called her cute pet names, never hesitated to show affection towards her, and always made her smile and laugh. It took months for Huey to even hold her hand.
"Jazzy, you deserve a little alone time with Caesar, even if you don't go all the way," Cindy said. "You guys don't get a whole lot of time to hang out alone together. Either you guys have school and work, or we all hang out together."
"But Cindy, you could give birth any minute now." Jazmine worried. "Wouldn't it be better to stay here- "
"Riley is off this weekend." Cindy cut her off. "Besides, Caesar's apartment is ten minutes away from here. I doubt I will go into labor this weekend, but if I do, you will be able to get here in time to watch Justin. Or I can call your mom."
Jazmine bit her lip softly and picked up her phone. "I guess I could call Caesar and ask if it's okay."
"Put the phone on speaker so I can hear!" Cindy yelled from the couch she was laying on. Jazmine rolled her eyes and pressed the speaker button. The phone rang a few times before Caesar picked her up.
"Hey, baby girl." Caesar greeted. It took Jazmine everything not to squeal and become giddily. Huey never called her cute nicknames.
"Hey, babe," Jazmine said as she twirled one of her curls. "Are you busy this weekend?"
"I actually just off work early, and I am of the rest of the weekend."
"Well, Lela is going to be spending the weekend with her daddy. So I was wondering If I could stay at the weekend at your apartment?" Jazmine asked hesitantly.
Caesar was silent for a moment before answering. "Yeah, if you want."
Jazmine giggled to herself. He sounded a little flustered but was trying to cover it up. "Okay. I'm leaving around 5:00, it should take me 30 minutes to get there and back. So I will probably get there around 6."
"Okay, sounds good babe. I'll see you then."
"Bye babe." Jazmine hung up the phone.
"Guess you're spending the weekend with Caesar. He finna get some WAP!" Cindy snickered.
"Cindy!" Jazmine gasped, with a horrified look on her face. She then stopped and thought about it. "Well, maybe." Jazmine got up from the table. "It's 4, so I should go pack our stuff up." Jazmine went upstairs to into Lela's room. She grabbed Lela's overnight bag and started packing it. Jazmine placed extra clothes, pajamas, pull-ups, her toothbrush and toothpaste, a couple of her stuffed animals, and a first aid kit in case she got hurt. Jazmine went into her room and packed her clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, and her hair products.
"Lela, Come here please!" Jazmine called. She heard the tiny footsteps patter towards her room.
"Yes, mommy?" Lela asked. Jazmine patted her bed.
"Come here so mommy can do your hair."
"Okay," Lela said and sat on her bed. Jazmine brushed her hair out and put her hair into four cornrows. Huey wouldn't have to worry about doing her hair all weekend. Once Jazmine was finished with her hair, it was time to drive to Baltimore.
"Go get your shoes on baby," Jazmine instructed. Lela ran off and got her princess and the frog sketchers. Jazmine slipped them on her feet and strapped them. She then got up and slipped her black Adidas on. "You ready to go, baby?"
"Yes!" Lela cheered. Jazmine held Lela's hand and walked her down the stairs and to the front door.
"Cindy, we're leaving!"
"Okay, have a good weekend, girls!"
It had been 30 minutes and Jazmine was finally in Baltimore. Now Jazmine actually liked Baltimore. She loved the city life, the tall building, food trucks, and the fun things to do there. However, she hated driving through Baltimore. Parking was atrocious, people did not know how to drive, and the traffic was awful. She was thankful Lela was asleep so she didn't hear the abundance of swear words that came from her mouth. Jazmine parallel parked in front of Huey's apartment. She looked over to her sleeping daughter. Lela was a good kid, she rarely threw temper tantrums and was an obedient child. But all that was thrown out the window if you woke her up while she was asleep. Jazmine knew that Huey's apartment was on the 3rd floor. There was no way Jazmine was going to carry her all the way up there. She had to wake her up.
Jazmine got out of the car and walked to the back seat of her car. She unbuckled Lela and shook her softly to wake up. "Wake up honey. We're at daddy's house."
"No." Lela whined. Jazmine sighed and picked her up out of her car seat. She bounced her up and down to try and wake her up. After a few minutes, she placed Lela on her feet. Lela immediately started crying.
"What baby?" Jazmine asked as she grabbed Lela's overnight bag from her car.
"Carry me!" Lela cried and held her arms up.
"No baby, you're too big for me to carry," Jazmine explained calmly.
"CARRY ME!" Lela stomped her foot. Jazmine could just feel the parental judgment for the people around her. Jazmine groaned and picked her up her crying child. Lela's still did not stop crying despite getting what she wanted. Then again, she was still a toddler. Jazmine just hoped the people in the apartment tolerated kids.
Jazmine carried her crying child into the elevator. She rocked her back and forth, trying to stop her child's crying. "Lela, please," Jazmine begged as she bounced Lela up and down. Maybe Cindy was right about taking off the mom hat for the weekend. Once the elevator reached the 3rd floor, Jazmine walked the hallway to find which apartment number was Huey's. Huey met them in the hallway when she was close to his door.
"What is all of that?" Huey asked, referring to his daughter's temper tantrum. Lela reached out to her father, and he carefully took her from Jazmine's arms.
"Just woke up from a nap." Jazmine sighed. Huey could just see the frustration on Jazmine's face. He looked over at his daughter, who was finally starting to calm down.
"I heard you all the way from down the hall." Huey scolded her.
"I'm sorry daddy." Lela sniffled. Huey softened up and patted her hair.
"Anyway, here is her bag." Jazmine handed him her bag. "She has pull-ups, extra clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, first aid kit. Her bedtime is 8, but don't give her any water before bed or she might have an accident- "
"Jazmine, I got this." Huey cut her off. He understood she was worried, but did he not think he was capable of not taking care of his kid? "I bought her some pull-ups, a toothbrush, and some extra clothes for her to keep here."
"Oh," Jazmine said. She was quite impressed that Huey went out and bought some stuff for her daughter. "Well alright."
"So, you have any plans this weekend?" Huey shifted the subject.
"I'm staying for the weekend with Caesar," Jazmine said cautiously.
"Oh," Huey replied. Though he did not show it, Jazmine knew that Huey hated that she was with Caesar now. She did not exactly blame him, as she would probably be pissed if the roles were reversed. "Well, have fun."
Jazmine smiled at him. "You have fun with Lela."
"I can drop her off on Sunday, that way you won't have to come all the way out here again," Huey said.
"Okay, sounds good." Jazmine leaned over and kissed Lela on the cheek. "Love you, Lela Rose. Be good for your daddy. "
"I love you too," Lela said quietly.
"You two have a good weekend," Jazmine said as she walked off. Huey sighed and brought her daughter inside. The thought of Jazmine and Caesar staying the weekend together made Huey uncomfortable. The two were starting to get serious with each other. Assuming Caesar didn't fuck things up, marriage was even a possibility in the future. Caesar had been wanting Jazmine since 9th grade. The only time he didn't want Jazmine was when he was with Diamond. Caesar and Diamond would probably be together still if she didn't move across the country. Then again, he would still be with Jazmine if he didn't go and leave her like that.
That was one thing Huey could never admit to anyone but himself. He wanted Jazmine. She was a once in a lifetime girl and his dumb ass let her slip through his fingers. Jazmine understood him unlike anyone else in his life. But he knew he didn't deserve to have her back. He broke her heart into millions of pieces, to the point he could never put them back. He could apologize and beg for her back until he was blue in the face and he still wouldn't get her back. All he could do was hope that Caesar treated her like royalty.
"Daddy?" Lela tugged on her father's shirt.
"Hm?" Huey snapped out of his thoughts. "Sorry baby. Daddy was thinking."
"I'm hungry," Lela said.
"Here, I can fix us up some dinner," Huey said and brought her into his apartment.
Jazmine sat in the front seat of her vehicle. She had been parked in front of Caesar's apartment for a few minutes but did not have the courage to go in. When she told Huey that she was spending the weekend with Caesar, she could see the hurt deep within his eyes. He hid his feelings well, but Jazmine could always read him. She also felt a little guilty. Caesar was Huey's best friend, so seeing him and Jazmine together was probably not easy for him. Jazmine would feel the same way if the roles were reversed. Then again, Huey would rather become a conservative than date Cindy.
Jazmine took a deep breath. She knew that Huey wants her to be happy more than anything. She felt like she hit the jackpot with Caesar. He was loyal, understanding, sweet, her mother loved him, and her father even started calling him future son-in-law. His gorgeous smile practically gave her life. Every time he complimented her, she was on cloud nine. But deep down, she felt that was missing something.
Jazmine brushed off the feelings she had before and finally got out of her car. She should not be thinking about Huey Freeman right now. She was going to have an amazing weekend with her amazing boyfriend. At least, that is what she convinced herself. She walked up the steps and rang Caesar's doorbell. Caesar was there within a few moments.
"Hey, pretty lady." Caesar grinned, looking up at her up and down.
"Hey." Jazmine blushed as she tugged on one of her curls.
"Come on in, dinner is on the table," Caesar said, moving out of the way. "I figured you would be hungry from that long drive to Baltimore."
"I am," Jazmine said as she walked in. "What's for dinner?"
"Well." Caesar closed the front door and made his way into the dinner table. "I was going to cook for us, then I remembered I can't cook. So I ordered Chinese instead." He chuckled.
"That's fine. You know I am always in the mood for Chinese food." Jazmine snickered.
"Phew, I knew you would like it." Caesar sighed with relief. "Anyway, sit down Queen." He then pulled out a chair for Jazmine to sit in. Jazmine gave him a smile before sitting down. Even the little things he did make her heart flutter. Though it felt more like a butterfly with a broken wing, trying to fly again.
Caesar sat down across from her. He grabbed his chopsticks and immediately started eating. Jazmine watched as Caesar used his chopsticks perfectly. She did not understand how Caesar could use them without dropped his food everywhere. Huey tried to teach her how to use chopsticks back in high school. Jazmine gave up after an hour of practice.
I could never figure out how to use chopsticks." Jazmine commented.
"It took me forever to figure out how to use these things. Though try hard Huey figured it out in a day." Caesar joked.
"Of course he did." Jazmine rolled her eyes playfully. "He is a man of many skills."
"Speaking of Huey, how is he doing? After the whole Zhara thing went down?" Caesar asked.
"He seems to do alright." Jazmine assumed. "In fact, I would say he is doing better without her. It was not obvious to everyone else, but I could tell he was anxious around her."
"I noticed that too." Caesar agreed. To everyone else in Woodcrest, Huey Freeman was stone cold. He never laughed, smiled, or even cheered in his life. He was either silent or violent. Then there was Caesar and Jazmine. They were the only two who could get inside Huey's mind. They were the closest to him, so they could recognize Huey's feelings through his body language or even the look in his eyes. "I don't know why he kept her around so long."
"Guilt," Jazmine said. Caesar raised an eyebrow at her. "Zhara opened up to Cindy and me about how all her past boyfriends cheated on her."
"No surprise there," Caesar mumbled. He looked up to see Jazmine giving him the stink eye. "I mean, oh no, how terrible. Men are trash."
Jazmine shook her head and continued with the story. "I guess he did not want to break her heart again. Though she ended up screwing herself over in the end."
"Yeah, though her hiding the baby pictures did not surprise me. Though Aunt Cookie being the mastermind behind the whole story…damn. I thought she was a nice old lady."
"Aunt Cookie? Nice? Caesar, you do realize she hated you too, right?" Jazmine asked.
"Well yeah. I don't know what I did for her to dislike me." Caesar pondered.
"You broke her rental car window with your soccer ball in 11th grade." Jazmine reminded. "Mr. Freeman had to pay to get it fixed. "
"Oh yeah, I remember that." Caesar chuckled. "Good times, Good times!"
"At least YOU have a reason to be disliked! She has hated me since day one! I've been nice to her since the day I met her!" Jazmine exclaimed.
"Because she grew up to be a fat, ugly, bitter old Karen. She's just jealous because she did not turn out to be a Queen like you" Caesar complimented.
Jazmine felt another blush heat up her face. "You're the sweetest, you know that."
"I know I am." Caesar smiled at her. "So, the drive to Baltimore? "
"Awful." Jazmine shook her head as she ate. "Don't get me wrong, Baltimore is a fun city to hang out in. But the traffic is terrible and the lack of parking is worse. Mind you, I almost got hit twice on the way over there. City life is not for this girl."
"See, I am a total city guy." Caesar leaned back in his chair and made a sign with his hand. "Brooklyn baby!"
"I know babe." Jazmine giggled. "You have been talking about Brooklyn since we met…like 11 years now?" She joked. Caesar shook his head.
"Nah, I am going to take you and Lela on a trip to New York. Show you a real city."
"As long as I don't have to drive, I'm in."
"Then I guess we have a trip to plan." Caesar reached over and held her hands.
Jazmine's face lit up. "Really? A family trip!" Jazmine went on and on about how much she has wanted to go on a family trip with Lela. Her parents never really did that kind of stuff. Unless they were out of town to visit family, but that always ended up with them arguing over directions. She continued to talk until she realized Caesar's face turned pale. "Caesar, what's wrong?"
"You said…family," Caesar spoke softly.
"Well, yeah! That doesn't weird you out, does it?" Jazmine frowned. "You have always been a father figure for Lela, and even treated her like she was your daughter. So I have always kind of considered you apart of my family… I mean, I don't know since we're dating…" Jazmine's facepalmed. "That came out wrong! I mean- "
"Jazmine." Caesar interrupted her. "It's okay, I get what you're trying to say. In fact, I have considered you two families as well. After all, I am Lela's Godfather. She brought out my inner dad. But…" He trailed off. Jazmine looked at him, signaling him to continue.
"What if we break up?" Caesar sighed. "I know we should not be talking about this over our "romantic" dinner, but would we still be a family if that happened? Lela has been in my life since the day she came home from the hospital. I can't begin to imagine my life without her."
Jazmine squeezed his hand tightly. She actually thought it was sweet that Caesar was so considerate about Lela. "Caesar, I understand what you're saying. So, I'll make a promise to you." Jazmine took a deep breath. "If we break up, which I hope we don't, I will still let be involved with Lela. You were her Godfather before you were my boyfriend, and I know she would be sad if I removed you from her life. But you need to promise me that you won't walk out on her either."
"Jazmine, I would never dream of breaking up with you or walking out on Lela. You two are the most important women in my life…. next to my mama." Caesar joked. He then got up and walked over to Jazmine. She got up and wrapped her arms around him. Caesar wrapped his arms around her waist, swaying with her. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face and kissed her passionately. Jazmine returned the kiss and slid her fingers through his long dreadlocks. Caesar pulled away and looked her in the eyes.
"I love you, Jazmine Dubois," Caesar said softly. "I've loved you since we were in high school."
Jazmine's whole body froze. She never expected to hear the words "I love you" from a man ever again. She used to love hearing Huey tell her that. It made her whole world turn. But that was four years ago, and it was the first time she has heard those words since then. Did hearing Caesar say it make her feel the same way? Honestly, no. It made her feel a different way. She could not exactly figure out what that feeling was, but it was enough for her to ignore whatever it was.
"I love you too, Caesar." Jazmine smiled at him. Did she actually mean that? Well, she thought she did. Or maybe she never really knew what true love was. With her parent's fake relationship and Huey leaving her, it was hard for her to figure out what love truly felt like.
Caesar had gone back to kissing her. Kissing gradually became more intense, the next thing that happened was they were naked under the sheets. Jazmine peaked over at Caesar, who was fast asleep. The sex was not bad. In fact, Jazmine thought it was fantastic. Caesar was able to satisfy her. Though that secret feeling that she tried to hide was slowly returning to the circus. Jazmine slipped out of bed and grabbed one of Caesar's t-shirts. She made her way down into her bathroom. She put the toilet lid down and sat on the toilet.
Jazmine ran her fingers through her messy hair. Caesar was an amazing boyfriend. He treated her with respect, was kind to her, was there for her when she needed him, the gifts, his relationship with her family. She couldn't ask for anyone better. She was happy with Caesar...but
She missed him.
The man who stole her heart and broke it; Huey Freeman. She missed his touch, his lips, the stupid fights they would have, how they would make up, how they frustrated each other all the time, the kisses in the rain they had. They both drove each other insane. But that was how Jazmine loved him. That was the way he loved her.
"Damn it, Huey." Jazmine sobbed quietly, crunching her curls in her hand. "Why did you have to leave? Do you realize what we could have been if you stayed? You idiot!"
Huey was laying down in his bed. It was 2 a.m. and he could not sleep. The thoughts of Jazmine kept playing in his mind. Jazmine, the love of his life, was with another man. Not just any man, his "best friend". It took every muscle in his body not to strangle Caesar. Huey hated feeling this way. Jazmine was a grown woman who had the right to date who she wanted. He did not want to sound like he was territorial over her, as he was not that kind of man. But seeing the love of his life with another man just hurt Huey. Especially when that man was his "best friend".
Huey turned onto his side. Every day, he asked himself why he left. Why did he hurt Jazmine? Why was he so afraid of losing his dreams that he sacrificed his relationship with her and his daughter? Huey never believed in soul mates, until now. Jazmine Dubois was his soul mate. Ten-year-old him could never imagine saying that. But now she was out of arms to reach. If he could turn back time and stop himself from making the worst mistake of his life, he would.
"Jazmine." He sighed to himself. " I am so sorry…"