CHAPTER 74:
Several more weeks had since passed. It was now July 22nd and Nikki had surprisingly decided to continue on with her pregnancy…for now. AJ was standing in the living room of Roman's apartment in Pensacola as Tamina was visiting. "Girl I still cannot believe that you're 20 weeks along already and you still can't tell the damn sex of the baby" Tamina joked. AJ smiled. "Yep I'm halfway there already. Besides Leati and I wanna keep it a surprise until they're here" she said while folding some of her clothes into her suitcase. She was wearing a bright yellow and light pink floral dress. Her growing stomach was glowing as well as her face.
"What's with the flops?" asked Roman as he stepped out of the bathroom after spraying it with aerosol. "It's the only thing that's comfortable for me" said AJ. "Given that my feet are always so swollen". "Hey Yo Joe, will you please tell me what you guys are having?" asked Tamina. "How can I tell you if I dunno" said Roman. "Crap. I was so close" said Tamina. "Keep trying" said AJ. "You only have what another 20 more weeks to go and if you be promise to be really patient, I'll let you feel their kicking me".
"I promise" Tamina teasingly said as she placed her hands on AJ's stomach. "Wow, that's quite an athlete in there" she said. "Yes I know" said AJ. "And the fans? They have gone crazy since my announcement a few weeks ago". "And it's true" said Roman as he took a seat on the couch. "Her Instagram follows has so far grown from 150K to 3 million". "See I told you it was a good idea to get that IG" said Tamina. "Yes Tamina you have convinced me well" said AJ. "I'm glad that you guys are getting along so much better lately" said Tamina. "Well we have a wonderful marriage counselor to think for that" said Roman.
"I still can't believe that you guys are flying into Tampa tonight just for that mediation" said Tamina. "Well we all gotta discuss possible custody issues and child support" said AJ. "So does that mean Nikki is coming?" asked Tamina. "Yeah" said AJ. "How is she doing?" asked Tamina. "I have no clue" said AJ. "We haven't spoken in weeks. Not to mention she still hasn't announced her pregnancy". "Yeah I was told by Brie that she isn't until September to make sure that everything is ok" said Roman. "You speak to Nikki?" asked AJ.
"Yeah that's not a problem right baby?" asked Roman. "No, no of course not. I'm just surprised that's all" said AJ. "Yeah well at least that means that she doesn't hate me anymore" said Roman. "Yeah" said AJ. "So what time your flight leaves?" asked Tamina. "4" said AJ. "We'll be getting there by 6:45 and our meeting with our lawyers is at 9am". "Damn that is so early" said Tamina. "Yeah it is" said Roman. "And our lawyer is meeting us there so that's more money". "How much?" asked Tamina. "It's running us so far about 85 grand" said AJ. "But me and Roman are splitting the costs".
"That's fair" said Tamina. "Yeah it is trust me" said AJ as she zipped up her luggage. "So how's the family taking this so far? Is it any better?" asked Tamina. "No not really" said AJ. "My siblings Erica and Richard are completely fine with it, it's just my parents who think that I'm throwing my life away". "I'm so sorry girl" said Tamina. "Thank you" said AJ. "I mean they completely forgotten the fact that I'm 27-years-old and I'll make a great comeback". "So when exactly are you coming back?" asked Tamina. "March" said AJ. "Or whenever Stephanie says I even can". "Of course you can" said Roman. "Yeah and that's another reason why my parents have bailed on me" said AJ. "They think that I won't be making any good money anymore".
"They are tripping" said Tamina. "You've been doing endorsements for that fit pregnancy website and that's paying you." "Yeah I get $32,000 but it's of course better than nothing" said AJ. "I'm using it for the baby's college fund". "That's very good of you to do so" said Tamina. "I'm still saving for my kids". "Does it get any easier after this?" asked AJ. "Nope" said Tamina. "I think pregnancy is the easiest part". "So…did it hurt…a lot?" asked AJ. "Did what hurt?" asked Tamina. "I think she means the actual process" said Roman. "Oh that" said Tamina. "It's best you not worry about these things. Besides the doctor already told you since you were in shape and still are that it could actually help".
"Well thank you for being honest" said AJ. "It'll be ok" said Roman. "How do you know?" asked AJ. "Had you ever had a watermelon come out your lemon?" Roman and Tamina stared back at AJ with confused looks. She sighed. "I'm trying not to curse so much around the baby now that they can hear me now" she said. "Ah we get it now" said Roman. "Yeah and that shit's completely going out that window when you're in labor" said Tamina. "Tamina!" said Roman and AJ at the same time. "What I was only being truthful" said Tamina. "We know" said AJ. "Come on let's go get lunch" said Roman. "Bullet's all walked and everything".
AJ glanced at her watch. "Yeah we can since its 1 already. Your mom will be here at 5?" "Yes" said Roman. "I'll help you with your bags" said Tamina. "Thank you a lot I really appreciate it" said Roman. "It's no problem" said Tamina as she helped everyone out of the house.
Meanwhile, Nikki sat back in the living room of Brie and Bryan's house enjoying her burger from McDonalds when the two entered into the house with their groceries. "Nicole!" Brie shouted. "What are you eating?" "A burger and fries" said Nikki. Brie quickly placed her groceries onto the table. "Nicole what did I tell you about that stuff. None of it is good for you or the baby" said Brie. "Jeez Brianna so I had a fucking craving big whoop!" said Nikki. "Besides I got tired of all the organic shit I've been eating around here. I just wanted some real food". "Ok that is my cue. Come on Josie" said Bryan as he walked out of the living room.
"Look Nikki what we cook around here is real food. That-that what you're eating right there is nothing but byproduct, food coloring, hormones, and God knows what else" said Brie. "For all we know it might not even be real. Don't you remember seeing that movie 'Super-Size me'?" "I said I had a craving" said Nikki. "And for your information the baby's fine. I'm 12 weeks tomorrow". Brie took a seat next to her sister. "Ok" she said. "So that I take it that you won't be having the stew I'll be making tonight?"
"No" said Nikki as she shook her head. Brie sighed. "I just worry about you Nikki" she said. "I worry because Bryan and I are getting ready to go on tour for the next two weeks in the East Coast. Can you handle yourself alone here?" "Yeah mom" said Nikki sarcastically. "Speaking of mom did you talk to her about this yet?" asked Brie. "Yeah I kind of had no choice" said Nikki. "In case you're wondering around here I'm getting bigger by the day, not to mention Dr. Stewart is highly recommended that I talk to her about it".
"That's good" said Brie. "Yeah" said Nikki. "Anyway she says that she's really happy, her and JJ but they still worry about me". "They are because they're your family" said Brie. "Our family". Nikki reached into her bag to pull out her bag of fries. "See I remembered to go small" she said. This caused Brie to chuckle. "So when's your next ultrasound?" "4 weeks" said Nikki. "The doctor told me that everything is ok in there so far and that I'm due on February 6th". "That's amazing" said Brie. "So are you ready for tomorrow?" "Not really" said Nikki. "But the doctor said I should do everything in my power to keep my stress levels low since she said that the baby can feel what I feel".
"She told you right" said Brie. "So when are you planning on going public again?" "Not until September" said Nikki. "I think I wanna wait to see what it is and I can next month, by my next appointment actually". "Aww I hope it's a little girl" said Brie. "Me…too" said Nikki. "You sound so unsure" said Brie. "I just want the baby to be John's" said Nikki. "That's all". "I know" Brie said seriously. "I know". Nikki stood up. "Well I guess I better get going" she said. "But why it's only noon" said Brie. "My flight leaves at 2" said Nikki. "The mediation is tomorrow at 9am". "I'll drive you" said Brie. "Thank you" said Nikki. "I'd like that". The two sisters left the house towards the airport.