After everyone said goodnight and went to their rooms, Neron and I were putting the kids to sleep. He sat on the left side of the bed, feeding Junior while I sat on the right side feeding Magdalena. She was beautiful. She still didn’t favor Neron in my opinion, but looks could be deceiving because she was definitely Neron’s daughter according to the DNA test. She stared at me with her huge brown eyes as she smiled with the bottle still in her mouth, exposing her toothless smile. She was adorable as milk ran from the corner of her mouth and down her chin. I giggled at her expression as I grabbed her bib and wiped the milk away. I looked up and saw Neron staring as he rocked his son to sleep.
“You’re so good with her, baby,” he said.
“Thank you. She’s a good baby,” I replied, stroking Magdalena’s hair.
“I love you Kimora and I can’t wait to make you my wife,” he said grinning.
I too couldn’t wait to become Mrs. Kimora Lopez.
I was ready to go back home, I just wasn’t sure how Gabriela was going to take the news of Neron filing for sole custody and he and I getting engaged.
Chapter 9
Gabriela
My baby had been gone for two days and I had yet to hear from Neron. I was upset, worried and pissed off all in one. How the fuck could he just run off with my daughter and not return my calls?
“Calm down, baby,” said Paul as he popped a Percocet.
“Don’t tell me to calm down, Paul. That’s my daughter. I’m worried,” I shouted.
“Here,” said Paul, completely ignoring what I was ranting about.
“I don’t do that shit,” I said tossing the pill back at him.
“You need to relax,” Paul said scooting closer to me on the bed.
He began to massage my shoulders slowly and it eventually calmed me down.
“I don’t want his ass anymore. All I want is for him to pay me and take care of our daughter. I still deserve respect,” I said getting worked up all over again.
Knock! Knock!
“Damn it, man, every time I sit my ass down, I gotta get up for something,” I complained.
“Jose! Jose,” I yelled. “Answer the door!”
Not even a few seconds later, my brother was yelling my name. Paul and I jumped up from the bed and walked towards the front door.
There was an older policeman standing in my front doorway with a mundane look.
“Um—what’s going on?” I asked, scrunching up my face.
“Are you Gabriela Hernandez?”
“Who wants to fuckin’ know?” I replied, getting an attitude.
“Watch your mouth,” said the officer. “Like I said, are you Hernandez?”
“Yes, she is,” said my baby brother.
I sucked my teeth.
“Sign here, please.”
I scribbled my signature and was handed an envelope. The guy scurried off and was gone as quick as he came.
I slammed the front door shut and ripped open the package, unsure of what it was. The boys and Paul stared at me in anticipation of what was in inside. I pulled out the contents, hoping and praying that it was some kind of check or some shit.
“What the fuck?” I yelled.
“What’s wrong?” asked Jose.
I ignored my brother and stormed passed Paul and my brother towards my bedroom.
“Gaby!”
I disregarded Paul calling my name and tossed the documents into the air. I began cursing in Spanish. Paul walked into our bedroom and closed the door. He picked up the documents that were scattered on the floor like confetti and scanned them.
“This is an order of protection?” Paul asked amazed.
I blew air out of my lips frustrated, “No shit, Sherlock.”
I wanted to curl into a ball. I was trying to turn over a new leaf and let Kimora and Neron be and now this? Was this karma?
“The paper says if you do not go to court, the judge can make the restraining order last up to five years without hearing your side of the story. You can’t have any contact with Neron, whether in person by phone, at home, work. You have to have someone else call for you,” said Paul, reading aloud as if I didn’t just scan the shit myself.
“I can’t believe this shit, Paul! I was done messing with them two anyway, but he wants to put me on papers! I can’t wait until he gets served with that child support order,” I yelled.
“Just go to court. Tell your side. Relax,” said Paul, high off the painkiller.
“Really Paul?” I shook my head. “Just got to court,” I stated in a goofy, sarcastic voice. “He has my fuckin’ daughter. I can’t even call him! So, no, I can’t just relax. I’m so mad right now!”
“Hey, sis, here’s the mail,” said Jose, barging into my bedroom.
“Buddy, you should start knocking before you come into this room,” said Paul.
I shot Paul a look and turned my attention back to Jose. “Uh—I’m sorry. I’m not used to anyone else being here, but us,” he said nervously.
“It’s cool, man, I’m just messing with you,” Paul laughed.
Jose excused himself from our room and I tore into Paul.
“Don’t do that! My siblings have been through enough. Don’t do that shit whether you’re joking or not with your high ass,” I said angrily.
“Damn, baby, a nigga’s sorry,” he said throwing his hands up into the air and scooting over to his side of the bed.
I rolled my eyes and sorted through my mail.
“Oh my God,” I said under my breath.
“What now?” Paul asked.
“Neron’s fuckin’ ass is taking me to court for full custody of Mag,” I said taken aback.
“Damn baby.” Paul pulled me into his chest and held me while I began to cry.
It felt as if my world was ending. I loved Magdalena. I wanted to be better than my mom was. I loved my daughter and Neron was taking her away from me as if I was unfit.
“Here,” said Paul. He held out a pill.
Without any hesitation, I swallowed the Percocet without a chaser. I sat my back against my headboard and cried.
“It’s going to be okay,” Paul whispered in my ear.
That was the last thing I remembered until I woke up in the middle of the night. I turned on my lamp, near the bed and eyed the clock. It was almost two in the morning. Everyone was sleeping and Chinese food containers were scattered on our bed. I guess Paul ordered out for the boys. I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and went to check on the boys. Once I noticed that my brothers were sounds asleep, I threw on some jeans and an old t-shirt. I wrapped my hair in a scarf and snuck out of my house.
The sun had completed its tour for the day and the sky was now replaced with many tiny shimmering stars. All walks of life were sleeping. Everything was quiet and peaceful, except my ass. I hopped into my car and sped off like a thief in the night. I was pissed about Neron throwing me on papers. I was supposed to be the one kicking back while he got served with child support papers, not the other way around. That son of a bitch tricked me into taking my daughter! He knew what he was doing when he came over that night. He never intended to bring my daughter back. I hit the steering wheel in annoyance.
“Fuck this shit,” I yelled.
I made my way to Kimora and Neron’s house. Their complex was dead since everyone was sleeping and it was the middle of the night. I parked my car further down from their apartment door and scurried towards Neron and Kimora’s car. I opened Neron’s gas tank, stuck a funnel inside, and poured an enormous amount of sugar into the reservoir. I grinned seeing the tiny crystals falling inside. That’ll teach his ass not to fuck with me. I decided not to mess with Kimora’s car. She could slide for now, but she had another thing coming if she thought she was going to play mama to my damn daughter. Neron wanted to play games, so baby, let’s play.
*
Two days had passed and I didn’t utter a single word to Paul about putting sugar into Neron’s gas tank. I didn’t need anybody knowing I did that
shit. We had just left Renee’s wake and I dropped by to pay my respects. I wasn’t going to her funeral. I couldn’t. I didn’t do well at funerals. Renee looked so peaceful as if she was sleeping in her casket, but I still didn’t want to see her this way. Plus, I hated how our friendship ended. If I could’ve gone back into time, I would’ve made things right with her.
I was no good after the Wake and Paul had to drive. Paul had passed me another Percocet to relax me and I gladly took it. I had been in a depression since finding out that my daughter was with Neron. It hurt to know how that motherfucker had played me to take my daughter. I missed her. I didn’t want to work or eat and I couldn’t sleep. I felt like a piece was missing from me since my daughter wasn’t around and with me.
My phone rang and I noticed it was my boss, Chandra. I blew air out of my lips. I didn’t want to answer, but I hadn’t been to work since I found out about Renee being killed.
“Hello,” I answered sounded weak and defeated.
“Gabriela, it’s Chandra. I just wanted to see how you were holding up. I wasn’t able to make the Wake, but I’m going to the funeral,” she said.
“I’m doing the best that I can. I just left the wake and I’m heading home. I can’t do funerals. I barely got through the wake,” I replied.
“Well, don’t worry about work. You have two weeks of grievance pay.”
“Thank you, Chandra,” I said, feeling relaxed and zoned out.
“Well, I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay, bye,” I replied.
I had hung up before Chandra got a moment to respond. I just wanted to go home and sleep my troubles away.
*
It had been a few days since Renee’s Wake and things still hadn’t gotten easier. I was missing my daughter like crazy. Neron still hadn’t called me. It was now one o’clock in the afternoon and I was still in bed, in my pajamas. I wasn’t motivated.
“Baby, you need to eat something,” said Paul. He walked towards me and handed me a hot plate of pancakes, maple bacon and scrambled eggs.
“Thanks, baby, but I can’t eat,” I said placing the plate on the end table.
“C’mon, just take a few bites,” he pleaded.
“I fuckin’ can’t, Paul!” I grabbed the plate and chucked it towards the wall. “I’m literally sick over missing my daughter.” I burst into tears. “I miss my child terribly!”
Paul sat down next to me, pulled me into his chest, and caressed my back. I just felt like my world was crumbling.
“Well, baby, tomorrow is your court date for visitation, so stay positive. Everything is going to be fine.”
“I hope so,” I said doubtfully.
Chapter 10
Kimora
It felt great to be home! Neron, the kids, and I had landed safely last night in Jacksonville. It was the next day and I was up early. I was so excited to see the house that Neron had surprised me with.
I felt like I was in a dream because he and I were now engaged and were homeowners. I seriously felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“Baby, get up! Let’s go see the house,” I said, smiling excitedly and lightly shaking his body to wake him.
Neron groaned and yawned. “Damn, girl, it’s eight in the morning,” he said chuckling.
“I know, but I couldn’t sleep!” I said beaming.
“Okay, baby, I’m up.” Neron smiled, blowing his hot ass breath on me.
“Thanks, baby,” I said chuckling.
I grabbed my nose with my thumb and pointer finger to block Neron’s breath.
“Aw, it ain’t that bad,” Neron said grinning.
Neron reluctantly got out of bed. I knew he would’ve wanted to sleep longer, but he didn’t fuss about it. We showered, got dressed, and got the kids ready. Within two hours, we were ready to head out the door.
It was May and was beyond scourging hot. It was so humid and hot that when you stepped outside, it felt as if you were being suffocated. There wasn’t a gust of the wind or a warm breeze to cool down. The heat and humidity were so record breaking, one could fry eggs on the sidewalk. We hurriedly strapped the kids into Neron’s car because we already started to sweat. I guess that was my fault for caking on all this lotion before we left the house.
Neron and I eased our bodies into the car and it was even hotter inside. Neron attempted to crank up his car and nothing happened.
“What’s going on?” I asked concerned.
“I don’t know. The shit isn’t cranking,” Neron said, turning the key while trying to start the car.
I opened my passenger door because sitting in a closed hot car was beginning to make me perspire even more. Drops of sweat flowed from my face like tears that would never stop.
“It’s hot and we need to get these kids out of this car. Let’s just take my car and have your car towed. It might be something minor like the battery.” I hopped out of the car.
We grabbed the kids and proceeded to strap the kids into my car. After everyone had been settled, I allowed Neron to drive since he knew where the house was. Thank God that my car cranked perfectly. Neron grabbed his cell phone, called his mechanic, and asked for his car to get towed.
We drove out to Jacksonville Beach and entered a quiet suburban neighborhood. My eyes lit up as if it was Christmas once I saw all the beautiful homes. I couldn’t wait to see which house was ours.
We pulled up to a gorgeous home, surrounded by an array of palm trees. The driveway was huge! There was a three car oversized garage and the outside didn’t do justice. Our home was six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and one and a half bath with a total of four thousand, five hundred square feet.
I jumped out of the car and grabbed Magdalena while Neron grabbed Junior. We walked inside the house and it was so spacious. I had oak tread stairs, a large open kitchen with an island. Our kitchen appliances were top of the line. Everything was exceptionally clean and smelled brand new.
Neron grabbed Magdalena from me since he apparently already seen the house. I took off running like a kid in a toy store. The backyard was so spacious and beautiful with a giant pool occupied with water fountains. There was also a twenty-eight thousand square foot deck. I imagined our kids growing up and learning how to swim in the backyard while Neron barbecued. I was seriously overjoyed.
“You like it?” Neron asked, sneaking up on me.
“Baby, I love it!” I turned around and jumped into his arms.
I kissed him hard and long as he held me up by my ass.
“I love you, Kimora,” he said breaking our kiss.
“I love you too, baby! When can we move in?” I asked.
“We move in next week.”
We had stayed at the house for another few minutes before we decided to go out to lunch. We pulled into Olive Garden and Neron’s phone rang.
“Hello,” Neron said, whipping in and out of traffic. “Say what?”
I glanced at him and saw his jaw tighten and his eyebrow scrunch up. I turned down the radio, to make sure he could hear clearly.
“Okay, well, can you fix it? Okay… cool. Thanks for the heads up,” said Neron, disconnecting the call.
“What’s going on?” I asked concerned. I shifted my body towards him as much as the seatbelt would allow me to.
“There was sugar in my fuckin’ tank. Can you believe that? I know Gabriela did the shit. My mechanic said it was practically a whole fuckin’ bag of sugar inside the gas tank. He said he’d have to remove the gas tank and clean it out. It’s not a difficult task for him but is slightly costly, but I guess it’s definitely better than replacing the engine,” Neron said agitatedly.
I could tell he was pissed off because of the bulging vein on the side of his neck.
“Damn. I can’t wait until we move so that bitch won’t know where we stay. I’ve had it with her. When is court?” I asked.
“Tomorrow, thank God. I can’t wait to be done with her.”
“Are you going to call the police about your car?”
“Well, she didn’t fuck with my shit,” I responded, shaking my head.
“She knew what she was doing,” Neron added.
“I can’t wait until she’s out of our lives.”
I couldn’t wait to move into this house. I was so excited about our new beginnings as a family.
*
It was court day and I was anxious. I tossed and turned all night. I whipped up some oatmeal and bacon, prepared bottles for the kids, showered and got dressed while everyone else was sleeping. I slithered into some light blue denim jeans, a long white V-neck shirt and covered it with a slim casual cape brown blazer. On my red polished toes was a pair of black open-toed boots.
“Neron, baby, it’s time to get up. We don’t want to be late for court because that wouldn’t be a good look,” I said, opening the curtains in our bedroom.
The sun shined into the room and Neron tossed the covers over his head.
“I’m up, baby,” he grunted.
“I have breakfast in the kitchen. I’ll get the kids ready,” I said, walking out of the room.
Within an hour, everyone had eaten breakfast, the kids were dressed, the baby bag was packed, and all we were waiting on was Neron.
I played Peek-a-Boo with the kids when Neron walked out into the living room. He looked extra handsome with a Michael Kors, sleek, black liquid cotton Polo shirt and a pair of classic fit khaki pants. He had some Kenneth Cole black loafers on his feet. My baby looked sharp.
We left home ahead of time and dropped the kids off at Neron’s parent’s house. We arrived downtown at the courthouse for family court and I couldn’t lie and say that I wasn’t nervous because I was. I didn’t even want to see Gabriela, but I knew that we would.
We walked inside, holding hands and the cold air felt therapeutic on my skin. Immediately, we spotted Gabriela. She looked terrible. She looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. Bags were evident under her eyes and she looked like she had lost weight. We sat a few feet away from her as we waited for our case to be called.
“Who’s that guy with her?”
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