[Late January)
Nicki and Safaree had finally been granted custody of all the kids and Marquez wasn't allowed a thousand yards of them especially Maddy, who was trebbily scared and eerie whenever he came into the court or room with her. She even freaked when seeing his picture on the TV Screen when they questioned her in a child's interrogation room. Nicki posted the custody papers in a frame for Maddy and gave it to her. She didn't understand why she wanted them, but to Maddy they were very important and special to her.
"Mommy, when is Daddy coming home? It's already nine ohh clock!"
"I don't know, baby, but go to bed and I'll send him to see you after he gets in, deal?"
"Deal."
She walked towards her room in her spaghetti strap shirt and panties. Nicki shook her head at how much Maddy copied everything she did. I just hope she doesn't do the following shit in school. She continued to rinse the dishes of extra left over food and placing them in the dishwasher. She thought about a new case she was working on. She was representing an elderly lady who got robbed by her nephew for his drug addicted problem. Niggas just dumb even in the twenty first century. Is the crack that good? She sighed loudly after being startled from SB's arms wrapping around her. He kissed her neck then took the knife out her hand. Damn, trying to cut a nigga? She smiled playing with her ring against his ring.
"Have you decided the colors yet?"
"I was thinking Red and Pink, you?"
"Black and Pink since it's in the summer. Valentine's colors in June?"
"So what? Its my wedding."
"I thought weddings, marriages, include two people, you in this "my" talk."
"Shut up and go put Maddy to sleep, she stayed up waiting for you, again."
They kissed then he walked down the hall to Maddy's room. Her door was cracked so he peaked in and watched her watch home videos they had taped at Christmas time. It showed her face all in the camera smiling and goofing about with Linda as Nicki tried to get Macy to look in the camera. He slowly eased in and sat on her bed next to her watching it. It was like she knew he was there the entire time. She laid her head in his lap and within minutes, she was sleep. SB was Maddy's protection. She felt at ease with him around. He looked over her face and realized she started to look a lot like Nicki. He smiled, kissed her cheek then tucked her into bed.
******
QJ walked into Safaree's office the next morning with a big smile on his face. SB watched him as he sat in the chair across from him with everyone of his teeth showing. Umm? SB went back to count the Karots in the Diamond he was holding. QJ cleared his throat then began giggling like a little school boy.
"What's up?"
"Pop, I did it... Today."
"Did what?"
"Did IT!"
"It? As in sex?"
"Shhhh, Pop, not so loud."
"Yo, go close and lock the door."
QJ stood up quickly and raced to lock the door. He was happy all over and couldn't wait to tell SB. He hurried back over as SB sat the diamond and glass to the side. He grinned like a proud father then nodded his head.
"Continue."
"Andrea is the best girlfriend ever."
"The first ones always are."
"She was tight like you said. It freaked me out when she started crying, but still wanted more."
"So you popped her cherry?"
"Yeah, that's the blood on my penis?"
"Yeah, sometimes you don't get that."
"Oh okay, but she was wet the whole time and her moans were more angelic than the other times, I gave her head."
"Has she ever...?"
"Yes, but her pussy is way better, tighter and wetter!"
SB laughed at the excitement of QJ. My boy is growing up. He leaned back in his chair then sternly looked at him.
"Did you use a condom?"
"No, I didn't have any and she didn't want me to buy any."
"Did you bust in her?"
He looked away feeling ashamed that he didn't listen to SB or his conscience. I hope this fool didn't get this girl pregnant. SB stood up then walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a box of condoms. He walked back over to his desk and sat them in front of QJ.
"When you're alone or make it fun and go through and find out what fits you with Andrea. Not small or too big, just right."
"Pop, you're the best. Please don't tell Ma."
"Secrets safe with me just make sure you and Andrea both stay safe. "Pull out" method doesn't work 90% or better."
He informed as QJ picked up the box and stuffed it in his bookbag. He smiled big like a proud father as QJ left the room with a certain greatness about himself. That boy is going to be a good one under my coaching.
××××××
Nicki held Macy's hand as they walked around the mall for Linda's friend birthday. Nyema and Linda walked ahead. Nyema was now 14 and thought Linda was the coolest and smartest person she knew to be just thirteen. They hung around the house a lot and she even called Nic her mother. Linda walked into Forever 21 and picked out a short skirt and showed it to Nyema.
"I'm not trying to look trashy at the party. I want to look older, but still cute."
Linda looked her over then shrugged. Nyema was more reserved than Linda, well the new her anyways. Nicki late them dress how they wanted as long as it didn't show every and anything. Linda like short skirts and leggings with belly shirts or tank tops.
"Girls I'm a go and get Macy some ice..."
"Us, too?"
"I thought you were still shopping."
Nicki let go of Macy's had as she held the bags out to them. They grabbed them then shook their heads as they followed by her. Macy spun around then bumped into an elderly lady, who laughed and complimented her.
"Thank you and I'm so sorry."
"It's fine."
"Mommy, pwetty tall lady."
"Yes, Macy come on."
She grabbed her hand and walked over to the ice cream place and order. She shook her head as her phone rung for the hundredth time since they'd gotten to the mall an hour and a half ago.
"Yes, Maddy?"
"I'm ready for you to come home, I miss you, Macy and Linda. Can you leave Nyema at the mall in the trash dump?"
"Maddy stop calling me, I'll be home when I get there. Where's daddy?"
"Talking to QJ in his office."
"About?"
"I don't know, but he was all happy and stuff."
"Who?"
"QJ."
Nicki ponder for a second then looked over at Macy dropping ice cream down in her shirt. Linda reached over and wiped most of it up, but Macy continued to let it melt down her arm.
"Maddy, I'll call you back."
"No you won't."
"Lady Maddy, don't sound like that, I will."
"Okay!"
She sparked up before they exchanged farewells. Nicki placed her phone in her purse then grabbed a wipe. She held it behind her back as she took the ice cream from Macy then swiftly and fast cleaned her face. She put the ice cream in a cup and grabbed her face to get what she hadn't wiped away.
"Stahp mommy!"
"Macy I have to clean you face."
"No!"
She began throwing a fix seeing her ice cream get dumped in the trash. She stood up on the chair and let out a loud yell. Nicki grabbed her and her things and they hurried out the mall.
******
"Move Faree, you're cheating."
"Don't be mad cause you're short."
"If I had the strength I could do it to."
"Not even then could You."
Maddy jumped up and pulled up on the rope and climbed up it. Nicki rolled her eyes as SB howled at how easy it was for Maddy. They were in the work out section of the game room and SB had just got a rope climb put it. Nicki was unsuccessfully trying to get the room and climb it. She flipped him off then left the room as Maddy climbed back down.
"Daddy, are you going to be a gymnast?"
"No, I'm a jeweler."
"Are you a hoe?"
SB paused from laughing and looked at her hard then sat on the floor in front of her. She stood leaning against his leg.
"No, where did you here that?"
"Aunt Candi told mommy "Awl mens is dogs and hoes. You're a man."
"No I'm not like other men and Aunt Candi was just upset that day."
"Good, I don't want you to be that if it has to do with dogs."
He smirked pulling her into a hug. She hugged him then kissed his cheek. He held her up and looked her in the eyes.
"But don't ever say that again."
××××××
Safaree came back into the house after coming back from an emergency meeting with a company that he did business with. He came in with a glum look on his face and a sadness in his walk. Nicki flew to his side and placed her hands around him as he continued to walk. She stepped backwards as he continued without a word.
"What happen?"
"Nothing."
"You're lying."
"Nothing happened, I'll tell you and the kids later. Might want to start looking for a second job."
He said flately as if it was the end of his world. Nicki looked at him then shook her head as a response to what she thought happened. Why did they fire him or did they take his business? What the fuck? My baby worked hard for his. She scrunched up her face as he walked into his office without another word.
They all sat at the dinner table and ate silently as SB groaned every so often. He looked to be down and out. Nicki kept staring at him with a sad look on her face. QJ cleared his throat to being the regular family conversation when SB interrupted him.
"Guys.."
He said in a low tone. They all looked his way because this was the first thing he had said since coming home. He cleared his throat then looked up and held up eight plane tickets and a small toy sun.
"WE'RE MOVING TO CALIFORNIA."
They all shouted and awed. QJ stood up and did some weird dance. They all bust out laughing. Macy acted excited, but really didn't understand.
"What? Really?"
"Yeah, Baby! The company called me and said that my pieces were getting celebrity shine from that new rapper Lil G in his videos and his girl wears the "God is always with me" pieces. They want to move us out there and pay our bills for two years to make sure I get steady new customers."
"Congratulations Babe!"
Nicki said walking around to him and giving him a kiss. Maddy screwed up her face then moved their faces away from each other.
"Nasty.. Only kiss your mommies."
"Wait, but I don't want to leave Andrea."
"Or Nyema!"
"Or football."
Nicki looked at SB as he looked at her. She sat in his lap and pulled Maddy on to her's. Damn, I hope she can convince them, I have nothing.
"Layshun that have football in Cali too. QJ and Linda in life sometimes you have to leave people behind to get ahead in life, plus you guys can always Skype them and over the summer, we'll fly back out here to se them, Deal?"
"Deal!"
"QJ?"
"Hmm, I guess. Are the girls hotter in Cali?"
"Hell YEAH."
Nicki turned her head around to him and scolded him. He smirked then pecked her lips. He better be talking about them made up bitches from the TV. She rolled her eyes then stood up holding Maddy. Asshole.
"How long we got to move?"
"One week, only few clothes, personal items and valuables. Everything else will be sent out to the house."
"Good. Lets go."
[Week Later)
Safaree and his family boarded the plane in first class and set off to Cali where they'd being a new chapter in their life. Nicki held her husband's hand as they sat in the seats beside the kids and laid her head on his shoulder and thought of what was soon to come.
:) Love yawl K, Bye!