Unexpected.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded and grinned. He liked to dress up occasionally, it made him feel like an Al Capone type gangster. “Yea, I showered this morning so I think I’m good.” He told Lyla. As she showered he got dressed. He chose a navy blue suit, a white undershirt, and a salmon colored tie. He adjusted his cuff links, moving to look at himself in the mirror then nodded in approval. Orlando grabbed his hair gel off her night stand and ran it through his hair. He slicked his hair back. Orlando rubbed the remaining gel on his Give o’clock shadow to give it some shine.

When he heard Lyla finish up her shower he went downstairs a room grab his shoes and keys. He slid the shoes on and headed upstairs, smiling when he saw Lyla. “You look good.” He told her, holding out his hand and helping her up. “We’ll take my mustang.” Orlando walked out to the car with her, opening the passengers door for Lyla before he went around and got into the drivers side. He pulled up the address in google maps and drove to the restaurant.

Here’s the suit: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-758e064c86f5ce952233a0047495242a

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla straightened out her dress after standing up from the bed. “You look pretty good yourself,” Lyla replied smiling as she took his hand and followed him downstairs. Once they reached his car, she got in and looked out the window. It was quiet as Orlando drove to the restaurant. Lyla was almost hoping her parents wouldn’t show up. Her hope faded as she noticed their car in the parking lot. “There’s no turning back now,” she said softly as Orlando parked. Her nerves intensified as she got out and made her way inside with Orlando.

As they approached the table, she held Orlando’s hand tightly. Lyla was suddenly very self conscious, what if they could tell before she said anything? Taking a seat across from her mother, she smiled slightly at her parents, “I’m glad you both could come to dinner with us tonight.” Truth be told, Lyla felt a little better having Orlando next to her. She was certain her parents could tell something was up.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando could sense how nervous Lyla was. As they drove he would occasionally squeeze her hand, same as when they walked in. Orlando pulled out the chair for Lyla and pushed it in before sitting in his seat. He gave her father a curt nod and gave her mother a smile. “Yes, thank you Mr. And Mrs. Parker.” He said almost monotone. Orlando doled his hands on the able and looked around the restaurant.

Orlando smiled as the waitress came by. He ordered a rum & coke, along with a water for his drink. Orlando placed one hand on Lyla’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. He knew how nervous she was. He looked down at her and gave her a smile, mouthing “it will be okay.” Orlando was nervous to but he refused to show it. He kept a stoic look and stance for himself. He would be as professional as he could be, unless her family tried something. Then he would defend both he and his unborn child with the mightiness of a bull.

@ BadStreetBoys
“To be honest, we were surprised to get the invite,” Lyla’s mother, Judith, spoke.

As the waitress came, Lyla just ordered a water for herself. She didn’t really know if she would be able to stomach anything once the news was out. Seeing Orlando mouth that it was going to be okay, she nodded slightly. Lyla was surprised when she heard her father speak up.

“I don’t know what caused the sudden invite to dinner, but I have a feeling we aren’t going to like it, so please, just get it over with,” Dave spoke, looking directly at his daughter.

Lyla did her best to compose herself before speaking. She took a sip of her water before sighing softly. “Well, I suppose I’ll just say it, Orlando and I are having a baby.”

There was a silence that almost sent Lyla into a panic before Dave spoke, “Is this some kind of sick joke? You can’t possibly think bringing a child into the world with a man in his line of work is a good idea? We raised you better than this Lyla. I’m disappointed.”

Lyla couldn’t seem to form the words to respond to her father. She knew he would be upset, but she hadn’t expected him to be disappointed in her.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando has never disliked Lyla’s mother. She may not have liked him that much, but she was never outright rude to him like her father was. She would actually look him in the eye. Orlando May have been a tough scary guy, but he was also very respectful and well-mannered when needed. When Dave spoke, Orlando rolled his eyes. He was always so cynical. When Lyla broke the news Orlando held her hand and squeezed it right, trying to help calm her nerves.

“I’d be more disappointed if my child was a judgmental ass, but maybe that’s just me.” Orlando snapped back, glowering over at Dave. “Not everyone has to be a doctor or an accountant or a lawyer to be a good person.” He paused looking between her parents, just as the waitress came by. Orlando changed his composure and smiled at the waitress, ordering a burger and fries. Once the waitress left his face when back to a Stoney expression, looking between them. Orlando leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms across his chest shaking his head. “You’ve never liked me, but you don’t know me, Mr. Parker.”

@ BadStreetBoys
“I never said everyone needed to be any of those things, but I would prefer if my daughter was with someone who had a legal and legitimate career,” Dave said as he shook his head. Hearing Orlando’s last comment, he spoke again, “You’re right, I don’t know you. I know what you do and I know that one day it’s going to end up putting my daughter and now my grandchild in harms way and that’s enough of a reason for me to dislike you.”

Lyla sighed softly, “Dad, please stop. I’m sorry, this was an awful idea.” She was starting to think they would have been better off delivering the news over the phone. She looked over at her mother, who reached across the table and took Lyla’s hand in her own.

Judith looked across the table at her daughter and Orlando, “You’ve taken the time to think this through? What about school and work?” She wasn’t thrilled about it, but there was nothing they could do to change the situation.

“I’m going to keep working until I can’t and I’m going to keep going to school part time,” Lyla told them.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando rolled his eyes again at Dave’s comments. “This is legitimate. I probably Make more than you. Your daughter, and my child, are going to be well fed, well dressed, well taken care of, and very well protected.” He said sternly. Sure Orlando knew that his job was dangerous and could lead to harm on his loved ones, but he also had numerous men under his control now that his father was retiring. He also was more than capable of protecting them himself.

Orlando smiled as Judith took Lyla’s hand. “I’ve told Lyla I’ll take care of anything we need. She doesn’t have to work at all if she doesn’t want to.” He told Judith. Orlando grinned as their food came and took a bite of the burger, wiping his mouth before he looked up at her parents again. “Listen. I know that I’m not a perfect guy. But I’ve never been anything but respectful to you.” He paused. “As long as you’ve been respectful to me.” He said glaring at Dave. “I love Lyla, and I would die protecting her.”

Orlando didn’t want to start a fight but he was sick of being disrespected. There was nothing he hated more. He was a strong guy and usually forced his way into respect but he couldn’t do that now, not in public and with Lyla’s father. Orlando checked his watch for a moment, seeing he had a few missed calls. “I’m sorry I’ll be back in a moment,” he told them. Orlando stood up and kissed Lyla’s head before he excused himself to the bathroom.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla watched as Orlando walked to the bathroom before she looked back at her parents. “I know this isn’t what you both had planned for me, but I am happy. I love Orlando and we’re going to be a family. There’s nothing I want more than for both of you to be part of this, but dad I can’t handle you being so hateful and disrespectful to Orlando when he has done nothing but take care of me,” Lyla said, standing her ground.

“He’s done nothing, but protect you? Lyla, if he wanted to protect you, you wouldn’t be pregnant or with him. You are going to be in constant danger as long as you’re with him and I’m not okay with that,” Dave said, trying to make his daughter see it the way he did.

Judith interrupted them, “You’re apartment is going to be too small once the baby is born. Are the two of you going to move in together?” She wanted desperately to change the subject.

“I honestly don’t know, we haven’t talked about all of that yet, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out,” Lyla said, smiling at her mother. The three of them ate their food in silence as they waited for Orlando to come back.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando has a missed call from his friend Vinnie, who also happened to be in his gang. He called Vinnie back once away from the table. “Yo, O we have an issue down here. Martin said he got robbed of all his product, so he’s short $6k man.” Orlando rolled his eyes and laughed. “And that’s my problem how? I get 6K from every pound of product I give him. Whether he sells it, uses it, loses it. I don’t care. Tell him I need my money by tomorrow night. I’m not fucking joking. Is that really all you called me for?” He asked, somewhat annoyed. Orlando knew that Vinnie knew his policies. “No, O. We have another issue.” Vinnie pauses. “The Vipes are intruding in our territory, there was a small fight today between a few guys. But it could grow into something more.” Orlando thought for a moment, territory disputes never ended well. “Noted. Thank you. Move some more guys there, make our presence known But don’t start anything.” He told vinnie. Orlando finished the call before he headed back out to finish dinner.

Orlando say down and looked between all three. He could feel the tension between everyone. He just shook his head and signed. Orlando took a deep breath not wanting to lose his temper and yell, as well as drawing attention to himself. He wasn’t sure what they had said while he was gone so he planned to stay silent until spoken. He began to eat his food, occasionally glancing up between the family.

@ BadStreetBoys
“Well, thank you both for dinner, but I think it’s about time for us to get home. Congratulations,” Judith spoke up once she finished her food and noticed her husband was done also.

As much as she hated to admit it, Lyla was relieved when her parents were ready to leave. She told them goodbye and watched as the left the restaurant. Turning her attention back to Orlando, she smiled softly, “That could have gone worse, right? Hopefully it’s the last time we’ll have to do that for a long time.” Lyla looked at Orlando, “Everything okay?” She knew it had to be something bad if someone from the gang was calling him.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded and smiled at Judith, giving her a wave as the parents headed out. But kept his stony expression for her father. Orlando pulled out his wallet and placed cash on the table to cover the meals. “Yea definitely could have been worse.” He commented. “Your father was very subdued today.” He said and shrugged. “Maybe your mom told him he couldn’t threaten me again.” He said and laughed.

Orlando stood and offered his hand to Lyla. “Yea, just some stuff I have to deal with tomorrow. No big deal baby.” He told Lyla with a smile. Orlando walked to the car with Lyla, again opening her door before he went around and got into the drivers seat. “How much longer do you have on your lease?” He asked turning his head to look at her. “It’s small, and I mean. I want our family to live in luxury.” He teased, beginning to drive home. “My house isn’t the best, but it’s three bedroom and two bathroom. It’s definitely big enough. Probably just renovate it a bit? Should probably start now so it’s ready.” Orlando seemed to be talking to himself at the end, thinking of what to do outloud

@ BadStreetBoys
“I’m sure she didn’t want him to cause a scene in public,” Lyla replied. She was ready to go home, the nerves and worry over her parents reaction was enough to make her exhausted. Lyla stood up and took Orlando’s hand and followed him out to his car and got in. Looking over at him as he got in, she was surprised when he asked about her lease. “Are you asking me to move in with you?” She couldn’t help the smile that was spreading across her face.

She took a minute to think about how long she had been at her apartment. “Well, my actual lease was up a couple months ago and now it’s just month to month. I could give my thirty day notice on the first of the month and be out,” Lyla told him, liking the idea of them living together and getting ready for the baby.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded, he liked Judith. She was definitely the rock of that relationship that kept Dave tamed. Orlando blusheD slightly when he saw the smile on Lyla’s face as she asked if he was asking her to move in. He rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “Yea, I guess I am.” He said and smiled. “I guess I’ve been wanting that for a while, but this made it seem like the right time to ask.” He told her, turning his eyes back to the road. “I could hire some guys to renovate the house in the next month and a half. We stay at your place while they fix it up and move in after.” He suggested

Orlando pulled in behind Lyla’s car in the driveway and walked up to the door with Lyla, standing aside as he waited for her to unlock the door. When they went inside he immediately went to the bedroom and undressed down to his boxers, then flopping himself onto the bed. Orlando let out a sign of relief, “this bed has never felt more comfortable than it does right now.” He told Lyla with a laugh. “Come here and cuddle with me!” He called out, holding his arms open for her.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla smiled even more seeing Orlando blush. “I would love to move in with you,” she said. Listening to him talk about hiring someone to fix up his house and staying at the apartment, she nodded, “That would be fine.” Once they got back to her apartment, Lyla lead him up to the door and unlocked it. She laughed as Orlando disappeared into her bedroom. Shaking her head, Lyla closed the door and locked it behind her as she took her shoes off by the door.

“I’ll be right there!” Lyla called out to him. She made her way to the kitchen for a drink of water before going to the bedroom. Lyla changed from her dress to an oversized t-shirt before crawling into bed next to Orlando. “This is just what I need after today,” she said softly.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando grinned as he saw Lyla come up and change into a big tee shirt. “You look so good.”’he purred and pulled Lyla close against his chest. He smiled contently as they lay there in silence. Nodding in agreement Orlando smiled again. He loved this moment. It just felt right. He never thought he would end up here. Hell he didn’t think he would ever have a long term partner. The idea of that in his lifestyle was weird. He was used to hookups and one night stands and friends with benefits, but after he met Lyla things changed.

“I’ll call some people in the morning to start arranging everything. When we move I’ll get some of my guys to help with whatever furniture you wanna keep and we can sell the rest.” Orlando told her as he kissed Lyla’s forehead. He smiled and relaxed his head again. “Do you think your parents are gonna want to be involved? Or is your dad too stubborn and angry to put our differences aside to do what’s best for his grandchild?” He asked. Orlando knew that it could be a toss up. Who knew how this situation would change her father. Would he lessen up on Orlando? Or would he get worse. Orlando worried her father would do more to get him out of Lyla’s life.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla cuddled into his chest almost instantly, “Why thank you.” She loved being around Orlando and now knowing they would be living together she was beyond happy. Listening as he talked about renovating the house and selling what she wouldn’t need, Lyla was already making a list of things she could get rid of. She also had a list of everything they would need for the baby already starting.

Hearing Orlando ask about her parents wanting to be involved, Lyla shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I think my mom wants to be and deep down I think my dad wants to be around too, but he might be too stubborn,” she said. Lyla hated the idea of her parents not being around to meet their grandchild, but she wasn’t going to put up with her dad fighting with Orlando. Looking at Orlando, she smiled slightly, “I don’t think there’s too much more he can do to make this worse.”

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando knew Lyla was much more organized and on top of things that he was. He had no problem leaving all the planning and such to her. He’d deal with the money and the people needed to finish what they started. Orlando nodded in agreement as she spoke. “I agree. Your mom doesn’t seem to detest me the way your father does. She definitely reigns him in.” He paused. “I mean depending how badly he wanted me out of your life there’s a few more worse things he could do. Hire a hitman. Try and get me arrested. But the question is would he actually actively harm me and you?” He asked, mainly as a rhetorical question.

Orlando yawned as they lay cuddling together. He Knew he would need to be well rested if he was going to deal with a turf dispute the next day. Orlando rolled in his side and draped one arm around Lyla, yawning again. “I’m beat,” he murmured. “You sleep well baby, I love you.” He mumbled as Orlando began to drift off into sleep.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla nodded as she listened to him, “She doesn’t, my dad has always been more stubborn and bullheaded and hard to deal with.” Truth be told, Lyla didn’t know how far her father would go. She had no clue how much he would be willing to risk to get Orlando out of her life or if he would put her in harms way. Lyla wanted to doubt it, but the hatred her father had towards Orlando seemed to be deeper than she ever realized.

She smiled as Orlando yawned, “Me too, it’s been an eventful day.” Lyla closed her eyes as Orlando draped his arm across her, “I will, I love you too.” She said softly as she slowly fell asleep.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando was always confident in himself. He was sure he could handle anything David threw at him. His worry was for Lyla and being stuck in the crosshairs. He could handle his own in arguments and physical fights, he had dealt with the police before, he was sure he would be fine. But he knew if he came home with some wounds or called her form the county jail that Lyla would be devastated and upset with her father. Because of that there were a e fee ex instances of fights between the two men that Orlando didn’t tell her about. Dave had threatened Orlando to keep him away, Dave had even offered Orlando a large sum of money to stay away from his daughter. But Orlando was adamant about refusing. He loved Lyla too much. He couldn’t tell her these things because he wanted the conflict to stay to a minimum.

Orlando woke up first the Next morning. He made sure not to wake Lyla as he got up and headed downstairs. Orlando checked the time and decided to make some eggs while he waited for Lyla and before he left the house. As they slowly cooked Orlando was coordinating moves with his men for their territory. He needed to make it known that this was their place and they wouldn’t give it up. Orlando headed upstairs and grabbed some clothes just as his eggs were finishing. He sat and ate, looking around the apartment thinking of what they were gonna do with each piece of furniture.

@ BadStreetBoys
The next morning, Lyla woke up when she heard Orlando come up the stairs and into the bedroom. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and got out of bed. Grabbing a hair tie, she tossed her hair up in bun before going across the hall to the bathroom. Walking down the stairs, she smiled seeing Orlando sitting down and eating breakfast, “Good morning.” Lyla walked into the kitchen and pulled out the orange juice and poured herself a glass before making herself some toast.

“Got anything planned for today?” she asked as she leaned against the counter and sipped her juice. Once her toast was done, she sat down at the table. “If you’re not busy, I’ve got my first appointment this afternoon at two,” Lyla told him. She ate hear breakfast as she waited for Orlando’s response.