Chapter 22: What Happens Now?*

Shelby pulled away from Lulu and stood there, staring at him. “I can't do this.” She said quickly walking away.

“I'll go talk to her.” Liz said walking toward the stairs.

“No. I will.” Lulu said walking past Liz and upstairs. He stood out side the door and thought for a moment before he turned the knob. What was he going to say? How could he possibly change Shelby's mind? It was clear she already made it up.

“You just going to stand there or are you going to go in?” Denny asked walking up to Lulu.

“I don't know. But why the fuck would you care?”

“Shelby's my cousin, if you haven't noticed. I care about her, more then you do.”

“If you really cared about her then you wouldn't have fucking planed to break her and me up.”

“You don't fucking know what you're talking about. Sure I was in the room when they were making the plan, but that doesn't make me a part of it.”

“Yes it does.” Lulu said with a stupid look on his face.

“I would never try and do some shit like that. Shelby was there for me when I needed her. I could never stab her in the back like that.”

“Whatever.” Lulu said tuning away from Denny.

“Listen. I don't like you any more than you like me. But you're important to Shelby, and I guess I finally realized that. Maybe you can be a complete fuckup, but she really loves you.”

“I know she loves me. But I don't know how I'm gonna convince her to take me back.”

“Leave that to me. You go to the store and buy her favorite liquor, and get ready for the party in like 2 hours.” Denny said walking up to the door.

“Thanks.” Lulu said going downstairs.

Denny opened the door and walked over to the bed. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Shelby said sadly.

“What's up?”

“What do you want?”

“Why do I have to want something?”

“First you show up here and claim it's because I never told you that Lulu and I got engaged. But honestly Denny, I don't think that was your real reason for coming here.”

“Shelby, you don't understand.”

“I may not understand a lot of things, but I do understand that no one wants me and Lulu together. Everyone has a reason for not wanting us together, whether it be because they want one of us, or they hate one of us. I just thought you were different Den. But I guess you're not.”

“Shelby I didn't want to break you and Lulu up. I want you to be happy Shel, I really do. You were there for me whenever I had problems, and I want to be there for you. I just never knew how to because I always thought you were way better then Lulu.”

“So what changed? What could possibly change your mind.”

“He's willing to give up the opportunity to get to know his baby for you Shelby. If that's not true love, then I don't fucking know what is. He's made mistakes but he'll be the first to admit it. He really loves you, and I think you should give him another chance.”

“I don't want him to give that up for me. I don't want him to give anything up for me.”

“Then what the fuck do you want Cuz? Cause right now it seems like you're willing to lose the man you love just to prove to people that you won't be played.” Denny said looking at Shelby.

“I don't know what I want. I'm still young.”

“Is that really going to be your excuse? That you're young? Cause that's possibly the stupidest thing that has ever come out of your mouth.” He paused. “You're smart Shelby. You know what you want in life. You always have. So swallow your pride and go find Lulu. Tell him that everything is going to be okay. Because if you don't you could lose him.” Denny got up and walked to the door. “And I wouldn't want you to realize that you need him, when it's too late.” And with that he walked out of the room, leaving Shelby to her own company.

“Her favorite liquor. Her favorite liquor. What the fuck is her favorite liquor?” Lulu asked, barely above a whisper.

“Hpnotic.” Izzy replied walking up the isle toward Lulu.

“How do you know?”

“How do you not know?” Izzy asked picking up a 5^th of Henny.

“I never knew.” Lulu mumbled grabbing a Smirtoff Ice and walking to the counter.

“It's really all she drinks besides wine coolers.” Izzy said getting in line behind Lulu.

“Shut the fuck up.” Lulu said ignoring him.

It just goes to show how much you really know about the person you 'love'.

“Sasha! Nellz!” Liz yelled rushing into the living room.

“What?” Nellz asked dropping her paper towel on the coffee table.

“Monica posted that there was a party tonight. Do you think she could be talking about this party?”

“Oh fuck!” Nellz said as Shelby walked downstairs.

“If that fucking hoe thinks she can come here empty handed she is in for a surprise!”

“It's not like she can buy alcohol.” Liz pointed out.

“Exactly. That 20 year old fucking whore-faced-slut-bitch-ass-licker, can go somewhere else where she's fucking welcomed.” Shelby said as Ruga walked into the living room.

“Ladies. What's this I hear about a whore-faced-slut-bitch-ass-licker?” He asked with a smile.

“Monica. She thinks shes coming here!” Shelby said annoyed.

“And what's the problem with that?”

“She's going to try and get with Lulu!”

“And? It's not like you two are together anymore. You dumped him once you found out him and Briana were having a baby.”

“Go fuck yourself!” Shelby said pushing Ruga out of the way.

“Don't get mad at me because you're single. You're the one that fucked shit up. People all around the world take care of other peoples babies. What the fuck makes you so special?”

“Go play with a fucking bear!” Shelby said walking into the kitchen and grabbing a can of Pepsi.

“Reality hurts.” Ruga said walking upstairs.

“Have you guys seen Lu?” Shelby asked once Ruga turned the corner.

“Nope.” Liz answered looking at Shelby as Daniel walked out of the dinning room.

“He went out with Izzy.” Daniel said looking over at Shelby.

“You know how long he'll be?”

“Nah Buddii.” Daniel said catching Shelby's attention.

“Kays.” Shelby said taking out her cell phone. She looked up 'Hubbz' and pressed the call button. She waited 28 seconds before it went to voice mail.

“Yo. It's Big Lu here. I'm either out making overs or making money. Ya feel me?” Lulu said.

“Please leave your message after the beep.” ~Beep~

“Hey Lulu. Ummm...give me a call when you get a chance. I think we should talk. Kay, love you.” Shelby said hanging up.

Daniel walked over to Shelby and pulled her into a kitchen chair. “Buddii, I didn't mean for this to happen. All I wanted was for you to come to your senses, and realize that you can do better than Lulu.”

“Let me ask you something Daniel. Is Lexi better off without you?” Shelby asked staring at him.

“I don't know. Probably.”

“But does that change how you feel about her?”

“Not even close.”

“And have I everrrr tried to break you two up? Even though I know that you can do better.”

“Nah you haven't.”

“So maybe, instead of trying to break me and Lulu up, you should stand by my side, and let me make my own mistakes. Just like I stood by your side and let you be with Lexi, knowing that there are other girls out there that could make you even more happy.” Shelby said taking Daniel's hand.

“Deal.” Daniel replied with a smile on his face as Lulu and Izzy walked into the house.

“Shibbz! Lulu's back!” Liz yelled looking at Lulu and motioning toward the kitchen.

“Got to go. Save me a dance?” Shelby asked Daniel as she stood up.

“Of course Buddii.” He replied as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Shelby walked out of the kitchen and over to Lulu and Izzy. “Can we talk?” She mumbled as Izzy walked away. Lulu nodded and they walked into the bathroom. “I don't want you to give up your baby for me.” Shelby said sitting on the edge of the tub.

“I don't really have a choice. I don't want to lose you.”

“And I don't want you to give things up for me.” Shelby pleaded.

“Briana doesn't want me anywhere near her kid.” Lulu said as Shelby sat there in silence.

She was thinking of how to to say what she wanted to....”She gave you the one thing that I can't.”

“A baby? Just because the doctors say you can't have another baby doesn't mean you really can't. You got pregnant the first time, it could happen again.” Lulu said sitting next to Shelby.

“No it can't.” Shelby said sadly.

“We can make it happen. We can do the impossible.”

“You think so?”

“I know so Shel. I know that I want to be with you, and I know that no matter what fucked up shit happens to us, we're only stronger.”

“You promise?” Shelby asked as Lulu took her hand.

“I love you. I want to get married to you.” He paused. “And you still owe me 3 kids.” He finished winking.

Shelby looked up and she smiled. Things may not be perfect, but her and Lulu were going to make them work. They were going to beat the odds and they would make sure no one broke them apart.