Chapter 8 — Antonio

No pain no gain, Destiny sings, as she buttons up her jacket and gets herself ready to see the doctor for the first time. But then she calls and cancels the appointment. Nikki hits her up after Destiny had her waiting. "What the fuck girl? Where are you?"

"I'm going tomorrow."

"You're fucking up."

"I'm going tomorrow."

"You better."

Destiny falls asleep well into the wee hours of the night when a cramp wakes her. Her panties feel sticky, and something doesn't feel right.

She runs to the bathroom, stripping her clothes off to find red spots on her underwear.

"No," she yells. "Oh my God!"

She calls Nikki, crossing her legs against the possibility of more blood coming out.

"Des, what's wrong? It's one in the morning."

"I'm bleeding. I don't know what—"

"Sit tight, I'll be right over. We gotta get you to the hospital. Call Antonio, just in case I'm late.."

"No, just hurry, girl." Destiny thinks she's going to bleed to death, but in the back of her mind, if she has a miscarriage, it will solve all of their problems.

Destiny hates herself for even entertaining the thought. She can't stop thinking as she runs around, making sure she has her house keys, phone, and a blanket to wrap herself. Then, she gives in and calls Antonio.

"What the hell?" he mumbles when he answers on the first ring. "I'm asleep."

"I know," Destiny says, rushing. "I'm bleeding and going to the hospital. I know you don't care, so go back to sleep."

"What? How?" Kelly is lying next to him. "Shit!"

Kelly woke up. "What's wrong, honey? Who's that on the phone?"

Destiny expects him to hang up, but then she freaks out when Antonio answers her.

"One of my friends is having a baby. She thinks she might be losing it." Okay, clearly Antonio is not thinking straight. Why would he tell her that it's a woman on the phone?

"And she called you, right? Why is that?"

"Who knows, babe." Destiny hears him buckle and is afraid Kelly can see right through it as well. This boy can't lie for shit!

The bell rings and Nikki's here. Destiny needs to buzz her in.

"I have to go," Destiny hangs up. Antonio's probably still talking but Destiny's already pushing the button to open the front gate. Antonio's number pops up on her cell phone, but Destiny ignores it.

She doesn't wait for Nikki to make it all the way upstairs. "Oh God! Girl come on."

Destiny meets her halfway and gives her hug. Then Nikki puts her arm around her as they go out to her car.

* * *

"Sometimes a little bleeding is normal," the doctor tells Destiny. "Spotting happens, and the test results suggest that there was only a little blood. The pain, we can't say what caused that, but the baby doesn't seem to be in any distress." The doctor looks at her chart. "Your heartbeat is normal. However, I would recommend taking it easy, especially as you head into the second trimester. Any questions?"

"Nope. Thank you!"

* * *

Destiny and Nikki are on their way out of the hospital when Antonio shows up in his pajama bottoms and Braves t-shirt while hair is a mess.

"Destiny?" he says. "Is everything okay?" He wants to take her into his arms but instead, look at her belly.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have a family to be with?" Destiny walks past. "Now Kelly knows, right?"

"I'm here for you. No, Kelly went back to sleep and I left."

"Great. Wonderful. Cheating, lying, sneaking out of the bed—you're a real playa'. I don't know what I ever saw in you."

"Destiny, just listen to me," Antonio says, seeing Nikki next to her. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Did you think I drove myself?" Destiny says. 

"We didn't think you can come because you have manly duties to take care of," Nikki says, walking Destiny out to the parking lot and Antonio trails behind.

"I'm fine," Destiny says. "The baby's fine. Some spotting and stomach pains could have been from stress. You can go home now."

"Des, wait."

Nikki doesn't want her best friend to give him any attention, but Destiny halts.

"Let me take you home. If there's anything I can do to make you feel better, just let me do that."

Destiny opens her mouth to say 'no' but she simply says, "okay" instead.

"Nikki, I'll be okay. Thanks for driving me here. You're a real friend unlike our partner here."

"You don't have to go with him."

"I do."

"Girl, please. You just want some. Go on and call me in the morning." Nikki waves by and just as she drives off, she says, "You better take good care of my girl or else."