Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 109
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🌺 ᴮᵃᶜᵏᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ’ᴸⁱᶠᵉ ᵀⁱᵐᵉ’ᴮʸ ᶜʰʳⁱˢ ᴳʳᵉʸ 🌺
✨ NEW YORK CITY ✨
******
Two weeks later
“I missed you so much,” Joycey said to Ana, as she watched her holding her son in her arms.
“I missed you too,” Ana replied softly, smiling down at the baby.
“He’s so cute,” she added.
“I can’t wait to meet my little ones.”
Ana’s voice was filled with awe as she glanced at the baby sucking his thumb.
Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
“Oh my God, he’s very cute,” she said, tearing up slightly.
Joyce giggled. “I’m sure the little man you’re carrying is going to be even cuter.”
Anna rolled her eyes playfully.
“No, this one is beautiful, I won’t lie. What’s his name? Did you give him one already?”
Joyce nodded proudly.
“His father named him Leroy. I don’t know why he chose that, but it’s stuck.”
“Leroy?” Ana repeated, smiling.
“That’s a nice name.”
She leaned in and kissed the baby’s forehead gently.
The baby was so small, so warm in her arms, and yet his face carried such life and personality already.
Ana studied his eyes dark, curious, alert.
“This one looks like he’s going to be a bad boy,” Ana teased with a grin.
Joycey raised a brow, amused. “Do you think so?”
Ana nodded, her finger lightly brushing over Leroy’s cheek.
“Yeah… he’s got that spark. Mischievous already. Like he’ll be a heartbreaker before he can even walk.”
Joycey laughed. “God help me if he turns out like his father.”
“Too late. He already has his father’s attitude,” Ana joked.
“You can tell just by the way he looks at people like he’s sizing you up.”
They laughed, careful not to wake the sleeping baby.
Ana’s smile slowly faded into something softer.
“I wonder what my babies will be like,” she whispered.
“Will they have Charlie’s eyes? Or my nose? Will they kick the same way once they’re born… or cry differently?”
Joyce leaned in closer, her voice gentle.
“They’re going to be perfect. Because they’ll be loved. That’s all that matters ,not the past, not the pain. Just the love they’re being born into.”
Ana blinked back tears, trying to steady her breathing.
“Holding him… it just hit me,” she whispered.
“I’m going to be a mother.”
Joycey squeezed her hand.
“You already are, Ana. Every heartbeat inside you says so. And you’re going to be a damn good one.”
Ana looked down at Leroy, kissed his forehead again,.
Then glanced out the window.
Mr. Kings stood on the porch, watching through the glass with a proud, soft expression on his face.
“I just hope Charlie stays this version of himself,” Anna murmured.
“Because I need him to be this man. For them.”
Joycey nodded. “He will. And if he doesn’t, you’ve got me. We’ll raise these babies and turn them into warriors.”
The two friends laughed again,.
“I think I have to go now,” Ana said, grabbing her coat.
“I’m heading to the hospital. Charlie’s not feeling well.”
Joyce looked at her, concern filling her face.
“What happened to him?” she asked, her voice low and curious.
“I don’t know exactly,” Anna replied.
“He just said he’s having some cramps in his tummy. It could be nothing serious, but we’re going to the hospital to get it checked. They’ll probably do the first scan there too.”
Joyce stared at her for a moment, thoughtful, then gave a small nod.
“Please keep me updated, okay? Let me know what’s going on. Don’t leave me in the dark with all this. And Ana…” her voice softened, but her eyes were firm, “don’t run away again. I’m warning you.”
Ana gave her a tired but warm smile.
“I won’t. I promise.”
She leaned down and kissed baby Leroy’s soft forehead gently.
“I’ll see you soon, little man,” she whispered, brushing her fingers over his tiny fist.
Joyce watched her with quiet understanding as Anna turned to leave.
******
At the hospital, Anna looked at the doctor with concern etched on her face. “Is he okay, doctor?”
The doctor gave her a reassuring smile.
“Yes, Miss Kings, he’s perfectly fine. The cramps were most likely caused by something he ate either something his stomach didn’t agree with or a mild allergy. Nothing serious. He just needs a bit of rest and to avoid that food again.”
Anna nodded in relief, her eyes shifting to Mr Kings,.
Who was watching her with a soft smile.
“See? I told you I was fine. We didn’t have to rush to the hospital,” he said, voice gentle.
“I was worried,” Ana replied, eyes narrowing slightly.
“You were hunched over in pain. What was I supposed to do? Sit and watch?”
“Baby, I’m fine, okay?” Mr. Kings repeated, reaching to squeeze her hand.
“Maybe it was just the croissants or something in that weird sauce. Next time I’ll be more careful.”
Ana rolled her eyes but smiled.
“Whatever. Thank you, doctor.”
“You’re welcome,” the doctor said kindly.
“I’ll have the nurse bring the pills he needs. If the cramps return, you can come back, but like I said, it’s nothing to worry about.”
Ana nodded again, standing with a little effort.
Mr. Kings was already on his feet, helping her up and holding her close.
“Thank you, sir. I’ll take care of him,” Ana said sincerely.
The doctor chuckled, glancing at her round belly.
“Looks like you’ve got your hands full already. That little one looks like they’re about to pop out anytime now.”
” Very soon” Ana said.
“Well then, get ready. Parenthood is around the corner,” the doctor replied, smiling before walking away.
As they exited the hospital, Anna leaned into Mr Kings.
“I was so scared. I thought something serious happened… that I was going to lose you.”
“Baby, it was just cramps. Not like I was dying,” he said with a teasing tone.
“But people can die from cramps. Or at least from what causes them,” she argued softly, rubbing her belly instinctively.
He pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders protectively.
“You don’t need to worry, okay? I’m fine. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Ana looked up at him with a quiet smile, just about to reply when her eyes caught someone familiar approaching.
Her smile faded. “Is that… Fatima?”
Mr. Kings immediately tensed. “What the hell is she doing here?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in months.”
His jaw clenched as he muttered,
“I don’t want to see her. Every time I look at her, I remember what she did. I swear, I feel like strangling her.”
Ana placed a calming hand on his chest.
“Come on, Charlie. You can’t keep carrying that hate. She’s paid for what she did. Three months in jail wasn’t nothing. She’s learned her lesson. You can’t hold on to it forever.”
Mr. Kings didn’t answer His eyes stayed fixed on Fatima, who was now just a few steps away, walking toward them with a cautious expression.
Ana whispered, “Please… just breathe, okay?”
Mr. Kings nodded once, stiffly, but kept his arm firmly around Anna as Fatima approached.
—
“Hi Ana, hi Charlie. Long time no see,” Fatima said with a small smile on her face.
Mr. Kings didn’t return it.
He stood still, jaw tight.
Ana, always the softer one, offered a polite smile. “Hi Fatima, you look nice. I love your your outfit.”
“Thank you,” Fatima replied.
“You look beautiful. The pregnancy really suits you.” Her eyes dropped briefly to Ana’s belly.
Anna smiled again, a bit awkwardly.
“It’s nice to see you, Fatima,” she said, then glanced at Mr. Kings, whose glare could have set off a fire alarm.
He looked like he was about to combust with rage.
“Oh my God,” Fatima muttered under her breath, clearly sensing the tension.
Then she quickly added, “Can we talk? An
na, please… just for a few minutes. I just want to talk to you, that’s all.”
Ana opened her mouth, but Mr. Kings cut in sharply, stepping forward.
“I don’t think this is necessary,” he said coldly.
“You don’t have the right to talk to my wife.”
“I just want to apologize,” Fatima said, her tone desperate.
“That’s all, Charlie. I’m not here to cause trouble, I swear. I’m not here to start anything. I just want a moment with Ana.”
Ana looked up at Mr. Kings, reading the storm in his eyes.
She leaned up and kissed his cheek softly.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ll just hear her out, alright? Just a few minutes.”
Mr. Kings stared at her for a beat longer, clearly struggling, then finally nodded though his eyes never left Fatima.
Without a word, he turned and walked to the car, his fists clenched.
Left alone, Fatima clear her throat nervously.
“I’m so sorry,” she began.
“For the way I treated you before. I was a mess, Anna. I was desperate and jealous, and I acted like a fool. But I’ve let go. I’m done with all of that now. I promise I won’t ever bother you again.”
Ana looked at her in silence, eyes wide.
Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
She hadn’t expected an apology not from her.
“I’ve tried everything to have him, but nothing worked. I’ve given up, Ana. He’s yours now,” Fatima said with a sad smile on her face.
“He loves you, and no one can take him away from you. You’re the only one he cares about. I put in all my efforts and tried everything to win him, but nothing worked. It’s always been you from the start,” she added.
“What do you mean it’s always been me?”Ana asked, confused.
Fatima chuckled softly and looked up at the sky before turning her gaze back to Ana.
“You two met a long time ago. Charlie fell in love with you the first time he saw you. We went to Paris.me, Sam, Joyce, Juliet, Kevin, and Charlie. It was the first time we saw you. Do you remember when you worked at the biggest hotel in Paris?”
Ana nodded slowly,.
Still confused, as Fatima continued.
“Charlie saw you then. He told us about you. I had a crush on him, but he didn’t know. I was so hurt and jealous when I found out he was interested in you. I tried everything to find you. I asked everyone at the hotel about you. Finally, the manager helped me. I watched you the next day. That was the day Charlie said he was going to ask you out.”
Fatima took a deep breath and continued.
“I talked to the manager and convinced him to fire you…”*l
Ana gasped in shock.
She still remembered the day her boss let her go without any explanation.
She had wondered if she did something wrong but now she realized it was all because of Fatima.
“I’m really sorry, Ana. What I did wasn’t right, but I was desperate and obsessed with him. After you left, he tried to find you, but he couldn’t. He eventually gave up because I made sure no one at the hotel told him anything. We went back to New York. He stayed single for a month, then started dating Juliet. I won’t lie I was angry. But then Juliet ran away with Kelvin, and I was happy, thinking he would finally be mine. We dated for two years until you showed up at E.K looking for a job.”
“He recognized you right away. That’s when he started distancing himself from me. I didn’t understand why until I met you at his birthday party. I recognized you instantly and that’s when I knew. You were the reason he pulled away.”
Ana looked at her clearly stunned and shocked.
“But how did you even get involved with Milton?” Ana asked, her voice calm but curious.
Her hand rested gently on her belly. “I mean… there’s this lady I met at a restaurant a long time ago.” She paused.
“She gave me this envelope. Inside, there were so many CDs, videos, photos… and there was one of you. There were so many of you with Milton having s+x and doing all kinds of things.”
She looked directly at Fatima.
“How did you even get involved with him?”
Fatima lowered her gaze, looking embarrassed.
“Well… Milton was just helping me to get to Charlie. He was interested in you, and I was interested in Charlie. So he helped keep you distracted keep you away from Charlie. That’s all it was.”
She sighed and looked back up. “I’m so sorry, Ana. I promise. Everything I did… it was because I was in love with Charlie. People said I was obsessed and maybe I was. Maybe I was desperate. But I truly loved him. I’ve stopped now. I’ve let it all go. I promise I’ll never bother you again. And I’m really sorry I dragged Milton into this.”
Ana studied her for a long moment.
There was no hate in her eyes only calm understanding.
And maybe even… forgiveness.
“I can see you mean that,” Ana said softly.
“It’s okay. I’ve forgiven you, I was never angry with you.And I hope you move on and find someone good. Someone who loves you. Someone who respects you. Someone who sees your worth.”
Fatima’s eyes began to tear up.
“You don’t need to lose yourself chasing someone who was never yours to begin with,” Ana continued.
“Like you said Charlie was never yours. Maybe he was always mine. You tried everything… even before I ever knew about him. And you still couldn’t have him. That means maybe he just wasn’t meant for you. I’m glad you’ve finally let go.”
Fatima smiled through the lump in her throat and gave a tiny nod.
“Can I hug you?” she asked suddenly.
Ana blinked. “What?”
Fatima laughed nervously. “I mean, I don’t like you,” she joked, giggling.
“I just apologized. That doesn’t mean I suddenly like you. But maybe if I hug you, I’ll feel better. I just… I need that. I need a hug.”
Ana chuckled. “It’s okay.”
Fatima stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her gently.
She hugged her tightly, then kissed Ana’s cheek before stepping back with a soft, genuine smile.
“Thank you, Ana. I don’t think I deserve someone like you in my life. But I’m glad Charlie has you. He’s more alive now than I’ve ever seen him. You’re perfect for him. And those babies… that’s all he ever wanted.”
She paused, wiping her eyes.
“You gave him everything. I’m happy for you both. Truly. Goodbye.”
With that, Fatima turned and walked away slowly, her steps light, as though a burden had been lifted.
Ana watched her disappear, a soft smile on her lips.
A quiet peace settled in her chest.
*****
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