Part 24: A New Beginning

The days following the conversation on the balcony had been a blur of planning and quiet determination. AJ and Kion had made up their minds. They were getting out, and they weren't looking back.

AJ couldn't help but feel a weight in his chest. He was doing this for Laila, but he knew there was one last thing he had to figure out before they could leave.

He glanced over at Kion, who was sitting on the couch, absently scrolling through his phone. The calmness in his demeanor never wavered, but AJ could see the subtle tension in his eyes. Kion hadn't said much about it, but AJ knew he was just as ready to leave the chaos behind.

AJ let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Pa," he started, voice quiet, as he looked out the window, "I gotta deal with Laila's momma."

Kion didn't flinch or react immediately. He just nodded, still scrolling through his phone, his voice nonchalant when he spoke. "Yeah, I figured you would. You know what you gotta do."

AJ turned to face him, his jaw clenched. "I don't know, man. She just... she ain't been around. Ain't like she gives a damn. It's just me and her now."

"I feel you," Kion replied without looking up, his tone calm. "But you gotta handle your business. Ain't no point in dragging her with us if she ain't gonna fight for her own kid."

AJ clenched his fists, frustration creeping in, but he knew Kion was right. It had always been AJ stepping up for Laila, always making sure she was safe and taken care of. Her mother had been in and out of her life, hardly ever present. AJ had never let Laila feel abandoned, but he wasn't about to let her mother's negligence keep him from doing what was best for his daughter.

After a few moments, AJ took a deep breath, wiping his hand over his face. "I'll talk to her. But I can't promise anything."

Kion gave him a brief glance. "You don't need to promise shit. You already doin' the best by her."

It was late afternoon when AJ finally drove over to the apartment where Laila's mother lived. He pulled up in front of the rundown building, his heart heavy as he glanced over at Kion.

"Let's go," Kion said with a shrug, sliding out of the car without waiting for AJ to respond.

Inside, the apartment smelled stale, a mix of old food and cigarettes. Laila's mother, Vanessa, was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, barely acknowledging AJ as he stepped inside. Her eyes flickered up, but the disinterest in her gaze was unmistakable.

"You here for something, AJ?" she asked, her voice flat. She didn't even seem surprised to see him.

AJ crossed his arms, standing by the door. "Yeah, actually, I am. I'm here to take Laila with me."

Vanessa didn't flinch, didn't look surprised. She just glanced back at her phone, as if this conversation meant little to her. "She's your daughter too, AJ. You always been good to her, but I'm not holding her back."

AJ's jaw clenched. "You don't care about her, Vanessa. You haven't been around for weeks. She's my responsibility now."

Vanessa sighed, leaning back on the couch. "She's yours, then. You want her, you got her."

AJ stared at her for a moment, his chest tightening, then nodded. "I'm taking her outta here, outta all this. I'm done with it."

Kion had been standing silently by the door, arms crossed. He stepped forward then, glancing down at Vanessa with a quiet confidence. "Don't matter now, anyway. AJ's already got a life set up for her. You're gonna be a distant memory."

AJ shook his head, frustrated by the lack of concern in Vanessa's voice. He didn't expect any different. But he wasn't about to let it ruin what he was doing for his daughter.

With Laila's hand in his, they left the apartment without another word. She didn't ask questions, didn't seem surprised. It was like she knew this was coming.

Back in the car, Kion glanced at AJ, giving him a small, knowing smile. "She's better off with you, bro. You know that."

AJ nodded, still processing everything. "Yeah. But I still can't shake it, you know? How she just let her go like that."

"People don't change," Kion said, shrugging. "It's up to you to show her what family really is."

AJ took a deep breath, glancing at Laila in the backseat, her big eyes staring out the window. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was doing something right.

"You ready for this, Pa?" AJ asked as he looked over at Kion, the question slipping out before he could stop it. Kion raised an eyebrow at the nickname but didn't say anything. He just gave a small smirk.

"Always been ready. You know that."

They drove out of the city without looking back.

As the streets blurred behind them, AJ knew one thing for certain: they were done with the past. No more looking over their shoulders, no more worrying about who might come knocking. The future was waiting for them, and they were ready for whatever came next.

Together.

End of Story.

A/N(if you don't like the ending idgaf it was hard to write this shit )