CHAPTER 2:
Meanwhile, back in the Bronx, more than a month had passed since Chloe and Chicago had given birth to their daughter, Sophie. The hardships of motherhood had hit Chloe very hard since Sophie's birth. Most nights, Chloe was only able to stay asleep for three hours a night because Sophie's feeding schedule kept her awake. So when their alarm clock rang at 6 a.m. on the morning of May 4th, Chloe looked like she had bags under her eyes, while Chicago looked well-rested, like he had slept peacefully. When they were both awake, Chicago kissed his wife good morning.
"Morning, hon," Chicago said.
"Good morning," Chloe said, half asleep.
"You okay?" Chicago asked.
"How do you do it?" Chloe asked.
"Do what?" Chicago asked, confused.
"Sleep through all the crying?" Chloe asked.
"My time in the National Guard made me used to the sound of a hundred men snoring in a barracks. And those guys are much louder than our daughter's crying," Chicago said.
"I just don't get it. I thought it'd be great having a kid of our own. I had no idea it'd be this overwhelming," Chloe said, feeling hopeless and lost.
"It'll be a learning experience for both of us. I'm sorry you've had to go through all the work. I'll do a better job helping you out. Just wake me up when it's my turn," Chicago offered, kissing his wife again.
"I'm so lucky to have you. You know that?" Chloe asked.
"Of course," Chicago said.
Even with Chicago getting up to help, the new parents found it quickly overwhelming them. Unfortunately, both Chloe and Chicago's parents were living in Georgia, and they were unable to make the trip up. So, Chloe put in a call to Jessica and Ashley and asked if one of them could come over to help with the baby. Jessica agreed to come over right away to see what she could do.
Three days later, back at Flo and Esther's apartment, the doorbell rang, and Flo went to answer it. At the door was her brother, Oliver, whom she hadn't seen in years.
"Flo!" Oliver exclaimed.
"Oliver!" Flo exclaimed before the two siblings shared a hug.
"It feels great to finally reunite with you again, sis," Oliver said.
"Likewise, bro. Come on in. We should catch up," Flo said as Oliver sat down on the living room couch.
"I got to tell you, things have been crazy lately," Oliver remarked.
"How so?" Flo asked.
"Well, I was talking to my husband about moving to America so I can spend more time with you. This is his first time in the states, so he's really looking forward to your wedding," Oliver said.
"That's great. Where is he?" Flo asked.
"At our hotel room. Dad told me you lived in an apartment, so we weren't sure if there was room for us to bunk in here," Oliver explained.
"Well, welcome to America. I can't wait to show you two around here," Flo said.
"That'd be awesome. I'll text you where we're staying, and maybe you, me, him, and Dad can all catch up over dinner," Oliver offered.
"That'd be awesome," Flo agreed.
"Great. I'll call you later," Oliver said before heading back to his rental car.
Oliver and his husband Charles had eloped eight years ago. Aside from both of their families, they told very few people about their relationship because they were worried about people not approving. And shortly after they got married, they made the decision not to have kids because they just didn't have the time or money for it.