XXIX.

                                    

                                          
Chapter Twenty Nine. 
                          
While Xavia had been getting her mack on at the barber shop, Zealand was at the hospital trying to mentally prepare himself to see his father. Though he wasn't particularly interested in seeing Eddie, he had a few choice words he was planning to get off of his chest. 
                          
Draya sat next to Zealand and Harmony, leg bouncing a mile a minute. She was planning on giving Eddie an earful as well. Hearing the hurt in her nephew's voice over the phone as he explained to her all of the abuse he and his baby sister had endured crushed her soul. Lord knows that if India was still alive, she wouldn't have let any of that slide. She didn't play when it came to her babies. 
                          
The fact that Eddie was their own blood father and treated them like pure shit was disgusting. Draya didn't understand how he could do that to his own children. 
                          
She was proud of Zealand for being so open and vulnerable because she knew how hard it could be, especially as a male, to open up about things of that nature. 
                          
Part of her felt guilty for being absent from their lives. She was so wrapped up in her job and living life for herself that she didn't think to check in on her niece and nephew as often as she should've. 
                          
A doctor came from around the corner, clipboard in hand. "Family of Edward Carter?" She questioned loudly. 
                          
All three of them stood up, and made their way over to her. "Hello, I'm Dr.Sheraton. Edward is in pretty good condition, the bullet was removed from his leg successfully. He is now able to have visitors, but only one at a time." She then looked over at Draya, "Are you the wife?" 
                          
"Oh, God no." She said, before gagging which caught the doctor off guard. "I'm the aunt of his children." Draya corrected, pointing to Harmony and Zealand. 
                          
"My apologies, ma'am. So, who would like to go in first?" 
                          
Draya and Zealand looked at one another, and she nodded. 
                          
"Uh, I'll go." Zee stated. 
                          
"Alright, follow me down to room #307 young man." Dr.Sheraton told him, and began walking. 
                          
As Zealand followed her, Draya held Harmony's hand and they went back to the waiting area to sit down. 
                          
"TiTi, I don't wanna visit my dad." Harmony said, turning towards her aunt. 
                          
"You don't have to, baby. It's fine." She reassured her, rubbing her back. 
                          
The hallway seemed to go on for miles as Zealand walked behind the doctor. Finally, they got to the room. Dr.Sheraton knocked on the door firmly, and Eddie's gruff voice was heard telling her to come in. 
                          
"Mr.Carter, your son is here to see you." She told him as she opened the door and entered the hospital room. Zealand trailed behind, taking his precious time walking in. 
                          
Once he was inside of the room, he and Eddie made eye contact. Zee remained silent, eyes locked in place. 
                          
The doctor sensed some tension, so she cleared her throat. "Well, I'll give you two some privacy." She then stepped out, closing the door. 
                          
Zealand stood there, still silent as a mouse. He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, and looked around the room.