Chapter 6...

The Next Morning…

Brianna walked out of she and Nick's bedroom, brushing through her hair. She'd woken up a little later than she planned so she'd rushed her shower and didn't have time to blowdry her hair. She knew Nick was probably up. He always had to be out early. As she expected, he was in the kitchen, making coffee. She slowed her pace when she looked down into the living room. Maya was sitting on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs. Her red curls were a mess and her hazel eyes were tired and misty. Brianna walked quickly down the stairs, immediately concerned.

"What are you doin' up?" Brianna walked over to the couch, kneeling in front of the young girl, brushing her hair out of her face.

"I don't feel good," Maya coughed lightly. Since she was born, Maya had suffered from countless respiratory problems. Her asthma constantly gave her trouble and quite often, that was the least of her worries. Brianna had learned quickly after she started dating Nick just how to take care of the young girl. Even though she almost always knew what to do, she tended to get a little scared when she saw that Maya wasn't feeling well.

"No school, huh?" Brianna felt Maya's forehead.

"I can try," Maya claimed very pitifully.

"You don't have to sweetie," Brianna kissed her forehead. "I'll just take you with me. Come on."

Brianna stood up and Maya stood on the couch, wrapping her arms around Brianna's neck. Brianna lifted her and started making her way toward the stairs.

"You're babying her," Nick called from the kitchen.

"She's sick Nicholas," she turned, smoothing Maya's hair. "What do you want me to do?"

"Cant Gia watch her?" Nick shrugged. "You're always taking her to work when you're home and you don't have to."

"I only take her when she cant go to school," Brianna said defensively. "And maybe Gia doesn't feel like watching her today. I'm not gonna wake her up and ask her at 6 in the morning."

"You know, she is the laziest so called genius I've ever seen," Nick shook his head.

Brianna was thankful that she was holding Maya. If she hadn't been, she probably would have thrown the nearest blunt object at him. She was very sensitive about her sisters. Even the slightest insult set her off. Gia was a student at UCLA. She'd gained entry into the university at the age of 16 because of her high test scores.

She took a deep breath, not in the mood for an argument, "Whatever Nick, I gotta get Maya dressed."

She turned and started up the stairs.

"Bri, wait."

"What?" she turned around angrily.

"I'm sorry I'm acting like this," he ran a hand over his short hair. "It's just that...Carla's visitation is this weekend...You know I get stressed out when that time comes."

Brianna had completely forgotten that Carla had visitation coming up. She softened her expression a little, "I know you do."

"I'm sorry," he said, sincerely. "I love you."

"I love you too," she smiled. Then, Maya started coughing. Brianna turned, trying to get her up the stairs quickly in case she needed her inhaler.

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Jeff felt a little awkward as he and Raquel both sat up in bed. He'd woken up first and she was up a few seconds later. Neither of them had really said anything. He didn't really remember much. He knew he'd had an amazing night but he just..couldn't remember much. Something told him not to drink so much. He got up, finding his boxers on the floor and pulling them on.

"So I should probably get going," he said.

"Yeah that's..that's probably a good idea," she said, running a hand through her hair, holding the sheet up to cover herself. She stood up, wrapping the sheet around herself, her hair flowing in loose waves past her shoulders. She even looked good in the morning. Jeff was impressed. He pulled on his pants and looked around for his shirt. He didn't see it anywhere and then he heard her clearing her throat.

"What?" he looked over at her.

"I think it's..in the living room," Raquel said. "I think."

"Okay," he said, walking toward the door. He could hear her feet padding on the floor behind him. He held the door open and she walked out ahead of him.

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Raquel almost turned and ran back into her room dragging Jeff with her. The second the door opened, the smell of food hit her. She could hear Jeff behind her and she slowed her pace as they approached the kitchen. Troy was standing in front of the stove in a Kiss the Cook apron, making breakfast.

"Hey there," Troy smiled. "About time you two got up."

Oh my God

Raquel glared at Troy but he simply smiled at her.

"Jeff, right?" Troy looked over at him.

"Yeah," Jeff ran a hand through his hair, seemingly searching for a name. "Troy, right?"

"Very good, you get an extra waffle," Troy smiled.

"Waffle?" Jeff looked confused.

"I made breakfast," Troy said. "You two go sit at the table and I'll bring it right over."

"I uh...I don't know," Jeff looked hesitant.

Thank God

"I do..you're staying," Troy said. "I made enough for three people...You don't want it go to to waste, do you?"

"Umm..." Jeff scratched his head, looking over at Raquel.

Raquel pulled the sheet tighter around her, glaring at her cousin, "You might as well stay...Troy's never gonna let it go."

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Brianna looked over at Maya as she stopped at the red light. She seemed to be feeling a little bit better but Brianna was glad she'd kept her with her. As much as they claimed they knew what they were doing, the nurses at Maya's school never seemed to be able to handle Maya's problems. She was constantly being sent home. It was strange to Brianna that she was only 23 and had such responsibility. Maya had practically been her child for the past 8 months and papers were already being drawn up so that she could adopt her once she and Nick were married. She'd always wanted a child, she just never expected the situation she was in. It didn't matter too much though, she loved Maya dearly. The light changed and Brianna drove, turning the radio up a little. She rolled her eyes when her cell phone started ringing.

"Who the hell could that be?" she asked aloud. She winced a little at her choice of words. She really needed to watch what she said around Maya. It was hard though.

"I don't know," Maya shrugged.

Brianna shook her head, Maya had a habit of answering any question posed whether it was rhetorical or not.

"Answer it for me kiddo," Brianna reached into the backseat, pulling the phone out of her bag and tossing it onto Maya's seat.

"Hello?" Maya opened the phone. "Maya, who is this?...Brianna's in the bathroom..can she call you back?...Thank you...Bye."

"What was that?" Brianna laughed.

"It was Jodi," Maya smiled.

"Who taught you to do that?" Brianna smirked.

"Aunt Gia and Aunt Raquel," Maya smiled proudly. "Did I do good?"

Brianna laughed, shaking her head, "Yeah, you did good."

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Noon

John rang the doorbell at Raquel's door and waited. He was expecting to be standing there for at least a few minutes, unless Raquel had changed more than he thought. Much to his surprise, the door opened after a few seconds and Raquel walked out, shutting the door behind her.

"Hey there," he smiled.

"Hi," she said, dropping her cell phone in her purse and zipping it quickly.

"You look exhausted," he commented, pressing the down button for the elevator.

"I am," she sighed, putting on a pair of sunglasses.

"Do I even want to know?" he laughed.

"Well," she sighed. "Before you find out from someone else...I slept with your friend last night."

"Which friend?" John asked.

"You're not funny John," she said. He could tell she was glaring through her glasses.

He laughed, "Okay I'm sorry...So...are you two uh..."

"No," she said quickly as they stepped onto the elevator.

"How do you know what I was gonna say?" he asked. "Maybe I was gonna say young, single people."

"Remember what I said about not being funny?" Raquel asked.

"Okay, okay I'm done," John put his hands up.

"Thank you," she said as they exited the elevator.

"So, how was it?"

"Shutup John."