M.I.A.

CHAPTER 21

Sorry I haven't posted in like FOREVER but I have school, work etc. so I've been busy plus I wanted y'all to suffer so I took my time (who gon check me doe). Some of you guys act like crack heads going through a withdrawal I swear :(( Calm your nerves I didn't forget about the story. Anyhoe, after I have posted these last three chapters for you guys I will not be posting anymore chapters unless I get sufficient feedback from each chapter. I won't put a number on it yet since some people insist on commenting via DM's and mentions for various reasons *sideyes those who shall remain nameless* Welp, enough of my ranting :) Enjoy my loves!


Nicki and Drake sat in the living room quiet. After the officers showed the surveillance video of Scarlett, Drake broke down again. His heart sunk when they showed Lisa yanking Scarlett and throwing her in a red vehicle outside the hotel and speeding off.  Neither had spoken after the news that Scarlett was possibly being taken to Ohio. As the hotel manager was being questioned by the police, the detectives informed them that the first two hours after a child is abducted is the most crucial in hopes of finding them alive. After hearing that piece of information Drake became light headed. He couldn't picture himself living if that was to happen to his only child. His life, his light and joy, his heart, soul, and the very air that he breathed was all for her. He hoped that this was a terrible bad dream and he would soon wake up but it was far from it. The reality of it became too much for him to handle as his audible cries filled the room. Nicki held him close as he sobbed. He needed her at this moment. This situation would be enough for any man to crumble no matter how strong of a person you were.

An hour passed an still no new info on the whereabouts of Scarlett had come forth. Drake was growing more and more impatient with each passing minute. He looked at the clock on the wall as it ticked. It was 1:27 in the morning. A time where all children should be wrapped up in there cozy beds in the security of there home with their parents. Yet this was not the case for Scarlett. He lowered his head while sitting with his hands clasped in his lap. Drake closed his reddened eyes trapped in his thoughts. No one had said a word knowing he wasn't in the mood to talk.

An image of Scarlett's mother appeared smiling as he held his newborn daughter in the hospital. He was beaming with pride and adoration as a proud new dad should be when receiving the most beautiful gift on the face of the planet. She reached out her hand to him and rubbed his arm ever so lightly as he held his daughter securely in his arms. ''I know you'll be a great father to her'' she said smiling up at him. He returned the favor.

''Baby...baby...baby the detectives are here'' Drake snapped out of his thoughts as soon as he felt someone touch him. He opened his eyes and looked down to see Nicki caressing his arm softly trying to get his attention. He was doing it again. His mind had flashed back in time when Scarlett was born. He sighed. This only made him feel worse than he already did, yet he couldn't stop it. Drake looked up to see Detective Johnson and Detective Harris standing before him in the living room. He quickly jumped up out of his seat anxiously awaiting some good news.

''Did you find her?'' he asked anxiously. Both detectives looked at each other then back to Drake. They never liked this part of the job.

''No. But we did find this'' Detective Harris said giving him an envelope. Drake gulped before taking it from him.

''What is it?'' he asked opening it up. Both detectives paused before replying.

''It's a ransom'' they said unison.

''A RANSOM?'' Everyone yelled. Nicki and Forty got up swiftly from the couch.

''You've got to be kidding me! She's already taken money from his bank accounts and now she wants more? What type of shit is that?!'' Nicki yelled.

''Ma'am, I have nothing to do with it. I'm just the messenger. We found it in your mailbox Mr. Graham''

Drake furrowed his brow as he began to read the note. He clenched his teeth furious as he finished reading and handed the note back to the detective.

''I'll be back'' he said grabbing his jacket from off the couch and making his way to the door.

''Babe where are you going?''  Nicki asked confused. He stopped then turn back to look at her.

''To get my daughter back. If money is what it takes for me to see her again, then that's exactly what she will get. She can have everything I own but she cannot have my daughter. That's where I draw the line''

''Mr. Graham, I think we all know how you feel but what if she doesn't keep her promise and...''

''NO YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW I FEEL BECAUSE IF YOU DID YOU WOULDN'T TRY TO TALK ME OUT OF IT!'' He yelled. ''Do any of you have a child missing?" He asked looking at everyone in the house. No one had said anything. "Exactly, so none of you know what I'm going through! I have to do whatever it takes to get MY daughter back home safely while you guys can go home sleep.'' He added. He didn't mean to lash out at anyone but he was in a tough predicament.

Nicki never saw him this angry before and it scared her. She thought of Scarlett as a daughter and the way he said that hurt her because she was just as devastated as him about the whole situation.

''Excuse me guys'' she said running up to the bedroom fighting back tears from running down her face. Drake hung his head and sighed while closing the door. He felt like shit. He knew Nicki loved her too and just wanted her back like he did.

''I didn't mean it like that. I know you guys are trying everything you can to help me get her back and I'm sorry" he said sincerely to Forty and the two detectives while rubbing his hand over his face in frustration. He sighed deeply before making his way upstairs. He opened the door to see Nicki staring blankly outside the window with one arm crossed over her chest and and the other to her mouth. She heard him come in the bedroom but didn't even bother to look at him.

Drake walked over to where she was and wrapped his arms around her before placing his chin on her shoulder.

"Baby I'm sorry" he said sincerely. Nicki looked at Drake still obviously upset about what he said.

"I know you're going through a hard time right now so it's fine"

"No it's not fine because if it was you wouldn't be upset like this" Drake turned her around to face him and wiped the tears from her face. Nicki kept her eyes on the floor never looking up at him. Drake gently lifted her head with his finger trying to make her look at him but she adverted her eyes past his shoulder. "Baby please look at me" he demanded lowly. Nicki hesitated for a few seconds before she gave into his wishes. "I need you" he whispered softly with conviction. He had tears in his eyes. There was a brief silence before he continued. "I just want my daughter back safely. Will you help me?"

"Of course I will. That's why I dropped everything to be here. I want her back just as much as you do" she confessed.

They both shared a long hug before Drake kissed her forehead. "I know" he whispered softly against her lips while he leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry" he said while holding her close.

They stayed wrapped up in each other's arms for a few more minutes before they broke away. Nicki glanced at the clock on his nightstand. It was 1:45 in the morning.

"Come on we have work to do" she said grabbing his hand and walking out of the room.

They made their way downstairs and Nicki orchestrated a plan with him and Forty. First, they took the most recent photo of Scarlett and went into Drake office constructing flyer's to hand out while the undercover police was in place at the airport looking for any other information or clue that would link them to the three year old Scarlett. When they were done all of Young Money were at the house. Nicki and Drake split everyone up into three teams which all had a specific area to hand the flyer's out. Even Lauren helped out. Nicki refused to give into the ransom note that was placed in the mailbox.

While out passing out flyer's in the wee hours of the morning, Drake and Nicki saw the early morning news at a local coffee shop and they had and already broken the news to the public about Scarlett. The detectives kept Drake in the loop of all the tips that were coming in as well as any new leads they had. Drake's mind was spinning in circles and from the lack of sleep he had it made it worse. Not knowing if she was ok constantly bothered him but he couldn't give up on finding her.

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It was 6:00am when the crew all met back up at the house. They were visibly tired and worn out so they just crashed at Drake's house not wanting to miss anything. Wayne, Drake and Nicki were the only ones still up gathered in the kitchen.

"Baby why don't you get some sleep" Drake said pouring himself some coffee to keep awake while everyone slept.

"Yeah Nic just go lay down. We know you're tired." Wayne added.

"I don't want to miss anything"

"Babe you're not gonna miss anything just go to bed, I'll wake you up if anything happens"

"But what about you guys aren't y'all tired too?"

"We good Nic, we can handle it" Wayne said.

"You sure?"she asked. Drake walked over to her sitting on the bar stool making her get up by picking her up in his arms while she held onto his neck tightly.

"We're sure" he said carrying her upstairs to their bedroom. He placed her down on the bed and took off her shoes.

"Baby I'm not tired" she said yawning. He shook his head.

"Goodnight Onika" Drake said bending down to kiss her forehead. By the time he straightened back up she was sounding sleeping. And she says she's not tired he thought.

Drake made his way back downstairs to Wayne who was now on the phone talking to someone.

"Yo, Drake they got a new lead at the airport, we gotta go" he said getting up.

"How you know?" Drake asked confused.

"I have my sources nigga now lets go"

They both grabbed their keys and slipped out of the house while everyone was still sleeping.

At the airport they met up with a tall built man who looked like he was in his mid-thirties. Wayne walked up to him and dapped him. Drake just nodded his head up at him not knowing what to say or do.

"What you got for us Tony?" Wayne asked.

"I saw her sitting right over there when I was getting off work" He walked with them showing and pointing in the direction. "I didn't know anything about a missing child until my boss informed us to be alert of a little girl and showed us her picture. We were told to notify the officials if we spotted her but it was to late. The plan boarded and left. We were told that it touched down in Ohio twenty minutes ago so they couldn't stopped anyone from leaving the plan before she left the airport." He looked to Drake. "I'm sorry man, I wish I knew earlier to stop that plane and get your daughter"

Drake shook his head in disbelief. That hotel manager was right about Lisa going to Ohio.

"It ain't your fault man" he said shaking his head. "Thanks for the tip" There was and awkward silent between the three men before Drake had a very important question to ask. "Did my daughter...how was she...did she look ok?" He finally got the words out.

"I really didn't get  a real close look at her face but she looked fine just a little sad and exhausted I would say. Her eyes were red and puffy, I assume from crying a lot."

This didn't sit well with Drake. He couldn't imagine her like that. Pain and hurt fell across his face. He held back the tears that were threatening to appear once again. Feeling weak he sat in a nearby chair to keep from collapsing on the ground.

"Officials in Ohio have already been notified by the detectives who interviewed me" Tony said trying to lighten the mood a little. Drake just sat with his hands clasped over his mouth as he leaned forward nodding.

"Man whoever this is is gonna pay big time when I get a hold of them. This some fucked up shit right here and my niece is the one paying the price? They ain't getting away with this" Wayne said walking off. Drake didn't bother to stop him, he just sat there distraught praying for his daughter's safe return home.

After awhile he decided to take matters into his own hands too. He booked a flight to Ohio find Scarlett himself. He would just call Nicki later and let her know where he was.

Several hours later Nicki was awoken by a sudden loud knock on the door. She rubbed her eyes and got up opening the door to the bedroom. She was shocked to see who it was standing in front of her.

"Mama Graham?... Detective Harris? What are you two doing here? Where's Drake?"

"That's what we want to know. Is he in here?" Sandi asked.

"Him and Wayne were downstairs before I fell asleep." she informed them but they already checked downstairs and he was nowhere to be found. Nicki knew that Drake didn't call his mother to let him know what was going on. She looked to Detective Harris. "Umm, did you..." she cut off by Sandi.

"I already know sweetheart. It's ok now" she said giving Nicki a hug trying not to cry. The detective told me everything" They broke away from each other and Nicki stared at Detective Harris.

"Did you find my ladybug?" she asked holding back tears. Detective Harris shook his head with a smile.

"We found her" he confirmed. Both woman hugged again as tears escaped their eyes. They were happy tears.

"Well where is she?" Nicki asked.

"She's in an the hospital?"

"In the HOSPITAL?!?" She exclaimed.

"Yes"

"Well I have to go see her" Nicki said looking around for her purse and keys.

"You can but she's in Ohio...that's were we found her. The doctors say that she's completely stabled. She'll be alright" he added. Nicki scrunched up her face but she didn't care she had to go so her.

"I have to call Drake" she said dialing his number on her phone. He was just driving around with her pink bunny and flyers still unaware that Scarlett had been found when he heard his phone ringing. He looked at the caller Id and saw that it was Nicki calling. He picked up.

"Baby I know you're gonna be mad but..." he said before getting cut off.

“Babe, they found her” Drake slammed on the brakes before the car came to a sudden halt on a busy road.

"What did you just say?" he asked as cars were blowing there horns at him. He didn't care though.

"They found Scarlett"

“Where is she?”

“She was transported to the hospital”

“What! Is my baby ok?”

“I don’t know for sure but she's stable. They won’t tell us anything else but she was involved in a car accident!”

“Oh god, which hospital?”  he asked. Drake put the care in drive again. He had to see if Scarlett was ok.

Are y’all happy now? They found Scarlett!

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