The Panda Family Part 3
Nicol took her sister’s recommendation and they got a 2 bedroom apartment together out in San Myshuno, against all of my wishes. The city is a dangerous place and nothing good to come from it.
“I’m Seiji, your landlord. You called about a roach problem?” He questioned.
“Yes sir, I noticed roaches coming out from the wall in m bedroom. Can you do something about that?”Sherice asked.
“Yes ma’am” He tipped his hat.
Nicol came home from work and noticed that the landlord was over...again.
“Hey sis, how was work?” Nicol asked.
“Excellent, I got a job as a politician’s assistant, helping with campaigning and such. This is Seiji, our landlord’ Sherice introduced hem.
“Hello, nice to meet you” Seiji waved.
“I’ll be up with Seiji for a little bit, don’t worry about cleaning up, I’ll get it” Sherice shooed her from the kitchen.
“If you’d like to spend the night, that’s fine with me” Sherice said, giggling nervously.
“Hey Mom!” Sherice screamed.
Nicol looked back to see their mother standing in between their tiny living room and kitchen space.
“Hey baby, how have you been?” I asked.
“Just fine, how did you get in here?” Sherice demanded.
“Your sister mailed me a key, said I can stop by any time” I responded. Confused by her nervousness.
“I’m off to work, bye sis” Nicol screamed, heading to her social media job.
“I’ma stay home today, I’m not feeling too hot” Sherice said. Sitting down, her stomach was in writhing pain and she was cramping down hard.
“So...this baby is yours?” Nicol asked.
“Her name is Riley, and yes, she’s mine. Turns out I was pregnant..” Sherice mumbled.
“By Seiji, our landlord?” Nicol said, eyebrows raised.
“Yes...” Sherice admitted.
“What are you going to tell mom when you move back home?” Nicol asked.
“Nothing! Because I’m not moving home, Riley is just another factor of us living here but it doesn’t change the fact that we live in San Myshuno. I’m not moving in with Mom, and I’m not giving up my dream job. We can figure out how to raise Riley” Sherice retorted.
“We? It’s not my baby” Nicol whined.
“You’re my sister, and this is your niece. Be a good auntie and help me” Sherice begged.
“Fine, whatever. But you get to tell mom” Nicol finished.
“Come on! We gotta go to daycare. Let’s go” Nicol cooed. Riley totted over slowly to her arms.
“Atta Girl!” Nicol cuddled her as they headed out the door.
“Mama?” Riley asked.
“Mommy’s at work, she had to work late again. A protest broke out over the election results. It’s just you and me tonight kiddo” Nicol responded.
“And they lived happily ever after” Nicol finished, just as Sherice came home.
“Is she sleep?” Sherice mouthed. Nicol nodded, closing the book.
“Mommy, what is today?” Riley asked.
“Today is Monday, I gotta go to work baby, so I gotta take you to school” Nicol said, clearly in a hurry.
“Hey, long time, no see” Seiji said.
“Sorry, I gotta pick up Riley from daycare. Can we talk later?” Sherice snapped.
“Riley?” Seiji questioned.
“Our daughter! I got pregnant that night you came over to take care of the roaches, and I..” Sherice started.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Seiji asked.
“I..I don’t know. But I gotta go. Stop by the apartment later” Sherice finished, and sprinted off before the doors closed at 6.
Seiji showed up as promised.
“Wee” Riley giggled, pretending she was a super hero.
“Hey, my name is Advik, I think you’re my blind date” He introduced himself.
“Hi Advik, my name is Sherice. I live in San Myshuno in a 2 bedroom apartment with my twin sister, Nicol, and my 4 year old daughter, Riley” Sherice began.
“Do you have any pictures of your daughter?” He asked.
“Hi Riley!” Seiji said. He only saw her once in awhile now, but any time he came by to see the apartment, he’d visit her.
“What do you think of the tofu tacos, Riley Marie?” Sherice asked.
“I love taco, mama” Riley approved.
“Potty Mama!” Riley said..
“Yes, that’s right. Time to go potty” Sherice observed.
“I really like you Sherice, and I wanna get to know you better. Why don’t we give this relationship thing a try?” Advik asked.
“Sure, come by later on so you can meet Nicol and Riley” Sherice offered.
Once Advik came over, he never left. He was that forceful, strong man that we neeeded. He helped out with chores and repairs, they didn’t need to call Seiji so much anymore.
“Mommy, is Advik going to live here forever?” Riley asked.
“Yes sweetie, I like Advik very much. He is my boyfriend but I hope to marry him one day. Don’t you like him?” Sherice asked.
“He’s ok Mommy, but now I have to sleep in auntie Nicol’s room and she snores!” Riley complained.
“I know hunny, we’re trying to find a bigger place so you can have your own space, ok?” Sherice asked. Trying to appease her.
“You look tired, what’s up with you?” Nicol asked.
“I need to talk to you and Advik when he comes home from the gym” Sherice hinted.
“Is everything ok, mommy?” Riley asked.
“Yes baby, finish your homework and get ready for bed” Sherice said firmly.
“Night Mommy” Riley said.
“Ooh, come here Riley. No matter what happens with me and Advik, just know I’ll always love you, ok?” Sherice kissed her on the cheek.
“I know Mama” Riley said, going on to bed. Advik came through the door.
“So what’s all this about?” Advik asked.
“I called this house meeting to let you know that I am pregnant. Last time I got pregnant, I was pregnant with Riley, and I never told her father until it was too late for him to really be involved. I want to give you a cance to step up and be the father I need for Riley and this baby” Sherice started.
“What about the fact that we’ll now have 6 people in a 2 bedroom apartment?” Nicol interjected.
“I was thinking Advik and I could move out, take all the kids and you keep the apartment. Or we all move to the suburbs so we can have more space” Sherice suggested.
“No matter what you decide to do, I want to be around for you and our baby. I know Riley wants to be close to her father also. I vote that we stay in San Myshuno, but maybe get a bigger place “ Advik spoke up. Nicol just glared at the two of them.
“I think it’s ridiclous that it comes to this.. You know how hard it was for Mom to raise 5 of us in a 2 bedroom house when Dad left her for Miko Ojo. Why have a bunch of babies with a man you aren’t married to and can’t house apporpriately” Nicol grunted.
“Sis..”Sherice said but Nicol cut her off.
“No, we had to work like dogs in high school. Maintaning A’s, working part-time night jobs, and helping with 3 younger brothers while Mom pursued a career, and you’re going to do the same to me and Rily. You’re forcing us to help you out. Riley was supposed to be the only one. You’re gonna make us help you while you build up in the political world and if Advik doesn’t stay, we’ll have to hold it own” Nicol puffed.
“It’s not like that, Advik loves me. Not like Dad. Dad was a jerk, who used mom as a place to stay because he was an unemployed artist who couldnt’t afford to stay in San Myshuno. But Advik and I love it here, we want to stay, and i want to make it work. I’m not asking you do anything. If you don’t like it here or don’t want to help, you can afford your own place. You are a big social media celebrity now, you don’t need me or my income to stay in San Myshuno” Nicol scoffed.
“Dad’s dead, Mom’s dead, Riley is all I got left. I’ve raised that girl since she was a toddler while you worked and went on dates. So no, I don’t want to leave you guys, I love this little family. You’re all I got left, sis. So I’m fine with whatever. Just let me know” Nicol said, disappointed.
“What’s his name?” Xavier asked.
“George” Advik said proudly.
“George Panda, he and Advik are having my last name” Sherice said.
“Did you two get married or something?” Xavier questioned. Sherice nodded.
“Congrats Sis, I’m proud of ya” Xavier said.
“Hey my love” Sherice cooed.
“Again mama!” George giggled, loving when she tossed him up in the air.
“Advik, I wanted to talk to you before Nicol got home” Sherice whispred.
“What is it mama?” Riley asked, being her usual nosey self.
“What? What?” George mimicked.
“Well, I guess you all should hear it at the same time...I’m pregnant” Sherice announced.
“What?” Another baby! Come on Mom, it’s hard enough as it is with George” Riley rolled her eyes.
George began squealing on the floor.
“Stop it Riley! Having a baby is a great thing, and we’re gonna start planning a move so we can relocate before baby #3 gets here” Sherice promised. Advik was skeptical, they were already deep enough into this situation. 3 kids so close together.
