I know this update is LONG overdue and I am so sorry for the long wait! I have more freetime now so I plan on updating more! For all of those still rocking with me, I love y'all to death!! 🤎

C H A P T E R
T E N

          Laying in her bed, Ava stared up at her ceiling in a daze as the music from her airpods consumed her ears. Glancing over at Eva who was knocked out sleep in her bed, she let out a sigh before reaching under her pillow to grab her phone.

Unlocking it she went straight to her photo gallery and scrolled to a certain picture of her and someone else. Staring at the picture for a good minute, she was in such disbelief that they were here.

Flipping her covers back, she quietly got out of her bed and tip toed out her room to not wake Eva and walked down the hall to Nolan's room.

Slowly twisting his door knob she peeked her head in and sighed in relief when she saw he was up playing the game. Knocking softly twice, he snapped his neck in her direction slightly startled since he figured he was the only one up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She apologized as she made her way inside his room, being sure to close his door behind her.

Turning his attention back to his game, he shrugged. "You good, whatchu doing up anyways? Couldn't sleep?" He asked, while still trying not to lose focus on his game.

Walking over to his bed, she laid at the top by his pillows, letting out a deep sigh. "Nope, just got a lot on my mind."

"Do you want to talk about it? Or you tryna grab this second controller and hop on this game with me real quick to ease your mind?" He suggested.

"Is both an option?"

Grabbing the second controller he tossed it back to her, then began exiting out of the previous game he was playing before hopping up and putting in NBA 2k so they could play on separate teams.

As the game loaded, Nolan grabbed his phone to see Armoni knocked out on the other side of the screen. Screenshotting how she looked real quick, he made sure she was still on mute to not wake her up then focused back on choosing a team.

"So what's up? What gotcha mind busy?"

Letting out a deep breath, she looked down. "You remember what I told you happened at the WNBA basketball camp we went to last summer?" She quitely asked.

Frowning, Nolan slowly nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Well last Monday the day I went home early it was because at practice we got a new coach and I knew the coach looked familiar but her face didn't click until I saw her in the hallway." She explained briefly.

"Her who? The coach?"

"No, the girl from the camp Nolan." She sighed. "Her mom is now our coach and that's why she looked so familiar which means they moved here and I have to face her everyday now."

Nolan nodded catching on, "Okay, is that a bad thing or something? I lowkey thought you wanted her to move out here after that camp."

"I do, well I did but I'm not ready just yet and she didn't even tell me she was moving here. She knew this whole time and never said anything to me about it, and she's open about being into girls but I'm not and with us dating people our bound to find out."

Smiling, Nolan paused the game to give her his full attention. "So y'all dating now? Last time we talked about this you said what happened was just a phase and y'all hadn't talked since the camp, when did y'all get reconnected?"

Avoiding eye contact, she looked at the wall. "We never lost touch and it was never just a phase. I know what I like, just at the time I wasn't too sure but I'm sure now. We've been dating since then and the long distance worked perfectly for me since nobody had to know about us including mama, but now that she's here I already know she's gonna wanna be exclusive and out in the open about our relationship."

"Can you blame her though? Y'all been dating for over a year now, I wouldn't want to be in the shadows with my girl either. But I understand your fear though sis, but you knew this day would come sooner or later. I think its time you finally live in your truth and just be happy regardless of what anyone has to say." Nolan encouraged.

"That's easier said than done though, what if mama don't accept my truth?"

"You may get on my nerves and I barely like you, but regardless of how mama and daddy may feel you got me in your corner rooting for you. Plus I honestly feel with the way mama parents treated her and made her feel growing up, I doubt she would reject you or shun you away when she knows exactly how that feels." Nolan expressed as he resumed the game.

Listening to his words, Ava let out a sigh before focusing on the game. "You're right, I already told Skylar and even told daddy this as well and they basically said the samething. I don't know why I'm so scared though, I know I can come to mama about anything but this one thing scares me to death."

Nolan half smiled, "We gon' figure it out, but for now focus on not gettin' ya ass whooped on this game."

Laughing Ava grabbed one of his pillows smacking him on the back of his head. "Negro please, you already know how I'm coming."

Standing outside Nolan's bedroom door, Alisha felt her eyes burn as tears threatened to fall before she walked away going back to her room where Shaun laid watching tv half sleep.

Glancing towards Alisha when she entered the room, Shaun immediately sat up when he saw she was crying. "What's wrong baby? The kids alright?"

"You knew Ava was into girls and never told me?" She questioned lowly.

Getting out of the bed, Shaun walked towards her. "I promised I wouldn't say anything."

"Why does she feel as if she can't come to me about something like this? She should know I wouldn't love her any less or judge her. Do they know that? Do the kids feel like they can't come to me? Why are they always so comfortable coming to you about everything first?" She asked starting to feel as if she was lacking as a parent.

"The kids know they can come to you and count on you for anything, but at the end of the day you are their mother and they just don't ever want to disappoint you. The way you look at them and your approval means more to them than you know, so don't take it personal baby." Shaun reassured her.

"How long have you known?"

Scratching his head, Nolan nervously laughed. "I don't really think that matters baby."

Folding her arms, Alisha frowned. "Just say it."

"About a year, but that doesn't matter." He quickly replied grabbing her hands.

Snatching away from him, "You've known for a whole year!? What else have they told you that I don't know about?"

Sighing, Shaun took a seat on the edge of their bed pulling her in between his legs. "I made a promise to not say anything, you gotta understand where I'm coming from."

Stepping back, Alisha smiled. "I understand."

Watching as she walked into their bathroom that was connected to their room, Shaun sighed to himself when she shut and locked the door behind her.

Everyone knew when it came to being a parent, Alisha took it very serious and tried her best to be the perfect parent to her kids since she didn't have that growing up. Shaun knew finding out the kids shared more things with him than they did with her would make her feel a certain way, that's why he never said anything.

He never wanted Alisha to question herself when it came to being a mother, because she was a damn good one and he knows the kids love her to death.

-

          Waking up in the middle of the night Ahmad let out a low yawn as he looked over to the left of him to see Crystal's spot in their bed was empty. Frowning, he sat up and flipped the covers back before getting out of the bed all together to find her.

Checking the bathroom and the patio connected to their room, he looked around in confusion as to where she could be this early in the morning.

Rubbing at his eyes as he tip toed down the hall and down the stairs, he glanced over towards the living room once he heard the tv playing and sighed in relief when he saw her stretched out across the couch sleep.

Walking up towards her he quietly grabbed the remote to turn the tv off then reached down to lift her up, but he stopped when he slightly startled her out of her sleep.

Calming down when she saw it was him, she sat up and yawned not realizing she had dozed off down here. "What are you doing up so early?" She questioned followed by a yawn and a stretch.

"You know I always have trouble sleeping whenever I realize you not laying beside me. Real question is why you down here and not in bed? You alright?" Taking a seat beside her he draped his arm over the couch.

Nodding her head, she looked over at him. "Yeah, I was up talking with Santana and Malcolm then they eventually went onto bed, then I was looking through our wedding album and I guess just dozed off."

Laughing at the thought of their wedding day, Ahmad picked up the book himself. "That whole entire day was just crazy from the beginning to the end, from the car breaking down, Shaun ripping his pants, to the cake falling over and Santana losing the rings. Man, I wasn't sure how the fuck that day was gon' end."

Joining in on his laughter, she wiped her eyes. "When my baby lost the rings I just knew at that moment the wedding was over and he felt so bad and the whole time they were just in his pocket."

Grabbing her foot Ahmad began to rub and massage her feet. "Still one of the best days of my life, it was crazy but I wouldn't have changed a single thing that happened."

Smiling at his words, she looked away. "Mines too. My favorite part was our first dance."

"My favorite part was the reveal. You looked so beautiful in your dress and at that moment I felt like the luckiest man in the world." He expressed to her. "I still do til this day."

When things fell silent both Ahmad and Crystal felt the elephant in the room arrive, but neither of them were going to speak on it. The sexual tension between them had been at an all time high, but Crystal just couldn't bring herself to make the first move.

However, watching as his muscle's flexed as he massaged her feet and glancing at his toned chest he managed to keep throughout this entire journey she was becoming more tempted.

Removing her feet from his lap Crystal soon adjusted her body and crawled over to Ahmad instantly pressing her lips against his. Moving her body to where she was now straddling his lap, the two made out hungrily as Ahmad groped and rubbed her up and down her body.

Moaning into the kiss when Ahmad slipped his tongue inside her mouth, Crystal began untying the strings on his sweats motioning for him to take them off.

Realizing what was happening, Ahmad looked down and grabbed her by her hands stopping her from proceding.

Looking up at him to see what was wrong, she sighed to herself once she realized and moved off of him. "I'm sorry." She whispered feeling herself about to cry.

Tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, she grabbed her phone and hurriedly walked off in embarrassment that she had been rejected again.

Ahmad watched as she walked up the stairs to their bedroom and sighed to himself. He wasn't sure what exactly was wrong with him, he wanted to have sex with his wife and missed having it with her.

However, over the past few months he just hasn't been in the mood despite his urges. He figured with Chemo and the medications he took was part of the reason why he was feeling the way he was, but knowing he wasn't doing his part by satisfying his wife was really fucking him up and he hoped like hell this wouldn't cause a split within their marriage.

Getting up off the couch Ahmad slow jogged up the stairs and back into their bedroom where he saw Crystal laying down on her side facing away from the door.

He heard her faintly sniffle so he knew she was crying and that alone hurt him, knowing he was the reason.

Getting into bed behind her Ahmad securely wrapped his arms around her, feeling her tears drop onto his hands.

Kissing her on the shoulder, Ahmad soon raised up to see her face better moving her hair out the way in the process. "Baby, I promise you the last thing I want to do is make you cry or feel unwanted." He explained in her ear.

Turning so she could face him, she wiped her eyes. "Then what is it Ahmad? You won't communicate with me when it comes to sex and any little thing involving it you shut it down quick. I tried being patient and understanding with everything that has happened, but you have to help me understand what exactly is wrong because being rejected by my husband is not a good feeling and it hurts like hell wondering if you're just not that attracted to me any more."

"Crys not a day goes by where I still don't think you're the most beautiful woman in the world to me and I'm sorry if I haven't been making you feel that way baby." He started staring her directly in the eyes. "Everything that has been going on has nothing to do with you, its all a personal issue within me. I haven't been feeling like my true self lately and the last thing I want to do is let you down."

"Let me down how Ahmad?"

"At this moment I just feel like I can't be everything you need me to be right now. I'm not who I used to be, I can't do the things I used to be able to do, my body has changed in more ways than I can imagine since this whole shit has started and I just can't get out of my own head whenever we're right in the process of taking it further."

"Baby, why you didn't you ever say anything to me about how you were feeling?" Crystal asked genuinely concerned.

"Crystal since the beginning of this journey with me having cancer you have dealt and put up with so much. During those days where I couldn't even get out of bed or was in the hospital for weeks, I watched you get up everyday get the kids ready, cook breakfast, keep the house in order, help the kids with homework, dropping them off and picking them up from school and still managed to take care of me and go to work with a smile on your face. You did that non-stop and not once did you complain."

"As a man watching you do that everyday just made me feel less than, I wanted to do so much more for you then to show my appreciation but it was only so much I could do. As the days passed my body was changing, my weight was dropping, the chemo was aging me to the point where at this moment I do not love who I am right now. I do not love who I see when I look in the mirror and my insecurities since I got sick has really taken over my mental state to the point where it has me not in the mood to do anything. When really right at this moment you deserve everything for what all you have done for me and for this family."

Feeling her eyes water up after hearing what all Ahmad was starting to feel about himself, Crystal just wished this could all just be a dream.

She hated the way this disease had him feeling so low of himself, when in all honesty he was the strongest person she has ever met. "The reason I got up everyday and did all those things was because for one I love you and would do anything for this family and to make sure you're good." Sitting up so they could see each other better, Crystal grabbed his hands.

"Baby, when I stated my vows to stick by your side for better, or for worse, for richer, or for poorer, and in sickness and in health, to always love and to always cherish the man you are, till death do us part. I meant every single word and that hasn't changed. What kept me going everyday was watching you fight this disease day and night, while still managing to make it to basketball games, recitals, daddy daughter dances, family vacations even when you were in pain. You never once let this stop you from being a great father and husband, so I had to do my part and be a great mother and wife."

When he looked down at his their hands, Crystal kissed the top of his head. "Plus despite all the changes your body has went through you are still the finest man in the world to me in my eyes and I love everything about you even your loud obnoxious snoring and ugly crusty ass feet and I wouldn't change a thing." She laughed causing him to do the same.

"I love you too." He smiled.

"I know you do, now gimmie a kiss." She demanded jokingly.

"Nah, I'm good. I'm finna go to sleep."

Acting as if he was about to turn over, Crystal hit him on the arm as he laughed. "I'm just playing, come here."

Moving closer to him, she folded her arms across her chest as he stared at her. "You still my baby?"

Looking away she shrugged, "Maybe."

Raising his head, he looked at her crazy. "Maybe? I need a solid yes or yes, fuck a maybe or a no."

Playfully rolling her eyes, she muffed his head. "What exactly are you going to do? Not a damn thing."

Nodding his head, Ahmad laughed to himself. "You must think I'm playing or something huh?"

Before Crystal could even reaact, Ahmad started tickling her causing her to laugh out loudly and repeatedly yell for him to stop. Ignoring her pleads he eventually hopped himself directly ontop of her smothering her with his kisses all over her face and whatever skin that was exposed.

Hovering over he grabbed her arms raising them over her head as he stared down at her, as she breathed heavily. "We gon' try this again, you still my baby or what?"

Trying to hold in her laugh she went to shake her head no, but when he threatened to tickle her again she quickly switched up. "I'm playing stop, yes I'm still your baby as long as I'm still yours."

"Of course you are and that ain't never changing." He replied quickly pecking her on the lips. "We in this foreva."

"Promise?" She questioned.

"Cross my heart."

Staring at each other for a brief moment, Ahmad soon kissed her on the lips a few times telling her he loved her inbetween each peck before the kiss soon deepened as both of their tongues fought for dominance.

The vibe in the air instantly changed and Ahmad wanted to take this moment as slow and make it as sensual as possible for the both of them.

Pulling away from the kiss, Ahmad quickly hopped out of their bed to lock the door and in the mean time removed the sweats he wore leaving him dressed in only his boxers.

Sitting in the middle of their bed Crystal felt herself becoming anxious as she watched him walk towards her. Pulling her up by the hand he helped remove the night gown she was wearing, tossing it across the room leaving her in just her undergarments.

Using both of his hands to cuff the sides of her face, Crystal looked up at him as he looked down at her just getting lost into each other eyes. Bending his head down and tilting it slightly Ahmad placed a slow lingering kiss on her lips, before whispering how much he loves her inbetween each peck making her smile and laugh.

Pulling away from him Crystal started removing her bra and slid off her panties just as Ahmad dropped his boxers leaving the two of them completely naked in their room.

It has been so long since the two of them have saw each other in this state, those quick showers they frequently took together just wasn't the same as this moment here.

It was clear the two were craving each other more than words could really even explain. However, tonight Crystal wanted to be in charge she knew just by the uncertainty in his eyes he was starting to feel a little insecure about his appearance and she wanted to be sure to make him feel loved and wanted tonight.

Pushing him on his back Crystal climbed ontop straddling him as he sat up. Using her right hand she reached down and started to slow stroke him before raising up a little and inserting him inside of her causing the both of them to moan out.

Riding him slow Ahmad was sitting up holding Crystal very close to him, while he sucked and kissed on her neck before trailing his kisses down to her breast. Looking down at him Crystal bit her lip as she continued to rock her hips in a slow but steady pace.

Placing her hand on the back of his head as he sucked and licked on her nipples, she moaned out from the feeling and gripped his hair a little loving the pleasure she was receiving.

Both moaning together from how good they were both making each other feel. Crystal soon started riding him harder and faster as his hands rested tightly on her waist as she picked up the speed and began bouncing up and down making her titties bounce in the process.

Smirking to herself when he started moaning like a bitch, she slowed up and clenched her walls around him.

Throwing his head back Ahmad couldn't believe how much of a bitch he sounded right now. He truly underestimated how much he missed being inside of her and wished this moment could last forever.

Usually he tried to surpress his moans to not be so loud especially with the kids possibly being able to hear, but he couldn't she was riding the shit out of him and he was loving every second it. "Fuck, just like that." He gritted out, as she started swirling her hips faster feeling herself about to cum.

When he laid back she leaned forward growing tired and kissed him on the lips sliding her tongue into his mouth as they made out sloppily.

Placing his hands on her ass, he smacked and gripped her cheeks roughly as they endulged in a lustful kiss taking away both their breaths. When she pulled away, she started leaving kisses down his chest before swirling her tongue around his nipple.

Stopping her movements Ahmad flipped then over so he was now ontop. Hovering over her as she turned more on her back to face him, he stroked himself a little before leaning down to kiss her deeply while sliding inside of her at the sametime catching her completely off guard as she moaned into the kiss.

Wrapping her legs around him and intertwining their fingers together, the sound of their headboard hitting the wall along with their moans could be heard throughout the room as he slowly but roughly fucked her.

Raising up some he grabbed her legs and held them up as he placed em on his shoulders before going deeper as he felt himself about to release. Speeding up his strokes, her titties soon started to bounce as she began to scream and cry out.

"Slow down baby." She moaned and he did as she wanted as he rode out his nut still slowly stroking her walls being sure to hit that certain spot repeatedly.

Releasing all his kids inside of her, he laid there for a moment to catch his breath as she did the same before they started kissing again.

"I love you so much." She moaned against his lips pulling him closer.

"I love you." He replied kissing her one last time before raising up off her, leaving her sorta confused as to what he was doing.

Getting out of the bed to go and get her a towel from the bathroom for later, Crystal laid back not having the strength to do anything else. But the moment he returned and they locked eyes she sighed to herself knowing that due to the look he was giving that he was far from being done with her.

"You already know the drill Crystal, turn that ass around and bend over." He demanded while using his hand to stroke himself.

Ahmad knew he had to make up for lost time and they did just that all night long loving every minute of it.

          The following morning Armoni and the rest of the kids all woke up to the smell of breakfast hitting their nose. Leaving out their rooms one by one Armoni got Adrian and Mariah up, while Santana and Malcolm woke Aspen and Avery up.

Descending down the stairs as the smell of bacon and pancakes got stronger, the kids all frowned and just stood there when they saw both Crystal and Ahmad singing and dancing to Solomon Burke's classic song, "Cry to Me."

Sharing a look with Santana, he simply shrugged. They haven't seen them this happy before in a long time and it was honestly refreshing. Crystal and Ahmad didn't argue or nothing in front of the kids, but their affection towards one another did change and they all took notice of it.

Looking up once they realized they had an audience, they laughed. "Good morning sweeties, breakfast is almost ready." Crystal greeted cheerfully as Ahmad went back to whisking the eggs.

"Yeah, just have a seat at the dining table we'll bring the food out in a minute." He directed.

Slowly walking over to the table, they all awkwardly took a seat. "What tha hell has them so damn happy this morning?" Armoni whispered to Santana who glanced over at them to see Ahmad now standing behind Crystal with his arms wrapped around her as she fed him some whip cream off her finger.

"I don't know, but hopefully it stays this way because I'm sure once my mama sees my damn progress report the whole mood gon' be ruined." Santana mumbled causing Malcolm to laugh.

Shaking her head, Armoni leaned over to help get the sleep out of  the corner of Adrian's eye. "What classes are you failing?"

"Stupid ass A&P and statistics, I'm passing English and US history but these damn two senior classes I'm taking killing my ass."

"You're really smart Santana hence why you're taking senior classes as a junior, its only been the first three weeks of school and this is all still new for you. You'll figure it out eventually, don't stress too much over it." Armoni replied trying to give the best advice that she could.

Slumping down in his seat, he sighed. "I know, but my grades have to be up by time the report cards come out if I wanna keep my 3.9 GPA up I gotta a least make a B in both of those classes."

Touching his arm, she shushed him. "And you will, you have three weeks to get it up and we know how hard you work so it will happen and if you need help you know I'm here."

Listening to what she said, he eventually nodded agreeing. "I hear you."

Coming towards the dining table with the food already served on their plates, Ahmad sat each of their plates in front of them along with glasses of orange juice.

Malcolm rubbed his hands slightly together at the sight of it and made a mental note to take a plate to-go for Fred. "Thank y'all, this smells and looks amazing." He complimented just as Crystal was in the middle of handing Ahmad his plate as he sat in seat.

"You're welcome baby, if you want more its plenty in the kitchen." She smiled before turning her attention to Ahmad.

"Do you need anything else baby?" She questioned as he wrapped his arm around her waist slightly.

"All I need for you to do is to sit down, but not before giving me some lip." Playfully rolling her eyes, she quickly kissed him on the lips but Ahmad felt like being extra and started feeling her up.

Dropping his fork, Santana looked at the both of them in disgust. "Man, I'm tryna eat don't nobody wanna see all that."

"No forreal! Avery and Aspen do not need to be witnessing that either." Armoni scoffed in disgust.

Laughing, Crystal pushed Ahmad away as she took her seat. "How else do you think thing one and two got here, miss thang?"

"That's the thing its not something we actually want to think about." Mariah mumbled making them all laugh.

As they continued eating breakfast as a family, Armoni decided to wash the dishes afterwards and clean the kitchen just as Malcolm offered to help as well before him and Santana left to do the grass.

Standing at the sink washing dishes, Malcolm rinsed, dried, and put the dishes up. "You know you didn't have to help, you're the guest." Armoni stated.

"You're right, but what type of house guest would I be if I didn't help around the house? Plus your folks have been really blessing me, so it's only right." He told her.

Armoni nodded. "How are you adjusting to the new school? You like it so far?" She questioned making small talk.

"It's cool, Santana and the gang making sure I have the best experience as is." He laughed. "But yeah I like it."

Armoni joined in laughing. "Seems like all the females are too, they've been all over you since you got here." She pointed out as she handed him two plates she just washed.

Slightly glancing at her Malcolm half smiled. "Yeah everyone except you." He laughed.

Looking up at him they both locked eyes for a moment, before Armoni quickly turned away when Santana entered the kitchen now shirtless and just wearing a pair of basketball shorts rapping.

"Aye Mac, you ready? Armoni big head ass can finish those dishes herself." He called out.

"Yeah let me finish rinsing these last two real quick and I'll be ready."

Once they were done washing all the dishes, Armoni stayed downstairs to finish cleaning off the counter top and to mop while Malcolm went upstairs to get dressed.

Coming back downstairs with Santana now shirtless as well, Armoni watched him on the low but almost felt her soul leave her body when they locked eyes and he sent a quick wink and a kiss her way.

Looking away Armoni immediately began to feel slightly guilty for the thoughts she was having and knew she needed to keep her distance from Malcolm.

-

I'm so sorry my loves for the long ass wait, like I've been saying on my posts I am now an editor so that has taken a lot of my time but I am done for right now and will try pushing out updates . 🤎

I love y'all so much !!

- Denise 🤎