Please excuse ANY errors.

December 22, 1998

~Tia's P.O.V~

Hearing Donald snore lightly beside me, I turned my head to see him with the side of his face against the pillow with his mouth slightly agape. He really has been sleeping heavier than he used to which is a good thing because after the robbery years ago he was quick to wake up with any noise made. The paranoia, trauma, and past drug abuse made him... Not himself for a while.

Moving his arm from around my waist caused a loud snore to escape his mouth that quickly steadied into his original snore pattern. The noise is pretty scary, yet hilarious. It's similar to a bear growling when it's about to attack. I reached over to the nightstand, grabbed my phone off of its charger, then glanced at the clock. It's only about a quarter to five in the morning. I had been awake for a good forty-five minutes before getting out of bed.

I swung my legs to the side of the bed, slid my feet into my furry slides that I use as house shoes, then stood up. I immediately grabbed some shorts and put them on before making my way to the bathroom. After washing and drying my hands I exited the bathroom through Donald's bedroom door, then made my way downstairs to the second floor. Going straight to Ashari's bedroom, I knocked softly to avoid waking up Asiri. I heard footsteps approaching and then the door opened.

"What's up?" She asked me with Asiri on her hip.

"Did I wake her up too?" I questioned looking at my niece.

"Girl, no. This little girl has been up for a couple of hours. She woke my ass up." She yawned.

I raised my eyebrows at her yawn. "You're sleepy or just tired?"

"I'm just a little tired."

"Well, I can take her if you'd like." The reason I'm saying this is because I know babies can be difficult especially since she is now a single mother now.

"You can too, but whatever you're about to do, I will too because I'm bored as hell. I just gotta check on my son first." She said handing me Asiri.

"I'm bored too so I'm about to start making breakfast."

"For everyone?" Ashari questioned closing the door behind her.

I nodded in response as we went to the boys' room. Ashari gave me a look before opening the door just enough to stick her head through.

"They all still sleep." She closed the door. "Good!" She chuckled. "Bad as hell, but you a good one."

My expression and my tone came off as confused because that's exactly what I am at the moment. "And that means?"

"Dalvin? He's cool and so is the other brother and his wife or girlfriend bu-"

I chuckled at her calling him the other brother. "Derek." I corrected her, shaking my head. "He hates being called that and I would too at the beginning."

"Yeah, him." She shrugged her left shoulder at me as we made our way down the stairs. "But those parents, ESPECIALLY that daddy are not it. Fake as fuck. He pisses me the fuck off and I hear the slick shit he says."

Asiri started playing with the skin tags on my neck, continuing to babble.

"I mean, they're- Mrs. DeGrate seems to be okay and Mr. DeGrate doesn't seem to like me which is fine. I'm not in a relationship with them, but I am in a relationship with their son." I laughed. "Just like me and you are still cool even though you and Yasir are no longer together. You ain't screw him over and we built a bond."

"But there are also kids involved. If Yasir and I had no children together, you would still be in close contact with me?"

Thinking about it as I grabbed the fruit juice for Asiri. "Mm, I don't know." I set the carton on the kitchen island. "Maybe." I shrugged. "Depends on the bond we built. We weren't really close until you were pregnant with Masir."

"Exactly. Similar but different situations." She chuckled. "So what we makin'?"

"Nothing too out there." I shrugged, putting Asiri down. Holding my finger up, I remembered something. "Which reminds me that I need my nose plugs. Be right back!"

I sprinted out of the kitchen and then up all the damn stairs. By the time I made it to the third floor, I remembered that there is an elevator. I shook my head at myself, slightly out of breath. I walked back into my bedroom and because the sun hasn't completely risen and the blinds are closed, there is only a little light eliminating through them. Not wanting to turn on the lights and wake up Donald, I squinted and felt around the closet until it clicked that I could turn on the bathroom light which would help a bit, so I lifted up.

"What you doin'?"

I heard Donald's deep ass voice right beside my ear scaring the high hell away from me, making me jump and let out a short scream. Exhaling through my mouth trying to steady my heart rate again, I turned to him with the little space he gave me a chuckle.

"You scared the high hell away from me."

"Good. And you should be thankful that he's no longer near." He chuckled. "Scared yo ass like you do me. Got cho ass!" He pointed at me laughing. "What you diggin' through my bag for?" He eyed me.

"Don't eye me as if I were doing something wrong." I squinted. "Why is your bag even in my room when you got a whole closet and bedroom?"

He cut on the lights, then walked back to me. "Because I'm lazy and I'm always in here anyways. Why you goin' through it though?"

"Because I am looking for my nose plugs. Why are you sneaking up on me in the damn dark?" I laughed. "You were just sleeping not too long ago."

"Questioning each other can go on and on, huh?" He chuckled. "I woke up when I ain't feel you there and what made me get out of bed was you entering the room. There! Question answered." He chuckled.

I grabbed his bag about to move it out of my way.

Donald grabbed my hand that was holding the bag. "You still finna go through it even though it isn't yours?"

"I was about to move it, but now since you're so adamant about me not looking, then I will." I sat it back down on the floor, getting down there myself.

"Alright, but you ain't finna find nothin'." He smiled.

"You're acting mad suspicious right now," I said unzipping the bag just to see his reaction. "Why are you acting so odd?"

"I'm not." His voice went through a good three octaves with those two words.

"Okay..." I trailed off looking at him from the corners of my eyes. "If you didn't want me to go through this specific bag, what is it in my room and the other is in yours?" I questioned.

"I said you can. Ain't shit in there." He gave a heavy shrug, laughing.

"Okay, then I will go through it." I dug into it, quickly pulling my hand out.

He gave me an odd look as I stuck my hand back inside. Opening the bag wider, I gasped out loud.

"Not you hiding a dildo! Donald, you got somethin' to tell me?" I folded my arms.

He suited at me. "Tia, stop playin' with a nigga. Ain't no damn dil- Prove that shit."

I burst into a laughing fit, falling back.

"Exactly. Fuck I need a dildo for?" He shook his head at me. "I promise that you are on straight bullshit." He said laughing with me.

I sat up, zipping up the bag. "No, but you're acting weird as heck even for you."

"Fuck outta here." He waved me off.

I moved his bag to the side and grabbed mine. I opened the front compartment where they should be and grabbed a pair, then zipped it back up.

"What are you about to do?"

"Cook because you were asleep and I'm bored and hungry." I stood up.

"With what groceries?" He questioned. "Ain't no food in there to cook. Just snack shit I ain't ever heard of."

"I forgot about that. The thing is that I went into the fridge and didn't think about that." I shook my head.

"We could go out. Whoever is up at the moment goes. Whoever ain't get left behind and that includes the parents too. I don't give a fuck."

I shook my head at him. "That's a bit harsh."

"Sad truth because everybody pisses me the fuck off anyways. Ungrateful asses." He shook his head and then looked at me. "Not you." He corrected himself. "Even though you DO like to irritate a nigga." He chuckled.

I laughed. "Screw you, DeGrate. A'ight?"

"What happened to wait until marriage, DeGr- Andrews?"

I eyed him with his correction but didn't even bother to mention it. Instead, I changed the subject. "I'm going to go downstairs to help Ashari hey the kids dressed then I'll be back up," I said about to walk away.

He grabbed my arm. "Wait." His hand traveled down to my hand grabbing it.

I turned to fully face him "What's up?"

"I wanna talk to you about something..." He trailed off moving completely in front of me, rubbing my shoulders.

"I'm listening."

"So... Like... How do I put this?" He cleared his throat trying to find the words.

My eyebrows furrowed because this seems serious and something that was going to affect the future.

"Just say it. You say everything else flats out so don't sugarcoat it now. So?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"Take a seat for me." He motioned towards the bed. "Please?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Why? Why can't you just tell me what it is that you need to say, Donald?" I questioned.

"Because this some serious shit. I hate how to tried to change the subject. C'mon, please take a seat, love."

"Changed the subject?" My head jerked back.

"Yes, this got something to do with the whole waiting 'til marriage situation." He exhaled.

Feeling triggered by his words, while speaking my arms started flailing because... What? "If you ain't wanna wait, you don't have to be with me. I told you from jump what I was about, but you and I BOTH decided to continue this." I squinted at him. "If you ain't been waitin'-"

"Hol' on now. Damn!" He exclaimed, "You jumping straight to conclusions and shit without giving me the chance to explain myself." He chuckled. "Please sit down for this?" I looked at myself. "Please?" He asked again.

I exhaled then went to the bed, taking a seat. "I just don't understand. You brought me here to tell me some stupid shit like this? That don't make no type of sense- YOU don't make no type of sense. Sound dumb as hell too." I shook my head.

"Calm the hell down. Damn." He dropped down to his knees in front of me.

"I'm calm." I nodded, folding my arms. "Very. Very. VERY calm, Donald." I smiled sarcastically.

His eyes rolled before he began to speak. "So you remember how you said you wanted to wait until marriage before having sex, right?"

I looked at him like he was stupid because that was a dumb ass question. Of course, I remember that shit. The fuck? Am I supposed to all of a sudden forget something that I've been over more than once with men? No!

"Okay." He chuckled. "So like... That brings me here..."

"Negro, if you don't just say what you got to say, you better..." I trailed off.

"You're-" he exhaled again.

"The way you keep puffing your chest gon' make you fall out, but before you do I need to know what you tryna tell me."

"Well, if you shut up and let me talk, you will. Chill out." His eyebrows furrowed.

"What you not gon' do is talk to me like some broad on the street because this ain't that, homie." I shook my head at him with an irritated chuckle leaving the depths of my throat.

"I'm sorry, but let me get this out. Please?" He raised his eyebrows. "And why I gotta be homie?" He chuckled.

"Yes, you may." I fluttered my eyebrows at him.

"I pretended- damn." He shook his head to himself. "Basically, there's dry, and in between, then there's wet... You on the other hand get too damn wet to me and ion like that shit a bit. Shit just ain't right, so maybe-"

"Hold up." I continuously shook my head in disbelief. "What? Did I hear you correctly?" I guffawed.

"You heard me so repeating it is unnecessary. I think we should stop even that before marriage. You feel me? It'll give you the chance to- I don't fuckin' know. Dry up? It's too fucking much. Honestly." He shrugged. "Been weighing on me for a while now. Ever since the first time I- you know?" He points down at me.

I bursted out laughing because what the hell? My knees buckled and I fell forward against him on the floor on my knees.

"You laughing hard as fuck when I'm being dead ass right now. I'm serious, Tia." He told me, grabbing my hands, standing up. He brought me up on my feet once he was up.

"You- you fucking with me, right?" I said pausing to laugh here and there between my words. "I thought you wanted me to sit down anyways? You got me standing up again. For what?"

"Because you ain't taking me seriously, Tia." His jaw clenched.

"I am. Waiting is something I have no problem with. I respect THAT, BUT it's you saying I get too wet like... What?" I said confused. "Ain't nobody ever had no problem with me in that department. You're the only one to ever say that. Actually, I have NEVER heard any man say that ever."

"Well, this man is and the fact that you don't take me seriously speaks volumes, Tia."

"I don't have time for this because... What?" I said completely lost. "Foxy Brown ain't ever have that problem. Usually, it's guys complaining about women being too dry, or too loose which can also be because of the man, but you over here complaining about how she is too wet. Waiting ain't gon' dry shit up-"

"I notice how you keep sayin' other niggas love that shit tryna make it seem like I'm this weird nigga." He frowned. "Don't do that."

"Boy, BYE!" I cackled. "I'm telling you regardless of how much time passes and especially depending on the time of the month, she is not about to be dry when she's about to get some kind of action. That's like me telling you that you get TOO hard." I rolled my eyes, laughing.

"That ain't the same damn thing, Tia. You know this." Donald shook his head.

"Then what's the equivalency?" I poked my lips out.

"Me cumming too much is the equivalent to this situation."

"Negro-" I laughed.

"If it's- she is too much for you, then I guess I'll have to understand that from your point of view. I don't know what to do nor do I know what to tell you. If you want someone dry, then maybe I'm not the woman... I love you and I feel like you fuckin' with me." I laughed more, then it hit me and my head jerked back. "Damn, so all this time you been telling me this and that, how much you loved it, you were lying to me?" I folded my arms no longer laughing.

"I- Ye- no." Donald closed his mouth folding his lips into his mouth then clenched his jaw again. "Fuck you mean, you ain't the woman for me? I ain't say shit about breakin' up. All I'm sayin' is-"

"You said that it's too much for you and I'm telling you that'll never change. Whenever we were to marry and get to actual sex, it'll be- in your case WORSE. You definitely won't like that then if you don't like it now."

"That doesn't mean I wanna break things off. Ever heard of a nonsexual marriage?" He asked me.

"Get the fuck out of here!" I howled out laughing. "You're messing with me, DeGrate. You got to be!" I scoffed. "Knowing you, and most men-"

"Don't put me in that category with other niggas. Ain't no niggas out there like The Swing." He raised his voice with his arms out.

"Ooohhh... You are REALLY pissing me the fuck off, DeVanté. Sound like some shit Yasir would say with all that alpha male BULLSHIT." I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. "LIKE THEE FUCK I WAS SAYIN'," I guess taking a deep breath made me more upset or maybe it was remembering his tone and words, "ain't NO dude gon' go through a whole entire marriage with nobody without no damn sexual contact from their wife unless they getting that shit from somebody else." I rolled my eyes and neck as I spoke. "You can't even keep your hands to yourself. You were over here tryna be nasty on the plane yesterday and I'm on my period."

"You really think I'm that shallow?" He asked me.

"Boy, bye. I wasn't born last night or at night. I'm not a fuckin' dunce, DeVanté."

"Whatever." He shook his head. "You don't even want to hear me out though." He stated.

I held up my hands. "Honestly, right now I don't give a fuck and I'm hungry. It's above me now." I said about to walk away. He grabbed me again. "Unhand me you-"

"I'm trying to tell you something else, love."

I snatched my hand out of his grip. "You've said enough. I've had an earful and now I want a mouthful."

His clenched jaw slowly turned into a smile which eventually turned into laughter. He was loud too and I stood there realizing what I said, but still upset, so laughing is something I just can't do. I'm not even in the mood to. I shook my head about to leave out of the bedroom.

"Everything you say sounds like freaky as hell." He laughed. "And- and I'm fuckin' with you!" He shouted out between his laughter. " About everything! I ain't mean none of that shit I said. Ain't no damn way I'll ever really THINK of actually doin' some bullshit like that. I can't believe you fell for that shit. Hell nahh!"

Donald rested his hand on my shoulder and hurled over laughing.

"Son of a bitch." Amused at my boyfriend, I shook my head.

"Say that again and I'll tell my mama on you." He said looking at me with a smirk.

"That could mean any one of your parents, but you know that ain't what I meant. So it's you who's calling their mother out of her name." I popped my mouth. "And you play too damn much."

"I do and guess who I got it from?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Don't say me because it's-"

"The truth. You fuck with me all the damn time and now it's MY turn." He put his hand on my stomach tickling me.

I pushed him away laughing. "Move!"

He grabbed both of my hands. "Nahh, but for real. You know I like that shit. ALL of it. That's why I don't mind doin' it. I can't keep my hands off you now. I love you and that's that. Shit ain't gon' change with that."

My poked-out lips turned into a smile then laughter escaped from the depths of my throat. "A sexless marriage though?"

"I just be comin' up with shit. Although I know that shit exists, that ain't what I want and I know that for DAMN sure!" Donald nodded. "You don't either, right? Just for clarification."

"Hell NO," I said without any hesitation whatsoever.

"Good, but your reaction was priceless. I really wish that there was a camera recording you. You was pissed as hell."

I shook my head. "I wasn't that mad."

"The lies you tell and yo skin still all red from it. You was heated." He cackled.

"Ashari is probably wondering what the hell it is that I'm doing. Let me go down there and help her get the kids ready, then I'll be back up to get ready myself. Cool? Cool. Adios!"

"Damn, you over here asking and answering your own questions and shit. I can't even get a kiss before you go?"

I stuck my middle finger up at him, closing the door behind me. I headed down the stairs and to the kitchen where I expected Ashari to be but was instead met with Yasir and some lady. What is he doing here? I scoffed, turning on my heels to go.

"You not even gon' say hey to yo own blood? Yo big brother?" Yasir spoke.

I stuck up both of my middle fingers and meant it this time as I walked straight out of the kitchen, bumping into Dalvin.

"Oh, damn. My bad. I thought you and De was just upstairs screaming at each other?" Dalvin joked, pointing behind him.

"We were, but we were just playing, Dal."

"Whatever. You know your brother here?" He asked me. "I don't know where he went, but I let him in."

How did he know the address to go to? Maybe Donald told him right along with everyone else. I don't know.

"I saw him," I replied carelessly. "Um, have you seen, Ashari?" I asked him.

"Yeah, about fifteen minutes ago she was heading upstairs while I was coming down."

"Thanks," I said walking away. "Oh, and we're going to breakfast this morning. Your brother said whoever ain't ready ain't goin'!" I laughed.

"Fuck him. He gon' wait for my ass." Dalvin mumbled.

I made my way up the stairs to the second floor. I went to her room and knocked.

"Who is it?" I heard her say from the other side of the door.

"Tia," I replied.

I heard the door unlock and then open which is odd considering it wasn't even locked this morning. Ashari stuck her head out, looking left and then right. She quickly pulled me inside. She closed the door, locking it behind her. What the hell is wrong? I looked at my niece and nephew on the floor playing, then turned to her. Ashari's arms are folded.

"You on the run from the FBI or something? If so, we aren't in the states anymore." I chuckled.

"Good morning, TT!" Masir jumped up once he saw me.

"Good morning, Masir." I replied and he came over to hug me. I picked him up in the process.

"Masir, go back and play with your toys and sister," Ashari told her and Masir wiggled back down to the floor.

He did exactly what his mother said. I miss them so much

"You know your brother here, right?" She questioned.

"Yeah... I saw." I gave a straight smile.

"Why?" She shook her head. "No, I KNOW why, but I thought he wasn't coming?"

"How long has Donald been planning this?" I questioned.

"Did you not hear me? Your brother is here." She repeated.

"I heard you, Ashari. How long as in the amount of day and/or months has Donald been planning this?" I asked again.

"Mid maybe late November? Why is that important?"

"Everything was cool between the three of us then. So he was invited, but just didn't ride with us." I replied. "Girl, just ignore him. That's exactly what I'm doing."

"Your brother is bat shit crazy."

"I know something is wrong with him from firsthand." I agreed.

"He-"

We were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Tia? You in there, love?" I heard Donald's voice from the other side.

"Nahh, she ain't in here," I replied.

Ashari went and opened the door, pulling him inside.

"Strong ass!" Donald said snatching away from her laughing. "Girl, what the fuck is wrong with you?" He looked away from her to me. "Um, anyways. I know how long you take to get dressed and I'm starving right now, so I volunteer to help her get the kids dressed or whatever, so you can hurry yo slow ass up. Where Masir stuff at so I can get him and DJ dressed." Donald told her.

"It- it's in the room he sleeps in with your baby brother," Ashari said stuttering in the beginning. "I'm sorry, what are we supposed to be doing?"

"I'm sorry. I forgot. Did you want to go out to breakfast?" I asked her. "Ain't no food in that there kitchen, just snack food, so cooking is out of the question."

"Sure. Is Yasir going to be there or?" She asked.

I looked at her because this woman genuinely seems scared of Yasir. What the hell did he do for her to be like this?

"Yasir? Yasir ain't here?" Donald replied. "You seem paranoid. You on somethin'?" He joked.

"NO!" Ashari replied stressed.

Donald's eyes met mines then he looked back at Ashari. "I'm sorry. I was just joking about that last part, but he ain't here. No, he isn't coming."

"Yasir is here," I replied to Donald. "He arrived today. I just saw him and some girl."

"Him AND some girl? I invited him and I figured since everything happened that he wasn't gon' come here. Even though he is here, how the fuck he know the address. He must be on some real FBI shit." He chuckled.

"My mama. She was complaining about him not being here on the plane and she probably- No, she did give him the address." I told him.

"Seems plausible." He chuckled. "I never disinvited him, but the fuckin' nerve of his ass to bring somebody extra is beyond fuckin' me!" He raised his voice and then looked at me. "You want him to come with us?" He asked me.

I shook my head. "No."

"And I can tell that you don't, so no." He answered Ashari's question. "I don't even want him here, but-"

"I don't either, but my mama doesn't."

"It's always other people. What about you?" Donald turned to me.

"I mean, I can go about my business without having to speak to him, so..." I trailed off.

"THAT you can do." Donald chuckled. "But again, it feels as if you're trying to suppress your feelings to please others. That being your mother and Yasir because believe it or not, it pleases him that you will allow him to stay and y'all mama will take up for him no matter what. Come on, Masir."

The way Masir looked at Donald was hilarious. It's like he still remembers what happened yesterday on the plane.

"Come here," I told him and he listened to me. "You wanna go out to eat with us?" I asked him and he nodded. "Then you gotta go with Donald," I told him.

"Thanks," Ashari told Donald. "Y'all are really a big help to me and the kids."

"You welcome. I gotta get DJ dressed anyways." Donald replied. "They are my family too." He told her then looked at me. "It's Uncle D by the way."

"He's ALWAYS known you as D." I rolled my eyes at him.

"He might as well get accustomed to calling me Uncle D."

"I'm about to get ready," I said putting Masir down on his feet.

Donald tried to grab his hand but Masir moved it.

"Okay then. Be that way then." Donald chuckled at Masir, opening the door.

Masir and I walked out before Donald did the same. Once we left, the door was closed and locked.

"Somethin' ain't right," Donald whispered to me. "But we'll talk about everything later. Let me get these kids ready."

"Are your parents awake?" I asked him. "Do they know you takin' DJ?"

"Nope. All our parents and grandparents are still asleep to my knowledge. I think my parents like having to sleep in and not get up early for him and church. They know we got him." He laughed. "With they old asses and DJ being a toddler. Shit, I would."

"You ain't right. They not old."

"What the hell you called them?" He asked me opening the door to the boys' room.

Masir went back inside with DJ.

"Antique?" I shrugged with my hands out by the shoulders.

He started laughing "That's old, love."

"Remember that when you reach their age." I point at him walking away.

Donald closed the boys' bedroom door. "I'll be in there." He then followed me. For what? "Can I get some sugar? A hug?"

"No, and you sound antique." I laughed doing my best attempt to moonwalk away until I made it to the stairs. "And you're still following me?"

"You damn right."

"So you gon' go in the bathroom with me on my period? Watch me change my-"

"A'ight. Valid point." He turned around and I proceeded to go up the stairs. "Oh, yeah! I forgot to tell you."

I turned around. "Wh-"

His lips smashed into mines and I fell back, but that didn't stop me from kissing back. Plus, I didn't hit anything because of his grip broke my fall. He's getting his little hug and kiss all at once. I pulled back from him because I don't want either of our parents or grandparents catching us making out with Donald between my legs.

"Why you stop?" He whispered.

"If the parents or grandparents catch us, it's going to be awkward," I replied.

"No, it ain't. To me at least. All we doing is kissing. It ain't like we on the stairs naked doing some freaky shit."

I exhaled. "Let me get ready because I don't wanna hear your complaining later when I ain't ready."

"Just one more. One more? Please?" He pleaded to me, kissing down my chin and then neck. Donald's kisses began to trail up until he made it to my ear. "Just one?" He spoke again in a low tone into my ear.

I grabbed his chin, lifting his face just to peck his lips and mess with him, but he turned it into another deep kiss, deeper than before. Me being me and my attraction towards him, I easily fell into it which prolonged it further. His hand went to my booty, lifting my booty off of the stairs and towards him, squeezing it before he pulled away.

"You ain't even really on no more. It's your fourth day and you only spotting." Okay, how the hell does he know that "A'ight, let me not stop you from getting ready." He said before walking off.

I watched him walk away in almost complete disbelief. Ooooo, I got his ass. He keeps coming for me, and I'm coming harder for him this time around. Soon! I made my way up the stairs to my bedroom. I searched for an outfit, then got in a quick fifteen-minute shower, fixed my hair, and did everything else I needed to do before making my way out of my bedroom. The second I opened my door, I saw Donald standing there.

"Well, it's about damn time." He laughed. "I was just about to come in and see what you were doing."

I rolled my eyes. "See..."

"You were taking all day and I got myself and two kids ready before you were ready yourself." He shook his head. "What you got on? That smells good."

"Crack Cocaine," I told him.

"What?" He tilted his head.

"CRACK COCAINE." I emphasized for him slowly.

"No, I heard you, but... What you got on for real? That's new and I like it."

"Crack Cocaine."

"So that's what the fragrance is called?" He questioned.

"No, I named it that because I mixed two addictive scents and used it and now I'm hooked. You seem to be as well." I replied.

"You know what? That makes sense. That's smart as hell. Just don't say that out in the streets." He said from behind me as we walked down the stairs. "I got the boys ready though."

"Ashari should be ready now."

"If she's anything like you, I think that's highly unlikely."

"Suck my clit." I rolled my eyes.

"If I could I would and you and I both know it."

I walked straight to Ashari's room shaking my head at my boyfriend while Donald went to the boys' room. I knocked on the door.

"Tia?" She asked.

"Yeah." I nodded like she could see see, but she can hear. "You ready?" I asked her then she opened the door.

"Yeah, we're both ready," Ashari replied with Asiri on her hip and her purse on her other shoulder.

"Well, come on. Let's bounce, girl." I told her.

Asiri reached out for Donald once he walked up and he grabbed her. "Aww, see she loved Uncle D." Donald cooed. "Giving me all the love u like someone I know, but I won't speak no names." He said looking at me and then at Masir.

"Whatever, man." I waved him off. "I'm not finna play."

His cell rang and he reached into his pocket. "Wassup?" He said answering his phone. "Aye nigga, don't be callin' my phone yellin' ion care how hungry you are. We are on our way." He then hung up the phone. "Dalvin trippin'. He gotta be on somethin' stronger than weed to be callin' me like that. Got to be." He shook his head at me.

We made our way down the stairs. Ashari didn't want to walk in front of Donald because of Yasir I'm guessing. When we made it downstairs Masir ran to Yasir.

"Daddy!" He jumped into his father's arms.

"I missed you." Yasir hugged him, then looked at us. "Hey, yall. Where y'all goin'?" He asked.

At first, we all stayed silent, continuing to walk.

"C'mon Masir," Ashari told her son, but Yasir held onto Masir's hand.

Masir looked up at his father, then at mother. "Don't tell my son what he gotta do."

"Fuck you mean, nigga? That's his mama. You sound dumb and I ain't got time for this stupid ass shit." Donald laughed. "And somewhere you ain't," Donald replied answering Yasir's question.

"To eat," Masir told his father.

Yasir's face angrily scrunched up at Donald. "Fuck you. Over here talkin' to me like you ain't got no fuckin' sense with my damn daughter in your arms."

"Don't even start that shit, man." Donald chuckled. "Ain't got time."

"Can't tell me where I can't go. I'm going too and my son can ride with me." Yasir replied. "And this is Bianca."

Donald, Ashari, and I greeted her verbally and with a wave. My girl ain't bitter at the woman because she doesn't want Yasir anymore nor do I expect her to be. Yasir is nothing to be bitter over. There's no need to be rude to someone we don't know just because they're with someone we don't like. It isn't like she's done anything.

"Hi." She waved at us. "You're from Jodeci, right?" She asked Donald.

Donald chuckled. "Nope. I'm from the U.S. of A and I'm hungry. Masir, come on with us."

"Can I stay with daddy, mommy?" Masir asked him.

"It's the least you can do since you ain't been letting me see my kids. Come on." Yasir said trying to grab Asiri from Donald, but Asiri turned her head away from Yasir not wanting to be bothered.

From the looks on Yasir's face, I could tell he didn't like it.

"He doesn't have a car seat for you," Ashari told Masir.

"Well, get it." Yasir gave her a look.

"You can ride with him." Ashari gave in.

"He don't know where the fuck we goin'." Donald spoke up. "How you gon' go with us anywhere?" He chuckled.

Yasir gave a fake smile. "I can always follow behind."

"That's up to you," Donald told Ashari. "If you want the car seat, you can come get the shit. Tryin' to boss somebody around. You see this?" He asked Bianca. "This is how he gon' treat you eventually."

Donald said then walked off. I shook my head.

"No, it's actually worse," Ashari told Bianca walking away with my arm in arm.

We all walked out and Yasir grabbed the car seat like Donald said and followed us to the restaurant.

Word Count: 6,175
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