Last Bitch Standing (15 page)

I jolted slightly, not expecting to hear Supreme's
voice.

"I didn't mean to startle you."

"That's okay. What time does our flight leave?"

"We're taking the jet, so whenever we get there."

"Well, I'll be ready first thing in the morning, because
I can't wait to see my baby."

"I know she'll be happy to see you too."

"Do you really think so? I mean it's been so long
that I'm afraid she won't remember me."

"Of course Aaliyah remembers you. I always showed
her your picture and told her that this was her mommy."

"You did?" The shock in my voice was evident.

"Yeah, I did. I know, as angry as I was with you, it
surprised me too, but something just made me do it. And
I'm glad I did."

"So am I. I know with everything you believed, the
last person you wanted to talk to Aaliyah about was me."

"For the last couple of days I've been tearing this
house up, searching for that necklace."

"I was wondering what you were looking for."

"In my heart I knew what you told me was true,
but..."

"You weren't totally convinced," I said, completing
Supreme's thought. "I knew that. That's why you still
haven't touched me, because part of you believes that all
this time I've been having this fling with Nico, that I left you and Aaliyah to be with him. I do pray that you find
that necklace so you can put your mind at ease and have
some sort of proof that I'm telling you the truth."

"I know that you are," Supreme disclosed as he
moved his arm from behind his back and lifted up the
necklace. "It was in a satin pouch in the pocket of a coat
hanging in a closet I never knew existed. That's what
happens when you live in a house that's way too big."

"Baby, I'm so happy you found it," I sighed, feeling
for the first time that there was a chance Supreme and I
could get back what we once had.

"If you want, I can put it back on for you."

"Of course I want you to." I walked to the hallway
where Supreme was standing and turned around. He
lifted my hair and latched the necklace around my neck,
putting it back in its rightful place. I then felt the softness
of his lips on my shoulder, and he began sprinkling kisses
up to my neck. A warm shiver shot through my body as
it yearned for the touch of my husband.

"Damn, I missed you!" Supreme whispered in my
ear before the tip of his tongue stroked my earlobe. He
turned me around and pressed my back against the wall,
sliding his hand up the loose fitting dress I was wearing.
The firm pressure from his hand caressed the flesh of my
thigh.

"Baby, I missed you more," I said breathlessly.

My arms were pinned up and my eyes were closed as
I gave in to the pleasure I'd been longing for. Supreme's
tongue made love to every inch of my body before he even entered inside me. When he lifted his shirt off, the
flexing of each muscle reminded me of how secure I felt
in his arms. I needed him so badly that it scared me. He
clasped his hands around my waist and lifted me up, and
then laid me down in the middle of the hallway. I didn't
mind, because I couldn't wait any longer and the bedroom
seemed too far away. I wrapped my legs around his back
and pulled him in closer as our kisses became more intense
and our tongues went deeper. Then, when he let his long
thick dick massage my clit, I had an orgasm based on
the anticipation alone. And once he dipped inside of me,
if possible, I fell in love with him all over again. It was
clear that emotionally, physically and mentally, we were
both trying to make up for all the months of being apart,
which made our lovemaking that much more passionate,
and let me know that I was finally home.

When the private jet landed at Teterboro Airport, I
was anxious to go to Supreme's parents' house and get
Aaliyah. I missed my baby so much that it hurt.

"Listen, I have some business I need to handle. The
car will take you to my parents' house, and I'll be there
later on when I'm done."

"I don't want to be away from you. Can we go get
Aaliyah and then we come with you?"

"Precious, this is business, not pleasure. I'll be back as soon as I can," Supreme promised, kissing my hand.

"Okay, baby." I watched as he got into the other
awaiting limousine. I speculated about what business was
so important that he had to go directly from the jet to
handle. But I also understood that the lifestyle we lived
required more money than I ever thought was possible to
even make. Maintaining this standard of living required
a lot of work from Supreme. So, if he had to go and
handle business, then I had no choice but to understand
no matter how much I wanted to spend time with him.

After Supreme's limo drove off, I got into the other
one. Before I could even get comfortable, my cell started
ringing and saw it was Nico calling. "Hey you!"

"Hey you back. I hadn't heard from you since your
flight landed and wanted to make sure you were straight."

"Everything's good. I actually just got to New Jersey."

"Jersey, what you doing there?"

"Supreme and I came to pick up Aaliyah. She was
here visiting his parents."

"Well, let me let you go, `cause I know he doesn't
want you talking to me."

"I'm alone. He had to go handle some business, so
he's gonna meet up with us later."

"Cool. I know you can't wait to see your daughter."

"Nico, with all the bullshit I've been through these
last few months, holding Aaliyah again will make it all
worthwhile. But I'm still gonna stick it to Maya's ass.
Speaking of Maya, have you gotten any new leads?"

"I was gonna wait until I got more facts before telling you, but since you brought her name up-"

"Tell me!" I insisted, cutting Nico off.

"Maya might be in New York. One of the
investigators on the case said they believe she was spotted
in her old neighborhood. He's had someone watching
her mother's house for some time, but hadn't seen any
activity. But supposedly yesterday she was seen in the
area. This hasn't been verified vet, so I don't want you
getting amped just yet."

"So, when do you think you'll know for sure?"

"I can't say; maybe in the next few hours, maybe not
until tomorrow. But of course I'll call you the moment I
get the facts."

"Are you still in Philly?"

"Yeah, but me and Genesis are heading that way
now.

"You and Genesis?'

"Yeah. I told him I wanted to already be in New
York in case what the investigator told me turned out to
be accurate. He said he had some business to handle that
way, so he would take the ride with me."

"I really do appreciate you staying on top of this for
me. With everything I got going on, I don't want Maya to
slip through the cracks."

"And she won't! You need time to reconnect with
your family, so I'ma hold this shit down for you...no
worries.

"I gotta feeling Maya might really be in New York.
She knows I'm with Supreme, so she can't go back to Miami, and-"

"Hold up! Maya knows you're back with Supreme?"

"I've been so occupied tryna' get shit right with my
husband that I forgot to tell you. I spoke to her."

"When?"

"The other day. She called Supreme and I answered.
At first she was on some juvenile bullshit, playing on the
phone. You know, hanging up then calling back. Finally, I
called her ass out and she spoke up."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing much. She basically listened. I told her ass
to enjoy her little freedom, because I was gon' tap that ass
when I saw her. She tried to act like she wasn't shook, but
I could tell I had the hussy nervous."

"I bet."

"That's why I believe she probably is in New York.
She knows she can't come back to Supreme. With Devon
dead, there's no need for her to stay in Philly, so why not
go back to her comfort zone in New York to come up
with a master plan?"

"True... but before you even told me about your
conversation with Maya, I felt the same way. That's why
I decided to head to New York. But now, with what you
just told me, basically confirms it."

"Well, we're pulling up to Supreme's parents' house.
Call me when you get to New York or find out anything
else ... whichever comes first."

"Got you. And I know she's never met me, but
please give Aaliyah a hug and kiss for me."

"That's so sweet, and I will. Bye."

I couldn't get out of the limo fast enough. By the
time the driver got out to open my door, I was about to
ring the bell. Mr. Mills must've heard the limo pull up,
because he came out with open arms before I reached
the entrance.

"It's wonderful to see you, Precious!" He said,
giving me a hug.

"It's great to see you too. Where's Aaliyah?"

"With Grandma," Mr. Mills said affectionately.
"They went to the park earlier, and they're on their way
back now. I know how excited you must be."

"I am. I miss her like crazy."

"She misses you too. We told her yesterday that
Mommy was coming to get her, and she's been smiling
ever since."

I followed Mr. Mills inside the house, anxious for
my baby to come home. "I see Aaliyah has her toys
everywhere," I commented, looking around.

"Yeah, that's one of the beautiful things about
having grandchildren. They're so full of life. With their
toys and curiosity, they can't help but keep us old folks
full of life too."

"I know you all were planning on having Aaliyah
much longer, and I apologize for cutting her visit so
short, but..."

"You don't have to apologize for wanting your child
to go home with you. I know that you, Supreme and the
baby have been through hell. I'm just pleased you all have come back together and are trying to work things out."

"I am too."

"We've been married for over thirty-five years, and
it hasn't been easy. I know it's hard work, but my son
loves you, and I can look into your eyes and see that you
love him a hell of a lot too."

"I do...I really, really do. I just hope our marriage
can last as long as you and Mrs. Mills' has."

"Stay faithful and in prayer, and it will ...hold on, let
me answer the phone. Have a seat and get comfortable.
They'll be home soon," Mr. Mills continued before
leaving the room.

A big smile crossed my face, and I sat down on
the couch with an enormous amount of happiness
consuming every part of me. For months, I didn't think I
would ever feel this sort of contentment again. But here
I was, sitting in the living room of my husband's parents'
house, waiting for the arrival of my daughter. Growing
up, I never experienced this sort of normalcy, and I had
to admit, it was one of the most gratifying feelings in the
world. My daydreaming of feeling on top of the world
was interrupted when Mr. Mills came back into the living
room.

"Mr. Mills, what's wrong?" His once jovial face now
appeared to be cracked and broken.

"We have to go to the hospital."

"What happened?" I jumped up. "Say something!"

"My wife has a minor concussion, and Aaliyah's
gone." Mr. Mills' voice was calm, but his hands were shaking and fear consumed his face.

"What do you mean Aaliyah is gone?"

"I don't know what happened yet. The police officer
didn't know all the details."

"The police! Oh Dear God, this can't be happening
to me, not again! Let's go, now!" I screamed, rushing out
of the house.

When we got to Mrs. Mills' hospital room, she was sitting
up in the bed and incoherent. Tears welled up in her eyes
when she saw my face.

"Precious, I'm so sorry! I'll never forgive myself if
anything happens to Aaliyah!" Tears were now streaming
down her face, and I swear to you, I honestly didn't care.
Her tears meant nothing to me.

"It's okay," Mr. Mills said, trying to console his wife.

"No, it's not okay! What happened to my daughter?"

"After we were finished playing at the park, we
walked to the car, and when I was buckling her in the
car seat, somebody snuck up behind me and knocked me
on the back of my head. I must've loss consciousness,
because when I woke up I was in the hospital bed."

"Thank God you're alright!" Mr. Mills said, rubbing
his wife's shoulders. "It wasn't your fault," he continued,
and then he turned to look at me, wanting confirmation
that I didn't blame Mrs. Mills. He was right, it wasn't her
fault, but it didn't change how fucked up I felt at this very
moment.

Are you the missing little girl's mother?" a police
officer entered the room and asked.

"Yes I am, but can you wait one moment? I need
to take this call." I sprinted out the room, wanting some
privacy.

"Nico, somebody took Aaliyah, and I put it on
everything that Maya's motherfuckin' ass had something
to do with it!"

"Get the fuck outta here! When did this happen?"

"It couldn't have been no more than an hour or
so ago. She was at the park with Supreme's mother, and
somebody rolled up on her from behind and knocked her
out. Then, they took Aaliyah. That sounds like a Maya
move."