It was Sunday morning already, the impromptu girls' weekend was ending too soon. Stacia woke early for some reason and it wasn't the fact that she was in another foreign place. Since their rush from New York, she got used to the opulence she faced at every turn. Though one can see the riches the Johnsons and the associated families lived in, you can see how unpretentious they all were. Stacia was used to the rich snobs in New York when they happened to 'drop by' the diner for 'normal food'. Harem and his friends were nothing like that. The entire group welcomed her and Taylor with welcome arms. The mothers of each respective teen rallied around them, giving both girls the motherly love they craved and missed. Taylor broke after the third day of their care, the act her mother did register to her finally, and all the grief and pain she bravely held in was released because of the love she received. 

Smiling to herself, she rose from her bed in the large room she shared with Taylor. The room was designed for comfort and relaxation. Grabbing her robe and phone, she easily made her way out of the room, looking over her shoulder to make sure her friend was sleeping soundly. A few nights ago she had a bad nightmare, screaming in fear of her step-father coming to get her. It took a while to reassure her of her safety in which Harem had to be called over. Stacia thought it so pure when he showed up at the house in his pajamas and a tattered stuffed animal in his hand. Whatever the animal meant between the two, it calmed Taylor down and she went back to sleep without a fuss. What happened during the wee hours of the morning between her and Harem still made her blush. 

Wrapping her arms around her body, she made her way out to the pool and took residence on the bamboo garden chair. Stacia lightly touched her lips remembering the tentative kiss she received from him. A chuckle escaped her at what he said after their kiss and finally got out of that shocked/dazed state the kiss caused.

 "If you want to slap me now, do so, just know I will definitely kiss you again and make it longer."

After that kiss, she was flustered by his attention and the feelings that came along with it. He was insightful enough to give her space since then but didn't stop showing his consideration for her. Stacia was of two minds about the budding attraction, on one side she was accepting of it and on the other, she wonders if his attention on her is unbridled attention he held back for Selby. She learned of the Selby situation and felt the girls' anger and hurt along with it. Given that he expressed his feelings for her in a heated situation, it was all a messy situation. Stacia frowned. She asked herself why Selby believed her boyfriend over childhood friends who seem extremely tight-knit. That brought her back to Harem's affections. She wanted to know if they were real and genuinely for her or was she simply a substitute for Selby.

Stacia wanted it to be the former and not the latter. Rocking her head back, she closed her eyes and welcomed the sun on her face. It felt good being outdoors and actually smelling the fresh air and hearing the nature around her. Thanks to Harem and his family she now has the opportunity to pursue a career and not think about being stuck at a diner for the next ten years. At first, she refused their generosity but Taylor stated clearly that it wasn't charity, the family only wants to see their kids and those closely associated with them, so good in the world. No matter how small that good was. 

"There you are. I panicked for a while when I didn't see you."

Stacia turned to the teasing yet concerned voice of her best friend. Taylor made her way over and took the seat beside her, taking in nature around her. "I like it here," Stacia commented.

"Me too," Taylor returned with a sigh. The two stayed in silence, losing track of time until the others met them outside, also in sleepwear. Stacia grinned at the scene around her. They all looked like they were all nursing a hangover when in reality it was adrenaline withdrawal. Friday night was spent getting to know each other more and a bit of gossiping, Saturday was time spent in the custom-made pool of slides and underwater grotto, and last night they all went out to dinner and visited the 24/7arcade at Johnson's mall. Stacia thought that was cool, they even had extra security available in scenarios of drunk or high teenagers entering the mall.

"The most hated day is today," Ayanna grumbled. She was present on the lounger face down with a bird mess of hair.

"Stupid school tomorrow," Erica grumbled next. Clad in a large men's t-shirt and loose boxers, the Tobagonian was midway rubbing her sleepy eyes with her natural hair loose and waving in the morning breeze. She unbraided her hair when they returned last night, saying she was too lazy to wrap it. They all had their turn in touching her hair, it was curly and smooth at the same time. Mixed hair, she called it.

"I call lazy day today," Raine said aloud. 

"Amen to that!"

"You think Janine will make us breakfast?"

"I want mih bed."

"Can we do a movie marathon or binge-watch a new show?"

Suggestions on what best lazy things to do when someone's phone rang off. "Mine," Erica shouted. Slouched in a lounger, she answered the call without looking at the ID then placed it on speaker.

"Morning baby." Elijah's energetic voice filtered through the speaker along with the background noises of laughter and music.

"Why you so happy? It still early inno," she complained. 

The girls laughed at the displeased frown on her face along with Elijah. "Okay Miss Grumpy, so I take it that you don't want to spend the day with me?" he teased.

"Boy, doh play wid me eh. I doh wanna do nothing today. If you wanna just laze around, I fuh dat," she countered. Elijah chuckled at her cute grumblings, muttering to himself how adorable she was.

"That's ideal. Since you have me on speaker... girls, you good with us coming over, let's say an hour?" he asked in a louder voice.

"No problem." That was the unified response but one was different. 

"Bring food," Erica shouted.

"Anything, in particular, my little island girl?" Elijah returned. They all can hear the teasing and affection coating each word he spoke. It felt like they were imposing on a private moment between the two. Erica was actually smiling, with her eyes closed, probably thinking of the guy who made her smile so brightly. 

"Surprise us. I think yuh did tell me dat Alec and Harem does cook real good."

"He does?" Stacia asked Taylor softly. Her friend gave her an animated nod of yes. "His father taught him," Taylor added.

"Chef Harem and Chef Alec, you have a special order in, and it's for delivery," Elijah shouted on his side. Loud laughter was the response until Harem took over the call. "Good morning ladies. How are we today?" he greeted. Strings of morning greetings bombarded the call, the girls returned their greetings as they got closer to the phone.

"What are you guys feeling for? We haven't started breakfast yet so I guess the best thing to do is come by earlier than before and cook breakfast at the house," Harem continued. 
Stacia's eyes widen in disbelief. The boys easily gave into the order for food and planned to execute it in the cutest way ever. These girls were extremely lucky. 

"I think we may need some stuff," Raine voiced.

"Text Alec the list."

"Will do," she replied, grabbing her phone from her chair. 

"Y'all good? Tay? You good?" he asked softly.

"No nightmares," the blonde proudly said.

"That's my girl. Good morning, Stacia."

The girls turned to the redhead who was blushing to her roots. No one missed the sexy undertones to that simple morning greeting from Harem. Taylor was giddily kicking her feet in excitement while the others were wearing smug smiles.

"G-Good morning, Harem," she answered shyly.

He chuckled lowly then excused himself from the phone call. 
"Okay ladies. See you guys in a few now I will love to speak to my woman in private," Elijah said in a firm voice. Erica grinned their way, snatched the phone from the lounger, and rushed back inside. 

"They're so cute," Ayanna cooed.

"It's nice to hear him happy again," Raine said looking up from her phone. 

"So, Stacia. What are your intentions with Harem?" Ayanna spoke with an authoritative tone. Taylor knew the girl meant no harm, she along with the others, were very protective of Harem. After Selby's rejection of him, they took it upon themselves to look out for him. 

"I like him but it's a confusing thing for me," the red-head answered truthfully.

"What do you mean?" Raine asked, finally putting away her phone. Stacia looked Taylor's way, who gave her a firm nod of approval. "I heard about Selby. I'm not one to fool myself in thinking that some dude is all for me. He was coming off a reel of emotional heartbreak when he came to New York then, this thing between us started and it seems so crazy," she replied, pulling her legs closer to her body.

"To you, it may be unbelievable when it's not, Harem reevaluated his feeling for Selby after extensive talks with Issac and the twins. If you need advice on best friend love, those three can write books on the subject. They are practically married to their best friends. He did tell us about how he felt about you. He explained it all. It's no way near the gratitude-type love he had for Selby," Raine returned.

"Gratitude-type love?"

"I learned about that in a psychology book I was looking through. Love as you know has different meanings and types according to the people around you. I love Harem and that's a love of friendship type. We have each other's back and respect each other. The same type of love he has for the girls and the guys. The love he had for Selby was gratitude which can be confused with needing love. As I recalled, she was the first kid outside of the circle he and his cousins had, to accept him as a normal kid. Over the years that grew and he mistook it for a crush," Taylor explained.

"And what he described to us the feeling that came over him when he saw you were very similar to what Issac felt for Luanne. It's there, blooming but low-key scared of it. The needing type of love. It's up to both of you to act on it. Don't be scared," Ayanna picked up.

"Are you guys sure? I'm not going to see him just..poof...disappear along the way, right?" Stacia asked apprehensively.

"He's a Johnson. Honest, loyal, and in every kind of way loving. He won't string you along like a puppet. He has too many examples to learn from to act like a douche," Raine said with a shrug. Though her action was nonchalant, Stacia heard the reassurance in her words. Taking a deep breath she decided to simply let whatever they had, run its course.

                                                                 ******** 

Loaded with more groceries than they initially needed, the boys arrived at the Johnson mansion in two SUVs blasting K-pop music mixed with their loud laughter and talking. This was a normal entrance at the home, so it didn't surprise Janine to hear the commotion coming up the driveway and see the two familiar vehicles on the security camera. Smiling to herself as she prepared breakfast for her husband and daughter, she didn't have a hard to thinking of a reason as to why the guys were here so early. Whatever they were chatting about can now be heard as they worked their way through the hallways to the kitchen.

"Morning, mama." Janine chuckled as she accepted her son's warm hug and kiss on her cheek before he was pushed away by his cousins. Trey and Alec did the same asking her of her night and so forth. 

"Staying the day?" she asked turning to them all. They were all around the kitchen table sorting out their shopping and trying their best to keep their backpacks on their shoulders.

"If the girls are okay with it," Mischa muttered.

"I'm sure they won't mind. Everything is alright with you boys? I'm seeing bruised knuckles," she commented lightly. The three with the injured hands quickly straightened their posture and hid their hands. 

"Well, this is weird. Never had to do this part of motherhood with you," Janine said truly confused. Elijah grinned his mother's way. It was officially the first time he was violent and for his mother to admonish him. She then turned to Harem and winced. "Is the kid alive at least?" she asked, raising her eyebrow at Alec. He gave her a shrug in the answer then folded his arms. 

"He deserved it," Mischa muttered.

"Travis?"

"Yup," Trey answered while taking a seat on one of the stools.

"Boys. I know you care about the girls and always want to be their knights in shiny armor but please try to avoid the violence. Two of you are trained boxers and the other gym it most days, that's a lot of power and anger on the kid. That and the fact it was three to one, that can be seen as bullying. How bad is it?"

No one answered.

"Elijah," Janine said sternly.

"Bad enough for Raine to be pissed at us," he answered softly.

"Well..... shit."

Worried looks passed across their faces. They were only dealing with the guy who hurt their best friend and that was all they saw. Not being advantageous and being a bully. Raine will rip them one. 

"Go to the girls. You three pull Raine aside, explain and apologize. Please don't do it again. I placed you two in boxing classes for self-defense. Thank heavens Mischa wasn't involved. A doctor's bill may have been on my doorstep." While Elijah and Harem were top boxers in their weight class, Mischa took a much intense type of self-defense. MMA - Mixed Martial Arts. They were a bit apprehensive about his choice but his parents along with Janine and Eli gave him permission to do the class. At the back of her mind, Janine believes he will want to go further with it.

"Yes ma'am," they said in unison. Unease set in them, the rash decision they made last Friday made them feel like the assholes their girls tend to stay away from. Janine took note of their disposition, she felt bad that she caused the grey cloud over their morning. "It was great of you all to be her champion but next time, if there will be a next time, make sure it isn't physical. Go. I'm sure the girls are waiting," she said with a smile before ushering them out the back door. Standing at the entryway, Janine watched as the five friends made their way over to the parked golf cart at the end of the main house's backyard, packed their bags at the back of the cart, and made their way to the pool house. Leaning against the door, she prayed the girls were understanding. 

"Morning my love." The worry she carried for her boys disappeared upon hearing the voice of her husband. Her shoulders relaxed upon feeling his lips on her neck and bare shoulders. Eli pressed his body against her back, allowing her to lean heavily against him. "What's wrong? I heard the boys came in," he muttered. She smiled hearing how sleepy he still was. Shaye had him up last night watching movies and playing games under their blanket fort. She went to bed last night with a smile on her face, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. Listening to the voices of her husband and daughter enjoy their little daddy/daughter movie night made her feel complete. 

"They defended Raine's honor," she simply said.

"That's a good thing, baby. Why the frown... oh, okay. Was it all five because that's near murder?" Eli asked, racking his brain for information on the Donner's kid.

"Elijah, Harem, and Alec."

"Shit. Is he alive?" Eli asked quickly. Janine turned around and gave him a nod of yes. 

"Good. Ummm.... what do we do now? Do we ground them? Take away his car keys? Put him in an empty room? I expected the fighting from the demon spawn down the hall."

Janine couldn't hold in her laughter. Eli was really freaking out. Marielle and Elijah never stepped out of line, even when they were kids so rules were never cemented. But Shaye. Shaye is in a league of her own. Sassy, brutally honest, a trickster, and one to be aggressive when she needs to make things right. They joked that the universe decided to shake things up with their last child, oh how right they were.

"Janine," he whined.

"You're so cute," she cooed, pulling him in for a kiss. 

"I'm handsome, not cute," he muttered pushing her against the wall. 

"Yeah. Definitely," she returned getting lost in their heated kiss. Never able to resist her, he moved his hands to beneath her thighs and lifted her onto his waist, and walked them further onto the patio. Finding their favorite lounger, he took a seat with her still in his arm, lost in their own world. Slowly ending their kiss, Eli caressed her body and opted to simply look at her. The years have done nothing to her, she was still the young black beauty he married in his childhood home. 
"Beautiful," he whispered. Janine leaned into his hand that cupped her face before placing her upper body on his. 

"We'll talk to them tonight. Their hearts were in the right place," she said after a moment of silence.

"You're right. I did the same for you over the years...."

Janine silenced his last sentence with a bruising kiss. She hated those moments, harsh reality interrupted their blissful world together at those times. "I'm sorry," he whispered against her lips before holding her tight against his chest. 

"It's okay. Let's head inside. I made your favorite breakfast," she said softly. 

"Thank you, baby."

Giving him a soft smile, she got to her feet and led him back inside wanting to push away those bad memories. Spending the day with her husband and daughter will certainly do the trick. Proof that love has no bounds.

                                                                            ********

"Good morning, ladies," Alec called out. The boys all walked through the open double doors and head straight to the kitchen, the girls were no way around. 

"We'll be there in a minute," Raine shouted. 

Harem and Alec immediately went into chef mode, Mischa packed away the grocery in the pantry, Trey cleaned up the living area and Elijah opened up the windows, bringing in more of the morning sunlight. 

"Baby!"

Elijah spun around at the sound of Erica's voice. She looked so adorable yet naturally gorgeous as she ran towards him, her dark curly hair loose and framing her face wonderfully. The brightness in her eyes made him so happy. She was excited to see him as much as he was excited to see her.

"There she is," he breathe out, successfully catching her in his arms when she jumped and wrapped her smooth brown legs around his waist. 

"Good morning," she whispered. 

One arm around her waist, the other bracing her back as his hand gripped the back of her neck. Her wild hair brushed against his arms. Erica chuckled when his own curls got caught in hers. He too had his hair loose, too lazy to style it. 

"Good morning, my little flower," he returned, lost in her dark eyes. That sweet smile on her face made him forget everything and everyone around him. He loved the way she felt in his arms and how easy it was to be with her. 

"Where mih kiss?" she asked with a pout. 

"I should be asking you that, miss grumpy," he teased. Erica playfully kissed his cheek and gave him a challenging look.

"That's all?" 

"Yup," she answered popping the p at the end. Unexpectedly, he unlocked her legs from around his waist and pushed her up his body to be over his shoulder. Her shocked and amused scream filled the room, smacking her ass, he laughed as she told him off in that sexy accent of hers. She clutched onto his waist when he walked her out to the pool. 

"Elijah Johnson if you throw me in dah pool, me and you will get away eh?" she shouted. The laughter can be heard in her voice which made him smile wider. She was so laid back, not fussy, she was simply normal. 

"Now why will I want to do that?" he countered placing her gently on her feet. Not giving her time to compose herself, he framed her now heated face with his hands and quickly claimed her lush brown lips. This was perfect. She was perfect. 
Erica held onto his wrists and gave in to him fully. Each touch from him made her feel beautiful, the way he saw her. He made her feel validated in life. Elijah never asked her to change anything about her or about her, she was herself and he accepted her. 
Feeling like she was being led somewhere, she trustingly followed and allowed him to maneuver her body over his on what she deducted as a lounger. His hands, for the first time, boldly roamed her body intimately. His fingers were rough against her skin but that didn't stop the shiver that ran up her spine. From her calves all the way up to her thighs, he took in the smoothness of her dark brown skin. One hand went under the loose t-shirt she wore while the other over her jean-clad butt. Giving it a firm squeeze, he pressed her against his straining bulge, Erica moaned against his lips, clutching onto his shoulders when he did it again. "Baby," she breathed against his neck. 

Taking her little protest as a sign to slow down, he ended their kiss and loosen his hold on her. She sat up and rubbed unknowingly on his still hard member rendering a curse from him. "Sorry. I ain't ready fuh that yet," she said looking away from him.

"Hey. It's okay. I will wait. To make it sort of a consolation, I haven't had any other girl or sex partner besides Bree. She was my only," he confessed. Erica's eyes widen. "Really?"

"Yes, baby," he chuckled. Lying back on the lounger, he smiled in amazement at how gorgeous she was. The sun streamed through her wild hair, making little patterns on him. No make-up, just naturally smooth brown skin. Compared to him, she was a few shades darker, a near complexion to his mother. The yellow shirt she wore simply made her glow. He was a damn lucky guy. "Can I get a picture of you, baby?" he asked politely.

"None for IG," she said firmly.

"One and it won't show your face," he compromised as he got his phone.

"Fine," she grumbled good-naturedly. Elijah took a lot of photos of her and included himself in a few, even a slow-motion video of her smiling. He knew that was going to be his new live wallpaper. He captured the making of her smile with the pure affection she had for him in her eyes. It made his heart beat faster knowing he captured that on film and it was completely genuine. The last photo was of her laying on his chest, her beautiful hair spread across her shoulder, covering her face slightly in which he took advantage of by kissing her slowly. Naturally, his own hair fell across his face giving them great camouflage when they kissed. It was a perfect photo of them.
Erica stayed in his arms and watched as he showed her the pictures and posted the best one they both chose. 

"Now. How is your weekend going so far ?" he asked kissing her head and waiting for her to answer.

"Great so far. Your daddy tell we the story of how he and yuh mother met. They so happy," she replied.

"I want that. To be happy with someone and be able to be with them through anything."

"That's why I feel rel bad when I hear dey story plus your relationship wid Bree. I shouldna judge yuh so bad when I now come. I only hear her side of de story, not yours well dem girls tell we and dey say a lot cuz you and dem rel close," she countered.

"It's okay, baby. I began crushing on you anyway even when you told me off for my own seat. You were so cute being all tough. Plus your accent caught me immediately," he said kissing her lips lightly. 

Erica hid her face in embarrassment as Elijah laughed at her cute actions. "I know what really happened in our relationship. While she wanted to tell lies and damage what we had for whatever reasons, I knew who I was. I never hurt her. She was treated like a queen. I made sure that there was honesty between us but I somehow knew that wasn't on both sides," he continued.

"Wah yuh mean?" Erica asked aloud. She sat up in time to catch the look of anger passing across his face. Releasing a deep sigh, Elijah closed his eyes, prepared to tell his girlfriend the last piece of the puzzle of his breakup. He was considered quiet and reserved by his family and his friends. His issues were kept close to his chest and he only tells them what he thinks is enough. He didn't tell them of his insecurities and distrust of Bree, nor did he tell them of the numerous fights they had. Day by day, the love he had for her dwindled to a mere infatuation, a silly childish crush he made into love. Bree wrongfully blamed him, his father, and her father for the broken marriage of her parents, she then grew disgusted with his close-knit family which was understood and it was she who broke up with him on claims of infidelity. Elijah allowed her to take jabs at him, allowed her to say what she had to in other to validate herself while he was internally processing the hurt she caused. 

No one looks at the guy's side, it's always the women. No one knew of her lies, her disdain of the girls, her more harsh and degrading comments about his sibling relationship, no one knew. 

No one knew what she actually did to hurt him.

"Aye. You okay?" The concerned question from Erica, made him beg the universe to make this new relationship worth it. 

"I'm fine, baby," he answered, tugging her closer to get a taste of comfort from her lips. Erica held his gaze, a worried frown pleated her forehead in which he gently smoothens before placing a kiss there.

"I don't call myself a saint nor do I see myself as the perfect boyfriend. I will always put you first. You'll always have a listening ear with me if you need help don't hesitate to ask me. I will never stop you from being yourself. You don't have to change for me or anyone. If you are confused or worried about something within our relationship, please come to me. Do you understand what I'm saying, baby?" he asked softly.

"Yes. I do buh what's wrong? Something off. Elijah? Wah happen?" Erica returned, becoming truly worried about him. A small smile bloomed on his lips before he kissed her once more. Her body relaxed when it recognized everything he wished to portay to her. That kiss ended too soon. She groaned in reluctance and allowed him to pull away. 

"Bree cheated on me the last two months we were together."