Unexpected.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando smiled as he saw Lyla sleepily getting up. “Good morning.” He murmured back. Orlando sat at the table and ate his eggs, with a glass of water. When he saw her making toast he asked if she would throw one in for him, thanking her afterwards. “I have some stuff to take care of but I can delegate and get back here so I can go with you.” He said and shrugged. “Don’t worry baby.” He told her with a grin. Orlando knew he would have to rule somewhat with an iron fist as the transition from his father to him being in charge took place. But he also knew that he had a family now and needed to focus on that.

Orlando finished his eggs and toast, rinsing the plate In the sink before he sat again. Orlando looked across at Lyla, smiling to himself. “I’m surprised you didn’t run away when you found out who I really was.” He admitted. “I’ve never really looked for a serious relationship. Or been in one. Because people run when they find out I’m this evil, scary, dude. So I mostly just had one night stands because girls love being able to say they slept with a mobster for the thrill of it, but they don’t actually want to be with the mobster.” He said with a chuckle, shrugging his shoulders as he stood.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla nodded, smiling as she finished her breakfast, “I’ll make sure to wait for you.” She was glad that Orlando was going to be involved right away. She didn’t like the idea of going to these appointments alone and Orlando just always seemed to make her more comfortable and able to relax.

Hearing Orlando say he was surprised she didn’t run away, Lyla looked over at him as he sat down again. “Maybe it’s because before I found out, I had the chance to get to know you and that part didn’t seem as important,” Lyla told him. Lyla finished her orange juice and took care of her dishes, “Besides, once you told me about it, it didn’t change anything about the way you treated me.”

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando chuckled and shrugged at her answer. “I’m surprised you never saw my face on the news or heard about me,” he looked over at Lyla, “Did your parents really shelter you that much?” Orlando teased. Orlando has purposely hid his identity from Lyla when they first met. He was sick of the one night stands and wanted something real.

“I don’t even remember how you found out.” He said and laughed. “I think my brain chooses to forget stressful situations.” Orlando told her as he stood up and he grabbed his leather jacket off the chair. “I’m gonna head out. I love you, I’ll swing by later for your appointment.” He said and kissed Lyla’s forehead before heading out the door. He wanted to get this done quick, he didn’t want anything to get in the way of him going to that doctors appointment.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla shook her head when he asked her about seeing him on the news. Truthfully, she never paid much attention to it before. “It was more of the fact that I didn’t pay much attention to it, I guess,” Lyla told him. Now, she watched the news and paid attention, especially when she thought it could involve Orlando. She was terrified that one day she would see his face plastered all over the news or hear that he had been killed. Of course, he would never mention any of that to Orlando, she didn’t want him to know how much she worried about him.

Finding out about what Orlando did was still fresh in her mind. The private phone calls and coming and going at odd hours when they stayed the night together was making Lyla think he had another woman. The following day, she confronted him and wanted to know what was going on or she was done. Her confronting Orlando forced him to tell her the truth. Lyla had been shocked and distanced herself from him for about a week before coming back to him.

“See you later,” Lyla said as she watched him walk out the door. She knew with Orlando stepping up and taking his father’s place he needed to be present and in control. Lyla went over to the couch and sat down, turning the tv on to relax for a little bit.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando chuckled and nodded. “Oh yea I’m sure that’s it,” he teased Lyla. Orlando smiled and waved goodbye as he walked outside and to his car. Once inside Orlando grabbed his sunglasses and put them on before driving off. The area that they needed to defend was down by the docks. It was prime area because the dock access allowed easier smuggling in and out of products. It wasn’t patrolled as much by police so dealing, selling, and out her activity helped greatly.

Orlando pulled up in the back of a building near the dock before pulling one of his handguns from the glovebox. He made his way down towards the dock, seeing a few of his men. “Alright, when was the last tome we’ve seen any viper activity near here?” He yelled out to the men. Orlando went to Vinnie after delegating areas for each man to patrol. “So do you have my money from yesterday?” He asked, Vinnie nodded in response and handed over the cash. Orlando nodded, “good.” Orlando went down closer by the dock when he spotted some activity. Orlando yelled for men to gather around. One of the vipers men came closer, yelling out to Orlando “Let’s strike a deal big boy!” Orlando ordered his men down as he stepped closer. “Drop your Weapon and come here then.” He ordered.The man stepped forward and Orlando had two men train their guns on him. The man looked to Orlando and grinned. “We want dock access, we are willing to give you a cut off the profits.” Orlando laughed and rolled his eyes. “Why would we do that when we could just keep the dock to ourselves and keep all the profits?” Orlando countered angrily. The guy in front of Orlando laughed and said “this is why!” Just before a gunshot rang out in the air.

@ BadStreetBoys
Checking the time on her phone, Lyla sighed before getting off the couch. She decided to take a shower before her appointment. Once she was dressed, Lyla went back to the living room to wait for Orlando. They needed to leave soon or they would be running late. Sighing when ten minutes passed, Lyla dialed Orlando’s number. It rang until it went to voicemail, Lyla left a message telling him to just meet her at the doctor’s office and gave him directions. She grabbed her keys and went to her car.

Lyla was growing anxious as she sat in the waiting room. As she was called back, she let the nurse know she was expecting someone they were just running late. After the nurse checked her vitals and left, Lyla pulled her phone out and sent a text to Orlando explaining she was in an exam room and the nurse would let him back when he got there.

Walking out of the building, Lyla got in her car and held the ultrasound picture. She was worried about Orlando, it wasn’t like him to completely miss something like this.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando was hit in the shoulder when the shot rang out, falling back. Instantly a multitude of shots were being fired in both directions. Orlando pulled his gun from his side and shot the man in front of him. “Get cover!” He screamed, forcing himself to crawl behind a nearby car. Orlando got on one knee, firing shots when he saw heads pop up or bodies move that weren’t his men. Orlando waved Vinnie over, leaning against the car and breathing heavily. “Get me something to wrap my shoulder in.” He ordered, when Vinnie brought him an old shirt he tore it into pieces as he tied it to his shoulder.

About half an hour after the first shots rang out the battle came to an end as Multiple police Sirens were heard closing in. The man who originally stood in front of Orlando lay dead, as well as a few other men from both sides. But Orlando’s gang had driven out the Vipers, it was a small victory. Orlando and his men who were injured were helped out of the way so that they could not be there when the police arrived. Luckily the gang had a nearby warehouse that everyone was able to rendezvous at. The gang had a few veterinarians and physicians assistants on payroll and they were able to come by and stitch everyone up. Orlando laid on a stretcher as the doctor dug the bullet out of his shoulder, wincing in pain. “Where’s my phone? What time is it?” He yelled. When Orlando was given his phone he saw the time, the missed calls, and the messages, frowning. He sent Lyla a text reading “I’m so sorry, something happened. I’ll be home tonight. Please don’t worry.” Orlando had suffered serious blood lose and ended up passing out as the physicians worked on his shoulder.

@ BadStreetBoys
Once Lyla got home, she decided to order food. Seeing Orlando’s text, she went to her bedroom and changed into her pajamas. Honestly, she was just happy that Orlando had finally responded to her. Lyla walked downstairs just in time to hear a knock, grabbing her money from her purse she grabbed her food. Sitting on the couch, she opened the pizza and grabbed a piece. Not knowing what time Orlando would be back, Lyla was doing her best to keep herself distracted so she wouldn’t think about where he was.

Hours had passed since she got home and Lyla was starting to feel tired. She finished the next episode of her show before turning the tv off and cleaning up. Lyla took the picture from the ultrasound and placed it on the kitchen counter. Putting the rest of the pizza in the fridge, Lyla checked to make sure the door was locked before going upstairs. Orlando had a key so he would be able to get in when he got there. Lyla went into her bedroom and closed the door before climbing into her bed and closing her eyes.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando woke up a few hours later. His shoulder was bruised from the impact of the bullet, but the hole closed. In a small mason jar next to him was the bullet that was taken out. He sat up and groaned, getting shot never felt good. He looked around, only a couple other guys were hurt, that was ant bad. He grabbed his phone and checked the news seeing articles about the terrible gang violence that had occurred by the docks. Orlando sighed knowing this would lead to a higher police presence there now. They would have to lay low. Orlando hopped off the stretcher he had laid on and found one of their on call doctors. “I need pain meds.” He ordered, rubbing his shoulder. The doctor nodded and hurried off before handing him a bottle. Orlando downed one before he walked over and sat with a few of the guys who had been there.

“O, we are so glad you’re okay.” One said, giving him a grin. “You shot that dude right in the face, O. Like you were shot and still have hella good aim.” Orlando rolled his eyes. “I don’t care, I just need us to maintain a hold on that territory. I know we won this fight but who knows if we have won this war. More cops are gonna be patrolling we can’t be starting fights and getting in legal trouble. I can’t deal with that right now.” He told the guys, reaching over he grabbed the bottle of whisky on the table and poured him a glass. He took a sip and leaned back in the chair. “I don’t even think I should go home tonight,” he said with a laugh, “I can’t worry the girlfriend, y’know.” He said to his boys. Orlando sent Lyla another message. “hey baby, I have to go back to my place tonight, I’ll come by tomorrow. Hope you sleep well. I love you.” Orlando nodded at the boys before getting up and walking around the warehouse. He asked the doctor to tighten his bandages so it wouldn’t be noticeable that he was injured. Orlando went and laid down before he fell asleep, worrying about worrying Lyla.

@ BadStreetBoys
It was around three in the morning when Lyla woke up. She went to get a glass of water and use the bathroom. Once she got back to her room and checked her phone, she sighed as she read the message from Orlando. Something was wrong, Lyla knew that much. She turned the tv on, not paying much attention until she heard the news mention a shootout at the docks. Everything made sense now, Orlando was dealing with something big.

She decided to send him a message, “I’ll see you later. Be safe. I love you too.” She put her phone on the table next to her bed before shutting the tv off again and got back into bed. Closing her eyes, she felt her body relax as she fell asleep.

@ foREVerYours.
The next morning when Orlando woke he was even more sore than the night before. He shook it off and got up, walking to their showers. He stripped down and looked at himself in the mirror, from his pecs up and all around his shoulder was dark purple surrounding the bullet hole, which was now sewed up. He had a few other bruises and such from the battle, mainly dragging himself behind the car and toting against things as he stumbled around for cover and firing options. He stepping into the shower and washed himself quickly. When he came out he got his arm rewrapped.

Orlando have orders for those of his men still healthy. He grabbed his stuff and decided to head over to Lyla’s. He drove with his one good hand. When he arrived he knocked before unlocking the door and heading in. Orlando didn’t want Lyla to realize he was injured, making sure to keep his jacket on and hand in his pocket so he wouldn’t seem injured. So he didn’t have to move his arm and seem hurt. “Hey baby, I’m back!” He called out, walking into the kitchen. Orlando smiled as he looked at the ultrasound, holding it close to his chest.

@ BadStreetBoys
When Lyla woke up the next morning, her phone was full of missed calls and messages from her dad. It was all about the shooting at the dock and how Orlando was involved. She knew her dad wasn’t going to back off, it wouldn’t surprise her if he went out of his way to get Orlando arrested. Lyla’s father had just recently retired from his law firm so he still had connections with police officers and other lawyers. Lyla came downstairs, smiling when she heard Orlando’s voice.

Seeing Orlando holding the picture from the ultrasound, Lyla smiled, “Hey.” She went to the fridge and poured some juice. “Everything okay?” Lyla asked him, sipping her juice. She could hear her phone going off again, but she ignored it, knowing it was her dad.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando smiled as he hear Lyla come down, running his thumb over the photo. “Yea, just work stuff.” He said and partially shrugged, being careful with his shoulder. Orlando didn’t tell Lyla a lot about his work or the gang life. He didn’t want to endanger her with the info, nor did he really want to get into the dirty details of his life that may upset her or she wouldn’t understand. If Lyla asked for specifies he would gladly answer but she never seemed to probe. “Our child is a black and white bean.” He said and laughed as he pinned the image to the fridge. Orlando took a picture of it to save it on his phone.

He heard Lyla’s phone going off multiple times and raised an eyebrow. “Damn who’s bugging you?” He teased. Orlando grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and dipped from it. He sat down at the table across from Lyla and smiled. “I’m really sorry I missed the appointment and wasn’t able to come home last night.” He told her sheepishly.

@ BadStreetBoys
Hearing Orlando talk about their baby, Lyla smiled, “It is. The doctor says I’m about nine weeks along and my next appointment is in four weeks.” She wanted to do everything she could to keep him updated about anything he might miss about the baby. There was no way she could really be mad at him for missing the appointment, she knew how unpredictable his work situation was. Lyla made the decision to stay with him and she had to be okay with Orlando missing some things.

“It’s my dad, he’s been leaving me messages and calling me all morning. I’m not in the mood to talk to him right now,” Lyla told him. Lyla shook her head as he apologized, “Don’t be sorry. Things change and stuff comes up, I know you didn’t want to miss the appointment.” She smiled over at him.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando grinned as she told him about the appointment, he was excited. He couldn't believe that he would actually be a father. Orlando stood again moving to grab a bagel from the wrapper and place it in the toaster. "Im starving." he commented and turned back to look at Lyla while the bagel cooked. "He's probably just salty about us having a baby." Orlando rolled his eyes and laughed. "Answer it, put it on speaker. Just let him talk, lets see what he has to say." Orlando smirked at the idea of it. Just being able to sit there and laugh at her father's antics.

Orlando didn't know that Lyla and her father knew about the shooting. He knew it would probably be known because multiple people died, but he didn't know that they knew yet. He wasn't worried about Lyla knowing, the only downside to that was her worrying about him, which he didn't want. Her father, on the other hand, him knowing could have more serious consequences.

@ BadStreetBoys
“Well, eat. I had time to get some groceries yesterday,” Lyla smiled, watching as he put the bagel in the toaster. Her smile faded when he told her to answer the phone and put it on speaker. She hesitated before grabbing her phone off the counter, “This is probably a bad idea...” Lyla said softly before answering and putting it on speaker, “Hi dad.”

Dave sighed, “It’s about time you answered! I’ve been trying to call you since yesterday.”

Lyla shook her head, “I’m fine dad, just been tired since yesterday.”

“Well, I was worried after hearing about the shooting on the news. Was he involved?” Dave asked, knowing the answer already.

The question took her off guard as she looked across the room at Orlando, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lyla lied.

@ foREVerYours.
Orlando nodded as he looked through the cupboards and fridge, making note of the groceries she had got. Just as Lyla answered he pulled the cream cheese from the fridge. He covered his bagel before taking the plate and his water, sitting at the table. As Lyla spoke with er father he began to eat. When her father asked about the shooting, Orlando raised an eyebrow. Orlando looked between the phone and Lyla, just shrugging. With his mouth half full he mouthed 'I dunno.' He didn't consider it lying if it involved the dirty things in his work, he wasn't sure if Lyla felt the same way. But he just wanted to keep her safe.

Orlando continued to eat as Lyla and her father spoke. When he finished his bagel he stood up and walked across the kitchen to put the plate away. Orlando turned too quickly when he was coming back to the table and grimaced slightly from his shoulder. He quickly wiped it off his face and walked back. Orlando mouthed to Lyla 'He's crazy' and smirked.

@ BadStreetBoys
“What do you mean you don’t know? It’s been all over the news and it happened at the docks. I’m sure he was there,” Dave said.

Lyla sighed, “Dad, I don’t know. I turned the tv off shortly after they mentioned a shooting. I didn’t keep watching. I have to go.” She ended the call and put her phone back on the counter before turning to look at Orlando again. “Were you there yesterday when that happened?” She asked.

Normally, she wouldn’t care, but she had a feeling since yesterday that something bad had happened. Lyla just wanted to be prepared if anything was going to happen and she knew if her dad caught onto something, he wouldn’t be letting it go anytime soon. “You know if he thinks he’s got the smallest chance of getting you arrested, he won’t stop until he does,” she said softly.

Orlando rolled his eyes at her father. How did this man think yelling at his daughter would get answers out of her. When she hung up Orlando grinned at Lyla until she asked him for honestly. Orlando looked down and sighed. He glanced over at her phone and grabbed it, Orlando held one hand up to his lips in the "Shhh" motion. He checked the phone and turned it off before sliding it back across to Lyla. "Just making sure they can't listen since we aren't married you can be compelled to testify against me in court." he told her. Orlando sighed again and nodded. "Yes, the Vipers were encroaching on our turf. The docks the best area for, well, activities." he paused. "There will be proof I was there, but not the kind that would get me arrested." he said and sighed again.

Orlando stood up and gingerly took his shirt off, showing Lyla the bandages that covered his shoulder and chest. "The fight started because they shot me. so my blood is on the street. But they would need to DNA match it to me. And all it does is prove I was a victim." he said and pulled his shirt back on, wincing in pain. "Otherwise, I am fine, the gang is fine, our territory is fine. I'm not worried." he said, trying to smile to calm Lyla's nerves.

@ BadStreetBoys
Lyla watched as Orlando shut her phone off and gave it back to her. She hated the idea of them trying to turn her against him. When he said there would be proof he was there, Lyla sighed. She wasn’t mad that he wasn’t telling her the details, but she didn’t like the fact that he had been hurt and was trying to hide it from her. “What’s going to happen when we’re living together and see each other everyday and you get hurt? Are you just not going to come home until you’re all healed? Just disappear for days?” Lyla asked him calmly.

Seeing the bandages on his shoulder and chest, Lyla’s eyes widened. This was the first time since they started dating that Orlando had been hurt. It was the first time that she knew of anyway. “That’s why you didn’t come back last night, you didn’t want me to know you had been shot,” she said quietly.