He takes my breath away 3

Prologue

The Past

"Stacia is everything ok?" Darius asked.

"Darius it's time the babies are coming."

Darius grabbed the hospital bag and helped me out to the car. I called my OBGYN and told her my water broke. She told me that we needed to hurry and get to the hospital because with twins it could mean more complications. I told her we were already on our way and she told me to come straight to labor and delivery when we got there and that she would have a room waiting for us.

Today we were becoming parents. I was so scared but also very excited all at the same time. I was in so much pain and my contractions were coming faster and faster with no time in between them it seemed. I was starting to get scared I wasn't going to make it to the hospital in time. Darius looked over at me and he looked just as worried as I was.

I felt a sense of relief when we finally pulled up to the hospital. Darius ran in to get a wheelchair for me and came right back out and helped me into it. A guy from Valet came over and said he would park the car and gave Darius a stub for us to be able to get the car once we needed it again. So, we were off to labor and delivery and not a moment to soon if you ask me. My contractions were so bad that I could barely breathe. I was feeling a lot of intense pressure and the need to push. Once we got up to labor and delivery, I told the nurse and she hurried me into a room and helped me into a gown and hooked me up to a monitor that monitored my contractions and the twins' heartbeats.

Chapter 1

The present

Aniyah's pov

I was so excited because today was the first day of my freshman year in High School. Me, Andre, Junior and oh yea of course Echo were all starting today. I guess I should back it up and tell you who I am. Well I am Aniyah my mom is Stacia and my dad is Darius they have this epic love story that everyone loved reading about. Andre is my twin brother and well pretty much my best friend. We were close and did pretty much everything together. I was also really close with my cousin Junior. His mom was my aunt Tigra and uncle Dr. Hottie. Yes, he still has that nickname and we just laugh about it. Then there was Echo who I freaking hated, but I loved his mom Serenity and his dad Ethan.

I guess you're wondering why I hate Echo when I get along so well with everyone else. Well I don't really hate him exactly. I guess it's the exact opposite of hate. I love him have been for a while now, but he doesn't even see me. No, he likes those skinny girls and I was blessed with curves just like my mama. He treats me like I am way younger than them and hello I am older then all of them. I was just over it. This year I was going to move on and get my first boyfriend and forget all about him.

I was dressed to impress and since I was sixteen, I was able to drive myself to school today. I wasn't waiting on those boys to take me. I needed to just be known as Aniyah for once and not the only girl in the group. I needed my own identity. A fresh start this year. I grew into my curves, so I know I won't be called porky anymore. What can I say kids are cruel?

I went into the kitchen to grab myself something to eat before I left. I just hoped Echo wasn't here. I didn't feel like dealing with him. I just didn't need his mouth right now. I also didn't need my over protective brother and cousin to force me to ride with them. I walked in and no one was in there thankfully, so I grabbed a breakfast bar and some milk. I heard a noise and looked up to see my mom.

"Hey mama good morning."

"You look beautiful today Aniyah have a good first day of school."

"Thank you, mama I will see, you tonight I want to get out of here before everyone else wakes up and it gets all crazy."

"Drive safely my princess and I'll see you tonight."

My mom always had a way of making me feel so much better. She called me her princess and my brother her prince because my mom was a beautiful black Queen and my father her King. She was the only one I ever let call me that because it was something special. She was a great mom and showed me and Andre nothing but love. She was the one person I could talk to about anything and always knew would be there for me.

I got in the car and drove to school and was excited when I pulled into the lot and didn't see Andre, Junior, or Echo anywhere around. I gave myself a little pep talk then got out of the car. I went into the backseat and grabbed my bag then made my way to the front of the school. I could tell people were looking at me, so I held my head up high and walked with confidence.

A few guys I had never seen before smiled at me, so I smiled back. I think this was turning out to be a great year already. I looked at my schedule trying to find where all my classes are, so I didn't look like a total fish out of water. I was looking around not paying attention when I ran into something or someone and almost fell right on my ass until he grabbed a hold of me. Wow he smelled good.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going. Was trying to figure out this schedule."

"Here let me see that maybe I can help."

I handed him my schedule and tried to calm down my nerves. This boy was gorgeous. Probably the sexiest guy at this school and he was standing here talking to me. I have never had a guy pay any attention to me before and didn't want to act a fool. I was already smiling uncontrollably. He probably thought something was wrong with me.

"Ok beautiful I know where this is so how about I show you."

"Ok thank you."

"Here let me carry that bag for you."

I handed him my bag and was surprised when he grabbed my hand to hold. He was so sweet, and he called me beautiful. Only my mom and dad called me that before. It gave me butterflies. So far, my first day was going amazing. He held my hand as people just looked at us. I have never gotten this much attention from people before. I wondered why everyone was looking at us.

"Well beautiful here is your class. Wait for me when it's over and I will walk you to your next class."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to. I'm Jayden by the way."

"I'm Aniyah."

"Well Aniyah wait for me here after class please. I will show you around school and introduce you to some of my friends."

"Ok I'll wait for you."

He gave me a kiss on the cheek and then walked away leaving me standing there in shock. Other students walked around me to get into the class, so I hurried in and grabbed a seat towards the back away from everyone else. I needed to calm down so I could focus on what was going on around me. I wondered if Andre or Junior would be in any of my classes. I hoped Echo didn't. This was a big school and I hope that we wouldn't have to see each other at all.

Class went by fast and my teacher seemed nice. He basically just introduced himself and told us what to expect this year from this class. I slowly gathered all my stuff waiting for a lot of the other students to leave first. When I walked out sure enough Jayden was there waiting for me but when I saw who he was talking to I almost turned and walked the other way until he noticed me.

"Hey beautiful did you forget about me walking you to class already?"

"No, I just saw you talking to someone and thought you were busy. I can find my class I'm sure."

"I'm never too busy for you."

"Wait this is the hot chick you were talking about? No fucking way she is off-limits." Echo said.

Was Echo serious right now? I was done with him acting like my over protective older brother when he was nothing to me. I had a brother and a cousin to look out for me. Jayden looked as if he was about to rip his head off. Yes, Echo was a jerk but a huge part of me still loved him and I couldn't let him get hurt so I needed to step in and stop this before it even gets started.

"Look Jayden he means nothing by it. Echo is my twin brother's best friend and my cousins, so they all act very overprotective of me."

"Is that all this is?" Jayden asked.

"She is a sister to me and she's a freshman and you're a senior. Her parents would never approve of this. Pudge you know I am right."

I was listening to his reasoning until he called me that hurtful nickname. He was such a jerk and I was so over him. This was my year to make my mark. To finally figure out who I was. I was not going to allow him to ruin that. I didn't know Jayden was a senior and no my parents most likely wouldn't approve but I wasn't going to let Echo make a fool of me. He was my past and I was focused on my future. Now I know what he truly thought of me he needed to just stay away.

"Echo go to hell and Jayden I don't want to be late are you coming?"

Jayden looked from Echo to me and started to follow me as I walked off. He probably thought I was a waste of time now and nothing but drama. I was so angry and hurt. I felt like I was about to cry but I wasn't going to. I didn't want anyone to see me and Echo sure in the hell doesn't deserve my tears. How could he call me that when he knows how much it hurts me? Was I really nothing to him? I mean did he forget that we were each other's first kiss. We were young so I guess it really doesn't count but it meant something to me. To him I am just his sister and I think that hurt the most. He will never see me as anything else.

"Are you ok?" Jayden asked.

"Yea I am fine Echo just seems to forget that I am not his sister and that I am older than him."

"I want you to know I am not a senior. I am a sophomore, but I play varsity football, so everyone just assumed that I am older."

"So, Echo didn't scare you off yet?"

"It'll take a lot more than that to scare me off beautiful."

"That's good to know."

"Are you sure there's nothing between you and Echo?"

"I am sure our families grew up to together since our moms are best friends but that's it."

"So, your single?"

"Yes I am."

"Well here's your next class. I will meet you outside of it when your done to walk you to the next."

He bent down and kissed me ever so gently on the lips then walked off. I touched my hand to my mouth and looked up to see Echo glaring at me. I waved at him and smiled sweetly as I walked into my class. I was on cloud nine thanks to Jayden and nothing was going to bring me down from this high. Not even the fact that Echo was in this class and decided to sit right next to me.

"So, are you just going to ignore me?" Echo asked.

"Look I am trying to listen to the teacher so will you please shut up."

"How do you even know Jayden?"

"I literally ran into him and he walked me to class."

"Oh, and now you're just letting some guy you don't even know kiss you?"

"Yes, now leave me alone."

"Wow never took you for a hoe, but I guess I was wrong."

Echo's pov

I knew once I said that I had went too far. The look in her eyes made me hate myself even more. I know Aniyah ain't a hoe. I was just letting my anger take over. Aniyah was mine and she's always been mine. Seeing Jayden put his hands on her had me seeing red. Couldn't she see that I was in love with her? I thought she felt something for me as well, but I guess I was wrong. The only reason I haven't made a move is out of respect for Andre he's always said his twin was off-limits.

"Aniyah I'm sorry I didn't mean that."

"Oh, just like you didn't mean to call me pudge knowing how much that hurts me? You know what Echo our families are close, so I have to see you at events and stuff but other than that stay the hell away from me."

"Aniyah please don't be like this."

"Be like what Echo? You started all of this. I am finishing it."

"I'm sorry ok please forgive me."

"I am over this just please leave me alone before I tell Andre exactly what you called me."

I knew she was pissed if she was bringing Andre into our fight. Whenever we used to argue it was always kept between us. Andre would kill me for hurting his sister. She was older than all of us but we all three felt this need to protect her. She doesn't get how beautiful she truly is, and how guys looked at her. I have gotten in many fights over her. I needed to fix this. I didn't want her hating me. I really need to start thinking before I open my big mouth.

"Aniyah look I am truly sorry I saw you with Jayden and I let my jealousy get the best of me."

The bell went off signaling class was over. Aniyah got up and left without even looking at me. I hurried to catch up to and saw her holding Jayden's hand and walking off. I guess that was my answer. I didn't matter to her. I was just the guy that was always around because our moms are best friends. Damn this year sucked already. I just wanted to leave already but I knew I couldn't. I just needed to avoid Aniyah at all costs. The less I saw of her and Jayden the better off I would be.

That was going to be hard since I am best friends with her twin brother Andre and cousin Junior, and we always had family dinners where we all got together. In fact, I think there was some family dinner thing going on tonight to celebrate all of us being in high school. I was going to have to figure some way to get out of it. I was deep in thought when I felt someone come up and slap me on my back.

"Hey man what's with you? You look like you just lost a game and we ain't even played yet." Ander said.

"I'm good just think I am coming down with something."

"Shit man doesn't get sick on us right before our first game this weekend."

"I think I am going to bow out of family dinner tonight and just go home and rest."

"Yea I would I'll explain to my moms and pops what's going on they will understand."

"Thanks man I will see you tomorrow I think I am going to head to the nurse and bow out early."

"Ok man just text me later and let me know what's going on."

I waved at him then walked off to the nurse. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't stay in school today and see the girl I loved with another guy. I wasn't lying I was sick just not the kind of sick that anyone or anything can cure. It'll just take some time to deal with this and get past it. I just must stay away until I can handle my feelings better. Even if that meant I had to avoid Andre and Junior for a bit. Because where they were Aniyah was sure to be and I just couldn't see her.

I walked off to the nurse and told her I wasn't feeling right and wanted to know if I could go home and rest. Her husband was my coach and she knew I was the quarterback on the junior varsity team, and we had our first game this weekend, so she told me to go home and rest for today and have my parents call her tomorrow if I was still feeling ill.

I left school and sent a text to my mom and dad letting them know what was going on and not to worry that I was heading straight home to sleep. My mom said she would come home right away if I needed her, but I told her I would be fine to stay at Stacia's house to help her cook for the dinner tonight. If I needed anything, I would call her. I had some pretty great parents and I hated worrying them like this. I needed to figure this all out and fast before I started to worry everyone around me.

Maybe the best way to move in and get past this is to just start dating someone. Aniyah has Jayden so maybe I should get someone as well. I have had a few girls ask about me. Yea school may have just started but I already met all the cheerleaders at football camp. Maybe I should hook up with one of them. They were no Aniyah but then again, no girl ever would be and that was my problem every time I tried to move on no one ever compared to her.

Andre kept texting me, but I just didn't feel like texting him back right now. He said that dinner tonight was boring without me their cracking jokes. He told me Aniyah asked where I was and that something was up with her. He asked me if I knew what might be going on. I couldn't lie to my best friend so I just ignored him hoping that he would think I was just sleeping. I wasn't going to be the one to tell him that his twin was dating the notorious playboy at school. That was on her to let everyone know. I knew Andre and Junior would flip and I didn't want her to blame me for that as well.

I shut off my phone not wanting to deal with anything else tonight and decided to get on my laptop and look up a few of the cheerleaders to see which one caught my eye. I knew I wanted a girl that was the exact opposite of Aniyah didn't need anyone reminding me of the one girl I couldn't have. I looked at a few and found a girl that was beautiful and was nothing like the girl that broke my heart. I smiled now that I had a plan. Tomorrow I would make this girl mine and forget about Aniyah. Maybe in time we could be friends but for now I just needed to focus on getting my life back.

Chapter 2

The Past

Tigra's pov

I have been in bed sick all day and Kaden has been fussing over me which has made me mad. I am nine months pregnant and feel huge and irritable. I don't need my sexy doctor husband to be treating me like some damn kid. Pregnant people get sick it's normal so I just wish he would back off. I wasn't due yet, so he just needed to calm down and let me rest. He even has my sister Stacia and best friend Serenity babying me, and I just don't like that. They have too much on their plate to worry about me.

Stacia and Darius have four-month-old twins, so their life is crazy busy. I don't see my sister as much as I used to now that she's married with a family of her own. I guess it had to happen at some point in our lives. Serenity has Echo and he's four months as well. It's as if Stacia and Serenity are in some sort of club that I wasn't invited to. They go to mommy and me classes and have play dates but me I am just stuck here being a hippo and wanting this damn baby out of me already.

Now to top off feeling sick all day my back is killing me, and it hurts to move. I am not telling Kaden that because he will end up staying home instead of going to work and honestly, I needed a break from him. He has been a little too much lately. I know this is our first baby but damn my man is a doctor he should know that every little ache and pain does not mean something is wrong. He freaks over the littlest of things. It is just grinding on my last nerve.

Once he left, I was just so relieved to finally have some alone time. I love my husband and I know he's just excited to be a father, but I just felt suffocated some days. Lately he's barely left my side in fear I'll go in labor when he's not here. I told him he'd be the first to know when it happens. I turned on the TV and watched some Criminal Minds I loved me some Spencer Reid and Derek Morgan. I just never watched this around Kaden because he didn't get into it like I did. I started to dose off when I woke up with a sharp pain stabbing me in the gut.

I got up to grab my phone when a gush of water ran down my legs. I felt like I was about to panic so I hurried to call Kaden. His nurse said he was busy with a patient and would have him call me when he could. Was she serious right now? I don't know who this one was but after today she's going to be fired. I am in labor and she can't get off her lazy ass and get my husband on the phone oh hell to the no.

I knew I couldn't drive myself to the hospital and there was no way I was going to get in an ambulance, so I called Stacia. By now the pain was so intense I couldn't move at all. I was crying when she picked up and she told me to stay calm and she was on her way. Thankfully we lived close by so I knew it wouldn't take her long. I should have told Kaden I was in pain because then he would be here with me now. I was scared and didn't want to do this without him.

I got up in my bed because the pain was just coming way to fast. I didn't know what to do. All I wanted was Kaden because I felt like he would make everything better and know how to calm me. I felt like the baby was coming now but that can't be. I've heard the stories a woman's first born takes hours of labor. I haven't been in labor all day, or have I? Was the sickness and pain I've been feeling all day labor?

I heard my front door open and knew it had to be Stacia. When she came running up the stairs and bounced into my room I started to cry because I was so happy to see her. At least she would know what to do and how to help me.

"Tigra have you timed your contractions?"

"No, I just know the pain is non-stop and my water broke. I feel so much pressure like something is coming. I think we need to go to the hospital now."

"Sis I'm going to look and see if I can see the baby because from what your describing we may have to call for an ambulance. Have you called Kaden?"

"Yes, and some nurse said she'd have him call me like I was nobody."

She just shook her head and got on her phone to call him herself. She checked me and looked as if she was about to faint. She told someone on the phone to have Kaden come home now then hung up. She called 911 and said we needed an ambulance right away. My sister seemed calm, but I knew she was anything but. Something was wrong but she didn't want me to panic.

"Tigra I don't know if help is going to get here in time. This may be all on us."

"No, I can't do this without Kaden I need him here with me."

"He will be here but sis I see the baby's head so you're going to need to push. Let's bring my nephew into this world."

I was scared but having my sister here with me helped. She gave me a kiss on the cheek then went to get towels before coming back and getting at the foot of the bed. She told me to hold onto my legs and push with all my might once I felt my next contraction. I didn't even have time to think it was as if my body knew what to do. I think maybe I only gave two hard pushes before Stacia told me to stop.

I didn't hear a cry, so I wasn't sure what was going on. Was Junior born? She was doing something, but I couldn't see. Then finally I heard it. The soft cry of my little boy. In that moment I felt my life change for the better. I was a mother and with that little cry I fell in love.

Stacia wiped him up then put him on my chest just as Kaden and the paramedics arrived. Stacia was holding my hand as they put me and Junior on a stretcher together to take us to the hospital with Kaden following right behind. This forever bonded Junior and Stacia and brought us even closer together.

Once at the hospital they took Junior so they could check him over and Kaden went with since he was our son's doctor and father. A doctor checked me over and gave me a clean bill of health. I just wanted my son back in my arms but knew that Kaden would be taking his time checking our son over.

It felt like a dream being a mama. I mean I knew with me being pregnant this was going to happen, but I never expected I could love someone so much. I felt a happiness I never knew existed. My son stole my heart. There was a knock on the door and in walked my husband carrying our son. I wish I could have taken a picture and framed this moment to cherish forever.

"Well mama you did a great job our boy is perfect. I am so thankful Stacia was there."

"So am I it was pretty scary and I'm sorry for not letting you know I was hurting. I never once thought I was in labor."

"Baby girl it's fine I have been a little crazy lately, but I promise you I'll be better."

He sat on the bed next to me and put Junior in my arms. I really do have such an amazing husband. I was very lucky. I kissed him and told him I loved him and all his craziness. After all he was my Dr. Hottie.

Stacia's pov

I can't believe I just helped deliver my nephew. It's a moment I'll never forget. I was scared beyond belief but Tigra did amazing. I went home to change and check on the twins. I also wanted to tell Darius what went down.

When I got home the twins and Darius were all sleeping. Guess the babies wore their daddy out. Having twins wasn't easy but Darius helped in every way he could. We were a team and that made everything better.

"Hey beautiful sorry I must have dosed off what's going on with Tigra? Was it a false alarm?"

"Hell, no I got there, and she was in full on labor I had to deliver Junior. Kaden and the ambulance got there right after. They are at the hospital now, so I came home to change and make sure everything was ok here."

"Damn beautiful that's crazy I'm glad you were there. If you want, I'll get the twins ready and we can all go up. Did you call Serenity and let her know?"

"Damn with everything going on I forgot to."

"You go change I'll call have Ethan bring Serenity and Echo over. Us guys will watch the babies and you and Serenity can go check on Tigra."

"This is why I love you."

"I thought you loved me for my hot dad bod."

"Well there's that too but I love how thoughtful you are."

I walked over and kissed him. I wanted my husband but that would have to wait because right now I needed to check on my sister and my nephew. He called Ethan and was telling him what was going on when I walked into our bedroom to change so I could leave once Serenity got here.

I was so excited that my sister was now a mother as well. I mean she is such an amazing auntie to the twins and Echo that I have no doubt in my mind that she is going to be one kick ass mom. I heard the door open, so I knew that Etan and Serenity was here. I hurried to finish getting ready and headed downstairs. I wanted to kiss my babies before we left.

"Omg girl Darius told me what happened I would have been freaking out. Is Tigra and the baby ok?"

"The paramedics said they were fine, so I truly hope so."

"Well let's go see Tigra and this new edition to the family. It's going to be nice having another mama in our group."

"It just seems impossible that my baby sister is a mom. I know she is because I was there and helped her bring Junior into this world. It's just hard not to still see her as the little girl that followed me around everywhere. Now she's a mom and a wife."

"We have all grown so much this past year. We all have these amazing husbands and beautiful little families."

"It has been one crazy ride that's for sure."

I went and held Aniyah and Andre for a minute and fed them so they would be good for Darius. I hated leaving my babies, but I couldn't wait to see my nephew and my sister. I laid the babies down and kissed Darius then Serenity and I went and got in the car and headed to the hospital. I just needed to make sure they were both ok. That was such a scary and exciting moment.

When we got to the hospital, I felt my nerves sky rocket. I was so worried that I did something wrong. That maybe my sister and nephew weren't ok because I somehow messed something up. I have been holding all this fear and stress inside. I just wanted to see Tigra and know that I didn't do anything to hurt her or Junior. The not knowing was killing me.

Standing outside my sisters' hospital room I didn't know what I would be walking into. I imagine this was how everyone felt when they heard about me being in an accident, but that was an accident. If something is wrong, it is my fault this time. I felt as if I was going to have a panic attack. Serenity could tell I needed a minute, so she went in and left me alone with my thoughts.

I sucked it up and walked into my sisters' room. I saw her on the bed with Kaden at her side and her holding this little blue bundle and I just lost it. I ran over to her put my head on her bed and just cried. Seeing that they were both ok felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was just so happy.

"Stacia sis what's wrong?"

"I was so scared I thought maybe I messed up and that something was wrong with either you or Junior."

"Look at me right now sis. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened. Look at this little boy he is here and healthy because his amazing aunt and God mother was there when we needed her the most."

"Wait God mother?"

"Yes, there is no one else I trust with him more than you. You helped bring him into this world with me and will forever have this special bond."

"Can I hold him."

Kaden grabbed Junior and put him into my arms. Then he kissed me on the cheek and thanked me for being there when he couldn't be there and that he was forever in my debt. He saved me when I was hurt, he brought my sister out of this darkness that she was in, and he loves her more than anything. It's him I am debited to because he has helped give me this precious nephew and he's also my twins doctor. I told him I would always be here for him and my sister as well as my little nephew.

I looked down at Junior and felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness, love, and the need to protect him. I was so happy that both him and Tigra was doing well. He was such a beautiful little baby. I was so happy for Kaden and Tigra. I knew they would both be amazing parents. I handed Junior over to Serenity so she could get her snuggles in as well before we leave and let them have some alone time. Plus, I needed to get back to my man and my twins.

We stayed a little longer than I kissed my nephew and my sister and told Kaden to call me if they needed anything. Tigra looked exhausted so I hoped she got some sleep. I knew with us around she wouldn't, so I kissed her, and Serenity and I headed to my house. This has been such a long day and all I wanted to do was hold my babies and curl up with my husband.