“My parents were shot while they were coming out of a restaurant and…and they’re saying…my dad might not make it!” she screamed as she continued to cry.
Ramsey’s heart dropped to the floor as he listened to his woman cry.
“Baby, where are you? I need you.”
“Baby, just calm down. I’m on my way.”
“We’re at Pennsylvania Hospital. Hurry, please.”
Ramsey ended the call and stuffed his phone back in his pocket.
“Kill that nigga. He shot Charles and Cassandra.”
Manny emptied his clip into that nigga’s chest, making his body limp like the rest of his teams.
“Y’all, we gotta get to Pennsylvania Hospital, now. That’s where Charles and the girls are.”
“I’ll call my team and tell them to clean the bodies up,” Nick stated.
“And I’ll stay until they get here,” Nysir chimed in.
“I’ll stay with Nysir and hit you up when shit is done.” Randall gave his family handshakes before they darted out the warehouse.
Jumping into his car, Ramsey quickly started the engine and pulled off with Nick and Manny following him. The sound of Cashmere crying played in his head as he weaved in and out of traffic on his way to the hospital. Ramsey felt good that they had killed the niggas who attacked his family and Cashmere’s stalker, but the fact that Charles was laid up in the hospital made him feel fucked up. It seemed like for the past few months, more bad than good had been happening to his family and Ramsey was tired of it. As he got closer to the hospital, Ramsey did something he hadn’t done in a long time. He prayed.
Ramsey parked in the lot of the emergency room and jumped out his car. He rushed inside, and when he spotted Cashmere, he ran over to her, wrapping his arms around her. Cashmere sobbed and shook uncontrollably when Manny and Nick entered the waiting room seconds later.
“What’s goin’ on, y’all?” Nick quizzed.
“Cassandra was shot twice in the shoulder and the stomach. The bullet went straight through her shoulder, but they had to surgically remove the one in her stomach, but she’s going to be fine. Our dad, on the other hand, was shot multiple times and lost a lot of blood and the nurse told us it doesn’t look good in there.” Tamia choked back her tears.
“I can’t believe this shit.” Manny shook his head.
“If we woulda got to that bitch-ass nigga sooner, this shit wouldn’t have happened.”
The girls looked at Manny in confusion.
“It’s over, y’all. We got the niggas who attacked y’all and put y’all folks in the hospital. It’s over,” Ramsey stated confidently.
The girls hugged their men tightly.
“Mitchell family?” the doctor called.
Everyone stood.
“Yes, doctor?” Tamia spoke.
“We just finished surgery on Mrs. Mitchell and she’s going to pull through just fine.” The white female doctor smiled.
“What about our dad?” Baylynn asked anxiously.
“We were able to remove all of the bullets from Mr. Mitchell’s body, but towards the end of the procedure, his heart stopped and we weren’t able to revive him. I’m so sorry.”
Everyone stood there, frozen in place, as they processed the doctor’s words. The tears rolled down the sisters’ faces and the men took each of the women into their arms, holding them tightly. Ramsey was hurt that Charles hadn’t survived and he couldn’t help but think about what was going to happen to their family now. He was finally able to be with the woman he’d always wanted and he had his daughters back in his life. Charles had made a few mistakes like everybody else, but he didn’t deserve to die. Ramsey was satisfied that he’d ended his killer’s life, but that wouldn’t bring Charles back or take his wife’s pain away.
78
Cashmere couldn’t stop the tears from falling as she cried into Ramsey’s shoulder, soaking up his tee shirt. Her heart felt like it had been ripped out of her chest as the reality of her father being dead began to sink in. She and Charles were getting to know each other again and having her father in her life added more joy than she could’ve imagined. Although they didn’t talk on a daily basis, they texted each other a couple of times a week just to check on one another. Whenever her parents stopped by the house, Cashmere and Charles spent that time bonding as he got acquainted with his granddaughters. She enjoyed having her father in her life and now that he was gone, Cashmere couldn’t fathom the thought of him being gone.
“Doctor Hoffman! Doctor Hoffman! He’s alive!”
Cashmere lifted her head to see what was going on.
“Nurse Williams, what are you talking about?” Doctor Hoffman asked in confusion.
“Mr. Mitchell, he’s alive,” Nurse Williams beamed.
“What? Doctor Hoffman just told us he was dead.” Tamia stepped closer to them.
“His heart stopped, and when we tried to revive him, he didn’t respond, but when we tried it a few more times after Doctor Hoffman stepped out, we got him back. We stopped the bleeding from his bullet wounds, stitched him up and his heartbeat is stable. We’ll have to keep him in the hospital for a few days, of course, but other than that, Mr. Mitchell is going to be just fine,” Nurse Williams smiled.
“Oh my God! Thank you so much, Nurse Williams!” Cashmere and her sisters hugged the nurse.
“No problem, ladies.”
“When can we see him?” Baylynn questioned.
“As soon as we move him to a room, but you can see Mrs. Mitchell right now. I’ll take you to her if you’re ready to see her.”
“Yes, please,” Cashmere answered quickly.
“You and Ramsey go up first. We’ll go see her when y’all come back,” Tamia assured her.
Cashmere nodded before she and Ramsey followed the nurse to her mother’s room. The news about her father being alive lifted her spirits almost instantly. She silently thanked God for the miracle that had happened in the operating room. Cash felt better about seeing her mother because if she had to tell her that Charles had passed away, she knew her mother would have lost it just like she had. After riding the elevator to the third floor, Nurse Williams walked them down the hall, stopping in front of the room door.
“Mrs. Mitchell might be a little out of it because of the medication we gave her for the pain, but other than that, she’s fine.”
“Thank you again, Nurse Williams.” Cashmere shook her hand.
“You’re welcome.”
The nurse walked down the hall as they entered the room where Cassandra was sitting up in bed on her cell phone.
“Mama!” Cashmere ran over to the bed and hugged her.
“My baby!” Cassandra hugged her tightly, almost squeezing the life out of her.
“I was so worried about y’all.”
“You were worried about us? We were worried about y’all. Me and my sisters were scared to death in that waiting room.” Cash broke their embrace and sat next to her mom.
“Ms. Cassandra, what happened?” Ramsey quizzed as he pulled up a chair.
“Charles and I were celebrating our marriage at Maggiano’s restaurant in Center City, and when we were walking out, it seemed like gunshots were coming from every direction. Before I realized I was hit, Charles was on the ground. I called for the ambulance and I guess I passed out on my way because when I woke up, I was in here.
“Oh my God! Charles! Is he okay? Pleases tell me he’s okay?” Cassandra began to panic.
“Mama, mama, calm down.” Cash placed her hands on her mothers’ shoulders.
“Dad is fine. It was touch and go for a minute, but Dad is alive.” She gave her mother a reassuring smile.
“Thank you, God. I would’ve lost my mind if something happened to that man.” Cassandra let out a sigh of relief.
“Wait a minute. Did you just say that you and Charles are married?” Ramsey asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes, I did,” she smiled.
“I have the marriage license in my p
urse.”
“Mom! Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? And when did Dad and Olivia get a divorce?”
“Olivia served your father with divorce papers before she up and disappeared. He signed them and made copies of the documents. He returned the papers to her lawyer and kept a set for himself. She didn’t want any alimony or anything like that, she just wanted their marriage to be over, and so did Charles. We wanted to tell y’all, but since you and your sisters weren’t on speaking terms, we decided to do it this way to avoid any drama.”
“Wow! I can’t believe you’re actually married to Dad.” Cashmere fought back her tears.
“To be honest with you, neither can I. After years of being his mistress and being separated for a few years, I never thought I would get the man I always loved. You know, your father is the only man I fell in love with and I never fell out of love with him,” Cassandra smiled.
“I’m glad y’all are here together. Does that mean everything is good between you two?”
Cashmere looked at Ramsey and the expression on his face was an apologetic one. She wanted to stay angry at him, but she couldn’t. She had given him the silent treatment for three whole days and locked him out of their bedroom, but that didn’t stop him from coming home every night. He had stepped up and cared for the kids throughout the night, and when he had to step out, Ramsey let her know what he was doing and had their parents come to the house to help out with the kids while she rested. Cash knew her husband wasn’t perfect, but he was perfect for her.
“Yeah. We’re good, mom.” Cashmere winked at him.
“I love you.” Ramsey smiled at her.
“I love you, too, bae.” She smiled back.
“Did you tell your sisters about Charles?”
“They were with me when I got the call. We went to go check on Tamia and ended up going shopping. We were having a good day until this happened.”
“Oooo! I’m so proud of you. I was hoping y’all would stop being so damn stubborn and bury the hatchet,” Cassandra smiled.
“Yeah, we’re good now. They want to see you, so we’re about to go see Dad and I’ll send them up here.” Cash kissed her mother’s cheek before she got up and Ramsey did the same before they left the room where they met Baylynn and Tamia in the hallway.
“How is she?” Tamia inquired.
“She’s great. My mom and dad got married today.”
“You lyin’!” Baylynn whispered.
“Get the fuck out of here!” Tamia clutched her necklace.
“They were out celebrating when the shooting happened. How’s Dad?”
“He’s okay. The doctor told us he’s heavily sedated, but he should be awake by tomorrow, so we’re gonna go home and come back in the morning,” Baylynn answered.
“That sounds like a good idea. Well, we’re about to go then. Make sure y’all call me when y’all get home.”
Cashmere hugged her sisters before the couple headed towards the elevator. When they made it to the first floor, they walked out the emergency room exit where Manny and Nick were talking. Ramsey stopped to talk to his squad while Cashmere made her way to her car. After she started the car, she waited a few seconds for Ramsey to get in his car. When he started his car, she pulled out of the spot and out of the lot with Ramsey following her.
The sun began to set as she drove on the expressway home. Cashmere was emotionally exhausted from the events that had happened throughout the day. From the bonding session with her sisters earlier that day to finding out that her father wasn’t dead after being told he was, was a lot for her to handle. Cashmere couldn’t help but smile at the fact that her parents were officially married and her mother was no longer a side chick. She was happy that her parents had gotten the outcome they’d always wanted. Cashmere had gone five years without having her parents in her life and she was elated to have them both in her life at the same time.
79
Baylynn and Tamia spent almost thirty minutes talking to Cassandra and she felt as if she was talking to her own mother. Cassandra filled them in on her marriage and how she was glad that all of her girls were talking again. Baylynn was a little confused by what she meant when she said that, but she didn’t ask for clarity. Cassandra asked how things were going in their lives and they both replied that everything was fine. Baylynn knew that Tamia was sincere when she answered, but Bay, on the other hand, lied through her teeth. Things were going great at her job, but as far as her love life, it was nonexistent. Men flirted with her everywhere she went, but she turned them down. The only man she wanted was Manny.
After they hugged Cassandra, they promised they would come back the next day to visit before leaving her room. As they waited for the elevator, Baylynn decided to ask Tamia what Cassandra meant by the statement she’d made.
“Mia, what did Cassandra mean when she said all her girls are talkin’ again? Who was she talkin’ about?”
“She was talking about us, Bay. Me, you and Cash,” Tamia chuckled as they stepped on the elevator.
“To Cassandra, we’re her daughters, too. The first day I met her, she claimed me as her daughter and it’s been that way ever since. Cassandra called me just as much as y’all did and left me over ten voicemails, cussing me out for not answering the phone,” she laughed.
The elevator stopped at the first floor and they made their way back to the emergency room waiting area.
“Wow. Not too many women would accept children that aren’t theirs. That’s rare these days,” Baylynn stated in disbelief.
“Yeah. I have to admit that I was a little pissed off when I found out that Dad and Cassandra were messing around again, but after everything I went through with my mom and this whole situation, I’m happy that Dad has a woman who’s the complete opposite of my mother. I know he’s going to spend the rest of his days on earth being happy with the woman he loves,” Tamia smiled.
“Yeah. After everythin’ Dad has been through, he deserves nothin’ but happiness. So, I guess I got two moms now, huh?” Baylynn smirked.
“Yup.”
The duo walked arm in arm until they got to the waiting area where Manny and Nick were chilling. The men stood to greet them.
“How are they?” Nick quizzed.
“Dad is heavily sedated, so he won’t be up until tomorrow, but Cassandra is great. We were up there talking to her the entire time,” Tamia answered with a smile.
“We’re gonna come back tomorrow to see them.”
“I’m glad they’re cool. Are y’all ready to roll?” Manny eyed Baylynn.
“Yeah. I need a ride to my car, though. It’s parked in the lot at their condo.”
“Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“What about my car?”
“I’ll drop you off at your car tomorrow.”
As they walked out of the emergency room, they said their goodbyes to each other before heading to their cars. Manny opened the car door for Baylynn, then hopped behind the wheel of his car. Manny started the engine, put the car in drive and drove off. Baylynn felt Manny staring at her, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She had butterflies in her stomach like she was a teenage girl being with her crush for the first time. Baylynn hadn’t felt like that in a long time and she didn’t know how to control herself.
“What you thinkin’ about over there?”
“What a crazy day this has been. Me and my sisters made up earlier today and then we decided to go to the mall. While we were there, we saw the chick who tried to trap Ramsey with that baby, so we rolled up on her friend while the pregnant chick went to the bathroom and made her give up the address to where she lived. We were havin’ a good day until Cash got the call about Dad and her mom. When I thought he was dead, it felt like a piece of me had died. I mean, I haven’t known him for that long, but since he’s been in my life, I always count on him bein’ there now. I’m relieved that my father and Cassandra are okay.”
“I’m glad they’re cool, too. I don’t know ya pops that
well, but he seems like a cool-ass old head. While we were tryin’ to find the pussy-ass niggas who attacked y’all, he handled everythin’ like a true G. Most niggas woulda flipped the fuck out if their wife hooked up with their enemy and tried to kill him and his kids, but we got all of them. Even the nigga who was stalkin’ Cash,” Manny confirmed.
“Good, because we were definitely gonna run up in the bitch’s crib later on tonight.”
“Check you out, gangsta,” Manny chuckled.
“I don’t play when it comes to my family. That bitch was in the store braggin’ about the nut shit she did to Ramsey. I was ready to kill her ass right there in the store.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that no more, ma.”
They locked eyes for a few seconds before Baylynn broke their stare. She wanted to tell Manny how much she missed him, but she didn’t want to play herself, so she remained quiet. A few minutes later, they pulled into a condo complex parking lot and Baylynn looked around, confused. After he parked, he jumped out the car and went around to the passenger side to open the door for Baylynn.
“Manny, what are we doin’ here?”
“This is where I live.”
“Where is Brandi?”
“She’s with ya moms. I asked her to keep her until tomorrow. Now stop with questions and bring ya ass on.”
Bay got out of the car and Manny closed the door before locking them. Grabbing her hand, they walked inside the building. Manny gave the security guard on duty a head nod as they made their way to his condo, which was on the first floor. Unlocking the door, Manny flipped the switch on and Baylynn’s eyes grew wide at the lavish condo. It was decorated with Italian furniture, and a seventy-inch smart TV rested on the wall, attached to a home theater system. If there weren’t so many toys piled up in the corner, Bay would have called it a bachelor pad.
“How many toys did you buy that baby?”
“That’s my baby, man. I gotta get her whatever she wants,” he smiled.
“Let me show you her room.”
Baylynn followed him down the short hallway and stopped in front of the door that had Brandi’s name on it. Manny opened the door and flipped the switch. Baylynn smiled at the room that was decorated in yellow and white. Her bed was made with a Beauty and the Beast sheet set and there were pictures of the three of them hanging up in the room. Baylynn walked over to the closet, opened it and saw the many outfits that were hanging inside along with the many boxes of shoes. Baylynn couldn’t help but smile at how much Manny spoiled Brandi. She was truly daddy’s little girl.
My Other Baby Mama Box Set Page 39