#zilla & moriah

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Fifteen

A/N: Still getting back into the swing of things and repair is still going on all over the city BUT I was able to finish this chapter! (Yay!) Hope yall enjoy it! Oh and shout to the anon who told me about my masterlist! All of them are working now!! Listen, I'm not gonna yie to yall ... this one is a lil heavy! Reblog, Share, Comment and Like!

Warning: Cursing, Fighting, Death, EXCUSE ANY TYPOS, 18+ ONLY MINORS DNI

Masterlist

Chapter Fourteen

DO NOT POST MY WORK ANYWHERE ELSE AND/OR CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

Being back in Texas usually gave Hassan a sense of dread and joy, both for obvious reasons but this time was different for him. He couldn’t wrap his mind around the actual feelings he was having but if he had to put a label on it, they would be feelings of contentment. He had been the protector for as long as he could remember but today he felt protected. They way Tamara took charge since they stepped foot back in the state. Although he expected her to want him to do all the talking with his ex-wife, she didn’t. Besides a short greeting, he hadn’t been able to say a word.  Tamara was covering all the bases and then some.

“So as I was saying, I wanted to make sure you and I are on the same page with everything.”

They sat at the breakfast table, Hassan and Tamara on one side and Nadine on the other. The women maintaining eye contact, smiles on their faces. 

“I hate that you traveled all this way and wasted your time.” Nadine shrugged. “You and I don’t need to be on the same page about anything. I didn’t marry you nor did I lay down and have a kid with you which makes you insignificant to me, Tara.”

“It’s Tamara but you’re a smart chick so I know you already knew that. I get it, I understand,” she stressed, “Hassan is a great man and a great partner so it’s hard to realize that he’s moved on to someone else but that is the reality of the situation.”

Nadine glanced at her mute ex husband and chuckled. “You think you’re special? You know how many women he’s entertained after our divorce? None of them lasted because they were not me and you’ll be the same way. San loves me and will always love me.”

Tamara reached across the table to hold her hand. “Nadine, it doesn’t matter to me whether you accept this or you decide to continue to be delusional about it. But just know if you choose the latter, Hassan will no longer be taking your calls which also need to decrease in number.”

“Hassan would never,” she spat, snatching her hand back.

She smiled. “He would because you know like I know Hassan respects his relationships. Look, Moriah is already no contact with you. I’m sure you don’t want your only point of contact for her to be gone. Do you?”

Nadine tilted her head then moved her attention to her ex-husband. “You better get your little woman on a leash. You need to help her understand that threatening me is not something that she wants to do.”

Hassan, as calm as always, put a hand on Tamara’s arm to stop her before she responded. “She is not threatening you. She is simply explaining to you what is gonna happen if we cannot come to an agreement.”

“She doesn’t have anything to do with whatever agreement or non agreement that you and I have, Hassan. None. I don’t even know why you brought this bitch to my house!”

“His house,” Tamara chuckled, catching Hassan’s pointed look, “Sorry but its the truth.”

“Oh so you got her all in our business, huh? She’s met my daughter, she’s in our divorce decree. Hell, what else have you told her, Hassan?”

He wiped his hand down his face. This is why he hated to have communication with her. The smallest things would get blown out of proportion just to satisfy her. More than two decades of her never changing but progressively getting worse had made him tired. 

“If you’re asking what I know you’re asking then no, I have not told her that. Nadine, we have to move into a better place for the sake of me and for the sake of my relationship. Moriah is an adult so I no longer owe you a relationship, an explanation or an update in or about my life. The only thing I will continue to extend to you is cordiality and updates passed through Moriah specifically for you.” He paused to allow her to speak. When she didn’t he continued, he did. “If you cannot accept these terms then unless there is an emergency, you and I will no longer be speaking.”

Nadine covered her face, chuckling a little to herself. Her phone vibrated on the table in front of her, when she brought her hands down and spotted the name she quickly grabbed it, excusing herself from the table to the nearest bathroom.

“Hey. Everything okay,” she whispered.

“Oh, are you working? I’m sorry, I got your schedule mixed up.”

“You’re fine, DJ. I’m not at work. I have guests and I don’t want them in my business.”

He laughed at that. “Just call me back later. I just wanted to check on you. Enjoy your company.”

“I don’t see that happening.Hassan is here and he’s brought his new girlfriend,” she scoffed.

Dewayne paused to think about his response. Despite his lover’s feelings, he couldn’t find a bad thing to say about Hassan. When the two met by way of his cousin, he expected to have to fight the other man or get into an argument but none of that happened. Hassan was polite, he was calm, he was collected. All things Nadine never described him to be, it caught him off guard. But even if she had described him as such, Dewayne knew how he would act if he had to meet the man that was sleeping with his wife and it wouldn’t be anything like the other man. 

“Nadine, just listen to whatever they have to say, keep your smart comments to a minimum and it’ll be over quickly.” He spoke softly, hoping she didn’t take it the wrong way. The line went silent for a moment. “Beautiful, you still there?” 

“I’m here and fine.” She let out a frustrated puff of air. “I’ll call you when they leave.” 

“Good. Straighten your face, I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Returning to the table, Nadine looked between the couple with a small, polite smile. She could tell that the two of them had some type of conversation that had put Tamara in a much brighter mood. She made a note to check her cameras later.

“Sorry about that. An important call.” She moved her chair closer to the table so she could prop her elbows on it. “Hassan, I’m happy for you. Glad you’ve found someone to be happy with, that’s … it's great. And I understand that your girlfriend is uncomfortable with the communication between us.”

Tamara raised a brow and spoke up. “That’s not what I said.”

Nadine continued to talk, not acknowledging the other woman’s interjection. “So if it will make her more secure in your relationship then I will try to be more mindful. I will send you a text before I call and you can let me know if it is a good time or not.”

Hassan put his hand on Tamara’s thigh, squeezing it gently knowing she was going to interject again. “A text would do fine. But one text. If I don’t answer right away please do not bombard me with more texts or call anyway.”

“Sure,” Nadine agreed with a smile. “I do have one ask though. I do not care that she has met Moriah or that they have a relationship as long as Moriah is okay with it. All I ask is that when it comes to matters between us and our daughter that she is not involved nor does she comment about it to me unless she is asked.”

Turning to the side, Tamara stared at the side of Hassan’s face and he could feel the anger radiating off of her. He knew what his girlfriend wanted but he also knew the only way they were going to get peace. Peace was much more important than buttons being pushed. 

“I can agree to that but Tamara is going to be here for a while so as our relationship matures, she’s going to be allowed into conversations where appropriate. Just as I would allow if you decide to get serious with someone.”

Getting what she wanted brought a big, genuine smile to her face which she directed at Tamara. And seeing how upset the other woman was only made her happier. 

“Well this was very … enlightening but I do have other things to do so if you two don’t mind leaving my house. Sorry I mean Hassan’s house,” Nadine laughed obnoxiously. 

Hassan helped Tamara from her chair then pushed both of their chairs up. He allowed Tamara to walk in front of him. “Alright now, Nadine, that’s enough. There ain’t no need for that.”

Nadine shrugged, still laughing, “I’m just trying to have a little fin. Lighten the mood. It was nice meeting you, Tamara. Are you okay with me hugging you?”

Tamara glanced at Hassan, who nodded. Even though she was unsure, she accepted the hug not missing the words Nadine whispered into her ear. When the two pulled away, Nadnie moved to hug her ex-husband as well. 

“Gabi wasn’t lying when she said Nadine was crazy,” Tamara mumbled, getting situated into their rental.

When therapy first started it scared Zilla much more than he cared to admit. There were so many emotions that he buried down so deep, he had no idea what his life would look like when or if they ever came up. But now more than ten sessions in with Dr. Barnes and it felt more like talking to an uncle about his issues. The emotions that had surfaced thus far didn’t affect anything negatively. Things were hard to talk about but the tools from the doctor made it easier for him. Even though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, he actually enjoyed their sessions. So much so that he opted for two hour sessions over the previous one.

“You remember I told you about that girl at work that like me?”

“The frog eyed girl,” Dr. Barnes chuckled. “Yes, I remember you telling me about Gia. What about her?”

Zilla stretched out on the sofa, tossing one of the small balls Dr. Barnes had around up in the air. “Aight so last week I’m in class or whatever, talkin’ to Bronco and Josh.”

“Josh? The cousin that doesn’t like Fat?” Dr. Barnes asked from his relaxed position.

Zilla nodded. “Yeah him. So I’m talkin’ to both of them and I get these texts from here back to back. She had sent me videos of her ya know and then gon say it was an accident.”

“And you don’t believe it was an accident?”

Zilla stopped throwing the ball up to look at the doctor with his face frowned up. “Hell nah. She did that shit on purpose.”

“I’m just asking,” he laughed, “Keep going. Why do you think it was on purpose?”

“She make it obvious as hell that she like me, always touchin me and shit and she always messaging me on instagram tryna flirt with me.”

“Wait, she texted the videos to your phone or on instagram?”

“She texted my phone, doc.”

Dr. Barnes flipped through his notes for a second then glanced up at the younger man. “That’s strange. You told me she didn’t have your number, that her correspondence were only on instagram.”

Yeah, I know.” Zilla paused then sat up. “How the fuck she got my number?”

Dr. Barnes pointed his pen at him. “That’s the question I have. You’re sure you never gave it to her?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t do no shit like that to even make her think she had a chance with me.”

“So then she must have gotten your number from somewhere. Do you think it was your cousin?” He asked.

Zilla shook his head quickly. “Nah, he don’t like Fat but he not stupid.”

“Bronco?”

“No, he answered immediately. 

“Then who do you think?”

“Don’t know, ima find out.” Zilla thought for a second, reminding himself to come back to that later. “But so I get the shit, I don’t respond or nothin’. I got my cousin on one side tellin me to delete it and act like it ain’t happen then I got B tellin me to tell Fat.”

“And what did you want to do?”

He shrugged. “Whatever was gonna keep me outta trouble with Fat. She already don’t like that girl and I don’t wanna be collateral damage in her way.”

“I get it, I know you don’t want to be in trouble but I know you know that honesty is the best answer. So what was the outcome?”

When Zilla didn’t see his girlfriend for two more days following that and she was off of night shift and when he did see her he could tell that Moriah was in no mood to hear any bad news. There were some things she was dealing with herself, things he tried to get her to talk about but she declined, so he didn’t want to add onto that.

“I ain’t said shit to her yet. She got some shit goin on and she still tryna bounce back from workin night shift.” He rubbed his hands together, falling backwards against the back of the sofa. 

Dr. Barnes wrote a few notes and hummed. “I think you know what part of your homework is. Shifting gears to Fat, how are things?”

“Things is good. We good.”

He raised a brow. “You told me after you got tattoos for Angel you planned on having sex because she mentioned the two of you had barely been doing so since the revelation of Angel and what followed. However, when it came time you couldn’t and thankfully there was an interruption before she realized.” The two men made eye contact, a bashful look on Zilla’s face. “So I’ll ask again. How are you two? Are you still having an issue?”

“It sound bad but when we got back home she was tired so I didn’t have to try then she got on night shift and we wasn’t seein each other. But I did go visit her after a show that week and we had a quickie.”

“Yeah? Good. So you think that the issue has passed then?”

Zilla shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think so. I’m attracted to Fat. I think she beautiful, fine as fuck, all that.”

“But,” Dr. Barnes asked.

He shrugged. “Just every time I think about it and I remember that we ain’t get rid of my condoms cause we wanna have a baby but cause we prolly can’t have one I can’t get hard. Like the shit don’t work at all.”

Taking a moment to write a few things down, Dr. Barnes observed Zilla’s body language. He was uncomfortable but it was manageable. “What was different with the quickie? What kept you from thinking about the other situation?”

He shrugged, a sneaky smile on his face. “We was havin a conversation then she caught me off guard askin me about Gia and she got all mad and shit. And it sound toxic as hell but she fine as shit when she get mad like that. So it was a mix of how she was lookin and talkin and the fact that it caught me off guard that I ain’t have time to dwell on the other shit.”

The older man laughed heartily, “It is toxic but I get it. I was young once. So do you think if you and her discussed it and she’s okay with it, that maybe going to get an opinion from a doctor about options and possibilities would make the problem stop? That way you have an answer or at least the direction of which way things could go.”

“Yeah, I think so. Maybe.” He scratched his face, sighing deeply. “Ima have to tell her though, ain’t I? Tell her that it ain’t workin.”

“That’s up to you, Zilla. I don’t think you have to tell her right now but you do need to discuss it with her at some point.”

“But what if we get the info from the doc and ion have the problem no more?”

“Then if you want to hide that from her then that’s your prerogative.”

Zilla groaned then repeated what Dr. Barnes drilled into him the first few sessions. “But being honest is the best option unless we know it’s going to hurt the other person for no reason.”

“I’m glad you finally remembered it correctly,” he laughed, “But like I said at the end of the day the choice is yours. If it makes you feel uncomfortable or emasculated you know you can always bring her to a session and I can be here to help.”

“Got rid of her damn mama and she still affecting my damn relationship with Fat. Can’t even do the fun shit.”

“She only affects what you allow, Zilla. She planted those seeds but it's your choice as to whether they get watered or not. Understand?”

“I got you, Doc.”

“Alright, any last minute admissions you wanna make before I give you your homework?”

“Naaaah,” he laughed, “Not this time.”

“Good. Your homework is to tell Fat about what Gia did. And I’ll send you a list of OBGYN that I think will be good for you two.”

“That’s it. Nothin else? You said that was half.”

Dr. Barnes stared at him. “Would you like for me to give you more? I was tryna take it easy on you but I can give you more.”

“Nope,” Zilla replied quickly getting up, “Nope, Zilla good. Zilla appreciate you, big dog.”

After he set up his next appointment, Zilla left the office and jumped into his car headed straight home. Moriah was off, he was off and he wanted to finally spend time with her. On the way home, he grabbed lunch for them and something to cheer her up. His mind went back and forth about the erectile issue he had been having, trying to figure out if he was going to tell her and hoping the issue cleared up on his own so he wouldn’t have to.

The music that flowed through his speakers stopped and alerted him that he had a call coming through. As soon as he saw Bronco's name, he answered.

“What good witchu?”

“You busy? You outta yo session?” Bronco asked in a rushed tone.

Zilla paused to merge onto the highway. “Yeah almost home. Everything good?”

“You talked to Gia?”

“Fuck no. You know I don’t talk to that delusional ass girl.”

“You sure you ain’t text her back or no shit?”

He blew a frustrated breath. “I’m sure. I opened it when we was all standing there and that was it. I ain’t text that girl. Why you askin me that?”

“Cause that ain’t what she tellin them other girls. Apparently she told them that after she told you that it was an accident that you told her it was aight and started flirtin with her and shit.”

“Man, you know I ain’t do no shit like that. I like my fuckin life and wanna keep my head on my fuckin shoulders, B. Ion even know how that bitch got my damn number.”

The thought that Gia was spreading that lie around made his blood boil. He regretted even being nice to her outside of the PC when he knew he shouldn’t have. He could stand being co-workers with her but now she was starting to step into the waters of his relationship and he couldn’t have that. They already had enough shit against them, they didn’t need anything else.  

 “I believe you but I had to check. How you think she got your number?”

“Shit don’t know but Ima find out, I know that much.” He pulled into his parking spot beside Moriah’s car and let out an aggravated groan. “Her ass need to go away. I’m not with this bullshit and Fat ain’t either.”

Bronco spoke to his brother in the background quickly. “Ima help you figure that shit out. I gotta go help Javi, hit me up if you need me, bro.”

Getting inside their shared apartment, Zilla put their food and her gift on the coffee table then went to the bedroom in search of her. He found her lying across the bed sleep with a pile of laundry in front of her. Chuckling to himself, he grabbed one of their empty baskets and dumped the clothes in it then climbed onto the bed hovering over her. He kissed all over her face until he saw her nose scrunch and a smile.

“You had these clothes in front of you before I left, Fat,” he laughed.

“I knoooow but then Mama called and I got distracted and then I fell asleep,” she pouted. “How was your session?”

Zilla kissed her face again then got off the bed pulling her with him. “It was good, I’ll tell you about it after you tell me what’s goin on with you.”

“What do you mean I’m okay.”

“Nah, you aint. I can tell when you got something on your mind and in that fat ass head,” he joked. He pulled her out to the living room and plopped down on the sofa. “Zilla even let you sit in his lap while you tell him all about it.”

With a shake of her head, Moriah eased into his lap sitting sideways so she could look at him. His hand rubbed up and down her bare thigh, giving her his undivided attention. 

“When I brought your bag up to the performance center, I ran into Josh. He took me to where you were and I watched for a second and he talked to me.”

“He talked to you?” His nostrils flared when she nodded. “He told yall ain’t talk and he aint tell me you came back there but go head.”

“I’m sure he didn’t tell you because then he would have had to tell you what he said to me.” She huffed trying to keep herself from crying over the memory. “He was telling me to save you some hurt and break up with you to save you from my mama bitter and destructive genes.”

“He said that shit to you? Fat, why you ain’t tell me?”

“Cause I was upset and I knew if you saw me crying that you woulda beat his ass and I didn’t want you to get in trouble at work. When I left out I did run into Bronco and I talked to him. He helped me cheer up.”

Zilla started to put the pieces together in his head. It now made sense to him why his cousin didn’t tell him about their interaction, why Bronco had been giving Josh the looks that he did and why Moriah barely wanted to talk when he called to check on her that night. It was Josh. Josh had done something that Zilla was sure he said not to do. Trying to spare Josh because of their familial bond wasn’t something Zilla was interested in anymore.

“Did you hear what I said, Zay?”

His eyes snapped back up to hers. “Nah my bad. Tell me again.”

“I said don’t fight your cousin. Let’s just ignore him, please.”

He kissed her shoulder a few times. “I can’t do that. I gotta show him that I mean what I say. Ion play bout you. I gave him two chances already.”

“Zay, please. He hurt my feelings so I should be the one to decide what happens to him.”

Dropping his head to his shoulder, he took a few deep breaths to calm himself. She was right and he knew it but that didn’t mean he had to like it. “Fine, if that’s what you want, Fat. But this is the third chance. There won’t be another one.”

“There won’t be another one because you’re not gonna give him room to have an opinion about our relationship. Lay out your boundaries and make them clear,” she shrugged. “Yall can still be family and not talk about me.”

“He made you cry,” he huffed seeing the pout on her face, “Okay, aight boundaries and all that shit. You happy?”

“Very. Thank you, baby. And there’s one more thing I need to tell you and I’m sure you’re not gonna agree to not beat this one up.”

He raised a brow at her. “What Thomas do?”

She laughed at his reaction. “The way you already knew but I ran into him in Target after that whole thing with Josh.”

“The fuck he do to you?”

“He didn’t technically do anything to me, it’s what he said. He tried to give me this bullshit about how our careers might be in jeopardy because of the little girl who had the hernia surgery. Saying that me and him did something wrong.”

He frowned, tilting his head a bit. “You and him did something wrong? How he figure that?”

“Exactly! I told him that I didn’t do shit and whatever he did is on him. He was the one doing things when the doctor turned his back. And I feel like he’s gonna try to put me in his shit if something happens to that little girl.”

“If you want me to, I’ll go have a lil conversation with him. Make sure he don’t.” He offered softly, moving his hand from her thigh to her face. “Whatever way you want Zilla to support you, that’s what Zilla gon do. Just let me know.”

“What if I don’t know what I want? What if I just want you to do what you think is best?” She asked, meeting his gaze.

“That’s fine, Fat. We can do that, baby. Whatever you want.”

“I love you, Zay.”

“Zilla love you too.” He kissed her then grabbed his phone from his pocket passing it to her. “Unlock it and go to my messages. Its a 464 number, open that.”

Doing what he said, she went to the thread prepared to ask him what was going on. A frown took over her face as the video played. 

“Um what the fuck, Isayah? Who the hell is this?”

“The day Josh was at the PC, Gia sent me that. She claimed it was an accident but then told some other girls on the roster that I was flirtin with her.” He held her hips when she tried to get off his lap. “Chill you see that thread and you know ion want that girl. You know I only want you, Moriah.”

“How the hell that frog eyed bitch get your number anyway? She really want me to beat her ass, sending you some shit like knowing I’m not the one to play with.”

“Ion know how she got it, I’m tryna figure that out too. I can’t let you beat her ass though, I can’t do that.”

Moriah’s body jerked to turn more in his lap. “What do you mean you can’t let me? You protecting that frog eyed bitch? Do I need to beat your ass too?”

He laughed, bringing her face to his so he could kiss her. “Ain’t protectin her, I’m protectin you and your career. She look like she can’t fight so I know you gon beat her ass and she might call them people on you. My Fat too pretty to go to jail.”

“Ion care about that, she need to stop playing with me. Ima show her what happens when people play with me,” Moriah spat trying to move out of his hold. 

“Nah, nah, nah. You not finna fuck up what you worked hard to build up. You not about to let somebody that don’t matter ruin you or us. Aight?”

She rolled her eyes, obviously irritated. “I’m just supposed to let her do that?”

“Ima get that handled, don’t worry about that shit. I just wanted to make sure you knew what was goin on.” He lifted her chin when he noticed her gaze was wandering away from his.”Don’t no queen come queen come off her throne to address no peasant, baby. Let me do this. Please.”

As mad as she was, she had to admit that she liked him wanting to take care of it on his own for her and that he cared enough about her livelihood and her life even when she didn’t. The love he had for her was evident in the fact that he was so ready to go to war with her but as soon as she even thought about having her own war, he sat that aside and stepped into hers. Some parts of their story may not have been ideal but moments like this made her remember why she loved it so much.

“Okay, Zay. I’ll let you handle it.” She leaned down to kiss him then put her forehead against his. “But the next time, that bitch may not be so lucky. So she better be thankful.”

He bit his lip, his impure thoughts running rampant again. “Yes ma’am, Fat.”

A soft gasp escaped feeling the twitch against her. “Zay, really?”

“I can’t help it,” he laughed softly. “My bad.”

“Uhuh,” she laughed, “You better help it because I’m hungry.”

“I can feed you, Fat.”

“I’m hungry for food not dick, Isayah.” She laughed moving off his lap. “Stop playin so we can eat.”

Knowing this probably wouldn’t happen again later, Zilla pulled her close to him kissing up her neck. “You know I can make it quick. Real quick then you can eat.”

“Zay,” she pouted softly. “I’m hungry.”

“And so am I.” He whispered in her ear. “Zilla even let you get on top. Please, Fat.”

She turned in his arms, staring at him trying to ignore the grin on his face. “You lucky you’re cute when you beg.” 

The only Parker women allowed in Leata’s house sat around her living room, bringing happiness and peace to her already calm home. Everything with Nadine still sat in her mind but to see the kids thriving and having these ladies around her again after a long while helped her push Nadine to the back of her mind. 

“I hate to ruin the mood but you have yet to tell me what my daughter did that had you upset in Target.” Trenice said pointedly then took a sip of her tea. “And before you start your usual thing, I don’t care if she was little baby Jesus, wrong is wrong and I want you to tell me about it.”

Leata and Kamille shared a laugh. 

“After Moriah shared with me about having her tubes tied, Kamille agreed to have me over to talk to Nadine. I’ll admit I did not go over there in the best mood,” she explained.

Trenice wagged her finger. “No ma’am. You don’t need to preface it. I know how you were feeling and I understand. Keep going.”

“I just asked her straight out if that’s what she did and why she did. We went back and forth for a second and she talked about the boys father then she wished death on my baby. And I,” she paused to collect herself, “I had enough of letting her slide with her remarks and I slapped her.”

Kamille laughed. “Correction. You slapped the crap outta her. Mama, she hit the floor and everything.”

“Kamille,” the older woman admonished with a small smile, “That’s not nice. Don’t laugh. But I will say if anyone deserved it, my daughter most definitely did. You do not let anybody talk about any of your babies in that manner. She was raised better than that but when that thing gets backed into a corner, she can be as vicious as a lioness.”

“Oh trust me, I know, Trenice. But she met her match. The only reason I was letting it slide before was for Rye but now that Rye has done what she should have done years ago, I’m done as well.”

“Sometimes our absence teaches people more than our presence.” 

“Mama, that was deep,” Kamille joked. “Maybe I need to find her a man. That’ll do it. She hasn’t had one since Hassan. And that was a very long time ago.”

Leata snorted while taking a sip of her coffee. “Nadine has a man and has had one since before her and San divorced.”

Mother and daughter paused to stare at the other woman. “Repeat that for me.” Kamille said in a serious tone.

“And me as well.”

“Oh I guess she never told you guys. Too busy in Rye’s business.” Leata sassed. “She had an affair with Eddie’s cousin while she was married to Hassan. She didn’t know they were cousins, don’t know how but she didn’t at first. But that didn’t stop her.”

Trenice looked between her tea and the other women. “I’m gonna need to add some whiskey to this. Did Hassan know?”

“Not at first but when Eddie found out, he told his cousin and he told Hassan. Had the two of them meet.” She recounted, situating herself on the sofa. “As far as I know, she doesn’t know that he even knows.”

“So did the cousin stop once they met?” Kamille asked.

“For a little while, not long. The two of them kept at it and still are. He’s loved Nadine for a long time and I think in some way, she loves him too but I don’t think she would ever make it official with him.”

“Well yeah because if she did that she knows what a hypocrite she’d be for all the time she spent bad mouthing this family,” Trenice added. “Is that the real reason she stopped liking you and your family?”

“Yup, she was trying to make sure Eddie didn’t tell San but that obviously still happened.”

The room fell silent, only the low hum of the cool air blowing from the air conditioner could be heard.It probably wasn’t the best thing to share and she remembered promising Eddie that she wouldn’t tell a single soul unless Hassan told first. He was just going to have to forgive her for breaking this one promise. The way that Nadine had rained hell all over Moriah and Zilla, she deserved this and then some. There wasn’t much she could do that could match the level of treachery that Nadine imposed but getting as close to it as possible was good enough for her. 

Kamille broke the silence clearing her throat. “So tell me to mind my business but how long has it been? If you know.”

Leata counted quietly to herself. “Since Rye was about eight and she’s 26 now, so18 years.”

Both Parker women choked on their tea, sputtering and coughing. “18 years? You have got to be kidding me right now.” Trenice sat her mug aside to get herself together. “There is no way that girl cried to me about getting divorced when she spent half if not more of her marriage sleeping with another man.”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you,” she responded matter of factly. “I think it was like a year or so that they weren’t seeing each other.”

“My head hurts,” Kamille complained. 

Trenice mumbled a bit to herself and God, trying to collect her thoughts.”When I get my hands on her she may find the sense we thought you lost. Got the nerve to be running around here tryna keep her away from your family all the while dipping into it herself.”

“Well at least we see where Rye got her taste in men from.” Kamille joked.

“I’m pretty sure I already know the answer,” Trenice sighed, “Does Rye know?”

“No, she knows nothing about it. I’m sure she doesn’t even remember meeting him.” Leata shrugged.

Kamille put her mug down on the coffee table and threw her hands up, “He met Moriah? My niece … Rye … he met her?”

“Yes ma’am,” Leata answered coolly. “Multiple times. That’s the only part Hassan doesn’t know. Before Rye was old enough to stay home alone or we would be busy and she couldn’t come over when Hassan would be out of town and they had plans, Nadine took Rye along with her.”

“And so what … she was just sitting around waiting on them to finish?” Kamille asked, bewildered by her sister’s actions.

Leata shrugged. “If he had his daughter then they would play together while her and him were in the other room. If she didn’t, she would play and watch TV. He always bought toys and things for her so there was always something.”

“Wow. Just wow.” Kamille scoffed. “I can’t believe her. It’s one thing to cheat on your husband 

but it’s another to take your kid with you and introduce them to your affair partner.”

Trenice sat quietly drowning out her daughter and Leata. She started to think back trying to remember if there was anything she missed or overlooked with Nadine. Anything that was said or done that wasn’t quite right but she let it slide at the time. That daughter of hers had ways about her that had been lying dormant clearly waiting for the right opportunity to slip out. Trenice massaged her temple trying to will the oncoming migraine. 

“Mama, you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine, just … a lot to process. It’s like I don’t even know this girl that I carried and birthed. The older she gets, the more I find out about her and I don’t like it.”

Kamille rubbed her mother’s back. “I know, Mama. I feel the same way.”

“Please don’t stress yourself out, Trenice. I didn’t mean to upset you, I just thought after all this time you guys should know what’s going on.” Leata sat her mug down and stood from the sofa. “I’ll get you some advil, stretch out on the sofa if you need to.”

Kamille helped her mother lay back on the sofa, she kneeled beside her on the floor and brushed her hair back from her face. “Mama, you been taking your medicine?”

“Of course, I have. I don’t miss a day and if I did you know your daddy would have a fit if I didn’t.” Trenice chuckled. “I’m alright, you worry too much.”

“That may be true but so what? You my mama and I wanna make sure you’re okay.”

Disguised as an early run before heading to work, Bronco and Zilla rode out together in the latter’s blacked out mustang. The car cruised through the still dark, early morning streets. When Zilla called his friend the night before while Moriah was showering, Bronco was immediately down for whatever moves needed to be made and used a few of his connections in the city to find Thomas’ address. Draped in all black they approached the small townhouse, taking notice of his lack of cameras and security as his yard was missing the ‘ADT’ sign that all his other neighbors had. He was living in a false sense of security or he couldn’t afford it and that would be his downfall.

Bronco knocked on the door, careful not to bang too hard and scare him then both men stepped out of range for the peephole. He was getting ready for work so it would be an easy trip. As soon as the door opened, Bronco pushed the smaller man back into the house and followed him in with Zilla right behind, closing the door behind them.

“What the … look I don’t have any money.” Thomas offered, stumbling back. “Just take whatever you want and leave.” He was visibly shaken and scared. He trembled slightly at the two men hovering over him. 

“I thought we talked about this, Dr. Gardner.” Zilla spoke softly as he flipped on the nearest light switch. He smiled when he saw the recognition on Thomas’ face. “Did we not?”

“I’m calling the police!” He tried to move around Bronco but was snatched back and tossed onto his sofa, he landed with an audible grunt. “I haven’t done anything to her! Why are you here?” He attempted to get up but one buck from Bronco and he was backing down.

“Man, sit yo ass back and shut up. Always runnin yo damn mouth, that’s why you can’t follow directions.” Bronco barked.

“The lil girl you mentioned to Fat when you saw her in Target. That shit sound familiar?” Zilla asked, moving closer to him.

Thomas extended his hands in surrender. “Listen, I was trying to warn her. I didn’t want her to be blindsided in the event something happened to the little girl.”

 Zilla stared at him. “Warn her for what? What she had to do with that?”

“She was in the surgery with me. I saw her.”

“You seen sis do what?” Bronco asked, moving closer.

Thomas stuttered, scooting to the other end of the sofa. “I saw her when the doctor turned his back.” As Thomas was continuing his rebuttal, the back of Zilla’s hand connected with his mouth. He cried out in pain, holding his bleeding mouth. 

Zilla grabbed him by his shirt, bringing him up from the sofa, eye level to him. “You think she stupid or some shit? You think she ain’t gon remember what she did and didn’t do in that surgery?”

“I didn’t say that,” he struggled in the larger man’s grip. “I didn’t.”

“That’s what the fuck it sound like to me,” Zilla grunted, still holding on to him. “Or you think she gon lie for you?” Yeah, that’s what you think.”

Throwing the man down to the floor, Zilla and Bronco took turns kicking him in his sides ignoring the shouts of protest. The beatdown lasted for at least five minutes before Bronco snatched him up from the floor again, making him stand up. They smiled now, able to see the extent of their handy work. Thomas wobbled, holding his sides whimpering softly. 

“If something happen to that lil girl and Fat get in that shit, that hospital gon be down a med student. Feel me?” Zilla asked, staring straight into his eyes.

Thomas nodded, wincing slightly. “I hear you.”

“And you know we ain’t shit to play with,” Bronco added. “We was nice to yo ass this time, next time we won’t be. Comprende?”

Zilla started to walk away but circled back, shaking his finger in Thomas’ direction. “I know I prolly don’t needa say this but our talk stays between us.”

“Okay, okay, just leave.”

Bronco snarled at him. “Aye, mind ya manners. Rude ass.”

The friends walked out the door, closing it behind them leaving Thomas to collect himself. He crumpled down onto the sofa, gingerly checking his mouth then his ribs. Leaning his head back on the sofa, he started to wish he never got himself involved in any of it. Although he liked Moriah and thought she was beautiful, she was not worth all of the pain and turmoil she had come with. 

“Somebody help her! Please help my daughter!”

Hearing the yells from the waiting room, Moriah and Toni rushed out to see what was going on. Mrs. Jones stood in the middle of the room with her daughter cradled in her arms who had tears streaming down her face. Moriah rushed to her, taking Nia from her gently. 

“What happened?” Moriah asked, leading them into a bay with an empty bed. 

Mrs.Jones wiped at her eyes and nose. “We were at my mom’s house and she was playing with her cousins and then she started screaming and holding her stomach. She kept saying that it hurt.”

Moriah started to check her out, comforting her as much as she could. “I know, sweetheart, I’m sorry. Does it hurt when I press your tummy?”

Nia nodded, tears still streaming. “Yes.”

“Okay, sweetie. Mom, did she vomit?”

“Yeah, she did. She vomited on the floor there and in the car.” Mrs. Jones answered, keeping her eyes on her daughter.

Moriah and Toni made eye contact, then looked down at Nia who started to convulse. “I got her, T. I got it.”

“I’ll go page Dr.Harris!”

“Mrs. Jones, I got her, I promise.” Moriah assured as calmly as she could while trying to stabilize Nia. “Where’s your husband?”

“He’s …. He’s um he’s at work.” She stuttered out.

“Okay, why don’t you go step out and call him? I’m sure he wants to know what’s going on.” Moriah suggested.

“I don’t wanna leave her. What if she needs me?”

Moriah gave her a sympathetic smile. “I promise I will take care of her while you’re gone. And if she asks for you while you’re out, I will come get you. Okay?”

Reluctantly, Mrs. Jones agreed, just as she was stepping out of the bay Dr. Harris and Toni stepped back in. Both sanitizing their hands then donning gloves then moved to the opposite side of the bed. 

“How long has she’s been seizing?” He asked.

“At least three minutes. Her mom said she started to complain of intense stomach pain, she vomited twice and from what I can feel by touching her, she’s got a fever.” Moriah rattled off.

Nia’s body finally stopped convulsing and she laid out, shallow breathing and barely conscious. Dr. Harris rubbed her cheek gingerly, trying to coax her awake. “Hey, little bit. Open your eyes for me,” he demanded gently. “Let’s see those brown eyes, girl.”

Her eyes fluttered bringing a small smile to their faces.

“There she is,” Moriah cooed. “Can you keep em open for us?”

She tried to keep them open then reached for her stomach, cradling it in pain and crying. “It hurts! It hurts!”

“I know, little bit. I have to touch your stomach so I can try and help. It might hurt a little.” Dr. Harris nodded for Moriah and Toni to help stretch her back out. He lifted her shirt and as gently as he could pressed around her belly button and abdomen. “I’m sorry, almost done. Did you do a check, Nurse DeBreaux?”

“Yes sir.”

“What did you feel?” He asked, now moving to listen to her heart.  

“Like a big, hard knot.”

Dr. Harris went quiet for a moment then told Toni what pain medicine to give Nia. He motioned for Moriah to join him outside the bay. He closed the sliding door to the bay, his hands going to his hips as frustration plagued his face. 

“I know you’re not a doctor but I wanna hear what you think that is.” 

Moriah bit her lip, slightly nervous to offer her own medical opinion. “Bowel obstruction or rupture I think.”

Dr. Harris nodded. “Caused by?”

She shrugged. “Either the hernia came back or something went wrong during surgery.”

“Something went wrong with surgery,” he repeated, staring down at her. “Do you know what?”

“I don’t know exactly what and I did not do it.” She answered quickly.

He hummed, glancing back in the room at the little girl. “But you saw something?”

“Yes. Me and a few other nurses as well.”

It was unusual to see Dr. Harris do anything but smile, it unsettled Moriah even though she knew she wasn’t to blame for it. He took a moment to take a few deep breaths and think on his next move.

“I need blood work, x-rays and a cat scan immediately. Take her now then take her to the pediatric ICU, I’ll meet you there.” Dr. Harris ordered. “I’m gonna go find Dr. Miller and Dr. Gardner. We’re gonna fix her up and then we’re getting to the bottom of everything.”

“Yes sir.”

The four adults stood in front of the scans and x-rays pretty much understanding the severity of the situation. There was a rupture in her bowels which led to the pain Nia was having. Dr. Miller stared a hole in the side of Thomas’ face while Dr. Harris wasn’t looking and Moriah looked everywhere but at him.

“You see that there? The two inch line?” Dr. Harris asked, pointing to the x-ray. “That is a rupture. I won’t know if it was man made or her body did it while recovering but I’ll know when I open her up to repair it.” The others stood quietly listening to him, not really sure of what to say back. “Miller and Nurse DeBreaux, you’re coming into surgery with me. Gardner, you’re watching from the booth. I don’t know what happened the last time that little girl was on my table but you can bet your asses I’m gonna find out.”

“Yes sir,” they all mumbled together. 

“Miller, come with me so we can talk to the parents.” Dr. Harris ordered. “Nurse DeBreaux, let them know to get my OR ready for me, please.”

With that, Dr. Harris and Dr. Miller walked off leaving Moriah and Thomas. She scoffed when he attempted to move closer to her. She put her hand up, pushing him in his chest away from her noticing the slight hiss. 

“Get your dumbass away from me, Thomas.”

“We could be in a lot of trouble and you’re still not wanting to stick together. I get you don’t like me but we need to be a united front.” He spat harshly.

Moriah chuckled, now taking in his appearance, she raised her brow. “I see you got a visit from my man and you still tryna put this on me. You gotta be stupid as hell. I had nothing to do with that and you know it.”

“I was assaulted, it’s not funny. You’re in it as much as I am.”

Moriah poked her lip out then laughed. “You got your ass beat for trying me and you’re gonna get your ass beat again when I tell him that you still trying me. The only thing I’m guilty of is not saying something sooner but I didn’t think you were stupid and careless enough to do this.” He growled under his breath then lashed out moving closer to her.

“Stop calling me stupid! I’m not stupid!”  

She stared at him unmoved. “Don’t get your ass beat in here, Thomas. Stop yelling at me and back the hell up.”

“No, I’m tired of your ungrateful ass,” he yelled, pointing in her face. “I do all this to try and show you that I’m a better guy than that felon, that I can treat you better and take care of you and this is what I get? Fucking attitude.”

“Nobody asked you for any of that. I asked you to stay away from me,” she spat smacking his finger out of her face, “You better watch your tone. Don’t be mad at me because you fucked up. You better hope her body did that and not you or you’ll be a felon too.”

Thomas brought his hands up as if he wanted to choke her, she kept her eyes on him daring him to do so. Giving up, he let out a loud groan and walked off. Just one more thing to tell Zilla or maybe she would handle this one on her own but whatever the decision is was going to have to wait. She had a job to do. 

Thomas paced back and forth watching Nia’s surgery in the overhead booth. He prayed that the rupture was something her body did and that she would make it through without any lingering side effects. 

“Uuuh, Dr. Harris, her blood pressure is dropping rapidly.”

Dr. Harris glanced at the nurse that came from then at her vitals. “I’m almost done, just need a few more minutes.”

Moriah took a look at her vitals, the numbers made her heart drop to her stomach. “I don’t think she has a few more minutes, Dr. Harris.”

“She’s a strong girl. She can make it, she can do it. Right, little bit?” He encouraged trying to work as quickly and efficiently as he could. Dr. Miller remained quiet as he helped his mentor. “Just a few more minutes, a few more and she’ll be good as new.”

“Her heart rate is dropping,” the nurse called out in a slight panic. 

“I think her body is going into shock,” Moriah added, trying to do what she could.

Dr. Harris continued to work, praying he did what he needed to do before the unthinkable happened. He had to drown out the nurse continuing to rattle off Nia’s numbers so he could focus.

“She’s in distress,” Dr. Miller called out just as she flatlined.

The team worked for eight minutes trying to get her heart started to no avail while Thomas watched helplessly, biting away at his fingernails. The operating room went silent, all eyes on her lifeless little body open on the table. There wasn’t one dry eye in the room but none of the tears fell. Dr. Harris snatched his mask and protective gear off, tossing it to the side cursing under his breath.

“Miller, close her up, please. I gotta,” he paused to clear his throat, “I gotta go talk to her parents.”

Moriah spoke up, going over to him. “I’ll go with you, Dr. Harris.”

He nodded. “That’s fine. But just let me do all the talking.”

Getting to the room Nia was occupying, they stepped in allowing the door to shut behind themselves. Nia’s parents stood from their seats immediately, they held onto each other trying to read the facial expressions.

“The rupture and the leak had been going on far too long and got into her blood as well as some organs, caused a bit of tissue death,” Dr. Harris explained in a soothing voice. “Dr. Miller and I were trying to do as much clean up and repair as we could but her body went into shock before we could complete it. Her heart stopped on the table and we weren’t able to get it back. I’m so sorry.”

Her mother let out a scream that brought tears down their faces and echoed in their heads. Mr. Jones held his wife against him, trying to keep her from hitting the floor. His own tears spilled over.”

“What? What does that mean?” He asked in a froggy voice.

Dr. Harris cleared his throat, thumbing away the tears on his face. “Nia didn’t make it, Mr. Jones. She died during surgery.”

The screams grew louder from Mrs. Jones, Moriah attempted to help Mr. Jones console her only to be pushed away. Dr. Harris put his hands on Moriah's shoulders, turning her towards the door. He offered one more set of condolences before guiding them out of the room. 

“Was that your first time?” He asked softly, sighing when she nodded. “Go home. Get your stuff, go home. Do you think you can drive?”

Moriah nodded, folding her arms across her chest. “I don’t have to leave. I can stay.”

“Don’t be stubborn,” he said, offering her a small smile. “You’re not okay. Go home, Moriah.”

Not wanting to argue knowing he was right, Moriah went back down to the ER to grab her stuff. Toni called her several times but she was so zoned out she didn't hear her prompting Toni to follow her into the employee lounge. Moriah jumped, feeling the hand on her shoulder.

“It’s just me, It’s just me.” She assured softly, now noticing the tears in her eyes and on her face. “Why the tears? What’s going on? Did Thomas do something?” Moriah shook her head and hugged Toni, laying her head on the older woman’s chest. “Okay not Thomas. It’s Nia? Did her surgery not go good?”

“No,” Moriah croaked. “She died.”

Toni held her tight, rubbing her back and her head. “Oh, babygirl. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. Are you going home?” Moriah nodded against her. “Okay, You can’t drive. I’ll take you.”

“You don’t–,” she sniffled. “You don’t have to. I can do it.”

“So you can crash cause you can’t see? No ma’am." She chastised. “They will be okay without me for an hour. I’ll have the boys pick me back up. I got your stuff, come on.”

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Thirteen

A/N: The highly requested and anticipated chapter! Yall I been working on this chapter for soooooo long, I just couldn't get it to flow but I finally got it! Pay attention when you're reading😌 ⭐LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG & SHARE⭐ Enjoy!

Warnings: Cussing, light smut, 18+ ONLY MINORS DNI

DO NOT REPOST MY WRITING ANYWHERE AND CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

Masterlist

Chapter Twelve

Flashback #2

Dating again was something Hassan never thought he'd do but now that he was, he realized he was lying to himself when he would say that he was okay without it. Deep down he was a romantic, a lover and needed to give that to someone special. The deterioration of his marriage hurt more than he'd vocalized, living on the other side of the country away from his daughter hurt even more but he knew when the end came there was no comma. Nadine once the apple of his eye was now rotten but he would always love her for giving him his babygirl. His babygirl being the reason for everything he did since her birth which funnily included dating again. He wanted to show her that moving on and away from the things Nadine had done was possible. Healing is what he chose for him and his daughter which is why he was preparing himself for another date with Tamara. 

They, mostly him, had been dancing around what they obviously were but he planned to change that. Having spent most of the day getting a few gifts, her favorite flowers and making sure his house was up to par, Hassan was going to lock them down. 

Standing in his kitchen, he cut zucchini to roast when his phone rang interrupting him and his music. He glanced over to see it was Nadine facetiming him. After not hearing from her for a couple of weeks, he wasn't exactly excited to hear from her but answered it nonetheless. 

Being met with silence made him roll his eyes knowing what she wanted. “I'm cooking, Nadine. I can't look at the phone.”

“Mmm okay,” she conceded. “What are you cooking?”

“Lamb shoulder, mashed potatoes and zucchini.”

She hummed in surprise. “Oooh, I should've flown in just for dinner. Your parents coming over or your sister and her husband?”

He glanced at the phone, seeing her expectant face. “What's up, Nadine? You wanted something, I can tell.”

“You know me so well after all this time,” she laughed softly. 

“That's what happens when you're with someone for 20 years, married for 14. I'm listening, I don't have a lot of time.”

There was a brief pause on her end which he allowed. A sigh escaped her before she spoke. 

“Gabi came here not too long ago, unannounced, and she said something to me that I wanted to check with you about.”

“Don't say unannounced like that's not still my house and like you don't and haven't done your share of pop ups at her house.” He continued cutting. “What did you wanna check with me about?”

“She said that you're seeing someone and it's … it's serious. But I know you would've told me if you were.”

Stopping what he was doing, Hassan went to stand in front of his phone that sat propped up on the counter. He folded his arms across his chest, staring at her. 

“We're not married anymore and we're not friends so I'm not sure why you would think that I would tell you what I'm doing.”

He could tell that she was taken aback by his words but he had to let it be known. 

“Yes, we're not married but I'd like to think that we were friends, San.” She explained softly. “So you are seeing someone seriously then?”

“I am.” He answered. His voice was as cool and calm as always. 

The panic in her eyes almost made him feel bad but that went away quickly. He watched her get up from her seat and pace for a moment before coming to stand in frame with her hands on her hips. 

“I can't believe you would do this, Hassan.”

“Do what? Move on with my life?” He asked, stroking his beard. “We've been divorced for over ten years now, Nadine. I honestly should've done it sooner.”

Even though she wasn't as close to the phone, he could still see the tears that fell from her eyes. They were real and he knew it but he couldn't bring himself to care. 

“Why? I thought,” she mumbled in distress.

“You thought what?”

“I thought … we were still in this. Do you not love me, Hassan? I was your wife.” She cried. 

He stared at her with a brow raised. “Is that really what you thought? Nadine, I will always love you for giving me Moriah but I don't love you in that way that you want me to anymore. And I haven't for a long time.”

“What? How can you say that after everything?” She asked in a whisper. 

“After everything how can you think that I would wanna be with you again? Disregard what you did to me,” he responded. “Think about the way you’ve tortured our daughter all these years. I could never love someone that's done the things you've done to someone that came from you, Nadine.”

Her tears at this point were streaming down her face, she didn't bother to wipe them. Her heart was breaking, crumbling piece by piece. 

“I did what I needed to protect Moriah. I was helping her and you hate me for it. What was I supposed to do?”

“You weren't protecting or helping her, Nadine. You were torturing her because you were mad at me.” He retorted, ignoring her tears. “Even though it's damning, let's sit aside the abortion, let's sit aside you making her babysit and working in that daycare and the other things. The camp you sent her to, let's talk about that.”

Nadine stopped her loud sobbing and brought her hands down from her face to stare at him. Shock was displayed all over her making Hassan chuckle. 

“How did you know? Who told you?”

“Well let's see,” he paused, “Before Rye told me, your mother called me when she was on the way to pick Rye up after Kami told her. I've known for years, Nadine. Do you know what they did to her there? Of course you do, that's why you sent her there.”

She shook her head repeatedly. “Moriah needed help! She was going to be another statistic, San! The sneaking out, having sex with whoever, that baby … she was out of control!”

“Don't bring up my grandchild. She was not out of control and you know it,” he spat. “She snuck out with Zilla a few times, she had sex with only Zilla. You're trying to spin it into something it wasn’t. Her grades were good, she was still in her activities and never got in trouble.”

“You weren't there! You don't know!”

“I know everything about my daughter, Nadine. It's your fault that I wasn't there no matter how much you try to make me the bad guy.”

“You picked that job over me and our daughter. That's why you weren't there.”

“That's why? It wasn't because I was taking a pay cut for the first two years? It wasn't because you didn't want us to bring Moriah with us to Georgia, that you wanted to leave her with your parents because she was too much of a hassle? It wasn't because you didn't wanna leave the man you were fucking? You sure it wasn’t any of those reasons, Nadine?”

“Hassan, those first few things may be true but I never cheated on you! Never!”

He gave her a relaxed smile. “You sure? I've known for years. You think I don't know the real reason you all of a sudden didn't like Zilla and his family?”

“I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't like them because they were steering you and Moriah wrong.”

“That's not it, sweetheart,” he said calmly. “You didn't like them, Eddie specifically, once you found out the man you were fucking was his cousin and you knew he would tell me so you wanted to get us away from them. That's why. Isn't that right?”

“I'm not doing this with you. He lied to you. I can't believe you believed him over me.”

He shrugged. “You should just be lucky I was nice enough to keep that secret among all the others.”

Done with their conversation, Hassan ended the call and took a deep breath. The secrets he held onto for the sake of her and to some extent Moriah were feeling heavier than usual. It felt good to get two off his mind. He hadn't breathed a word of her infidelity since Eddie had told him and he met the man. Initially, the revelation damn near broke him down but now he felt relieved. He took a moment to get himself together then went back to cooking. Although his conversation with Nadine was unexpected and deeper than he anticipated, he was glad it happened because it solidified his feelings of wanting to make his and Tamara's relationship solid and defined. 

“It's been far too long since I've seen this lovely face.” Trenice exclaimed seeing Leata. She abandoned her shopping cart to go hug the other woman in the middle of the aisle. “How are you, sweetie?”

“I'm … I'm doing okay. How are you, Mrs. Parker?”

Trenice hit her arm playfully, “Girl, I'm good but we are family. Trenice will always do. And who is this little beauty?”

Leata smiled down at Sienna briefly. “My grandbaby Sienna. This is Auntie Rye's Umi, SiSi. Tell her hi.”

Sienna waved excitedly. “Hey, Auntie Rye's Umi!”

The older women laughed at her greeting. Trenice leaned towards the shopping cart to hug the little girl, placing a kiss on top of her head. 

“You can call me Umi, too, sweetie.” Trenice winked at her before turning back to Leata. “Back to you, I heard that hesitation. Since I'm sure everything is okay with my two grandbabies, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's my oldest daughter. Am I right?”

She was hesitant to confirm. They always had a good relationship but Nadine was still her daughter at the end of the day. 

“It's okay, you can tell me. You've known me long enough to know it won't offend me.” Trenice assured noticing her hesitant pause. 

“It's her. I love Moriah like she's my own flesh and blood and I don't understand. The things she's done are just horrible. The more I find out, the more disgusted I get.”

Trenice moved to rub her back, noticing the tears pooling in her eyes. “Trust me, I understand. Nadine is my flesh and blood but very often I wonder where she gets this from. She wasn't always like that and I know you know that.”

“She was one of my best friends and I just don't know who she is now and haven't for awhile.” She paused to dab at her eyes. “And then I feel awful because I was around Rye and couldn't tell that something more than I already knew was going on.”

“Listen to me,” Trenice demanded softly, still rubbing her back, “I knew almost everything and there still wasn't much I could do so I understand your feelings. Nadine knew there wasn't much we could do especially since Moriah rarely reached out.”

“Which pisses me off even more because despite what Nadine did to her, Moriah still protected her.”

Sienna watched them noticing the body language change. “Nana, you sad? What's wrong?”

Leata quickly shook her head, “I'm not sad, baby. I'm happy cause I haven't seen you and Auntie's Umi in a while.”

“Oooh okay, Nana. But still don't cry. Kay?” 

“We should talk more about this in private. I'll be in town for the next two weeks helping Kami house hunt. Call me and we'll set something up.”

“Yes ma'am,” Leata answered, leaning to hug her. 

“I mean it. If you don't call me, I'm gonna call you.” She smiled then kissed Sienna's head. “I'll see you later, sweetie.”

With the thought weighing heavily on him, Bronco went looking for Gia. The way she was shamelessly throwing herself at his friend wasn't sitting right with him and he knew it made not only Moriah uncomfortable but Zilla as well. He searched backstage until he found her. 

“Of course she watching his match,” he mumbled, going to stand beside her as the monitors. He glanced briefly at her, noticing the small smile on her face. “What's up, Gia?”

“Oh hey, Bronco. Nothing, just watching Zilla. He looks good out there.” She answered not taking her eyes off of the match. “Wrestling wise I mean.”

‘Uhuh. We gotta talk.”

“About?” 

The two of them spoke without moving their attention from the monitors. Gia because she didn't want to take her eyes off of Zilla. Bronco because truth be told, he couldn't stand to look at her too long. 

“Whatever you tryna do with Zilla. He's been more than clear that he's not interested but you keep trying him.”

She smiled. “What are you talking about, Bronco? Him and I are just friends.”

“Barely,” he slid in quickly. “Whatever you're tryna do, just chill.”

“This match really should've been the main event. Don't you think so, Bronco?” She asked, turning to look at him. 

He turned to look back. “Did you hear me?”

“Did you hear me?”

“This not the time for games. Did you hear what I said?”

“I heard you but it sounds like to me one of two things or both are happening.”

He sucked his teeth, snarling at her. “What?”

“Either lil miss Moriah is worried that I can take her spot or you know Zilla wants me and you're trying to play mediator. Hmm so either way whatever you think I'm doing is working.”

“Girl, what the hell? Are you delusional? None of that is true.”

She shrugged, turning back to the match in time to see Zilla get illegally rolled up. “It's okay. I know you liked them together but it's bigger than you. You can't keep them together. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get ready for my segment.”

Bronco stood dumbfounded as she walked away from him. He thought she would resist a little but accept what he said. Her reaction was puzzling to him but he realized Zilla was in way more trouble than he initially thought. 

“Oh my gosh, San. I am stuffed.” Tamara laughed softly rubbing her full belly. “You been hiding your cooking skills from me.”

Hassan smiled bashfully. “I wouldn't say hiding them, you just always volunteer to cook. Who am I to shut down your wants?”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Yeah well next time we stay in, you're cooking. And if you keep cooking like this, I won't ever leave.”

“Speaking of never leaving,” he paused to sip his wine, “I want this thing we're doing to be permanent. I don't want anybody else.”

Tamara raised a brow leaving onto the table, laughing softly. “This thing? You mean dating?”

“Yes that. What would you say to us making things official?”

No matter how she tried to fight it, a smile spread across her face and warmth spread through her body from the rush of happiness she felt. 

“I would say what took you so long.” She laughed at his playful frown. “But I would like that a lot actually. I know why you were hesitant, I get it but I am not her and you are not the person you were when you were with her.”

“You’re right, you’re right. I got you.”

“And as much as I know you’re going to hate this, I wanna meet Nadine.” 

He stared at Tamara for a moment wrestling with the thought in his mind. The women he’d dated previously had no desire to meet her after hearing about her from him and Moriah and after hearing conversations between the divorced couple. And even if they did have any desire to meet her, Hassan would not have it. Too much of a hassle.

Reaching across the table, Hassan took her hands into his, rubbing them lovingly with his thumbs. The action brought a smile to her face, she also knew there was some form of rejection to follow the gesture. 

“I really don’t see the need for that, T. Moriah isn’t a kid anymore, that would have been the only reason I would put you in that situation.” He explained softly.

“San … I know that you think that you’re protecting me by not allowing me to meet her and I appreciate that,” she squeezed his hands gently, “But you don’t need to do that. She needs to know that this is serious and I’m not going anywhere so she can let up on those unrealistic expectations she has. Give the final nail to the coffin that was your marriage.”

To say he was speechless would be an understatement. The calmness in her voice almost put him at ease, the fire in her eyes though, that told him she meant what she said and she was serious.

“I don’t think that it’s a good idea to put you in the direct line of unnecessary stress,” he chuckled hearing her huff, “Wait there’s a but. But this sounds very important to you and you do make a very good point so I will make it happen.”

Her smile has returned and grown even wider. “Great. When?”

“Soon, beautiful.”

“Aht,” she sassed, pulling her hands from his. “I’ve heard you use that ‘beautiful’ card with Moriah enough to know you’re placating me. Nope. I want an actual date and time.”

He laughed heartily, going to take a sip of his wine. “Alright, alright. How about next weekend?”

“Book the flight now.” She pressed.

“In the middle of dinner?” He asked slyly. Looking at both of their near empty plates, Tamara gives him a pointed look that makes him laugh and pull out his phone. “Alright, alright, Ms. Lady. Doing it now. You prefer early or late flights?”

“Early. Thank you.”

“Of course,” he responded lowly, his focus was on his phone. “Any other demands?”

“Yup, I have one more since you asked.”

“What’s that?”

“Don’t tell her that we’re coming.”

Hassan’s eyes slowly looked up from his phone, putting his focus on her. “Don’t tell her?”

“Don’t tell her.” She repeated firmly.

After the show, Zilla and Bronco went to the hospital to check on their girlfriends. They sat in the waiting room until their girlfriends had a moment to talk. The emergency department was much busier at night than they thought.

“Listen before they get done, I gotta tell you something.” Bronco whispered, making Zilla frown.

“What? And why the hell is you whisperin’? Ain’t nobody over here.”

“Cause Toni got some good ass ears, bro. Ion need her to hear this shit and tell Rye.”

“Aight, I guess. What’s up?”

“I went to talk to Gia during your match. And excuse my language but that bitch delusional,” he whispered. “It's like the whole time I was talking she heard what she wanted to hear.”

He frowned at the thought. “What she say?”

“She said that either Rye knew she could take you or you want her and either way, what she was doing was working.”

“The hell? What you say to her to make her say that?” Zilla asked, pulling his buzzing phone from his pocket. 

“All I said was to chill out cause the shit wasn't gonna work and you made it clear you ain't want her.” Bronco recounted. “That's it but somehow she got that. She said it's bigger than me that I can't keep yall together.”

“The fuck? Now when Fat beat her ass, ion wanna hear shit.”

“Fucked up thing is, she prolly won't take that warning either. That bitch looney. Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll move her to main roster.”

Zilla shrugged. “That won't solve it. I gotta go there at some point.”

Bronco thought for a second then smiled. “I got it. Trick single, maybe we can talk her up to him and get him to get her attention. If she got her own man, she won't be worried about you.”

“You think it'll work?”

Bronco shrugged, “Don't hurt to try. Who texting you?”

Rolling his eyes, Zilla texted brothers back then sat the phone down again. “Ma, my brothers, and Josh.”

“Which one you rolling your eyes at? I know it ain't Ma.” Bronco joked.

“Nah, nah.” He smiled thinking about her. “It's Josh. Ever since we got into it at Jon house, he been textin me.”

“Oh yeah. You never told what yall got into it about.”

Zilla quickly responded to his mother’'s message. “He don't like Fat. He think that she gon end up like Ms. Nadine and that I should leave her for Gia or somebody.”

“He don't like Rye?” He asked with a frown. “That's strange as hell. She ain't shit like her moms from what I been seeing.”

“And that's what I was sayin. He kept going, then when he brought up kids, I snapped at him.” He shook his head thinking of it. “I promised Fat I wouldn't say anything about it but he pissed me off, I told them about the abortion and her having her tubes tied.”

“Damn you must've really been pissed off. He textin you to apologize?”

“Yeah but he still tryna get me to hear him out.” Zilla answered, shaking his head. “Anyway, though, we can talk to Trick tomorrow. Sooner we do that shit, sooner I get her the hell away from me.”

Bronco laughed, slapping hands with his friend. “Hell yeah. Cause I can’t deal with that shit too much longer.”

“Deal with what shit?” Toni asked.

She and Moriah entered the waiting room finally getting a break from the overflow of patients coming in. Bronco gave his friend an ‘I told you so’ look before they moved to hug their girlfriends. 

“What’s up, old lady?” Bronco joked, kissing her head.

She hit him in his stomach laughing. “I got your old lady. Answer my question.”

“You nosey as shit,” he laughed, “Doing extra shit in practice cause they keep messin’ up.”

“Mmhm and so are you.”

Zilla stood with his arms still wrapped around Moriah, hugging her tight, keeping his face in her neck. She giggled trying to get him to let go.

“Zay, that’s enough.”

He shook his head, still holding onto her.

Toni pinched the back of his neck making him hiss and let go. “Always bothering that girl. Stay off of her.”

“She don’t want me to stay off her, mane. Ask her.” He laughed, pulling Moriah back to him.

“Anyway,” Moriah called out to stop their brewing argument, “We been so busy, we didn’t even get to watch the show. How was it?”

“My match was good. His match was aight,” Bronco boasted playfully and they started to play fight. “Aight, aight, you got it, bro. You know she mean as hell and gon put us out.”

“Who you callin’ mean? I am not mean.” Moriah sassed with her hands on her hips.

“I mean you are a little bit mean, girl. Just a little.” Toni laughed, pinching her fingers together.

“You know he wasn’t talkin’ bout Fat. Fat mean as hell but she ain’t gon put us out.” Zilla corrected. “You put us out like four times already.”

Toni scoffed at his interruption. “And yet yall asses still somehow end up right back in here. Ima get yall banned from my ED.”

Bronco wrapped his arms around her, poking his lip out payfully. “You gon ban ya man? If you do that then I can’t make those trips up here that you like so we both gon miss out.”

Toni gasped, hitting his arm. “Why would you say that in front of them? Now his bad ass is about to try and come up here and do that.”

“My bad, baby.”

Zilla frowned again, preparing to give an unedited response to Bronco’s admission but Moriah put her hand over his mouth and pulled him away from the couple. When they were far enough away she took her hand down and folded her arms across her chest waiting for his response.

“You knew they was up here gettin’ busy, Fat?”

“Of course I did. She’s my best friend.”

“And you ain’t tell me? I coulda been slidin up here to see you too. But it’s cool I know now, I know what to do.” He grinned rubbing his hands together.

She shook her head, wagging her finger at him. “Nope, absolutely not. No. That’s why I didn’t tell you. You do not understand the meaning of quick and you do too much.”

“I told you I can try,” he laughed. “ When you get off, we can try then.”

“Boy when I get off, you’re gonna be getting ready to go to the PC. You are not about to blame me for you being late.”

“I ain’t gon be late, I promise. You been straight up here though?”

She nodded, taking a look around the now empty waiting room. “Yeah, I’m never volunteering to switch shifts for a week again. It’s Toni fault, she tricked me. She just didn’t wanna be here alone. Heffa.”

He chuckled, running his fingers through his growing hair. “She was gonna miss you and she knew you was gonna miss her. And she know you would acted like a brat the whole week yall was without each other, man.”

She scrunched her face at him. “You get on my nerves, always tryna make sense.”

“Love you too. But you know that I ain’t what I was askin’, Fat.”

“He hasn’t been bothering me. The good thing about night shift is that when I’m coming in, he is gone or almost off. He doesn’t even leave through the ED anymore. Whatever you and Bronco did, worked.”

“What you mean? We ain’t did nothin.”

She stared at him. “You and him keep saying that but that don’t make it true, Isayah. Me and Toni already know.”

He shrugged. “Whatever you say, bae.”

“Mmhm.That bitch had her hands on you tonight?”

Hearing her tone go from sweet and light to annoyed and heavy gave him pause. He stared at her for a moment trying to contain himself. Although he would never say it out loud especially not to Moriah but the territorial side of her turned him on. If he could see more of it and it wouldn’t fuck up her mood for too long he wouldn’t complain at all.

“What bitch?” He asked biting his lip.

“You know exactly what bitch I’m talkin about, Isayah. That frog eyed bitch.”

He brought his hand to his face rubbing it trying not to smile at her, folding his other arm across his chest. “What frog eyed bitch, Fat?”

Moriah moved closer to him, pointing her finger in the middle of his chest as she spoke. “The frog eyed bitch that thought I was your damn cousin. That one.”

Chuckling a bit, Zilla grabbed her hand bringing it to his lips to kiss it but she snatched it away. “You talkin’ bout Gia? Nah she ain’t put her hands on me, Fat. I ain’t even talk to her outside of the interview I had to do.”

“Mmm, if she know what I know she better keep her hands off you. I don’t wanna have to beat her ass but I will.”

“I know you will,” he admitted in a low voice. “You can take a break right now?”

“For what?” She asked, clearly still annoyed by the thought of Gia.

“So we can go talk real quick, Fat.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “No, Zay. We literally just talked about that. No, there isn’t shit quick about what you wanna talk about.”

“I promise, the way I feel it’ll be quick.”

Holding his stare for a few moments, Moriah nodded and went over to Toni and whispered in her ear. “We’ll be right back. Don’t start.”

Toni nodded, giving her a slight push and went back to her conversation with Bronco, who shared a quick look with Zilla.

Putting her hand in his, Moriah let him lead her out of the emergency department to the lower level of the parking garage to his parked car, both of them getting in the backseat. Not wasting any time, Zilla laid her down in the backseat, his lips finding hers and his hands finding the waistband of her scrub pants, helping her pull them along with her panties down. He leaned up for a moment to pull her shoes off and then her bottoms off completely and tossed them into his front seat going back down to kiss and bite her neck.

“Zay,” she moaned softly, wrapping her arms and legs around him, wanting him closer. A squeal escaped her feeling his cold fingers moving lazily up and down her slit, purposefully not touching her clit. Her hips moved in tandem with his fingers as she tried to control the sounds she made. Knowing she was struggling with keeping as quiet as possible, he captured her lips in another searing kiss. As they kissed, he withdrew his hand from her to free himself from the confinement of his briefs and basketball shorts. He teased her for a few moments, gathering as much of her essence as he could before plunging into her bottoming out immediately. Moriah broke their kiss, her back arching as she gasped loudly at the welcomed intrusion. 

“Baby, baby, baby,” she mewled out. 

Sitting up a bit, he pulled her closer, angling her hips up smirking when she cursed under her breath. “You good?” He asked. His hands caressed her thighs and hips while he waited for her answer. 

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah.”

Now having the confirmation he needed, he tapped into his earlier feelings. The annoyance and anger in her eyes that lit a different type of fire within him. He pistoned his hips into her, lifting her thighs so they rested on his forearms making sure she couldn’t go anywhere. His thrusts rocked her body making her cry out to him.

“What you called her, Fat? What you say about her?” His voice was low and thick.

“Umm … fuck … I.” Her voice trailed off into incoherent words mixed with her moans. She brought her hand up to the window for leverage and to keep her head from hitting the door anymore than it already had. “That frog eyed bitch better … shit, Zay … she better keep her hands off you.”

“Yeaaaah,” he drug out lowly chasing his approaching release. “That’s that shit. What you gon do if she don’t?”

Feeling knots forming in her stomach and her body starting to tingle, she reached between them to push at his stomach. “Too much, Zay. Fuck,” she whined breathlessly. 

He smacked her hand away from him then rubbed her clit. “Watch out. Answer my question, girl.”

Moriah twitched beneath him, writhing trying to get away from him with nowhere to go. “Beat her ass,” she yelled out feeling him graze her spot. The realization wasn’t lost on him, he targeted it not sure how much longer he could hold out. “Zay, please,” she begged pulling him down to her.

“I know. I’m witchu.” He mumbled against her lips. “Shit, you want me to pull out?” The thought to put on a condom crossed his mind much too late. Even though there was a small chance that she could get pregnant, he still wore them occasionally.

She shook her head, bringing her hips up to meet his. “Cum inside me.” 

At her words, Zilla lost control, his thrusts switching from measured and controlled to erratic and sloppy, driving them both to orgasm. He shuddered, still thrusting as the both of them rode out their high. He collapsed gently on top of her, his face in her neck kissing her there. After a few, he lifted his head to smile at her. 

“Zilla told you that he could be quick.”

“Boy,’ she laughed, hitting his shoulder, “You got lucky.”

He laughed and kissed her neck and face again. “Shit, we both got lucky.”

“Swear you get on my nerves, Zay. Get off me, I gotta go back to work.”

Leaning up off of her, he eased out of her both of them hissing at the loss of contact. He reached up to turn on the courtesy light. His eyes went from her face to between them, using his index and middle finger to push his cum that started to leak out of her back in making her stare at him.

“What I do, man?” He laughed, grabbing the baby wipes out of the middle console.

She slid up a bit to lean against the door. “You know exactly what you did.”

He shrugged playfully as he took a few wipes out to clean her up and then himself and tucked it back into his briefs and shorts. Grabbing her discarded bottoms, he passed them to her then got out to give her space to put them back on. By the time he came back from the trash can, she was standing outside his car tying her shoes up. When she was finished he held his hand out to her so they could walk back to the hospital.

“So you gon let me try again when you get off or no?” He asked once they got to the waiting room.

“Maybe but I get to be on top this time.”

“Whatever you want, Fat. Zilla only purpose is to please you.” He answered lowly as he brought her into a hug, his hands finding and squeezing her ass.

Toni pushed them apart, shooing him away with her hand. “Alright, that’s enough. I’m gonna need an insulin shot if yall keep that cute stuff up.”

“Come on na, T. You coulda waited a few minutes. I was saying bye,” he laughed.

She looked at her watch then pointed at him. “I gave you fifteen minutes. That was more than enough.”

Moriah and Bronco laughed watching them go back and forth. The two of them argued like brother and sister every time they see each other and then would be the best of friends if it meant going against Moriah or Bronco. 

The phone rang and rang making Nadine’s nerves worse by the minute. With the stress of her conversation with Hassan and the shambles her relationship with Moriah was reduced to, she needed to take her mind off of it. Her head had been pounding from the off and on crying she had done after Hassan hung up on her. The life that she had built up for herself wasn’t turning out the way she had planned. Their marriage had been perfect until Hassan decided to take the job she always pulled him away from. Art and design was great and everything but it was unpredictable, she couldn’t handle the unpredictability of it. Not when he had a family to provide for. She knew he was an expert with numbers and convinced him to go into finance when they were in college but instead of him completely dropping art he had a double major. 

Him in finance and her in speech-language pathology. Their life was great, they could afford the lifestyle she needed and take care of their daughter while still being comfortable. And when Moriah met Zilla, she got the friend she never knew she needed or was missing. She had her husband, her baby, her career, the lifestyle that she dreamed of and a friend. It was all a dream until it wasn’t. 

“Nadine … you there?”

She laughed a little. “Sorry, sorry. My mind is just all over the place right now.”

The low chuckle flowed through the phone. “Is it now? My schedule is clear for the next three days.”

“That sounds lovely but I just don’t feel like the hassle of the airport and all those people in there and on the plane.”

“I wouldn’t put you on a commercial flight. You know better. I’ll send my private jet to get you.”

She snorted. “Private? Since when do you have a private jet? And didn’t tell me.”

“It’s a new purchase. You’ll be the first person I’ll have on it.”

For the first time all day, a slick smile graced her face. “What time should I be ready?”

“I’ll have a car there in about three hours to get you. That should be enough time for the jet to get there. Is that long enough or do you need more time?”

“Nope, that sounds perfect.”

“Good. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my favorite girl,” he cooed into the phone.

“It has, I’m sure we’ll make up for lost time.” She agreed, finally relaxing. “I’m gonna go pack. Thank you, DJ.”

“You’re welcome.”

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Fourteen

A/N: I doubled back for yall! This chapter flowed more easily than the previous one so I got it done quicker! Pay attention when you're reading😌 ⭐LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG & SHARE⭐ Enjoy!

Warnings: Cussing, 18+ ONLY MINORS DNI

DO NOT REPOST MY WRITING ANYWHERE AND CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

Masterlist

Chapter Thirteen

When Hassan brought Nadine home to meet his parents and little sister he was nervous. His palms sweated profusely no matter how many times he wiped them on his pants, they never dried. His stomach twisted into knots as he walked her through the home to the living room to meet them. But today standing on his sister’s front porch he didn’t feel any of those things. His nervousness was replaced with giddiness, his palms didn’t sweat and his stomach remained neutral. Internally realized no matter how he once felt about Nadine that she was not the woman he should have been with all those years, it was the woman whose hand he held, whose hand he gently caressed as they waited. The door opened and Gabi flung herself at her older brother, hugging him tightly around the neck saying how glad she was to see him as Tamara discreetly pulled her hand from his to give them room. There was a smile on her face as she watched them.

“I missed you too, Gabi. You act like you ain’t seen me in months,” he laughed, squeezing her back just as tightly. “Alright, alright, let me go.”

Gabi squeezed him one more time before letting go. “Its been like two weeks since I’ve seen you and you know that hasn’t happened since you moved back here from Texas.”

He glanced to his right at Tamara then back at his sister. “I been busy but Ima do better. I don’t want you cryin’ to Mama.”

Gabi’s brow raised looking between him and Tamara. “And I know exactly what and who you’ve been busy with. Nice to finally meet you, I’m Gabi.”

Tamara stuck her hand out but was pulled into a tight, brief hug. “I’m Tamara,” she laughed after being let go. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh girl, I know who you are. My brother tells me about you all the time but the pictures he showed me did not do you justice. You’re even prettier in person.”

At that Tamara turned to stare at Hassan. “Pictures? What pictures?”

“Don’t worry,” Gabi laughed, pulling them both into the house. “They were good ones. I mean he is an artist after all. He has never taken a bad picture of anyone. Not even that witch Na,” she was cut off by him clearing his throat.

“Be nice, Gabriella. I keep telling you that.” He warned playfully.

“You’ve been telling me for years to be nice and hasn’t worked yet. Oh … before I forget there’s something I need to tell you two.”

“What did you do?” He asked in an accusatory tone.

She shook her head. “No, no, it wasn’t me. It was your nephews and their big mouths that they definitely got from their father.”

“What could they have possibly told?” He asked, sure there was nothing they could have told Nadine. They didn’t like her and even if they did, he had made sure not to tell Gabi that he was taking Tamara to meet his ex-wife because of her big mouth. He watched her fidget for a second. “What is it?”

“Weeeell they may have spilled that you were bringing Tamara over to meet us.” She said quickly, making Tamara laugh.

“To whom, baby sister?"

Immediately Hassan’s eyes moved from his sister to the direction the other voices came from. He couldn’t help the chuckle that passed his lips.Their parents were there and there was no doubt as soon as Shirley DeBreaux found out about this impending visit she got up right then and made Rome DeBreaux drive her two hours from Columbus to Atlanta to be a part of it Hassan reached out for his girlfriend’s hand.

“It’s okay, Gabi. It saves me a trip,” he admitted with a shrug. “You’re gonna meet my parents as well. They’ll like you but Mama can be a bit much. It’s where Gabi gets it from. If that’s not okay, if you not ready I can take you home. They’ll understand.”

Tamara smiled up at him, her brows creasing a bit. “I don’t why you think I scare so easily but I’m okay. I’m happy to meet everybody, I want to.”

Gabi grinned, grabbing her hand from Hassan, pulling her along leaving him to follow behind them. “See I knew I liked you. You’re way better than that ole raggedy witch Nadine.”

“Gabriella,” Hassan called out over their laughter. “Don’t laugh, Tam. She know that ain’t nice.”

As soon as they entered the living room, Shirley’s reaction to Tamara undoubtedly ended all other conversations. With her hands to her face, she approached Tamara with a wide, genuine smile on her face. 

“Oh my goodness. Girl, look at you,” she gushed loudly, taking one of Tamara’s hands to spin her around. “Aren’t you just the most gorgeous thing I have ever laid eyes on.”

“Thank you,” she responded softly. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. DeBreaux.”

With a playful swat to her leg, Shirley pulled her into a tight hug, rocking them back and forth. “You quit all that ‘mrs’ stuff out, you will call me mama just like the rest of my children.”

“Yes ma’am. You’re so pretty and I love your hair. I kind of feel like I know you already. San talks about you and his dad all the time,” Tamara admitted taking a peak around her to everyone else.

Shirley moved to hug her son then swatted his arm. “Yeah well my son didn’t mention you to me. If Malcolm and Monte didn’t tell me, I would have never gotten to meet you.”

“Mama, I was gonna bring her to meet you and dad. I was just starting with Gabi and her crew first. They live here.” He assured her with a smile.

“I’m only two hours away, see how quickly I got here and I didn’t find out until about four hours ago,” she continued on as she brought Tamara further into the living room. “Alright now this is Hassan’s father, Rome and believe you me they are just alike. It’s almost like he spit him out they act so much alike.”

Rome stood, wrapping her in a warm hug. “It’s very nice to meet you, young lady. How’s my son treating you?”

“Very good. I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t, Mr. DeBreaux,” she shrugged playfully. 

“Please call me Dad or Rome. You’re family or I assume you will be soon,” he hinted more to his son than to Tamara before sitting back down. Hassan chuckled softly in response as he rubbed lazily through his beard.

Pulling her away from her mother, Gabi turned Tamara’s attention to her husband and kids. “This is my husband, Tyler Scott and our twins, Malcolm and Monte. Boys, this is Tamara. Remember the nice lady I told you about.”

Tyler stood briefly to shake her hand, offering her a bright smile. “Nice to meet you, Tamara. I’m really glad you’re finally here, Gabi has been talking our heads off about you coming.”

“Yeah and making us clean,” Monte mumbled loud enough for the adults to hear. Tyler pinched his son’s arm. “Ow! She did though. She woke us up to that old music and we all know what that means.”

“Right and she only supposed to do that two Saturdays out the month and today ain’t saturday.” Malcolm added with a similar mug to his brothers.

Tamara laughed, reaching to give both boys hugs. “Well I’m sorry she had you up cleaning early. How old are you two?”

“Thirteen,” they answered simultaneously.

“Uncle San, she gon be our new auntie?” Monte asked loudly.

Hassan slowly approached them, wrapping his arm around her waist. “I think that’s up to her, boys. We’ll see how she feels by the end of the night.”

Malcolm groaned. “You never give us real answers, Unc. When Rye comin to visit? She always got the answers.”

Hassan jumped at them playfully, laughing when they jumped back. “Yall gon sell me out for Rye so I ain’t telling yall. How bout that?”

The boys soon started to nag him, trying to jump all over him which he gave right back to them. Soon they were slap boxing with each other. Gabi grabbed her mother and Tamara’s attention, telling them to follow her to the kitchen. She grabbed the open bottle of wine from her refrigerator pouring three glasses.

“Gabi told me that Hassan really liked you while we were waiting and forgiving me if I was a bit skeptical considering Nadine,” Shirley took a small sip of her wine. “He really liked her too or he claimed to. I tried to tell him not to keep being with that girl but he was young, did what he wanted to do.” Tamara sipped from her wine, acknowledging the older woman with a nod. “But once I saw you and him together, I saw what Gabi had been telling me. He loves you. I can see it.”

“Like.” Tamara corrected.

“Oh no, baby.” She laughed with a shake of her head. “I said what I meant. I raised him, I know when my babies are in love.”

Feeling that the conversation may have gotten unintentionally heavy, Gabi butted in to save Tamara from any heat. “You’ve met his babygirl, right?”

Slowly, Tamara tore her gaze away from Shirley, settling on Gabi. “I did. I actually met them both at the same time. I approached him in the mall in Orlando and she was with him. And I’ve talked to her on the phone quite a few times since him and I have been dating. She’s a sweet girl.”

“She is. Thankfully nothing like her mama,” Gabi mumbled, earning a pointed look from her mother. “I’m just saying, Mama. You know I’m right.”

Shirley sighed, sitting her glass down. “Have you met Nadine yet?”

“No ma’am but she knows about me,” she glanced at Gabi, who was smiling. “And She knows that I know about her.”

“You just be careful with her and whenever you cross paths with her. That girl,” Shirley’s voice trails off for a moment, “She got some kinda evil in her. A demon if I ever seen one before.”

“Now, Mama,” Gabi laughed, “She is a terrible person but she not a demon though.”

“The hell you preach. That girl is a demon. The way that she treated my son and his baby. Tuh, lucifer must have placed her on Trenice’s porch cause I know she didn’t raise her that way.”

This is the most honest opinion Tamara’s heard about Nadine so she leaned into the conversation. Although she was in shape or form worried about clashing with her it was important to Tamara to really know what she was dealing with. When her and Hassan discussed his ex-wife, he was still very polite and honest to a point. He never told her the extent of things that she had done to Moriah because he didn’t want to share her business without her permission. The only thing he did tell her about was the abortion during one of their late night talks. When he spoke to her about Angel, he cried like it was still fresh. The loss of his first grandchild and the pain that it caused his only child hurt him and what hurt more is that he wasn’t there to stop it from happening. From what he confided in her, that was the first time he really regretted leaving Texas and not making Moriah come with him. Guilt still ate him up. He wished that he would have just disregarded what Moriah said she wanted and forced her to come to Atlanta with him.

For once, Gia was nowhere to be found in the performance center. From what Bronco heard she had some family emergency so she would be gone for a few days and wouldn’t see them talking to Trick. After the friends decided that they were going to put Trick onto her, they took a couple days to plan out how they were going to do it and now were satisfied. 

On a break from their workout, the two approached Trick who was doing curls. They sat on the floor near the bench he sat on prompting him to sit the dumbbell down and remove his earbud from his ear. He eyed them carefully.

“Yall look like yall up to some shit. What yall got goin on?” He asked picking the dumbbell back up.

“We ain’t up to shit.” Zilla laughed. “We just wanted to holla at you real quick.”

He nodded for them to go on.

“We know you been tryna settle down so we wanted to help you out cause ya game is clearly nonexistent,” Bronco joked. 

He sucked his teeth. “I got game, just ain’t been tryin. That’s all.”

Zilla lifted his hands in surrender. “Aye, mane, whatever you say. But look, we know you want somebody that understand this wrestlin shit and you travelin all the time so we found you somebody.”

“And we heard she think you kinda cute. So all you gotta do is use that nonexistent ass game and ask her out,” Bronco added.

Trick stared at them clearly contemplating continuing with his curls. “Who is it that yall think yall found for me?”

“Gia.”

Trick stared at them, recalling Gia in his mind. “Green eyed girl that do the backstage interviews?” The two men nodded making him smile. “Oh word? She is kinda cute and she be givin me them bedroom eyes from time to time.”

Zilla clapped his hands excitedly.“Aight so when she come back, ask her out on a date.”

“Bet Ima do that. Preciate yall for lookin out.”

The two left him, going back to the locker room to have their conversation in private. To be honest neither of them were a hundred percent sure that Gia would even go for it but they have witnessed Trick talk to enough girls that he at least got a first date. No matter what they planned to stay informed with how their relationship would go. 

“You think that shit gon work out?” 

Zilla huffed loudly, taking a seat on one of the benches. “Shit, I hope so. If it don’t and she keep this shit up, Fat gon whoop her ass. I told you what she asked me Tuesday?”

“Nah. What sis say?”

“Her exact words were ‘did that bitch have her hands on you tonight?’ And shit, it caught me off guard so I’m like who,” he recounted bringing the memory back to the forefront of his mind, “And she was like that frog eyed bitch. So I’m like nah and she basically told me if she don’t stop, she gon beat Gia ass.”

Busting out laughing, Bronco took a seat on the bench opposite of Zilla. His dislike of Gia was mutual among them all so anytime he heard Moriah or Toni dogging her ass out, he was going to enjoy it. 

“Yoooo sis is wild. She called her a frog eyed bitch? You deadass?” He asked through his laughter.

“Deadass, bro. She meant that shit too.”

Bronco went from laughing to scrunching his face at his friend. “Why you smilin like that, fool?”

He shook his head. “It ain’t nothin.”

Bronco watched him until it clicked. “Ayye! My boy! I know what that smile mean! That’s why yall ducked outta there!”

“Hell yeah. I’m surprised Toni ain’t trip about it.”

He waved him off. “Nah, she wasn’t goin to. She was too busy gettin on my ass.”

That admittance made Zilla’s nosey ass ears perk up. He didn’t want to know so he could tell anyone, he simply just liked to be in their business. To him that’s what friends do.

“What you do?”

“She was upset cause Javi was at home by himself but I told her he was straight, he did it all the time before me and her started.” Bronco shrugged. “And he usually with her on Tuesdays but you know she workin nights this week and I was workin so.”

“Oh damn. But Javi like 13 or 14. Ain’t it?”

“Yeah, he 13 but you know T worry so much cause of her job. I told her she hadda relax.”

Zilla stared at him. “You told her to relax? Last time I told Rye to relax she bit my damn head off. Cussed me out for like two hours.”

He laughed. Yeah, she was about to but yall walked back in so shit … saved by the bell. I did have to hear that shit when she got off though. She came straight to my house, made Javi breakfast then yelled at me while I was in the shower.”

“That’s what your ass get,” he laughed while checking his phone. “Shit, I gotta reschedule my therapy session.”

“Rye told you to do that shit two weeks ago. Ima tell.”

“Man,” he laughed, “I been busy. Ima do it though. Remind me when we leave her.”

“Nope, hell nah cause if I do or don’t and you don’t do it you gon throw my ass under the bus right along with you.”

The pediatric floor was quiet for the moment. The children that were on the floor were either sleep or medicated enough that they were in no pain. Dr. Miller took this time to get caught up on paperwork hoping to leave on time and not a minute after 7. This floor was what he always dreamed of, Dr. Harris made it even better for the last six years the older doctor had taken him under his wings and always encouraged him to do the same for others who were newly pinned. While Dr. Miller enjoyed doing this when he could, he did not enjoy one medical student in particular. 

“Dr. Miller, you got a second?”

A sigh escaped him. “Only if it does not interrupt my paperwork, Gardner. I need to be outta here on time, I have family matters to attend to.”

A wide smile stretched across Thomas’ face. “Nah, it won’t take long and won’t take your focus away.”

“I’m listening.”

“A few weeks ago I assisted Dr. Harris with a hernia surgery on a five year old and he told me that the mom called because what she thinks is complications from the surgery,” Thomas explained leaning against the desk.

“Okay,” Dr. Miller drug out impatiently. “What do you want me to do with that?”

“He assured her that it would pass but I … I think something might be wrong.”

The pen fell from Dr. Miller’s hand as he turned to give the younger man his undivided attention. “You think or you know? And be very sure with your answer.”

He shrugged. “I think, I can’t be completely sure.”

“Did you do something wrong that Dr. Harris didn’t catch?”

“If somebody did do something wrong and you think it could cause said complications. What would you do?”

Dr. Miller sighed, from the moment Thomas got to pediatrics he knew the young male would be an issue. It was at this moment he vowed to never take another student or newbie under his wing again, He didn’t give a damn what his mentor would say. Thomas had spoiled it for everyone that would come after him.

“Is it something that can pass or be fixed externally or is it something that needs to be handled internally?”

“Umm I’m sure it can be fixed externally.”

Another sigh. “Is it life threatening for said five year old?”

“It can be, yes.”

“Then you need to tell Dr. Harris what you did or I will. You have tomorrow afternoon.” Dr. Miller ordered turning back to his paperwork.

Thomas’ eyes went wide with panic. “Wait, no. It wasn’t me that did it.”

“Then who did it? And what did they do?” The doctor asked, now irritated.

“It uh it was a nurse. She may have caused an infection.” He spat his lie out quicker than he could stop it.

“Which nurse?”

Praying internally that this would all work out for the better with Nadine’s plan, Thomas utter Moriah’s name quietly. Dr. Miller’s head shot up, his eyes on Thomas not believing a word that was said.

“You know what, I’ll look into it. Don’t worry about telling Dr. Harris. I got it.”

“Are … are you sure? I can tell him.” He stuttered. “It’s probably nothing.”

Dr. Miller shrugged. “It probably is but I’ll check anyway. Unless there’s some reason that I shouldn’t.” He was giving Thomas the chance to backtrack and take ownership for whatever he was sure the man had done. When he shook his head the doctor gave him a final nod. “Okay then it’s out of your hands and into mine. Leave it be. Understand?”

“Yes sir but can you keep me updated?”

‘I’ll see what I can do. Gardner.”

One thing Dr. Miller learned during the time he worked with Moriah on pediatrics, he learned that she was very meticulous and followed the rules down to every period and comma. He knew there was no way it was her that did anything reckless to harm this young patient and he was going to get to the bottom of it. Thomas got the hint that the conversation was over, he grabbed his bag to leave the floor for the day praying that none of this came back to bite him in the ass. After finishing his paperwork Dr. Miller moved over to one of the computers accessing the files. He searched for a few minutes before he found the file he was looking for and picked up the receiver beside him to call the parents. 

“Hi, this is Dr. Miller from Lakeland General. I’m looking for the parents of Nia Jones.” He paused. “Yes, I heard that she was having issues … Yes ma’am … Yes ma’am … I’ll be in tomorrow morning for a little while and can see her then … Yes, 8 is fine. I’ll see her in the emergency department … Okay, see you all then. Have a good night.”

Something wasn’t clean in the water and he was going to get to the bottom of it. Now that he sat up an appointment, he moved on to his next step. Getting to the ED, he texted his family group chat to let them know that he had to change his fight out for the next day instead of later tonight while he waited on Toni. 

“Dr. Miller, what can I do for you?” She called out as she walked in the door.

He chuckled, going to hold the door of their breakroom for her. “How’d you know I wanted something ?” He asked, following her inside.

“Because you only ever come to the ED if you want something from me? So what’s up? I got fifteen minutes before my shift starts and I wanna use ten of those to call my mama.”

Dr. Miller helped her put her things in her locker. “You remember the hernia surgery Nurse DeBreaux helped with some weeks ago?”

“Yeah,” she answered slowly, “That was her first surgery. Why? Did something happen to that little girl?”

“No, no, no,” he said immediately, “Not yet at least.He goes on explaining to her the conversation he and Thomas had and what he had done. “Can you please stay a little longer in the morning to do the check up with me? I would ask Nurse DeBreaux.”

She nodded, finishing his thought, “But you don’t want it to look like a coverup just in case there is actually a complication from surgery. I got it, I’ll stay.”

“Thank you, I owe you. And I know I don’t need to say this but for now lets keep this between us. Don’t even tell DeBreaux.”

“Ooh I know. If I tell her that he’s tryna blame her for his negligence, she’ll kill em. She takes her work very seriously.”

“Trust me I know and I know he does to which is why I can’t understand why he would even try to put this on her.” Dr. Miller admitted.

Toni pulled out her ringing phone. “Trust me you don’t wanna know. I gotta take this, it’s my mama. I’ll see you in the morning.” She said quickly. “Oh and I’m sorry about your auntie.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that. See ya.”

“I don’t know how we managed to stay away from each other for so long,” Nadine laughed, adjusting the covers over her nude body. “It’s always so much fun when we’re together.”

“Don’t act like you don’t know. You like to play coy with me and luckily for you, I like it.” 

Dewayne pulled her across the bed to him, moving a few of her drop curls from her face. It wasn’t often that he felt this stress free and calm, it was only when he was in her presence. No matter how many times she turned him down for something more serious, he couldn’t let go of her. When he met Hassan, he could see how much their affair affected him but Dewayne was honest with himself–no matter how much pain it would cause, he wouldn’t stop. The Nadine he knew and the Nadine everyone else were two different people to him. They needed to dig beyond that tough exterior, the armor she wore to the rest of the world and see the sweet, loving, brilliant woman on the inside. 

“I do not play coy with you.” She argued, meeting his gaze.

“You do so. Ducking my calls and texts, only responding when you want to. Youtube me up on my offer to go to dinner every once in a while and then nothing.”

She shrugged. “As you said that’s what you like about me. I’m just giving you what you want, DJ.”

He tickled her sides until she was out of breath and gasping for him to stop. “What I want is for you to stop playing coy with me and just be with me.”

“You’re married.” She answered softly.

“And so were you once upon a time. I keep telling you that all you have to do is say those magic words and she’s gone,” he reiterated, caressing her cheek softly. “I remember the first day I met you. Ava was what five had gone through so many appointments with therapists and shit until finally her doctor sent me to you. You remember that?”

She snorted. “How could I forget? You stormed into my office and demanded for her to be seen right then, instead of ten minutes later. And still ended up waiting the ten minutes because we argued back and forth.”

“I was tired of being jerked around from place to place,” he chuckled, “But you got your way anyway. I was so drawn to that fierceness that I would make her double appointments every week.”

“Mmhm and then after a month you finally asked me out.”

“And you told me it would never happen, that you were a married woman.” He recounted. “That didn’t stop me though. I always get what I want.”

She moved closer to him, resting  her head on his arm. “Hmm not always.”

“I’ll get it eventually. Now,” he sighed, “It’s been two days. Are you ready to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“It’s Moriah.”

“What’s going on with her? I’m surprised she hasn’t called yet. She usually calls when you haven’t been home.”

“She’s not in Texas anymore. She moved to Florida with that boyfriend of hers.”

He smiled. “The doctor? Alright, that’s great. Why don’t you sound happy? Isn’t that what you wanted for her?”

“No, not with the doctor. She’s with your cousin or whatever he is to you.” At that Dewayne frowned. The cousins he had in Florida he was sure were all married or taken in some fashion. “Isayah. Eddie’s son.”

“He’s out of jail?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, he’s been out for two almost three years now. You really don’t keep up with your family. Do you?”

“Not all of them, no. Do you know how many of them there are?” He asked with a chuckle. “But wow … I thought the doctor boy was gonna propose and everything.”

“He was and he did but she turned him down. She was and still is stuck on that jailbird boy.”

He kissed her head bringing her close for a quick hug, his laughter vibrating through his body and hers. “Listen, I know how badly you wanted her with someone else but sometimes as parents we have to let our kids make their own choices.”

“But she’s making the wrong ones and she’s mad at me because I’m trying to help her. Call herself not talking to me. I haven’t talked to her since Thanksgiving.”

“And by trying to help her, you mean trying to make the choice for her. Right?”

“Yes, but–,”

“No buts if she’s happy let her be. This is not that serious for you and her to have gone almost a year without talking, Nadine. I know you miss her and she misses you.”

There were lots of things Nadine neglected to tell Dewayne about, she didn’t want him to judge her the way her loved ones had done. While he knew about the small things Moriah did and how she was punished, Nadine never uttered a word to him about the pregnancy and the things she did because of it. The abortion, Moriah’s and hers, alone would be enough to push him over the edge knowing that he is a die hard pro-lifer. And that was just not a risk she was willing to take.

“I don’t know about her missing me but I do miss her.”

“See? So why don’t you put the need for control in the backseat and put your love for your daughter in the front?” He suggested kissing her neck.

“You mean stop trying to get her to break up with him and let them be together? Even if I know she’s gonna regret it later.”

He chucked, still kissing her neck. “Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Can you do that? If not for Moriah then do it for me. Please, beautiful?”

She stewed over the thought for a few minutes with her thoughts going fuzzy every few seconds because of his ministrations. “Fine, DJ, fine. I’ll lay off.”

“Good,” he cheered, moving to smile widely at her, “Now let me show you just how proud of you I am.”

The next morning as promised Toni waited for Dr. Miller. She stood beside him as he checked the little girl and went over her x-rays with the parents. The only thing he had yet to receive were the results from her blood work.

“Has she been feeling woozy or tired lately? Fever? Vomiting?” Dr. Miller asked, still checking nia.

Her mom spoke up first with a worried glance. “Not woozy but more tired than usual. Fever comes and goes and so does the vomiting.”

“How long after the surgery did this start?”

The parents looked at each other lost for an answer for a moment. “Umm,” the father stuttered trying to think, “Maybe a week or so after. But it started to get worse a few days ago.”

Dr. Miller nodded, giving the little girl a quick smile. “So it sounds like it could just be an after effects from the surgery and all the medicine she was on but just in case it is an infection, I’m gonna prescribe her some antibiotics.”

“How are we gonna know if it is an infection?” 

He gives the mother a reassuring smile. “Her blood work should be back by noon today. If there is anything suspicious in there Dr. Harris will give you a call immediately.”

“Okay, thank you so much. Really, thank you.”

“Just doing my job. Gotta make sure babygirl is able to eat her spaghetti and meatballs,” he joked, lightly pinching Nia’s cheek.

As they left the room Toni and Dr. Miller made eye contact and moved to an unoccupied area of the ED. He folded his arms across his chest waiting to hear her thoughts.

“I’m no doctor but I think she has an infection. Miller.”

“I am a doctor and I’m quite sure she does too. But I think it was caught in enough time to cure it.”

“Don’t you think Dr. Harris is gonna wanna know why he has bloodwork for her after he already told her it would be fine.”

He nodded, huffing. “Yes and I’m about to go take care of that. He’s always here early, I’m gonna go talk to him now before I leave.”

Toni nodded, still feeling uneasy. “I’ll let you know if anything happens while you’re gone. But you know I’m gonna have to tell Rye.”

“I know, just please keep her from trying to kill him until we can sort this shit out.”

Toni threw her hands up. “I make no promises but I will try.”

After only getting three hours of sleep, Moriah was awakened by her boyfriend asking her to bring him his gym bag that he’d forgotten. Declining his favor was on the tip of her tongue from being so tired but she knew he would have done it for her so she begrudgingly agreed. The performance center wasn’t as busy as it usually was and for that she was grateful. Less people see her with a messy ponytail, Zilla’s shirt and biker shorts—aka as a bum. She wandered around the center for her boyfriend, figuring he was busy since he wasn’t answering her calls or texts. About to give up and leave it in the nearest, safest spot she spotted Josh and called out to him. With their distance, she couldn’t hear him suck his teeth as he turned to face him.

“Hey! What are you doing here? Zay didn’t tell me you were in town.” She hugged him quickly, still not realizing he didn’t really hug her back.

“Workin. Came to help out.” He muttered. “Why you here? I thought you was a nurse.”

She laughed, realizing he asked because of the bag. “Oh, I do. I actually should be at home, just got off a few hours ago. Zay forgot his bag so here I am.”

“Mmm. I’ll give it to him.” He told her going to reach for the bag. “You can go back home.”

“Actually, I kinda wanted to see him since I was here. I been working nights so we been missing each other. Can I go with you?”

Josh’s lip turned up a bit at the thought of her staying any longer but he didn’t wanna make a scene so he told her to follow him. Moriah had to almost jog to keep up with him with how fast he was walking which she chalked up to his long legs. They stood in the doorway where the practice rings were located.

“Awe, it’s been so long since I’ve seen him practice. I used to go all the time in Texas.” She gushed keeping her eyes on him.

Josh had no desire to hear her go on about a relationship he didn’t agree with so since the both of them were here without any interruptions, he would speak his mind.

“You ever thought that maybe what yall got goin on ran its course?” He asked softly.

“Um huh?” She was extremely confused by his question. It was weird to her to say the least.

He shrugged. “You know like high school sweetheart shit where you been together so long that yall start to hate each other. Start bein malicious and shit.”

“Oh,” she giggled, “No, Josh. We argue here and there but we’re good.”

“You say that now. Being with a wrestler ain’t easy, Ma. Soon enough he gon be on main roster, traveling city to city without you. It gets real lonely for some of them, so lonely that they start to stray while you at home thinking they faithful,” he explained, keeping his eyes on Zilla in the ring. “And then you start to get bitter cause he’d rather be with them ring rats than you. And the more bitter you get, the more vindictive you get. Take his house, take his kids and treat them kids like shit because you so damn mad at him when you should have left years ago.”

Moriah turned her body to face him, shock and anger on her face. She knew he was alluding got more than just Zilla. He was comparing them to her parents. 

“I know that my mother isn’t a great person but I am not her. And my daddy never cheated on my mama,” she spat seething.

To her words, Josh chuckled. “Your daddy may not have cheated but that doesn’t make any of it better. It makes it worse actually.”

“What? What are you talking about, Josh?”

“Your daddy ain’t cheat so he was being a good ass husband to your mama and she still dogged his ass out which included treating you like shit.”

She rubbed her face out of frustration. “Just spit whatever it is you’re tryna say out.”

He shrugged, “It’s simple. I don’t like you and I don’t want you with my cousin. Shit was cute when yall was kids but it ain’t cute no more. I’m tryna save my cousin from unnecessary hurt.”

“You … you think that I would do any of the shit my mama did?”

“Apples don’t be fallin too far from the tree, ma.You say you love em so love em enough to save him from your bitter, destructive ass genes.”

Not waiting to hear her response, he walked off towards the ring with the gym bag in tow. Feeling herself about to cry Moriah rushed away ready to leave, when she walked out of the front doors she ran face first into Bronco, almost knocking him down.

“Damn where the fire at, sis?” He joked, helping her find her balance. When she lifted her head his smile dropped. “The fuck you cryin’ for, sis? What Zay do? I’ll beat his ass for you, friend or not.” She shook her head frantically at his words. “No don’t beat his ass or no it wasn’t him?”

“It wasn’t him,” she croaked. 

“Then what’s goin on? What is it?”

She broke down right as she opened her mouth to explain it to him. He wrapped her in a comforting hug, rocking her gently. “Tell me whats up? Big bruh can’t fix what you won’t tell me.”

“Its his cousin. He hates me.” She cried.

Bronco pulled back from the hug so he could see her face. “You talkin about Josh? Zay just told you that?”

Again she shook her head. “No, Josh just told me. I came to bring Zay’s bag and he basically told me I’m just like my mom and to save Zay some hurt and leave him. I’m not like her, I’ve never acted like her. I don’t know why he thinks that.”

Bronco used his shirt to wipe her face then hugged her again. “Listen, don’t worry about his ass. You put him in the category with ya mom of people who don’t exist to you. That whole family love you, ya pops love you, me and T old ass love you,” he chuckled along with her, “And most importantly Zay love you. Aight? If he don’t, fuck em. You hear me?”

“I hear you,” she answered softly. “Thank you, B.”

“Ain’t nothin,” he shrugged, smiling down at her, “That’s what big bruhs do but if you really, really wanna thank me you can make some dinner before you go to work tonight. Ima be over there with Javi and you know his ass can’t cook for shit.”

She laughed, punching him in the arm. “He tries but okay, I’ll make dinner. Thank you again and please don’t tell Zay.”

“Oh I ain’t. He’ll take that man head off about you in here. But just know he gon catch that man at some point and I hope I’m there to help.”

Parting ways, they hugged and he kissed her head once more before she left. She headed for Target instead of going home to get what she needed to put together an easy dinner for the boys while Bronco went inside, headed for the practice rings. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Josh, not saying a word to him. He knew the older man could feel the animosity rolling off him and that’s exactly what he wanted.

“What’s up, Uce?” Josh greeted respectfully.

Bronco shrugged. “Nada.”

Getting the hint Josh went back to silently watching the squabble until it was done. When Zila approached them Josh offered his bag to him almost as a peace offering then moved in to hug him which the younger cousin accepted. 

“Fat still here?” He asked, slapping hands with Bronco.

“Nah. She gave me the bag and left.”

Bronco stared at his audacity. He was really about to sit here and lie but he remained quiet after his promises to Moriah.

“She ain’t say shit? You ain’t say shit to her, did you?” Zilla questioned as he unblocked his phone and went through his messages.

Josh shook his head. “Just that she wanted to talk to you since yall been missing each other cause of yall schedules and then something about being tired.”

Zilla nodded even though he was skeptical. “You straight, B? You look like somebody pissed you off?”

“I’m straight, man. People just got a lot of audacity these days. I ran into sis on her way out,” he offered up staring at Josh. “She must really miss you man. She was damn near in tears.”

“Damn, prolly do.” He agreed, missing the stare down. “Me and her ain’t actually seen each other and had a conversation since Tuesday night. Thank God she only got two more days overnight.”

“Right, I just had to remind her that you love her and ain’t shit gon change about that. Not working overnight or nothing else.”

“I appreciate tha–bruh what the fuck is this?” he exclaimed loudly trying to cut the loud video playing from his phone off. His outburst broke Bronco and Josh’s stare. “This shit, man.” They moved to stand on either side of him so they could see his phone. “What the fuck is wrong with her?”

Bronco sucked his teeth. “I know that ain’t who I think it is.”

“Yeah its her ass.”

“Her who?” Josh asked, unable to tell from what he could see of the video.

Zilla sucked his teeth. “You bet not say shit about it to nobody or ima beat yo ass, mane. I’m serious.”

“I ain’t, uce. Who is it?”

“Its Gia delusional ass.”

“How you know it’s her? All you can see is titties and her pussy. Her face ain’t in it.” Josh asked, genuinely confused. Zilla exited the video then went to the messages she sent along with it, Josh read them aloud. “Missing you so much. Wish you were here. This is what you do to me. The hell?”

“And then her ass gon say it was a accident,” Bronco scoffed reading further down. “That shit wasn’t no fucking accident. You gotta tell, sis.”

“Man, don’t tell her shit.” Josh countered earning a stare from Bronco. “Look, if you tell her that it’s only gonna cause more problems. She gonna wanna know how the girl got your number, why she feel comfortable sending that shit, and a bunch of other shit. You wanna keep her ass so damn bad for whatever reason so just delete that shit and act like you never saw it.”

“Aye what you mean for whatever reason, bruh? They in love, that’s why he wanna keep my sis around,” Bronco barked.

“Whether I agree with the shit or not, he know I’m right. Delete that shit or you gon see Nadine ass come outta her quick as hell.”

Zilla pushed his cousin off reflex. He had been being cordial for the simple fact that he was at work and they were family. “Say, bruh. I already told you bout that shit. Watch your mouth about her.”

“Okay and I’m tryna help yo ass, uce, regardless of how I feel about the shit. I’m not tryna steer you wrong,” Josh reiterated, pushing his little cousin’s hands off of him. “Delete that shit and move on so you and her can stay in lalaland for a little longer.”

Knowing his friend, Bronco quickly stepped between them pushing Zilla back. As much as Bronco wanted to beat Josh’s ass, he knew better than to do it at work and with so many witnesses. 

“Look, don’t listen to him. Tell Rye the truth then we’ll go from there. Even if we gotta get Toni to keep her from beat that delusional bitch ass.”

Josh threw his hands up. “Who you gon listen to him or your big uce? I’m telling you delete that shit and keep it movin.”

Booker calling out for all three of them for something unrelated breaks up the back and forth. They act like everything is okay to get through their very long day of practice. 

While Dewayne slept, Nadine snuck out of the bedroom to the bathroom to call Thomas. She weighed her options with Dewayne’s help and decided she would give everything a rest. It was starting to drain her anyway.

“I’m glad you called, I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Uhn uhn, whatever it is can wait,” she whispered.

“No, I promise it’s important, Ms. Nadine. I promise.” He pleaded.

She shushed him, waiting until he was completely quiet to talk. “I’m gonna take a step back from everything and think about things. I sincerely appreciate you for helping me out with this. And I know what you’re thinking I’m not giving up, just taking a well needed break,” she explained softly. “You take a break too. You focus on finishing the rest of your last year. Okay?”

“But I think you should hear this.”

“I don’t, Thomas, It’s okay, I'm not upset, just in need of a break. I’ll talk to you later.” She ended their call ignoring him calling her name. Pausing things felt almost right to her, made her feel a little better about things. Now all she needed to do was get things in order and make a trip or two to the east coast.

Thomas stood frozen in the middle of the aisle in Target, staring at his phone. He knew he fucked up and when Nadine found out about it she was going to hurt him. A cart hitting his brought him out of his thoughts.

“Sorry,” the person haphazardly threw out. Her voice startled him but he smiled nonetheless.

“It’s alright, Moriah. Its actually good I ran into you.’

She turned to glare at him. “If I would have known it was you I wouldn’t have bothered to apologize. Leave me alone.”

“Don’t be like that. I just need a few seconds,” he called out following her to the next aisle. “Please, Moriah.”

“First, I told you to only talk to me at work if you had to. Second, I told you to call me Nurse DeBreaux. Third, I know Zay and Bronco made it very clear that you are to stay your ass far away from me,” she spat not in the mood. With her emotions till all over the place from her interaction with Josh, she didn't need this shit with Thomas to add onto it.

He abandoned his cart, going to stand in front of hers. “Listen, it’s serious. It's about the little girl who had hernia surgery. Both of our careers could be in jeopardy.”

“What?” She snapped. “Spit it the hell out.”

“I think she developed an infection from something we did.”

She laughed like it was the funniest thing she had ever heard in her life, tears ran down her face.

“What’s … what’s so funny?”

“You!” She laughed. “Don’t you dare try to put me in anything that you did, Thomas. I did everything just how Dr. Harris asked me to. You were the one doing things when he turned away.”

“I did not,” he argued.

She glared at him. “You hear what I said. And if you try to bring me into this, whatever Zay promised to do to you is gonna seem like a walk in the fucking park when I’m through with you. Now, move!”

Moriah pushed her cart past him lightly grazing his toes when he moved. She was regretting ever getting back out of bed to take Zilla his bag because then her head wouldn’t be pounding, her feelings wouldn’t be hurt and she would be resting like she wanted. Her mind wondered if it was all really with the trouble, she knew it was though she was just in her feelings. One thing she was sure of was that her and Zilla needed to have two conversations. One about Thomas and the other about their relationship and keeping his cousin out of it.

[thatssonanii]

Flashback #2

A/N: Hey yall! I been missing for quite some time but I just can't seem to finish this upcoming chapter (I've been tryna finish it since I dropped ch. 12) so I'm probably gonna start the chapter over. And some stuff happened that quite frankly made me a lil apprehensive to even continue this fic but ima keep going. In the meantime, I was able to write this flashback for yall. Let me know how yall like it. ⭐⭐LIKE, REBLOG, COMMENT, SHARE⭐⭐

Warnings: Cursing, arguing, typos, 18+ MINORS DNI

Do not copy my shit & post it anywhere else or take credit for my hard work!

Masterlist

Chapter Twelve

Hassan rubbed his throbbing temple as he listened to his ex-wife go on and on. From the moment Nadine picked him up from the airport, all she had done was rant about Moriah sneaking out with Zilla, wanting to find out how long the two of them had been doing so and exactly what the two of them had been doing together. Knowing that if he said anything, he would lose his temper and that was something he didn’t like to do and rarely did. All he wanted was to get his daughter.

“I hope her little ass enjoyed herself because it’ll be a cold day in hell before I let her go out without me again,” Nadine sassed as she eased into a turn.

Hassan looked around then at her. “Where are you going?”

“Home, Hassan. Did you hear what I said?”

“I heard you, I’ll get to that in a minute.” He answered quickly. “Why are we going to the house?”

Nadine glanced at him from the road, a confused look on her face. “Are you not staying at the house?”

“We need to go get Moriah, Nadine. You know that.”

She scoffed. “It’s damn near midnight, Hassan. They are not gonna let her out right now and even if they would, her ass would still be sitting in there until the morning.”

Leaning his head back against the headrest, Hassan took slow deep breaths trying to calm his nerves. Once he found out that Moriah hadn’t been abducted, he was relieved but it didn’t last long. His ex-wife waited until he informed her that he’d switched his flight for a later one to tell him that she had their daughter sitting at the detention center.

“Nadine,” he called out to her in a soft tone, “If you knew they wouldn’t let her out this late, you should have gone and got her sooner.”

“And what would she have learned? Nothing.”

“Being put in handcuffs, riding in the back of a police car and being booked did enough. Do you know what kind of kids you put her in there with?”

She chuckled. “I sure do. That was the point. She’ll learn that jail isn’t where she wants to be.”

Opening his eyes, Hassan turned to look at her trying to keep his anger at bay. “You know like I know that sneaking out with Zilla is the extent of everything. She hasn’t done anything else.”

“And that is supposed to make it okay? That bad ass boy is rubbing off on her. I need to nip it in the bud right now.”

“What if somebody does something to her in there?” He asked.

She shrugged. “The girl knows how to fight so she better fight back.”

His brows rose in shock. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Wow,” he scoffed, “And what if this does the opposite of what you want? You know she starts actually doing bad things. What then?”

“Hassan, just drop it. She is going to learn her lesson this time and that’ll be it.”

“For your sake, you better hope she isn’t harmed while she’s in there.”

“No, she better hope that the judge goes easy on her and just gives her community service.”

Those words triggered Hassan and got his blood boiling. He couldn’t contain his anger anymore. 

“Nadine, we are not pressing charges! She is our daughter for fucks sake! Just like I told you when we spoke earlier, charges are not an option! Am I being clear here?”

“She’s my child, I have custody of her so if I wanna press charges then that’s exactly what the hell I’m gonna do, Hassan! I am not a little girl, I do not need your permission to discipline our child!” She screamed pulling into the driveway. 

She snatched her seatbelt off after killing the engine then jumped out with her purse and keys trying to get to the door before him. Choosing to get his bag later, Hassan followed closely behind his ex-wife and rushed in behind her, slamming the door closed. 

“She lives with you but I have sole custody of her! Or did you forget? I let her stay because I did not want to uproot her so yeah, you do need my permission!”

Nadine tossed her things aside, going to get in his face. “I don’t need a got damn thing from you, Hassan! I am her mother and I will decide what’s best for her!”

“Don’t piss me off, Nadine. You don’t wanna do that.” He firmly stated in an eerily calm voice. 

Taking a chance, Nadine leaned up on her toes to kiss him, catching him off guard. He pulled away, taking a step back from her giving her an incredulous look.

“Don’t.” 

That was all he said before going back outside to retrieve his belongings. 

The next morning, Hassan and Nadine went to pick their daughter up. He insisted on driving, not wanting her to make unnecessary stops or the long route. Their drive was silent aside from Nadine trying to make small talk.

While they waited for Moriah to be brought out to them, the officer from the prior day approached them.

“Good morning. Am I to assume that I can close this out?” He asked looking more to Hassan than Nadine.

“Yeah. Get rid of it. We not doin that.” Hassan informed him.

Nadine sucked her teeth. “How long can we think on it?” She ignored Hassan staring at the side of her face, keeping her eyes on the uncomfortable officer. “Well?”

“24 hours but ma’am, I don’t think that’s a good idea. She seems like a good kid and she had a really rough day and night yesterday. I think she gets the point.” He explained. He hoped she listened or Hassan would make her listen. 

“Rough, you say? What happened?” She pushed with a small smirk.

Before he could elaborate, another officer came from the back with Moriah. She looked worn out, her hair was a mess and there were tear stains on her face. Seeing her made the smirk on Nadine’s face grow

“Daddy,” Moriah sobbed softly. She walked into his arms, breaking into a full blown sob as soon as her head hit his chest. 

Fire rose in his chest feeling his daughter’s sobs shake her body as well as his own. This was something that he wasn’t going to let go as easily as he knew Nadine was hoping. The officer took Hassan’s answer as the final answer and handed Nadine some paperwork before bidding them a good day. 

“Are you hurt? Are you okay? Did they bother you?”

Upon getting back to the house, Hassan carried his daughter to her room and sat on the side of the bed talking to her. She moved around her room to get a change of clothes so that she could shower.

“My side and back hurts,” she answered softly, trying not to cry. “They wouldn’t leave me alone. They took my pillow and my blanket too.”

“I’m so sorry, Rye. What happened to your side and back?”

“They had these bunks in there for us and they put me on the second. The girl under me,” she paused to wipe her tears, “She wanted to be on that bunk and told me to move. I told her no because I didn’t wanna get in trouble and because Zay said not to let them punk me.”

Hassan chuckled a bit at that. “I’m listening.”

“She kept telling me to move and I kept telling her no then she pushed me off the bunk to the floor.”

His brows furrowed. “What? What did the officers do?”

“Nothing,” she cried, “They just said to stop playing around. One girl in there was nice to me though. They bothered her too.”

Hassan tried to hide his anger from his daughter, not wanting to upset her more. “I’m glad you’re outta there. And don’t worry about nothing, I’m not gonna let your mama press charges. Okay?”

Moriah nodded solemnly.

“Good. You shower and take a nap. When you get up, I’ll take you to see Isayah and get you some food. Sounds good?”

“Yeah. Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re my babygirl. You never have to thank me.”

As soon as he heard the shower running, Hassan went to the master bedroom where Nadine was lying across the bed on the phone and watching television. She rolled her eyes, muting the television.

“Can I help you, Hassan?”

“Hang up the phone.” He demanded calmly.

“For what? I’m talking to my sister.”

Hassan took a deep breath. “Unless you want your sister to hear me chew yo ass out, I suggest you hang it up.”

Nadine’s frown deepened hearing her sister laugh which was the only reason she hung the phone up. She sat up, moving to the side of the bed. “If you think you’re gonna chew me out about the charges then you’re mistaken. Might as well turn back around and leave my room. I don’t give a damn what you say, I’m doing it.”

“So you think I’m gonna let you do that to her? Is that what you think?”

“It's not what I think,” she sassed with a smirk, “It’s what I know. She’s gonna learn her lesson.”

“At what cost, Nadine? They pushed her off the top bunk! They took her shit and would not leave her be! That was only 24 hours in there!”

“Good!” She screamed jumping up. “Good! And I hope they lock her ass up for a whole year so them girls can do worse! Her ass deserves it!”

Hassan’s nostrils flared and his heart sunk at her words. He started to pace back and forth, keeping his eyes on his ex-wife. He took notice of her trembling hands and the way she nervously switched her weight from hip to hip.

“Just cause she cried to you, you think she learned her lesson and she didn’t. She just knows that a few tears will get you to lay off but that don’t work on me!”

“You pushing it, Nadine! You really pushing it!”

Nadine approached him, jabbing her finger into his chest. “Yeah and what are you gonna do about it, huh? What is Hassan gonna do about it? I do what the hell I want and there’s nothing that you can do or say about it!”

He grabbed her hand, roughly pushing her away from him. “If you press charges after I told you not to, I’m gonna take her with me and you’ll never see her again. I’ll make sure of it.”

“You can’t take her!”

Hassan caught her hand just as it came up to slap him. “I can and I will. If I have to move back here or fly her back and forth to see her friends every other weekend then I will if it means she’s away from your ass. Try me.”

“You’re really gonna take her away from me?” She asked with tears in her eyes. “She’s my baby. All I have left since you left me.”

Hassan again roughly let her hand go. “Oh now you care? You only want her for selfish reasons so keep the water works to yourself.”

“The only reason I did any of this is because I care about her well-being and how she turns out, Hassan!” She cried. “I care unlike the rest of you!”

“Bullshit,” he spat. “But you heard what I said, if you do that I’m taking her with me and you know I will.”

While their parents spoke, Zilla and Moriah went to his bedroom to talk. As soon as he closed and locked his door, he went to his best friend wrapping his arms around her tightly, letting her cry on his chest. He never knew what to say in these situations but he knew that giving her physical comfort was the next next thing. They stood in their embrace for a few minutes before she pulled away, he pulled her to sit on his bed with him. 

“You ain’t let them hoes bother you, did you?” He asked, making her smile a little.

“I tried not to. It was hard.” She admitted softly.

He sucked his teeth. “You know what I told you, Fat. What they do?”

Moriah told him the same thing she had told her father earlier. “But I’m okay, Zay.”

Ignoring her words, he lifted the sides of her shirt and the back to check her out. Gingerly, he touched the small bruise on her left side making his hiss and move away from his touch.

“You ain’t okay, that shit hurt, Fat. You ain’t beat they ass?”

“No,” she frowned, “I didn’t wanna get in any more trouble and have to stay even longer.”

He sighed heavily. “I get that but if your mom stay on that bullshit then you goin back in there and they gon remember that you ain’t do shit about them fucking with you.”

“My dad said she’s not gonna.”

“But we both know how she is, Fat.”

She huffed lying back on his bed. “I trust him, you need to trust him too. I’ll be fine.”

He rubbed her thigh trying to comfort her. “Aight, Fat. You gon call your new friend? What was her name?”

“Her name is Dreka. I gave her my number to call me. She’s a runaway too.”

“Too?” He asked, laughing. “You get caught sneakin out one time and now you a runaway. Yeah aight, Fat.”

She pushed at his back laughing. “Shut up. I been locked up, Ima thug now. I’ll shank you.”

“Ooooh, I’m so scared.” He joked.

“Hassan, I really am sorry about this. Don’t worry, if I have to make him sleep in my bed I will make sure they don’t do that again.”

Hassan waved her off taking a drink of his soda. “No, no. You don’t gotta apologize. It was Rye’s choice too. The person that should be apologizing is Nadine.”

“Can’t argue with that,” she chuckled. “‘Please tell me that she’s not thinking of pressing charges still.”

“She’s not and if she does, she knows what’ll happen.”

Leata raised a brow, interested. “And what’s that?”

“I’m gonna take Rye with me and she’ll never see her again.” He answered with a straight face. 

Leata was conflicted. She would be glad to get Moriah away from Nadine but she’d miss the girl and knew her son would. And she wouldn’t want Hassan in any trouble.

“You think she’d let you just take her like that?”

He smiled at her. “She doesn’t have to let me do anything. As far as the courts and the system is concerned, I have sole custody of Moriah. Not joint, not none of that. Sole custody.”

“Wait … what?” She laughed. “How the hell did you pull that off? When were you gonna tell me? And why the hell is she not with you?”

He laughed heartily at her reaction, giving her a shrug. “She wanted certain things in the divorce and I had a counter for each of them. In this case, she wanted to keep living in the house and I got sole custody of Rye. She’s not with me because she didn’t want to leave her friends, school and Zay. She said she could handle four more years with her. So that’s why I didn’t tell anybody. But Nadine knows so she should act accordingly.”

“Wow … gave up custody for a house.” Leata shook her head, thinking. “Albeit a nice house but you said live in, not own.”

“Yup,” he grinned, going to take another sip, “She wanted me to keep paying the bills and figured if I gave it to her outright I wouldn’t pay them.”

“She thought she was playing you but she played herself cause there’s no way you wouldn’t pay the bills if Moriah was still there.”

“Exactly but here we are.”

“I always told her that she was too smart for her own good,’ she chuckled, “So where do we go from here?”

Hassan rubbed through his beard. “I’m gonna talk to Zay, you’re gonna talk to Rye and hopefully get them both on the same page with us about everything so that we can all have some sort of peace. Cause I’m getting too old for this shit with her.”

“I hear that but okay good plan. Also, I wanted to share something with you.”

“What’s up?”

“After we got home yesterday, I talked to Isayah to see how long the two of them had been sneaking out and everything,” she explained in a low tone, “He said it’s been about four or five months. I asked him if they were having sex, he told me no and he didn’t get an attitude or anything when I asked so I believed him. He said they only kissed one time.”

“But?” 

Hassan could sense the other thought lingering in the air.

“I’m not entirely sure how long that’s gonna last. They’re coming around to the fact that they like each other and find each other attractive. If you don’t mind, I was going to have a little talk with Rye because I know Nadine isn’t and if she does it won’t be helpful.”

Hassan nodded thinking about her offer. “Yeah, yeah … that’s fine with me. I’ll slide that into my talk with Zay. You think we’ll make it outta these high school years without a baby?” He joked.

Leata laughed so hard she started to cough. “Hassan, I hate you but honestly we’re probably not getting out of them without a baby or a baby scare and God help us all if there’s an actual baby.”

[thatssonanii]

Masterlist

Summary: Zilla and Moriah's pursuit of happiness and their dreams admist familial divide and sacrifices.

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Where is Ch. 5?

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Christmas Excerpt

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Flashback #1

Chapter Twelve

Flashback #2

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Note from Nani

Chapter Fifteen

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Twelve

A/N: I'm interested in knowing who yall wanna fight more after this chapter.. Nadine, Gia or Josh😂😂 ⭐⭐LIKE, REBLOG, COMMENT & SHARE⭐⭐

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of abortion, typos, 18+ ONLY MINORS DNI

Masterlist

Chapter Eleven

Flashback #1

“When you was still in Texas you complained about missing me and how I don't come visit enough but you get ya ass here and don't come see me or text.” Sefa fussed, pushing her away from him. “Nope, don't hug me. Move.”

“Stop being like that. You know Zay be hogging me to himself. He cry when I got to work.” 

Sefa finally stopped pushing her away, allowing her to hug him. He squeezed her just as tight as she squeezed him. When Moriah and Zilla met as kids, she made herself the third musketeer to Sefa and Zilla and fit perfectly. 

“He cry without you?” Sefa laughed. 

She nodded then frowned, swatting Zilla's hand away from her face. “Stop it, Fatu.”

He kissed her cheek, laughing when she wiped it away. “I was just tryna fix your hair, damn. What's up, Sefa?”

The two men slapped hands and hugged.

“Nothin, Moriah was tellin me the reason she ain't come see me or text me is cause you cry without her.”

Turning to his left, Zilla stared down at his girlfriend with his brows furrowed. When she tried to hide behind Sefa, he caught her by her hips pulling her into him. She squealed as his fingers dug into her hips.

“I cry? Is that true?”

She giggled trying to get away from him. “It is. You do, cry baby!”

“Fat,” he called, pulling her into a bear hug, “Tell the truth.”

She giggled. “Okay, okay, you don't cry! Let me go.”

Upon releasing her from the hug, Zilla thumped her ear prompting Sefa to step in. He knew if he didn't, the two of them would continue their play fighting just like when they were all kids. In the midst of their conversation, Trinity came back outside to retrieve Moriah to bring her back inside. Sefa turned to his younger cousin expectantly, making him laugh. 

“What? Why you looking at me like that?”

Sefa folded his arms across his broad chest. “You know why. Updates, uce. How yall been? Everything straight?”

Whenever Sefa would visit Zilla, their conversation always went to Moriah. If Zilla didn't bring her up, Sefa did. Their talks were pretty similar each time; how she was doing, if she had come to see him, how much Zilla had missed her, if she'd called Sefa. The older cousin hated the way Zilla deflated and got sad whenever he admitted that he still hadn't gotten a visit from her and how he knew she was upset with him. 

“Yeah, we good. Our schedules had us missing each other but hers finally calmed down so that's fixed.” Zilla responded, leaving out the revelation and struggle the couple just went through. “Don't worry, man. She ain't going nowhere and neither am I.”

Sefa visibly relaxed. Although he saw how they interacted with each other he knew looks could be deceiving. Hearing that they were okay from Zilla gave him some solace but he wouldn't completely have it until he heard it from Moriah as well. 

“That's what I wanna hear. I told you if you got her when you got out that you better hold on to her and do the right thing, didn't I?”

“Yeah, you did. I'm doin both. I ain't perfect but I try.”

“Ain't tellin you to be perfect,” he explained with a chuckle, “Tellin you not to be your regular hard headed self.”

Zilla sucked his teeth playfully. “Yall love callin’ me hard headed. I listen sometimes.”

“Keyword being sometimes.”

Back at the grill, Jon joined his brother and cousin helping them load the cooked food into the pans to make room on the grill for the other food. He listened to Jacob tell him about the last show he was at but noticed his brother's body language was off.

“Hold on, Jacob.” He turned his attention to his brother. “What's wrong with you, Josh?”

“Nun, I'm cool.”

Jacob sucking his teeth let Jon know something was off. He looked between the two of them. 

“I miss something?”

“He don't like sis. He don't think uce should be with her,” Jacob explained ignoring Josh's glare.

Jon laughed loudly for a few seconds until he realized neither man was laughing along with him. “Wait … you forreal? He don't like Rye?”

Jacob shook his head, giving a disappointed look. 

“And why don't he like her?”

“Don't know. He ain't told me.”

Jon turned to his brother with a confused look. “Why don't you like her?”

“He don't need to be wasting his time with her. He need to be with somebody that ain't gon turn on him later on.”

Jacob and Jon stared at him in disbelief. 

“Ima ask you something and you better tell the truth.”

Josh huffed, taking the last of the chicken off the grill. “What, Jon?” 

“Did you and Rye sleep together or date or something?”

“Soooo how are things with your mom?”

Moriah frowned at the question, giving Trinity a side eye. “I told you I cut that lady off.”

“I was asking to make sure,” she laughed. “I'm sure that made things better with you and Zilla.”

Avoiding eye contact, Moriah gave a slight nod put her attention on the cheese she was grating. On the way to the house, Zilla promised that he wouldn't say anything to his cousins about her fertility and Angel during this family event. Even though she never promised, she felt like it was implied that she wouldn't either. Trinity stopped chopping bell peppers to stare. 

“You might as well go ahead and start talking.” Trinity pushed. “I'm listening.”

Moriah whined. “I can't. Zay promised he wouldn't say anything so I can't say anything.”

“Did you promise?”

“No, but,” Moriah was cut off by the older woman. 

“Okay then. Start talking, I'm listening.”

“Okay but you cannot tell Jon or anybody else.” 

“I won't, I won't. I promise.”

She sighed taking a few moments. “I finally told Zay that I was pregnant when he got locked up and that my mom made me abort the baby about 12 weeks in. It was a bump to get over but we're okay now.”

Stopping what she was doing, Trinity threw her arms around her and squeezed tight. Knowing that she would cry if she hugged back, Moriah stood as still as she possibly could waiting for the hug to be over.

“I'm sorry, sis. I knew she was a piece of work but I didn't think she was cruel like that. How'd he take it?”

“Not good but we talked about it after some time passed. We're good.”

Both went back to their tasks in silence. The partial revelation hanging in the air between them. Moriah willed herself not to let the rest of the words escape her. She squeezed her brown eyes shut tight and tucked her lips in, counting back from 20 in her head. When she opened her eyes, Trinity was staring at her. 

“Sorry, I'm okay. It was a while ago but it's still hard sometimes.”

“You're not okay. I know it still hurts and it still bothers you.” She leaned in once more to rub Moriah's back. “How did you still talk to her after that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, I felt obligated I guess.”

“Well, I’m glad that you know now that you aren’t obligated to her in any way, sis.” Trinity felt bad that she had soured the mood with her question and wanted to lighten the mood back up. “When is this wedding, honey? I need to know when I need to be off and get fitted for my bridesmaid dress.”

Moriah laughed, emptying the grater. “What wedding are you talking about? There’s no wedding.”

“Uh yes ma’am there is a wedding. One between you and Isayah.”

“What … you speaking it into existence?” She joked.

Trinity laughed, bumping her shoulder. “I don’t need to do that. Yall are getting married, he made it very clear that he ain’t going nowhere and neither are you.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “As of right now, there was no proposal so no wedding. But when there is one, I'll let you know.”

After the fallout at Kamille's house, she called on one of the people she knew who could get her sister together. While it wouldn't do the trick completely, it would get Nadine to at least think about what she was doing. Her older sister was starting to spiral, it was getting out of hand. Despite their siblings divorcing, Kamille and Gabriella stayed friends and in for the most part constant contact. When Gabriella got the call, she weighed her options– should she call or should she show up. 

Nadine snatched her door open, her eyes narrowed at the person on her doorstep.

“Aren't you gonna invite me in, ex-sister in law?”

Not waiting for a response, Gabriella pushed her way into the house and headed for the living room. It had been a few years since she'd seen the inside of this house but it hasn't changed one bit, just like the person who lived in it.

Slamming the door, Nadine followed her to the living room with a less than pleasant look on her face. 

“Sure, Gabi, come on in. Make yourself at home.”

Gabriella smiled, getting comfortable in the recliner that was deemed as her brother's many years earlier. “Don't mind if I do. I mean this is my brother's house and he says I'm always welcome in and to anything that he owns.”

Nadine sat on the sofa adjacent to her guest. “Don't walk into my home uninvited again, Gabi. This is not your brother's house and hasn't been for quite some time now.”

Gabi smiled, tilting her head slightly. “True my brother hasn't lived here in quite some time but it's still his house. Last I checked, it's his name and his name only that's on the deed. He just let you stay here after the divorce because of my niecey pooh.”

“Is there a reason you're here? You know I don't like you.”

“And that feeling is mutual, sweetheart.” Gabi motioned to her face. “You might wanna put some more ice on that bruise. It looks worse than the one you left on my Moriah.”

“The one I'm gonna leave on you is gonna be even worse than this.”

Her words made Gabi laugh hysterically. “Oh, please, Nadine. You know what happened the other three times you tried me. But I think … I think this time, I'll just call Leata. I'm sure she wouldn't mind going upside your head again.”

“Gabriella, you have exactly two minutes to tell why you’re here and what you want before I call the police.” Nadine spat, rubbing her temple.

Gabi stared at her, taking her ex-sister in law all in. Her facade was slipping, she was starting to run herself down which was sad considering how beautiful she is. 

“I remember when you were pregnant, you were so happy to be having a baby girl. You called my parents as soon as you and San got home, your joy flowed through the call.” Gabi recounted, keeping her eyes on the older woman, “You would call my mother and talk about how you and babygirl were gonna be best friends, have mother daughter dates, and how you were gonna be her cheerleader for life. But ever since you divorced San, hell before then, all you’ve done is harm her. You’ve left scars on that girl that will never heal, you’ve taken away any chance of moments that mothers and daughters are supposed to share. You’ve tried to break your own daughter down because you’re mad at my brother.”

Nadine rolled her eyes, taking a seat on the sofa with a hard sigh. “You flew across the country to talk to me about my child? This could have been a phone call.”

“It shouldn’t be happening in the first place, Nadine. I shouldn’t have to fly across the country to check your evil ass but here I am. If you’re mad at Hassan, you should be taking it out on him and not Moriah. That girl has never done anything to you.”

“You think you’re so smart, Gabi. You always did. Nobody is mad at Hassan.”

“Tell that lie to somebody that believes it. You’re mad at him but you wouldn’t dare take it out on him and I know why.”

“Oh please tell me why? I’m dying to know, Gabriella.”

Gabi chuckled. “Because somewhere deep down in that heart of yours, you think that my brother is gonna come to you and tell you that he wants to get back together. So you don’t wanna mess those chances up.”

The momentary look on Nadine’s face told Gabi everything she already knew. She knew since the couple started divorce proceedings, Nadine never thought Hassan would actually sign the papers. She thought that he would make some grand gesture giving in to what she wanted and they would go back to being married. 

“Yeah, that’s what it is.” Gabi laughed. “You think my brother is stupid enough to take you back so you’ve been careful not to be nasty to him. But do you really think he’d take you back after the way you’ve treated his babygirl? Especially after he finds out about the shit she never told him. You’ll be lucky if he ever looks in your direction after that.”

“Just get your ass out of my house! You come in here thinking you know everything when you don’t know shit!” Nadine yelled trying to regain her composure. “If I wanted Hassan back, I would have him back.”

“Oh really?” She asked with a hint of humor. “So you think that after the way you’ve treated his pride and joy and doubled down on everything by wishing death on his son in law, that he also loves to death, he’d take your sad ass back? Even your twisted ass can’t believe that.”

Nadine jumped up from her seat, screaming. “That boy is not his son in law! Stop saying that! My daughter will not marry him and he will not be in my family!”

Clapping, Gabriella stood from the recliner a wide smile on her face. “What a beautiful performance! You deserve an Oscar for that, boo. Cause you know like I know it is only a matter of time before they’re married and you’re forgotten about, Nadine.”

“No! They’re not getting married! They will not stay together, if it’s the last thing I do!”

Gabi scrunched her face waving her finger in Nadine’s direction. “Yeah, he’s definitely not gonna want your ass back after I tell him about this tantrum.”

“Get out!” Nadine screamed as loud as she could but Gabi was unphased.

“I’m leaving but only because I’m done here.” She started to leave the living room then backed up. “Seriously though, I would start lowering your expectations about getting San back and start hoping he invites you to his wedding since you won’t be getting one to Moriah’s.”

Nadine had to do a double take, thinking that she heard wrong. “Wedding?” She swallowed hard.

“Oh yes. There’s a new lady in his life, we love her. Especially Moriah. She even knows about your looney ass and doesn’t care. She’s a keeper for that part alone,’’ Gabi gushed. “You know you might get lucky. San may take pity on you and give you this house outright to soften the blow of you never ever getting him back.”

The silence almost made Gabi burst into laughter but she held her composure. Before coming out to Texas, she had a talk with Hassan about what they wanted to accomplish from her visit. He wanted to take the heat off of his daughter for as long as he could so he was okay with Gabi revealing Tamera’s presence in his life and the seriousness of their relationship. The siblings knew that would keep her mind occupied with him instead of Moriah and Zilla.

“Toodles, DiDi! See you at the wedding. And I know I don’t need to say this but,” she paused dramatically. “Please don’t wear white, you’ve had your turn already.”

As she was leaving the house, she laughed hearing Nadine’s tantrum over her revelation. Their plan had worked, she hoped that it would prompt her in losing interest in Moriah and Zilla or at the very least last longer than Hassan predicted it would. When she got into her rental, she texted her big brother and Kamille to let them know the job was done.

“Why your face all tore up? Rye told you it’s time to come in. It’s yall bedtime.” Sefa joked, noticing the frown on his cousin’s face. 

Zilla looked up from his phone and shook his head, trying not to be irritated. “Nah, it ain’t Rye. And I run this, I go to bed when I want.”

Just as those words left his mouth, Moriah poked her head out smiling, making Zilla jump a little and the men laughed. All except Josh, he sat quietly watching the interaction.

“Yall okay out here? Need anything?” 

“We good, sis,” Jacob called back still laughing. “Yall good in there?”

She nodded, giving them all a slightly confused look. “Yeah, we’re good, Just watching a movie. How much longer yall gonna be out here?”

“As long as we want!” Jon piped up playfully.

Moriah laughed, “I was asking the ones in the top 5, not number 6.”

Zilla, Jacob and Sefa ooohed in response. 

“Damn, she got you,” Sefa laughed. “We don’t know yet, Rye.”

“Thank you, number 2. I don’t know why six is getting beside himself.” She joked, dodging the bottle cap Jon threw at her. “It’s getting late so don’t be out here too late, Zay.”

He sucked his teeth at his cousins’ snickering. “I won’t, Fat.”

“I mean it.”

“Fat,” he called out, staring at her, “I’m grown, I come in when I want to.”

The cousins turned to look at Moriah.

“Oh then your grown ass can find another bed to sleep in if you not in the bed when I get in the bed. You got a hour, Isayah.”

Moriah went back in the house, the cousins laughed even louder as soon as she closed the back door. Zilla frowned playfully at them.

“Man, whatever. I go to bed when I want, she just tryna show out.”

“Nah,” Jacob laughed, “That was you tryna show out and sis put you back in your place.”

Zilla’s phone pinging interrupted him, he sucked his teeth when he checked his notifications. Sefa tried to look at the screen.

“Rye making you come in now since you was tryna show out.” 

He shook his head still reading. “Nah, it ain’t Fat.”

“Who is then? Whoever it is must be annoyin cause your face tore up again,” Jon noted.

He put his phone in his lap, looking around at them careful to keep his tone down. “Yall know that backstage girl, Gia?” They all nodded waiting for him to continue. "She been commenting under every picture I posted today, she reposted every story I posted and now she messaging me. She can’t take a damn hint and it’s gettin annoyin as hell.”

“She like you or something?” Sefa asked.

He nodded. “She say she don’t but I can clearly tell she do. She be touchin me and shit when she talk to me no matter how much I move her hands off of me and will stand in my way if I don’t stop to talk to her. She can’t take a hint or she just ignoring them.” 

“I get you tryna be nice but just tell her you got a girlfriend and you not interested.” Jon shrugged.

He huffed hearing his phone go off again. “I always tell her that shit. She always say she just tryna be my friend and keep doin the same shit.”

“She must not have met sis yet.”

Zilla nodded at Jacob. “She did! At the show this week! Fat almost beat her ass, she called Fat my sister then said cousin.”

“Sister?” Sefa repeated with a frown. “Yall don’t look nothin alike”

“And that’s what Fat said. She knew what the hell she was doin.”

“Next time she try you tell her the skating rink story, I bet she leave you alone then. The thought of getting her ass beat until she piss herself will make her stop.”

He shrugged. “All I know is, I ain’t gettin my ass beat cause she can’t take a hint.”

“Is she cute?” Josh asked, now leaning into the conversation. 

“She straight, I ain’t looked at her like that.” Zilla responded with a shrug. 

Josh gave a shrug of his own, Jon stared at his twin mouthing ‘no’ to him and Jacob sat back ready for what would come. Sefa sat perplexed as he looked through Zilla’s many notifications oblivious to the imminent danger his brother was about to put himself in.

“Ion understand what the problem is, uce. She cute, she clearly like you and putin in the effort. Why not talk to her?”

Zilla glared at him. “What you say?”

“I’m just sayin, shorty clearly shootin her shot. Go for it.”

Zilla started to laugh at his cousin. “Oooh, Fat must’ve already told you. Chill, ion want that girl, I’m good where I’m at.”

The way Josh’s face screwed up at the mention of him talking to Moriah was far too dramatic for it to go unnoticed. 

“Hell nah she ain’t tell me nothin.” Josh spat. “I’m tellin you as your big cousin that you need to try another option. Being with Moriah was cool and all but you gettin older and need to be thinkin about settling down. She ain’t who you needa be settlin down with.”

“I know I ain’t just hear that. I know you ain't just tell me to leave my lady.”

The tone of voice was unmistakable to the cousins. They knew their younger cousin was pissed but Josh was the only one who didn’t care. Sefa tapped his arm trying to get his attention but Zilla’s eyes never moved from Josh.

“Wait, Josh ain’t mean that. He was just playing. Right, Uce? Tell em you were playing.” Jon said trying to ease the tension and save his brother.

Jacob spoke up a slight smirk on his face. “Naaah, he wasn’t playin. He meant that shit. Let your brother stand on that shit he said.”

“I know you don’t like nobody tellin you what to do but you need to listen to me. You love her but you can’t change who she is." Josh reasoned not backing down.

Sefa sat confused, looking between them wondering if it was something his brothers and older cousin had forgotten to tell him and Zilla. 

“Ain’t no need to change who she is. She fine as is. The fuck is you talkin bout, mane? My lady straight.” Zilla argued, trying to calm his nerves.

“She gon end up just like her mom and you gon end up alone and heartbroken just like her dad if you stay with her.” Josh answered matter of factly. “Everything cool now but that's the same way it was with her people until it wasn’t. Thats what you want? Give everything to her ass just for her to divorce you, take the kids and the house? Cause if that’s what you want then I’ll leave it alone.”

Sefa spoke up seeing the rage boiling over in his younger cousin. “That ain’t cool, uce. She ain’t like her mom and whatever happened between her parents ain’t got shit to do with us or they relationship.”

Josh waved his brother off, “Fuck that. It got everything to do with them and us. If yall wanna stand by and let him ruin his life by staying with her then that’s cool but I’m not. She just like that lady, I can see that shit already. Save yourself, go date Gia or somebody else but don't stay with her ass.”

Zilla’s eyes met Josh’s with rage just begging to be released. Again he spoke calmly trying not to get too worked up. “Moriah ain’t nothin like that bitter ass, weak ass, evil ass bitch. This the last time ima tell you forreal. And I mean that. Ion know who the fuck you been talkin to and ion really care but when it come to that one in there I ain’t finna play bout her. Whatever you think you know, forget that shit. You my cousin and I’m tryna respect the fact that we family but you keep sayin that shit and I won’t.”

Jacob was proud of his cousin for staying calm knowing how much he cares about and loves Moriah. He knew Josh was lucky they were all related because Zilla would have beat the shit out of anybody else for Moriah without a second thought.

“I love you, Isayah that’s why I’m tellin you this,” Josh replied sincerely, “She gon end up bitter, weak and evil just like her mama. Why would wanna put yourself and your future kids through that? Especially when you don’t have to.”

At the mention of kids again, Zilla got up heading for Josh but Jon and Sefa quickly pushed him back then stood between them. Josh jumped out of his chair with his hands up in surrender showing his younger cousin he meant no harm while Jacob sat in his spot watching everything unfold with his beer in hand and a smile on his face.

“Chill, uce.” Jon said, attempting to calm Zilla down.

Zilla tried pushing them out of his way, seething with anger. “I told you stop sayin that shit! Moriah ain’t like that fuckin lady, aight? Do you even know what the fuck that bitch did to her?”

“And she gon repeat the same shit to your kids, uce! Listen to me!”

Again, Zilla reached for his cousin. “What fuckin kids, man? What kids? That bitch made her abort my fuckin son and made her tie her tubes! She made Fat life hell while I was gone and you sittin here actin like you fuckin know her and you don’t know shit! Don’t speak on my fuckin lady again, I mean that shit!”

All four men stared at him in shock, they were at a loss for words. Zilla angrily wiped the tears from his eyes, his body shook with rage but he backed away. He knew the emotions she had inside of him, although partially for Josh, were mainly for Nadine and he didn’t want to do something he couldn’t take back. Jacob sat his beer down and stood, going to put a comforting hand on Zilla’s shoulder only for it to be shaken off. Zilla snatched his fallen phone up and stormed away from them into the house.

Jon pushed his twin harshly. “This why I told you to leave that shit alone but you just had to say some shit.”

“I told you that boy ain’t right in the head about sis and now you see and know why.” Jacob added, shaking his head. 

Josh shrugged. “Even more reason to leave her ass alone. She gon resent him for that shit on top of everything else.”

Sefa stared. “And you still goin? Leave that shit alone. They happy. Her mama already tryna split them up and here you go. They need support not whatever the fuck you doing.”

“I said what I said. It’s tough but somebody gotta tell em.”

“I should go get em and let em beat yo ass for saying that shit after we just found that evil ass shit out.” Jacob said in disgust. “Sis is family. Better learn to be okay with that shit or learn to be okay with not seeing Zay.”

Zilla took a few minutes in the kitchen to calm his nerves before going to the den where Trinity and Moriah were watching their movie. Both women were cuddled under their own blankets on the large sofa  watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He lightly nudged his girlfriend’s leg.

“What’s up, Zay?”

“Come on,” he said gently pulling the blanket off her, “I’m ready to go to bed.”

“My good sis go to bed when she ready. Right, Rye?” Trinity piped up playfully.

Moriah laughed softly, “That’s right. I was just playing, baby. You could’ve stayed out there as long as you want to.”

He gave a quick, quiet chuckle. “I know. I was ready to come in. Come on.”

Moriah told Trinity good night and grabbed her blanket and phone to follow Zilla. 

Getting to their room, Zilla moved around quietly as he got his things ready for his shower. Moriah watched him, she could hear him mumbling under his breath. 

“You okay, Zay?”

His movements paused, he looked over at her. “Yeah, I’m straight. You comin in with me?”

She thought for a second then nodded. There was something bothering him but she knew him well enough to know that he would tell her when he was ready to. 

The next morning, Zilla woke her up early telling her to get dressed for a surprise he had for her. Apart of her wanted to whine about it being six in the morning but a bigger part was too excited about the surprise. During the drive to her surprise she must have asked him a thousand times to give her a hint or to flat out tell her what the surprise is. She scrunched up her face when they pulled up to a tattoo studio.

“Uuuuh what surprise is in there?” She asked then gasped. “Ooooh! You getting that one that I told your ass not to get covered up? Thank God.”

He rolled his eyes and smirked. “No, I ain’t. I like my tattoo, you don’t gotta like it. But my therapist gave me homework to plan something for us to celebrate Angel and this is what I planned.”

“Oooh you’re gonna get a tattoo for him? I love that, Zay.”

He laughed. “Not me. We. We gon get one for him.”

Her smile dropped into a frown. “Oh no, I'm not. No, no, no.”

“Why not?” He asked turning the car off.

She pouted. “It’s gonna hurt.”

“You so scary,” he laughed, “Mean as shit and scary as shit don’t go together. But I’ll let you bite me if it hurts.”

She sat quietly pondering the proposition for a moment. “Anywhere I want?”

“Anywhere appropriate in public, Fat.”

“And you won’t complain?”

“Won’t complain.”

“Deal! And if I cry, you cannot tell anybody,” she added. 

He stuck his pinky to her. “Only if you go first.”

“Mmmm … fine fine!”

Six hours later, the couple was leaving the shop with their fresh tattoos. Zilla’s placed under his on his upper arm below his father’s name and Moriah’s on her forearm. While they were there, Zilla went ahead and added Moriah’s name by his right eyebrow. The couple stood in front of his car in an embrace. 

“You did good for your first one, Fat. Zilla proud of you. You ain’t even cry.”

She smiled wide at his praise. “Thank you, I wanted to at first but it was just my nerves. It wasn’t that bad.”

“I told your scary ass that,” he pointed out. “And we’ll be back as soon as I figure out where Zilla name goin on you. It gotta be a special spot.”

“Boy, I’m not fooling with you. Anyway … I can’t believe you got that though. Why couldn’t you put it somewhere else?” She laughed.

He leaned down to kiss her. “The same reason I couldn’t put Mama name nowhere else, I ain’t want to. This where I want my favorite ladies cause I want everybody to see em and know.”

“You could’ve put it on your chest, Zay.”

“If Zilla put it there then Zilla gotta be shirtless all the time,” he pointed out. “Is that what Fat want?”

Moriah laughed  at him, rolling her eyes playfully. “No, Fat does not want that. You get on my nerves. Shawn and Booker are gonna kill you.”

“Naaaaah,” he drug out laughing. “I told them. They was cool with it.”

“Or did they just know that you weren’t really asking and you were gonna do it anyway?”

He leaned his head down to her shoulder laughing. “Shit probably so. They know I can make good choices. Shit best choice I made was you.”

She stared up at him. “I can’t tell if that was a compliment for you or for me.”

“Both,” he answered, kissing her head. “Wanna get food before we go back to the house?”

“For everybody or you wanna sit and eat?”

“Sit and eat, Fat. We got something else to do when we get back to the house.” He informed her.

He released her from their embrace, leading her to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She stared at him as he reached across her to fasten her seatbelt. 

“What we gotta do? Trin said she was sleepin in.”

“We got snugglin to catch up on. Ain’t you say I hadnt been wantin ro?” He asked, still leaning over, his face inches from hers.

“I mean yeah but your cousins are there and probably awake.”

 He shrugged. “Guess you better learn to be quiet.”

[thatssonanii]

Note from Nani

Hurricane Helene came through my city in GA and did DAMAGE. Thankfully me and my house are okay, she just tore my trees the fuck up. But the city ... it's down bad. She literally tore traffic lights down in most of the city (FYI my city is the second largest in the state so to put it in perspective) and got trees, power lines and shit all over the place.

We have no power at all.

The plan was to have the new chapter (15 I think lol) up today but with no power and my in and out connection it's not gonna happen.

I'll have it up as soon as things calm down and get fixed up.

Keep us in your prayers and if you're dealing with remnants of Helene, you're in my prayers as well!

Thank yall for the support and reading my work! Please continue to reblog, share, and comment on Against All Odds to help it reach others!

💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

Pictures in case yall wanted to see

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Eleven

A/N: I'm on a roll, yall! Enjoy! Please remember to ⭐Comment, reblog & share⭐

Warnings: Slight mentions of abortion, cursing, physical violence. TYPOS. 18+ MINORS DNI

Masterlist

Chapter Ten

Saturday had rolled around quicker than Zilla would have liked. His first go round in therapy was mandated, though he did learn a couple things he didn't take much from it. The therapist they paid him with wasn't a good match and they wouldn't let him swap. But this time his therapist was someone chosen by a loved one. While he trusted Kamille's decision he wondered how this therapist would be. She had told him that he could take Moriah but with everything that's transpired between them, he figured it wouldn't be a good idea to take her. 

The suede sofa felt good under him, he rubbed his left hand back and forth on the arm of the sofa. Dr. Barnes sat in the matching chair across from Zilla awaiting the answer to his question. 

“If you don't wanna answer, we can circle back to it at the end of the session, Mr. Fatu.”

At the sound of his name, Zilla's eyes moved from the sofa to his new therapist. 

“Can you ask it again?”

“Sure,” Dr. Barnes chuckled, “What landed you on my sofa?”

Zilla's eyebrows rose for a second. “You want the long answer or the short answer?”

Again, he chuckled. “For the sake of time, since we have a shorter session today you can go ahead and give me the short version.”

“Short version is Pops died when I was little and I just found out I had a kid, they dead too.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your father and your child. Which one would you like to talk about first, Mr. Fatu?”

Zilla scratched his face, chuckling. “You can call me Zilla, man. You ain’t gotta call me mister. But uuuh I guess Angel.”

Dr. Barnes nodded, giving the younger man his undivided attention. “Zilla it is. Angel is your child, I’m assuming. Boy or girl.”

“Boy.”

“How old?”

He rubbed at his nose, deflating against the suede material. “I guess you could say 12 week or sum’ like that.”

Dr. Barnes studied his reaction with a slight brow raise. “Tell me about the circumstances.”

“Uuh, my girlfriend she found she was pregnant after I got locked up and when she was 12 weeks I think, her mom made her,” he paused rubbing his hands together, “She made her get rid of the baby.”

Dr. Barnes wrote a few things down.

“You said that you are just finding out about his passing so no one told you when it happened. How did that make you feel that no one told you?”

He sat quietly for a few minutes then shrugged. “I mean I was pissed at first that they hid it from me.”

“And now?”

“I get it. They weren’t not tellin’ me at first cause they ain’t know how but they were gonna tell me. Then when that bi–that lady did what she did, they felt like it was Fat place to tell me and she was scared to tell me.”

Dr. Barnes wrote a few things then looked up with a smile on his face. “Fat?”

“Oh, Moriah, that’s my lady.” He informed him with a proud smile on his face. “Wanna see her?”

Dr. Barnes chuckled out his response then sat his notepad aside so he could lean up. He took Zilla’s phone, a smile on his face while he studied it for a moment then gave it back. 

“She's beautiful. Who else is in the picture?”

“Thank you. Our niece and my mama,” he said, glancing at the screensaver before putting it away. 

“Have you and your mom talked about the circumstances with Angel?”

“Not really no. Like for a second but nothin past that. I wanted Rye to be involved when we talked and she's finally off today.”

Dr. Barnes smiled. “Today is the day then. How does that feel? From the picture it seems you and your mother have a good relationship.”

His smile was back again. “Yeah, we do. It got better when I got out. I feel kinda nervous.”

“Tell me about that.”

“Cause me and Fat talked to each other about it and I talked to one of my brothers but it's different with our parents. Well my mama and her dad.”

“You think you're gonna hear something that might make you emotional or you think she's gonna tell you something that you and Moriah may not already know?”

“Is both a good answer?”

Dr. Barnes leaned up, resting his arms on his thighs. “There's no right or wrong answer. Whatever answer you give is the answer, Zilla.”

He nodded slowly stroking his chin hair. “Then both.”

“It's okay to feel nervous or apprehensive to talk about something as long as you do it. Going through with it is the focus. Make sure you're open to listening to what your mom says and that you get whatever questions out. If you feel like you might forget, type them up on your phone.”

“Yeah … maybe, man.”

Checking his watch, Dr. Barnes steepled his fingers, pointing his index fingers at Zilla. “You almost made it through your first session. How do you feel about making this a regular meet up? I promise if you're not comfortable, I'm okay with that. You can't heal and grow properly if you're not comfortable.”

Zilla thought for a second, making the commitment of talking about his feelings every other week made him nervous. The question echoed in his head a few times then his mind went to his relationship and his family. 

“I'm coo’ with that.” He answered with a small smile. “We can do that.”

“Great, great. So I'm going to give you a little homework.” Dr. Barnes chuckled at his frown. “You act like I'm about to assign you geometry homework or something. It's something easy and you don't even have to write anything down.”

Zilla laughed a little sitting back up. “My bad. Homework ain't ever been my thang.”

“Mine either,” he chuckled. “Your homework is for you to plan something for you and Moriah to celebrate Angel. Doesn't have to be extravagant unless you want it to be. Just something. Sound good?”

Zilla scrunched his face a little. “Like something fa kids?”

“Whatever you think is appropriate to celebrate you and Moriah's son. Something that you can look back on and always think of him. Okay?”

“Aight, I can do that.”

“I know you can. I’ll see you in two weeks, can't wait to hear about what you planned.”

After therapy, Zilla stopped by a floral shop and a bakery he passed on the way home. He eased into their apartment, sat her gifts on the coffee table then followed her voice to their bathroom. Moriah rapped along to her music as she finished up her skin care routine, Zilla stood in the doorway watching her with a smile on his face. 

“That's yo shit, huh?” He laughed seeing her jump. “How you scary listenin to thug ass music?”

“You're gonna give me a heart attack, Isayah!”

“Naaaah,” he laughed, going to give her a kiss, “You'll be aight.”

Pulling him closer, she kissed him a few more times and hugged him. “Oh whatever. How'd it go?”

“Went good, Auntie picked a good one.”

Moriah clapped excitedly then grabbed one of her moisturizers from the counter. She squeezed a little bit into her hand. “So you're gonna go back then?”

“Yeah, ima go back, Fat.”

“Tell me about it.” She dabbed a bit of the moisturizer onto her fingertips then started to massage it into his face, “Girl or guy? Old or young? Me or them or you?”

He laughed trying to get away from her hands. “Mane, what is you puttin on me?”

“I thought you were losing your thick ass accent but I see it's still there,” she joked. “Moisturizer. Now answer please.”

“I don't need that.” He complained allowing her to continue. “Man, older, you. Aight na, you don't gotta squeeze my cheeks like that.”

She giggled while still doing it. “You squeeze mine and I don't say nothing.”

Grabbing her hips, Zilla pulled her closer to him then slid his hand to her butt and squeezed.

“Cause you like that shit. Duh.”

“Isayah,” she squealed, “Stop that, I'm tryna help you moisturize.”

“I already got my own moisturizer, I don't need that.”

She stared at him. “Boy what moisturizer you got? I have never seen you use moisturizer. I have to put everything on your face.”

“You know what moisturizer I got, Fat.”

“Nope, I don't. Tell me.”

His eyes met hers, glanced down briefly then back up with a smirk on his face. She stared at him for a moment before it hit her. 

“Why are you like this?”

“Like what?”

“Nasty for no reason.”

“It ain't for no reason,” he laughed, “It's all to make you happy so say thank you.”

Laughing, Moriah stepped away from him to the sink to wash her hands. Not one to be away from her, Zilla moved to stand behind her, staring at her through the mirror. Her eyes met his for a brief moment making her smile. 

“Zay,” she called out softly. 

He hummed out a response.

“I don't know if you know this but,” she paused to turn the water off and dry her hands, “There's no other place I'd rather be than here with you.”

Her heart swelled watching the tint rise to his cheeks as his smile spread across his face. It wasn't often she was able to make him blush so when she did, she enjoyed it. Pulling her closer once again, Zilla put his face in her neck kissing her there then lifted his head to look at her through the mirror. 

“You sure?” He asked softly. 

“Of course, I am.”

He kissed her face a few times. “I got you something. Come on.”

Moriah allowed him to lead her out to the gifts. Immediately she went to the flowers, inhaling their scent and gently caressing their petals. Zilla quickly snuck a couple of pictures of her.

“They're so pretty, Zay. I love them. You picked them?”

He scrunched his face playfully. “What I get if I say yes?”

She laughed softly looking over at him. “The same thing you'd get if you had help.”

“Mmm then yeah, I did. I did good? I think I remembered all the ones you like.”

She nodded, moving her eyes back to the flowers. “You did. All that time I thought you weren't listening to me but you were.”

“I tell you all the time, even though I wasn't actin like it all the time, you was and is the most important to me, Fat. I listened to everything you said to me.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, girl. I mean it.”

She tilted her head back and puckered her lips at him. He put a hand on her throat, pecking her lips a few times. They held each other's stare for a moment until she stuck her tongue out at him making him laugh. 

“Silly ass, I got you something else. I'm surprised you ain't see it first.”

She frowned a little, turning to look. “Ooooh that's a bakery box. What you get me?”

“Open it and see.”

She eyed him before turning to the box that sat on their coffee table alongside the vase of flowers. She slowly opened it, excitedly wiggling when her eyes landed on the contents. 

“I haven't had good red velvet cake since we left Texas, babe. Wait … is it good?”

He sucked his teeth playfully. “I'm not tryna get cussed out about that damn cake, I wouldn't give it to you if it wasn't, Fat. And I damn sure wouldn't have got you a whole cake if it wasn't.”

She laughed. “I cussed you out one time and you won't let it go.”

He stared at her. “Twice. Both times you went on for a hour and a half.”

“Blah, blah,” she said, picking the box up, carrying it to the kitchen, “You want a piece?”

“No and neither do you.”

“Wait, what?”

He chuckled. “You heard me. You not eatin that right now. Close it up and get back over here.”

She pouted. “But why not?”

“Cause I said so. I know you ain't ate no real food so you not eatin no cake right now.”

The following silence made him chuckle. Quietly, he crossed their apartment to the kitchen. He watched her try to quietly cut a piece. 

“Moriah,” he called out sternly. 

She jumped and pouted. “Just a little piece.”

“What I say?”

Rolling her eyes, Moriah closed the box lying the knife across the top and slid her feet over to him. He kissed her head ignoring her pouting.

“Think you my Daddy,” she mumbled as she walked past him. 

He laughed. “I know I am cause you told me. Get in that room so we can call Mama.”

The couple laid across their bed with Moriah's iPad in front of them waiting for Leata to answer their facetime. Zilla bothered Moriah while they waited. 

“If you lick my face again, I'm gonna bite you.” She warned. 

Zilla paused for a second then laughed as he leaned in to lick up her jaw to her cheek. Grabbing his face, Moriah pulled him closer and bit his cheek just as Leata answered the call. She sat quietly watching them, glad they were in a good place still. Laughing, Zilla pulled away from her grasp and wiped his cheek.

“Don't lick me again, Fatu.” She laughed. 

He leaned forward and licked her lips. “You say I don't listen anyway so.”

“Isayah, stoooop.” She laughed, wiping her lips. “You so annoying.”

“But you love me,” he laughed, leaning over to do it again. 

“Zilla, what are you doin to her?”

“Making her laugh, Mama.”

“No, you're annoying me,” Moriah corrected, laughing. “Tell him to leave me alone, Ma.”

She chuckled softly. “Behave, Zilla. How are you two?”

“I'm aight. How you?”

“I'm good, son. Rye, how are you?”

“Well,” she said bumping Zilla, “I was good till your son started bothering me. And he wouldn't let me have any of the cake that he got me. He's being annoying and mean.”

Leata looked between the two of them. “Why can't she have cake?”

“Cause big head ain't ate real food since last night.”

“Rye, its what,” she paused to look at the time, “Almost 2 and you haven't eaten yet? You need to eat before all that sweet stuff.”

Moriah pouted. “Yes ma'am but only cause you said it and not him.”

Zilla mushed her head playfully. “Either way you ain't gettin it right now.”

“Alright, are yall ready to talk?” She asked stopping them before they could start arguing. They nodded putting their attention back on her. “Okay so where are we starting?”

Moriah nodded for Zilla to go.

“Um when yall found out Fat was pregnant, did you and her people talk without her?”

“We did. We actually spoke a few times. Rye, you don't know this but Hassan knew before you told him. You said you wanted to tell the two of them at the same time but you and I were going to need him as an ally while you told Nadine.” She explained. “When he got in town, I had him come to the house first so I could talk to him. He understood my point of view and he was glad that I had told him prior to. His main concern was the two of you and the baby.”

“Wow … thank you. I didn't even think about that.” Moriah admitted.

“Of course, manamea. While Rye were in school, the three of us got together to discuss the whole situation. It was made clear that no one was to say anything to you until I figured out how to tell you. Surprisingly enough, Nadine agreed to that but knowing what she did that's probably why.”

Zilla nodded, rubbing over his chin hairs. “Anything else?”

Leata thought for a few seconds. “Just that even though the timing of the pregnancy wasn't ideal, Hassan and I were never mad at you two. A little disappointed but we were honest with ourselves,” she chuckled, “We saw it coming from a mile away. We thought it'd be a little later but we knew.”

Moriah and Zilla looked at each other then back at the screen. 

“Knew what, Ma?” She asked with her brow raised. 

“That there was gonna be a pregnancy or a scare at some point in high school. We knew it.”

Zilla scrunched his face up. “We wasn't even datin then.”

Again she chuckled. “You two never put a name to it but yall were. You went on dates, you were always cuddled up on my sofa, in your bedroom with the door closed and locked and sneaking out together.”

The couple laughed softly. 

“We wasn't doin nothin that most of that time. Not till later.”

“Oh trust me, son.” She laughed. “I know when yall started. I just didn't say anything. You didn't wonder why all of a sudden your brothers were giving you condoms and talking to you?”

Zilla laughed thinking back about it while Moriah sat mortified with small giggles escaping her. 

“I'm embarrassed,” she declared. “I told you, Zay.”

He laughed. “You was always scary anyway so I ain't pay you no attention.”

“Any other questions for me?”

Moriah looked to her boyfriend for his response. 

“Uuuh … after Fat told you what happened, what did you do?”

“Well first I went to pray,” she chuckled humorlessly, “Because if I didn't, I knew whatever I would've done would not have been good. I consoled and talked to Rye until she had to go back home afterwards I went to my bedroom and I cried. I called Arthur to tell him, he was livid. I had to keep him from going to see Nadine. And then you ended up calling me, Isayah. You usually never called as late as you did but I remember you saying something was telling you to call me so you did.”

Zilla tried hard to remember that call, he could recall certain parts of the conversation but not all of it. 

She continued on. 

“It was hard to act like everything was okay but I had to because I knew it wasn't my place to tell you. I could assist Rye with it but that was all. Plus telling you while you were in there would not have been good.”

Moriah reached over to wipe the few stray tears from his face. He sniffed a few times. 

“I appreciate y'all for carin enough about me not tell tell me then cause I prolly would've got more time. I woulda caused hell in that place.”

“And that's what we didn't want.” Leata said softly. 

Zilla leaned over, kissing Moriah's cheek then whispered for her to go ahead. She nodded, starting to play with her fingernails. 

“I gotta tell you something else about this whole thing, Ma.”

“I'm listening, Rye. Whatever it is, it's got you nervous. You only do that with your nails when you're nervous.”

She smiled a little, trying to stop clicking her nails. “After everything, I kept asking my mom for information. I wanted to know if she knew the gender and what they did with my baby afterwards. Then finally she told me that she had the gender and she had them cremate the remains. And she said the only way I was getting any of that and my sonograms was under one condition.”

“Which was what?”

Moriah bit her lip, fighting the urge to cry. “I had to get my tubes tied.”

Leata frowned, leaning in a bit closer. “You had to what? Cause I know Nadine did not.”

“I had to get my tubes tied, Ma. I wanted what I had left of my baby so I agreed.”

Leata's face was set in shock on the other side of the facetime. There were so many words that wanted to come out but she was unable to say a thing. Moriah asked Zilla to pass her the baby blue box from his nightstand, when she got it she held it in view for Leata to see. Zilla rubbed soothing circles on her back. 

“She just had him in this ugly carton thing so I used the money that my dad had given me for something else to buy him this. He's gone everywhere with me even college,” she chuckled softly.

Trying to process everything, Leata brought her hands to her face for a moment. She allowed her tears to fall freely as she stared at the screen. 

“He?”

“Yes ma'am,” Moriah tilted it a bit to show where his name was engraved at the top. “I was having a boy. I named him Angel.”

“Oh, Rye. This just makes what she did that much worse. It wasn't enough that she made you abort Angel but then continued to use him to manipulate you and pretty much take away the chance to have another.”

Zilla and Moriah sat quietly listening to her come to terms with everything.

Leata took slow deep breaths. “That is an evil woman that neither of you need to be around. I know that's your mother, Moriah but you have done all you can do. There is no saving grace for her and you will not give her any. Do you hear me?”

“Yes ma'am.”

“I am so sorry that she did that to you, Rye. If I would've known I would've done something to stop it. Does Hassan know?”

“I know, Ma. No, I never told anyone until now so only you, Zay, my mom and me know.”

She nodded. “Well no one will find out from me, that is your business to tell. I um I need to go. I love the two … the three of you so much. Call me or text me if you need me.”

Zilla noticed the look on his mother's face and got concerned. “You good, Mama? You look pale.”

“I'm okay, I'm okay. Just processing. I'm gonna go.”

Without waiting on them to respond, she disconnected the call. Moriah closed her iPad case then rolled onto her side to look at her boyfriend.

“She is not okay.”

“She ain't,” he agreed. He grabbed his phone sending out a quick text, “I told Arthur to go check on her.”

“She looked pissed. I'm pretty sure if not now, in the next few days she's gonna go see my mom.”

Zilla thought then shrugged. “Nadine need her ass whooped anyway. She get what she get.”

Moriah laughed, “You not wrong but Ma do not need to be doing that. We don't want her to get in any trouble.”

He huffed loudly. “You right but Nadine still need her ass whooped. I guess text Auntie Kami too but that would mean you gotta tell her.”

Moriah tapped on her phone, sighing softly. “The good thing about Auntie Kami is I don't need to tell her right now and even though she'll find out in the midst, I can still talk to her about it later and she'll be okay with it.”

Zilla gently pushed Moriah back, making her lie on her back so he could put his head on her chest. She reached one hand down to rub his head while she continued to text. 

“I'm proud of you, Fat.”

“What did I do?”

“Everything. You went through all that plus her basically torturin you till I got out and you stood ya ground. You strong baby.” He praised softly. “You got a good ass heart too. I ain't gon let nobody else play with that shit or you. Zilla got you.”

“And Fat got you. You know I do not play about you.”

He laughed a bit. “Shit, I know. Remember ole girl you beat up at that skate party? Made that girl piss herself.”

Moriah busted out laughing, almost dropping her phone. “I did not.”

“Yeah you did. I remember,” He laughed “I remember cause when you realized it got on your hand, you punched her ass in the mouth.”

“Cause that shit was nasty. If she couldn't hold her bladder she shouldn't have started with you.”

He turned over to look at her, a smile on his face. “I thought you said you ain't do that?”

She stared at him trying not to laugh. “Okay, fine, I did. But in my defense I was only doing what Pops, Ejay, and your cousins taught me to do.”

“They did not tell you to make nobody piss they self, mane. You did that.” He laughed now sitting up.

“They did so. They said make sure whoever I fight is leaking by the end. They never specified what kind of leak.” She shrugged playfully. “Point is, I won, she apologized and never bothered you again.”

He shook his head at her, still laughing. “And that's why I tell people not fuck witchu cause they don't want them problems. And I don't either.”

She swatted at his arm after she put her phone down. “Don't tell people that. They gon think I'm mean.”

He pushed his lips to the side staring at her. “That ain't a secret, Fat. Everybody that know ya ass know you mean as shit. You only nice to your patients, Mama, Hassan, and Toni. And I really don't think you that nice to Toni, I just ain't seen it yet.”

“Aht. I am nice to her. She's not nice to me.”

“Damn,” he called out, “That mean she meaner than you. Yall was meant to be friends.”

Moriah sat up and launched herself at him, he grabbed Angel's box moving it to the nightstand then wrapped his arms around her. He laughed as she landed playful jabs to his torso.

“Since I'm mean, I might as well beat you up then, Fatu.”

“Now you know the only one of us that gets beat up around here is you,” He joked, tickling her sides making her giggle uncontrollably. “Now say sorry.”

“Zay! Zay, stop!” She yelled in between giggles.

He continued his playful assault on her sides through his own laughter. “Say sorry and I stop.”

“Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!” She yelled.

He hummed not stopping. “That ain't enough. Am I your daddy, Fat?”

“Zilla, I gotta pee!” She giggled. 

He laughed still tickling her.  “Then you better answer me. Am I your daddy?”

She fell over giggling. “Yes! You're my Daddy! Stoooop!”

Laughing, he let her go. He watched her jump off the bed and run into the bathroom closing the door behind her. She yelled from behind the door. 

“You get on my nerves, Fatu!” 

He grabbed his ringing phone and put it to his ear. “Love you too, Fat! What's up, Jon?”

“The hell is yall doing? Yelling in my ear.” He asked, talking just as loud. 

Zilla laughed putting the call on speaker. “Nothin, man. What's up?”

“Checkin to make sure yall still coming this weekend. Trin made me call cause she said if her favorite cousin not here I'm gon be in trouble.”

“Ayyye, I'm the favorite. Tell her we gon be there.”

Jon laughed. “She wasn't talkin about you, man. She was talkin about Moriah.”

He sucked his teeth. “Just for that tell her, I'm comin but Fat stayin home.”

Moriah came out of the bathroom and went back to the bed, leaning against Zilla. “I'm not staying home. If I don't go, you don't go.”

“I can go places without you, big head.”

“You can but you can't go visit them without me.”

He looked down at her. “Why I can't?”

She stared back at him. “Jon gon let you live with him?”

Jon laughed, interrupting them. “Damn, she sound just like Trin. Always tryna put us out over a lil jokey joke.”

“Cause yall not funny.” Moriah fired back playfully. “We'll be there, Jon. And I want the same room, Trin told me it was mine.”

“Lil girl, how you just gon claim stuff in my house?” 

“Huh? You said you want me to tell Trin you being mean to me?”

“Maaaan,” he drug out playfully, “Aight fine but you gon tell Sefa why he can't have that room.”

Moriah squealed, “My second favorite Fatu man is gonna be there? Why you didn't tell me before?”

Zilla frowned. “I better be the first favorite.”

She scrunched her face. “Ew, no. Arthur's my first favorite then Sefa.”

“And what number am I?” Jon asked. 

“Uuuuh let's see …. There's Arthur, Sefa, Zilla, Jacob, Ejay, you and then Naio.” 

“Now wait a damn minute,” Jon called out, “I'm number six! Why am I so low on the list? What I do?”

“And why am I number three?”

“Jon, you're never on my side just like Naio so that's what yall get,” she explained quickly, “And you're number three because Arthur spoils me and Sefa always took my side and the both of them always check on me.”

Both men sucked their teeth. 

“Aye, Zay, we gon jump Sefa this weekend. Traitor.”

Zilla laughed. “Hell yeah.”

“But aight then. Text me what snacks and stuff yall want for the weekend so I can add it to the list. Call if yall need anything.”

“Bye number six!” Moriah joked. 

Job sucked his teeth. “Just for that, no snacks for you.”

“Bye, man.” Zilla chuckled, ending their call. “Fat?”

“What, big head?”

“I'm really number 3?”

She nodded, smiling. “Yup but you're my number one Fatu in the non platonic way.”

“I'm the only non platonic Fatu you got.”

She huffed playfully. “Boy, just take the number one spot and hush.”

After her shift, Moriah changed out of her work clothes and into her regular clothes then went to the ED to wait on Toni. She watched the older woman check in a second patient in the last ten minutes. Bronco, Zilla and Moriah had finally convinced Toni to come to a show and see him wrestle. 

“Nurse Bryant, it's fifteen minutes past your shift.” Moriah called out looking at her watch. 

Toni finished up with the patient then turned to her friend. “I couldn't just stop what I was doing, Rye. I'm coming, give me a second.”

“We're gonna be late if you don't come on. We still have to stop by your house to drop off your car and for you to change, go to mine to drop my car off and uber to the show. Bring your butt on.”

The handheld monitor went off again interrupting them. Before Toni could check it, Moriah snatched it and passed it to the nurses relieving her, who had been trying to get it. They had a short conversation then Moriah pulled her friend from behind the nurses station and towards the doors.

“Wait, wait, my purse.” Toni called out trying to go back. 

“It's in my bag, let's go. Cause if I miss my man because of you, me and you are gonna need a ref.”

When the friends got to their cars, Thomas was sitting on the hood of Moriah's car. Toni rolled her eyes and Moriah stayed to dig through her purse. 

“Why are you sitting on her car? Get off.”

Thomas smiled. “Was just waiting on her. No harm done, Toni.”

“Yet you're still sitting on it,” she clocked with a tilt of her head. 

He waved her off putting his focus on Moriah. “Can we talk, Moriah? It won't take but a second.”

“You have until I find what I'm looking for to say whatever it is you wanna say to me and I believe I told you to call me Nurse DeBreaux.”

“I just wanted to tell you that I'll love you and wanna be with you regardless of us being able to have children. We can try and if it doesn't work, we can always adopt. I really want to give us another try, I've matured. I'm not the same person I used to be.”

“Found it,” she announced triumphantly and pulled her pink taser Jacob had given her years ago from her purse. She moved closer to him, putting it near his crutch. “If you ever sit on my car again, call me anything but what I've told you to call me or bring my medical information up again, I won't be the only one who may not have kids. Am I clear?” She pressed the side making it spark for emphasis. 

Toni stood back laughing to herself.

He jumped a little. “Whoa, I'm just tryna make amends. It's bad enough you might not have kids, don't want you to be alone on top of it.”

“Why do you assume I'll be alone, Thomas?”

“Look at all the kids in that family. If you can't give him kids, he's not gonna stay when he finds out.”

Moriah chuckled. “Get the hell off my car, Thomas. You got five seconds.” 

He jumped off the hood, taking a few steps back. “Just think about it, Mo.”

“You are so lucky I got somewhere to be. Stay away from me and I mean that shit.” After he jogged off, Moriah turned her taser off and threw it back in her purse. She passed Toni her own purse. “I'll follow you to your house. We gotta hurry.”

Forty five minutes later, the friends made it to NXT Arena at Full Sail University. They walked around the backstage area looking for their other halves.

“Haven't you been here before?” Toni asked, looking around. 

“Yeah twice but both times he was with me. Let's just ask somebody.” Moriah looked around then spotted what looked like a friendly face. She approached the woman, tapping her shoulder. “Sorry to bother you but we're kinda lost.”

She smiled looking at the two of them. “Well I hope I can help. I'm literally like two almost three weeks in. What are yall looking for?”

“Catering. We're supposed to meet someone there.”

“Now that I can find. Follow me,” she laughed, starting to head in that direction with them. “I'm Gia, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you. I'm Moriah and this is Toni.” Toni gave a polite smile and wave when Gia looked over at her. “What do you do here, Gia?”

“Journalist but in basic terms, I do backstage interviews.”

“Sounds cool. And you don't have to get all sweaty and thrown around so that's good.” Moriah joked, ignoring Toni’s mimicking. 

“That's the best part,” Gia agreed, stopping in front of catering, “Do you see who you're looking for?”

Moriah and Toni looked around for a few seconds. Toni nudged her friend's arm and pointed. 

“I see them over there.”

“Where?” Moriah asked, frowning. 

Toni pointed, “Right there. Left corner. I know you see Bronco's tall ass and Zilla.”

Gia's ears perked up at the mention. “I see them. Come on, I'll walk yall.”

“Uuh, we got it but thank you, Gia.” Toni frowned.

Gia laughed it off. “No worries plus I hadn't had a chance to speak to them today. They're always on the move.”

Gia walked in front of them, leaving the two friend's to exchange looks before following her. Moriah mumbled under her breath a bit. 

“Oh my gosh, Zilla! Look who I found wandering around,” she announced putting a hand on his arm.

Moriah didn't miss the grimace on his face as he looked in Gia's direction. He moved her hand then noticed Moriah and Toni. Bronco rolled his eyes accepting Toni's hug. He whispered to her that Gia got on his nerves. Zilla smiled widely at Moriah going to hug her. 

“What's up, Fat? What's up, Toni?”

“You didn't tell me your sister and her friend was coming, Zilla. I could've met them at the gate for you since you and Bronco had them wandering around.”

Toni laughed under her breath looking up at Bronco, who rolled his eyes again. 

“Sister? Do me and him look alike to you?” Moriah asked, confused. 

Gia laughed, clasping her hands in front of her body. “I'm sorry, I was assuming. Cousin then?”

Zilla pulled Moriah into his side, placing a kiss to her temple. “She not my cousin. This my lady, mane. And we got them. We good, Gia.”

“Oooh this is your girlfriend? He really loves you, girl. Every time I talk to him, he mentions you.”

“I wonder why,” Toni mumbled. 

Moriah smiled looking between them. “Good to know, Gia.”

Gia patted his chest a few times then let her hand linger there. “He's a tough cookie to crack but I think I'm wearing him down. We're gonna be friends. And don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him for you. These girls around here can be a bit much.”

Before Zilla could, Moriah pushed her hand off of him.

“Yeah I can see that about the girls,” Moriah sassed tilting her head. “Just a little thing to keep in mind about him … he doesn't like to be touched by people he don't know like that and I don't either.”

“Noted, girl. I'll make sure they keep their hands off of my friend.” Gia smiled at Zilla and Bronco then moved to hug Moriah and Toni. “Enjoy the show. Ooh come find me afterwards, we can go get drinks.”

Moriah turned to stare at her boyfriend, who held his hands up. 

“Fat, I ain't do shit. She can't take a hint.” 

Bronco nodded. “He ain't lying. He literally gives her no indication that it's okay for her to even talk to him and she still do it.”

Moriah folded her arms. “She better learn how to take a hint or she gon have a problem that she don't want. Talking about some damn sister or cousin. She knew I wasn't either one of those.”

“She did,” Toni agreed, “She was trying to be messy.”

“And had the nerve to put her hands all on him like I'm not standing here. She lucky I ain't break her damn hand.”

Toni clapped her hands. “Girl, seriously. She was trying you. Being all bold like, I can imagine what she does when you're not here.”

Moriah groaned inwardly. “And she better hope I don't ever find out cause I will beat her ass and then ima beat his ass.”

“And then ima beat Bronco's ass,” Toni added.

“Wait, I moved her hand just like I do any other time and tell her to stop. Why I'm gettin my ass beat?” Zilla asked. 

“Ion even like that girl and I tell her to leave him alone. I shouldn't be gettin my ass beat.” Bronco stressed. 

“Just so yall know we not nothing to play with,” Toni explained with finality. 

Moriah nodded. “That part.”

“Listen, me and Bronco not worried about that girl. We dodge her ass and whenever she do catch us, we keep it short. Right, B?”

Bronco nodded. “Right.”

“It better stay that way too. I don't mind beating her ass, Isayah.”

Zilla nodded her face then her lips, holding her body against his. “I know you don't. Don't worry about her, she ain't important.”

“Mmhm.”

“Oh! Rye almost tased Thomas’s nuts off.” Toni announced with a chuckle. 

Zilla looked at Toni then his girlfriend. “Not that it matter but why?”

“He was sitting his ass on my damn car and was tryna talk to me about being together,” she explained, “Then I told him if he ever sat on my car or brought what he brought up again, I wouldn't be the only one with fertility issues.”

“Good job, sis.” Bronco praised excitedly. “But next time do it. Teach his ass.”

Toni hit his arm, chastising him.

“You know when he work next?”

“Why?” She asked, staring at him. 

“Do you know, Fat?”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah, Thursday same time as me.”

“Aight, yall go head to your seats. We'll send somebody to get yall before the show over.” He pulled her closer, kissing her slowly. “I love you, fat head.”

She laughed softly. “Love you more, Fatu. See you later, Bronco.”

Bronco hugged and kissed Toni then smiled at Moriah. “Aight, sis. Yall cheer loud for me and my boy.”

The men watched their girlfriends leave catering before turning to one another. Bronco's smile widened with a mischievous glint in his eye. 

“What time I need to be ready Thursday?”

Fortunately for Nadine, Kamille was able to detour Leata for a couple of days. Knowing her sister's work schedule, she invited Nadine to her house Wednesday afternoon for a snack and to talk. Kamille left the detail about Leata coming out to ensure her sister came. 

Leata and Kamille had been sitting in her living room since Arthur dropped her off thirty minutes prior. The two waited on Nadine's arrival. 

“Which one of your babies was that, that dropped you off?”

“Arthur, my oldest. And he was not happy that I wouldn't let him stay.” She chuckled. 

Kamille laughed. “Yeah, he didn't look happy. Rye told me that he's the only brother that knows so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that he's on the list of people that aren't happy with my sister.”

“He's definitely on that list. I don't blame him … just thinking about it makes me so angry. She was 15 years old, a baby.”

“I've been giving her shit about the way she's been with Moriah for years and she tells me the same thing every time. That she can do what she wants with her child.”

Leata rolled her eyes. “Same crap she's said to me.”

The door opening and closing momentarily ended their conversation. Nadine called out for her sister then followed her voice to the living room. Her smile slowly dropped into a frown as she went to sit on the love seat. 

“You didn't tell me there would be a third wheel, little sister.”

Kamille smiled. “Seems like you were the last one here so you're the third wheel, big sister. How are you?”

“I'm well. How are you? Hello, Leata.”

“Same, Nadine.” Kamille answered, nudging Leata.

“Hi, Nadine.” She greeted stiffly.

Nadine hummed at her. “How is your son treating my baby?”

“You would know if she were still talking to you,” Leata chuckled, “He's treating her the way he's always treated her, like a queen.”

“Queen of what? The hood?”

Kamille jumped in to stop them. “Nadine, cut it out. Don't get sassy because you know she's right.”

“Kami, why am I here? I've been working all day and I am too tired for this.”

Girl,” Kamille scoffed, “You worked two hours today, you not tired. Anyway Leata wanted to talk to you and I am here to facilitate. Don't be your usual asshole self either.”

Nadine rested her elbow on the arm rest, moving her attention from her little sister to Leata. “What would you like to talk about, Leata? What can I do for you?”

Leata counted backwards from ten in her head before responding. “I'm just gonna jump right in, I don't have the patience to beat around the bush. You made Moriah get her tubes tied?”

“Yup.” She answered popping the ‘p’. “Anything else?”

“Anything…. Anything else? Are you kidding me? You don't see anything wrong with making a 15 year old girl get her tubes tied? She was a baby, Nadine.”

She smiled at her former friend. “No, I don't see anything wrong with making hard decisions for my child. She was a baby that didn't need to be having babies so I made sure she wouldn't.”

“Birth control was an option, Nadine.”

“Wasn't gonna do what I needed to be done.”

“What if she never able to have kids again? Does that even make you feel a little bad?”

She shook her head, a slight smile on her face. “Knowing that she'll never have a child with that child of yours brings me joy and a sense of accomplishment. And if I'm as lucky as I think I am, he'll break up with her.”

“Nadine, what is your got damn problem with me and my kids? You went from being one of my best friends to my enemy.” Leata yelled while sitting up on the sofa. 

“You and your kids are just like that husband of yours.” Nadine yelled standing from the love seat. “I didn't realize it until after his ass killed over.”

Leata stood as well, pointing her finger in Nadine's direction. “You better be careful with the next words that come out of your mouth.”

“Hmm well let me take a second to think about what I wanna say about you, your husband and your kids.” Nadine paused dramatically. “Your husband always had his ass in my family's business, in my husband's ear about this and about that. Thought it was just him but you and your damn kids are the same way. You took your husband's spot in my husband's ear and your kids are in my daughter's ears.”

“Hassan and Moriah know how to make their own choices! We did not make them do anything they didn't wanna do, Nadine!”

Nadine rolled her eyes. “Oh sure. They just happened to make these stupid decisions after talking to one of you Fatus.”

“Oh please, Nadine. I'm glad you think so highly of us that we have that much control but sorry to tell you it's complete bullshit.”

“I'm not my daughter or my husband, I'm not falling for that.” She chuckled. “As bad I felt when your husband died, I was glad cause I thought I was finally getting control back of my family. But then the manipulation and interference didn't stop.”

Kamille stood at that. “Nadine, you're going too far. Stop that.”

“Oh I'm just getting started,” she spat, laughing. “I don't think I'll have to wait that long to get control back and have my baby come home to me. That child of yours is following in his father's footsteps literally so it won't be too long before he joins him. Now that's a funeral I would pay good money to sit front row at.”

Leata's right arm reared back then forward with as much force as she could muster connecting with Nadine's left cheek. There was so much force behind her slap, Nadine lost her balance and hit the floor. She held her cheek, opening and closing her mouth trying to check her jaw. Kamille stepped in front of Leata. Pushing her back gently trying to calm her. 

“That was the last time you will ever talk about my kids or my husband! If you ever talk about them again like that it'll be your funeral we're sitting front row for!”

Slowly, Nadine pushed herself up onto the love seat. She heard Leata but the pain in her face and jaw kept her from responding. There was a slight ringing in her ear as well that wouldn't go away.

“Breathe, friend. Breathe. I got her, you go call Arthur.”

Leata glared at her old friend as she left the living room, mumbling to herself. Kamille stared at her big sister wondering how the sister she used to look up to turned into this person. They were fifteen years apart but at 38, Kamille felt like she had much more sense than the 53 year old sitting in front of her today. 

“Why would you say that to her? You can't really feel that way, Nadine.”

Nadine winced a bit when she opened her mouth. “You know I don't say things that I don't mean.”

“I don't know that but I do know if you say things to hurt people to get the upper hand. You wished death on her kid. That's not right.”

She chuckled. “What's not right is her family breaking up mine.”

“Their family didn't do a damn thing but love you, Hassan and Moriah. Although it's clear that they wasted their love on you. You and you alone broke up your family.”

“If I didn't know any better I'd swear you were drinking the Kool-Aid too.” Nadine smirked as best she could. “So tell me which Fatu are you sleeping with? Hmm let me guess … Jacob. He was always fond of you.”

Kamille frowned at her big sister. “Me and Jacob are friends, basically family like the rest of them and you know that. You just say anything to avoid accepting fault. Mama didn't raise us like that.”

“How would you know? I was damn near grown when you were born. You don't know shit about how I was raised.”

Kamille sucked her teeth, “I know enough to know that she raised us both the same way. You need to stop this before you get to a point where it can't be fixed.”

“I don't need to do anything but call the police.”

“For what, Nadine?”

“I'm pressing charges. She assaulted me and you witnessed it.”

Kamille shook her head. 

“You are absolutely not. If you call them, I'm calling Mama and telling her what you did to Moriah and what you just said to Leata. And I know no matter how old and bitter you are, you do not wanna deal with a pissed off Trenice Parker. Do you?”

Nadine stared at her sister for a few moments then huffed loudly. “Go get me a ice pack, don't just stand there.”

Knowing how her son felt, Leata waited until they got back to her house to tell her how the meet up had gone. He then spent thirty minutes going off about Nadine and debating on going back to Kamille's to finish what his mother had started. 

“You know you gotta tell Zay and Rye, right.”

She shook her head. “No, they've already got a lot going on. I'll tell them just not right now.”

“Mama, they need to know now. Especially Rye. This not nothing to keep to ourselves.” Arthur stressed kneeling in front of her while she sat on the sofa. “She better hope I don't see her in public.”

“That right there is why I don't wanna say anything. Your brother is gonna react that same way.”

“And he should, Mama. Her bitter ass wished him dead. You don't say stuff like that.”

She closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. “Okay fine but this is gonna hurt Moriah.”

“Whether you tell her now or later, it's gonna hurt her, Mama.”

Begrudgingly, she facetimed Zilla. A part of her hoped he didn't answer so she had more time. Her hopes were dashed when she saw his smiling face and heard Moriah's voice in the background. 

“Aye! Stop hitiin’ me, Mama on the phone and ima tell!” He laughed. “Mama, tell this girl to keep her hand to herself.”

Arthur moved to sit beside Leata, putting his face in the frame. 

“What did you do to her, son?”

“I … ow, your lil hands hurt, mane. She offered me cake and now she mad cause I ate it.”

“Nah uhn! I offered him a piece yesterday and he ate another piece today!” Moriah yelled.

“He sorry,” Arthur suggested, “Right, Zay?”

Zilla frowned a bit, pulling Moriah into a loose headlock. “Uhuh, right. My bad, Fat. What yall got going on?”

Arthur put his attention on Leata, silently urging here to go on. 

“I wanted to tell you two that I went to Kamille's to talk to Nadine. And it didn't go well.”

Zilla moved him and Moriah to their sofa to sit down. Moriah got comfortable against his chest. 

“What happened?” Zilla asked, looking between his mom and brother. 

Leata looked at Arthur then back at the screen. “It didn't last long, I'll say that. We got into a spat, she said some ugly things and it escalated.”

“What did she say?” Moriah asked softly. 

“I asked her about what she made you do and she said she was proud of it and felt accomplished.”

It was heartbreaking to see the residual joy leave Moriah's eyes. Zilla pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Leata waited for her to respond, when Moriah didn't she continued. 

“She also said some things about your father and your brothers but mostly you. Things escalated,” she sighed, “I'm not proud of it but it ended in me slapping her.”

Zilla's brows raised. 

“What she say? Had to be bad for you to do that.”

Arthur realized she wasn't going to be able to say it so he stepped in. “She wished death on you, Zay then Mama slapped her.”

Moriah sat up immediately, pushing herself off the sofa but Zilla held onto her waist with one hand. 

“Fat, sit down. Come ‘ere, man.”

She shook her head, roughly pulling herself from his grasp. “No, I can't. I can't.”

Leata spoke up. “Let her go, Zilla.”

He huffed watching her walk off to their bedroom. “The hell I do to her for her to say that?”

“I'm telling you that you did nothing to deserve having someone say that about you, Isayah. You could tell that woman to have a good day and she would swear you cursed her. You hear me?”

He nodded starting at the closed bedroom door. “I hear you, Mama.”

“Isayah,” Arthur called out, getting his brother's attention, “Mama told yall that so yall would know what that lady got going on not to cause a setback between the two of you.”

He nodded again. 

“Go do what you need to do.”

Zilla disconnected the call as he got up from the sofa. He went to listen at the bedroom door for a moment before going in. Moriah laid with her face in her pillow, crying softly. Going to her side of the bed, Zilla kneeled there and rubbed her back. 

“You meltin again, Fat?”

She shook her head, not lifting it from the pillow, followed by a muffled ‘no’. He smiled a little, nudging her over so he could see her face. 

“It look like you meltin’, baby.”

“Just a little,” she said softly. 

“You don't gotta melt over that. Zilla ain't goin nowhere, Zilla gon stay right here with you to get on your nerves.”

She nodded, sniffling softly. “Promise?”

“Zilla promise. What can I do to make my lady stop meltin?”

“A kiss maybe.”

He chuckled, leaning up to kiss her. “Better?”

“Mmmm … maybe one more.”

He kissed her again. “Now?”

She shrugged. “I kinda feel better. A snuggle would probably make it all the way better.”

“Whenever you ask me to snuggle, you end up tryna do more than snuggle, Fat.” He pointed out getting up from the floor and climbing into the bed behind her. She moved her body back, closer to him. “See? You already startin’.”

She laughed softly. “Just getting comfy. Plus ever since Zilla threw his condoms away, he hasn't wanted to snuggle with me anyway.”

He laughed in her ear. “We both been tired as shit, Fat. My bad.”

“You never cared about me bein tired before.”

“That's cause I wasn't tired.” He kissed her neck a few times. “I promise to snuggle with you next time. Aight?”

“Pinky promise?” Moriah proposed as she lifted her pinky up.

He linked his pinky with hers. 

Since they were leaving for Tampa as soon as Moriah's shift ended, Zilla dropped her off at work Thursday morning. She had long forgotten about Zilla's inquiry into Thomas’s work schedule so she didn't question him taking her to work or warn him to not do anything bad. Moriah liking to be thirty minutes early to her shift worked out in his and Bronco's favor seeing as the friends made it to the parking deck minutes before he did. Unbeknownst to him, he parked his Audi between Bronco's truck and Zilla's challenger. When he stepped out of his car, Zilla was standing at the back of his car startling him. 

“What's wrong? Why you so jumpy, mane?” Zilla laughed. 

Bronco crept up behind him, slamming the driver side door for him. “He act like he seen a ghost or sum.”

Thomas jumped again looking between both men. 

“There are cameras in here.”

Zilla looked up at the cameras, smiling even wider. “You mean them right there? I wouldn't count on them workin.”

“Naaah they definitely outta order, my guy. Kinda like yo ass,” Bronco added with a chuckle. 

“What do you want? I need to get to work.”

Zilla moved closer to him grabbing his collar to shove him against Bronco's truck.

“Wait, why he not hemmed up against his own car?” Bronco asked, frowning. 

Zilla ignored his friend, maintaining eye contact with Thomas. “Moriah told me yo ass still botherin’ her and if it's one thing I can't stand is somebody that don't understand no especially when my lady say it. She asked you one too many times to leave her alone so now I gotta step in.”

Thomas struggled to get out of his grasp but his strength was nothing compared to Zilla's. “It's not that serious. We were just having a conversation.”

“A conversation that she told you she ain't want which mean she said no to your ass.” He spat, pressing his forearm into Thomas’s throat. “This the one and only warnin you get from me. The next time you see me or my boy it won't be to talk.”

Bronco stepped forward and leaned down so they were sure level. “And if you don't keep this lil meeting between us, you'll see us sooner than that. Comprende?”

“Sis! I been missing you!” 

As soon as Moriah and Zilla stepped inside the house, Trinity ran to them engulfing Moriah in a tight, bear hug rocking them from side to side. Jon and Zilla watched them with frowns on their faces. 

Jon hit his cousin's arm. “Uce! I missed you!” The two of them hugged mocking their women. 

Trinity sucked her teeth. “This why you number six. Get on my nerves.”

“They just jealous cause nobody ever misses them.” Moriah rolled her eyes playfully. “Everybody else here or we early?”

“Yall late as hell.” Jon fussed loudly. “Should've took off like uce told you to. Lucky I ain't give ya room away.”

Moriah laid her head on Trinity’s shoulder. “My favorite cousin wouldn't let you do that.”

“And won't. Everybody in the backyard, come on.”

Trinity pulled Moriah along with her while Jon and Zilla followed behind. They talked softly and briefly with each other until they got to the patio. Moriah scanned the backyard, squealing when she spotted Jacob and another cousin on the grill. She ran to jump on his back. 

“Jacob! I missed you!”

Laughing, Jacob sat the spatula he was using down and backed away from the grill. “Damn, girl, I missed you too. You almost took us both out.”

She got down, laughing and fixing her shorts. “I haven't seen you in so long. I missed my buddy. I don't have nobody to get on Zay's nerves with.”

“Shit, we got all weekend to make up for lost time, sis.”

“Yall asses is not about to get on my nerves all weekend unless her big head ass wanna get left here with you,” Zilla declared approaching them. He slapped hands with both of his cousins. “Fat, you remember Josh. Right?”

She nodded, moving to hug him. He barely returned the hug but she didn't notice. “Hey Josh. Of course I remember. He's the twin that's not annoying, the good twin.”

Josh nodded his head at her, mumbling out a greeting then turned back to the grill. Jacob noticed how their cousin acted but realized Moriah and Zilla didn't. 

“Aye, sis, there go Sefa. Better get to em before mean ass do.”

Zilla frowned playfully. “I'm mean ass? You know her ass meaner than me.”

Moriah stuck her tongue then ran over to Sefa, jumping on him the way she'd jumped on Jacob. Zilla let his cousins know he'd be back after he spoke to Sefa. Turning back to the grill, Jacob nudged his cousin. 

“What's up with you?”

“Nun man, I'm cool.”

Jacob started to flip the burgers. “I would believe that if you don't just give that girl the cold shoulder.”

Josh shrugged, focusing on the chicken. “Ion like her. I ain't think he'd stay with her this long.”

“You don't like her? Moriah? Moriah that's been around since they was kids?” Jacob asked with his face screwed up. “Why you ain't like her?”

Josh looked over at Moriah with his family, his lips turning up at the sight of them being happy and friendly with her. “She ain't right for uce. He deserve better.”

“Better than Moriah? She the best thing that ever happened to his mean ass.”

“That's what yall think.”

Jacob scratched his head looking over at his family then back at Josh. “Ion know man. You gon have to explain that one to me later on. But word of advice, chill on the attitude with her, that boy ain't right in the head when it come to her. He protect her heavy.”

Josh waved him off. “We'll see.”

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Nine

A/N: Its finally here! First chapter of 2024! To those who have been waiting so patiently THANK YOU! Enjoy! Comment, reblog & share!⭐⭐ PART OF THE CHAPTER WAS MISSING! I ADDED IT!

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of abortion, excuse any typos, MINORS DNI

Masterlist

Chapter Eight

Christmas Excerpt

Following the new year, things were buzzing and busy. Zilla was in demand, working hard on the road to the company's biggest show of the year. Moriah on the other hand was being shuffled around due to a shortage but presented to her as praise for the good work she does. By the end of the shuffle, she landed in Pediatrics, the last place she wanted to be. The couple saw each other less but they tried to make the best of it. 

“Fat,” Zilla called out softly. He chuckled hearing her whine. “C'mon, Fat. Get up for me, please.”

She shook her head, trying to pull the covers over her head but Zilla snatched them before she could. 

“Nooooo,” she whined, “You already kept me up all night. Uhn uhn.”

“I'm not waking you for that this time. I got something to show you.”

After another ten minutes of struggling with her, Zilla finally got her up and out the door. He walked carefully behind her with his hands over her eyes, leading her to the complex's parking lot. When he stopped, he kissed her cheek lovingly.

“I forgot to bring one of your gifts with me to Texas, Fat. You ready to see it?”

“You woke me up out of my sleep, you damn right i’m ready to see it,” she joked.

Counting to three, Zilla removed his hands revealing the gift. She stared with a wide smile on her face.

“Isayah Fatu, you did not.”

“I did,” he answered softly.

“You did not buy me a car!” She squealed not caring about waking their neighbors up this early in the morning. She jumped into his arms, kissing his face repeatedly. “I didn't need it but I’m glad you got it!”

“Of course I did. I couldn’t be in my new shit and not have my lady in some new shit too, Fat. It’s only right. Plus. baby, you deserve it. I told you that I was gonna take care of you. This just the beginning, Fat.”

At that Moriah pulled back to look at him, laughing at the sneaky smile on his face. Knowing what was coming next, Zilla turned them to the side so she could look at the cars. She was so focused on her own car, she didn’t realize there was a car beside hers with an identical red bow on it.

“You got your Challenger!”

“I did. You tryna go for a ride before I gotta go?”

Moriah tilted her head and raised her brows. “Out here? Somebody might see, Zay. well … the windows are tinted. Let’s do it.”

He laughed loudly, dropping his head to her chest for a second. “I ain’t mean that kinda ride, Fat. I meant in my car.”

“Oh,” she said shyly. “My bad.”

“No need. If we got time for that then I’m aight wit it but if not you know I’ll still make it happen for you.”

“In both cars?”

“Yeah, Fat, in both cars. And you stay talkin bout me.”

After taking her for a ride around the block, Zilla dropped her back off and went to the performance center. While he waited for his class to start, he tucked himself away to work on the promo he had been working on for the next show. 

“Big boy! Where you at, man?”

Chuckling to himself, Zilla put his phone away and stood from the corner he sat in.

“You bigger than me, boy.”

Bronco laughed, slapping hands with him. “You still big boy either way. What's up though? How was the holiday?”

“Shit it was good, got to spend time with my family. My niece had shit everywhere.”

“I bet. My brother did too,” he laughed, “Soooo.”

Zilla squinted a little, chuckling under his breath. “What, man?”

“Did you see Rye's family?”

“Yeah, she tried to go to her mom's by herself and you know I couldn't let that happen so I went too. Her aunt and umi was there.”

“Umi?”

“Grandma.”

“Got it,“ he nodded, “Her mom said anything out the way to you?”

“For once not really, she said like one slick thing but Umi shut that down quick. We only saw her that one day.”

Bronco figured if Zilla knew he wouldn't be as calm as he is and safely assumed his friend had no idea what he knew. The two moved into a different conversation

“If I tell you again to get  away from me, I’m going to HR. Get out of my face, Thomas.”

“I just wanna have a conversation with you, Mo. Is that so bad?”

Moriah looked up from the chart she was completing and rolled her eyes. Two months into this year and she was contemplating whet or not she would spend the rest in prison. “Yes, it is. And this is the last time I’m gonna tell you to stop calling me Mo. Nurse DeBreaux and nothing else.”

He chuckled to himself. “I know you in the biblical sense and I gotta call you Nurse DeBreaux? That seem right to you?”

“I slept with you one time in that whole time we were together so I wouldn’t say that you know me but in any case if you repeat that again, I’ll kick your ass myself and then I’ll call Zilla to do it and you don’t want that.”

“Oooh, I struck a nerve I see. Listen, I just got one question and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Spit it out.”

“Why did you even bother to make me use a condom?”

Dropping the pen on the table, Moriah slowly looked up at him with an infuriated expression. “What did you just say?”

He titled his head still smiling. “You heard me. What was the point?”

“Explain what you’re asking me, Thomas and do it quickly.”

“Oh now you wanna talk to me? I think I’ll keep the rest to myself for another time.”

Not wanting him to know that she already knew about the partnership between her mother and him, Moriah thought of something quickly to throw it off. She knew if she bought it up, he would tell her mother and Zilla would find out before she herself had a chance to tell him.

“Stay out of my medical files, Thomas.”

“Medical files,” he repeated with a chuckle, “Sure thing, Mo … I mean Nurse DeBreaux. I’ll see you later.”

Watching him walk away, Moriah counted backwards from 100 in her head trying to calm herself down. When she realized it wasn’t working, she let the other nurses know that she was gone for a fifteen and hurried down to the ED. As soon as Toni saw her face, she handed her device off to one of the other nurses and guided the younger woman into the break room, locking the door behind them. 

“What happened?”

“Can you call Bronco to beat Thomas’s ass please?”

Toni chuckled, “I’m sure he would love that but why? Tell me what happened.”

“I’m filling out paperwork for a child that just got admitted and he comes over trying to talk to me and I tell him to leave me alone. Of course his ass doesn’t listen, never fucking listens.” She groaned.

Toni put a calming hand on her shoulder, “Breathe, Rye. Breathe.”

She took a few deep breaths before continuing on.  “So he looks at me and says what was the point of making me wear a condom. And he’s smirking, so happy and proud of himself. Fucking bastard.”

“He said what? Why would he say that to you?” She asked, frowning.

“Because apparently my mom told him more after they talked up here. I had to play it off like he had been in my medical records even though I know he wouldn’t be able to get into them.”

“You don’t want him to know that you know about him and your mom because he’ll tell her that you’re onto them and she’ll tell Zilla before you can.” 

“Exactly.” Moriah sighed hard, rubbing at her nose. “I fucking hate them. Especially my mama. Why won’t she just let me be? She’s done enough already.”

Pulling her into a hug, Toni rubbed her back and let her cry on her shoulder. There was a question she was dying to ask but she wasn’t quite sure how to ask it in Moriah’s given state. 

“Some people aren’t happy with themselves so they take it out on other people, especially the people that love them.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever get over the shit she’s done.”

“I’m not gonna tell you how to feel, what to feel or what to do with those feelings, Rye. I’m here for whatever you need. You call, text or come over anytime. Okay?”

Moriah nodded, pulling away from the hug. She wiped her face, trying to give a small smile. “I know you wanna know what he meant but I just can’t have that conversation right now. I’ll tell you at some point though. I promise.”

“No rush. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk. I do have another question, though.”

“What’s up?”

“When’s the next time Zilla has a day off?”

Moriah thought for a moment, rubbing at her eyes. “I think Thursday.”

“Okay, so you’re gonna be off on Thursday and Friday so you take that time to talk to him. It seems like you’re running out of time to tell him yourself especially with how out of hand Thomas is getting. And while I’m sure Zilla will not leave you for any of this, I know how important it is for you to tell him yourself. And I know he would much rather it come from you.”

Moriah stood quietly, replaying Toni’s words in her head.They were pretty much the same words she had been saying to herself.

“I know it’s gonna be hard,” Toni added interrupting her thoughts, “I know it’s gonna be scary but you can do this. If you want me and Bronco can be there for you both.”

“No … no. I can do it alone. But stay by your phone please.”

“Of course and remember that boy loves you a hell of a lot. He’s gonna be pissed, not at you but he will be and you have to allow him to feel and process things the same way you did.”

Quietly, Moriah moved around their apartment to gather the few small boxes she needed and sat them on their kitchen table. She fixed breakfast for her boyfriend knowing that after she told him what she needed to tell him that he probably wouldn’t have an appetite. She had been texting back and forth with Toni to talk about her plan.

“Damn, it smell good out here,” he called out in between his yawning. “Mornin’, Fat.”

She chuckled, going to hug and kiss him. He held onto her a few seconds longer than he usually would then released her with a smack on the ass.

“How’d you sleep, Zay?”

“Like a rock. I ain’t realize how tired I been.”

Moriah led him to the table then went to get his plate and juice. “I’m glad you got some rest. You deserve it after throwing them people around every day.”

“Thank you,” he got quiet for a moment to say grace, “You right. You ain’t sleep good though. Not all that tossin and turnin’ you did.”

“Was I?” she asked, avoiding eye contact with him.

“Yeah you were. Had to hold onto your lil ass to get you to stop.”

“That was the plan all along,” she giggled. “I sleep better in your arms.”

The couple ate their food, having small conversations here and there about their upcoming week and schedules. Zilla finally noticed the boxes on the table after he was done eating. He glanced between her and the boxes.

“What’s that, Fat?”

She hummed, quickly taking their dishes in the kitchen.

“The boxes. What in em? What you ordered now?”

Going back to the table, Moriah sat across from him and pulled the boxes closer to her. She pulled the top box open just wide enough to slide a manila folder out of it. Zilla waited quietly for her to say something, his eyes darted between the folder and his girlfriend.

“What you got?”

“You remember when you told me that whenever I was ready to talk about what my mom did to me while you were gone that you would listen and be here for me?”

“Yeah and I meant it.”

“Well,” she sighed out, “I’m ready to talk about it now. I need to tell you before she does.”

He frowned a little. “What you mean? Why she wanna tell me?”

“Because she knows that if she tells you that you’ll leave me and that’s what she wants.”

“Fat,” he called out, reaching across the table for her hand, “Look at me.” He waited for her to look up before he continued. “Whatever she did to you, you didn’t have no control over that. I love you and whatever she did or said won’t change that. Aight?”

Moriah sighed. “I know you told me that but you don’t know yet.”

“Fat, baby … just tell me. Zilla ain’t goin nowhere.”

She held his stare for a few moments, trying to figure out how she wanted to start telling him. 

“When you got sentenced and stuff, I was distraught as hell. It was pitiful,” she chuckled. “I spent all my free time at your moms, in your bed and stuff. Then like three weeks after you left, I got sick on and off. Figured it was just cause I wasn’t eating like I should or a cold but three 

weeks later I was still sick. Arthur came over to see me and him and mama gave me a pregnancy test.”  

Her heart dropped a little, feeling his grip on her hand loosen. 

“The test was positive. Um, my parents and Mama were upset at first but they realized that there was nothing they could do you know and we went from there.”

“You was pregnant? And nobody told me?” He asked, trying to keep his tone calm.

“We were gonna tell you, Zay, but we were trying to figure out a way to tell you because you were gonna miss 10 years of the child’s life. That wasn’t gonna be easy.”

“So everybody knew but me?”

She shook her head. “No. Only me, my parents, Mama, Arthur, Auntie Kami and Umi. It didn’t go beyond us because we didn’t want anyone telling you before we figured it out.”

“Keep goin,” he demanded softly. 

She sighed softly, slipping her hand from his momentarily. Flipping through the folder for a moment, Moriah pulled out her sonograms and slid them across the table.

“My first appointment was at 10 weeks. I heard the heartbeat and the doctor said that the baby was fine. My mom kept saying smart shit but me, Mama and my daddy were happy. Mama cried when we found out the due date.” Moriah chuckled softly remembering.

He stared at the images in front of him, his thumb slightly grazing where the baby sat in the sonogram. “Why did she cry?”

“The due date was March 24th.”

Zilla looked up from the sonogram, locking eyes with his girlfriend. “4 days before Pops birthday.”

“Yeah,” she answered softly. 

He huffed loudly, placing the sonograms on the table. His hands went to cover his face for a moment, taking slow, deep, long breaths. It was hard but he was trying to keep his promise.

“Clearly none of yall figured out how to tell me cause I’m just now findin out. So what you do with our kid? The only kid I’ve seen is Sisi and she ain’t old enough to be ours.”

Moriah wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “I don’t wanna tell you, Zay.”

“Nah, nah, nah. You can’t start then stop, Moriah. Where’s my kid?”

“You’re gonna be mad at me, Zay.” She cried holding the folder tightly to her chest. “I don’t wanna tell you. She made me do it.”

“Moriah,” he called out sternly. “Just tell me!”

She jumped from his voice booming through their apartment which he immediately regretted. He stood from the table wiping his hands over his head and face.

“I’m sorry for yellin’ at you, Fat but just … please just tell me.”

Sitting the folder aside, Moriah played with her fingers trying to get her mouth to cooperate with her brain. 

“When I was 12 weeks, my mom told me that she had made another appointment for me to make sure the baby was okay. I was skeptical but I still went. Your mom was skeptical too.” She said between sobs. “It wasn’t a regular check up for the baby. She had scheduled an abortion. She let them take my baby and then she gloated about it.”

Abortion.

Abortion.

Abortion.

The word replayed over and over inside Zilla’s head. He was trying to wrap his mind around it but it wasn’t connecting. Feeling his anger start to rise well above what it should have been, Zilla started to pace back and forth. 

“I didn’t want to but I was a minor and I didn’t have a choice, Zay. And afterwards she made me go tell your mom that ‘it’ was gone so yall would leave us alone.”

 “Our kid is dead?” He asked softly.

“Yes.”

“That bitch killed my fucking kid?” He yelled, not able to keep the rumble inside of him. “She killed my kid and got the nerve to act like mother of the fuckin year?”

Moriah wanted to hug him but she knew he would probably push her away so she stayed where she was with the table between the two of them. Her eyes followed him as he paced back and forth, mumbling to himself. Going into the other box, she pulled out a small baby blue box holding that tight in her grasp.

“Afterwards, I kept asking her what did they do with the baby and if they had told her if the baby was a boy or a girl but she wouldn’t answer me. I kept asking and asking,’’ she explained softly, “And finally she told me that she had them cremate the remains and that she had the gender. In order for me to get both and my sonograms, I had to do something else.”

His pacing stopped but he didn’t look at her.

“I had to get my tubes tied. I had to agree or she was gonna destroy all of it.” She took a moment and approached him with the box. She took one more look at it then held it out to him. “I did it because she had already killed my baby, I couldn’t lose the rest of the only pieces of him I had.”

“Him?”

“Yeah,” she said softly, “It was a boy. I know it probably doesn’t mean much but I named him Angel.”’

Slowly, Zilla took the box from her, his thumbs caressed the letters etched into the box. ‘Angel Fatu’. Hot tears rolled down his face uncontrollably as he cradled the box to his chest. Taking a chance, Moriah moved closer to her boyfriend and he took a step back, shaking his head.

“If your tubes are tied, why are we using condoms and why are you on birth control?”

The second time she’s heard this question, this time she felt more comfortable answering.

“I’m not on birth control, Zay. The condoms … it was easier to just keep using them because if we weren’t I know you would wonder why there hadn’t been any pregnancy scares.” She explained. “Nobody knows that my tubes are tied except you and my mom. I was ashamed.”

“The condoms that she gifted us at the going away party?”

“A sick joke. She’s been torturing me for years. She made me get a job in a daycare not more than six months after Angel. I was in the infant room. Whenever her friends or co-workers needed a babysitter, she made me do it.”

Taking a short glance at his girlfriend, Zilla moved around her with the box still in hand and grabbed his keys from the kitchen counter. He didn’t say another word to her, he simply walked out of their apartment slamming the door behind him.

Hours and hours passed without Moriah receiving a response to the texts she'd sent to her boyfriend. Ultimately, she was worried about his safety and just wanted to know he wasn't on the side of the road somewhere. The radio silence on her phone also let her know that he hadn't called his mom because she would have called or texted by now. He was angry and he had every right to be. 

By the time she got in bed there was finally a ping from her phone, alerting her to a message. Her heart dropped a little when she saw Bronco's name instead of Zilla's.

Bronco

11:43pm

Couldn't text earlier but he been with me all day. I got em, he good, sis. Get you some rest. He love you, he been sayin it all day. He just upset. Lock the door and call if you need us. 

Moriah

11:46pm

Thank you. Good night. I love him too.

She laid back staring at the ceiling debating with herself. Deciding she needed to know, she sent another text. 

Moriah

11:55pm

He has the blue box, right? 

Bronco

11:58pm

Of course. Angel chillin next to moms. Don't worry ya pretty lil head, sis. They good.

Letting out a soft sigh, Moriah plugged her phone up and put it on the dresser then moved to Zilla's side of the bed, cuddling his pillow. She said a soft prayer before drifting off to sleep. 

“What's this smile about? Who are you texting?”

Hassan pulled his phone to his chest away from his younger sister, Gabi's wandering eyes with a chuckle. It was their weekly visit and so far he had been splitting his time between entertaining her and texting. 

“I always smile, thank you very much.”

She laughed still trying to get to his phone. “Not like that you don't. Fess up. What's her name?”

“Why you always in my business? I need to call my brother in law on you?”

She shrugged playfully, trying to start the phone. “Call all you want, I'm still gonna ask. Now who is it? Or I'm gonna call my niece and ask her. I know she knows.”

Hassan rolled his eyes dramatically. “I thought you would grow out of being nosey. But if you must know, I was texting my friend, Tamara.”

“Friend Tamara? You mean your girlfriend!”

“Not my girlfriend,” he chuckled, “We've been seeing each other for a little, seeing where it goes.”

Gabi raised a brow. “Is this the same friend you've been going out with since before Thanksgiving?”

“It might be.”

“Uhuh so that's your girlfriend! When do I get to meet her?”

“Whoa, whoa. Slow down, speedy. It's not time for that yet.”

“You've been seeing her for almost five months and yall are grown. It's time. Does Moriah know about her?”

He nodded, smiling a little. “She was with me when Tamera approached me. Rye wanted me to go out with her. Even offered to be my flower girl.”

Gabi squealed, hugging her brother. “Yes! So she's in. I'm so happy because I was terrified you were gonna go back to that bitch of an ex wife.”

“Gabriella,” he called out sternly. 

She put her hands up defensively. “I didn't lie, she is a bitch but fine I won't say it again. I don't even know what you ever saw in her evil ass.”

“We're not discussing Nadine, we're discussing Tamera.”

“So tell me about her? You obviously like her with all this smiling and texting.”

His smile widened, starting to think about Tamera and the time they'd been spending together. When they first went out, Hassan honestly wasn't planning on taking her out again. He was simply going so Moriah wouldn't be on his back about not going but that first date pulled him in. 

“Tamera is a good person. She's a realtor, has been for quite some time. She has two kids, one boy and one girl. Not too much older than Rye.”

“Uhuh, keep going.”

Hassan laughed. “That's all I'm telling you, nosey. Whenever you meet her, you can ask her all the questions you want.”

His phone ringing interrupted Gabi, he held a finger up as he checked to see who was calling. 

“Is that your girlfriend?”

“No, it's Leata.” He responded sticky before putting the phone to his ear. “Hey, what's up?”

“I'm not interrupting you, Hassan. Am I?”

“Nope, you actually saved me from Gabi.” He laughed dodging his little sister's hit. 

“Oh tell her Hey for me. I'm sorry to bother you guys.”

“I'll tell her but you're not bothering us. Everything okay? Was it Nadine?”

Leata laughed softly. “No, no, not Nadine. Haven't talked to her since Christmas. It's about the kids.”

“What about them? They okay?”

“Well I was checking to see if you had talked to either of them. I haven't talked to them in three days and that's not like either of them.” She sighed softly. “I'm probably just being paranoid but one of them would at least text, ya know?”

“Uuuh I talked to Moriah Thursday morning I think it was. She was cooking breakfast and just called to talk for a few but not since then.”

“I'm worried about them. I think I'm gonna fly there to check on them, this isn't like them.”

Hassan thought for a moment. “I have Rye's friend's number for emergencies so I'll call her and see if she knows what's going on then we'll go from there. Deal?”

“Okay, let me know as soon as you do.”

After agreeing Hassan disconnected their call and started to go through his phone in search of Toni's number. Gabi watched him, although she was only able to hear his side of the conversation she could put two and two together. 

“You think they're okay? They probably just went on a lil trip and forgot to say something.”

“Yeah,” Hassan said softly as he put his phone back to his ear, “Hopefully so.”

The phone rang all the way to voice-mail, Hassan figured she didn't recognize the number and didn't answer so he shot her a quick text. A couple minutes later his phone was ringing. 

“Hey, Toni. It's Hassan, Rye's daddy. How are you?”

“I'm good, running some errands. I didn't realize that was you calling. Everything okay?”

“No worries. I just wanted to see if you'd talk to Rye in the last few days.” He took the phone from his rear to put it on speaker so he could text Leata. “Zilla's mom hadn't heard from them since Wednesday and I haven't talked to Rye since Thursday morning so we're a little worried.”

Toni sat on the phone quietly for a moment trying to decide how much of what she knew Moriah would be comfortable with. While she hadn't directly talked to either of them, Bronco had kept her in the loop and she did call and text Moriah but got no answer. 

“Toni? You there?”

“Yes, I'm sorry. I've talked to her and a mutual friend of ours has talked to Zilla in the last couple days so they're okay.”

Hassan let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding as he sent a quick text to Leata.

“Good, thank you.”

“I tell you what  … I'm near their apartment so I'll swing by and lay eyes on Rye for you. Let her know that yall are worried.”

“I would greatly appreciate that, Toni. Thank you so much.”

“Oh it's no problem at all.”

After getting off the phone, Toni carefully switched labs so that she could get off the exit closest to Moriah and Zilla's apartment. She was thankful that Hassan called because now she had even more reason to go check on her friend. Bronco had been telling her that he had Zilla and Moriah would respond to his few text messages everyday and that she was fine to give her space. But space isn't something Toni thought Moriah needed especially not after three days. Zilla went to his friend and Moriah's alone. She's isolating herself. 

Getting to the apartment, Toni carefully climbed the stairs with their bag of food in hand. She knocked on the door then pressed the ring doorbell and bent over a bit to talk into it. 

“You know you hear me at this door. It's hot and I'm melting, Rye. Let me in, please!”

A few minutes and a few knocks later, Moriah let her in. Toni sat the food on the coffee table then went right to Moriah pulling her into a tight hug. Although she tried to hold it, Moriah couldn't stop her cries. She cried on Toni's shoulder as her body shook from how hard she was sobbing. The older woman held onto her and rubbed her back while she whispered soft encouraging words. Minutes later, Moriah pulled away wiping her face on the sleeve of what Toni assumed to be Zilla's hoodie. Toni pulled her over to the sofa so they could sit. 

“I've been calling and texting you, Rye. Everybody has.” Toni spoke softly.

“I know,” she sniffled, wiping a stray tear away, “I'm sorry. I didn't wanna talk.”

Toni started to take their food out of the bag, setting it up on the coffee table. 

“I understand but a text to let people know you're alive would've been great, Rye. Your dad called me to see if I'd talked to either of you. Apparently him and Zilla's mom are worried about you two.”

Moriah sighed, playing with her nails. Leata had been calling and texting, his brothers had as well but she didn't answer because she knew she wouldn't be able to hide any of this from them.

“You should at least text them back. Cause it sounds like the two of them were ready to come do a search party.”

She nodded, pulling her phone from her pocket. The screen is filled with notifications. “I don't know what to tell them.”

“Just tell them you've been working doubles at the hospital so you've been sleep when you're not working. It's a lie but it'll work for now.”

“Yeah. Thank you,” she mumbled. Her fingers moved back and forth on her phone while she tapped out her messages. To Leata's she added that she would call when she got a free moment. “I'm sure Bronco told you but he left after I told him. I knew he would but I was hoping he wouldn't.”

Toni gave her the plate of food and her utensils. “Eat. It's jerk chicken and rice, you like that. He didn't leave you, Rye. He left the situation. That was a lot to find out after all this time.”

Moriah pushed the food around her plate before taking a bite. “He could barely look at me and when he did he looked disgusted. Like he hated me.”

“He was not disgusted with you and he does not hate you.” Toni reassured. “The situation and your mother, that's where those emotions are directed. You gotta give him time, Rye. Have you healed from what she did?”

“No, not entirely.”

“Okay so it's been almost ten years since she did it and your not healed so just remember that Zilla's only had a few days and there's no way he's gonna heal in those three days.”

The friends sat quietly for a few minutes eating their food. 

“That boy loves you to death, you don't need to worry. He left because he felt like that was the safest thing for him and your relationship. He didn't want to misdirect his anger at you. Okay?”

“What if he can't get over it, Toni? What if it's never the same again?”

“Hey, no … we're not doing that. Breathe,” Toni paused to take a few deep breaths with her, “You and Zilla are gonna be fine. Okay? Your mom will not win. You and him got this.”

Moriah nodded solemnly. “Okay, T. I just … I miss him.”

“I'm sure he misses you too. Sometimes space isn't a bad thing.”

“He hates space,” she chuckled softly, “He tells everybody the same thing. If he could live in my skin, he would. He loves being up under me all the time.”

“Trust me, I can tell with how much he interrupts my ED,” she joked. “Speaking of the ED, I'm tired of not having you there so I'm working on getting you back. That replacement of yours is working my nerves.”

“And Thomas is getting on mine,” Moriah added. “I used to wanna be in pediatrics but he's ruined it for me. I swear if I have to work with him any longer he's gonna need a colon repair surgery.”

They laughed loudly. 

“I'm sure Bronco and Zilla would more than agree with you. But I'm working on it, I need my girl back in the ED with me.”

Constant buzzing during their workout was starting to annoy Bronco. He knew Zilla was tuning it out and he was trying to as well but he couldn't take it. Setting his weights down, he went over to the treadmill Zilla ran on and turned it off earning a confused glare from his friend. 

“What's up? What you doin?”

“Your phone, man. Either answer it or put it on silent.”

Zilla glanced over at it, seeing it light up and vibrate again. “Nah, I'm good. It'll be aight.”

“If you not gon answer it, put it on silent for the sake of the rest of us in here.”

He shook his head as he wiped his sweat with his towel. “Can't. Just in case.”

Bronco sucked his teeth and stared at his friend like he had the heads. “What? Just in case? Just in case what? Cause I know not an emergency with the way they blowing you up, Zilla. Or you mean just in case with Rye? Yeah that's what you mean. Right?”

Zilla didn't answer but he didn't need to. Bronco knew him well enough to know that's what he meant. 

“Look I get it, you're upset and you got every right to be but you shutting out the wrong people. And if you really cared about Rye being okay, you would've at least texted her to check on her.” 

“She straight, man.”

“How you know? I mean I know she straight cause I check on her but how would you? The crazy shit is, you not even mad at her, bruh. I get you don't wanna take some shit out on her that ain't her fault,” he fussed, hitting his hands for emphasis, “But communicate that shit with her. You left y'all spot three days ago and ain't said shit to her. You think that shit sound right?”

Zilla rubbed his hands over his face. He knew his friend was right but he was scared to talk to Moriah. After he yelled at her when they last spoke, he didn't want to do that again and hurt her. 

“And moms been calling you and she damn sure ain't do shit wrong but try and protect you, Rye, and Angel. But here you are not answering and stressing her the fuck out. She did the best she could, bruh. You putting a wall up with the wrong people, Isayah. You my boy and I love you but you doing the wrong shit.”

With a shake of his head, Bronco turned away from his friend and went back to the weight bench. Zilla too wanted to go back to working out but the lashing Bronco had just given him writhed heavily on him. Nothing that was said was wrong but he still didn't know what to do. Grabbing his phone and his towel, Zilla left the gym area and went to sit outside the Performance Center to get some air. He fiddled around with his phone trying to decide if he was going to respond to any of his notifications. 

Zilla

1:45pm

I love u, Fat

Moriah

1:46pm

I love you more, Zay.

Not able to decide what else he wanted to say to his girlfriend, he exited their thread and called his mother. She answered on the second ring. 

“Isayah, I've been worried about you and Rye.”

“My bad. Been busy,” he murmured, holding the phone to his ear. “We straight.”

“Yeah she texted and told me she's been working doubles. You don't sound like yourself, I need to see your face. Facetime me.”

He forced out a chuckle to throw her off. “Zilla aight, Mama. I'm at the PC supposed to be in class but wanted to check in with you.”

“Okay but I still wanna see your face so facetime me tonight.”

“Aight, Mama.”

“I mean it, Isayah. Don't make be come to Florida.”

He chuckled forreal this time. “Zilla got you, Mama. I promise. Zilla love you.”

“Uhuh,” she chuckled, “I love you too.”

He hung up with her then sent his brothers a message in their group chat and a picture of him. Proof of life so they would leave him alone for the moment. 

“You're a mama's boy, huh?”

His eyes snapped up from his phone to the woman talking to him then back to his phone.

“Yeah, you can say that.”

“That's cute,” she smiled, sticking out her hand, “I'm Gia. Nice to meet you.”

Zilla stared at her for a second then shook her hand, briefly. “Zilla.”

“Oh I know who you are,” she laughed a bit, “Since I got hired, you're all anyone talks about. I'm one of the new backstage analysts.”

“That's cool, congrats.”

“Thank you,” she smiled watching him get up from the ground, “I think you're gonna be my first interview on Tuesday and I was little nervous.”

He started to squint at her but remembered he was at work and she was probably more than a little nervous. 

“Why?”

“You know you hear things about asshole wrestlers and stuff so just a lil weary but thankfully,” she paused to put a hand on his arm, “You don't seem like one of them.”

Although her touching him felt strange, he let her keep it there for a moment until she got the hint. When she moved her hand, he took a step back from her. 

“No, I'm not. It'll be cool.”

“Good to know. So what do y'all do around here for fun? I literally just moved here last week and know nothing about this area.”

“Wouldn't know. I don't go out much.”

Her smile widened and her hand found its way back to his arm. “Well how about we go find out together? 

Gently, he moved her hand off of him and gave her a small smile. “Ima have to decline, Gia. I'm good plus I don't think my lady would like that.”

“You girlfriend don't let you have friends, Zilla? We're co-workers, it's fine.”

He tilted his head to stare at her briefly. The door to the center opened revealing Bronco. 

“Aye, Book wanna talk to us, Zilla. Let's go.”

Thankful for the intrusion, Zilla nodded at Gia then jogged to the door letting it close behind him. Bronco stared at him.

“What the hell was that? Why she kept touching you and shit?”

“I thought she caught the hint the first time she did that shit but she didn't,” Zilla explained, “But she didn't. And she asked me out I think.”

Bronco squinted. “And you told her about sis.”

“Man,” Zilla sucked his teeth, “Of course I did but then she hit me with that ya girl don't let you have friends and then you saved me.”

“Sis let you have friends but not her ass.”

“Right. Fat will take my head off and hers. Ion play them kinda games with my life.”

Bronco nodded slapping hands with him. “As long as you know it. Watch that girl though.”

“Gotchu. Ain't nothin to worry about though.”

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Ten

A/N: Two chapters in 24 hrs! Look at me! 😂😂 but enjoy! ⭐Comment, reblog & share!⭐

Warnings: Cursing, strong emotions ahead, typos, 18+ MINORS DNI!

Masterlist

Chapter Nine

Another three days passed with Zilla staying with Bronco. He would sneak to the apartment late at night to grab clothes when he knew Moriah was asleep. Watching her sleep gave him a dull ache in his heart for her. It wasn't fair that Nadine had made so many unjust decisions for them. There was nothing anybody could say to him that would make him ever forgive Nadine. Before he left the apartment, he made sure to fill her work cup with ice and put it in the freezer for her and put snacks in her purse because she always forgot. He was honestly surprised she didn't notice but then again she never did. 

Slipping back into Bronco's house, he tried to move as quietly as possible so he didn't wake Bronco's little brother. As he moved towards the living room he heard a soft squeal.

“Aye you good in here?” He called out as he walked through the doorway then quickly turned his back seeing Toni sitting top less in his friend's lap. “Oh shit, my bad, B.”

Bronco laughed wrapping the throw blanket around her. “You good, shoulda been in my room anyway. You got what you need?”

“Yeah, I got it. Nice to see you again, T.” He chuckled with his back still to them.

Toni hit her boyfriend, who was still laughing. “It's not funny, Bronco. Nice to see you too, Zilla. Where were you?”

“You really wanna know or you askin cause it's awkward?” 

“Both,” she laughed getting off Bronco's lap, “Answer please.”

He held up his bag for her to see. “Went to get clothes from the apartment.”

“So you saw Rye? Did everything go okay? Well of course it didn't if you're here.” Toni rambled on until Bronco moved to stand behind her and gripped her shoulders. “Huh? Sorry, I'm talking too much. I'm just worried.”

“Ain't no need to worry. He ain't wake her, she don't know he been there.”

Securing the throw blanket around her torso, Toni moved closer to the younger man and turned him around to face her. 

“It's been damn near a week, Zilla. How long are you gonna do this? She already thinks you hate her, this is not helping.”

“That's what I been tryna tell him,” Bronco added, making Zilla suck his teeth. 

“Fat know I don't hate her. I text her. We good, T.”

“That might work with Bronco but that does not work with me,” she fussed. “She doesn't know that because besides you texting her that you love her, you don't say anything else to her and you're not at home.”

He huffed shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Listen, I appreciate you being there for Fat and all that but we straight. I got it.”

“You got it? Yeah, okay. I understand that you're hurting and processing right now but you're literally doing exactly what her mom said you would do. You left her by herself, Zilla. She's alone every day and every night while you're here with your friend every night.”

Toni pushed past him, going to Bronco's bedroom careful not to slam the door. 

“Damn, she kinda feisty,” Bronco chuckled, “But you know she's right. You can't keep runnin, bruh. You gotta talk to her at some point. Good night, man.”

Getting back to the guest room, Zilla got situated for the night and responded to a few texts he had. Jon had invited him and Moriah to the house for a cookout, even though he told him no the first time Jon continued to ask until Zilla gave in. As they were talking a facetime call from Arthur came through. He debated on answering for a few moments before ultimately answering. 

“Damn you wasn't gon answer the phone?” 

“I was gettin in the bed. What's up?”

Arthur knew his little brother well. He could fool their other brothers and occasionally their mother but it was very rare that he could get past Arthur. 

“You tell me. What's going on with you?”

“Nun, wrestlemania season so it's busy.”

“Now that you got ya lie out ya system, let's try the truth, Isayah. You know whatever you tell me don't go no further.”

Zilla couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped him, it was dipped in sarcasm. “Oh trust me, I know you can keep a secret.”

Arthur's face scrunched up, giving his brother a confused look. “It's obviously something you wanna say so say it. Get it off ya chest.”

“Why you ain't tell me?” He asked after a minute. 

“Tell you what?”

“About Angel. You knew and ain't say shit.”

Arthur sighed, wiping his free hand down his face. “This ain't what you wanna hear but that wasn't my place to tell you, Isayah. It wasn't my business to tell. That was for Moriah to tell you.”

Zilla rolled his eyes. “Okay so why not tell her to tell me before?”

“Do you think she wanted to hold this shit in this long? No, she didn't. She wanted to tell you but she been terrified to tell you since the moment that test came back positive.”

“I hear you.”

“If you're acting this way with me then I can only imagine how you acting with her about this.” Arthur paused to gather his thoughts. “That's why y'all ain't been answering our calls. She told you and you lost your shit, didn't you?”

He sucked his teeth hard. “I ain't lose shit. She told me and I left.”

“The hell you mean you left? You left the room? That's what you better mean.”

“Left the apartment. I needed to get away from the whole thing before I took it out on her.”

“You got air then what?”

“That's it. I ain't been back since and before you start I'm not tryna hear shit about it.”

Arthur chuckled under his breath. “I don't care what you don't wanna hear. It's fine for you to want space after hearing that but running from it won't change it. You do know that, right?”

“I know that, Arthur.” 

“I know that look on your face so tryna say anything else to you is pointless right now so ima go. You call or text me when you wanna talk.”

Before Zilla could say anything else, Arthur disconnected the call. He could add another person to the list that felt his anger that didn't deserve it. The whole situation with Angel was eating at him, the person he wanted to take his anger out on was nowhere near and he wasn't calling her. Not yet at least. 

Zilla

12:45am

Remember u said if I ain't find 1, u would fine 1 fa me?

Aunt Kami

12:45am

Yup.

Zilla

12:46am

I ain't find 1

Aunt Kami

12:48am

Gotcha. I'll let you know when your appointment is.

Zilla

12:49am

Thank u. I owe u

Aunt Kami

12:50am

No you don't. Is everything okay?

Zilla stared at the text trying to figure out how he wanted to answer. He knew Moriah is the closest to her Aunt Kami and her Aunt Gabi but he wanted her to have control of how much she wanted them to know. 

Zilla

12:55am

Not really but ion wanna talk about it. 

Aunt Kami

12:56am

That's perfectly fine, Zilla. But if you do, you know I'm here. Go to sleep, love yall

Zilla

12:56am

Love you 2

Getting out of bed was hard for Moriah and going to work was even harder. Having to act like everything was okay especially in front of Thomas so he didn't raise suspicion to her mother was tiring. Zilla buying her a car made it a little easier since he hasn't picked her up from work since. Even though Thomas worked her nerves, the kids on the pediatric floor gave her a little joy.

Entering her five year old patient's room, Moriah got sanitizer and approached the bed with a smile. She greeted her parents softly then laughed seeing her patient faking sleep. 

“Nia's sleeping? I thought she was up.”

The mother smiled, her eyes crinkled in the corners. “Thought so too. Guess she fell asleep.”

“Well I guess I have to give this pop it game to my other patient then,” Moriah playfully started to walk backwards. 

Nia's eyes popped open followed by her giggles. She reached her hands out. “Noooo! I'm awake! I'm awake!”

Her parents and Moriah laughed along with her. She approached the bed again, taking the game from her pocket to give to the five year old. 

“The gopher game! You found it!”

“I did, I told you I would. I got you, girl.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Moriah started to check her vitals. “You're so welcome, friend. I talked to Dr. Harris and he told me that you can take it with you to pre-op while you wait.”

“Yes!” She squealed excitedly. 

“And when you come out of surgery, what would you like to eat?”

“Anything?”

Moriah winked at her. “Anything, friend.”

“Spaghetti and meatballs!”

“You're gonna turn into a meatball, Nia.” The dad joked. 

Moriah finished up and went to grab more sanitizer. “Spaghetti and meatballs it is, friend. Mom and Dad, Dr. Harris and another nurse will be in shortly to talk to you a little more about her surgery then take her to pre-op.”

The mother stood quickly. “Wait, aren't you going to surgery with her?”

“Well, no ma'am. I'm sorry.”

“Could you?” She asked, grabbing Moriah's hand. “Please. It would make us and her feel much better if you did. You've been so good to us the last few days, she just adores you.”

Moriah rolled the thought around in her head. “I'll check with the team and make sure it's okay. Alright?”

Leaving the room, Moriah walked around the floor looking for Dr. Harris. She found the slender, salt and pepper African American man engulfed in a conversation with Thomas. The sight of him repulsed her but she pushed it aside for her patient. 

“I'm sorry to interrupt, Dr. Harris. I wanted to run something by you about Nia Whitfield's surgery.” Her eyes shifted momentarily to Thomas. “In private.”

Dr. Harris smiled, he was always a jovial man. It's why the kids in the pediatric floor loved him. 

“Of course, Nurse DeBreaux. And it's okay if Gardner stays, he's going to be in surgery with me shadowing.”

It took every bit of willpower for Moriah not to roll her eyes at that. 

“Isn't that … great. Nia and her parents would feel more comfortable if I went into surgery with her. I know you had another nurse scheduled with you and I understand if we can't change it but I wanted to try.”

Dr. Harris waved his hand dismissively. “Never be fretful to ask to switch in my surgeries. I want my patients and families to be as comfortable as possible,” he explained. “If they want you then they got you. I'll meet you at her room in fifteen minutes.”

With that, he walked off towards his office she presumed leaving her with Thomas. He stepped closer, she took two steps back and held her hand out to stop him. 

“Stay out of my personal space, Thomas.”

“Our first surgery together. Aren't you excited, Moriah?” He asked, smiling from ear to ear. 

“Not at all. You need to focus on not messing up in there instead of on me.”

He shrugged. “It's just a hernia removal. Piece of cake. In and out in an hour tops.”

She rolled her eyes. 

“You heard what I said.”

“How's your boy? One of my patients had the show on last night, he's not bad.”

Moriah turned to walk away from him, mumbling to herself. Getting transferred back to the emergency department wasn't happening quick enough for her. Between the rift with her and Zilla and Thomas always in her face at work, she was more than tired. 

Hassan pulled up to the house he knew Tamera would be showing in the next couple of hours, parking discreetly behind hers. He grabbed the flowers he had gotten her before jumping out and heading for the porch. The door was open, he knocked on the door frame as he entered. He didn't have to wait long for Tamera to come out, her heels clicking against the impressive marble flooring. Her smile grew wider seeing Hassan.

“What are you doing here, Hassan?”

He gave her the flowers then kissed her cheek. “I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. Happy to see me?”

His heart swelled as he watched inhale the flower's scent excitedly. 

“Yes of course I'm happy to see you. But in the neighborhood, sir?” She laughed. “You live forty five minutes from here.”

He pulled her into a tight hug. “Not the point. You mentioned you didn't have flowers for the house today so here I am.”

“Thank you,” she grabbed his hand, pulling him with her through the house to the kitchen. “I'll put them in a case. They're very beautiful, Hassan.”

“Just like you.”

Their eyes met, her eyes flickered with a very familiar flame that Hassan acted like he didn't see. The flame in her eyes was the same flame that burned inside of him but he wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting into with him. Gabi and Moriah would say that he was stalling but he hadn't and didn't plan on asking them. 

“You are slicker than can of oil, Mr. DeBreaux.”

“And you, Ms. Jefferson, are sweeter than honey.”

Tamera checked her watch then glanced back at Hassan, a smile rose to his face again. 

“Two hours until your appointment, Tamera.”

She hummed, filling a vase with water. “Guess we better put those two hours to good use then.”

His phone rang interrupting their stare down. Seeing his ex-wife's name made him internally groan but he excused himself and stepped out of the sliding door to the backyard.

“How can I help you, Nadine?”

“Am I interrupting you or something? You sound irritated.”

He chuckled. “You know I don't enjoy talking to you, Didi. What is it?”

“Well that's rude, Hassan. I was just calling to check on Moriah. Apparently she's blocked my number.”

“You say that like it's a surprise. She meant it when she said she was done.”

Nadine scoffed into the phone. “Anyway, how's my baby? Have you talked to her today? I heard she's going into her first surgery today.”

Hassan took the phone away from his ear to stare at it for a moment. “No, I haven't talked to her today but she's fine. How the hell did you hear that?”

“I have my ways. Later on, you need to call and ask her about it. And tell her to call me, this is something we need to talk about.”

He took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves. “I'm not telling her anything, she'll call if she wants. Whatever person you got keeping tabs on her at that hospital needs to stop.” He spat harshly. 

“If you think I'm gonna just stop looking out for my baby because she's upset with me right now then you're sadly mistaken,” Nadine fussed. “This isn't the first time, she'll get over it. She got over that damn baby, didn't she? Exactly so she'll be fine.”

“That damn baby was your grandson, Nadine! He was a part of you and you took his life! You took him, you traumatized our daughter, who is also a part of you and you act like it was nothing!”

“Oooh,” she cackled, “I struck a nerve if Hassan is yelling. Not cool, calm and collected Hassan getting out of character over that bastard baby.”

“You would stoop so low and hurt our daughter because you're pissed at me? You're pissed at me for something that didn't have to change anything about our lives, Nadine.”

Laughing, she mocked him, not bothering to give him an actual response.

“What if she would've hurt herself? What then?”

“Oh please that girl is weak but she's not that weak. She would never.”

He chuckled bitterly. “Because you know her so well, right? Nadine, stop trying to hurt my daughter. Leave her alone, let her be and let her live her life.”

“Your daughter?” She snorted. 

“Yes, my daughter.”

“Goodbye, Hassan.”

The urge to chuck his phone into the pool a few feet away from him was strong. Instead he stuffed it in his pocket and took slow, deep breaths to calm himself down. No one could make him as angry as his ex-wife and he hated it. Some would say it was because he was still in love with her and reached to be her but they didn't know him. He hated who his ex-wife became right before and after their divorce, he didn't know her. Feeling hands on his back, he jumped a little then relaxed remembering he was there with Tamera.

“Didn't mean to scare you. Just wanted to check on you. You looked stressed.”

He wiped a hand down his face. “I'm sorry about that, it was my ex-wife. I'm alright though.”

She gave him a small smile, taking his hands in hers.”You don't have to be sorry, I understand about exes. We can talk about it, if you want. Or not talk.”

“Not talking sounds good,” he smiled. 

Bronco and Zilla sat on the floor in front of one of the practice rings with a few of their peers listening to Booker and Regal talk to them.  Since their interaction after the run in with Thomas, Zilla and Booker hadn't said much to each other if it wasn't work related. 

“Getting TV time doesn't mean you stop practicing and working hard to get better,” Regal informed looking at each of them. “The goal is to stay on TV. Right?”

The group acknowledged him with an answer.

“So if you all know then why are we here right now?”

Silence. 

Booker ran a hand over his locs, stepping in to add his own thoughts. “It's great that yall go to promo class, it's great that you're getting TV time but what's not great is yall either half assing it during drills and practice or not showing up at all.”

Zilla honestly didn't understand why he had to be in this conversation. He went to practice, he went to class and he did his thing on TV. With everything he had in his plate, the lady thing he wanted or needed was to be chastised about something he wasn't doing. The whole time Booker spoke, he rolled his eyes and scrunched his face up which didn't go unnoticed by the older man. 

“Is there a problem, Zilla?”

He sucked his teeth. “Nah, mane. Go head.”

“You sure? Cause the eye rolling and facial expressions is telling me something different.”

Again, he sucked his teeth. “Man, go head. I ain't say nothing, did I?”

“This is something I need everybody to understand right now. Don't take me for no sucka, I don't disrespect any of you so don't disrespect me,” he moved closer to Zilla as he spoke until he was in front of him and snatched the younger man up from the floor, ripping his shirt in the process. “Cause if you wanna get disrespectful, I can show you how I handle disrespect. Is that understood?”

The two men stood nose to nose with no intentions of backing down. Zilla's chest puffed out from his heavy breathing, his jaw tight and his eyes burned. Booker maintained eye contact with him, seeing the tears in his eyes. Bronco watched the interaction wanting to step in but he knew it wasn't his place and he knew his friend needed it. 

“I asked a question. Is it understood?”

Zilla scrunched his face to keep his tears at bay and choked out a ‘yeah’. Booker turned him around and pushed him gently towards the door, letting Regal know they'd be back. He guided the younger man to his office, closing the door behind them, then went to sit on the corner of his desk as Zilla dropped into one of his chairs. 

“Let it out, man.”

Zilla choked back a sob, wiping angrily at his eyes. “I'm good.”

“You ain't. Ain't no way you are. I looked into your eyes, man. You're not good.” Booker said softly. 

“I am. My bad for what happened.”

“I accept your apology but man it's okay to not be okay. Is everything okay with you and Rye? Or is this about your dad?”

Pulling up the end of his now ripped shirt, Zilla wiped his face with it. He cried softly, unable to hold it in anymore. 

“Both,” he mumbled beneath the fabric of the shirt. “This shit is hard, man.”

“I know it's hard, I know it is but turning on the people trying to help you won't make it any easier, Isayah. Your people love you,” Booker explained, moving to kneel in front of the younger man. “Lean on the people that love you instead of leaning away. I know it's hard to be vulnerable but sometimes it's necessary. Alright?”

Zilla nodded, pulling the shirt from his face. “Aight.”

With a smile, Booker stood then pulled Zilla up and into a hug. “Go change your shirt and come back to practice. But understand I meant what I said, I'll put you right on your ass if you do that again.”

Zilla chuckled and agreed. 

They left the office going in opposite directions, Booker back to the practice rings and Zilla to the locker room to change shirts. On his way, he went ahead and pulled the ripped shirt off, stuffing part of it into the front of his doors, letting it hang. 

“Hey, Zilla!”

Not stopping his stride, Zilla threw his hand up at Gia. “What's up?”

She jogged a little to catch up with him. “Damn you walk fast. Why you in such a hurry?”

“Gotta get back to practice.”

“Your face is red,” she observed stepping in front of him to stop him, “Are you okay? You wanna talk?”

“I'm good, just hot,” he lied, wanting to get away from her. “Ain't nothin to talk about.”

“I feel like you're lying. You can talk to me, Zilla. I'm a good listener.” She smiled, rubbing her hand up and down his bare arm. 

He moved her hand off of him, placing it back at her side. “Like I said, I'm good and if I'm not, I talk to my lady or my mama.”

“That girl of yours must have you on a short leash,” she joked. “I mean I can't blame her, I'd wanna hold on to you too.”

He scrunched his face. “I ain't on a leash. I respect my lady and our relationship.”

“Sorry, sorry. I'm just saying every time I talk to you, she comes up. I know she's there, you don't have to worry I'm not gonna try anything. I can appreciate a good looking man and be respectful.”

Shaking his head, Zilla moved around her and went to the locker room. After he changed his shirt, he checked his phone to see if he had any notifications. 

Aunt Kami

9:33am

Saturday @ 10am. I'll send the location. You can take Rye if you want. 

Zilla smiled a little at the message. 

Zilla

1:15pm

My bad, been workin. Thank u, Auntie!!!!

He exited their thread then went into Moriah's. His smile grew a little wider. 

Moriah

11:30am

Just wanted to let you know that I'm going into my first surgery in 30 minutes! It's a short one, not more than a hour but I'm so nervous and excited! 

Zilla

1:20pm

I'M SO DAMN PROUD OF YOU, FAT!! I know u did amazing, baby. I love u

Zilla tucked his phone away and locked his things back up before he left the locker room. He opted to run back in order to avoid Gia, in case she was lurking around. 

After surgery, Moriah stayed with Nia long enough for her to wake up so she knew Moriah had been there the whole time. When her parents came in, she slipped out to go grab the food she had delivered for the young girl. She sat it up in Nia's room with Toni's help.

“You need to get your man to go on back home.”

Moriah chuckled softly. “If I could, I would, Toni. What happened?”

“He walked in on us last night. Interrupted my moment.”

Moriah laughed, taking a peek at her friend's face. “A moment that you swore wasn't gonna happen because yall are just friends?”

“That is not the point, ma'am. The point is, it was interrupted.”

“I got more than a I love you today so maybe he'll be back soon,” Moriah shrugged, putting the parents’ food to the side. “Tell me about it though. Did you finally get some? Cause if you did, I'm gonna need him to try again you still mean.”

Toni wadded up a napkin and threw it at her friend. “I am not mean. No, we didn't. After that lil run in, the mood was killed.”

“Damn, I'm sorry. Try again tonight, at your place.”

“We can't leave his brother by himself, Rye.”

Moriah thought for a moment. “He can spend the night with me. I could use the company and I'll take him to school on my way to work tomorrow.”

“Sounds like a plan. Two birds with one stone. I'll let Bronco know.”

Before Moriah left the hospital, she stopped by Nia's room to check on her and to let her know that she would see her in the morning. She stopped by the store to get something to cook for dinner and snacks for him before she went home. She texted Toni to let her know that they could drop him off whenever they were ready. 

A facetime call interrupted her music as she cooked. She answered it quickly, seeing Arthur's name. 

“My favorite!” She said excitedly. 

“Hey, sweetheart. How you doing?”

She propped her phone up so they could see each other while she cooked. “I'm alright, Art. How are you?”

“I'm okay. Worried about you though.”

She smiled briefly at him. “I'm okay, no need to worry about me.”

“If you lie to me, I can't help, Rye.”

Setting her tongs to the side, she leaned against the counter behind her and stared at the phone. 

“I'll be okay, Art. It'll be okay. I promise.”

“I talked to him. He told me you told him about Angel and he left. Why you didn't call me, manamea?”

She shrugged. “I didn't think he would be gone this long. I thought he would've come back the next day and when he didn't … I don't know. I just didn't wanna talk. He's so mad.”

“He's mad, he's hurt, he's angry but not with you. I don't know if he bit your head off but he tried to bite mine off,” Arthur chuckled, “But he knows it's misplaced anger. He knows.”

“Yeah,” she said softly, wiping her eyes. “It's been a week but he's texting back now at least.”

Arthur wished he could teach through the phone and hug her because he knew she needed one. This is what she had been terrified of all these years and it was happening. 

“What did he do when you told him?”

“He asked questions, he would barely look at me. He yelled at me but he apologized right after. I was frustrating him.”

“Frustrating him?”

“He asked me what happened to Angel and where he was and I was telling him that I didn't wanna tell him.”

Arthur sat quietly for a moment, he wanted to say that his little brother shouldn't have done that but given the situation and the emotions in that moment, he could understand it. 

“You weren't frustrating him, the situation was, Rye. Do you want me to come out there? I can clear my schedule for yall.”

She shook her head moving back to the stove. “No you don't gotta do that. We'll figure it out.”

“I hate this for yall but I'm proud of you for telling him, Rye. And I know you're glad you were able to tell him before Nadine did.”

The doorbell going off interrupted their conversation, she let him know that she would call him later and went to get the door. She smiled seeing Javier standing there with his bookbag and overnight bag. She hugged him then invited him in, she took his bags sitting them beside the sofa. 

“I'm so glad you're here Javi. Dinner is almost ready. You didn't eat yet, right?”

“No ma'am, my brother told me you were cooking. Thank you for having me.”

She cooed, going to pinch his cheeks. “Awwe, you're so polite. You can call me Rye, okay? You don't have to say ma'am, I'm not that old yet.”

He laughed going to sit on the sofa. Moriah went to close the door but was stopped by a hand. She panicked for a second then noticed the ‘630” tattoo and breathed a sigh of relief as she opened the door back for him. They locked eyes as he stepped inside, pushing the door closed with his hand. 

“Hi,” she greeted softly. 

He greeted her just as softly. “What's up, Fat?”

She wanted to hug him but she honestly didn't know if she should or could so she played with her fingers to keep from touching him. 

“I'm gonna go finish dinner.”

He nodded. “Ima shower real quick. You need anything before I get in?”

She shook her head. 

“You sure before I get in?”

She smiled a little at the familiarity. “I'm sure, Zay.”

Again, he nodded then turned his attention to Javier. “Aight, Javi, make sure she don't burn our food, man.”

The trio sat on the sofa eating dinner and watching one of the John Wick movies. Moriah sat between them, trying to ignore her boyfriend's eyes constantly staring a hole into the side of her face. He would look away long enough to take bites of his food and catch a scene or two but that was it. At least she knew he'd missed her as much as she'd missed him. When they were all done, Moriah took their dishes to the kitchen and cleaned up while Zilla showed Javier how the shower worked and set up his blanket and pillows on the sofa. He was done before Moriah so he went to lean against the breakfast bar to watch her. 

“How did the surgery go?”

She jumped and squealed, turning to face him. “Dammit, Zay. I forgot you were here.”

“My bad,” he chuckled. 

“It's alright. It went really good. It was a hernia removal on a 5 year old.”

He frowned. “How does a 5 year old get a hernia?”

“When their intestines bulge through the abdominal wall inside the belly button they can develop one.”

“That sound painful. How was it seeing it?”

Moriah smiled as she wiped down the counter. “It was really cool honestly. It was crazy to see how big it was. She was a trooper though.”

“Yeah? She went home today?”

“Uhn uhn. She'll be there two more days and she's excited about it cause she doesn't wanna leave me.”

He chucked. “I bet you love that.”

“A lil,” she laughed.

He let her finish her cleaning in silence, keeping his eyes on her. Javier came back out to the living room and got comfortable on the sofa, remote in hand. 

“You got your alarm set, Javi?”

“Yup, all set, Rye.”

“Your phone on the charger?”

He sat up to check it. “Yup, it's good. Can I watch TV?”

“Sure,” she smiled, “If you want a snack or drink, you're welcome to whatever is in the kitchen, Javi.”

He grinned at her before turning his attention to the TV. “Thank you.”

Zilla approached Moriah, speaking softly. “Can we talk outside, Fat?” When she agreed, he grabbed her hand. “We gon step outside for a few, Javi. Yell if you need us.”

They sat beside each other on the first step, shoulder to shoulder. The night breeze gently whipped around them. 

“First, let me apologize for walkin’ out like that and not lettin’ you know I was aight. No matter how upset I was, that wasn't right.”

“I accept your apology, Zay.”

“Second, I don't hate you and I'm not mad at you so get that thought out your head. You my Fat and I love you.”

She nodded, blinking a few tears out. “I love you too.”

“I can't imagine how scared you was that whole time and the pain that must've caused. You needed me and I wasn't there, I'm sorry, Moriah.”

She laid her head on his shoulder, crying softly. She wanted to tell him that he didn't need to apologize but she needed to hear that. 

“Thank you for apologizing. I gotta be honest, a part of the reason I was so mad at you and refused to come see you was because of Angel.” She admitted softly. “I knew that my mom would've probably still did what she did if you weren't locked up but I wanted you there. I needed you, Angel needed you and you left us.”

His face scrunched as he tried and failed to keep his tears at bay. They betrayed him, slipping from his eyes in rapid succession. He moved the arm she laid on, wrapping it around her and pulling her closer to him. 

“I regret not being there for you and him, it's something ima spend the rest of my life tryna make up for. I appreciate you been honest with me, Fat. I gotta be honest with you too.”

“I'm listening.”

“I love you and I don't wanna lose you but if you let your mom back in your life, I can't promise that ima stay. My love for you is the only thing keepin me from doin anything to her. I can't have her in my life, Moriah.” He spoke honestly. “She took our baby from us and probably any possibility of having another. She took what would've been a piece of my pops from me and my family. Do you get that?”

“I got it, Zay. I do.”

“That's the only thing I'm asking of you. Keep her out of our lives. She don't want shit but to tear us down and tear us apart. You got me, my family, your dad and the rest of your family … you don't need shit from her.”

“I'm done with her. She's not coming back unless you and I decide that she can. I've washed my hands of her. I promise.”

Nodding, he put his finger under her chin tilting her head back. He wiped the lingering tears from her face then kissed her softly. 

“I love you, aight?”

“Aight,” she giggled softly. “I love you more.”

“Damn I missed you.”

“Not as much as I missed you, big head.”

“Two more things though.”

She raised a brow waiting for him to finish. 

“We changing your number tomorrow.”

“Okay, second thing?”

“Since Zilla can't get you pregnant right now, can Zilla throw his condoms out?” He laughed. 

“Boy,” she laughed, “They're tied not burnt but I guess you can throw them out.”

“What that mean?”

“It means that there's a small chance that I can get pregnant but very small. And if we want I can reverse the procedure but it's not guaranteed to work.”

Zilla pecked her lips a few times making her giggle. “Well guess we gon find out how small that chance is.”

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Eight

A/N: This is going to be the last chapter of 2024! Enjoy and excuse any typos!

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of abortion, 18+, MINORS DNI

Masterlist

Chapter Seven

“You know when you said you would pay me back I thought you were gonna take me to dinner, not have me melting in the hot ass sun.”

After some bargaining at the hospital, Toni had given Bronco her number and after more bargaining over the span of two weeks, she finally gave in to his invitation to go out with him. Now she sat beside him in the bleachers watching his brother’s baseball practice.

“I told you to dress comfortable and in something lightweight,” he chuckled. “Where did you think I was takin you with that dress code? Mickey D’s?”

She laughed, pushing his shoulder. “Shut up and I would have been just fine with McDonalds thank you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ms. Toni.” He joked dodging her hit. “But I figured we could sit out here and talk and stuff without the interruptions. If that’s okay with you. Plus you said you needed to talk to me about something anyway.”

She nodded watching the boys on the field for a moment. “You and Zilla are pretty close right?”

Bronco nodded, looking between her and the field. “Yeah we are. Something wrong?”

“Yes and no.” She shrugged. “I’ve been trying to talk to Moriah about it but she’s already got a lot going on. I know she needs to know but I don’t wanna add onto her stress.”

A frown replaced Bronco’s small smile.

“What you seen him creepin or somethin? Cause I can dead that shit real quick. Just let me know what’s up.”

“No, no, no,” she replied quickly putting her hands out to stop him, “No, Zilla is not cheating on her. No. Breathe.”

“Oh,” he blew hard, “I was about to get that man, my friends don’t do that shit.”

“Well I’m glad you hold your friends accountable. Not a lot of men do that,” she praised offering him a smile, “But when her mom was in town a few weeks ago for Thanksgiving, her mom came up to the hospital.”

“Maybe she was tryna talk to Rye after everything.”

“Nope, she wasn’t there to see Rye, Rye wasn’t even working. I overheard her talking to Thomas while I was up on the pediatrics floor.”

His face turned up at her words. “Thomas? Rye’s ex that almost got his ass beat? Him?”

“Yes him,” she chuckled.

“Wait, they fuckin?”

Laughing, Toni pushed him again telling him to shut up. “You just shut up and listen. You get on my nerves. Now, she was telling him to lay low with trying to get Moriah back and to leave the rest of the planning to her after he almost got his ass beat by yall. She said she knew how to get him to leave Moriah since she won't just leave.”

“The two of them in on this together, That’s fucked up, Zilla ain’t even a bad guy. I don’t get it.”

“More of she’s using him as a pawn and he’s too dumb to realize it.”

“She got the right dumbass then from what I’ve seen but she do know Zilla ain’t leavin that girl? He love her mean ass too much to take that lady side or word for anything.”

“That’s the thing though.What she tells him might make him leave. Which is why I wanted to talk to her so she can tell him before her mom does. Or see if you can talk to her.”

“Well what is it that’s so bad?”

While Toni was explaining what she’d overheard, she had to keep reminding him to lower his voice and not get himself upset. Based on his reaction, she knew that the reaction Moriah gets will be even worse. By the end of their conversation Bronco was red from the tips of his ears to the tips of his fingers, Toni was sure if she looked closely she could see steam coming from his ears. It took a lot of convincing for Bronco not to go to the hospital and prove to Thomas that the security wait time wasn’t shit. But he told her if she didn’t let Moriah know, that he would.

After the NXT tapings for the holidays, Zilla and Moriah were on their flight within the hour heading back to Texas. Zilla slept with his head in Moriah’s lap most of the flight but sleep completely missed her. Her mind was moving a mile a minute, worrying. Toni had been trying to have a conversation about Nadine for the past couple of weeks which she brushed off until Toni put her foot down. She told Zilla to make sure Moriah called her as soon as they got situated if she wanted to be off for his next match. Moriah wasn’t sure if she had done something wrong at work or if Toni just wanted to talk about Bronco. Along with that, Moriah stressed about if her mother was going to try and see her and what would happen when she had to be in the same room with her on Christmas since it was the only way she’d see her grandmother and auntie. Before she could get a good grasp on either dilemma, the couple were in their uber headed to Leata’s house. 

They went around to the back of the house and slipped in to surprise everybody. Zilla sat their bags down, then led Moriah through the kitchen to the living room. While Zilla was sneaking up behind Leata, Moriah went to jump into Zilla’s second oldest brother, Ejay’s lap and hugged his neck tight. Leata screamed seeing both of her babies.

“I thought you two weren’t coming for two more days!” 

“We wanted to surprise yall,” Zilla chuckled squeezing her tight.

Moriah continued to squeeze and hug Ejay, laughing. “Hug me back, Ejay! Don’t be mean! Mama, tell him don’t be mean!”.

“Be nice to her, Ejay. She’s been putting up with your brother all by herself. She needs some love,” Leata joked. 

“That’s right and that ain’t easy! He hard headed! He don’t listen! Annnnd … he eats all of my snacks.”

Zilla stared at her playfully. “I’m hard headed and don’t listen? Me?”

Moriah nodded. “That’s right, you.They all know that you’re hard headed and don’t listen. Right, Mama? Right, brothers?”

“Nope, Mama is not in this. I’m gonna go straighten up the room for you two.” She laughed softly as she left the room.

Moriah shrugged getting up. “That just means she doesn’t wanna hurt his feelings. I know my favorite brothers don’t care so…. Naio, Ejay ….  tell him. Please and thank you.”

“Why are we in the middle?” Ejay asked, laughing.

“They not cause they know it’s you, fat head,” Zilla thumped her forehead then stepped back to dodge her hit.”Don’t be mad at me cause you hard headed and don’t listen.”

The couple started to argue while his brothers watched and laughed. They did miss their arguments simply because they never had to get involved. Being ref was their moms job.

“Aye, aye, aye. It’s too much noise in here!”

The arguing stopped, they both turned to the doorway of the living room ready to fuss at whoever it was.

“Arthuuuuur!”

As Moriah was running towards him, Zilla pulled her back and pushed her playfully onto the sofa so he could get to his oldest brother. Laughing, Arthur hugged his brother tight.

“Why you do that?”

“Don’t worry about her, she’ll be aight,” he laughed, “Her fat ass head saved her.”

Moriah huffed standing back up from the sofa and marched over to them, plucking Zilla’s ear.

“I hope it’s funny when you on the sofa tonight.”

“You can’t put me on the sofa in my mama house. She ain’t gon let  you.”

“She let me do it before so I hope you enjoy it.”

Laughing, Zilla pulled her close putting his face in her neck making her giggle.

“Let me go, Fatu” She giggled trying to move away from him.

“Come on, Fat.” He pleaded, still holding onto her, “Don’t do me like that. You know I love you.”

Moriah giggled louder trying to get away from his kisses and tickles. 

“Moriah! Come here!”.

After a little more of their tug of war, Zilla let her go from his grasp so she could answer Leata’s call. Arthur guided his baby brother over to the sofa, both of them flop down on it.

“I thought yall were sickening while yall were here but since yall been in Florida, yall have gotten so much worse,” Ejay joked. “I mean do yall argue at all?”

“Yeah we argue, not a lot but sometimes.” 

“I know what it is,” Naio snickered while his brothers watched him, waiting for him to finish. “It's that sofa.”

They all laughed, Arthur smacked his baby brother’s chest playfully.

“Why did your ass tell her mama that? You knew she almost popped a blood vessel.”

He shrugged. “She was tryna be funny so I was hilarious. I ain’t gon lie to yall that lady lucky I love Fat as much as I do.”

“Shit, I don’t think love would’ve been enough to get me off her ass,” Naio admitted messing with his twists, “I woulda told Moriah to go to the hotel and get her lick back. That bruise was big as shit.”

EJay squinted. “What bruise?”

“You remember I told you Nadine slapped her?” Zilla asked speaking in a low tone to which he nodded. “The bruise from that.”

“She slapped her that hard? Hell nah, she needed her ass beat.”

Zilla shrugged. “That’s her mom, I agree but you know. Rye ain’t talked to her since. Nadine call and shit, her ass even called me tryna get to her.”

“You answered the phone,” Arthur inquired.

“I answered one time and reminded her that she didn’t like me and told her not to call my phone no more. Like I was gon make Fat talk to her.”

While the brothers were talking, Moriah helped Leata make the bed in Zilla’s old bedroom. The two women moved in a comfortable silence. Peace and love radiated through the house, it gave Moriah that warm feeling she missed when they were at home in Florida. If Moriah could bottle it up and take it with her to spread around in their own home she would. When the bed was done, Moriah sat on the side of it watching Leata search the small walk in closet.

“The other day I came in here to look for something and I found something I never realized I left in here,” Leata explained still searching the closet. “I must have put it in here after you two left cause I imagine you or him would’ve found it.”

“Oh? What you got?”

A quiet moment passed between them before Leata emerged from the closet holding the item close to her chest. She closed and locked the bedroom door before going to sit beside Moriah on the bed.

“Do you remember this?” She asked handing the piece of clothing over to Moriah. 

Moriah laughed a little. The shirt she held in her hands had a collage of pictures of her and Zilla, only slightly faded.. “He hated it but he wore it to make me happy.”

“I remember the night you gave it to him in front of all of us. I had never seen him roll his eyes so hard,” she laughed, “His brothers didn’t make it any better. He knew that it meant a lot to you though.”

“I remember the way his face turned up,” she laughed, “But he hugged me and told me he loved it. I knew better though.”

“We all did. I wasn’t 100% sure until that moment that you and him liked each other,” she chuckled, “14 years old and acted like an old married couple.”

Moriah shrugged, finally looking up from the shirt. “I didn’t know exactly what I was feeling but I knew that as long as I had him it didn’t matter.”

“Have you told him yet?”

“No, not yet. I know I need to.”

“I know you’re afraid of his reaction. If you want, I’ll be there while you tell him.”

She shook her head, “No, well … maybe. I gotta do something else first though.”

On Christmas Eve, Moriah slipped away from the Fatu family to visit her own. Her grandmother and aunt were in town to see her, in order to see them she had to bite the bullet and go to her childhood home. Zilla offered to go with her and when she turned him down, he told her he would be accompanying her. The couple stood on the front porch wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing and whispering softly to each other. Zilla wanted her to be in the best mood possible before entering a space he knew wouldn’t be conducive to her mental health.

“I must have missed the mistletoe out here.”

Moriah pulled away laughing. “Auntie Kami! I missed you!”

Kamille Parker, the younger sister of Nadine and the one that was given all the sense if you asked Moriah. The two hugged and rocked from side to side while Zilla watched with a small smile. Kamille kissed her head after she pulled away. 

“I missed you too but I see my nephew is keeping you nice and busy.” She joked, going to hug him. “Hey, Zilla. How are you? I saw your match too. You did that.”

“Thank you, Auntie. You look beautiful as always.”

“That’s because I know how to act and treat people,” she joked, “I keep telling my fat head sister that but we all know she doesn’t listen very well. She’s gonna start aging like milk.”

The young couple laughed as they followed her into the house. Her mother’s voice carried through the house, she sounded happy but Moriah knew as soon as she saw Zilla that was going to change, 

Kamille nudged her, “Stop thinking so hard. Especially about her. You didn’t come to see her anyway, you came to see me and Mama. Fuck her.”

“Auntie,” Moriah laughed softly. 

“No seriously, fuck her, Moriah. You worry about you, she did this to herself. Don’t you agree, Zilla?”

“Yup.”

Moriah stared between the two of them, playfully shaking her head. “Alright, Auntie but don’t be all buddy buddy with him. I’m the favorite here, not him.”

Zilla thumped her ear playfully, “You so jealous. Ion say shit when Mama pick your side over mine.”

“You do so,” she fired back, “Just before we left the house you made her apologize for taking my side.”

“Blah, blah, blah, proof or it didn’t happen.”

Laughing, Kamille stopped the couple from arguing before they got too carried away. They stood in the foyer a little longer to talk, both Zilla and Kamille could tell Moriah needed a little more time. 

“Look what Santa left on the porch,” Kamille announced happily as they entered the living room. 

Trenice Parker, the matriarch of the Parker family, stood from her seat on the sofa with a beautiful smile stretched across her face and her eyes lit up at the sight of her granddaughter. She waved her oldest daughter off when she attempted to keep their conversation going.

“Look at my beautiful babygirl. Spin around let me see this outfit, Rye.”

Giggling, Moriah did a quick spin then went in to hug her grandmother. While they were hugging, Nadine and Zilla made eye contact and he made no move to avert his eyes. There was a slow burning fire in her eyes at the sight of him. 

“Florida has been treating you well, I see. And I assume so has Isayah,” she joked, going to hug him. “How are you doing, baby?”

“I’m good, Mrs. Parker. How you doin?” 

“I’m well better now that the two of you are here. Wait .. wait,” she called out, “I called you the wrong name. Tell me the name again.” 

“Its aight, you can call me Isayah. I don’t mind.”

“Only if you call me Umi like I asked.”

Moriah frowned pushing between them. “Uhn uhn. You’re my Umi, not his. He don’t get to call you that.”

“You always were a jealous little thing,” Trenice laughed, “You’ll always be my number one, Rye. If he’s gonna be in the family then he should call me what you call me. Right?”

Nadine scoffed under her breath, Trenice winked at the young couple.

“You say something, big sis?”

“Kamille, mind your business.” She retorted. “Mama, that boy is not in the family. He can call you Mrs. Parker. Moriah, you don’t see me sitting here?”

“Nadine, stop it. You are just like your father, mean as a snake and for what? It’s Christmas time and I want to enjoy my babies. Now you hush.”

Zilla made eye contact with Nadine again and gave her a wide smile.

“Moriah, I asked you a question.”

Kamille tapped Zilla’s arm, “I need to borrow your muscles for a second. Come on.” Zilla looked unsure between his girlfriend and Kamille. “She’s good. She’ll be good.”

After letting his girlfriend know to call him if she needed him, Zilla followed Kamille out of the room. The generations of Parker women remained, the oldest looking between the others. Trenice clasped her hands in front of her, a smile still on her face.

“Moriah, would you like to speak to your mother?”

“No ma'am. I came here to see you and Auntie Kami.”

Trenice cut Nadine off when she started to speak. “I understand that but what would it hurt to greet her? You don't have to talk to her, only greet.”

Moriah glanced over at her mother, starting to feel herself feeling bad. She took a few moments to take a few breaths. “I'm sorry, Umi. No. I don't want to talk to her and I'm not.”

“See? I told you, Mama.” Nadine scoffed. “Just let her have her little tantrum, she'll be fine.”

Moriah bit her tongue to keep herself from engaging into the argument her mother wanted from her. She had thought about at least speaking to her mother since she was in her house but that thought was long gone. 

“Well if this is how you're gonna act then I wouldn't speak to you either. You should be trying to fix the problem,” Trenice chastised. “Not making it worse, Nadine.”

Nadine groaned. 

“Not you too. I told the girl that I didn't mean to slap her that hard, I apologized for that.”

“You shouldn't have slapped her period, Nadine. Have I ever done that to you?”

“No, but-,”

“So why would you think it's an okay thing to do to her?”

“She was being disrespectful, Mama. I was never a disrespectful child.”

Trenice snorted, “Like hell you weren't.”

Moriah's phone vibrated while they were talking, she slipped out of the room to answer it. She went to sit on the stairs and answered. 

“The ED missing me already? Or you got Bronco tea?”

Toni laughed softly. “The ED does miss you and no tea. Are you busy?”

“Yeah but I needed a break from it.”

Toni noticed the far away tone and became concerned. “Everything okay? You and Zilla alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, we're good. At my mom's house to see my Auntie and Umi.”

“Oooh and your mom is being herself.”

“Right but anyway,” she sighed, “I'm sorry for not calling. Zilla did remind me but Mama had me so busy. She's missed me being here with her. What did you wanna talk about?”

“Well first, where's Zilla?”

She chuckled. “I tried to leave him with his brothers but he put his foot down and came with me. He's helping my Aunt with something.”

Toni paused trying to figure out how she reached to say what she needed to say. She wished Moriah would've called before she went to get mother's house. 

“In just gonna rip the bandaid off,” she sighed, “When your mom was here, she came to the hospital to talk to Thomas. She's using him to try and break you and Zilla up.”

Moriah's hold on her phone became tighter. “What?”

“Yeah but clearly she's realized that's not working so she's got another plan,” Toni explained. 

“Which is what?”

“Rye, she's gonna tell him. She knows that you haven't told him.”

The line went quiet but Toni knew she was still there. Moriah's body started to heat up from anger and some fear. She was planning on telling him on her own time but now she didn't have that option.

“She told Thomas?”

“Yes. I'm sorry, Rye. I'm sorry she made you do that.”

Moriah’s heart fluttered in her chest as tears burned her eyes. “Thank you for telling me. I'll call you later or something.”

“Call if you need me, I'm serious.”

After hanging up, Moriah went to the bathroom to collect herself before her aunt or Zilla saw her. 

“I assume you needed something heavy moved.”

“Nope,” Kamille responded handing him a water bottle, “Nadine had been complaining about how Moriah acts differently in front of me, you, her dad and your family so I was proving a point.”

“Thanks. Yeah? I'm not shocked. She think we brainwashed her or some shit but it's really all her doin.” He shrugged taking a long drink from the bottle. 

“We know that but she acts like she doesn't. How has my baby been? She tells me she's fine but I know better.”

He chuckled, “She was taking it pretty hard at first but she's doin better. I'm happy she standin up for herself.”

“So am I. Now what about you? Found a new therapist yet?” Zilla scrunched his face up at her, making her laugh. “You thought I forgot, didn't you?”

He shrugged playfully. “I was hopin you did. Ain't found one, honestly ain't been lookin.”

Kamille snorted. “At least you're honest. I'm giving you a month to find one. If you don't find one, I'll do it for you. Got it?”

“Yes ma'am.”

“What are you trying to accomplish with this attitude, Nadine?”

Nadine rolled her eyes. “The same thing all of you should want … him away from my child.”

Trenice stared at her daughter at a loss. The way that her daughter had gone from being best friends with the family to public enemy number one had her flabbergasted. 

“What is it that you think is gonna happen if you don't get him away from Rye?”

“She gonna be unhappy, mistreated and neglected for the rest of her life. I went through that and I don't want that for her.” Nadine fussed.

Trenice clapped her hands and pointed, “There you go. You're protecting your feelings onto her. Just because you feel like that happened to you, doesn't mean it'll happen to her. You have to let her live her life and be happy.”

“Wait,” Nadine frowned, “Because I feel like? No, that is what happened. Hassan was a terrible husband and you know that.”

“Do I, Nadine? For almost twenty years I watched that man dote on you, love you and take care of you. Where were these other undesirable moments that you speak of?” Trenice raised a brow hearing her daughter scoff. “And if you scoff, suck your teeth or roll your eyes at me again, you'll be picking eyes and teeth up off the floor.”

“When he decided he was gonna abandon his career and his family for a dream. He was always gone, never had time for us, Mama. Don't act like you remember.”

Trenice stared. “Is that really how you remember that?”

“It's how it happened.” Nadine shot back. 

“No, that's how you're remembering it. He lost his best friend and he decided to live life which still included you and Moriah. But because that's how you're choosing to remember it, you've decided to try to ruin your daughter's happiness instead of talking about it.”

“Mama,” she groaned, “I'm trying to save her from the heartache. I saved her once before and I thought she would've understood and been grateful but look at her.”

“What you did to her was not to save her so save that hero act, Nadine.” Trenice fussed starting intently at her daughter, “You did that to hurt her because you knew by hurting her, you could hurt him.”

Christmas always brought different emotions for Moriah. It was her favorite holiday, she loved the togetherness, the decorations and the gifts but it always bought that pang of sadness. Having to spend every other Christmas without her father and every one without those who were gone. She always woke up before any one else did on Christmas and this year was no different. After making herself a mug of hot cocoa, Moriah went to sit on the front porch to watch the sunrise.

Six weeks had passed since Zilla's incarceration, his family and Moriah were still figuring out how to deal with the loss. Moriah spent all the time she could with Leata, wanting to be close to what reminded her of him as she was taking him being gone outwardly the hardest. 

“Rye, come eat. I know you haven't eaten all day.”

Leata sat on the side of her son's bed where Moriah laid under his covers. 

“I'm not hungry, Ma.”

“Didn't ask if you were hungry,” she explained softly, “I told you to come eat. Arthur's here, he came to see you specifically.”

Slowly, she sat up from the bed and let Leata help her up. Leata hugged her tight before they left the room for the kitchen. 

“A sight for sore eyes,” Arthur joked going to hug her. “I got your favorite.”

At that, Moriah perked up going to sit at the kitchen table with him. Leata went to grab their plates laughing softly to herself. 

“Most excited I've seen you in a while, Rye.”

“Beef barbacoa does it every time,” Arthur laughed, “How you feel, lil sis?”

Moriah shrugged and thanked Leata. “Been okay, I guess. It's weird.”

“Yeah, it's weird, I feel the same way. Ma said you been sick, you got the cooties?”

She laughed a little. “Don't have the cooties. Prolly just a cold or something.”

Arthur and Leata briefly made eye contact with each other. Moriah happily bit into her taco, humming as she chewed it up. 

“Your other friends been sick too?”

When she opened her mouth to answer she started to gag uncontrollably. After a few moments, she ran to the nearest bathroom to empty the contents of her stomach into the toilet leaving the mother and son to sit in silence. Once she was sure she was fine, Moriah washed up and brushed her teeth before going back to the table.

“Sorry, sorry. I haven't eaten all day, guess I ate too fast.”

Arthur grabbed the Walmart bag from the table and passed it to her, a small smile on his face. She took it wearily. 

“What's this? A gift?”

“Something like that,” he answered softly.

Moriah looked in the bag then quickly closed it and shook her head. “No, it's just a cold or the flu. I'm not … no.”

“Manamea, it's not a cold. I'll go take it with you.”

She shook her head again starting to cry. “I can't be. I can't,  not without Zay.”

Arthur rubbed her back trying to comfort her. “Breathe, Rye. In and out,” he instructed doing it with her, “There you go, breathe. It's okay, we're here with you.”

Two weeks later, Moriah sat in the exam room with Leata, Hassan, Nadine and her OBGYN. Having gotten over her initial shock, Nadine had seemingly come around to her grandchild and was willing to be present and helpful. 

“Everything with mom and baby looks good, I don't see any reason to worry.” The doctor informed them happily. “We’re just going to take a look at the baby before you go.”

Hassan helped Moriah lie back on the exam table, he offered her a small smile and kissed the top of her head. They watched the screen intently, Hassan and Leata with tears in their eyes. Moriah was honestly confused the first few moments about what she was looking at. 

“That thing is my baby?” She asked. 

The doctor laughed, “Yes, that's Baby DeBreaux. I know baby looks a little funny now but we're only at week 10 so he or she is still growing.”

“Fatu,” Moriah whispered.

“I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, dear.”

“You said Baby DeBreaux,” Moriah answered softly, “Baby Fatu.”

“Oh I'm sorry, I should have asked. Well Baby Fatu is growing and healthy.”

“Thank you.”

Nadine mumbled under her breath which didn't go unnoticed by Hassan and Leata. 

“When is the due date?” Hassan asked holding onto his daughter'shand. 

“March 24th. Give or take a few days if he or she is stubborn.”

A soft gasp left Leata, her tears finally slipping out.

“Hmm well maybe they'll give the father a weekend pass to see the birth of his child or do prisons not do that anymore?”

Moriah stared up at the ceiling while Leata and Hassan glared at Nadine. The doctor cleared her throat. 

“Would you all like to hear the heartbeat?”

“Yes,” Hassan answered still staring at his ex wife, “Please.”

As soon as the sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room, Nadine's rude remark was forgotten. Moriah cried softly, her hand instinctively went to her belly. 

Another two weeks passed, news of Moriah's pregnancy hadn't spread beyond her parents, Leata, Arthur, her aunts and grandparents. They had yet to figure out how to tell Zilla the news as they were worried about how it would affect him not being able to be there for his own child for ten years. When Moriah wasn't at school she was baby shopping with Leata and on some occasions with Nadine as well. 

“Where are you going?” Nadine asked seeing Moriah pull on her shoes. 

“Zilla's mom is coming to get me. We’re gonna go look at some stuff.”

Nadine shook her head. “Call her and tell her that you can't go. You've got an appointment.”

“Uuh on a Saturday? I thought my next one wasn't for a few weeks.” She said genuinely confused. 

“Yes on a Saturday. This is with a different doctor, I just wanna make sure everything is okay.” Nadine explained sweetly.

Moriah smiled. “Oh okay then I'll see if she wants to come.”

“No, no. I want this to be just me and you,” Nadine suggested getting up from her seat, “Afterwards maybe we can go look at some baby stuff. What do you think?”

Even though she was surprised and slightly skeptical, Moriah agreed and relayed the information to Leata, who was skeptical as well. An hour later, Moriah was sitting in the waiting room of an unfamiliar clinic while her mother filled out paperwork beside her. Whenever she tried to ask a question, Nadine changed the subject or told her not to worry about it. 

Getting called to the back, Moriah was extremely uncomfortable and panicking. The looks the nurse gave her were troubling, she wanted to ask but with her mom in the room, Moriah knew she wouldn't get an answer. When the doctor entered, he spoke to them both but Nadine was the only one responding and not for lack of trying on Moriah's part. The doctor took his time explaining the vacuum aspiration to Moriah as they prepped her. At a loss for words, Moriah sat completely still and stared at the doctor as if he was speaking another language. 

“You'll have to take it easy for a few days but after that you should be fine. I'm sure your mother will take good care of you.”

At the mention, Moriah looked over at Nadine, who had a small smile on her face. 

“Mama, I want my baby. I don't wanna do this.”

“You'll thank me later, Moriah.”

She shook her head, wrapping her arms around her belly protectively. “I wanna keep my baby. You said you were happy.”

“If you two need to discuss this more, I can step out,” the doctor offers. 

Nadine shook her head, “No, there's nothing to discuss. She's 15, I'm her parent and I say it goes. Get rid of it or I'll find someone who will, doctor.”

Tears stung Moriah's eyes at her mother's words. 

“You're gonna let them kill my baby, Mama?”

“I am and they are. Get rid of it and you can move on with your life. Stop crying and let them do their job.”

The week that followed the procedure, Moriah stayed in her room, crying, sleeping and avoiding contact with anyone. From her room, she could hear Nadine happily telling her aunt and Umi how she got rid of their problem and how she never wanted ‘it’ anyway. 

Nadine burst into her room, bouncing over to her windows to open her curtains. 

“Alright, Rye, it's time to get out of that bed. I've let you sulk long enough.”

Moriah pulled her comforter over her head ignoring her mother's commands. 

“Oh no no no,” Nadine drug out pulling the comforter back, “Pity party is over. Get up and get dressed.”

“For what?” She huffed finally sitting up. 

“Well, for one because I said so and two, so Leata will stop calling me,” Nadine huffed. “You can go over there and tell her that you got rid of it so she'll leave us alone finally.”

Moriah glared at her mother. “I didn't do anything. You killed my baby.”

“Tomato, tamato. Either way it's dead and we're moving on with our lives so you need to tell her. Be a big girl, just like you were when you got pregnant.”

“I hate you.”

Feeling someone sit beside her brought Moriah out of her thoughts. She looked to her right finding a sleepy Zilla and a soft giggle passed her lips. 

“Good morning, sleepy head.”

“Mornin,” he yawned. “What you doin up so early? Santa ain't come to see you. You been bad.”

Moriah laughed softly. “He ain't come to see you either, you been mean all year.” She leaned over to kiss him. “How'd you sleep?”

“Good till I realized you wasn't in bed with me. Bad dream?” He asked taking a sip from her mug.

“No, I'm always up early on Christmas. You forgot?”

He shrugged. “Didn't forget, just didn't expect you to get up this year. Don't ask why.”

“I won't. Anybody else up?”

“Nah, just us. Why?” He asked taking another sip then wiggled his eyebrows. “Fat tryna get busy?”

At that, Moriah laughed loudly standing up from her seat. “Boy, no. I was gonna say we can go get breakfast for everybody before your niece wakes the whole house.”

Zilla scrunched his face, “Eeh, I like Zilla's idea better but okay. But when we have kids, they ain't gettin up before 9.”

Moriah slightly frowned at his words but recovered before he noticed. “And why is that?”

“Cause Zilla tryna get busy on Christmas morning. That way I'm happy, you happy and the kids happy as it should be.”

Moriah stared at him trying not to laugh. “Its not often that I dislike you and this is one of those moments. You know how to ruin a nice day.”

“Oh I'm ruinin it cause I'm tryna give you some dick? I bet Mrs. Claus wouldn't turn it down.”

“Don't get Mrs. Claus and you fucked up now, Isayah,” Moriah threatened playfully. 

Zilla smacked her ass and wiggled his brows at her. “You know I like it when you get all jealous and threaten me, girl.”

“I'm about to go get breakfast by myself if you don't stop,” she laughed. 

Zilla got up from his seat, wrapping his arms around her careful not to spill the leftover cocoa in the mug on her. He kissed her head, her forehead her nose then her lips and stared down at her. 

“I don't know what all your mama did to you while I was gone and I'm sorry that I wasn't here to help you and be there for you,” he said softly. “But I'm here now. Whenever you're ready to tell me, I'll be here to listen and help in anyway that I can. And regardless of whatever it is that she did, I love you, Moriah. Ain't shit she can do to change that.”

Moriah blinked away tears. “Isayah, you're gonna make me melt.”

Zilla chuckled, kissing her again. “I ain't mean to make you melt, just wanted to tell you.”

Moriah laid her head on his chest, enjoying how it felt in his arms. At least she could enjoy today. 

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Six

A/N: Happy gobble gobble day! Wanted to get this out before the day was over she here it is! Holiday time is super, super hectic for me. So Saturday uploads will be moved to some time during the week probably a Wednesday until Christmas but I'll let yall know for sure! Comment, reblog & share!

Warnings: Excuse any typos! 18+, Minors DNI! Cursing, Smut

Masterlist

Chapter 5

On Hassan's last day, father and daughter spent time together until Zilla was done at the Performance Center. Even though she protested, Hassan bought things for the apartment,  whatever she looked at longer than ten seconds and whatever he thought Zilla would like. After doing some shopping in the mall, they went to the food court for lunch. 

"How's your food, Rye?"

"It's good, Daddy. Thank you for all the stuff even though I told you that you didn't have to." She laughed softly. 

He wiped his mouth then smiled at her. "You wasted your time, you knew I was gonna buy it anyway. I'm gonna miss you when I go back home, kiddo."

She pouted at his words. "I know, I'm gonna miss you too. At least we're closer now than when I was in Texas."

"And you better remember that. Don't let it be too long before I see your face," he said in a playful but serious tone. "Understand?"

"Of course. Do you know when Ma's gonna come?"

He ate a few more bites before responding. "The holidays are coming and you know how she is about holidays so if you don't go home, she's coming to you."

"Are you gonna come back when she comes?"

"Oh no ma'am," he laughed, "Absolutely not. They're are only two reasons to be in the same place as your mama. Christmas at my house and your wedding. And she's already said no to Christmas at my house this year."

Moriah pouted playfully as she watched her father laugh at her. She knew it was a long shot but she had to try. 

"But while it's just us, we do need to talk."

"You got a girlfriend?" She asked, squinting at him. "Cause if I don't meet her, she not your girlfriend."

Again, he laughed. 

"I don't. I wanted to talk about you and my son in law."

She put her fork down, focusing on him. 

"I know you haven't shared with him most of what transpired while he was away but you're gonna have to. I forewarned him, I didn't give him any specifics, I just told him that your mother did some things and that you were a minor."

Moriah played with her nails, her heart raced at the thought of having to tell Zilla any of it. 

"It's hard and some of it is gon be hard for him to hear but you gotta let him hear it. Okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

"Good," he sighed, "Now about your mama."

Moriah scrunched her face up. "I'll make Zilla apologize to her."

"No," he said quickly as he laughed, "Do not do that. Don't."

"Don't? You sure?"

"Very, Rye. She doesn't and has never apologized to either one of you for what she's said it done. He was giving her a taste of her own medicine."

"So what do I do when she starts being all crabby?" Moriah asked, folding her arms on the table. 

He chuckled. "Ignore her. That's what I do. If she calls you and is complaining about it, just sit quietly and don't respond. She'll move on. And if she doesn't, interrupt her and tell her that you'll talk to her later then hang up."

"I … you," she paused to find her words, "You're telling me to hang on her? That lady is crazy."

Again he laughed, this time a little louder.

"She's not crazy, Rye. You're an adult. If someone is not treating you or someone you love in a way that feels good to you or them, remove yourself. Give them clear boundaries and stick to them."

"You're not the first person to say that to me."

"Then there must be some truth to it, kiddo," he told her softly. "I know she's your mom but that doesn't mean she gets a pass to disrespect you and who you decide to spend your life with. Don't let her drive a wedge between you and my son in law, that's her goal."

Moriah shrugged. 

"I figured she would just get over it and drop it eventually."

"Until she's honest with herself about what's really going on, that won't happen. So until she does, you need to draw and communicate clear boundaries."

"I will, I'm trying. Maybe if you and her get back together," Moriah was cut off by her father waving his hand to stop her.

"No ma'am, Moriah." He interjected. "No. I'm sorry that she's taking the divorce out on y'all and I'm trying to help y'all but no. What happened, happened and that's not changing. Your mama and me are not and will not ever get back together. You understand?"

"Yes, Daddy. I was just saying."

Hassan shook his head, "Don't just say it again."

"Sorry. Why did y'all get divorced in the first place?"

"Only your mama can give you the real answer to that but the papers she served me say irreconcilable differences."

“Do you miss her?”

He gave an exasperated sigh. “The answer won’t change anything that I just said, Rye. I know the little girl in you wishes that me and your mama would have stayed together or worked it out but that wasn’t the case.” He explained softly. “I love you and that’s what matters here.”

“Okay, Daddy. Thanks you for not treating Zilla any different or bad,”

He cracked a smile, “Wouldn’t dream of it. He’s been my son in law since before you two even realized you liked each other. I have no reason to treat him any different. You know that.”

As they were talking and eating, a woman approached their table with a nervous smile on her face. Moriah was the first to look up but the woman had no idea since she was staring a hole in the side of her father’s face. Gently, Moriah nudged her father’s leg under the table making him look at her then to the woman.

“Yes ma’am?” He drew out with a polite smile.

“I’m sorry, I don’t usually do this,” she started to explain, stopping when she realized Moriah was sitting there, “Oh goodness, I’m so sorry. Are you two together? I didn’t even realize.”

Hassan chuckled and shook his head. “We’re here together but this is my baby girl. We’re having a little quality time. What can we do for you though?”

“Not a damn thing,” Moriah mumbled under her breath, earning her a nudge from Hassan’s foot. 

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you and your daughter. I just couldn’t leave outta here without at least talking to you,” she smiled as she extended her hand to him, “I’m Tamera.”

“Hassan,” he replied, shaking her hand briefly, “This is my daughter, Moriah.”

Both women waved politely at one another. Tamera turned her attention back to Hassan. 

“I don’t wanna take up too much of your time with her, so I’ll make it quick. I’m in town a few more days on business and I’d love to see you again.”

Moriah looked back and forth between the older adults curiously. The nervousness was now replaced with a more confident Tamera, and Moriah wasn’t sure why but it was kind of intriguing. And she was clearly holding most of Hassan’s attention.

“Well, I’m heading back to Georgia today. I was only here to see the kiddo.”

Tamera pulls a chair up from the next table and sits down, a wide smile on her face. "You're from Georgia? So am I. What part?"

An audible groan left Moriah watching the woman lean on the table, closer to her father. Hassan gave his daughter a brief, reassuring glance. 

"I'm in Atlanta. You?"

"The same," she laughed softly, "I'm not sure how we've never crossed paths but I'm glad we have now. So can I see you again?"

"I'll tell you what, leave your number and I'll give you a call so we can talk about it," he smiled, sliding his phone to her. 

After saving her number, Tamera shook their hands and left the table. Father and daughter sat in silence, Hassan finishing his food and Moriah stared at him. 

"Daddy."

"Yes, beautiful?"

"Don't 'beautiful' me. You know what I want."

"I don't," he laughed, "What you want, Rye?"

“Are you gonna call her when you get home?”

Shrugging, Hassan stood from his chair. He grabbed their trash, he was stalling for an answer. Although he could usually read his daughter like his favorite book, this was the one time he wasn’t entirely sure about her reaction. Moriah waited patiently for him to throw their trash out for her answer. The two locked eyes, Moriah raised her brows impatiently waiting on his answer.

“You got another store you wanna go to?” He asked gathering their bags.

“No. Now are you gonna call her or not, Daddy?”

“Do you want me to call her, Rye?”

“Oh no ya dont,” she laughed, walking alongside him, “I want a real answer. Are you gonna call that lady or what?”

Hassan glanced at her, a small smile on his face. “Let’s say I did. Would you be okay with that?”

“You’re so difficult,” she huffed playfully, “If you wanted to call her, I would be okay with that.”

“I learned from my kid. If I took her out, would that be okay?”

Hassan had dated after the divorce, two long term relationships but he always made sure Moriah’s feelings came before anything else. The longing and wishing that he would get back together with his ex-wife was still in his babygirl. It hurt him that her wish would be the one he would never be able to bring to fruition but he would grant any other wish for her without a second thought.

“Yeah … yeah I think that would be okay. Just be careful. Make sure she’s not crazy or anything.” Moriah demanded. “And don’t let her in your car on the first date, you meet her. Share your location with me the whole time.”

Hassan chuckled. “That’s what I said to you.”

“And now I’m saying it to you,” she laughed, “But seriously, go and have fun. You deserve it. Who knows you might get married again. I’m not opposed to being your flower girl and Zilla will be the ring bearer.”

Laughter bellowed from Hassan, he stopped to lean over and catch his breath while Moriah stared at him with a playful frown. 

“Now what is so funny?”

“Picturing the two of you doing that,” he spoke in between laughter, “Especially my son in law. But I know the two of you would do it for me happily.”

“Fat!” Zilla yelled from the living room after checking his watch. “What you doin in there? Come on, girl!”

Scurrying out of their bedroom, Moriah put her earrings on going over to him. She stood between his legs, fixing the last earring while his hands rubbed up and down her bare legs. The red satin midi dress clung just the way he thought it would when he picked it out for her, seeing her in it brought a small grin to his face. 

“Isayah, you hear me,” she giggled. 

Pulling himself from his own self indulgent thoughts, Zilla moved his eyes from up her body to her face, the small smile still there. 

“Nah, my bad. What you say?”

“Boy,” she giggled, “I asked if these shoes were too much? Should I change them?”

He bit his lip as he checked the heels out. “Keep em on. I like em. Matter of fact, we can stay here and order something.”

Laughing, Moriah pulled her boyfriend up from the sofa and towards the door. 

“Nope, you said you were taking me out so we're going out.”

“Aight, baby but when we get home,” he paused to slap her ass, “You already know.”

The dimly lit, upscale restaurant provided the exact feel and environment that Zilla felt his girlfriend deserved. It had been too long since he had taken her out between her job and his being so demanding and tiring. 

Moriah's eyes danced around the decor of the restaurant, a slight look of awe.

“Baby, this is nice. Didn't think Orlando had anything like this.” She joked. 

He smiled, looking around. “Shit me neither but I'm glad they did.”

“Why's that?”

He reached across the table to hold her hand. “Cause I can't take my Fat just anywhere especially since it's been so long.”

“Awwwe, Isayah. That's sweet but I understand. Our jobs, especially yours, ask so much of us.”

“Yeah but we still gotta make time for each other and we gon do that. Aight?”

Moriah saluted him playfully with her free hand. 

“Sir yes sir.”

Playfully, he pushed her hand away laughing. “You so goofy, man. You gon be at my match right?”

“Oh I didn't tell you? Toni wouldn't let me off, I can't make it. I'm sorry, baby.”

He deflated a little bit but tried to keep a small smile on his face. “It's aight, Fat. I understand, it's gon be plenty other ones you can come to.”

“Awwee you sure you understand?”

“Of course.”

She grinned. “I'm just playing, baby. You know I wouldn't miss your TV debut. Toni knew I wasn't asking for the time off, I was telling her.”

“Man, don't play with me like that,” he laughed, “You was finna have me in that ED annoyin Toni till she let you off.”

“Well thankfully for her, you don't have to do that,” she laughed. 

Halfway through their meal, Moriah remembered a few things they needed to talk about. She thought about waiting until the end of their dinner but with what he had planned, she knew it would ruin the mood. 

“Last month I found out that Thomas works in the hospital on the pediatric floor,” she blurted out. 

Zilla's fork stopped halfway to his mouth, he looked over at his girlfriend confused.

“Who?”

“Thomas. My ex from college.”

Chuckling, Zilla continued to eat his food completely ignoring the conversation which worried Moriah. She let the silence go on for a few moments. 

“Aren't you gonna say anything?”

“As long as he not botherin you, talkin to you or none of that,  his ass can work there all he want,” Zilla explained in his regular tone. “Now if he is doin either of those, Ima handle it for you.”

“Babe, it's okay. He was bothering me but I handle it,” she smiled. “Proud of me.”

“I'm proud, Fat but you needa tell if he start back.”

“I will but he's harmless outside of him being full of himself.”

He shrugged. “Don't care. If he don't understand you tellin him to leave you alone then he ain't. I'm serious, Moriah.”

She pouted. “No, no, no. I'm Fat. Call me Fat.”

Zilla laughed, “Aight, Fat. Big ass baby yet you mean as shit.”

“I'm not mean to you though,” she laughed. 

His laugh got louder for a moment. “Like hell you ain't. You meaner to me than anybody else.”

“Anyway, I need you to be on your best behavior for Thanksgiving, Zilla.”

“Zilla's always on his best behavior.”

Moriah stared at him. 

“With my mom, boy. You know exactly what I'm talking about.”

He laughed softly. “I can't promise that. If she start with you or my mama, ima start with her.”

“Baby, you don't have to do that. I'm fine, I'll just ignore her.”

“It ain't fine and you don't need to ignore it, Rye.” He said as nicely as he could. “I know that's your mom but that shit ain't cool. And you can't keep lettin her say shit and treat you the way she do either. I don't like it and I know you don't either.”

Sighing, Moriah sat back in her seat in thought. Now everything that she had been told by friends, her dad and Leata were now coming out of her boyfriend. 

“Now I see how you felt when we were kids and everyone kept telling you to stop being bad.” She mumbled. 

“Yeah and I see how yall felt. But forreal, Fat, that shit ain't cool. That's gon cause a problem between us and ion want that.”

“I don't want that either. I've been working on boundaries that I can communicate to her.”

“That's my girl,” he praised, laughing at the smile that rose on her face. He took a long velour box from his pocket then slowly slid it to her across the table. “What you think about that?”

Looking between the box and him, Moriah opened the box and gasped. She picked the necklace up out of its box, her eyes and fingers roamed every inch of it. 

“Zay … wow. This is beautiful. Wow. Thank you, baby.” She smiled finally looking back at him. 

“I'm glad you like it. I ain't gon lie, I ain't know what the hell to get but that looked like you.” He explained softly. 

“I don't like it,” she corrected, “I love it. You did great.”

A blush rose to his cheeks as he got up to put it on for her “Preciate that.” He leaned down to kiss her before he went back to his seat. 

Moriah kept her hand on it and her smile still on her face as she watched him. She loved when he gave her gifts because he didn't do so arbitrarily. They always meant something. 

“This feels and looks pretty expensive guess I'm definitely giving you some tonight.” She joked. 

“Goofy,” he chuckled. “It's dumb and I don't know if you remember but nine years ago today we went out on what I consider our first date.”

A look of sadness quickly flashed across her face then happiness. She twisted her lips playfully. 

“I really did not think you would even remember that, Zay. Honestly.”

“I'm not surprised but I do. I remember everything about that night,” he smirked. 

“See … I should've known that's why you remembered it. Always nasty.”

He laughed as he reached for her hand. “I would've remembered whether or not we had sex that night, Fat. I ain't sure it as much as I should've but it did mean a lot to me.”

Moriah giggled softly. “Look at my man being a big ole softy. I love that for us.”

“Yeah aight. Shawn and Hunter expecting big numbers for the night I debut. Shit make me kinda nervous.”

“Don't let it,” she answered going back to her food. “That means they know what kind of star power comes along with my Zilla.”

“It's crazy that a bunch of people gon stop what they doin to watch me wrestle.”

“Why is it crazy, Zay?”

He shrugged. “Cause I'm just me.”

Moriah raised a brow. “What I tell you about that? You're not just Zilla, you are Zilla. You are Isayah Fatu. You are Leata and Eddie's baby boy. You are somebody. All those people know it so you better know it too.”

The couple stared at each other in silence, Moriah's brow still raised as Zilla's lips curled up into a smile. She understood what he wasn't saying and his feelings, he loved and hated it at the same time. But she respected him enough to not bring it all out at one time. She'd dance around it until she had enough. 

"Come ‘ere.." Zilla said, his voice now with a hint of lust in it.

She took a few steps closer before he pulled her the rest of the and embraced her in a hug. Their bodies pressed together as he pulled her even closer and kissed deeply. Zilla was gentle, yet passionate. His hands cupped her ass as he squeezed and pulled her in against him. Moriah on her tippy-toes in the middle of their living room while she let out a throaty moan. Their tongues danced and explored each other's mouths, both savoring the moment together.

Zilla broke the kiss for a moment, to check if Moriah was okay. But when he saw her smiling in return, he went right back into another deep kiss, more intense than their last. Moriah couldn't help herself, she always loved how aggressive he could be and it excited him to know that she liked it. She moved her hands down his chest to the front of his slacks until she felt something hard pressing against her palm Moriah smiled into the kiss, keeping her hand right where it was. After several minutes of making out, he pulled away from her slightly to lay his eyes on her again making her whimper softly at the loss of contact. 

Zilla looked deeply into her eyes and spoke in a low tone. “Ion think you know how beautiful you are, Fat. Do you?”

She smiled shyly at him, her hand still in its spot. “You tell me all the time, Zay.”

Grabbing for her hand, he held it gently, his masculine fingers intertwined with her softer ones, then led her into their shared bedroom. They stood close together near the foot of their bed, facing each other. Moriah found herself moaning softly under his watchful gaze. She was trembling with desire. All she wanted was to feel his touch more. 

Zilla cupped her cheek softly as he brushed his lips against hers for a slow, sensual kiss. It was like an electric shock running through their bodies. It sent shivers down Moriah's spine, it made Zilla's heart skip a beat. She trembled and whined as he gently explored her mouth with his tongue. But then he stopped as quickly as he had started. 

“What's wrong?” She asked, meeting his stare. 

Slowly, he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it away, his tank top wasn't too far behind. His eyes never left hers.

“Get on them knees for me, Fat. Open that pretty ass mouth.”

It wasn't a request, it was an order and she was more than happy to oblige. Moriah whimpered softly in agreement as she lowered herself onto her knees before her man. His commanding presence was one of her favorite things about him. His tone was soothing, yet assertive, and she could never refuse.

Zilla unbuckled his slacks then pulled down the zipper revealing the bulge that Moriah seemed to never get enough of. She bit her lip gently as she watched him free his dick. It was big - above average-sized, and definitely thick, and it looked delicious to her somehow. Her panties were already damp at this point, and she longed for the sensation of his dick inside her mouth. She loved how dominant he was, and the way he seemed so sure of himself, and it seemed at times he could read her thoughts without saying a word.

"Say aah, baby," he ordered then smiled down at her with his eyes full of adoration and lust. 

Moriah stared up at him, a small smile on her face. He looked down at her expectantly. Slowly, she opened her mouth for him, sticking her tongue out then echoed the sound he wanted. She reached forward and took a hold of him then  wrapped her lips around the head, sucking gently. Zilla gasped softly in surprise at her eagerness.

"Good girl. That's my girl. You look so beautiful down there, Fat." he encouraged softly. "So beautiful. Fuck.”

Moriah moaned softly, feeling her mouth fill up with his dick. Her head felt dizzy with lust as she ran her tongue all over him. His taste was intoxicating and she just wanted more. But she also loved how he praised her, and being called a good girl did something to her. All of her desire felt ignited at once for her man. She felt him place one of his hands on the back of her head, but he just kept it there, and didn't force her to take him deeper inside. She loved how he was taking charge, but that he was also respectful. Reaching her hand underneath him, she gently cupped his balls, rolling them around in the palm of her hand, careful not to hurt him. She slowly moved her lips further along his shaft, taking his cock in deeper. Her gags echoed around the room but Zilla knew her well enough to know, she made the sound for him. It brought a smile to his face. 

He chuckled softly as their eyes met. “Lift your dress up and get her ready for me, Fat.”

Moriah moaned around him in response as she did what he asked of her. He groaned softly watching her bring her hand from between her legs and spread her wetness along his shaft. Subconsciously, she wondered what else he had in mind for them while her fingers rubbed her engorged clit in a quick but gentle rhythm. His dick twitched against her tongue, and he began to rock his hips ever so slightly. He was almost fucking her face, but he kept it slow and didn't go deep. After a few moments, he pulled himself from her mouth, his hand still cradling her head, then rubbed it all over her face first, across her lips and nose, as if he wanted to paint her with his masculine scent. She closed her eyes and moaned at how nasty this all was, while she continued rubbing herself in a steady rhythm, already feeling herself on the edge of an orgasm.

He brushed his thumb over Moriah's lips gently, parting them ever so slightly. 

"Suck it," he purred softly as he placed the tip of his dick upon her waiting tongue. 

Her mouth filled up once more with his thick shaft. She sucked on him eagerly, enjoying every bit of him inside her mouth. Her hand kept its steady motion against her own pussy, her fingertips brushing over her sensitive clit with each passing stroke, and she was dizzy from it all. She was moaning repeatedly now, and Zilla could tell she was getting close to a climax. 

"Stop touchin’ my pussy," he demanded, right as she was about to cross the threshold. 

His words were firm, but not threatening. Moriah whined and pulled her hand back out from between her legs eager to fulfill his command.

“Good girl.”

It took some time, but eventually, Zilla could no longer hold back the rising tide inside him. With his hand on her head once more, he made sure she couldn't escape and with her tongue twirling around him, Moriah was rewarded with thick streams of cum flowing into her mouth. Moriah's whole world seemed to revolve around his throbbing member at that moment. Tasting the salty sweetness of his seed while it filled her up, moaning in pure delight. She wanted to savor every last drop of his warm essence as it flowed into her. He watched her intently after slipping his dick from her mouth. 

“Show me, baby.”

Giddily, Moriah opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue. “Aaaah.”

Zilla pulled her up from the floor and kissed her hard. He turned them so she was facing the bed then pulled the straps off her dress down her arms until it pooled at her feet leaving her naked in front of him. Pulling away briefly, Zilla kicked his loafers off then took off his pants and briefs. 

“That dress looks much better on the floor,” he joked, making her laugh softly. 

Once he got her situated on the bed, he kissed her again as he ripped her panties away from her body, making her pull away and gasp. He pecked her lips one more time then moved to the foot of the bed. Gently he ran  his fingers down her slit paying excess attention to her clit, making gasp again. He kissed up her legs to the inside of her thighs, planting a kiss on each side as he worked his way towards her center.

Reaching her pussy, he placed a kiss directly on her lips causing her to arch her back. Parting her lips with his fingers, Zilla began his assault on her clit with his tongue. He sucked and swirled his tongue around it as she writhed in pleasure under him. He looked up at her as he eased two fingers inside of her still playing with her clit and fingering her to see her playing with her breasts, squeezing them together and pinching her nipples. Her eyes are closed and he knows she's biting her lip to keep from crying out. Knowing she was getting close, Zilla took his fingers away and kissed back up her body ignoring her whine.

“I hear you, Fat. Ima give you what you want, I got you.”

He moved his hand slowly up to find her breasts. Squeezing each firmly and traced her nipples with his tongue. Sensing her excitement and playing into his own, he took her right breast and placed it into his warm mouth making her moan his name softly. After trying to rub herself against him unsuccessfully, Moriah attempted to roll them over which he obliged. His half hooded eyes stared up at her while his hands gripped her hips.

Moriah reached between them, grabbing him and gently rubbed the tip of his dick back and forth on her clit. After a few more back and forth movements, she wanted more and aligned herself with him. She pushed herself down hard and quickly. The couple sighed together and his grip on her hips became tighter. She rode him quick and hard. All the while he touched her breasts, licked her fingers, and occasionally smacked her ass. All she could do was give into her body and continue with the pattern she had set for herself.

She moaned his name loudly and he could feel her tighten around him. A knot started to form in her lower abdomen and she moved a little more slowly.

“Come on, baby. You can do it,” he groaned, reaching up to wrap his hand around her throat. 

She shook her head, whining softly still moving. “I can't, Zay.”

He squeezed a little as he drove his hips up into her. “You can do it. Give it to me.”

Despite shaking her head and whining her disagreement, Moriah's speed picked back up meeting her boyfriend's thrusts until she started to come. Zilla moved his other hand from her hip and rubbed her clit.

“There you go. Look at you makin a mess all over me,” he praised softly. “That's my Fat.”

Once he was sure she had come down, he helped her out of his lap then flipped them over. Moriah instinctively got on all fours, arching her back as far as it would go earning an appreciative smack from her boyfriend. Gently, he pushed into her until he bottomed out then pulled out repeating the pfour, a few times until she sternly called his name. 

“What's up, baby?”

“You know what I want,” she pouted.

Quickly he slammed all the way into her groaning feeling his balls slap against her clit and making her yell out. 

“That's what you want?”

“Fuck! Yes, Zay.”

He thrust hard into her a few times. “Who's Zilla's good girl?”

“I am,” she yelled proudly, pushing her hips back to meet his. 

With the trip 24 hours away, Hassan knew he needed to call his ex wife to try and give her some sort of standard to take to Florida with her. She had yet to pick the phone up and he could already feel the headache coming on.

“You calling me first? Hell must've froze over,” she laughed. “How are you, Hassan?”

“And you asking me how I'm doing? Pigs must be flying. I'm well, Didi. How are you?”

There was a bit of rustling on her end before she answered. 

“I'm well also. Excited to see my baby for the holiday. It's a shame you can't come.”

“Me and her just saw each other so we're fine. We had a good time together while I was there.”

Nadine has to keep her jealousy at bay. “Oh did you? You probably spoiled her as usual.”

“I did and I also respected her and her relationship,” he added.”Something you need to do when you go there, Didi.”

She scoffed. “If that's what you called for then you wasted your time.”

“I didn't waste anything because you're gonna listen to me. I'm tired of the way you treat her and my son in law.” Hassan paused to chuckle when he heard her huff. “You need to get it through your lil stubborn brain that they're gonna be together for a long ass time and they love each other.”

“They're only 24, things can change, Hassan. And he is not our son in law.”

“He is our son in law and you better stay acting like it or you're gonna be the one missing out on holidays and special occasions.”

“Anyway,” she huffed, “Tell your parents and that sister of yours I said hello when you visit for the holidays. I need to finish packing.”

“Alright, you remember what happened last time you referred to Gabi that way. You heard what I said, Nadine. Don't go down there with that bullshit.”

Issues with their flight kept them from arriving until the morning of Zilla's debut. They decided to keep it a secret from him since he was going to be at the center all day. 

“Coming! Coming!” Moriah called out as she went to the door without checking her ring app. She squealed when she opened the door. “Mama! Naio!”

“Babygirl!” Leata squealed, pulling her into a tight hug. “My baby, I missed you!”

“I missed you too, Mama! And you bought Naio, Zay's gonna be so happy!”

Naio mimicked them then pushed them out the way playful to walk into the apartment. The women pushed him back and Leata walked in closing the door behind them. 

“Where's my mom?” 

“She said she was tired from the flight so she stayed at the hotel.”

Naoi plopped down on the sofa, moving around to get comfortable.

“Damn, lil bruh was right.”

Leata and Moriah stared at him. 

“About the sofa,” he laughed, still moving around, “It's comfy and it don't move and I'm tryna move it. I see why he like it.”

Moriah covered her face laughing. “I can't believe he told you too.”

“Well believe it. Ima need one of these.”

While they were catching up with each other, Nadine was doing some catching up of her own. She paced around the living room of her suite.

“I've been trying to get her to at least have a conversation with me but she's still not going for it.” Thomas sighed

“Hmm … do you think she's scared? Maybe he's abusing her. Do you think?” Nadine rambled still pacing.

“No, neither. I think she just really means it.”

“Absolutely not. She can't.”

“Ms. Nadine, as much as I want her back I don't think I have a chance.”

She stopped pacing to stare at him. “That's not a choice. You will get her back. She can't stay with him. I've worked too hard to keep him away from her.”

“Can I ask why?”

“That's not the point and none of your concern. What you need to be concerned with is getting my daughter back,” she paused for a moment, “I'll figure it out and let you know.”

Later that night, Moriah, Leata, Naio and Nadine were sitting ringside waiting for Zilla's match to start. His music hit moments later, the performance center lit up with cheers for him. As he stood on the ring post to posture for the crowd, he laid eyes on his girlfriend then her mother and his family. He had to fight the smile off of his face. 

After the show the family met Zilla backstage where he was talking to Shawn and Hunter. Naoi snuck up behind his brother and squeezed his shoulders prompting Zilla to hug him. While they were hugging, Leata, Nadine and Moriah stood back to watch. 

“That's a nice necklace, Moriah.” Nadine said softly

She touched it, smiling. “Thank you. Zilla got it for me.”

“Oh did he? It almost looks like a David Yurman.”

Leata chuckled under her breath, choosing not to say anything. 

“That's because it is, Mama.”

“You just believe anything. Where did I go wrong? I taught you better than that.” She sighed. 

Moriah played with her necklace. “You're so right, Mama. I do believe everything, like I believed you when you said you wouldn't try to ruin this night.”

With that, Moriah left the older women to go jump on her boyfriend to congratulate him. Nadine watched with a scowl on her face. 

“If you were gonna act this way then you should've stayed at the hotel, Nadine.”

“You wouldn't understand but I want the best for my child.”

“Oh really?” Leata asked with a hint of laughter. “I actually do understand wanting the best for my children and because I do, when we leave here I'll drop you off at the hotel so you don't ruin the rest of their night. You need to get yourself together before you have more grandkids that you'll never meet.”

[thatssonanii]

Chapter Seven

A/N: Comment, Reblog & Share! Updates depend on engagement!💛🌻

Warnings: 18+, Minors DNI, cursing, violence, excuse any typos

Masterlist

Chapter 6

To celebrate his debut, Bronco organized a night out for Zilla the following night. He figured this was a good time for Trick to make a better impression on Zilla than he had in the PC. With Naio and Jon being in town for his match, they went along with him to celebrate leaving Moriah at the apartment with Trinity, Leata and Nadine. The Patio had been a great choice for their outing by Bronco. The drinks, the atmosphere and the food were putting them all in an even more celebratory mood. When Zilla and his family arrived Bronco met them by the bar, dapping up Jon and Naio.

“Listen before we get over there, I invited Trick and Christian. They wanted to celebrate with us. Cool?”

Zilla nodded slowly. At this point nobody could be any worse than his soon to be mother in law. “That’s cool but who is Christian?”

“My bad,” Bronco laughed, “Christian is Melo. He answer to both.”

After getting his approval, Brinco led them over to the section and the cheering from the other two men began. They both moved in to dap Zilla up then his family.

“Yall know Jon and this one of my brothers, Naio.”

 “Damn yall look alike,” Christian joked as he dapped them both up, “That’s crazy. Congrats on the debut though. That match was crazy, man.”

“Facts. They did right putting you as the main event.” Trick praised. “Shut that show down. Ain’t leave shit for nobody else.”

Zilla shrugged bashfully, not ready to take the compliments. Noticing, Jon roughly grabbed his shoulders and shook him playfully.

“We here to celebrate so we need to get this man a drink! I’m the DD so Zilla enjoy yourself. I’ll make sure yall straight.”

While they were starting their night the right way, Nadine was making sure the opposite was happening at the apartment. Since the men left, she attempted to get to know Trinity and see what her daughter had been up to.

“So you are married to who again? Nadine asked.

“Jon, Zilla’s cousin. The one that was just here not too long ago.” Trinity answered, trying not to roll her eyes.

Nadine hummed. “And you wrestle too, right? The lil neon girl.”

“Glow, Mama. Glow,” Moriah corrected quickly. 

“Glow, neon, same thing.” Nadine chuckled. “I guess Moriah could be doin worse things. At least she’s only dating one.”

Trinity frowned. “What’s wrong with being a wrestler?”

“Nothing, sweetie. It’s just not for my baby. She’s too cute to be thrown around and hurting herself like that,” Nadine explained while playing with Moriah’s hair. “But I guess better Isayah than her.”

Leata stood from her spot on the sofa, she beckoned for Moriah to follow her then walked to the kitchen.

“I know, I know,” she spoke softly.

“This is my fault,” Leata tsked, “I should’ve left her ass in Texas. I’m trying to be nice here but she’s pushing it, Moriah.”

“I know, I’m gonna say something. She’s been on one since yall got here.”

“She has and you need to put your foot down for the sake of yourself and your relationship.”

Back at the club, Zilla volunteered to order more drinks and shots for them at the bar, Trick tagged along with him. They leaned against the bar waiting for one of the bartenders to make their way down to them for their order.

“I ain’t mean no harm with what I said to you before,” Trick explained, leaning in so Zilla could hear him to which he nodded. “I just was tryna help you not make the same mistake I did when I first got there.”

“What mistake?”

“The mistake of not knowing how good I am and just letting everybody else decide how good I am instead of letting it be known.”

Zilla chuckled, glancing over at him. “I hear you. I appreciate that but that definitely ain’t what it sounded like you was sayin’.”

Trick laughed a bit, “I thought about it afterwards and realized that I prolly sounded crazy as hell. I gotta work on my approach but I meant well, forreal, big dog. So we good?”

Zilla accepted his hand slap and they briefly hugged. “Yeah we straight, man. That delivery was trash though.”

“I know, I know. But remember what I said now. We was backstage while you was out there doin ya thing so we heard just about everything. Them people know what’s up even if they don’t act like it, keep ya foot on they neck.”

The bartender came to get their order then walked away to put it in and make their shots. As push jolted Zilla, had Trick not been beside him, he would have hit the floor. Remembering where he was, he tried not to get worked up about it as he turned to see who it was and if they were going to at least apologize. He locked eyes with a man a couple of inches shorter than him. The man stared at him but didn’t offer any words.

“Yo, you good?” Zilla asked, glaring at him.

Trick looked around Zilla in enough time to see the man size both of them up. “My man, you straight?”

The man scuffed then walked off, roughly bumping Zilla’s shoulder that affected the man more than it did Zilla. Placing his hands on Zilla’s shoulders, Trick shook his head and turned him back around to the bar.

“Don’t even worry about it. That man prolly drunk off his ass and don’t realize what mistake he just made.”

Zilla shook his head, turning to see where the man looked and sucked his teeth. “For his sake he better be.”

After getting into Trinity’s business as much as she could, Nadine  made it her business to get into Moriah’s business which included a bit of snooping. 

Moriah had just come in from running down to their car to grab her charger and realized her mother was no longer sitting in the living room area with Leata and Trinity. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Where is she?”

“I’ll let you guess,” Leata chuckled, looking towards the bedroom.

Again, Moriah groaned.

Trinity laughed. “I tried to stop her and she told me that I should mind my business. I decided to let you handle it because if I do.”

“I’m sorry about her, Trin,” she said shaking her head, “I swear she thinks she runs everything. I should’ve just came to the hotel instead of offering the apartment while they’re out.”

“You’re stalling,” Trinity pointed out.

“I’m not. I was just venting,” she pouted.

Leata pointed towards the bedroom, “Alu loa i totonu o lena potu.” (Get in that room now.)

Moriah pouted harder and stomped a few times. “I don’t know what you said but I can read between the lines

 I'm going but I don't like it.”

Getting into the room, Moriah found her mother going through the nightstand on her side of the bed. She cleared her throat to get Nadine’s attention. Although she didn’t look up, Moriah knew that she’d been heard.

“Why are you in my things, Mama?”

“You got something to hide?” She asked, still not looking up.

“No but,” Moriah was cut off by Nadine.

“Okay so why does it matter if I’m looking in here?”

Biting her tongue for a moment, Moriah took a deep breath in and out to contain herself. “Because everything in there belongs to me and I wanna know why you’re going through my personal things?”

“Oh please,” she laughed, opening the second drawer, “I’m your mother, I can do what I want.”

“You being my mother doesn’t give you the right to violate my privacy, Mama. I am an adult, this is my apartment and I want you to get out of my things now. Please.”

Nadine closed the drawer with a huff finally looking over at her daughter. “Whatever you’re hiding, you might as well tell me now. You know I’m gonna find out. I always do.”

“You wanna know what I’m hiding? Fine, I’m hiding how I really feel about how you treat Zilla, my relationship and me. I’m tired of it.”

Nadine’s brows raised in surprise and humor. “Oh is that right? Well, sweetheart, if it wasn't for me doing what I have been doing for the last ten plus years then things would be mighty different for you. Wouldn’t they?”

“They would and that would be just fine with me. I didn’t ask you to do any of it, In fact, I recall begging you not to,” Moriah fussed, feeling her anger rise.

“You should be very grateful that I stepped in when I did or you would’ve been just another statistic. Is that what you wanted? To be a statistic like those other girls and like your little boyfriend.”

Moriah clicked her tongue repeatedly. “You don’t think you did anything wrong, do you, Mama?”

Nadine stared at her daughter with a proud smile. “No, I don't and I didn't. I wish I would’ve and could’ve done more but I’m making up for that now.”

“What is your problem?” Moriah yelled, unable to hold it in any longer. “What is it? Just spit it out!”

Leata pushed the door open gently, rushing over to stand between them. She faced Moriah, rubbing her shoulder to calm her down.

“Breathe, manamea. In, out.”

Reaching around Leata, Nadine jerked Moriah out of Leata’s grasp and over to her side. Leata turned quickly, a deep frown on her face.

“Nadine, don’t pull on her like that. You could hurt her,” she fussed.

“And if I do then she’ll be okay. This is my child, not yours!” Nadine yelled, pointing her finger in the other woman’s face.

Leata slapped her hand away from her face. “You better keep that finger outta my face if you wanna keep it, Nadine. It does not matter if you’re her mother, it doesn’t mean you can manhandle her because you’re angry.”

“Since they were kids you’ve been trying to undermine me with my child and it stops today! You don’t tell me what I can and cannot do to and with Moriah! For the last time this is my daughter and you can’t have her! So you go back out there and with that girl and mind your got damn business, Leata!”

Moriah pulled away from her mother, stepping in between the two women. She pushed each of them gently so they all could have more space. Trinity jogged into the room to help Moriah keep them apart and be by Leata’s side.

“Mama, chill out! Stop yelling at her! She did nothing wrong!”

“Stay out of this, Moriah! She tells you everything that you wanna hear so you’ll stay with that jailbird of a son so she doesn’t have to take care of him! All you are is a stupid girl with a check to her!”

Leata chuckled humorlessly to herself and tried to walk closer despite being held at bay by Trinity, “Nadine, one more time to talk about my child. It’s gone on too long.”

“Just breathe Auntie. It ain’t worth it.” Trinity whispered.

“Did I strike a nerve? You know it’s true that’s why you’re so upset. My baby makes more than your son ever will.”

“You don’t even know what you’re talking about, Mama. Zilla makes more than I do. You’re just making stuff up at this point.” Moriah shook her head in disbelief. “You are literally trying to find any way to make him the bad guy. If you dislike him this much then you shouldn’t have come here.”

“Oh, girl,” Nadine groaned at her daughter, “You sound about as dumb as you act, Just shut up.”

“No! You shut up!”

Moriah opened her mouth to finish her statement but Nadine’s open palm making contact with her face cut her off. The sound was enough to shock Leata and Trinity, both jumped and stare in shock. Moriah stumbled back until she hit the wall and put her hand to her face. Her cheek was warm from the collision, blood pooled in her mouth and droplets fell along with the tears in her eyes. Nadine’s eyes grew wide as she realized what she had done. She meant to slap her just not as hard as she had.

“Moriah … sweetie,” Nadine said as she attempted to approach her daughter.

“No,” she yelled, “Don’t touch me! Get out, I want you to leave.”

“Baby, just let me get you some ice.”

“I don’t want you to do anything but leave,” she responded, trying to catch the blood falling from her mouth.

Trinity rushed to the bathroom to get something to catch the blood and hopefully stop it. Leata decided to stay quiet and not make any move towards Moriah as the situation had already escalated way too far. 

“Moriah, I … just let me take a look at it for you.”  Nadine pleaded, reaching for her again only to have Moriah recoil from her.

“I can’t do this anymore, Mama. I love you,” she paused, wincing from the pain, “I love you but I can’t do this anymore.”

“It’s just a little argument, Rye. Mama’s sorry.”

Trinity returned with a warm rag, putting it to Moriah’s mouth to wipe the blood.

“I don’t want your sorry,” she said softly after moving Trinity’s hand, “I want you to leave. Until you can accept me, Zilla, his family and our relationship, I don’t wanna talk to you.”

It felt as though Nadine’s heart had been stepped on. All she wanted was the best for her daughter and now it was all backfiring in her face. 

“I’ll give you some time, Rye.”

Leata followed Nadine out to the living room and went to her purse to grab the keys to the rental. She held them out to the other woman.

“Here, take the keys.”

Nadine dabbed at the corners of her eyes before taking the keys. “Let her know that I’ll come check on her tomorrow.”

“She was clear about what she wants from you, Nadine. Give her the space she’s asking for. She’s got a lot of shit that you did to her that she needs to work through.”

“I’ve done nothing but protect her and do what’s best.”

“What you thought was best, not what she wanted and you know that.”

“She was a child, she had no clue what was best for her. As a mother sometimes you have to make hard decisions even if your child hates you for it. I wasn’t gonna let that fly.”

Taking one last look at Nadine, Leata went back to the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Nadine grabbed her purse and fixed herself up and left the apartment with her head held high. She had two days to fix a few things.

“Yo, you know that man?” Bronco asked, pointing at the man that had bumped Zilla earlier. 

All five men looked in the direction he was pointing.

“Yeah he bumped into me at the bar. Other than that ion know him,” Zilla shrugged.

“He staring hard as hell at you. I think he might know you.”

Trick laughed. “Shoulder prolly hurt from when his drunk ass tried to shoulder check Z. Prolly mad.”

“Nah, nah,” Naio said, squinting in the direction of the man. “I know him, I seen him before.”

Jon raised a brow. “Where you know em from? Maybe he thought Zilla was you.”

Naio shook his head. “Nah, he know that ain’t me. He know who lil bruh is.”

“Ion know him. Who is he?” Zilla asked, his eyes still on the man.

“That’s that dude Rye dated. Timmy … Harry … some square ass name.”

“Thomas,” Zilla corrected, a glare on his face.

“Oh he want smoke,” Christian asked quietly.

Jimmy went to stand in front of Zilla blocking his view of the man. “No, don’t nobody want smoke. Let em stare all he want, he already found out you a brick wall and I know he don’t wanna do that again.”

Just as those words left Jon’s lips, Thomas was crossing the club coming in their direction. Jon tried to talk the younger men down with some help from Naio. He knew the damage a public fight would do to their careers, especially Zilla’s since it just started. 

Thomas approached Zilla with a smirk. 

“Nice to meet the jailbird in person. Dr. Gardner but call me Thomas,” he said, sticking his hand out.

Jon stepped in front of his younger cousin. “Whatever you came over here for, you ain’t gettin. Gone go back to your spot over there and it won’t be no problems.”

“Oh you can’t talk for yourself,” Thomas poked, peeking around at Zilla, “I guess its still hard to adjust after being locked up so long.”

“Bitch,” Zilla yelled, trying to get out of his brother’s hold.

“Aye, aye, chill out. Dude you need to get from over here.”

Thomas tried to hide his fear behind his smirk. “Nah, I’m enjoyin myself right here. Just wanted to see the waste of time Moriah has attached to her. Disappointing up close.”

Bronco stepped forward with Trick and Christian behind him. He towered over the other man.

“It really sound like you hard a’hearin. Get your ass outta here before you get tossed the fuck outta here. This ain’t a game.”

Even though he was terrified on the inside, Thomas put on a brave face and continued pushing. He took a few steps closer, pushing Jon’s hands from his chest.

“Enjoy your time with Mo, it’ll be coming to an end real soon. It’ll be nice to have her back in bed with me.”

At that, Naio took his hands off his brother realizing that there was nothing more he could do to save the stupid man standing in front of them. Zilla barrelled forward, standing inches from Thomas and glared down at him.

“Repeat that shit you said.”

Thomas swallowed hard as he stared back, the other men stood closely behind Zilla. 

“No need to get all upset. You couldn’t really think she’d stay with you after I decided to let her come back with me.”

“If you know what I know you gon stay your ass away from her. She told you once already,” he spat moving closer to him, “And if she has to say it again I’m on yo ass. I promise you that.”

“You wouldn’t wanna go back to prison, would you?” Thomas chuckled.

Zilla smirked. “You must not know me. It’s whatever behind my lady. If it mean I gotta go back then that’s what it is.”

“Spoken like a true street warrior. You a grown man now, it’s time to put that little boy, thug life stuff away.”

Zilla poked Thomas’s nose harshly as he spoke, “Fuck all that. Lemme find out ya ass don’t understand what no mean. Think I’m playin’.”

Naio whispered to his brother that they were leaving and Zilla nodded. He led the group out of the section, shoulder checking Thomas almost knocking him off his feet. As the men passed the smaller man, they made eye contact giving silent promises they were sure he understood. Bronco stopped in front of him, staring down at him. A chuckled passed through him seeing Thomas shake under his stare.

“Lakeland General a nice place. Security ain’t shit though,” he said calmly. “I want you to remember that every time you see, think about or look at Rye. Aight, lil man?”

Bronco sent a gruff slap to his back as he passed him to catch up to the group. The men stood around the Jon’s car talking about the altercation when Bronco got to him,

 “You hit em?” Christian asked squinting.

“Nah, not this time.” He laughed. “What we doin?”

I was tellin them, mainly Zilla, that yall need to tell Shawn what happened before he find out from somewhere else.”

“We ain’t even touch lil dude but aight.”

“Despite that dumbass we had a good time tonight and that’s what we gon focus on for right now.” Trick smiled. “And tomorrow we can worry about Shawn chewing our asses out.”

“She what?”

Leata covered his mouth quickly. “Hush, not so loud, she’s sleep. Are you gonna be quiet?” She waited for him to nod to take her hand down. “I’m not sure how it started but Moriah … she had enough then Nadine smacked her.”

His fists clenched at his side hearing his mother’s words. The night had started off promising but had since gone to hell.

“She the one that need to get her ass slapped.”

“I agree but right now, Moriah is your focus. We’ll get to Nadine later, she isn’t important.”

“What you mean she ain’t important? She slapped Fat.”

Leata grabbed his face and spoke softly, “She is not important. There’s always time to get her. Moriah needs you right now and she doesn’t need angry Zilla, she needs comforting Isayah. Okay?”

He nodded slowly staring down at his mother.

“What was bothering you when you came in here? Cause it was something.”

“Her ex was at the club, he was tryin me.”

“You didn’t put your hands on him, did you?”

He shook his head. “Nah but I should’ve. A coincidence that almost got his ass beat.”

She leaned up to kiss his face then hugged him tight. She had a feeling it wasn’t a coincidence but she wasn’t gonna tell him that. “I’m gonna go but call if you two need me to come back. I put some extra towels and washcloths on her side of the bed and there’s one on her pillow.”

“Aight, Mama. I love you.”

After his shower, Zilla eased into the bed close to his girlfriend. When he saw the dried blood on the towel beneath her head and around her mouth, his body started to heat up from anger. He grabbed the damp rag from his bedside and gently wiped around her mouth. She whined softly at the contact.

“Shhh. It’s aight, Fat. It’s just me.” He whispered softly, still cleaning the dried blood away.

Her eyes still closed, Moriah gingerly moved over to lay her head on his chest. She hissed softly when her face made contact with his body. 

“You need anything?”

“No,” she answered softly.

“I got you, aight? I ain’t goin nowhere.”

Begrudgingly, Zilla got up the next morning to go to the PC. He made sure his mother and brother would be there with Moriah in case she needed anything. First thing he did was talk to Shawn, which apparently the other guys had the same idea because they were all at his office within minutes of one another. The talk went well, Shawn promised to look into it and took their word for what happened, He trained throughout the day with a few of the trainers and before lunch he went to promo class with Bronco. For much of the class, he had to force himself to stay focused on the task at hand but his mind kept drifting back to his girlfriend, wondering if she was okay and if her mother had tried to get to her again. After class, he and Bronco talked for a bit until his brother’s school called for him and when they split Booker approached. 

“I ain’t get to see you after your debut so I wanted to come congratulate you and let you know you tore the roof off that place, you hear me?” He laughed. “Boy, yo daddy so proud of you. I know he is.”

“Preciate that,” he chuckled, “I hope he is.”

“Ain’t no hopin’, he is very, very, very proud of you. Okay?”

Zilla nodded as he checked his phone, he replied to his brother’s text then looked back up at his mentor.

“What’s up? I did something?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, I just … what happened last night?” Booker asked.

Zilla shrugged. “Got into with this dude but I ain’t hit em or nothin. I ain’t even yell. How you even knew about that?”

“Shawn asked me plus there’s a video floating around on social media. But it just looks like a very aggressive conversation.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much what it was. He thought he was gon say what he wanted and I let em know that it don’t work that way.”

Booker put a hand on his shoulder, “I get that and I understand that especially as a man. It’s hard but sometimes you have to let people be people.”

Zilla’s face twisted at his words and he sucked his teeth. “I don’t care what he said about me but when it come to Moriah, I’m not lettin shit slide. She already let enough people do that shit, I ain’t addin to that list.”

“Listen, listen,” Booker demanded softly, “I’m not telling you to let nobody disrespect her. All I’m saying is just think about it. Act as if there’s a camera pointed at you when you’re in public. The company wants you to carry yourself a certain way.”

“It sound like you want me to do that, not the company. I said what I said and Ima stand on it. I’m not lettin no disrespect come to her.”

“I’m not tryna upset you, Zilla. I just wanna help.”

“Yeah, help.” He mumbled. “That’s all you wanted?”

“Yeah but,” Booker was cut off by the younger man.

“Cool, I’m out. I’m done for the day and I gotta get home.”

Lakeland General was buzzing as usual when Nadine slipped in. She searched the pediatric floor in search of Thomas, waving away the nurses who offered her any help. On a mission, she finally spotted him with a patient and stood at the door watching him. A smile slowly spread across her face thinking of how happy she would be if Moriah would just listen. Nadine cleared her throat gaining his attention, he wrapped up his conversation with the parents then stepped out of the room closing the door behind him.

“I wasn’t expecting you up here, Ms. Nadine.”

“Well I figured I’d come see my son in law plus we need to talk,” she said pointedly, “It’s important.”

Thomas looked around for a moment  then led her to the hallway near the elevators. He stuck his hands in his pockets huffing softly.

“So I guess you heard what happened?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You heard what happened last night? I assume that’s why you’re here.”

Nadine frowned. “No but go ahead and tell me,Thomas.”

“Well,” he paused when a doctor stepped off the elevator, “I went to the club since you told me they were gonna be there. I bumped him at the bar but he didn’t really react. The guy standing next to him just wrote me off as a drunk guy.”

Thomas continued to relay the story to her, her face was stone and she showed no emotion. 

“Thomas, I could have told you that trying to start something with him wasn’t a good idea. That’s what their family does and sweetie, they’re much bigger than you.” She said sweetly rubbing the side off his face. “I didn’t tell you that he would be there for you to start a fight. You leave the planning to me.”

“I was uh .. I was just trying to help.”

While they were talking, Toni was coming out of the pediatric supply closet with an arm full of items needed down in the ED. As she was approaching the elevator bank she heard Moriah’s name and Thomas’s voice, she moved to the nearest corner to listen.

“And I love that you’re helping me get my daughter away from him but like I said leave the planning to me. Just lay low for right now, we’ve hit a bump in the road.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah just that boy and his family are really sinking their teeth into my baby. But don’t you worry, I’ve got something in mind that will clear all of this.”

Thomas raised a brow. “Yeah? You sure it’s gonna work?”

“Oh I know it,” she smirked, “I’ve been trying to get her to leave him but she won’t. So I have to make him leave her.”

“You think he’s gonna?”

“Oh most definitely. Once I pull out my secret weapon, he won’t wanna be with her any longer. I’m sure of it.”

Thomas smiled a little. “Can I know what it is?”

“Okay but keep it to yourself.”

Toni listened extra carefully as Nadine spoke, she had to cover her mouth to muffle the gasp that left her lips. She couldn’t imagine why a mother would take such delight in ruining her only child’s relationship. A light bulb went off in her head, Thomas already knew Moriah so when he approached her in the parking garage all he was trying to do was use Toni as a pawn.

After Nadine left, Toni was able to get back down to the ED, her mind still on the conversation. 

“Hey, friend.”

Looking up from her device, Toni chuckled under her breath seeing Bronco smiling at her.

“I’m gonna assume the other one isn’t here since Moriah is off. Did he send you to disrupt my ED, Bronco?”

He laughed a little gesturing behind him. “Nah, my lil brother fell at school and he needa get checked out.”

Toni glanced at the young boy and smiled then squinted at the man in front of her. “And you bought him here? Does he not have a primary care doctor?”

Bronco leaned on the encounter still smiling. “He do but I hadn’t seen my friend in a few days plus I know you gon make sure my boy straight.”

“Uhuh,” she hummed, eyeing him, “Come on, I’ll take him to 5.”

Bronco followed her with his brother right beside him. He stood back once they were in the exam room, watching her get him situated in the bed.

“Alright, a nurse will be in shortly then the doctor. Want some juice or anything, sweetheart?”

“Yes ma'am please.”

“Okay,” she winked, “I'll have the nurse bring it.”

As she was walking out, Bronco grabbed her arm gently pulling her back.

“Yes?”

Licking his lips, Bronco’s eyes swept over her. “What I gotta do to get you to be his nurse?”

“I need to run my ED.” She said, gently pulling her arm away from him. 

“It'll be there. This ain't gon take but a minute.” He poked his lip out at her playfully. “Pleaaaase.”

She stared at him trying not to smile. “Fine, fine. I'll be right back. But you owe me, Bronco.”

“And I plan to pay you back and then some, friend.”

“I’m busy, Hassan. I’ll call you back later.”

“I don’t care. We need to talk,” he responded sternly.

Nadine huffed while she actually wasn’t busy, she didn’t feel like talking to him. She moved her suitcase over and sat on the side of the hotel bed.

“What do you want, Hassan?”

“I wanna know why you thought it was okay to put your hands on our daughter? Have you seen her face? You left a bruise, Nadine.”

There was a brief silence between them. She would never say that hitting her was unintentional but she did not mean for the slap to be that hard. Nadine was surprised it took him two days to reach out to her about it.

“Nothing to say now?”

Nadine sighed. “What do you want me to say, Hassan? She’s my child and I can discipline her the way I see fit. And I did not mean to hit her that hard, I apologized for hitting her that hard.”

“Do you hear yourself? Moriah is an adult. You’re apologizing for the force behind it but not the entire act? Seriously, Nadine.”

“You are just like Leata. Making excuses for her disrespect. I was not about to let her yell at me that way,” Nadine fussed. “Did she tell you that she told me to shut up? I bet she didn’t tell you that.”

“She told me everything and frankly I would’ve told you to shut your ass up too. You spent the whole night talking down to all three of them and disrespecting Moriah and our son in law’s relationship. You’re lucky she put up with you as long as she did.” 

“Dammit, Hassan! Stop calling him that!”

Hassan sat quietly to gather his emotions and not get so worked up. He was never an outwardly angry man, choosing to be cool, colm and collected when it came to conflict and he was not about to let Nadine change that. 

“Moriah told me what she told you before she put you out,” he relayed in his normal calm tone. “I told you this day would come if you didn’t watch the way you treated her. She means what she said.”

“What are you her spokesperson? You don’t care about our daughter’s life or her future. But I should’ve known when you picked that job over your family.”

Hassan took a slow deep breath. “I’m not about to rehash that with you because you and I both know the truth. But to answer your question, in a way I am her spokesperson. She wanted me to let you know if you have anything you wanna say to her or ask her that you need to go through me and she’ll decide if she wants to respond.”

Nadine scoffed. “I do not need a middle man. I can talk to my daughter whenever I want to and she will answer.”

“Goodbye, Nadine.”

[thatssonanii]

Flashback #1

A/N: This is about eight months after Zilla gets out and six months after Zilla & Moriah got "back" together. Wanted to give yall something while I work on the next chapter! ⭐LIKE, REBLOG, COMMENT & SHARE⭐

Warnings: Cursing, typos. 18+ MINORS DNI

Masterlist

Chapter Eleven

Zilla disentangled himself from his girlfriend then got out of her queen sized bed, laughing softly at her pout. He pulled his basketball shorts on and slid into his slides.

“I know you not going home,” Moriah pouted. “You said you were gonna stay with me.”

Laughing once again, he adjusted his shorts. “It's like 1 in the mornin and ion have boxers on. Where ima go, Fat?”

The light from her television illuminated their faces. She stared at him then got back comfortable. 

“Where you going then?”

“Use the bathroom then get something to drink. You need something?”

“Water please and don't make a lot of noise. I don't wanna hear my mom's mouth.”

Quietly, he left Moriah’s room heading for the bathroom. Once he handled his business, he went downstairs to the kitchen. Upon getting closer he could hear what sounded like crying so he stopped in the middle of the living room trying to decide whether or not he wanted to continue on. Knowing that if he sent his girlfriend down, Nadine would keep her way too long, he continued on. 

When Nadine heard the refrigerator open, she pulled her head up from the island she sat at and wiped her face. She hummed softly seeing Zilla standing there. He grabbed two water bottles, flinching a bit when he saw her staring at him. 

“My bad, Ms. Nadine. I ain't mean to interrupt you.” He apologized softly. “You good?”

She sniffed a few times, dabbing at her eyes. “No, I'm not good, Isayah. I'm even worse now.”

Zilla wanted to suck his teeth but he kept his composure. “Let me guess … you worse now because of me?”

She snorted. “You just might be smarter than you look. But if you must know, I had an argument with Moriah’s father.”

“Yall divorced and still arguing?”

He said it before he could stop himself and regretted saying it. He could hear Moriah fussing at him already for getting her yelled at. 

“It would appear so, Isayah. It's almost like we're still married.” She said with a humorless chuckle. 

He nodded, trying to figure out how to end the conversation. “I hope yall can figure it out, Ms. Nadine. Ima get out your way.”

He turned to leave the kitchen but as soon as he crossed the threshold, Nadine called him back. He dropped his head sighing then turned back around to go back. 

“Yes ma'am?”

“Do you and my daughter argue?” She asked folding her arms 

He shrugged. “I mean yeah but everybody argues.”

Nadine hummed softly. “Is it yelling or is it just talking?”

“Uuh depends on the argument. We've done both.”

“You've never hit my daughter, have you?”

His face frowned up, he had to bite back the curse words he wanted to let out. “No. Ion put my hands on no women.”

“Good to know,” she smiled a little. “Did your dad ever hit your mom?”

Again he frowned. “Hell nah.”

She put her hands out in front of her to catch his attention. “I didn't mean to offend or upset. Just asking.”

“Why you askin me that?”

“Call it curiosity.” She shrugged. “Moriah's father … I wish he had your ways.  Well that way, not the others.”

Zilla couldn't even wrap his mind around what Nadine was trying to say. He'd known Hassan as long as he'd known Moriah, he never gave that vibe. The only thing he figured was that Nadine was trying to plant information for him to carry on to Moriah.

“You and my daughter are getting quite serious, huh? Six months in.”

“Yes ma'am.”

Nadine smiled again but this one didn't quite reach her eyes. “I don't think that's a good idea.”

He huffed. The real Nadine wasn't peeking or any longer, she was back fully. “We think it is.”

“You've known her long enough to know that Moriah thinks whatever anyone tells her to think. She's weak in that way, just like her father.” Nadine chuckled. “Anything you tell her she eats it up like it's the most expensive meal in the world.”

Zilla shifted his weight, becoming uncomfortable. Stuck between speaking his mind and keeping the peace. 

“You do know that's your daughter you talkin bout?”

“I do know that. That's how I know it's true.” Nadine leaned her elbows onto the island. “You know you're her first love, the first and to my knowledge the only guy she's ever been with. She'll do whatever you say because of that.”

He blew hard, trying to keep his composure. The end of this conversation wasn't coming fast enough for him. Her laugh threw him off, he brought his eyes back down to her. 

“What's funny?” He asked, confused. 

“Because I guess in that sense, she's just like me.” Nadine shrugged, still laughing. “Before she ends up in the same boat I'm in, you can help her.”

“Help her? What that mean?”

“It means that you can keep her from heartbreak. Let her go. Give her a lil goodbye dick and tell her you don't think it's working out.”

Zilla stared at her, he was at a loss for words. He replayed her words in his head but they still didn't make sense. 

“Don't look so confused or shocked. You've been fucking my daughter in my house all this time anyway. This time you can do it and leave with a nice check in your pocket.” Nadine explained, a smirk on her face. 

He shook his head at the situation and at her. “You tryna pay me to leave Fat?”

“Well,” she paused to chuckle, “Yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing. So what do you say? I'll even let you pick your price.”

Zilla felt physically ill. He cleared his throat a few times to keep from vomiting right then and there. 

“Excuse my language but that's fucked up. I'm not doin that shit.”

She shrugged dismissively. “If you change your mind, which I'm sure you will, you know where to find me, Isayah.”

Not responding, Zilla went back upstairs to his girlfriend's room with Nadine's words on his mind. He passed her their water bottles, took off his shorts again and climbed back into bed with her. 

She passed him his bottle, giving him a small smile. “You were gone for a while. Everything okay?”

He tried to figure out whether he should tell her or not. Ultimately, he decided to keep it to himself in order to keep from hurting his girlfriend. He leaned over to give her a quick kiss. 

“Yeah, ate some fruit while I was down there. You missed Zilla, huh?”

She choked a bit on her water then laughed. “Nobody missed you, fool.”

Taking a sip of his water, Zilla watched his girlfriend put her water bottle on her nightstand. He couldn't imagine hurting her the way Nadine had asked her. Hell, he couldn't imagine going back to a life without her, those years he was locked away was enough. He sat his bottle down then pulled her closer to him, kissing her face. 

“What are you doing, Zay?” She giggled. 

“Lovin on my Fat. Can I do that?”

She giggled again. “Yeah but why you bein so mushy? Did the fruit do something to you?”

He kissed her face then her lips, sliding his hands to her hips squeezing. “Just felt like doin it. After tonight though, I think we should stay at my house.”

She cooed, pinching his cheeks. “Awwee you missing Mama.”

He chuckled. “Something like that.”

Truthfully, he didn't want to be around Nadine for a while unless he had to. The lengths she was willing to go to made him nervous. If she was willing to pay him to leave her, he didn't want to know what else she was capable of. 

[thatssonanii]

Chapter One

A/N: This is the beginning of Zilla and Moriah's journey. It may be a little choppy but it'll get smoother starting with the next chapter! Excuse any errors I missed! Enjoy!

Warnings: Angst, implied smut, cursing, 18+ only

Prologue

Laughter, singing, and kids screaming happily outside the house could be heard inside. The Fatu family were no strangers to a good barbecue and never needed a reason to have one but this one was special. An honor must of them honestly thought they would never get. But while all the fun was had on the outside, half of the guests of honor was in the bedroom. 

"It already started, Mama, like two hours ago. You said you were coming."

"Okay so if I already told you that I'm coming then why call me, Moriah?"

"Because you're not here yet, Mama. You're never late, you hate being late." She huffed.

The door opened catching Moriah's attention, Zilla slipped in closing the door behind himself. He mouthed "who that?" to her to which she put the call on speaker. 

"Moriah, please. It's a barbecue, those things never end. I'll get there when I get there."

Again, Moriah huffed. "Just please come soon, Mama."

"I will now stop frowning. You're gonna wrinkle."

To that Moriah rolled her eyes then mouthed for Zilla to speak to her. He hesitated for a moment until his saw her brow raise. 

"What's goin' on, Ms. Nadine? How you doin'?"

Nadine grunted audibly. "Hello, Isayah. I'm doing well. And you?"

Moriah put the call on mute for a second, "Please don't. You know she is." She took the call off mute.

"Good to hear that, ma'am. I'm well also."

"I'm sure. Moriah?"

"Ma'am?"

"Don't call again unless something is wrong. I'll get there when I get there."

Zilla waited for her to get off the phone then did it from her hands and into the pocket of his basketball shorts. He pulled her up from the bed then moved his hands to her waist, holding her body against his. She stared up at him with a frown on her face. 

"Talk to Zilla. Tell Zilla what's wrong."

"She's being annoying, she's gonna wait until way later to come and when she does come she's gonna act all stank."

He pecked her lips. "Since you know that's how she gon act then it's a good thing she's not coming until later. You still got time to enjoy yourself. Right?"

She mocked him playfully. "Yeah but it's been a year, she shouldn't still be acting like that about us being together."

"I appreciate that you upset about how she feel about me but don't. Ms. Nadine ain't liked me since we was kids, man," he laughed, "And me going away ain't help that shit. She may not ever like me and you gotta be aight with that never changing or that shit gon eat at you and ruin us. Feel me?"

Moriah scrunched her face up at him, "They send your ass to therapy a few times and now you Dr. Phil. Get on my nerves making sense."

He laughed heartily, one of his hands coming up to clutch his chest. "You got jokes but I'm forreal. I'm good whether she with us or not. As long as I got you and you got me, we got all we need. Aight?"

"Aight, Zay."

His hands moved down to her ass, giving it a tight grip."That's right. Gimmie kiss so we can get out there, the fam was looking for you."

"Thought we were gonna have to come looking for yall. Yall was hidin? Tryna make babies?" Jacob asked jokingly from the grill.

Moriah thumped his neck as she passed him. "Hush up. Ain't nobody making no babies. Mama, get him!"

Laughing, Leata looked up from the bubbles she was opening for the kids. 

"Leave them alone, Jacob. No babies for them right now, they have more important things to do."

Zilla went to bump shoulders playfully with him, "I ain't been in there but like five minutes. It take a whole lot longer than that. Ain't that right, Fat?"

Moriah stared at him, trying to hold her laughter as her cheeks heated up. "You're embarrassing, stop talking to me."

"Moriah," Leata called out, "Sau ia ma ua."

After giving Zilla a kiss, Moriah followed Leata to a quiet corner of the backyard. The two of them hadn't been able to talk as much as they're used to with them trying to get all the last minute things together for the barbecue and all the company wanting to speak to them respectively. 

"Yes ma'am?"

"Just wanted to talk to you before things get really hectic," she explained, watching everybody else, "This past year has been the best that Zilla has had in years. Literally years. And having you by his side has been amazing to see. You two have always worked so well together."

Listening intently, Moriah never took her eyes off of the older woman. She wanted to soak in all of her words, not miss a beat. Their relationship is something she has always treasured.

"I've been there with you both as you both have been building up to this moment. I've been there to support, to help, to hold, to referee," she joked, making them both laugh, "But now you two are about to be on the other side of the country doing your things that you've worked so hard far and I won't be there physically. Although I am only one call away, you two have to remember that all you have is each other."

Moriah spoke softly, "Yes ma'am."

"Eventually you'll build a circle that you both can lean on when necessary but for now it's Zilla and Fat, Fat and Zilla. When my son is too stubborn to remember that, because he will be," she chuckled, "You remind him of that. Remind him of what you're both fighting for and where you both came from."

"I will. He's gonna hate hearing it repeatedly," she laughed, "But I'm gonna tell him, Ma."

Leata finally turned her gaze to Moriah, tears in her eyes that she didn't let fall and a smile on her face. "You both are gonna do amazing, I'll visit whenever I can and remember that alcohol cancels out your birth control."

The sun was nearly setting by the time Nadine made an appearance, unfortunately for her though barbecue had only slowed a little. She entered through the backyard gate, carrying a medium sized gift bag and a slight frown on her face. Her eyes scanned the yard until they landed on her daughter, her frown lifted slightly seeing Moriah. 

"Nadine, I'm glad you could make it. You can sit the gift on the table if you'd like," Leata offered as she approached. 

Nadine shook her head. "Thank you but no, I wanna give it to her myself. You decorated nicely, I like it."

"I can't take all the credit, Rye helped me out with it. Listen, can we talk before you speak to them?"

Although Nadine didn't want to, she obliged. She didn't really have an issue with Leata, not a big one anyway. She followed Leata into the house and into the kitchen. The two of them sat at the breakfast table. 

"She's been looking for you all day, wondering when you were gonna show up."

"She so dramatic," Nadine chuckled, "I told that girl I was coming. Is that what you wanted to talk about? 23 years old and acting like this, yet she's getting ready to move across the country. Tuh."

Leata sat quietly for a moment trying to choose her words carefully as not to upset Nadine. "I get it, she's your only baby and she's growing up, moving away … it's difficult to deal with. He's not my only but he is my baby so I get feeling apprehensive about the whole move. What makes me feel better is knowing that they're gonna have each other."

"Her leaving doesn't make me apprehensive. I expected her to leave and take on a career." Nadine explained flatly. "But what I am apprehensive about and what I did not expect is my daughter making this move because of your son. Making this move with nothing but one car, their clothes and a few personal items."

"Moriah is not making this move because of my son, Nadine. Moriah and Zilla made this decision together after he'd been offered a contract." Leata snapped back. "She may not have a job yet but it'll come. Any hospital would be happy to have her. And yeah they may not have a lot of material items but they have somewhere to lay their heads at night."

The two women calmly went back and forth for the next ten minutes about their children and their plan. Neither planned on backing down from their positions but were able to keep it respectful, which was the hardest for Leata. She couldn't understand why Nadine was so against their relationship and their move. Jacob had walked in on the conversation then walked right back, he let Moriah know that her mother had made it. 

"Who knows how long they've been in there," Moriah groaned. "Let me get in there. You coming, babe?"

A part of him wanted to say no but he knew he couldn't let her go alone so he nodded. 

"But listen calm down before you get in there. You was havin' a good time, enjoyin' yourself until you found out she was here. Don't let her ruin your mood like that. Aight? Promise me."

"But I," Zilla raising his brows stopped her, "Okay, I promise. I'm calm."

Nodding, Zilla turned his girlfriend around and gently guided her towards the house. When they got inside, the mothers were still going back and forth which made Moriah internally groan. 

"Hey, Mama. You look petty."

Getting up from her chair, Nadine finally smiled as she hugged her daughter tight. Zilla and Leata watched them, making eye contact with each other when they realized Moriah held her hands at her side for most of the hug. Nadine let her go, checking out the outfit.

"Thank you. You look cute, showing those legs today I see."

"Thanks. I know you see Zilla behind me, Mama."

"Hmm," she glanced at the young man then stepped around her daughter to hug him briefly, "Of course I did. Couldn't miss him, he's attached to your hip. How are you, Isayah?"

He chuckled, ignoring her slight shade. "I'm good, Ms. Nadine. I do be attached to her hip, if I could get in her skin I'd be there too I can't lie. How you doing though? You good? You aight, Ms. Nadine?"

"I just bet you would. I'm fine, Isaiah." She huffed turning back to her daughter. "Did you tell your father about your big move?"

"Told him when I told you. He excited about it, Mama. I wish you would be too." She admitted honestly. 

"Well don't waste a wish on that cause it won't ever happen."

Moriah knew she promised her boyfriend that she would be calm and relaxed but her mother was grating her last nerve into dust. She punched the bridge of her nose momentarily. "Why are you being such a butt about this, Ma? Just be happy for me, even if you don't like him do it for me."

"Moriah DeBreaux, did you just call me an ass? Absolutely not, ma'am. Unacceptable."

"Well that's what you're acting like. I would like for you to be happy for me," she stressed. "We're leaving in the morning and you can't even try to act happy."

Watching her daughter with a brow raised, Nadine waited until she was sure Moriah was done. She stepped closer to her daughter, maintaining eye contact. 

"I love you, Moriah. I love you so much that I don't wanna see you ruin your life but I wish you and him luck on your move. I hope that I'm wrong and it's everything you ever wanted." A faint smile showed on Moriah's face as she readied herself to hug her mother but was stopped. Zilla moved to stand behind his girlfriend, putting his hands on her shoulders and Leata watched from her seat at the breakfast table. "However, if I'm right and you realize that this move and this relationship was a terrible decision like I said it was, you are always welcome back home with me. I won't even say I told you so."

"It's probably best if you leave, Nadine. That's enough." Leata spoke softly. "They're leaving at 5 tomorrow morning if you would like to see them off."

Before leaving Nadine gave Moriah her gift, Leata excused herself so the young couple could talk. Knowing she was down, Zilla massaged her shoulders quietly giving her space to talk when she was ready. It was no secret to anyone in their lives how Nadine felt about him and the relationship, it was also no secret about the way Nadine's feeling made Moriah feel. While it was no skin off Zilla's back, his girlfriend's feelings mattered to him. 

"She could've just turned down the invite. Hell, I shouldn't have even invited her and all of this would've been avoided," she expressed into the air. "I see why my dad got outta that house."

Zilla hummed, letting her know he was listening. She chuckled humorlessly as she opened the gift bag making him peer over her shoulder into the bag.

"What's that?"

Moriah started to take the items out of the bag, sitting them on the table. "Ring doorbell, a set of towels and washcloths, and a box of condoms that wouldn't fit you if we tried."

He chuckled a bit, "Damn so she don't think I can keep you safe or clean and my dick small. Damn, that's fucked up."

She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as she turned to face her boyfriend. Taking his face into her hands, she pulled him down to kiss him through her laughs. 

"I guess so but we know better."

He pecked her lips a few times then reached for the box of condoms, studying the box with a slight smirk on his face. "She really looked at me and said extra small. That shit wild. What you told her, Fat?"

The way her eyes lit up as she threw her head back and laughed, made him laugh with her. He loved to see that smile on her face, he'd do whatever he could to keep it there. 

"I ain't tell her nothing, Zay. Especially not that. I'm not even sure an extra small would fit on your finger," 

"Shid, let's find out," he laughed, opening the box. He pulled one out, bringing it to his mouth to tear it open without missing the look on her face. "What? What you lookin at me like that for?"

She scrunched her face, feeling her body heat up a little. "I don't think I've ever seen you open a condom before, that's all."

"It's usually already open," he shrugged, tossing the paper onto the counter once he got the condom out, "You like that?"

She nodded slowly. "Yup."

"Noted," he responded, focused on balancing the condom on his index finger, "Roll it down fa' me, Fat."

The intrusive thoughts were getting to her but she pushed them aside to do what he asked. Carefully, she rolled it down his finger not being able to hold her giggles in. He laughed with her as he waited for her to finish. 

"Look like it fit," he joked, flexing his finger at her. "But it damn sho ain't gon fit nowhere else."

"It ain't but why she felt the need to get the lubricated one," Moriah laughed, wiping the residue on her shorts. 

"Guess she tryna say you need a lil help," he laughed, dodging her hit, "I'm just saying, man. Come 'ere so I can test this out."

She backed away from him, laughing. "Oh uhn uhn, no. Your family is out there."

"And you ain't ever cared any other time." He took another step towards her while she took one back. "You gon make me chase you, Fat? Come 'ere, girl."

Fifteen hours after they said their goodbyes in Houston, Moriah and Zilla arrived in Orlando at the apartment complex they would call home for the foreseeable future. They laughed, they cried, they argued a bit on their drive but it was all worth it. The leasing manager was nice enough to wait on their arrival to hand off their keys even though it was after seven when they arrived. Moriah had slept through the last leg of the drive and Zilla getting the keys which he was more than okay with. He wanted to surprise her in a way. 

Parking in front of their building, Zilla shook her gently speaking softly to her. 

"Come on, Fat. Time to wake up, babygirl." He leaned across the seat to kiss her face. "Get on up, Fat."

Moriah slowly woke from her nap, rubbing at her face and looking around. "Where are we, babe?"

He smiled widely, dangling their keys. "We home, baby."

For the next couple of hours, they worked together on bringing their belongings up to their second floor, one bedroom apartment and getting it unpacked. The bulk of their things were their clothes and all the gifts from the barbecue. They were thankful his mom had the idea to make it a housewarming/going away barbecue. They'd gotten so many gifts from family and friends of items they would need for their apartment. They're favorite gift after that long drive was the air mattress, one of his aunts had gotten them. Instead of taking their bed across country, they opted to buy a new one whenever they could once in Florida. 

"Where you want the TV and the bed?" He asked, pulling his shirt over his head then wiped his sweat with it. 

"Uuh we can go head and put it in the bedroom, babe. No need in us sleeping in the living room when we have a room." He nodded, going to start inflating the bed. She continued to stock their kitchen items away. "I'm gonna order dinner! What do you want?"

"I'll eat whatever! Don't matter to me," he yelled from the bedroom. 

She mumbled a joke under her breath, laughing softly at it. Once she was done, she ordered Chipotle for them then went to check on him. Zilla was putting the final touches on the now made up bed, it brought a smile to Moriah's face.

"You're much better at that than I am," she joked, approaching him. She leaned up on her toes to kiss him. "Looks good."

"Thank you. You ordered the food already?" 

"Yeah, should be here in like 30 minutes."

"Bet. Ima take a shower before it gets here. You good before I do that?" He saw a familiar look pass her face before she shook her head. "You sure? Cause every time I ask and you say no, you get to yellin' my name while I'm tryna wash my ass."

She laughed, flicking his arm. "I do not do that all the time but I'm sure. Go, go wash ya stank butt. Go."

After his shower and hers, the couple sat on their living room floor eating their dinner together. Since they got back together, they made it a point to eat together whenever they were together. 

"You tell Booker you made it?" 

He nodded, taking a moment to chew and swallow his food."I did and he told me to let Hunter know too. So did that."

"Aaaand," Moriah pushed, barely containing her excitement. 

"Told me to be at the PC at 8 tomorrow ready to work."

Moriah put her food aside then moved closer, throwing her arms around him, careful of his food. She kissed his face repeatedly. "I'm so proud of you, Zay. You better be proud of yourself too. You're gonna be great, everybody already love you so you have nothing to worry about."

She felt him deflate under her so she hugged him tighter. His thoughts rushed to him, too many at one time bouncing off of the walls of his mind. 

"What if I fuck it up?" He asked softly. 

"What if you kill it? They wouldn't have went out their way to offer a contract, let alone let you negotiate up if they didn't think you could do it, Zay." She coached softly as she rubbed his head. "Don't overthink this. Booker is gonna be there with you and you know wherever you go, your dad is there too."

He kissed her arm, pulling away from the hug. "Yeah, thank you. What you gon get up to tomorrow? I'm prolly gon be gone all day."

Moriah knew what that meant, the conversation about him was over and maybe they would circle back but she wouldn't hold her breath on it. She went back to her spot, noticing the small smile on his face. 

"Get our internet and cable turned on, maybe put the ring camera up and depending on how those two go I'm either gonna get groceries delivered or Uber to get it."

"Shit," he mumbled, "If you wanna take the car, you can drop me off or I'll uber. I ain't even think about it."

She waved him off with her fork back in her hands, "I'm fine, I promise. You take the car."

"You don't need to be in no strange car, Fat. I'm serious."

"Okay so I won't uber, I'll get it delivered. Deal?" She asked, trying to end it. "I honestly don't feel like leaving the apartment anyway."

Eyeing her for a second, he accepted her words and went back to his food. The thought of him potentially being too busy to answer the phone if she was in trouble didn't feel good to him. It was the two of them now and he took protecting her even more seriously.

"Aight but I mean it, don't let me find out you did that shit anyway, Moriah. I ain't playin."

"Okay, Daddy Zilla," she joked, trying to make him laugh, "I promise that I won't uber without you. Scouts honor."

"When you gon apply to them hospitals? Or you finally stopped being hard headed and ain't gon work like I suggested?" 

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Wanting to work is not being hard headed, baby. I didn't go to school all this time and stress me, you and your mom out tryna study for that test just to not use my degree, Zilla. Oh I'm working in somebody hospital."

They laughed together, Zilla threw his napkin at her catching her in the forehead. 

"When you put it that way, hell yeah yo ass finna go to work," he added, "I ain't get none for like a month fuckin with that test that you was cryin' bout. So back to my original question, when you gon apply?"

She mocked him through her laughter. "Shut up, I was not that bad but I'm gonna do it tomorrow while I have peace and quiet."

"I caught that shade but that's fine, don't be kissin' on me when I get home tomorrow since you said that. I'm proud of you though. Can't wait for you to get on so I can slide up there to see you," he rubbed his hands thinking about it, "If ion see you ima ask them to page Nurse Fat for me. Tell em I'm feelin' a lil feverish."

"Boy," she fell out laughing, "Do not come harassing me at my job. Ima call security."

"Damn I can't come see my lady at work. I'm tryna see you in ya scrubs and shit and take you to lunch but you gon call them people on me. That's cold, Fat. Real cold."

After dinner, the couple cleaned up and got ready for the next day. Their wind down ended with them relaxing comfortably on their air mattress. Neither of them realized how tired they were from their cross country trek until that moment. Knowing they would both fall asleep soon, Zilla facetimed his mom so they both could hear her voice before drifting off.

"My babies," she smiled as soon as her face came into view, "You both look worn out."

Zilla pulled his girlfriend closer, her back to his front, resting his head on her slightly.

"Cause we are," She giggled softly. "Especially after being so alert with road rage here driving." 

Laughing, he spanked her thighs playfully. "That's you with that road rage, staring people down and shit."

Leata interrupted through her laughter knowing the two of them would continue to go back and forth. "Well either way, I'm glad you two made it. Call me tomorrow, let me know how things went. I love you both."

"Love you too," the couple responded simultaneously.

As the words were leaving their lips, Zilla and Moriah were falling asleep. Leata's voice being the ultimate comfort for them. She watched them a while longer and prayed for them both before ending their call.

[thatssonanii]

Prologue

A/N: This does not go with my Bloodline Family Series. It is its own series. Enjoy!

Warnings: Angst, mentions of prison, 18+ ONLY

Chapter One

One year earlier

Adjusting her black Spanx against her thighs then her oversized t-shirt, Moriah DeBreaux grabbed her totebag from her seat then closed her car door. Locking the door behind her she jogged to the front porch of a house familiar to her childhood. The steps carried her to the front door and after ringing the doorbell, she took a step back.

Her eyes wandered around the neighborhood while she waited, taking note of all the kids playing and adults on their porches having just as much fun. The sound of the door opening caught her attention, she prepared to greet the woman who had meant, and still does, a lot to her with a smile on her face. However, that wasn't the face staring back at her. Her smile dropped into a frown.

"Damn, Moriah, you don't look happy to see me."

Moriah's head tilted at the sound of the voice, her confusion stalled her response all together. Within moments, the screen door swung open and the now man that she hadn't seen in years was right in front of her, staring back.

If this was years ago, she would've been excited to see her friend, the one that crushed on her throughout their friendship and vice versa.

"Then again happy ain't a emotion that ya mean ass like to show."

With a slight shake of her head, she shook her confused thoughts away and brought herself back to the moment.

"First, I'm not mean, Isayah. Second, it's not that I'm not happy," she explained, tearing her eyes away from his for a moment, "I'm confused. I wasn't expecting  … I didn't know you got out."

It was his turn to frown but his came with a chuckle.

"Chill with that Isayah stuff. I'm still Zilla, you know that. You ain't expect me but you at my house?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "Chill with calling me mean. I'm at your mom's house cause she told me she had something she wanted me to look at for her. Is she here?"

"Nope," he laughed, folding his arms across his chest, "She ain't here right now. Said she had something to do but wanted me here cause she had a package coming."

Moriah scoffed. "She set me up."

"What?"

"Your mom set me … both of us up but mainly me."

Zilla moved to sit on the chaise to the left of him, his eyes never leaving her face. His brows went up waiting on her to finish. 

The whole time Zilla was in prison, his mom and Moriah stayed in touch as much as Moriah allowed. The older Moriah got, the more she realized and understood why she was angry with him to which the older woman gave her encouraging words and advice. The main thing that was told to her was the two of them needed to really talk and see each other but Moriah always politely declined his mother's invites.

"She knew if she just invited me over to see you that I wouldn't have come." Not missing the flash of hurt and confusion on his face, Moriah continued. "She knows how mad I've been at you, she knows that's why I never went to see you. The only thing I could stomach that had to deal with you was putting money on your account when I could and gifts on your birthday and Christmas."

"All of which I appreciated. I know you mad at me for gettin locked up and not listenin and shit. I apologize, forreal. I was bein dumb as hell."

Switching her tote from her left hand to her right, she brought her free hand up to her face, rubbing at her nose.

"That's not it, Zilla so you can keep that rehearsed ass apology. Just," she paused to collect herself, "It doesn't matter. Tell your mom I came by."

Zilla jumped up from his seat, grabbing her gently before she could step off the porch. He wasn't prepared for the tears in her eyes when he turned her around. He embraced her, holding her tight allowing her to cry on his chest.

"I'm listenin'. Just what? Tell me." He spoke softly, still cradling her. 

She started to shake her head, pushing away from his body so roughly she almost lost her balance and dropped her tote bag. Glaring at him through her teary eyes, an angry groan escaped her lips as she launched herself at him.

"You left! You left me!" She yelled as she punched his chest repeatedly. "You promised, Isayah! You promised! You were supposed to be out here with me! We had shit planned and you left me out here alone!"

Zilla allowed her to hit him, to get her frustrations out for a moment before grabbing her hands and pulling her into another hug. She struggled against him for a moment before falling apart in his arms. Again, he hugged her tight, rocked them both from side to side, whispering that he had her and that he was sorry. 

"I'm sorry," she sniffled, pulling away after a few minutes, "I'm sorry for hitting you. I shouldn't have done that."

He shrugged, a slight smile on his face and reached out to wipe a tear away with his thumb. "You ain't gotta apologize for feelin' some shit, Moriah. I made you feel like that, it's my fault." She nodded, wiping at her eyes. He took her hand in his, rubbing the tops with his thumbs. "I know what I promised and I know I broke that shit so I apologize for that. And that ain't rehearsed or no shit like that. So what you say? You accept my apology, Fat?"

A giggle fell from her lips, a smile followed on Zilla's face. 

"Nobody's called me that in a long time," she admitted softly, "But I think that I can work on accepting your apology. Thank you for that."

"I'll take that. And nobody better not be callin' you Fat. Only Zilla can call you Fat," he laughed, going to pick her bag up.

"You and this third person stuff, grow up." She laughed, watching him. 

"Nope." He said quickly. "Known your ass for years and finally seen ya mean ass cry and smile."

"Stop calling me mean, Fatu or I'm gonna hit you again."

"Its the truth though." He opened the screen door and leaned gently against it. "Come on in here and catch me up. We gon start with who the fuck taught you to hit that damn hard."