Please excuse ANY errors.

January 2, 1999

~Ashari's P.O.V~

"Can y'all watch the kids today?" I asked my children's grandparents.

"Ye-"

"Where are you going and how long will you be gone?" LaZardia asked me, cutting off her husband.

"I'm just going to hang out," I replied.

"With my daughter?" She questioned and I just squinted at her.

"I'm guessing if that was true, your answer would be no, right?" I asked her and she just gave me a look. "Come on," I grabbed Masir's hand because he followed me to where his grandparents are.

"Why would you say that? You mad at Tia, that fine, but to say you won't watch our grandchildren because of it ain't right," I heard Daryl say to his wife.

"Look, I raised my kids. I love my grandbabies, but I'm on vacation too. If she wants to hang out with people, like my daughter, then she can go on her own time," she replied to be him.

It's funny how they'd watch my kids when Yasir asked them even though he's sitting on his ass 99% of the time that they are babysitting.

"I go see TT!?" Masir asked me all excited.

"Yes, Masir," I replied walking into my bedroom to wake up Asiri. I let go of Masir's hand and ran to Asiri who was trying to climb off of the bed. "Girl, what are you doin'?" I asked her as if she was going to respond.

Masir laughed, "Siri just baby, mama."

"I know that she's just a baby, Masir," I mocked, sitting my baby girl in my lap.

"We see TT and Daddy?" He asked sitting down on the floor in front of me.

"No, just TT, Masir," I replied. "Look, I don't want you to be sad about not seeing Daddy, but it probably won't be a while until you do see him again," I explained to him very hopeful that he would understand.

He jumped up and ran to play with some of his toys that had been left in my bedroom. While he did that, I changed Asiri's diaper and then had to wrestle her down to get her dressed. She and Masir already took a bath before bed, so I don't have to worry about that.

Shit has been harder since DeVanté and Tia left the house because they really do help me a lot. Masir seems to HATE Dalvin and he's been the most help. Why? His dad probably has something to do with that. Masir called Dalvin a fat-faced Grinch to his face in so many words. My children's grandparents have been having fun. I don't blame them because it's a vacation. Though Dalvin and Maria are helpful, I don't know them enough to be fully trusting of them with my children.

"Mommy, hurry up!" Masir said rushing me as I continued to wrestle with his sister.

"Aye, boy..." I trailed off with a warning and his lips twisted off to the side of his face.

I swear that both of my children got that twisting lip shit from their auntie because me and their dad don't do that. He does it out of boredom and he's been playing with those same toys for a while. My God, this shit is hard as fuck. I NEVER imagined myself as a single mother.

"Fix ya face," I pointed to him and he listened. "Why don't you go and play with the other kids while I get your sister ready?"

"NO, I ready go see TT and you take long," he told me with his mindset.

I continued to wrestle with Asiri until she was completely dressed. After she was dressed, I put on my shoes and headed downstairs with Masir right in front of me just as Jax entered the house.

"Hey, got the car seats?" Jax asked me, slightly out of breath.

"The car seats are in the living room," I replied, placing a fussy Asiri down to grab one of the car seats.

"I got them, you can just take the kids to the car," Jax told me grabbing both of the car seats.

"I have to put Asiri in hers before we leave the house," I told him laughing as Masir impatiently huffed.

"Oh, yeah! I'm sorry," Jax chuckled with a look of embarrassment.

I grabbed the car seat, brought it near Asiri, placed her inside, and strapped her inside.

"Where ya goin', Masir?" DJ asked my son.

"To see TT!" Masir responded with excitement.

"Can I go?" DJ asked me.

Before I could answer Masir replied, "Ready?" DJ shook his head, no. "No! We hurry!"

"But, why?" DJ cried with his eyebrows rising high, "you mean!"

"I not," Masir frowned. "We ready to go," his voice hitched as he spoke. I sorry, DJ. Be back, k?"

"DJ? Your big brother, Junior, De, or whatever you want to call him wants me to give you candy, but..." Jax trailed off, looking at DJ from the corner of his eyes. "You don't seem to be acting good. He said if you were good. I guess we'll see tomorrow, huh?"

"No, I'm not bein' mean!" DJ shouted at Jax.

"Maybe not tomorrow either if you keep this up because I'm gon' report back to him," Jax said putting the candy away.

"Ca' have some?" Masir looked up at DJ with a smile.

Jax looked at me for confirmation, "I guess..." I responded to Jax.

"Okay, since ya mama said you can," Jax pulled it back out of his jacket pocket and Masir snatched it and handed it to DJ.

"Run!" Masir told DJ and DJ ran up the stairs as fast as his little legs would allow. "Save some! We go now, mama!" Masir ran towards the door.

"You don't do that!" I raised my voice at him.

This little boy is a lot of work and when his dad does come around, he messes MY system up. When my system messes up, it takes a while for my son to reprogram.

"Thank you, Jax!" Masir told Jax. "I eat when we come home," Masir spoke to the both of us.

"It's okay," Jax reassured me. "We can just go," he grabbed the car seat that Asiri laid in, which she was almost too big for. "It's the bigger car."

Masir grabbed his coat, ran out of the door and I caught up to him, snatching him up.

"What did I tell you about running off, Masir? Huh?" I grabbed his arm. "You can't be doing that, especially in an unknown place. Anybody can just snatch you up the way I did. Do you want to get lost and never see me or TT again?" I asked him.

Shaken up, he replied with a small, "No."

"Then stop. It's just us, Masir. You, your sister and me. Usually, I have your sister to carry. I can't carry her inside the car seat and run after you if someone tries to steal you. Stay by my side," I explained to him, opening the car door.

"K, mama," he replied.

The car and the house are not that close and him running off all the time has to stop. I properly placed his car seat in the car and helped my son up and into his car seat. I started him in, then went around to make sure my daughter was strapped in correctly because I didn't do it. I also put their bags in the car. I have us a change of clothes just in case. DeVanté said that their hotel is not closed at all. However, I always bring extra clothes for my children because children are messy.

"You know what you doin'? How?" I asked Jax.

"I'm with your sister-in-law all the time and help with these kinds of things. Like you, she can't carry both kids. If she takes them out of the house, I'm the one who's usually with her," Jax replied, closing the door, and then opening mine.

I got inside,"thank-," before I could get my words out, he shut the door, but I opened it again. "I need to get the stroller out of the house," I ran back in and struggled to carry this heavy ass thing.

Jax leaned against the car with the keys in his hands. "I got it!" He jogged to me, grabbed it, and put it in the trunk.

I got into the car, he closed the door, then went into the car himself.

Once he started it up, he began to speak, "It was quick, so the car really doesn't need to warm up," he chuckled driving off.

"Thanks for helpin' me out with everything," I replied.

"Umm, you are welcome. What was supposed to do? Watch you struggle to do everything?" He asked me. "If so, that's not me."

"I mean, you are a security guard and yet you do so much more," I replied. "I've never experienced or seen a man other than my father do things like this."

"I know that I'm just a security guard, but I can't sit back or just stand there if I see someone- especially a woman struggling," he replied. "Plus T is like family to me. Been around her so long."

"Has their mother always been like this?" I asked Jax because he's been around longer than I have.

"Hmmm, that's a good question," he replied with his eyes on the road.

"That you won't answer?" I asked him.

"Correct," he glanced at me. "You can draw your own conclusions from your experience and what you've witnessed, but Jax ain't sayin' nothin'."

"Okay," I replied with a nod. "Her behavior is fairly new to me," I added and Jax nodded in response, then turned on the radio.

We drove with the sound of the kids and the low radio. It took a long time to get there, but we made it to the hotel safely.

"We here, mommy?" Masir asked us.

"Yes," I told him and he immediately unbuckled his car seat buckles.

I got out of the car and went around to get Masir out of the car. As soon as the door opened, Masir jumped out.

"You excited?" I asked him.

"Yeah!" Masir shouted, jumping up. "Go to the other side for Siri?" He asked me.

"You can," I closed the door and followed him to the other side of the car.

"Do you want me to grab the whole car seat or just the baby?" Jax asked me.

"The whole car seat."

When we made it to the door, "This it, Jax?" Masir asked me

"Yeah, champ. Go 'head and knock," Jax told him and Masir knocked.

Masir pushed me to the side of the door. It took a while for someone to answer. Jax sat Asiri and her car seat down in front of the door.

"Who is it?" Tia asked from the other side of the door.

"Police!" Masir said in an attempt to change his voice, but barely was able to.

"One moment," Tia replied and opened the door. "Aht! I thought it was the police!" Tia said snatching Masir off of his feet and hugged him.

"For real!?" Masir asked her.

"Yes! I missed you!" Tia held him while moving aside. "Come on in. I didn't even know y'all was coming over. How'd you get here? How'd you know our hotel and our room?"

Jax moved over. "Need anything?" Jax asked Tia.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you so much," Tia gave Jax a hug. "Donald asked you to do this?" She asked him.

"Yeah," he nodded with a chuckle. "He didn't tell you?"

"NoPe, I was expecting them, but not this soon," Tia replied popping her p. "I'm happy though."

Jax brought Asiri inside, and the rest of us walked in further.

"Sorry for taking a while to answer the door, but we were asleep. Well, Donald's still asleep," Tia chuckled.

"Well, I'll be on my way," Jax smiled at her.

"Okay. We will need you later though. What time is it?" Tia asked spinning around. "

"Girl, it's a quarter past twelve," I laughed. "Y'all still was sleep?"

"It was a long night," Tia replied putting Masir down, sitting on the couch, and taking Asiri out of her car seat.

"Aww," Masir said poking his bottom lips out.

"Aw, come here," Tia told Masir and he did. Tia sat him on her other lap. "I missed y'all. All three of y'all," she emphasized, looked at me while hugging my kids. "Come on over. You know you want to." Tia teased.

I went over to her, joining the group hug. When I pulled away, I had to ask, "if you missed us so much, how come you didn't- at least call? We saw you on New Year's Eve, but before then you just went M.I.A."

"Calling anyone was the LAST thing on my mind. I just needed a little fun time and some time for myself," she replied. "I'm sorry, Ashari. That rhymed," she laughed.

"You're right. That was... A lot!" I told her. "I'm sorry for thinkin' of myself. Bein' there in that house was hell for you, so I understand."

Tia averted her eyes back to the kids. "How's it been for you?" She asked me.

"It's been alright," I shrugged. "We help each other. Maria, Dalvin, and Dalvin and their grandma are cool. We help out with each other's children. I just can't trust everyone FULLY with my children, so that part is a little tough."

"I completely understand," she replied playing with Asiri. "What things have you been doing other than Mr. Dalvin?" She chuckled, "seriously, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into if you're getting serious with him. He's nice, but Dalvin is no relationship man. He just isn't. I've been around long enough to know that about him. He's a cheater or as Salt likes to put it, a summertime man, that's just that. My brother has already hurt you."

"Girl, I am not getting my feelings into this. This is an even exchange of... Favors." I suggestively raised my eyebrows at her to see if she got the hint. "He's just somethin' to do while I'm here. I mean, I like his vibe too, but no..."

"Good!" Tia sighed in relief, placing the kids on the floor.

I motioned her over. "Between the two of us..." I lowered my voice even more. "I never liked men, but I thought I'd give one a chance. Don't get me wrong, I did love your brother nor am I a cheater, but I was taking the fake thing for majority life, so why not try the real thing?" I chuckled, "I don't really like men, I only somewhat like what's attached to them. I'm more of a girls girl if you catch my drift."

"Oh..." Tia trailed off with her mouth in the shape of a small O and her eyes opened.

"I know, right?" I let out an obnoxious laugh. "This is nothing new. Your brother knows and my family does also. They just don't like that which is why I left home early in the first place. I was in a whole relationship with plenty of women. I find them women more attractive than ANY man. At the time, there was just somethin' about Yasir that drew me to him and now he's driven me away. Anywho, yes... I love women," I laughed.

"Oh, wow. I'm surprised... A little," she told me holding her thumb and index finger apart.

"A little?" I raised my eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?"

Tia cleared her throat, "I don't know if you noticed, but I'm very observant. I thought you were bi when we met."

"Oh, okay," I laughed. "The ONLY reason I was gettin' my ass whooped as a child is because of that very reason. I had crushes on some of my mama's lady friends. That was just me and always was me," I finished

"Good for you," she patted my thigh. "Another thing, Yasir..." She trailed off. "You probably should leave Atlanta." She inhaled then exhaled slowly. "Yasir is off his rockers and capable of anything. Also, the children, I'm not their mother but they don't need to be around all of that mess. I don't think it's safe for any of you." She turned to me, placing her leg on the couch. "I want to hire some security for you all though."

"And you?" I asked her.

"What about me?" Tia squinted.

"I mean, what are you going to do? I already had plans to leave," I revealed to her.

"Really?" She smiled.

"Mhm," I nodded. "When we get back home- to Atlanta, we're leaving."

"Oh, my goodness. That's a relief," she exhaled.

"You didn't answer my question," I replied to Tia.

"Oh, I have security," she replied. "I'm planning on leaving too. I'm tired of Georgia, I've been here too long."

"Babe! Where you at?" DeVanté yelled out and Tia laughed deviously.

"Ashari and the kids are here, so come out here dressed and don't say anything out of the way," Tia spoke to him, turned around even though, he was not in sight.

"Why he yellin' like that?" I asked her.

"I may or may not have done something jokingly while he was asleep," she laughed.

"Just know," DeVanté hinted at something, chuckling. "A'ight? You got me?" He asked her from the other room.

"That's fine!" Tia replied, laughing. "That wasn't for yesterday, but it was for what you did back at the house that one day!"

"What day?" DeVanté finally came out from the back, squinting. Tia raised one of her eyebrows at him. "Oh, okay. That far back, huh? Cool."

"You're always messing with me, DeGrate. I told you not to play with me," she laughed.

"How'd you know about me and Dalvin?" I asked Tia.

"Girl, Donald's room is right next to Dalvin's. I drew conclusions at one point because y'all are the only two people that are there and single, THEN I saw you leaving his room one night," Tia replied.

"Mm, and what were you doin' in this fool's room? I thought you two had separate bedrooms?" I asked her with raised eyebrows.

"Attempting to sleep because his room is much cooler than the one I chose," she replied.

"Okay, now!" I said playing around, but also hinting that I didn't believe it.

DeVanté sat down on the couch, "aww, hey cutie pie. Did ya miss me?"

"I have been around all day," Tia smirked at me as she spoke because we both knew DeVanté was talking to Asiri who crawled toward him.

"Funny how she thought I was talkin' to her after what she did. Right, Asiri?" DeVanté asked, picking her up. "You're so cute," his nose wrinkled, then twitched. DeVanté looked at Tia, smiled, and then got up with Asiri in his hands. "I'm just playin'," he plopped down beside Tia, laying his head on her chest, and sticking his lips out. Tia pecked them and DeVanté handed Asiri to Tia. "She's cute alright. A cutie pie with a dookie pie in her pamper." DeVanté got up. "Good luck with that!"

"You suck, DeVanté!" Tia gagged, "I can't believe I didn't smell that!" Tia shook her head.

"Almost every time I pick her up, she shitty," DeVanté said looking at me. "Is there a sign on my forehead that says, shit when I pick you up?" He asked then looked at Masir. "Oh, my bad. I forgot this one was still here and he's lookin' directly at me. Don't be like me, Masir. Don't be cursin'!" DeVanté pointed at Masir as he spoke.

I took Asiri from Tia, "I'll change her."

"Please," Tia said holding her breath.

"What do you do when you babysit?" I asked her because I truly want to know.

"Gag and stuff my nose," she replied. "It wasn't that bad when she was smaller because she wasn't eating big human food. Now?" She shook her head, answering her own question. "After this, you want to go for a walk?" Tia asked me.

"Sure," I shrugged.

"I'll get ready and it'll take a while, but it also gives me a reason to leave and not smell... THAT AND let it air out some. Open the balcony, but PLEASE be sure to keep a closer eye on the kids," she looked at DeVanté.

"I will," he replied. "BYE."

Once she left, DeVanté shook his head. "Dramatic!" He said loud enough to where Tia could hear, then put his shirt over his nose. "It's not that bad."

"Listen to TT!" Masir pointed to the balcony door.

DeVanté got up and opened the balcony. "What did she eat?"

"She had milk and some of that squeezable oatmeal stuff in the car," I chuckled.

"That's it?" DeVanté asked me, taken aback.

"Yeah," I nodded, changing her diaper.

"And it did THAT?" He asked me.

"I thought it wasn't that bad?" I chuckled.

He coughed, then continued to speak, holding his breath, "it's not." DeVanté stuck his nose outside of the balcony. "What was my little brother doin'? Not the one you- I mean my BABY brother, the toddler."

I rolled my eyes at his remark that he stopped himself from saying. "Hahaha," I said sarcastically. "I know what you was finna say. The funniest thing happened."

"What do you mean? Nevermind" He asked me, then waved his hand at me. "What was DJ doin'?"

"So DJ was mad that Masir was leavin'. They fight all the time, but are best friends."

"Sounds soooo familiar!" Tia shouts out from nowhere.

"Ignore her," DeVanté guffawed.

I shook my head at the head with a small chuckle. "Jax was goin' to give DJ some candy he claimed was from you, but DJ started actin' out because he couldn't come with Masir, so Jax put it away. Masir asked for it and Jax was happily about to give it to Masir. Masir snatched it from Jax, gave it to DJ and told him to run and save him some!" I started laughing, "the thought of it is hilarious NOW! At the time, it was a different story."

DeVanté brought his head back inside the hotel, exhaling as he spoke "oh."

"Was you even listenin'?" I questioned while wrapping the diaper up.

"Yeah..." He turned to me. "You said Jax was gon' give DJ some candy but decided not to because he was bein' hard-headed. Masir asked for it, snatched it, and told- GOTDAMN, I lied earlier! That shit stank!" He shook his head. "Tia was not over-exaggerating."

"Well..." I trailed off with pursed lips. "You said you wanted kids. This smell is somethin' you gotta get used to. Ever changed a diaper?"

"YES! When DJ was born, I watched him so much and he always had blowouts. Shitted all on me PLENTY of times, so I KNOW," he told me. "Not only that, but it was me and my brothers. Sometimes somebody ain't wipe they ass good enough after takin' a hot shit and didn't even TRY to cover the smell in the bathroom," he laughed.

"I feel you," I nodded. "You know, I noticed that you and your mother have some similarities. Dalvin was just tellin' your mama somethin' that I thought was funny and reacted the same way," I told him.

"I can be very lackluster at times, but it was funny," DeVanté glanced at me with his resting bitch face. "Alright, you can hand her back to me," DeVanté said walking to me with his hands out, then grabbed Asiri once he made it to me. "You need some fresh air too, huh? YEAH, YOU DO!" He told her laughing.

"Me too!" Masir hopped up.

"You feel left out?" I asked Masir not expecting an answer and I didn't get one either.

"What were my cousins and them doing?" De asked me.

"I didn't even see them. They were gone," I shrugged. "I don't know shit."

It took a long ass time for Tia to get ready just to go nowhere planned. It took her an hour or so. I'm sitting here bored while DeVanté is occupying his time with my children. She eventually came out dressed.

"I love you. Bye, babe," Tia and DeVanté exchanged kisses.

"I love you and you look good," DeVanté looked her up and down. He grabbed her hand and spun her around. "You got a man?"

"Mm, I have a man," she smiled. "Thanks."

"Wait, what that got to do with me?" DeVanté asked her. "That's your man, not mine. I'm talkin' about the two of us."

"You should've asked before you kissed me," Tia raised her right eyebrows.

"Can I kiss you again?" DeVanté asked stroking her hand with his thumb.

"My man- fiancé wouldn't appreciate that, sir."

"Again, what that got to do with me? Whoever he is, I know that you can do better."

Tia put her first to her mouth laughing, "dang, so it's like that?"

"Exactly like that," DeVanté nodded. "So?"

Tia placed her forehead against his, "mm-mmm."

"Can I at least have your number?" He asked her.

Tia pulled away and began to chuckle, rolling her eyes, "you're too sure that he isn't around and that you won't get your butt kicked. It's time to go, Asiri." Tia said in an attempt to grab Asiri from DeVanté, but Asiri held on tight to DeVanté's shirt, not wanting to let him go.

"She doesn't want to let me go," DeVanté laughed. "Ain't no baby ever did this to me, so I feel special."

"Asiri?" I walked near them. "Come to mama," I said attempting to grab her, and she held onto DeVanté. She even laid her head on his shoulder.

"You don't want your mama or TT?" DeVanté asked Asiri as if she was going to reply. He keeps doing it too!

I grabbed her and she busted out in a fit of tears. DeVanté grabbed her and she stopped. Ain't this about a- "I don't mind. Can she stay with me?"

"Me too?" Masir asked me full of hope.

"Well, can they stay with me?" He asked me. "We probably will go to the park and eat. Probably invite the others so all the kids can be together. Oh, this gon' be fun!"

"Y- yeah. Yes!" I exhaled, "wait, you know if you do that you'll have to change diapers and wipe asses? You will also need to know how to strap them into the car seat, disassemble the car seat, and know how to strap them into that as well. Don't forget that you have to feed them lunch and some snacks!"

"DUHHH ASHARI!" DeVanté laughed hard. "I have done it plenty of times. My brothers and my brother's kids. I've watched Tia do it with them plenty of times. I know what I'm doin'. Besides, this will be practice for me in the future. I want a girl and practice. I've only babysat boys."

"So you want to use my baby as a test dummy?" I asked him with my hand on my hip, jokingly.

"You don't have to put it that way," DeVanté said. "Let's put it like this, I already know a lot of takin' care of a baby, but a girl is a LITTLE different. Like how they have to be wiped. Front to back, right?" He looked at Tia and I for confirmation. "That's the only difference between male and female BABIES and toddlers."

"Okay," I nodded. "Alright, they can stay. Masir?" I looked down at him and he looked up at me.

"Hm?"

"You rushed me out of the house for all that time to see your TT, just to stay with DeVanté?" I asked him.

"Mhm," Masir nodded. "A little bit."

"Ooh, y'all fake," Tia said laughing, "I want to stay with the kids."

"Girl... I need a break and woman time," I replied.

"Yeah, y'all gon' 'head and let me be uncle De for the day or for however long y'all gon' be gone," DeVanté replied.

"You mind DeVanté, Masir. Alright? And look after your sister. You hear me?" I asked him.

"Yeah, mama," Masir nodded.

"You ain't got to worry. I don't ever have a problem with Masir. Listens to me way more than he listens to Tia," DeVanté nodded towards Tia. "She too nice and I put my foot down."

"Yeah, he tends to mostly listen to men and his grandma," I replied.

"He listens to me... Somet-" Tia spoke and DeVanté gave her a look. "Look, every blue moon, BUT that means he does listen... Just. Not. All. Of. The. Time."

DeVanté laughed and replied, "you can turn it, twist it-"

"Pull it! Bop it!" Tia said shaking her head as if the beat of the game was playing and DeVanté started cracking up.

"I'm not about to play with you," DeVanté said still laughing. "Ooh, the other kids need to be here too! I'm excited."

"Good! Quick, let's go before they make him change his mind!" I told Tia heading towards the door, holding Tia's hand, practically dragging her along.

"Wait, babe?" Tia looked at DeVanté. "Are you sure? Both of you?" Tia asked us.

"Love, I've made up my mind. I got this!" He laughed. "I love you. Y'all have fun!" DeVanté waved at us and Want to go to the park?" I heard DeVanté ask my kids before I dragged Tia out and closed the door.

"I don't even have my keys or purse," Tia said turning around to head back inside.

"Go get it because Lord knows that I ain't got enough coins for us both. Shit, I barely have enough for my damn self," I told her. "Imma be waitin' out here."

Tia went back inside and a few seconds later, Courtney and Elijah showed up.

"Is that Ms. Ramnarine!?" Elijah said shuffling over to me.

"This is she. She is her," I spun around.

"Girl, it's good to see you," Courtney came over to me and gave me a hug.

"What yo ass doin' standin' out here?" Elijah asked me.

"Waitin' on Tia," I replied.

"You gon' be waitin' all damn day if it's just her and DeVanté ass," Elijah poked his lips out. "Girl come on," he grabbed my hand attempting to take me with him.

"No, the kids are in there and she JUST went in. DeVanté will be babysittin' them for a little while," I replied.

Tia walked out, "oop, I was just about to ask you if you wanted them to come or just the two of us. You both came over unexpectedly, but timely."

"I would've loved for it to be a family thing, but this is fine too. Plus, I don't have my kids and I need a fuckin' drink and someone to drink with and you is not it," I replied to Tia as we "No offense, but since you don't drink, I would feel like an alcoholic after one drink."

"None was taken," Tia shrugged.

We made it to the elevator and when it opened, Jax and two other people were inside. The other is another guard.

"I know what I said, but I'm sorry," Tia apologized. "It wasn't very long until I called you back."

"Actually, it was a couple of hours and it's all good," Jax replied to Tia. "So it's just the four of y'all right now?"

"Probably for the rest of the day," she nodded.

"Let's go to a bar. Like I said before, I need a drink," I raised my eyebrows.

"Girl, we can drink at brunch," Courtney replied. "I definitely want a couple of drinks too."

"Damn, y'all look good as hell and I'm over here dressed like America's next top mama," I chuckled.

"That's because you are," Tia replied. "You're a great mother and your body looks good."

"And do!" Elijah said as we walked out of the elevator. "Oh, shit. Look who's comin' all drunk and shit."

We all looked over at K-Ci. At least he's not alone and drunk, he has his security.

"Shhhh, don't say nothin' out of the way, Elijah," Tia pointed at him. "I don't have time for y'all, especially with him being drunk."

"Don't forget the as hell part," Elijah laughed. "But okay."

"What's up?" K-Ci held his arms up in the air with his fingers pointed up, greeting us, falling over on his security. "Y'all look good as fuck. The bitches, not the wanna be bitches," K-Ci laughed looking at Elijah, but Elijah kept walking and so did we. "Ahh, so y'all can't greet a nigga? You see a good lookin' mothafucka and y'all just gon' keep walkin'?"

We all made it outside and Elijah immediately began to speak. "It's a little past noon and he's drunk as shit. I'm surprised the other one ain't down here too."

"I'm tryin' be like him," I told them laughing.

"You gon' t-talk to me to my face an- and call me a him?" K-Ci asked.

"She-"

"Elijah, mm-mm. No," Tia shook her head. "Can you please get him upstairs? You never know who's watching."

"That's the problem. People need to watch. People need to feel shamed because either helps them improve," Elijah told Tia.

"I understand thatm Eej," Tia gritted her teeth. "Hush."

K-Ci's security took him away as he kept yapping and K-Ci was loud.

"Elijah, I know that and you know that, but at least he'd be more willing to go away," Tia told him.

"Let's roll," I told them.

We ran into Eden, Edith, and their husband and fiancé once we made it out.

"Damn, we were just comin' to y'all hotel room. Where y'all goin'?" Eden asked, looking at us all.

"Out and about. Y'all want to join?" I asked them. "I'm childfree and I'm in dire need of a drink!"

"Count me in!" Edna agreed.

Eden shrugged. "I don't drink like that and I don't want to ruin y'all fun."

"Darling, I don't drink at all," Tia replied. "You're fine and y'all look good!"

"Thanks, so do you!" Edna replied, giving her a hug. "I can't believe you're marrying my Easter Island Headed ass cousin."

"Well, that's one fine Easter Island Headed man!" Tia said laughing.

"I'm choking," Eden said laughing. "Our cousin is a nice-looking guy," she paused, "in his own little way," she joked.

"Well, we'll do our own thing. I guess we'll see y'all later," Aaron told us and gave Eden a kiss.

"Yeah, we'll go our own way," Ethan spoke up. "We're being ditched, so before you ditch us, we're ditching y'all," he said laughing, then kissed his wife. "Bye."

"Bye," Edna waved as they walked away.

"See ya!" Aaron waved and walked away.

"Y'all all look so cute with y'all husbands, fiancé, and boyfriend. Awww," I cooed.

"You feelin' left out?" Elijah turned to me.

"Hell, no! I'm honestly enjoyin' my singleness!" I said laughing as we all got into the car.

"Good because Dalvin ain't gon' commit to shit. That's my cousin and he says it," Eden shrugged.

"Damn, how the hell all y'all know about Dalvin?" I asked them.

"I sleep upstairs too," Eden replied.

"I was lost, but now I know, and ewww," Edna shivered in pure disgust.

"I just got out of a long relationship with a psychopath. I need time and space," I told them.

"Wait, weren't you with her brother? That's how y'all know each other, right?" Eden asked me.

"Exactly," I looked out of the window.

"The big guy that was around on Thanksgiving!?" Edna asked. "He's crazy?"

"Hard to believe with his facade, right?" I asked her. "I guess so."

"He was definitely around on Thanksgiving," Tia spoke up. "Everything y'all said just about sums his personality up."

"I didn't know fat was a personality," Elijah looked at us.

"Damn!" I said laughing.

"Who would've thought that man was crazy?" Eden spoke aloud.

"Psychopaths are good at hiding their true identity. That's always been Yasir though," Elijah replied. "I have no idea what you saw in him."

"Like you said, he did a great job at hiding so much of himself throughout the years. Even the things I did notice, I chose to ignore for love," I replied. "The things we're willing to do for love."

"True," Edna shot Eden a code look.

"What?" Eden asked. "Don't even start."

"I didn't say a word, Eden," Edna replied.

"Where are we going?" Jax asked us.

"A bar and grill type of place!" I replied. "Thanks!"

"Ooh, she is too excited for a drink," Elijah snapped his fingers. "I know that's right. You child-free AND on vacation!? It is a MUST! You hear me?" He said laughing.

"I know Tia probably needs a break from my annoying ass cousin!" Eden joked.

Tia laughed, shaking her head at her. "Hey, y'all gon' get off my man- oops! I mean, fiancé!" She held out her hand, showing off her ring.

"Aww," Eden cooed.

"I love this for him. It's great that you hold the same sentiments as he does," Edna told Tia. "He's no saint, but he's been through a lot and I'm happy to see him happy."

"Yeah, same with my sister," Elijah replied.

"I thought y'all were friends?" Eden asked Elijah.

"We are friends and siblings. We grew up together and are close like siblings," Elijah told her.

"Oh, okay!" Eden and Edna spoke in unison.

"Exactly," Tia agreed with Elijah.

"Girl, what the hell did you do to my cousin for HIM to propose? He went all out too," Edna asked Tia.

"All I did was be me," Tia laughed. "I don't know what to say," she spoke in embarrassment.

"Well, we know it wasn't sex which is just as surprising to me because this is Junior," Eden cackled. "Dalvin mentions it enough. Get on my damn nerves too."

Word Count: 6,400

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