Not As It Seems

Home?

A/N: I did not edit or proof read lol 

It had been a few agonizing days since Tasia woke up, her mind swirling with a tumult of emotions. Her medical team had finally given her the green light for discharge, but as the golden hues of dawn bathed her hospital room, Fantasia found herself gripped by a wave of anxiety. Stepping beyond the sterile confines of the hospital felt like stepping into the unknown abyss of her shattered life.

Where would she go? The thought of returning to her "home" sent shivers of fear coursing through her veins. It was no longer a sanctuary but a haunting reminder of the trauma she had endured. Taraji and Felicia had been her steadfast pillars of support, assuring her that Ken was locked up for good, his reach severed from her life. Taraji's jest about "Cookie taking care of his ass" brought a fleeting sense of relief, though its true meaning remained a mystery to her.

But now, as the moment of departure loomed closer, Fantasia realized with a sinking heart that she had nothing to call her own. No place to lay her head, no haven to seek solace in.

Summoning her resolve, Fantasia braced herself for the day ahead, her thoughts interrupted by the sound of her daughter's eager footsteps.

"Jiji, the door is locked! I wanna see mommy!" Keziah's innocent voice pierced the air, her small hands tugging at the stubborn door.

"You need to wait, baby girl. Remember what I said about the locked door?" Taraji's gentle reminder held a hint of sadness, a reflection of the weight they all carried.

"Mommy's resting and healing. Gotta knock first," Keziah parroted dutifully, her young mind grasping at the fragments of understanding.

"Good job, baby," Taraji praised softly, her heart heavy with unspoken fears and uncertainties.

"Are you coming home with us, Jiji?" Keziah's hopeful inquiry hung in the air, a question laden with longing and anticipation.

"Um, well, girlie, I... let's get mommy settled, then we'll talk about sleepovers, okay?" Taraji's response was tinged with apprehension, her gaze flickering with unspoken worries. She had yet to broach the delicate subject of their future, hesitant to shatter the fragile peace they had found.

Truthfully, Taraji didn't know what awaited them once Fantasia was released. After the emotional rollercoaster of Fantasia waking up from her coma, they had skirted around the topic of their relationship, tiptoeing on eggshells to avoid the raw truths lurking beneath the surface. Taraji feared the unknown, the daunting prospect of rebuilding what was lost, of confronting the ghosts of their past.

"Hell, let's be real, you treated her like shit before you knew what she was going through," Taraji's inner voice taunted, a bitter reminder of her own shortcomings.

"Okay Jiji, can I see mommy now?"

"Yes baby. Let's Knock first."

"Come in baby." Taraji helped Keziah unlock the door.

"Mommy its going home day."

"Good morning mommy's baby." She hugged her tight

"Too Tight mommy" Keziah giggled

They were interrupted by the medical team and Felicia entering the room.

"Dr Bailey...Hug!" Keziah and the doctor had developed a relationship as she frequently played with her daughter Pru when she visited the hospital.

"Hey Kezi!" She hugged the small child. "I brought Pru for you to play with while we talk to mommy. Okay?"

"Yay" the little girls took off to the playroom.

"I'm guessing this isn't a good conversation?" Fantasia asked gathering everyones attention. She noticed Taraji moving herself to a corner of the room almost shying away from the group. She had been doing that the last couple of days. It confused her. Felicia had told her how Taraji had taken charge of her care and all of her affairs. In Felicias words 'She bossed up and showed her ass.' Fantasia was well aware of how Taraji handled business. Tasia was the only one aware of Taraji's 'soft girl/submissive persona'. Tasia couldn't help but wonder why she was so standoffish now.

"Fantasia this is Dr. David, he is our chief of psychology here at memorial. Although I have cleared you. " she side eyed the man standing next to her "Dr. David does not feel that you are ready to be released on your own."

"What Dr Bailey means..."

"Chief Bailey to you sir." She corrected him. You could tell they might not be in agreeable on what he's about to say. It also appeared that his respect or lack there of for her is wavering

"What Chief Bailey means is that I am recommending that you be admitted to a facility where we can monitor your mental health. I cant in good conscious sign off to release a mentally unsta..."

"Watch it Dr.!" everyones head turned towards Taraji as she stepped up to the Dr. "Watch how you speak about her and watch the tone with which you speak. I promise you I not the one and neither is she."

"With all do respect Ma'am you are no longer acting as her MPOA in this situation. So suggest you show me some respect."

"Dr. David!" Maranda chastised. As Taraji tried to approach the man Fantasia grasped her hadn't and held it tight.

"Taraji...Please"

"Tasia he will not speak to you like this." She expressed. She didn't pull away from fantasia but directed her attention to the Psychologist "Dr. David is it?" She asked rhetorically "Fantasia will not be going to any facility. Further more you are no longer on her medical team."

"You have no say here. I placed this patient on a hold as she is a danger to herself and others until I say otherwise. So back up."

"With the least amount of respect possible Dr. David. That means that Taraji has say here! Legally speaking per her MPOA. Including deciding any and all medical covering mental health." Felicia's tone and demeanor dared the doctor to speak before she was finished. She approached while typing on her phone. Continuing "Additionally she has the authority to override any medical decisions that will hinder the wellbeing of Miss Barrino. I believe that She has made her decision as far as your position on Miss Barrino's medical team so you are dismissed. Please tell you lawyer to be expecting an email from my office in regards to you treatment of my client. She has been awake for days and not once have you or your team made any movement to check on my clients wellbeing. This is the first time you have entered her room and spoken with her. I'm assuming you saw her VIP status and saw a payday for you little facility." When she was close enough to whisper so only he can here she dropped her bomb "When you walked in your face looked very familiar. I remember you Dr. Eli David of Miami, Fl. I helped your wife after you left your hand prints around her neck. Tell me do you seek out all DV victims so you can assert your fake ass dominance to feel like a man since I got your wife away from you. I'm going to have fun going to the medical board this afternoon." She looked down and saw he hands clinched and shaking "unclench your hands baby boy. I promise you i'm not the one do you like the taste of steel?" She spat venomously. He held her stare before looking around the room take in the confused faces. "You're excused but I'll see you later buttercup and I'm bringing friends. Don't go to far!" She laughed turning to Dr. Bailey. "Any more issues or can we get Fantasia out of here?