Please excuse ANY errors.

December 31, 1998

~DeVanté's P.O.V~

Emotional... I've been extremely emotional for the past few days because I've never done anything like this. I don't have any hesitance because that would mean I shouldn't be doing this. I'm definitely ready, but I'm so nervous that I'm emotional. Tonight's the night...

The music is smooth, Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson, and Minnie Riperton are played because anything different would definitely rub my parents the wrong way. Also besides Joe, the singer, those are Tia's favorite music artists. This is about Tia AND my family.

Tia and I danced or more like swayed to the music. When we first started to dance, we conversed, but we eventually ended our conversation and just swayed. Every blue moon, I lost my rhythm and went the wrong way. I grabbed Tia's hands, still moving, but pulled back. Taking my cue, she spun and dipped into my right arm.

"Didn't think I knew how to do that salsa dance, did you?" I asked, whispering as we'd been doing as she remained dipped in my arm.

"That's simple," Tia chuckled.

"That's a smooth move that ain't that simple," I replied laughing. "That's salsa."

Tia rolled her eyes with a smile, "alright, Donald." Feeling my eyes well up, I lifted her up to where she was standing straight. "Babe? What's wrong?" Tia asked me in a concerned tone with her bottom lip poked out.

"You're so beautiful," I replied.

Her right eyebrow lifted, "is that why you're crying? We see each other every day and all of a sudden-" Tia sighed, calling out to me, "Babe? What's the matter?"

I shook my head, then laid my forehead against hers, continuing to sway. She rubbed my tears away with her thumbs. She sighed again and continued to dance with me in silence. Eventually, dinnertime rolled around and EVERYONE sat around the large dinner table. Elijah's sexuality is apparent and before this, I told my family about Elijah. My cousins are accepting of gay people, but the older ones are strongly against and hate gay people and anything beyond gayness
The kids sat at a different table, all except Asiri because she's a baby. My mother lead the prayer, but my grandfather decided that he wants to add more.

My grandfather has a few health problems. He had a stroke this year and has recovered from that quickly with physical therapy, but he still has so many other things going on. He came to Paris with the rest of us because he wanted to be here too, but he hasn't been out of the house much nor does he want to be bothered too much.

"Donald Junior, I know that you got other plans, but the fact that you were able to get so much of the family to come here for the holidays speaks volumes. Not just for Christmas and New Year, but for Thanksgiving too. Thank you. THIS may be the last New Year's Eve and Day that I ever spend with my family-"

His speech was interrupted with a few, "Don't say that," and sad coos of disagreement.

Looking down at my empty plate, getting emotional from my grandfather's words. I closed my eyes as Tia rubbed my back in comfort, she then grabbed my hand with her free hand.

My grandfather continued, "Hold on NOW," he raised his voice some, "let me finish." Everyone got quiet. "I'm telling you this so you all can be prepared. This is real life and unfortunately, it has to eventually come to an end. During this trip, I spent most of my time in the bedroom, but I still have seen and heard so many things. Most of you are young and the rest are young enough. Y'all are young and don't let nobody and I do mean nobody-" he paused and I finally looked up again, "stop you from what you want to do. If it ain't causing harm to yourself or others, then do it no matter what."

I nodded in agreement.

He chuckled, before continuing. "Being my age may seem so far away, but before you know it, BOOM you are this old. I encourage everyone to experience things for themselves so they can learn from those experiences. Some may have bad results, but life is full of bad results. As long as you learn from them and don't repeat those things, then you should be fine."

"Again, that's IF it doesn't have a huge impact on other people's lives. People can't live their lives based on someone else's morals, they have their own morals. At the end of the day, you'll have to answer to God. Keep your friends and family close, but keep God even closer. Everything that I've done and said in my life, I'll still have to answer to him when hen I leave this earth, I'll have to face the Lord. That's all I have for everyone," he sat back down once he finished.

"Amen!" Most of us co-signed while others just looked dumbfounded.

Tia's mother, Daryl, my father, and a couple of other people are the ones with dumbfounded expressions on their faces. That changed my mood because I wanted to laugh so bad, but just smiled.

"Babe, I'm okay," I reassured her, still amused, my face held a genuine smile.

The part where my grandfather stated that people can't live by others' morals is something that I hope everyone paid close attention to. My grandfather is correct, life is short, but it seems shorter when you haven't accomplished all that you wanted because you're living off of other people's morals. Food was passed around the table. I pecked Tia's lips and then grabbed the food that was being passed around.

"Listen, y'all ain't got to worry because I made the potato salad!" Maria told us.

"My stomach or my taste buds won't have to either because I'll definitely pass on that," I pointed to her. "Thanks for letting us know."

"She just playin'! I'm not letting this woman come near the kitchen as long as I'm there," Eden smiled.

"Who made it then?" Pops looked at Eden.

"Me," she made a face with her response.

"A relief!" K-Ci told her.

"You taste her food?" JoJo asked his brothers.

"Nope, but she got that I can't cook look," K-Ci replied.

"She can cook, but she needs to work on deserts and baking goods," Derek defended.

"My words still stand," K-Ci exhaled.

"Nah, she a'ight," I agreed with Derek. "I have nothing but love for Maria and everybody knows that I joke a lot. She can cook a little something, but she can also BURN. Some things need not be done by you," I pointed to her.

"No, you don't!" Dalvin said laughing. "You don't play too much. In fact, you can be too serious!" Dalvin told me.

"Two things can be true at once," I replied. "Depending on the circumstances, my mood, and the person," I shrugged.

"Listen, I've been told, but only recently," Maria replied to what I said about her.

"Don't be rude, K-Ci," my mother replied. "What's that can't cook look you speak of?" She asked K-Ci.

"Mrs. DeGrate, I wasn't trying to be rude or anything, some people have it and some don't," K-Ci responded.

"Can you cook?" My mother asked K-Ci.

"No, but I can watch people cook," he replied. "I don't mind."

"The two of you should have a cooking contest," Daryl pointed.

"That's a good idea," Derek shouted. "I KNEW you had that can't cook look!"

"I admit it though," K-Ci laughed. "Some people can't."

"Women VS Men?" Dalvin added.

"Yikes!" Edna shook her head. "Y'all will definitely LOSE so hard that your mothers will have to nurse you back to health. Too many of us know our way around the kitchen and y'all don't- MOST of y'all. Pshhh, they put their minds, right?" Edna looked at her sister.

Eden poked her lips out and shook her head, "I'll do it as long as we gettin' paid."

"I can cook," JoJo added.

"Who else though?" Edna asked him.

"I've been learning," I replied to her.

"That's two on that side. Anyone else?" Edna looked around the table.

"I can slave over a microwave and get things done. That little thing comes in handy," Dalvin replied.

"Skuuuurrrt! That doesn't count," Eden shook her head.

"Can you ladies grill?" Pops asked Eden.

"Umm, yeah," Edna nodded.

I looked at Tia, "can you grill?"

Tia nodded, "I can, but I don't like to grill."

"Why?" K-Ci asked her.

"The heat. It's most likely already hot outside when grilling, but the grill makes it even hotter. The bugs tearing me up... My eyes are sensitive and the smoke makes it worse, blocking my vision a bit..." Tia listed off. "Shall I go on?"

"Tell me you're a woman without telling me you're a woman," JoJo chuckled. "Smoke irritates your eyes?"

"Tell me you smoke without telling me you smoke," Tia looked at him. "Yes, it always has."

"All those times you were around Pac?" K-Ci asked Tia and they burn.

Tia ignored him because she already answered the question, so she just took a sip of water, looking at him.

"Especially Pac," I replied. "Smoke like a chimney."

"Tupac?" Edna asked, "The rapper? You hang around him?"

"I did," Tia said using a past tense verb.

"What happened?" K-Ci asked Tia, "Y'all used to be tight. I'm surprised he ain't here because this is-"

I gave him the shut the fuck up expression and Tia shrugged her shoulders. I don't even want to be around Pac a lot because he hangs around some shady people. A lot of those people seem jealous and deep in the streets. You see, I can handle myself and I have bodyguards, but people who grew up in the streets, unlike myself, can handle themselves better and have others jump in too. Why put me in situations where I feel uncomfortable or unsafe?

"Anybody can grow apart," Daryl spoke up. "It happens all the time."

"I guess," K-Ci shrugged.

"This is a late dinner. I'm old and I'm feeling tired already. I'm about ready to say forget countdown," Pops changed the subject.

"You can't hang no more?" Derek asked him.

"Unless I'm working, no," Pops shook his head in response.

"About this women versus men cooking thing, we gon' have to wait until we get to the States because they don't have everything we use," Edna spoke up.

"Yeah, the fake stuff," JoJo said laughing.

"Fake or not, we need those things. The cheese they have here is ridiculous. They smell funky and taste like it too," Eden replied. "They mostly use herbs, but like KFC, I need the spices too."

"Well, Tia made some mac and cheese and it was good, what do you use?" JoJo looked at her.

Tia smiled, "cheese," she shrugged, then continued to eat. I silently laughed.

JoJo gave her a look, "nah, you used wax. Of course, you used cheese, I mean what kind?"

"Just... Typical cheese," Tia shrugged once again, then picked up her fork again.

"Who taught you how to cook?" JoJo asked her.

"Family," Tia replied.

The fact that Tia's just giving one-worded or brief replies is hilarious to me.

"Didn't you ask that before?" I asked JoJo. "I could be wrong."

"I don't even know," JoJo shrugged.

"Let's talk about something with some substance, what's everyone's New Year's resolution? Honey, why don't you start?" Pops looked toward my mother.

"I'm fulfilled, I just want my children to live up to their full potential. It's okay to have fun, but not be reckless," my mother replied. "I want them to be happy and to stay close to the Lord. Obey him by NOT shacking up," she looked directly at Dalvin and Derek.

(Originally, shacking up means living with someone while not being married, but some people use the word for people sleeping with people they aren't married to. Also, moving in with a man implies that you're already sleeping with each other.)

Pops exhaled, "My New Year's resolution is to get more people into the Lord and into my church," he looked to Maria to go next.

"I want the new edition of our family to be healthy and I want us to be financially stable," Maria replied. "That's all for my New Year's Resolution."

"My New Year's Resolution is the same as Maria's," Derek spoke.

"For my New Year's Resolution I just want to become more successful,' Dalvin replied.

"How will you do that?" Pops asked him.

"Focusing a little more and working on my craft and surrounding myself with like-minded people," Dalvin replied.

Ashari being next, began to speak, "For my New Year's resolution, I want to start this next chapter of my life just strictly focusing on me and my children. I want to be stress-free of anything else outside of that."

Ashari being next, began to speak, "I want to start this next chapter of my life just strictly focusing on me and my children. I want to be stress-free of anything else outside of that."

Courtney cleared her throat, "Financially, I'm getting by, but I want to be able to go on more trips."

Tia sat her glass down, she was drinking more than eating. "My New Year's Resolution includes not allowing family or experiences to dictate my life. Secondly, I wish that all my New Year resolutions would come to fruition."

I will become less of a people pleaser, please myself more, and be happy and/ or content with those decisions. How they feel isn't my problem anymore."

Some people, even the ones who recently arrived and haven't witnessed the foolery, gave knowing looks.

"I guess it's my turn," I covered my mouth with my fist as I finished chewing my food. "I want to continue being me. I've been doing great for these past few years career-wise, financially, and on a personal level. I guess you can say that I don't really have- ACTUALLY-" I said realizing something, "if this is Grandpa's last holiday with us, I want to make sure that he has a great whatever time he has left with us."

"Junior, I will be fine. Your life is just starting, live it," Grandpa replied to me.

"More than one thing can be done at once," I replied to him. "I also want to take it to the next level in my relationship. Those are my New Year's Resolutions."

"That was... A lot..." K-Ci looked at me.

"For my New Year's Resolution, I want to get along with my brother and become a better father," JoJo replied.

Eden, Aaron, Elijah, Max, Edna, Ethan, K-Ci, and my grandparents all said their New Year resolutions. Daryl was the translator of his parents and repeated what they said. Tia's mother and Daryl are next.

Her mother started, "This year, I want to be financially, mentally, and emotionally free of those trying to hold me back. I want my son to continue to be the great person he is and my daughter to- yeah," she finished.

"Hmph," Tia shrugged her shoulder, taking another bite.

"Said something smart?" Tia's mother looked her way and Tia just smiled without words.

Tia's mother didn't even have to mention her name if this is what she was going to do. Why is she even here? How did she get here? I didn't invite her here after everything. However, I didn't say that she couldn't come either. I thought she opt herself out of coming. Silly me! This lady probably just tagged along with her husband and some of my family members.

With Daryl being next, he started, "So... Mine is to be a family again. I just want peace."

"Hopefully we all work towards our resolution and keep working towards the things even if we work towards it the whole year and feel unaccomplished. We still work on it the next year unless you have different desires to fulfill," Pops said finishing it off.

Dinner eventually ended and even then, Tia stuck to her healthiness by not consuming the different foods that sat before us. Everyone scattered in different directions. Some of the older people went to one of the back rooms, some stayed with the younger crowd. Most of the children are asleep because their sleep patterns will be discombobulated. All the kids fell asleep except Asiri.

My date and I danced a bit before she was taken away from me by my cousins and her friends. I was tired of busting my good moves anyways. They were so good that I ran out of them. I put my shades on before I went to be with the fellas. I've been over here for a while now.

"This some dope shit. No woman could ever make me do this type of shit. Not to mention how expensive it is," K-Ci said looking around.

"I wasn't MADE to do anything. It was simply something that I WANTED to do, K-Ci. I don't expect you to understand," I replied.

"No, it ain't that I DON'T understand. I just wouldn't do it. I understand why you did it because of WHO you did it for," K-Ci told me.

Ethan looked at me, "I saw you out there killing it on the dancefloor."

"Eh, what can I say? I got the moves," I told him.

"Don't get your hopes up too high. This a white boy complimenting you," JoJo reminded me.

"A compliment is a compliment. Your ass is just mad you weren't complimented," I told him laughing. "Jealous ass."

"Listen, I can definitely dance. Being white doesn't mean anything. I remind people of Michael Jackson with my moves," Ethan told us.

I folded my arms, "really?"

"Hey, just because you married to a sister doesn't mean shit. You ain't got to impress us," K-Ci patted Ethan's shoulders.

"You don't believe me?" Ethan gave us a look. "Please play some Michael Jackson music. Do you all have any of his music?" He asked us.

"We do," I walked over to the music section and plopped in a Michael Jackson CD, and turned it straight to Billie Jean. "He we go," I turned it up and stood against the wall.

Ethan started off by doing to walk MJ started with on the video. It looked even more smooth because he also has on a tuxedo like MJ did in the video. He did the dance move for move, sometimes he added some of MJ's signature moves. Ethan really can dance. His dance moves put mine to shame. Impressed, I clapped along with everyone else when he finished.

"Damn, that was good shit, English!" K-Ci walked up to him and shook him up.

"That was good!" I said walking in his direction. When I made it to him, I patted his shoulders. "You even put me to shame."

"Nigga, I put YOU to shame. That ain't nothin' hard to do. I don't know why you think you got it. You are ASS," JoJo told me. "I don't know who bigged your head up."

I threw my hand at him in dismissal. I'm fully aware that I'm ass when it comes to dancing, I just like playing. I don't need to do too much. I'm already gifted when it comes to music. Why would I need to know how to dance? I mean, yeah, it's a good skill, but I don't care for it.

"Y'all have my husband out here bustin' moves. Why?" Edna gave us a look. "Did you at least bet on it?" She asked Ethan.

"No," Ethan replied.

"Ahh, no... I told you to bet when it comes to these heathens," Edna said laughing. "They ALWAYS want somebody to do something or prove themselves. They were my first job growing up. We betted on almost everything."

"She talkin' about these fools because I already know her," I pointed at K-Ci and JoJo. "This is my cousin whom I grew up with, so I ain't have to bet on a thing," I said wrapping my arm around Edna's shoulder.

"This is just my first time meeting him, so I thought he was bullshittin'," K-Ci responded to Edna.

"Well, now you see that he isn't," Edna smiled.

"If I would've known that- I could definitely use you for choreography," I nodded at him.

"My career doesn't really give me that type of time, so I don't really know about that," Ethan replied to me.

"What do you do for a living?" JoJo asked him.

"I run my own dentist's office," Ethan replied to JoJo.

I already knew because Ethan has been around for a while. The dancing part was definitely a surprise.

"What you do newbie?" K-Ci turned to Aaron.

"I'm a journalist," Aaron nodded.

Damn! Have we been hanging around our opposition this whole time? We all looked around at each other. Eden really brought a journalist around us. I've spoken to him a couple of times, but never did I know that this man was a journalist. They've only been engaged for a few months.

"A journalist?" I asked him. "Oh, wow..."

"Don't jump to conclusions," Eden gave me a look. "Aaron is not a bad guy."

"I didn't say that, but this is a risk. This dude has front-row seats when it comes to our lives," Dalvin pointed his entire hand at him.

"Where's Tia?" I asked looking around and noticing that she isn't around.

"She's around here somewhere with Asiri," Courtney replied.

"She trying to put her sleep," Ashari replied to me.

I nodded and left the room. First, I went to the room where the other kids are sleeping since she is putting Asiri to sleep. The only kids I see are Derek's kids. This is a big ass hotel suite. The whole floor is the suite.

"Babe?" I softly called out thinking it would somewhat help.

"Junior?" A door flew open, revealing my mother.

"Yes?" I replied.

"I think she's still in the next room over with the kids," Mother replied.

"Okay, thank you," I said then began walking to the next room over as the room door closed.

I went to the next room over and knocked before entering, but she was not in there either. Then I went to the other room next to the room my mother is residing inside. I knocked, then opened the door, seeing Tia holding Asiri while sitting in the chair and Masir and DJ asleep on the bed.

"-We are shining stars. We are invincible. We are who we are. On our darkest day when we're miles away so we'll come, we will find our way home.

If you're lost and alone or you're sinking like a stone, carry o-" Tia sang lowly.

"Babe? You didn't hear the knock?"

"I did, I was just hoping whoever was on the other side would go away," she rose her eyebrows.

"Ah, so you want me to," I turned away from her, "go away?" I said in a demonic voice like Michael Jackson on Thriller and turned around to face in at the same time just as he did.

Tia chuckled, "You're so corny. You're fine though."

I walked towards her and squatted at her knees. "How long have you been in here?"

"I lost track of time," she whispered back.

"That long, huh?" I asked her.

"Yeah, when I came in here the boys were awake and playing with each other. I had to make sure they went to sleep and get her to sleep," she replied.

I sat on the edge of the bed. "When you were in the kitchen with my family, what did they ask you? No, the real question is if you said too much?"

Tia eyed me, "No..." She trailed off before continuing, "Why?"

"Aaron is a journalist," I replied and she shot me another look. "I know. We all just found out. I didn't even know that" I shook my head. "For all we know, he could've been one of the ones on the lawn," I told her.

"Wouldn't you have recognized him though?" Tia looked at me. "When you know someone, they usually catch your eyes quickly."

"Babe, I wasn't really paying attention to every single one of their faces. There were too many, but they were all American due to their voices," I told her.

"Mm, just don't jump to conclusions. Eden is your cousin and has your best interest at heart," Tia replied.

"It's not necessarily her that I don't trust, but don't let your guard down either," I told her. "I mean in general. You know how couples can be, they share things with their partners. Pillow talk. We even do it. You know what I'm sayin'?"

"Well, you know I don't let too many people in my personal life," she replied. "It's fine. I know better."

"I'm glad that you are careful," I replied, exhaling. "So you're lost and alone? Are you sinking like a stone?" I said referring to the song she was singing when I entered.

"Oh, God," Tia closed her eyes, softly laughing. "Let me put her down before I wake her up," Tia stood up and so did I.

"You gon' let me take her space?" I asked Tia jokingly and she gave me an amused look.

"Let me guess, you want to sit on my lap too?" She said placing pillows around Asiri.

"Shii- psyche nah," I laughed lowly taking a seat in the chair she was previously sitting in. "That's some weird stuff. She was your excuse to leave, huh?"

"I appreciate the WHOLE- everything, but I just needed a little space by myself really, but settled with the kids," she chuckled. "There are so many people and I'm a bit drained. Social battery is low."

"How typical of you," I chuckled. "Babe, you don't even have to tell me because already know you. Probably a little better than you know yourself."

"Yeah, and THAT can be a bit scary," she replied. "The way you just took my seat..." Tia placed a hand on her hip.

"I am the seat. Take it," I grabbed her hand, pulling her closer.

"Mm-mm," Tia shook her head laughing, "we need to get out of this bedroom before we wake these kids up with all this laughing."

I stood up, "you're correct." I walked to the door, looking both ways before walking out of the room, holding Tia's hand.

"Babe?" Tia called out to me. "Why are you-"

I turned around with my index finger against my lips, "shhh."

We walked down the hall to the empty bedroom down the hall that I checked earlier. It is the master bedroom which is ours anyway. I opened the door and closed it once we were both inside the bedroom. I then turned on the light.

"Why are we sneaking around?" Tia asked me laughing.

"This is still prom night," I reminded her. "If my parents caught me sneaking you in here, my neck would be broke," I paused, "no jokes."

Tia fluttered her eyelashes, "Donald, I don't have any jokes. I'm stuck on everything else you said."

"Okay," I replied taking a seat on a one-seater couch. "Take it," I said referring to me being the seat.

Tia closed her eyes, "When you said it earlier, I was like okay, but now I'm standing here like..." She trailed off shaking her head with her eyes closed. "I was snuck into your room on prom night. What's about to go down, neighbor?"

"Ooh, you have no idea," I mumbled to myself, but not referring to anything sexual, unlike Tia. "Please, take your seat." Tia picked up her dress and sat down on my lap, resting her entire back on me, then let out a deep exhale. "Babe, you should've seen Aaron. K-Ci was on his case about dancing and he proved him wrong. He tore it up with them MJ moves."

"Michael Jordan?" She lifted her body and then plopped back down on me, so she could face me better. Tia then took my shades off and put them on her head, tucking them into her hair.

I gave her a look because she said to the basketball player, "Yup," I nodded anyways.

"I hate talking to you when you have shades on. You and MJ love these damn shades. You have beautiful eyes and good vision. Don't mess them up by wearing shades inside. Show them off," Tia told me.

"I forgot that I even had them on," I replied to her. "Today has been a little hard for me."

"I understand," Tia replied.

"Really?" I asked her because she doesn't.

What my grandfather said during his speech did get me emotional, more than I was before. However, he's said this before and I have accepted it.

Tia nodded, "there was this white dude in my predominantly black school high school and he was the only one that knew how to do all of Michael Jackson's moves. He was something to look forward to during any program. It was all of that, so I believe it."

"For real?" I asked her. "Damn, I need to tighten up."

"It's okay." She threw her hand in the air. "You've got other things that you're great at."

"I do, but he put me and my moves to shame," I shook my head.

"Shame? Your moves have always been shameful, but like I said, that's okay."

"You literally just burnt me then rubbed ice on it," I told her laughing.

"It couldn't have been too much of a burn because you already know your skills or lack thereof," Tia raised one of her eyebrows at me.

"That's cold."

"Yeah, my heart is freezing right now," she laughed.

"Damn, let me feel it," I told her and she popped her lips.

"Hell no," she said laughing trying her hardest to hide her breasts. "You ain't slick or Rick, even if you were, you STILL wouldn't be able to touch me."

I touch her arm with my index finger, "touch."

Tia threw her head back, laughing, "petTY."

I touched her thigh, "touch." Then I poked the side of her neck, "Touch." Tia locked my finger between her face and neck.

"You know I'm ticklish," she said laughing.

"Touch," I said touching her shoulder with my other hand. My hand then went to her stomach, "Touch." My lips went to the other side of her neck, kissing it, "touch."

Tia brought her shoulder up and her head to mine that was still in her neck, laughing. "Babe!"

I grabbed her skin with my lips, sucking. I moved my other hand to her stomach, joining my other hand. I put my face on the other side of her neck, kissing and sucking. Tia grabbed the back of my hands, eventually moving them up to her breasts. Removing my face, I looked down at her.

"What are you doing?" I asked her with a smirk.

Exhaling, she turned to me, "You said you wanted to feel my heart. Right?"

"Your heart is a little further up than where you placed my hands. You looked like you were getting carried away," I squinted, sitting back against the backrest.

"Who ME!?" She placed her own hand on her chest.

I pointed at her, "Yeah, YOU. The owl in the room."

Tia stood up, "Oooh, your parents will twist your neck like the exorcist if they found this," she said grabbing a bottle of sparkling cider. "There just happens to be two glasses."

I gasped, "Who put that there?!" I laughed aloud.

"Who knows? Let's take this outside and pop this bottle wide open," Tia began walking to the balcony door.

I hopped up out of my seat and opened the door, "let's do this then."

Tia handed me the trumpet flute glasses. She stood back and shook the bottle over the edge of the stone balustrade. When This tried opening it, she failed.

"It's a cork," she smiled still trying to pry it open.

Maybe I should do it..." I hinted.

"One. More. Time." She grunted trying to open the bottle again. "Here you go," she handed it to me.

I easily opened the bottle and popped sound was loud. The cider also spilled a bit, but I held it over the stone balustrade. I was an alcoholic and can still open any bottle without tools. It's not me bragging because it's a simple task to many, but especially for alcoholics and recovering ones.

Tia grabbed the glasses, inspecting them. "Are these clean?"

"Nah, babe. We're just about to drink from dirty glasses," I replied to Tia as she walked back into the room and then the bathroom. "Yes, I cleaned them myself and placed those towels on them so they wouldn't get dirty," I answered her question and heard the water turn on. "You washin' the glasses out?"

"No, just dipping them inside of the toilet honey," Tia spoke loud because the water is loud in the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later, "Pour it up."

I poured the wine into the still-wet wine glasses. "You didn't even dry them."

"A little water won't hurt," Tia shrugged a shoulder.

"Especially for you, you like your soda watered down," I grabbed my glass and put the bottle down. "Thanks."

"Watered-down pop is the way to go. This ain't enough to even do that. I need at least 70% waster to 30% pop," Tia replied.

"Ewww, that sounds nasty as hell," I laughed.

"To you. Even then, it still burns my mouth," Tia replied, holding her glass up. "Toast to the New Year and may we complete our resolutions. May God continue to be with us on our journeys."

"May God continue to be with us on our journeys," I repeated clanking our glasses together. "And to love," I added.

"To love," Tia repeated.

I looked at my watch which reads 11:37 pm. My heart sped up as I drew a shaky breath and closed my eyes. I opened them again to see Tia taking a sip of her soda, her eyes watered, her face twisted up, and she patted the side of her neck with her index and middle finger. Tia acts as if she took a shot. I took a gulp.

"It's not that serious," I laughed. "You're being ridiculous."

"Donald, you don't have my taste buds, nor have you ever been in my mouth, so you haven't got the slightest clue," she sat her glass down on the stone balustrade.

"I don't, but you're the ONLY person I know that does this," I spoke through my laughter.

"I didn't grow up drinking soda. It wasn't allowed and every blue moon when we were, I didn't want it because it burned too much. You were though, right?"

"I mean every once in a while we were able to. Especially on the road, but if you know about me in my childhood, you KNOW that I was sneaky," I replied. "I would find ways to do things."

"And you still are to an extent," she raised her eyebrows, taking another sip which caused a coughing fit.

"See..." I patted her back as she held her nose.

"It burns!" She said through her laughter and coughing fit.

Her eyes started watering again, "my God," I shook my head at Tia. "You definitely need him."

She eventually stopped and it got quiet again. I stood behind her as we looked over the balcony. We're at the top floor of a high building and when it comes to heights, Tia becomes terrified and even dizzy. As I've said before, I'm okay with heights, I just have a strong disdain if planes.

"You don't want to celebrate the New Year with everyone else?" Tia turned her head around.

"I'm fine where we are. You?"

"I'm fine, it's quiet, but not complete silence," she turned her head back around to the view.

"Good," I responded. "Would you still be okay if I leave this spot and go back inside the room for a second?"

"I'll be fine," she replied and I moved back, then turned towards the door.

I heard a shuffle and when I made it to the bed, I turned around to see Tia sitting. She's still outside, but sitting in one of the chairs out there and she's watching me. I turned back towards the bed, seeing what I needed, but didn't grab it because I'm being watched. I stead, I fluffed and fixed the pillows.

"You left to fluff and fix the pillows?" Tia raised her eyebrows, confused. "Why?"

"They were just bothering me," I shrugged. "It's not why I left, I said walking towards the bathroom. I need to go to the bathroom," I said closing the door and looking at the time to see that its 11:49. "Fuck..." I whisper-screamed to myself.

I stood with my head and back against the door, and hands on my head. I stood up and walked to the mirror, trembling. I held tightly onto the counter to stop my trembling. All I did was slow it down.

"Everything is going smooth and it will continue, hopefully," I spoke to myself while looking in the mirror.

I then sat on the closed toilet, then stood up because I do need to take a leak. My nerves are so bad that it's triggering my bladder. That and the fact that I do drink a lot of water. After urinating, washing my hands, and giving myself another pep talk, I finally walked out of the bedroom. The current time is 11:55.

This time didn't turn around and watch me. I actually surprised that the opening of the bathroom door didn't get her attention. I'm sure she did hear it, but it just didn't spark her interest. I walked back to the bed and swipes up what I needed from under the pillow and tucked them away in the inside pocket of my blazer. I began fluffing out the pillows and fixing them, I turned my head to see Tia watching me.

"You got some kind of beef with the pillows?" Tia laughed at me.

"I didn't do it right the first time," I replied, turning my body towards Tia, then began walking towards the balcony.

"Since when did you become fixated on pillows being perfectly placed? That's new," Tia replied.

"There is a saying that goes "if you're going to do something, do it to your best ability," and that's what I did," I stood, holding onto the stone balustrade.

"While that's true, this is new. Also, the pillow's position is almost the exact same as you did it the first time," Tia told me.

"Maybe," I shrugged. "Did you share all of your resolutions at the dinner table?"

"No, not everything needs to be shared with people who barely know me. I can show people better than I can tell people," she smiled. "How they feel just isn't my problem. I didn't say much of anything for that very reason. Not only that, but people become too involved and will keep asking about it throughout the year AND the following year. How about yourself?"

"I think I said everything that I needed to say," I looked down at Tia who was still sitting in the chair.

"What are you looking forward to the most?" Tia asked me, standing up again.

"There are just so many things. Us for one. I'm also looking to find more talented black artists for my label and I mean REAL talent," I replied. "I want peace for us both. My grandfather said a word today didn't he?"

"Indeed, he even shot a look at our parents. I don't know if you caught it or not," Tia laughed.

I poured myself another glass of sparkling cider, moved back, then began pulling Tia in front of me making sure not to step on her dress.

"I didn't," I replied.

"Mm," Tia shrugged, "it was a bit humorous."

I turned my face to the side to avoid coughing on my lady, also making sure to cover my mouth with the bend of my elbow, "was it?" I wrapped my arms around her waist with my hands at her navel.

Tia turned her head around, "You did not have to whisper that in my ear like that." I chuckled lowly, "That either."

"My bad, I know the feeling," I replied from above her with another chuckle.

"I'm surprised that you aren't cold, especially with drinking that," she said turning back around.

Knowing she'd want to go back inside I said I was cold, "nope," I said as a response.

I answered as cooley as possible. I'm not too cold because I have on my blazer, but I'm cold nevertheless.

She raised her eyebrow at me suspiciously, "Okay, Donald."

"What you looking forward to?"

"Our friendship-"

"Oh, so we're just friends now?" I asked her with a smirk.

"Knucklehead, let me finish. I'm looking forward to our friendship and relationship growing. We were friends first and it's important that we keep our friendship within this relationship. In the middle of that, I want God to continue to be our center," she replied.

"He is, but we've done some things that he definitely wouldn't approve of," I raised then dropped my eyebrows. "Especially this morning."

"I'm aware of that part. God, I'm so ashamed!" She put the back of her hand against her forehead, dramatically leaning back against me.

"From his view, it probably looked like we were actually doing what we're aren't supposed to be doing," I kissed her neck and she brought her shoulder up.

"Alright, now you're doing this on purpose," Tia giggled. "Stop it, babe."

Tia's voice literally screams that she's horny and those aren't my intentions. I'm actually just trying to do anything to ease my nervousness. The other reason is because it's just something I'm used to doing.

"I'm sorry," I replied with a nervous chuckle. "I'm really not trying to arouse you."

"I can't tell," she looked at me from the top of her eyes. "Your heart is beating out of your chest. What is up?" She asked me becoming more serious.

"My heartbeat," I said answering her question.

Tia leaned the back of her head against me, while looking up at me, and began stroking my cheek. "We're out of everyone's earshot. We were before when I pulled you aside earlier. I'm concerned because I don't see you like this. What's up? Is it your grandfather?"

"Yeah, but I don't really want to talk about that right now," I replied to her.

This has nothing to do with my grandfather. Regardless of what he's saying, he's going to be here for years to come. Also, thinking bout that shit is sad. I'm not trying to be sad and nervous.

"Okay, but sometimes speaking on things helps you."

I looked at my watch again. There is a crowd of people below that look like little ants, but the countdown started and I can hear them all the way up here. I turned around to see Jax recording.

"Un! Deux! Trois!-"

"Countdown has begun," I told Tia, moving away from her backside and just to the side.

When they made it to five, Tia and I joined in, but I'm English.

"FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!" We screamed the numbers out loud, but when it came to the New Year party, we said in our regular tones. "Happy New Year," we said as the fireworks went off.

I moved in closer and we pulled each other into a deep kiss. The movement of Jax at the corner of our eyes caught our attention.

"When did YOU get in here?" Tia asked looking confused as hell.

"It's been a- LOOK!" Jax pointed out to the fireworks. The fireworks spell out Will You Marry Me?

Tia turned around looking over the stone balustrade. "aww, babe... Look, someone is getting proposed to. That's so cute," she cooed then looked up at me. I grabbed both of her hands, then dropped onto one knee. Her eyes followed me. "Donald, babe..." Tia covered her mouth with tears welling up in them. "Is this- is this re- Oh, my God! Are you for real?"

I nodded then replied, "Yes. Seven years ago, today..." I trailed off and Tia brought her hands up, covering her mouth. "That was the first time I saw you, even though your memory is a little foggy to it. Seventeen days later, I saw you again, but this time you fell right into my arms. That second time, I saw you was like love at first sight. I just had to know this mysterious woman. From the moment you fell into my arms I was mesmerized with your aura and beauty," tears began to well up in my eyes.

"At that age, I knew that one day you'd be my wife. My love for you started young, but over the years it grew stronger than ever it became hard to push back those feelings, especially these last few years," tears began to trickle down my face and I wiped them with my handkerchief.

"Oh, my God..." Tia said in disbelief with tears falling down her cheeks. They are definitely happy tears.

"We imp-" I cleared my throat, "we've improved our lives apart, but upon reconciliation, it became more of an improvement. We've built such a strong bond. We speak life, love, and positivity into one another. Our friendship and love have been built on a strong foundation of faith; smiles and laugh- laughter; adventures-" Tia squatted down to my level, wiping my eyes with my handkerchief, "adventures and fun; and most importantly hard work, mutual respect, and trust. All of the things it takes to make a foundation solid. I would be honored if you, the love of my life accepted my hand in marriage." I exhaled shakily, pulling out the boxes and opening them, "Tia, will you marry me?" I want to give her options.

Tia drew out a long and shaky breath, with a nod, "yes," she whispered.

"Yes," I repeated.

"Yes, Donald," Tia repeated, but this time louder. "I will."

I stood up with one of the boxes in my hand to hug and kiss her. The both of us have wet eyes and faces.

Jax came and picked up the other boxes as Tia and I had a moment.

"Damn," I heard Jax sniffling.

After a while, I pulled away because I realized I didn't slip a ring on her finger.

"I didn't even put the ring on you," I told her while wiping my eyes. "So... Which one?"

(The thick ring doesn't have a band like the photo. Which do you like?)

"Oh, wow! Three of them?" Tia asked me. "They are all so beautiful and that one reminds me of the Eiffel Tower, but upside down," Tia pointed. "I love the rectangular-shaped one best."

"That's the one that I picked out," I said sliding it on her finger. "Oh, God," we embraced again. "I love you."

"I love you."

I'm in disbelief that I did this and the fact that this woman actually said yes!

"God," I repeated as we both silently cried happy tears.

"I- I can't bel- wow," Tia whispered.

"That's crazy," Jax spoke. "These folks really engaged."

"I forgot that he's recording," I said wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "I can't be caught lacking," I said laughing as we pulled away again.

"We're engaged!" Tia said holding her hand up to the camera. "You did everything to propose?" She asked me.

"I did. This whole trip was planned around it," I revealed. "It was so hard- and I was scared that someone would say something or that you would catch on. Whew," I exhaled.

"Oh, God," she said crying harder.

"Cut the camera," I told Jax and he turned off the camera, walked out of the room, and closed the door behind himself.

Tia continued to cry, "Thank you."

"Thank you," I told her as we rocked side to side while embracing. "Thank you for accepting my proposal."

My original plan was to propose in front of everyone such as our parents, friends, and the rest of our family that's here. However, when everything occurred at the rental, I had to rethink proposing to Tia like that. Also because I've heard of women only saying yes because they're in front of a crowd. Women said that they feel forced to say yes because of the crowd and how much effort was put into the proposal if it was a lot. Everyone began acting up, so I decided to do it privately.

"I wasn't expecting this so early on," she whispered. "You really did a phenomenal job with your planning."

"You were still suspicious throughout it all," I chuckled. "I had to keep you in the dark this time. There was a time when the other joked about it."

"When your cousins brought me inside the kitchen, your mother referred to me as her daughter-in-law. I was so confused as to why," Tia chuckled.

"That wasn't the first time she's done that either. My mother said it quite a few times," I replied.

Tia grabbed my face, kissing my lips again. "Oh, my God. We're engaged!" She squealed, jumping up.

When she jumped up, I grabbed her by the waist, lifting her up. "You know if you touch the ground your ankle may break with those ankle breakers on. You have on heels, my love," I reminded her. "A visit to the hospital won't be in your favor."

"Oh, my goodness. I forgot. Thank God that you are here," she giggled. "I think it was the wine."

Laughing, I placed her down. "You're ridiculous. You know that right?"

"No, really. It's probably why I'm just now remembering how much my feet are killing me," she said walking back inside.

I collected the boxes and went back inside. "How you forget?"

I opened the drawer, grabbing a pair of slipper socks that she recently purchased. Earlier, I packed up some clothes for us to stay the night here. I was in and out of our hotel room because I kept forgetting to grab things. That's why I was so out of breath and that's why I told her I was working out, but in reality, all this was going on. Shit, I was still a workout, so technically I didn't lie.

"I had them on for so long, and my feet are a bit numb," she spoke from the couch chair while taking her heels off. "I also had heels on when we were out and about earlier."

"So they passed the barking stage?" I asked sitting with the socks on the armrest.

"Definitely," she nodded. "You made sure I had something to wear on my feet and everything. I didn't even think about that," she paused, cheesing at me. "Thank you," she said with her legs lifted, rotating her ankles.

Tia placed the slipper socks on her feet. I sat down on the larger couch and as soon as I did, I heard barking, making me look in the direction just to see my lady barking.

"You sound just like a Chihuahua," I told her sitting back with my arm across the backrest.

"These dogs are barking," she said limping to me and taking a seat on my lap, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I'm flabbergasted."

"That word sounds like a type of fart or something," I placed my hand on her lap.

"I have to tell my girls and Eej. We have to tell everyone!" She squealed jumping up.

Tugging my hand to pull me up with her, but she's not that strong. I'm two hundred and some odd pounds. She's a good sixty pounds smaller, but I got up anyways. Tia began skipping and limping to the door until I swooped her up. I started laughing because it looks like this lady is tripping on some kind of a hard drug.

"You looked ridiculous," I shook my head at her. "Let me carry you over the threshold."

"We aren't even married," Tia told me as I opened then walked out the door with her in my arms.

"How many times have I carried you over one though?" I asked her. "You know what, you don't even have to answer that. You call me clumsy, but you're almost always hurting yourself."

"I don't fall over. Mines is from wearing high heels all day."

"Wearing high heels... Rock climbing... Sickness... And so forth," I raised my eyebrows as I almost tripped over something, but caught myself and her. "Shit," I looked down to see Masir sitting on his knees on the floor.

"Don't make us fall, Donald. What are you doing awake?" Tia asked looking down at Masir.

"Gun soun' a-and screams," Masir replied. "See Daddy?"

Tia gave me a look, "Gun sou- oh, no. They were just fireworks, Masir," Tia reassured him. "I promise. Your dad isn't here. You should go back to sleep."

I pushed their bedroom door open to see DJ and Asiri sound asleep. Masir stood up and walked past me into their bedroom. He struggled to get on the bed but got there eventually. He's at the age where he wants to do things on his own.

"There are not any guns, little man," I whispered because I don't want these kids to wake up.

"K," he said laying back down. "I sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," we replied to Masir.

I walked out of the door with Tia still in my arms and closed the door behind us. That's really sad he said guns and yellowing, then immediately say his dad. What the hell has this baby heard and seen?

"What's that about?"

"We told him to get down on the floor and stay away from the glass doors and windows if he ever heard gunshots. The yelling part is all about Yasir for sure," Tia replied.

"Oh, wow," I whispered. "Well, he knows what to do. I'm surprised DJ didn't wake up."

"He's a heavy sleeper, much like his eldest brother," she laughed placing my shades on me again.

"How'd he open the door?" I asked her.

"Masir is growing," she replied. "You see how tall Yasir and I are?"

"Yasir, yes. You on the other hand?" I squinted at her. "You're almost a foot shorter than I am."

"Brandy said almost doesn't count," Tia replied. "You either are or are not."

"Brandy ain't mention nobody's height," I laughed at her. "As I said before, you're almost a foot smaller."

"Don't play like your drinking coffee didn't stunt your growth, shorty," Tia told me.

"Some of that soda must've gone up your nose and the carbon ended up crystalizing in that nose of yours," I told her. "Let me check."

"Don't get upset if something really flies out and hit you," Tia replied. "I think one of these kids gave me the sniffles. It's from crying too, but still..."

"That's nasty," I'm referring to the first part.

We finally made it to where most of everyone else is, "we're engaged!" Tia screamed excitedly.

I put Tia down and she skipped to her friends with a limp. This lady...

"She actually said yes to you?" K-Ci asked me.

"Nah, she just wearing the ring," I shrugged.

"Congratulations!" K-Ci said shaking me up. "Never thought I'd see the day where YOU would be engaged."

"I mean, I said it years ago and I also said who," I replied.

"Congrats," JoJo shook my hand. "I'm happy for you."

"Congratulations," Michael Ja- Ethan shook my hand.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," I cheesed.

"Congratulations," Dalvin patted my shoulders.

"How does it feel?" Aaron asked me.

"I feel great," I nodded.

"They loud as hell over there, DAMN," K-Ci looked over where the women and Elijah are standing or jumping around. "You think he happy to be the flower girl?"

"That's fucked up," Dalvin burst out laughing.

"There's no way his big ass would be no flower girl. At least, not at my wedding," I replied.

"Damn, this is crazy," JoJo looked at me shaking his head. "Well, I'll be damned. Your ass is engaged. Y'all told y'all parents?" He asked me.

"No, they are probably all asleep," I replied. "It's late."

"Nah, they probably up and celebrating in their own little way," K-Ci hinted.

I almost threw up in my mouth, but it was only in the back of my throat and I swallowed it. Then I walked away from the fellas to stand against the wall because that's just trifling how K-Ci just said that nasty shit as if he was talking about water. I don't want to hear that shit. I'm aware that my parents still do those things, but still... JoJo walked over to me and stood next to me for a while.

"How'd Tia react?" JoJo finally spoke.

"Emotional. She went through a few stages. One was surprised, emotional, denial, emotional, excitement, then emotional. As you can see, it was mostly emotional," I chuckled. "It was nice though. I was trembling the whole time."

"I bet your ass was emotional too," JoJo chuckled. "Cryin' and shit."

"No doubt. Nigga, you don't know the half," I replied.

"Yeah, that's why you got them shades on now," he said laughing.

"My financée put these on my face," I replied with a smile. "That sounds nice, but the wife will sound even better."

"Nigga, you had them on for most of the time I saw you today. Emotional ass," he chuckled. "But I get it. That seems nerve-wracking as hell."

"Man," I tilted my head to the side, "I'm telling you. The whole proposal is on camera though. I had Jax recording us and all."

"How you think your pops gon' react?"

"Honestly, I don't give a fuck. To avoid any of that I'll just tell my mama," I shrugged. "She'll just tell him anyway."

"Her parents?"

"Shit, I don't even know. Honestly, I don't think it'd be that big of a deal."

Tia's parents aren't beefing with me, it's Tia. Daryl will definitely be okay. Her mother on the other hand is just very bitter regardless of the situation. As long as the topic is her daughter, she's bitter. Tia walked to us.

"Congratulations," JoJo gave Tia a side hug then walked away.

"Thank you, JoJo," Tia replied.

"I don't know what I was thinking when I thought about sleeping here. It's gone be so much drama because it's more people here than back at the rental. While we would have a nice view, we should go back to our hotel," I spoke to my fiancée. "What do you think?"

"I think you're correct. I'm going to take your advice because you're usually right when it comes to this," Tia smiled. "We can leave."

"Would you looka here?" I smiled, "you're listening to me, this time?"

"I am," she giggled.

"Alright, I'll go get our things," I replied. "I'll be back."

"I'll come with you," she smiled. "That balcony and room are special now."

"That's why I figured you'd want to stay," I spoke as we walked down the hallway. "You're a very sentimental woman."

"Listen, when you grow up poor, everything matters and holds some value, whether it's money or sentimental," Tia replied.

"But you ain't got to worry about that no more," I replied.

"I can take myself away from poverty, but the poverty mentality still resides in me. SOME of it, because I know how to manage my money," she replied.

"Yeah, your cheap ass definitely knows how to do that and that's good. Many people who grew up broke, start spending money on too much bullshit and start acting like they are untouchable," I replied. "I was like that and I didn't even grow up poor."

"In the beginning y'all were," Tia replied.

"Yeah, but that didn't last too long. Me and my brothers have been working since we were kids, especially me. You know, with pops. We made it to the middle class and to some that may seem like we were rich," I chuckled. "We didn't have it like that."

Tia nodded, "I know, babe."

"I know you do, but there are too many people that believe that. If we grew up rich, we wouldn't have had to steal our mother's car. We definitely would've had our own," I laughed.

"I understand that. Take Tupac for example though. Pac grew up poorer than I grew up. You have to understand, that man didn't have a family of his own. He lived with people he considered family but actually weren't. He was going from house to house. There are more Tupac out here than you think. People like myself and definitely Pac would look at you and your brothers as rich if we went to school together," Tia replied.

"Right," I nodded opening the door.

Tia sat down, "I don't want my kids growing up thinking because we got it, they got it, but I do want to provide them with things I never had."

"We can do both."

"Yeah, but I have no idea how," Tia looked at me.

"Parenting is a learning process," I put a few things that I took a few of the things that are in the drawers in our bag. "From my observation, you are maternal, so we'll be alright. I want the same thing but have no idea how to accomplish that. We'll just work together."

"Okay," she said, then the atmosphere grew quiet.

I continued to grab out things and placed them on the bed. I took the food containers out of the bag. I looked down at Tia's heels.

"My guess is that you won't be putting the ankle breakers back on?" I asked my fiancée.

"You got that right," she laughed. "Ankle breakers they are after wearing them for too long."

"Why do women wear them if they hurt so much?" I asked Tia.

"I can't speak for all women and girls, but my love for heels started when I was seventeen. It helps with shoulder posture, reaching things high up, and feeling good. Sometimes my mother and I went separate ways in grocery stores and you know she's tall It's weird having to continuously jump in stores trying to reach things, especially because of my large breasts," my fiancée chuckled. "It's ridiculous."

"I see your point," I coughed, then cleared my throat. "I bet after you asked and they declined to help, their perverted asses watched."

"Eh, it is what it is. I can't control their eyes, touching me is where I draw the line," she chuckled.

"I know you took defense classes, then everything with Kung Fu Panda, do you think you'd still freeze up if something were to happen again?" I asked her hinting at what happened years ago.

"Kung Fu Panda?" She laughed, "I think that's a new one. so, I don't know because while those classes did teach me, they were real life or death situations," Tia shrugged. "So I can't say."

"Luckily, you won't have to worry about that. I won't be with you all the time, but we have security. Alright, enough of the depressing mess," I stopped what I was doing, "we're engaged."

Tia gasped, "I know right!"

My fiancée can be dramatic, but it's the cutest thing. I know that I proposed a good forty minutes ago, but Tia said that as if she just now found out. I continued to pack by packing her heels first so they won't get anything dirty, then the rest of our things.

"I'm taking some of that food with me," I broke the silence.

"I saw the containers and knew," Tia gave me a look. "I'll do it. What is it that you want?"

"Thank you and some of everything," I answered as she picked up the bowls.

"I'll tell Jax and Creed that we're leaving too," Tia told me and walked out of the door.

I finished and laid back on the bed with my hands resting behind my head, "she said yes," I spoke to myself looking up at the ceiling.

Authors Note: The proposal is what took me so long. I've been trying to come up with a proposal. I've never witnessed any proposals and the prom thing has been in my head for a while, so I combined the two.

Word Count: 10,880

Please don't forget to like the chapter and the ones to come if you enjoy this book. Also, feel free to leave a comment.

❤️Thanks for the support that you've been giving me. I'm very appreciative.❤️