A month later
It was the week before Christmas and the weather was as bitter as ever. Royalty almost refused to leave the house whenever she could avoid the chance to but her friends and boyfriend always found a way to get her out the house. Even with the many layers of clothing, she still felt cold so she decided to drink a lot of green tea to avoid getting sick. She was wrapped up in her warm blanket in her warm room when the door swung open and interrupted her relaxation.
"Surprised shawty!"
She peered out from the blanket to see Riley standing in front of her with a large grin on his face and his arms wide open.
"Oh no. Who the fuck let this nigga in?" She mumbled to herself. She instantly regretted watching tiktok videos around Riley because now he was using the references. Even though he said in the beginning it was gay to do, it was something that became entertaining once you got your algorithm right. She had shown him hood tiktok and the things he would like and she was pretty sure he had the app himself now. Her and the girls even uploaded some videos and had quiet the strong following, soon, they planned to drag their boyfriends into some videos but that was just going to have to wait a while. "Nigga what do you want from me?"
"Get your fat ass out the bed and get ready." Was all he told her.
"No."
"Girl!"
"No!"
Riley nodded as he watched the girl throw the blanket back over her head. "I guess I gotta force you out." He said to himself. He walked over to her bed and jumped on top of her, making her shriek at the sudden added weight.
"Riley!"
"I gave you the option to get out of bed yourself."
"Barely!"
He managed to scope her in his arms and flip over so she ended up standing by her bed between his legs still with her blanket wrapped tightly around her. The death glare he was receiving from her was hilarious to him even though it shouldn't be. She had no idea how he managed to get her on her feet but she just didn't question the skills of Riley Freeman who was a secret ninja himself.
"Why did you do that?" She pouted at him.
"Because I'm taking you somewhere today and you need to get out of bed to do so."
"You couldn't have just called me?"
Riley shook his head with a smirk. "Nah I needed to drag you out of bed otherwise you would've taken all day." He leaned up and kissed her on her jaw. "You wanna see what a nigga gotta do today?"
She thought about it for a moment. Within the last month, things have been a bit hectic lately. The boys have been trying to make sure business stayed good and got better. Hiro was always staying on top of the money, supplies and the technology, working with Pedro more than before to make sure that it was up to the Panther standard. Caesar was always trying to find the perfect next strain of weed and made sure that every bag was correctly weighed and sorted before disrupted out to each worker and receiving the correct amount back from them. Then there was Riley that was making sure the streets didn't stay hot all the time. He was always around to check that the Panthers didn't get any trouble or picked up by the feds as well as offing any Russians that he came across. Huey was answering calls basically every other hour, double checking everything was doing as it was supposed to be and that everyone was in check as well as dealing with unwanted people and his own people getting hurt.
Then there were the girls who were definitely making moves. Cindy had officially brought the gym a week ago and even though she won't admit to it, she cried once she signed the papers. She was slowly starting to clean everything up since it was harder to order other services during the Christmas period. Ming was covered in magazines and papers looking for the perfect things to go in Cindy's gym since it was the first big project she would have to launch her interior designing business. Not only was her first client her best friend but this was a big place for her to do, she had multiple rooms she had to design and wanted each room to be perfect down to the screws so both Cindy and Ming have been taking a lot of nights away from the club. Royalty had been picking up more hairstyling jobs ever since she started offering her service to the girls at the Blue Moon. They were asking her to style and install wigs for them for work and even for outside of work. Some were even refereeing their little cousins and asking if she could do their daughters hair. Everyone wanted their hair done for Christmas so she has been working like crazy but good thing she was quick at what she did because she currently had 3 wigs half way done in her room waiting to be finished and styled. Then there was Jazmine. She had been spending her time trying to prefect her dancing and learning new moves to give her a more well-rounded experience. She hadn't learnt moves that didn't consist of her using it for her occupation in a long time so she needed to practice if she wanted to make sure that her classes were worth people paying to attend. She was going to give them professionalism in her classes.
Everyone was busy so time together was hard to come across. They worked most hours of the day so would find little chances to spend time with the other. They were very respectable with each other which has started bringing them closer already. Now with Christmas and New Years coming, they had more things to plan for.
"I will only come with you if you help me to do some Christmas shopping, I got some last-minute gifts to get."
Riley wanted to groan at the idea of spending hours walking up and down in stores but didn't once he thought of something. "So watchu getting me?"
"I already got you your gits, it's on its way." She stuck her tongue out at him childishly. It was not a complete lie, 1 part of it was on its way but she still wasn't sure on what to get him and she could use the shopping trip today to see what he was looking at.
"Whatever, come and get dressed so I can take you out with me." He slapped her ass to get her to move and she did. Since she already showered, she just needed to do her hair and throw on some different clothes which she did. She ended up wearing a black Nike joggers and hoodie to keep her warm. She got a quick string and pulled it around her hair to pull her afro up. She wasn't bothered about dressing up today so she went very comfortable instead. "How you looking like my gay ass brother right now?"
Royalty rolled her eyes and shoved him out the way so she could walk out the door once she slipped on her black Nike sneakers. "Not everyone with an afro looks like your brother. I mean, you do but that doesn't count, you're practically twins."
Riley sometimes disliked how strong the Freeman resemblance was because in times like this, he hated when people said he looked like Huey. They two couldn't be further apart in other aspects that it was annoying when they got compared but he guessed it helped in some situations like finding their missing father's cousin. "Yeah yeah whatever, let's get moving."
They said bye to the rest of the girls and made their way to his car, with Riley holding the passenger door open for Royalty. He really was a gentlemen when he needed and wanted to be and Royalty was glad that she got more than the 'gangster' side of him.
"Where you taking me?" She asked once he started driving away from her home.
He took a deep sigh as he remembered where they were off to. Royalty's place was in the route of getting where he was going now so he thought why not show her more of who he was.
"I'm taking you to my old boxing gym." He informed her. She was actually shocked, not expecting him to take her there. It made her wonder what was so important about the gym to be taking her there but she guessed she would find out, it did seem important to him. "The guy that owns it, his name is Jesse. He's been a trainer for about 30 years now. He stopped trying to be a professional boxer when he unfortunately got shot in his foot in an altercation. It shattered the bones in his foot and his career. From there, he made it his career to support children and young people to reach the career he had taken away from him but he always believed that it just meant that it wasn't his goal to go pro. As my mum mentioned to you at McHater's birthday, I have ADHD but didn't know until I was 9. So as my way of calming down, I would do art but I hide that from people as much as I could and my mom got annoyed that I kept hiding it because it was causing me to mess shit up even more which lead to my dad bringing me to boxing when I was 10, where I met Jesse. He was an old friend of Raven's dad so we were both brought there, from there, Jesse taught me how to box and I got pretty fucking good at it too. He was like another uncle to me. I've even drew with Huey on 2 separate occasions and won once." Riley told Royalty and she couldn't help but grin at how proud he looked and sounded of himself. "Other than him, I had a 17-1 win, loss ratio."
Her face turned to shock at hearing that. For Riley to start boxing at 10 and racked up that many wins over the years, she was impressed even though she wasn't sure on the typical wins for someone at his age that was working on the sport professionally. "Why didn't you continue?"
Riley rubbed his chin and slightly pulled the hair that was there. "As much as my parents drilled into my head, as well as Huey's, I knew being in the gang was going to be my thing even though they told us it wasn't something we had to follow. At one point, there was talks about it being me running the gang because Huey was book smart but obviously as you can see things changed. I was always meant to be a member of the Panthers, I had the bandanna from young, this is what a nigga was meant to do you feel me? Boxing was just for me to focus and to build a fighting skill, being professional wasn't in my cards."
Royalty didn't like how short Riley was selling himself. He didn't give himself enough credit for doing things outside of the street business. Jazmine had showed her the work he had in an actual work gallery and was proud of him even if it was in there before they met, she still felt proud of him. "Was you mad that Huey took leader of the gang?" She asked since he mentioned how everyone was sort of looking at him at taking over at one point.
Riley shrugged. "Nah, we all knew that nigga would. My ass certainly would've started hella beef if it was me. I like my position anyway. Still got control and do what the fuck I want in my own section without worrying about every single person under me. I'm good where I'm at, papers are still stacking."
She nodded in understanding just as they pulled up to the gym. It looked a little rough but still looked very functional. There was a big sign that said 'JAB Boxing Gym' outside. "So this is where Riley Freeman got his skills from?"
"Well it depends on what we talking about." He smirked at her and she couldn't believe how quick his mind could go other places.
"Don't start and let's just go inside." She told him with an eye roll and got out the car.
Riley laughed at her as she slammed the door shut but got out the car and started walking towards the entrance with her. They opened the door and stepped inside.
Royalty immediately started looking around, trying to see where Riley would spend some of his time since he was 10. There was a huge ring in the middle, bigger than what she thought, different boxing bags around the sides and mats as well as other things typically found in a boxing gym. There was rap music playing over the speakers and the sounds of gloves hit pads, bags and skipping ropes. She could only see 2 females in there and the rest were male's ranger from what looked like the age of 16 to 30. She could definitely picture Riley in a place like this.
"Watchu think?" He whispered to her.
"I could see you here." She nodded at him.
He grinned at her. "Lemme show you something." He turned her so she could see the picture frames on the wall. He pointed to one of them. "This is Jesse when heads started turning at his name." She looked at the photo at the young black man with an afro position in boxing gear. Seeing how promising he looked in the picture made her sad just thinking about how his career got taken away from him in one night by a bullet.
"Well look what the cat dragged in! I cannot believe my eyes."
They turned to see an older black man who was slightly limping his way over to the two, which Royalty noted from what Riley told her before.
"Jesse! Man it's good to see you again." Riley pulled the man into a hug and Royalty watched in joy as she looked at the grin on both their faces. It gave her a chance to glance at Jesse. His hair was much thinner than in the picture and fully grey now and he had slight wrinkles on his forehead but he still looked good for his age which she guessed was around mid 50s.
"You too! I would've liked to have seen you once and a while you know." He threw a lazy-boxer jab at Riley who returned with just as much excitement and playfulness.
"I'm sorry man, shit has been crazy out there." He told him truthfully. "But look, I brought someone with me." Riley turned and held his hand out for Royalty to take and step forward. "This my girl Royalty. Royalty, this is Jesse, my trainer."
"Former trainer." The man laughed.
Riley smirked at him. "You know once a trainer, you always someone's trainer."
Jesse smiled proudly at Riley, he could really see the maturity in the young man compared to the troublemaker 10-year-old that first entered the gym, even if he still was now, there was just so much growth in his eyes.
"It's very nice to meet you Jesse." Royalty smiled at him with her hand out for a handshake. She wanted to curse Riley out for not telling her that she should at least put more effort in her look if she was meeting someone important to him. It wasn't far, she didn't look her best even if she still looked good now.
"It's very nice to meet you. You're the only one of Riley's girlfriends I have ever met which is a very good sign." He told her as he shook her hand. He leaned to the side to look at Riley and winked at him and gave him a thumbs up, making him heat up a little. "Welcome to JAB Boxing Gym which stands for Just Ace Boxing."
"Yeah, his nickname back in the day was Ace too." Riley informed her before turning to talk to Jesse. "How has things been going around here?" He asked as they walked further inside.
"You know, they've been going." He answered.
Riley nodded. He looked over at the boxing ring that had two people sparing inside. "Man I can't believe this is the very ring I knocked someone out for the first time."
"Yeah, you were only 11, everybody got scared." Jesse laughed, making the young couple laugh too.
"I don't know what you niggas expected. We were boxing!"
"But we have never seen a 12-year-old fall flat on his face in a boxing match. His parents wanted to kill your ass!"
"Should've never brought the nigga if they didn't expect to get laid flat out on his back. Pause." He quickly added once he finished the sentence.
Royalty shook his head. "You really had no mercy even at 11?"
"Hell nah!"
"Only you..."
An idea popped in Jesse's head. "You know Riley, it's been a minute since I have watched you throw up some punches, why don't you show an old nigga what you still got? Unless you've lost your touch of course."
Riley raised an eyebrow at him, feeling a challenge come on and Royalty knew he was going to accept. "You got some gloves?"
"Of course." He limped off to get some boxing gloves while Riley started taking off his jacket.
"When was the last time you boxed?" She questioned him as she took his coat from him.
He pulled off his hoodie too, leaving him in a plain t-shirt. "Last week. I gotta keep up with that shit you know. Remember I got a mini gym in the other room at my house." He reminded her.
She hadn't really gone inside that room but she remembered going in there and seeing it before. Apparently, all the boys had turned their spare room into a small home gym because it saved them from travelling all the way to the warehouse to work out when they wanted to.
Jesse came back with a pair of black, white and gold gloves and Riley smirked at them. "Just like mine."
"Well wear them like they are and show me what you got." He handed them over and patted him on the back. Once Riley had got himself ready, they walked over to one of the bags and he stood in front of it in position. "Remember to-"
"Keep balanced." Riley finished as he zoned into the bag.
Jesse smiled and nodded, stepping back to give Riley room to do what he did.
Riley twisted his neck around and tried out the first punch. Then another and another until he was completely zoned into the moment and let himself go. Royalty watched in admiration as Riley sent powerful punches at the bag, causing it to shake and move around.
"Good! Keep your hands up! Nice!" Jesse shouted at Riley who listened and adjusted himself. Jesse felt like he was training the young boy all over again as he didn't even realise he was giving suggestions.
After about another minute, Riley stopped, breathing heavy than before and sweating. "Damn." He whispered. He was hot so he decided to take off his half damp t-shirt which Royalty happily took because she got to witness the glistening, muscular skin of Riley Freeman. She had to stop her thoughts going down a steamy place because there was no way she was going to get him away from Jesse at the moment.
"I see you still kept up with your training."
He nodded. "Yeah maybe I should come back and have you train me some more, I will even bring some of my people over here. You know, self-defence purposes." He added even though they knew that wasn't the complete truth.
"You know what, why don't you try some pad work, really see if you got it." Jesse waved over one of the trainers that had just finished up with someone else. "Don't go easy on him, he's cocky."
Riley smirked. "Can't help if a nigga got skill."
"See what I'm talking about." The men chuckled. "Put them hands up boy."
Riley nodded and put his hands up as he stood in front of the trainer and from there, he got to work. He threw uppercuts, hooks, jabs and ducking. Royalty had her eyes glued the whole time because she was finding it all very entertaining to watch and not even in the attractive way.
"Shit he good." She whispered but Jesse heard her.
"Been good since he started, always had promise. Also, he's been quick, like a damn cheetah as I would say." Jesse told her.
Riley did a few more minutes of focused boxing before they finished up and he now had sweat dripping down his body. "You always knew how to make a nigga work, pause."
Jesse laughed. "You should know I always make sure you guys push yourself because I know you can."
"Yeah that's right." He grinned at him before walking over to Royalty. Sometime during his exercise, she went over to the vending machine and got him a bottle of water. "Thanks baby." He thanked as he gave her a kiss and took the bottle of water from her, downing the contents immediately. Jesse couldn't help but smile fondly at the interaction.
"You're welcome." She told him with a smile on her face. "You were really good, you definitely have to show me how you do it."
"Forreal?" She nodded. "Ite bet we can do that."
"Great."
He looked over at Jesse who was talking to the trainer who was just with Riley. "Look baby, I gotta talk to Jesse for a second. Do you mind wait out here for a min?" He asked her.
She looked around the room, looking for somewhere she could stand while she waited and nodded. "Yeah I'm good with that. Do watchu need to do." She kissed him on the cheek before handing him his clothes.
"Thanks." He said for her understanding and giving him his clothes back. He decided to just put on his hoodie and hold the rest since he was still hot and his t-shirt was now damp. "I won't take long." He told her before walking over to Jesse. "Ay Jesse, let's talk in your office for a sec."
Jesse looked at him confused when he saw how serious the boy looked but nodded. "Alright Riley let's go."
Royalty watched the two men walk into the back before sighing. She had no idea what to do now. She guessed she would just check her social media while waiting. She walked over to an empty bench that was in front of the main ring and sat down. Just as she pulled out her phone, the men who were just standing around started their training. One had the training pads while the other had gloves and a helmet. She sat and watched the man move and listened to how hard he was punching the pads, making her wonder how it must sound when he hit flesh. When they finished, the man turned towards her before doing a double take. She could see the slight smirk on his face before removing his head gear.
"Did you really come to the gym to sit around and stare at people or are you here to work out?" Was the first thing that came out his mouth.
Royalty gave him a quick look over. He was a light skin male who looked a little younger than her but was around the same height and build as Riley with a strong jaw line and moustache that reminded her of Michael B Jordan. He had dark brown eyes and dark about 4A hair. Respectfully, the man was very attractive but she had a man now so knew to keep her mouth closed and eyes in their sockets. "No I didn't actually, I'm not desperate."
"Well, if you're not here to stare and you don't look like you wanna work out, what are you here for?" He questioned.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "And why do you need to know that information?" She asked him.
He held his gloved hands up in defence. "Ok, don't tell me why you're here but lemme introduce myself." He smiled. "My name is Dion and what is your name?"
"Royalty." She introduced herself back. "Have you been boxing long?" She was trying to make causal conversation to make time past quicker and she had nothing she needed to do anyway.
He nodded. "I guess. I kind of started when I was 6 but didn't properly dive into it until I was 13 and since then I have just been working harder and harder to reach a profession level and become a champion with a lot of belts."
"Which you will only get through training and discipline." An older man that was holding the pads for him just a few minutes ago told him as he stepped into the conversation. "Sorry to interrupt, my name is Clifford Miller, I'm one of the trainers here."
"Hi, I'm Royalty."
"Well Royalty, would you like to give it a try?" He held up the pads towards her, offering her the chance to get in the ring.
Royalty thought about it. She was still waiting for Riley to come out, she might as well entertain herself with some boxing so she shrugged as she stood up. "Sure."
Meanwhile, Riley was looking around Jesse's office. He may not have been inside for a while but it certainly looked the same besides the few more pictures added but he went over to the spot he knew a picture that had him in it. "Man I look like a baby!" He chuckled to himself. In the picture, it was Jesse, Riley, Raven and her father after they both had a successful match and had won a belt each. You could see the pride in all of their faces as they had the belts around their waist and their gloved hands in the air. You would really think the two would be working on a professional career right now but that just wasn't in their cards.
"Yeah you were. You had just turned 11 and Raven was still 12. You both did really good that night and wrapped up a lot of points." Jesse nodded in fondness.
"Some good ass memories." Riley laughed before sitting in the seat on the other side of the desk, getting serious. "How things been around here man?"
Jesse shrugged. "You know how it is. Been good."
Riley nodded. "Ok so why did I hear it was shutting down, why didn't you tell me?" That's why Riley was here. He had heard from more than one source that the place was going to be closed down permanently. This was a place Riley would turn to if he couldn't do art, another outlet for the hyperactive and troublemaker boy. Jesse became another uncle in way that he taught him everyday life lessons as well as boxing, like any good trainer but it really touched Riley. His parents were always grateful for Jesse impact in Riley's life because they did notice changes in his behaviour as he got older. Jesse was a man that took care of the people he trained and Riley always made sure that he put his good speeches to use at some points in his life. He was now 24 and things were getting serious in his life so those speeches were being put to use now even though he hadn't had one in years, it just goes to show how Jesse's words still lingered.
"Why would I need to tell you? What would you do?" Jesse asked him, no point in lying anymore. Any owner that heard their place was getting shut down didn't talk about it because of how embarrassing it was to let people know they are a failing. The last he needed was the whole of Chicago knowing his business.
Riley leaned forward. "Nigga if you need money, I got mon-"
"We make money from matches so that's what I want to do, it's just been quiet recently." Jesse cut him off. He knew what the boy did and he didn't necessarily agree with his lifestyle because he worked his career to sway young men and women like him and Raven, away from the street life but despite what Riley choose to do with his life, he still held a place in his heart. The boy was different. "I got Raven's dad training one of the best in here right now. He heard about the gym shutting down too and decided to come back and help out until it closes. He out there now. At least if we shut, I know at least I have one last person that received the support and training they deserve." He pointed towards the door.
"But I can help you man. I got money." Riley reminded him.
Jesse sighed. "I know your heart is in the right place but I can't accept it. I want to get money by matches and memberships."
The old man was always stubborn so Riley started thinking about what he could do to help. If he didn't want to accept his money, how else could he help?
That's when the perfect plan popped into his head. He had no idea how quickly he managed to think of it but it sounded like a good idea. "What if... what if you did hold a match?"
Jesse raised an eyebrow at him but leaned forward, wondering where the boy was going with his idea. "Keep talking."
"You said that you got a nigga that's good right? Lemme fight him. We hold a match, get people to buy tickets and make a whole deal out of it. That way, you get money and customers. They will be entertained by a boxing match and sign themselves or even their kids up to get trained in the best gym in motherfucking Chicago. Let me do this for you."
Jesse thought about it. It sounded good, it was what they needed to happen. Riley seemed desperate to help him out and actually managed to come up with a good enough plan that suited his preference. He didn't want any handouts so maybe this match was his best bet. "Stand up and take your shirt off."
Riley looked at him as if he was crazy. "Nigga that shit is ga-"
"Not like that! I'm trying to see if you can match up to my guy." Jesse stood up while shaking his head at Riley. Nervously, Riley did what he was told and watched Jesse give him a once over which he did quickly to not make the gang banger feel uncomfortable. "You can put your shirt back on." He told Riley who did so quickly. "Yeah, you're both should be in the same weight class. It can work and you're both as good as each other, I know you haven't stopped training."
Riley smirked. "Yeah, now let's see what nigga I'll be up against."
Jesse shook his head with a smile on his face. "Alright." He patted Riley on the back and walked out with him. "There he is, Dion Haywood, 21 years of age. Similar weight class, similar skills. You can fight him." He pointed over to the boxing ring where the man in question just happened to be talking to Royalty in the ring who had boxing gloves on.
Riley's eyes narrowed as he watched his girl smiling at the Dion guy. That didn't sit right with him. Just as he was about to call her name, she saw that he had exited the office and her smile grew which put him at ease a little.
"Riley!" She shouted his name before running out the ring and towards him, looking excited. "You seriously gotta teach me how to box, I mean, I'm a little tired but I understand why you like it so much." She spoke quickly and bouncing with excitement.
Riley had to hold onto her arms to physically get her to relax. "Baby, you're shaking too damn much. You moving like Mariah right now." He told her, referring to her orange haired friend.
"Sorry. Sorry." She took a deep breath but still kept smiling. "Everything good?"
"Yeah everything is great." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked back towards the ring.
"It's been a while since I've seen you Riley." Clifford chuckled as he watched the boy walk over to them with Jesse.
"It really has been but Christmas is coming, I'm guessing you niggas are going to my parents?" Riley asked as the three of them got into the ring.
"Sure are." He smiled. As mentioned before, the Freeman's have been close to the Miller's for years so they would spend holidays together every now and then. This year, they were spending Christmas with the Freeman's which seemed to be growing in size. Clifford looked between Riley and Royalty, who he had his arm wrapped around tightly, which was new for him to see. "And who may this be to you?"
Riley looked down at Royalty with a smirk, happily claiming her publicly and also to let the Dion know that she was taken. He still found it annoying at how shocked everyone looked when they saw him with a girl on his arms but he didn't care because at least he got to show them how amazing his girl is. "This is my girl Royalty but it looks like you already met. Royalty, this is Clifford, one of my old trainers and also Raven's dad."
That shocked her, she didn't expect him to be Raven's father but she guested now they had held some similar qualities such as their authoritative voice when they were training her. "You're Raven's dad?"
"Proudly."
"I wouldn't even wanna claim her as my child." Riley rolled his eyes, making Clifford chuckle. The two had been going back and forth for years that he didn't care how he bad mouthed her in front of him, she did the same thing to him with his parents so the parents were immune to it.
"Well, let's get back to business." Jesse said to get everyone in on the idea he was just discussing with Riley. He was eager to get the ball rolling now and wanted everyone to catch up on the plan. "Clifford, Dion. As you may know, things have been drying out lately." He started off sadly.
"And you know I've been trying to recruit some people to come." Dion quickly reminded him.
Jesse patted the young man on the back. "And I appreciate your efforts... I was just talking to Riley about what we can do and we have decided to hold a match."
"With who?" Clifford asked. He saw Jesse's eyes go between Dion and Riley and laughed. "Serious? These two boys?"
Jesse nodded. "Yes. Riley wanted to go against the best and Dion is the best here."
Dion sized up Riley who did the exact same back. Clifford watched the way the two were looking at each other and laughed again. He didn't need anymore convincing to set up the match, it seemed as if it was going to happen whether there was a crowd or not. "This is definitely going to work. Nigga where have you been this whole time?" He questioned Riley, who broke out of the glaring contest he was having with Dion.
"You know a nigga been handling his shit." He shrugged. Clifford eyes darted to Royalty who was leaning into Riley's arms, wondering if she understood what Riley did for a living. "She cool. She knows what's happening and is cool with Raven."
Clifford nodded when he remembered what Raven had told him a while ago. "Is she one of the girls that... you know?" He trailed off, not wanting Dion or Jesse to understand what they were referring to.
Royalty shifted on her feet, knowing exactly what he was referring to. The worse night of her life. "Yeah... we were there together."
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright... anyway, about this match." She threw a smile on her face to change the subject and Riley didn't like how quickly she managed to do it but he would address that later. "Dion, you think you can beat my man?"
Dion laughed. "Of course I can handle that nigga. It will be a little embarrassing for your ass watching his ass get knocked down from his corner."
"Watchu say bright ass nigga?" Riley's arm slipped away from Royalty as he stepped closer to Dion. "You ain't knocking down no one. I'll knock your ass down so fucking quick your whole career won't even get the chance to start."
"We'll see about that." He smirked. "So, when are we doing this?" Dion looked over at Jesse.
Jesse looked between the two, actually enjoying the growing tension because that just meant that the match will just be better and more entertaining. He started to think about the best date to do the match. "Valentine's Day." He announced. "It gives you both two months to brush up on your skills. Clifford will be in Dion's corner, I'll be in Riley's. We train you both and prepare you. We hand out tickets and get everything set up."
"Which you gonna let a nigga pay for." Riley quickly jumped in before Jesse could refuse, he continued talking. "So that's set. You better hope no one records this shit because then your career won't go anywhere." He smirked at Dion.
"Sure. I'm going pro and ain't a nigga like you finna stop me." He smirked back.
Jesse and Clifford shared a look. "Valentine's day it is. Shake on it."
Dion held his hand out first and after a few seconds and a nudge from Royalty, Riley shook his hand back, setting the agreement.
"This is going to be fun!" Royalty grinned before turning to Jesse. "I know we just met but I would like to help with setting everything up and the promotion of the match. That is if you wouldn't mind doing so."
Jesse smiled at her, thankful she was offering her help. "I would love to have your help. An old man like me needs all the help they can get."
"Come on your not old." Royalty told him but Riley cut her off.
"Nah the nigga ancient."
She rolled her eyes at Riley but didn't say anything to him and continued to talk to Riley. "I will have Riley send you my number so we can keep in touch with everything. At least I know I am close with the bank in this case." She smiled and wrapped her arms around Riley's, now making him roll his eyes.
"Of course you see me as the bank."
"Baby I make my own money remember, you're only the bank when you offer to be." She lightly patted him on the cheek. One thing she didn't need to rely on a man for was money, she refused to be that girl.
"Well, I look forward to fighting against you Riley, hopefully you can keep up." Dion spoke up.
Riley looked him up and down. "Yeah, whatever." He turned to the older men in the ring. "I gotta bounce and take this girl shopping or whatever. Cliff, see you next week. Jesse, I'll let you know when I'm free to set up the first training session."
"I already got the date, the day after Christmas, you need to work off all the food you're going to stuff down your throat. Can't have you coming out the weight class now." He joked.
"Damn, didn't even put the chicken to my mouth yet." Riley shook his head but agreed on the date. "Fine. I'll see you then. Later."
The two said their goodbyes before walking out the gym and got into his car, driving off to their next destination.
"That's nice. What you did for him." Royalty told him.
"Just helping an old friend out, is all." He shrugged off.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Not many people will go out their way to do this. You're setting up a boxing match, paying for it and training to fight in it when you didn't have to. You could've just got another fighter from another gym to fight against Dion instead."
"Nah." Riley shook his head. "That nigga may be shit compared to someone at another gym and if he lost the match, I'll be pissed. All the hard work I'm going to put in to attract attention and the nigga lose is not what I'm signing up for. By having me fight him, then it keeps the attention on the gym. It's a win win but of course, I will be the one to win."
Royalty didn't think of it like that. Riley really at thought it through, even in the short space of time he managed to do so. "That is very smart of you."
"Yeah you know a nigga is smart or whatever."
"That you are." She whispered before turning to face the road ahead of them.
After a few moments of silence, Riley decided to bring something up he wasn't sure would turn out. "I saw how quickly you switched on a fake smile when Cliff brought up the past."
Royalty took a quick glance at him before training her eyes to look ahead. "You saw that?"
"I notice a lot of things about you, more than both of us realise. Like you such on your tongue when you're tired." He told her.
The look of shock and embarrassment was written all over Royalty's face when she heard Riley tell her something that she didn't know he noticed. "Bu- I have been hiding that since I was 13. My parents told me I've been doing it since I was 9 months."
"You know I have never liked someone as much as I like you and turns out I pay attention to detail when I care about someone." He confessed. As sweet as the moment was, he didn't bring up her sucking on her tongue for no reason. "But back to what I was saying."
She took a deep breath before answering him with what he knew he wanted to know. "It's not easy, talking about what happened. The girls and I talked about it, we cried and got tattoos. We put it to rest but that shit is still fucked up to talk about you know. They all talked it through with their boyfriends but we never did." She turned to him as they reached a red light and he looked back at her. "We never talked about it."
"I know... and I'm sorry if I never let you understand that you can talk to me about it." He apologised but she wasn't sure why he was.
"No, no, it's fine. I just thought since it wasn't a problem anymore, there was no need to bring up the past. We all moved on."
"But it doesn't mean it's easy to forget." The light turned green and the two didn't talk as Riley pulled up to the parking lot of the mall. He took his key out but they didn't move from getting out the car. He decided to tell her a story. "When I was 17, me and Huey was just walking home when we got jumped by these random niggas and they stabbed us. We had no idea who they were or what they wanted, it all happened so quick we didn't have time to fight back. Huey pulled through easier than I did. I lost pint loads of blood, getting told when I woke I should've never opened my eyes again. They stabbed me in my stomach and I know you saw it. That shit fucked a nigga up good. I know you've seen the scar. Getting stabbed and getting shot are two different things. When you get shot, it's usually at a distance and they just happened to be spray a bunch of bullets and one catches you. When you get stabbed, that shit is personal. You actually feel the blade dig into the skin and the burning that comes next." He said but stopped when he remembered what he was saying. He looked over at Royalty who sat with wide eyes facing the front. He was meant to be helping her but all he did was made he remember her getting stabbed that night. "Sorry baby..." He apologised before quickly continuing. "What I mean to say is, it's not easy, I know that first hand. As much as I showed the scar off to get girls, it was never easy, mentally or physically. Imagine of shitty I felt when I had to have my parents physically carry me to the bathroom because it hurt like a bitch to walk. Then after, the scar just felt hot at random times and you're the only person I have told about this. I want you to know that you're not alone, no matter how you got your scar, you got it and survived. I refuse to let anything else happen to you and you know that. I can't apologise enough for even getting you caught up in our shit, that wasn't how things were meant to go. I'm just glad you gave me another chance to show you the man you deserve to have and the man I know I can be for you." As soon as he finished say that, Royalty burst into tears, making Riley jump in his seat. "Damn, what did I say?! I'm sorry!"
She quickly shook her head as she started to talk through her tears. "No no. I just... that shit just made so much sense. I was the only one that actually got stabbed and as you said, it felt personal. I covered one with a tattoo but I can still feel it burning sometimes at night but I force myself to sleep and forget about it." She took a deep breath as she whipped her tears from her face and turned to face Riley. "I just couldn't explain how I felt but I guess you understand."
"Don't ever hesitate to tell me how you feel Royalty. I'm serious." He looked her deep her eyes and she nodded.
"Ok. I've just never been able to open myself up to anyone as I never been in a relationship this serious before."
"Neither have I but I know we can make it work." He leaned over and gave her a kiss on her forehead, making her close her eyes for just those few seconds. "Remember, I gotchu."
"Okay. I gotchu too." She soft smiled at him.
"You know, this will be a good time to have one of them handshakes to finish the moment." He joked to lighten the mood in the car and it did just that because he smile got bigger despite her red eyes. "What? Is that not what niggas do?"
"If you wanted to make a handshake just for us just say that." She teased him. "We can make it up while we shop."
Riley raised an eyebrow at her as he watched her pick up her zip up her coat. "After all that, you still wanna shop?"
"Well now it's retail therapy. Come on." She climbed out the car and shut it behind her, already walking towards the mall entrance.
Riley had to scramble to collect his things before jumping out the car too. He had to do a little jog to catch up to her. "Shit girl slow down."
"Keep up baby!" She turned to shout at him but screamed when she saw he was right next to her. "Damn nigga you scared me."
He draped his arms across her shoulders and pulled her in close. "Should've never left me."
"I never left you."
"You did."
"I didn't!"
Not far across town, Cheetah sat in her car that was parked in front of the hospital. For the past few weeks, she had been collecting intel on Jaliyah but didn't go past her work place, she didn't want to be spotted following her around because that could ruin everything for her. She still hadn't gotten close enough to find out her last name which was annoying, she was still a mystery to her. Also, she hadn't gotten close enough to really inspect what she looked like but today, that was all going to change.
To get closer and have no possible suspicion come up, she had a disguise on today. Her usual short hair now had a wig that was long box braids, dark brown contacts in, an added a scar on her cheek as well as beauty spot on her fake nose. She really wanted to look as unrecognisable as possible but now came the hard part, creating an injury.
She had no time to have someone inflict it on her so she had to do it herself. It was not ideal but it had to work. She knew that Jaliyah had a shift in the ER because it was the same day she had been in there since she started her observations.
Cheetah got out the car as she didn't want to get anything in her car messed up and found an alleyway to hide in.
"The things I do just to find shit out." She whispered to herself as she pulled out her knife. She took a couple of deep breaths, trying to slow her beating heart, she had never done anything like this before. "Come on! You're Cheetah you can do this shit, you ain't no punk!" She physicked herself up. "Okay, okay, okay, oka- fuccck!" She bit her lips as she dragged the blade down her left hand which was her least dominate hand. She regretted it already. Her hand started dripping in blood and she just stood there wondering if she should add another injury, so she did. She quickly slid the knife across her upper arm but not as deep as her hand, knowing the scar would be minimal.
She gave herself a once over. She looked rough and beaten up which helped her cover story. She had it all planned out now she just needed to execute it. Cheetah pulled out a kitchen towel from her pocket and wrapped her hand around it, allowing the blood to soak into the towel to make it look like she at least tried to stop the bleeding. Satisfied with what she looked like, she made her way towards the emergency room, keeping her head down until she got inside. She received some looks but ignored them, cueing the tears coming into her eyes. She staggered inside and just as she did, she fell into someone in a white coat.
"Woah, slow down." The person told her as she caught onto her.
Cheetah looked at the name badge first.
Jaliayah Freeman.
'Damn, easier than I thought.' She thought to herself proudly before snapping back into character.
"Plea- please. Can you help me?" She asked through teary eyes.
Jaliyah gave her a quick look over when she saw her hand wrapped in a bloody kitchen towel and then looked back up to her face and saw the desperation on her face.
"Of course, follow me." She instructed her. The two walked over to one of the spare beds.
"Can you close the curtains please? It's just, I-"
"It's okay, I'll close it." Jaliyah told her with a reassuring smile as she started to drag the curtain close.
Cheetah smiled gratefully. "Thank you." She sat down on the bed as Jaliyah pulled a rolling stool over to her. Cheetah rested her hand on the small table with the cloth still covering her injury.
"Let's take a look shall we." She placed gloves on her hands and pulled over her equipment before slowly and carefully removing the kitchen towel. "Well that looks a little nasty but nothing I can't clean up." She told the injured woman with a reassuring smile. "Would you like your hand to be numb?" She asked.
Cheetah shook her head. "No thank you, I have a high pain tolerance. I'll be fine." She waved off.
"Alright. This is going to sting a little." Jaliyah warned before pouring the disinfectant over her wound. Cheetah held in her squeal as she felt her hand stinging, making her fingers twitch and leg slightly kick out. "Let's get this cleaned and closed."
As Jaliyah started to work, Cheetah looked her over and it made her realise the people she worked with was stupid. Jaliyah eyes were not the same colour, same shape possibly, but not same colour. She had brown eyes. However, there were some other similarities in their facial structures but she still had one more body to add to her list once she left the hospital. He made her cut herself just to get close to her because he said they specifically had the same eyes.
However, if the two were actually related, at least she knew that her genes produced smart and beautiful women.
"If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been be a doctor, um, doctor Freeman?" She asked before she remembered something. "Oh how rude of me, I didn't even tell you my name." She acted up. "My name is Kelly."
Jaliayah smiled softly at the woman that stated her name was Kelly. "No, you're not rude. It's alright and to answer your question, not long actually. I just graduated not too long ago from college. HBUC graduate baby." She gloated.
"Wow, congrats!" 'Kelly' smiled at her softly. "I wish I went to college." She frowned, making Jaliyah look up at her.
"Don't worry. You can always go if you want, even then, college isn't for everyone. I'm only the 2nd one to graduate out of me, my siblings and cousins."
"Is there a lot of you?"
She shrugged. "Not really, we're quite small compared to other people's family. I got twin brothers and four cousins but that just means we're all close. We're like brother and sisters to each other since we all grew up together. Same school, everything. The Freeman's are serious when it comes to family."
"That sounds nice to have." She noted mentally. She didn't have anyone she could call her sibling or even cousin. Vladimir was the only person she allowed herself get close to and look how that turned out. She looked down at her hands as Jaliyah worked to stich up her wound. "So how is a pretty girl like you not married?"
Jaliayah almost jumped out her seat in surprise but laughed. "I am too young for that. Once I settle into my career, that's when marriage can come into the question... I don't see a ring on your finger." She directed back, looking up at her through her eyelashes.
That's when she started thinking of her cover story. "Well, I wish I was married but you know how men can be sometimes."
"Well did 'men' do this?" Jaliyah asked, referring to her injuries.
'Kelly' squirmed in her seat, confirming Jaliyah's suspicions before she opened her mouth. "He's a good man deep down... he just gets upset sometimes. Maybe if I stop calling him out on cheating on me, he wouldn't have to put me back in my place. I could've just kept my mouth closed and not angered him. It's not like we have any children so he doesn't need to be home all the time, he can go out and party as he wishes, who am I to stop him?" She shrugged. As she said that, she saw the look of shock all over Jaliyah's face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing but it was the reality of some women and it was sad to hear and see. The woman was sitting here bleeding from an open wound caused by a knife and still thought about her being at fault. It wasn't right.
Even though Cheetah was using it as a cover story, it did hit home a little. Even though he didn't physically abuse her, Vladimir still abused her, mentally and emotionally. It was draining dealing with him for 12 years and all those years of constant cheating. She should've ran sooner but of course her 15-year-old self told her it was love as all those years went by. She was glad that they weren't together because then maybe her cover story would've been her reality.
"Lemme tell you something." Jaliyah started off sternly as she wrapped 'Kelly's' hand in bandages. "No man is a good man if he puts his hand on a woman. Not ever. He's a weak little bitch for doing what he's doing and I hope you come to terms with that. You shouldn't keep giving him excuses if he's given up on making them up himself. I may be single but I know how a man should treat a woman. My father treats my mother like the queen she is and my uncles and cousin do the same with their wives. Then men in my family have always treated the women in the family as queens too, to set an example for the younger girls on the minimum of how we should be treated in a relationship. You need to leave and press charges as you do, go to college if you really want to. Find who you are away from a useless man. You don't need him and don't let him stop living your life before he ends up being the one to end it."
Cheetah was shocked at how knowledgeable she sounded, especially considering how young she looked. She didn't expect her to say all that, she thought she would give a normal doctor talk but this one felt more personal and direct than any doctor/patient conversation she would've expected.
"I- I will take your advice." She spoke timidly.
Jaliyah finished up cleaning the cut on her arm. "I hope you do Kelly. You don't need to be treated as badly as you are. Get away from him and get help. I don't want to see you in here with worse injuries fighting for your life because if he can make you bleed, he can murder you and you don't want to be another statistic in deaths by domestic violence. It's not worth it." She sighed. "Wait here, I'm going to get some paper work for you to fill out." She gave her a smile before leaving the curtained room. Jaliyah went over to the desk to grab the necessary paper work she needed when she spotted one of her friends that she made in the hospital. "Domestic violence pisses me off." Was the first thing she said.
"Damn Freeman, you look a little stressed." She joked.
Jaliyah took a deep breath. "Sorry, I just got a woman in here by the name of Kelly that told me her boyfriend cut her. She had a quite deep wound on her hand and a cut on her arm. She's so beautiful too, it's so sad." Just as she said that, she started thinking about her little cousin Monique who she suspected relationship may go down that round.
'I should keep a closer eye on her... maybe tell the boys now.' She thought to herself.
"No matter how pretty you are, you can still go through what she goes through... why don't you give her the card that they give for domestic violence victims support?" The other doctor said, pulling Doctor Freeman out of her thoughts.
Jaliyah nodded. "You right." It took her a few minutes to find the card but when she did, she quickly went over to where she left Kelly. "So I found... where is she?!" As Jaliyah opened up the curtains, all she was met with was an empty bed with no traces of her being there besides from the bloody equipment. "Really?" Jaliyah took a deep breath before cleaning up the room for the next patient to come through. She just hopped Kelly got the advice she needed and that she stayed safe. She really didn't want to see her come into the emergency room on her gurney, that would break her heart but for now, she had other patients to attend to.
"Merry Christmas!" Jazmine shouted through the house.
It was Christmas day and after the stressful year they had, Jazmine was tripling her Christmas cheer.
"It's Christmas, it's chrissttmmassss!" She skipped around in her new pyjamas.
"Ayyy it's Christmas!" Royalty ran over to join her.
"Did I hear you saying it's Christmas?!" Ming shouted as she joined the two.
"Nah you can't forget about me on Christmas!" Cindy slides over to her friends as they all cheered and danced for it simply being a holiday. Jazmine always set the tone of excitement on holidays. If Jazmine didn't make sure they celebrated holidays, they wouldn't go out for all of them as much but Christmas was definitely the top holiday to celebrate.
They all stopped dancing and made their way towards the living room to sit in front of their Christmas tree which was beautifully decorated. There were gifts laid out all under the tree in wrapping paper that complemented the tree as they always made sure to do.
"Wait, you know we gotta play some music first." Royalty stopped them from reaching for their presents. She pulled out her phone and connected her phone to the Bluetooth speaker before blasting music but low enough that they didn't need to shout over it to hear each other.
"Okay, who wanna go first?" Jazmine asked excitedly. "Actually scratch that, oldest to youngest."
Royalty pouted as she knew she was last. "No fair. It should be the other way around."
"Haha." Cindy stuck her tongue out childishly before grabbing her gifts and ripping them open.
The next hour went by as the girls opened each other's gift they got each other. They got things they thought each other would like and need which they were all grateful to get. They then made breakfast together while singing and dancing in their pyjamas like they've done for the past few years but today, they weren't going to have dinner together, instead, they were all spending it with their boyfriends and their family.
"Can you believe this is the first time I will be spending the day with Hiro's family? I am so nervous." Ming confessed as took a bite of her food.
"Why? You've met them before?" Royalty asked.
Ming looked at her with a straight face. "Because Royalty... I am spending a holiday with them. It's different. You're always around the Freeman family so you're fine but I am actually going to be around Hiro's parents and brother."
"Well I have to be around Caesar and his three sisters. I feel like they're going to skin me alive. Say he's crazy for bringing a white girl home."
"True." Royalty shrugged. "But you don't give a fuck about none of that shit."
"Bout none of that shit." Cindy laughed as she caught onto the reference.
Jazmine rolled her eyes. "You guys better play nice with the family because they're soon going to be your family."
"As we said, easier for you guys to say." Ming rolled her eyes.
"Stop being stroppy. Trust me, you'll be fine."
"If I'm not, I will come back and beat you up." Ming threatened and Cindy nodded.
"Sounds like a plan."
It was Jazmine's turn to roll her eyes. "I can't believe you guys call me dramatic!"
"I mean you still are, no beating you." Royalty said before taking a sip of her drink.
"I thought we was on the same side?" Jazmine asked in defeat.
Royalty shrugged. "I mean yeah but you dramatic as fuck still."
"Yeah yeah whatever!" Jazmine waved them off as she collected her plate to bring to the sink. Once she started washing her plate, Cindy, Ming and Royalty all threw their own after her.
"Thanks!"
"Haha!"
"Thank you!"
They all shouted and ran out the kitchen to leave her to wash up their things as they went to get ready for their Christmas dinners.
"I hate you!"
A few hours went by as the girls spent as much time with each other as they could until it was time for them to leave to go with their boyfriends. Hiro came for Ming first, then Caesar for Cindy then lastly, the Freeman brothers for Royalty and Jazmine.
"Merry Christmas!" Jazmine shouted as she jumped in the passenger seat to Huey's car. She leaned over and gave him a quick few kisses on the lips. "Are you excited as I am?!"
Huey looked at her with his usual emotionless facial expression. "No."
"Why not?"
"Well-"
Riley popped his head from the backseat to cut Huey off before he started going on one of his rants. "Don't trigger the nigga. It's not worth it. You've heard his birthday speech. I'm not trying to hear his equally depressing Christmas speech today, not when I am happy I got my baby with me today." He sat back in his seat and wrapped his arms around Royalty's shoulder.
"Aww." Royalty smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Adorable. Especially in your Christmas jumper."
"Which I still don't understand why I am being forced to wear." Huey spoke from the driver's seat grumpily as he started to drive.
"You didn't even have to tell us about the Christmas jumpers but you did so blame you for telling us." Jazmine laughed.
This year, the Freeman family decided that they would wear matching Christmas with their partners/family so Royalty and Riley had on a matching Homer Simpson jumper while Jazmine and Huey had matching Grinch jumpers. Jazmine was over the moon when Huey told her about the Christmas jumpers because she had her eyes on it for a while so she got her wish of putting Huey in one. Despite his grumpy face, she got see the jumper peering out from his coat.
Huey sighed. "Let's just get this over and done with."
He drove them to his Uncle Dominic's house who was hosting Christmas dinner this year. He had the biggest house and there was about 24 people coming for the day so they needed as much space as possible. Huey also had a couple chair in his car that he brought so that people could sit. It was going to be a loud and busy night.
"Merry Christmas!" Jazmine shouted in excitement as she walked into the house. She was really finding any opportunity to shout it at this point.
"Oh you're here!" Trinity held her arms open as she walked over to the group. "Merry Christmas to you too. I don't know if you remember me but I'm Trinity, wife to Dominic, mother of Demetrius, Dante and Jaliyah and grandmother to my baby Coco. Welcome to my home." She introduced herself and pulled the two girls into a hug.
"Yeah I remember you all being there at Huey's birthday party." Royalty smiled at her. "I'm Royalty and that's Jazmine."
Before Trinity could say anything else, Naomi walked over to the new comers. "It's about time, you're the last ones!" She shook her head at the boys. "Put the stuff down." She shooed them away before smiling at the girls. "Hi, I don't know if you remember, I am Naomi. Mario is my husband and Monique and Anthony are my kids, oh and his wife Tiana. Then Angel and Tay are my grandbabies."
"It's really nice to meet you both again." Jazmine grinned at them. She was really loving the bubbly atmosphere in the house.
"Come come, say hi to the rest of the family." The older women both took a girlfriend each and pulled them away from their boyfriends who looked at them in disbelief.
Some may be overwhelmed with everything that was happening but Royalty grew up with a big family so was used to these kinds of settings and Jazmine just loved the sense of family and things that were excitement. It made her think of her parents which reminded her to call a little later.
"Everyone, say hi to Jazmine and Royalty, Huey and Riley's girlfriends!" Trinity shouted into the room.
"Hey!"
"Hi!"
"Hey Jazmine!"
"Hey Royalty!"
"Hi Guys!"
Came the few greetings thrown their way.
They waved at everyone in the room before leaving to take off their coats.
"I'll put it away." Huey took Jazmine's coat while Riley took Royalty's and the two turned and walked away with not another word.
Royalty nudged Jazmine. "Look at our boyfriends being gentlemen."
"I know. Very sexy if I do say so myself." She giggled.
The next person that came up to them were the very parents of their boyfriends. Mackenzie smiled at them and pulled them into hugs as Christian did the same. "Merry Christmas girls. I am glad you came."
"We are glad to be here. Thank you all for inviting us." Jazmine smiled. She knew her mouth was going to get tired of smiling by the end of the day but she didn't care, she was happy to be there and Royalty felt the same.
"It's nice to see you all again. Especially now that we're all on the same page." Christian laughed, making his wife hit his chest.
"Hush up. You know I did what I had to do." Just then, their sons had come back from putting their coats away and stood next to their girlfriends once they hugged their parents. "Aww look how adorable my babies look!"
Royalty laughed. "I said the same thing."
"This is definitely going on my Facebook." Mackenzie laughed as she pulled out her phone.
"Wait-"
"No-"
Huey and Riley's eyes grew wide as they tried to stop their mother from taking their pictures.
"Cheese!" She shouted at them, making them give in. They knew that a lot of pictures were about to get taken today so they might as well suck it up from now.
The boys sighed and gave in, standing next to their girlfriends to get ready for the pictures. Royalty and Jazmine held big smiles on their faces while Huey looked annoyed and Riley tried to act as gangster as he could in his Christmas jumper but it obviously didn't work.
"Aww they look so cute." Chrisitan said as he looked over the pictures. "Send them to me baby."
"I will and to the boys too so they can send it to the girls."
"That is perfect." Jazmine giggled.
Just then, a family in matching jumpers walked past when Mackenzie stopped them in their walk.
"Oh Clifford, Shauna!" She waved them over. "This is Huey and Riley's girlfriend. Jazmine and Royalty. Jazmine, Royalty, this is Raven and Robyn's parents." She introduced the two.
Clifford smiled. "I met Royalty last week actually at the boxing gym. Lovely young woman your son has here."
"You know a nigga got good taste." Riley gave them a cheeky grin as Huey shook his head in disappointment.
Robyn decided to step in. "I mean you got it right this time but, in the past... it was very questionable."
"Girl stop being a hater!"
"Riley still childish as ever, not even my son is as childish as you and he's 6 months!" Raven shook her head as she shifted her son on her hip. He had grown some bit now since the girls last saw him. His eyes were still a striking green but his skin had turned 2 shades darker and the little amount of hair he had on his head was now a curly sandy-brown colour. Raven was sure this was going to be the skin tone and hair he was going to keep as he got older.
"Don't bring your baby into this."
"I'm just saying."
Just then, Mairo walked over to group. "We about to exchange gifts now since everyone is here now."
"Alright, let's go." Christian smiled and the group walked back into the living room to find somewhere to sit with their gifts around them.
"Okay! Let's get started!" Trinity clapped happily.
Everyone started ripping up the wrapping paper and before they knew it, they already had a black bag filled and was ready to fill up the next.
"This is from the girls and I for the kids." Jazmine announced as she handed a present to all the children of the family, Tay, Angel, Coco and Cairo.
"Aww you didn't have to." Tiana told her. They already got her daughter a present on her birthday that she didn't expect they would get her more things.
"It's alright, we wanted to do it." Royalty waved them off.
The children opened their presents while the mothers helped the babies open their own.
"That's so sweet of you guys, thank you." Raven thanked as she pulled out the soft animal and teething toy they got Cairo.
"Yeah seriously thank you." Tiana thanked as she handed Angel her own soft toy and some baby clothes.
Tay and Coco gasped as they looked at their toys they had received. They each got a black Barbie's that came with additional clothes and accessories.
"They're so pretty!" Tay squealed.
Coco ran over to the two and engulfed them in a hug, Tay following which surprised everyone. Tay was always the shy one around people so it was surprising to see her hugging Jazmine and Royalty even though it was only about their third time meeting each other. It was really sweet to witness.
The girls could hear their ovaries crying out to them to be used for what their function was for but they had to ignore it, it was too soon but it wouldn't be so bad to have a baby with Huey and Riley.
'Not yet girl! Hold yourself together!' They had to mentally tell themselves off to get themself back on track.
After another 20 minutes, it was time for the couple to exchange gifts to each other. Royalty decided to go first out of the four.
"Alright, I got you a little sum sum." She handed Riley his presents.
He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Let's see if you passed the gift giving stage of the relationship." He said, making a lot of people roll their eyes in his room.
"Royalty, you still have time to run." Monique told her.
"But gift giving is an important part of the relationship." Demetrius agreed.
"Thank you!" Riley was glad someone agreed with him.
Dante shook his head and laughed. "Nigga there is a reason you're single and had to match your jumper with Monique and Jaliyah. Right there and then." He smirked as he wrapped his arm around Faith and held Coco close to him.
"You gonna do your twin like that?" Demetrius looked at his brother in fake hurt as he clutched his chest, making the room laugh at his dramatic ways.
"Nigga no one cares, back to me!" Riley pulled everyone's attention back to himself. "Alright..." He opened up his present. "Dammmnnn." Royalty had given him a Fendi belt with a windbreaker to match as well as three different durags that matched the three graphic t-shirts she got him and a chain. "You went all out for a nigga didn't you?"
She shrugged casually. "I missed your birthday so I had to make up for it."
"Well thanks for this. Now it's your turn." He put his present to the side to give her, her presents.
She ripped it opened and looked at all the stuff she got. He brought her 2 two-piece outfit from Fashion nova which was shocking to see because they were her style and sexy. That's when she remembered that she had put them in her basket but hadn't ordered it yet. A pair of Versace sliders with a robe, a pair of sneakers, perfume and a cute little handbag that had her name written on it. That's when she gasped at the last item she saw. "Oh my gosh! I forgot I even got a fitting for these." She had opened a box to find a pair of grillz that matched the same one she had complemented Riley on when they had their date at the carnival. After the crazy baby situation, Riley brought her to the one that did his own grillz and got hers fitted but she long forgot about them after.
"Merry Christmas baby." He grinned at her. As he did, she saw that while she was opening her presents, he put his own grillz in.
She smiled at him before putting hers in, which was a perfect fit. "Thank you baby." She gave him a quick kiss since they were in front of company.
"You're welcome. Thank you too."
"Aww so cute but it's my turn now." Jazmine turned to Huey and gave him his bag of things. "Merry Christmas Huey."
He took the bag and started to open it. He pulled out the items and saw that Jazmine got him a watch, an afro comb, multiple covers for the knives she got him for his birthday, a chain, a LV belt and a frame that had a small picture collage of Huey and Jazmine from the pictures she had force him to take. As much as he looked disinterested in the pictures, he knew that in those moments of taking pictures with Jazmine, he was at peace because he was spending time with her. She really grounded him more than he ever thought she would, she was just who he was missing.
"Thank you Jazmine." He said and kissed her forehead.
She smiled at him, pleased to see he liked his gifts. "You're welcome. Those covers were meant to come for your birthday but they came the day after which I was mad about so I kept them so I can give it to you on Christmas instead." She explained to him.
Huey nodded in understanding before putting his things to the side so he could give Jazmine her presents. Jazmine tried to contain her excitement but couldn't help it. She ripped off the wrapping paper and grinned as she looked at everything she received. He got her earrings to match the necklace he had given her that she still wore all the time, perfume, an instant photo camera that she mentioned she wanted one time, 2 outfits from Fashion nova, a pair of Versace slides and a custom notepad set with pens. She turned to look at Huey and pouted when she saw the notepad.
"You got a business to run next year, you're going to need to write down everything before you get too confused." He told her as she took out the notepads and looked though them.
"Aww Huey these are so sweet. Thank you." She pushed her lips out to indicate she wanted a kiss which he gave to her.
Mackenzie watched teary eyed at her sons. She had no idea in the space of a couple of months her boys had changed and now had girlfriends who they cared deeply for no matter how much they wanted to hold back their strong feelings. They knew each other and worked well together. Some people may think she's crazy for just accepting that her sons were dating strippers but she didn't care, she could tell they didn't let it take over their lives, they were working to have more for themselves and she appreciated and was happy for them. Huey and Riley had really found the ones and she couldn't wait to see how they grew together.
Christian smirked at his sons. He never thought he would see the day Huey and Riley had a calmness and the look of love on their faces when looking at a female but here they were. The moment they brought them to his father's birthday, he knew Royalty and Jazmine were here to stay. Their sons have never stepped forward and said, 'mom, dad, this is my girlfriend' but they did now. As cliché as it sounded, when he met Mackenzie, he just knew he wanted to be her everything and he knew his sons were going through the same things now. He just hoped they had babies and married soon because he was the only one of his siblings that didn't have a grandchild and he wanted to be the first one to have a grandson, even though he would love to have a granddaughter too but he had to beat them to it.
"Why I never get women that buy me nice things like these niggas?" Grandad asked, snapping people out of the little moment.
Cookie rolled her eyes at her brother. "Because you have terrible taste."
"Which is where Riley got his from." Monique laughed before turning to Royalty. "Obviously not this time."
"I said the same thing!" Robyn held out her hand to Monique for a high five which she gave back.
"I do not have terrible taste."
Huey eyebrows screwed together. "Remember the woman that wanted to kill us?"
"Remember that hoe whose pimp came back for her?" Riley added.
"Remember the one that got with you for money?" Anthony reminded him.
"Or the one that flirted with all your kids?" Mario added in disgust.
"Remember one that had a warrant out for killing her husband?" Demetrius said casually as he took a bit of his chips.
Robert grew frustrated with everyone reminding him of his bad decisions. "Damn! Give a nigga a break."
"I mean besides grandma, the only woman that was every good for you was Ebony Brown but you messed that up." Jaliyah shrugged.
"Well, she was too perfect for an old man like me." He sulked in his chair.
Riley snickered. "Got that right."
"Boy hush up!"
Trinity decided to get things moving again so that her poor father-in-law could get the attention off him. "Alright, if we're done opening presents, let's clean up and get some music and games flowing while I finish up dinner."
"Bring the damn cards and let's play spades!" Robert shouted to anyone who would listen.
As everyone started to get up and move around once the music started to play, Mackenzie walked over to Royalty and Jazmine. "Why don't you two join the women in the kitchen? We usual use that place to hang out before dinner and you don't have to make anything but you can stay here if you want to, it's no problem."
"Mom, you trying to steal our women?" Riley looked at her in fake disbelief.
"You're so dramatic Riley." She rolled her eyes at his son.
Jazmine smiled as she stood along with Royalty. "That's fine, we'll come." Mackenzie walked to the kitchen as Jazmine turned to Huey. "I guess I'll see you a little later?"
He nodded. "I will check up on you soon. Text me if you need saving."
Jazmine laughed at him. "Why you being dramatic now?" She shook her head and walked away, leaving the brothers behind.
"I can't believe our mother stole our girlfriends." Riley spoke out loud.
"Neither can I." Huey agreed.
"Afro and cornrow! Get your black negro asses over here to play these damn games!" They could hear their grandfather shout them over.
The two sighed at their grandfather but got up and moved towards the table where they were playing at, hoping their family wasn't suffocating their girlfriends.
"The family seem to love us." Royalty spoke to Jazmine as they walked to the kitchen.
"I know and I wanna keep it that way." The two nodded in agreement just as they stepped inside.
In the kitchen was the boy's mother, aunts and great aunt, Raven, her sister and mother, female cousins, Tiana and Faith. They all were talking to each other and were already pouring themselves some alcohol just as they stepped in.
"Glad you girls decided to join us in here!" Naomi turned to the two. "This is our typical hang out spot on Christmas and then after the dinner we hang out together so don't you worry, you'll see them boys again."
"What's your poison?" Raven asked them and pointed to the row of alcohol on the table. They scanned over it before picking their drink which Raven poured out for them and handed it over. "Welcome to Christmas with the Freemans. It's you guys and Faith's first time here, how do you feel?" She asked curiously.
"Well, if next year I wasn't planning on going to my parents for Christmas, I would definitely come again." Faith answered first.
"Same, I had to tell them I wasn't coming which they were kind of upset about but are good with now." Royalty shrugged. "I'm loving it here and I feel like we just got started."
Jazmine's situation was a little different. Her and her parents were not really speaking like that for her to willing want to spend Christmas with them this year but maybe next year it will be different. It had been years since she has spent the holiday with them. "Well, the BBQ was good so I knew Christmas was going to be amazing and it is."
"We're glad you're enjoying yourselves." Aunt Cookie smiled sweetly at them. "It's a nice way of being introduced to the family that just keeps getting bigger and bigger which I am happy to see."
"Amen. We have two new babies added to the family, Cairo and Angel, the two adorable babies." Shauna smiled at her daughter. "I am so proud of you for stepping up to the mother role."
Raven smiled. "Thanks mama."
"We have arrived to another Christmas with more people rather than less." Mackenzie said which the ladies lightly clapped on. "Our boys are growing up! Tiana will no longer be the only in-law in the family anymore."
Jazmine, Royalty and Faith felt themselves getting hot at the sound of 'in-laws' but the only difference is because of Jazmine's light skin, you could visibly see her turning red, making her turn red even more from the embarrassment of people seeing her flustered.
"No pressure of course." Naomi added. "Well, what are you young ladies working on nowadays?" She asked as they usually do on Christmas. It was their time to catch up with each other and see how everyone was doing.
"I'll go first." Jaliyah smiled. "I have never been so drained but so alive at the time working at the hospital. I mean, so much happens in a day, I can't believe I am really there. Watching Grey's Anatomy is one thing but being it, is a different tune. I will be trying to channel my inner Cristina Yang."
"Yeah just don't turn into Izzy Stevens." Monique rolled her eyes before saying what she had to say next. "I hate college. ¿Quién es el siguiente?"
"Baby you just gonna speed past it like that?" Naomi asked her daughter.
"Yup! Robyn you go next."
Robyn sighed as she took a sip of her drink. "I'm in my last year of college and then I will official become a psychiatrist, finally!" The room gave her an applause before Tiana spoke next.
"Well, I got a raise at work which was long due but at least I got it."
Faith went next. "I have been learning new things every day I guess, helping the boys with their business when needed." She nodded, knowing they all understood what she meant.
"What about you Royalty? Riley mentioned something you wanted to do." Mackenzie smiled at her reassuringly.
"Well, I am starting my hair business so if anyone needs their hair done, braids, wigs, I gotchu. I can hook you up. I did this one myself." She pointed to the black wig she had on with red and green tips which went with the Christmas theme.
"Ohh very nice... Jazmine? I did hear Huey mention you starting your own business too."
Jazmine gave everyone her best smile as she started to talk about her plans and was surprised that Huey was talking to his mother about her. "I'm going to create my own dance studio where I am going to have different classes running everyday. I even have Royalty who is willing to help with some classes so when I open up, if Tay and Coco wanna join they can."
"Don't have to tell me twice, I will happily do that." Tiana laughed.
"I think that's lovely what all you girls are doing. You should be proud of yourselves." Cookie congratulated them.
"I guess there is hope in the younger generation." Shauna joked which caused the room to fill with laughter. "I wonder how Clifford is doing with Cairo."
Raven grinned. "Well you know the rules with Christmas with the Freeman's."
The new additions to the day looked around confused. "What's the rule?" Jazmine asked for them.
Mackenzie chuckled before going onto explain. "One Christmas while the women hang out in the kitchen before dinner, the men have to watch the kids which is why Cairo, Tay, Coco and Angel are all with their fathers and grandfather. The kids are not allowed to bother us for the next hour or so. The men got luckier this year, there are more of them and less kids."
"Yeah, there was one Christmas when Anthony was 7 so the rest were all under that age, that they were driving my husband and brother in laws crazy. They had so much energy that year for some strange reason. Anyway, they were all play fighting until Demetrius and Riley gave their fathers nose bleeds but even after that, they kept running up and down everywhere. They were making their fathers run in circles." Trinity explained.
Cookie laughed to herself. "Then you had my brother that was ready to beat all the kids for making him spill his orange juice all over his white jacket which he had no business wearing. We stopped him by saying that it was Christmas and that the kids shouldn't be hurt on the day so instead the next day he made rounds and beat all the kids." She shook her head. "He's just crazy."
"So who got the most beatings growing up?" Royalty asked.
The Freeman women thought about it for a moment. "Demetrius and Riley are definitely top two. Then Dante, Huey and Anthony. The girls were basically good." Mackenzie shrugged.
"What she means to say is that we are angels." Jaliyah stepped in to say with a grin on her face which just showed she was lying.
"I wouldn't use the word angels... when you guys had your moments, it was definitely a moment." Trinity told her niece. "All I'm saying is that Tiana is lucky she has popped out two girls."
"Well I want at least the next, which is also the last child, to be a boy but Anthony is persistent that it is going to be another girl. He's such a girl dad. Tay and Angel got him wrapped around their little fingers."
"Aww that's so sweet." Shauna pouted. "Girls really are blessings. I hate how children in this generation are saying they would rather having boys over girls."
"Just having a child is a blessing." Cookie spoke, those who knew her knew how much that statement meant to her. Her struggling with infertility and losing her daughter weighed on her everyday but at least she was glad to watch her brothers grandchild grow. That's all she asked for. They were her family too.
"Exactly. Raising boys, that are like Huey and Riley at that, is a lot of work." Mackenzie breathed out.
Trinity raised her hand. "As a mother of a daughter and 2 sons... them boys will put you through it." She turned to the three girlfriends in the room. "Freeman's boys are something else but don't worry, we gotchu. They do say it takes a village to raise a child and we are the craziest and most supportive village you could get. Hopefully you don't have a high chance of twins." She joked, making everyone laugh expect for Royalty.
"I- my brothers are identical twins." She said with wide eyes. "Twins are common in my family and usually the first borns."
The older women looked at Royalty sympathetically.
"Oh baby."
"It will be alright."
"Don't stress yourself."
Raven couldn't help but continue laughing. "It's okay girl, we will live our best lives before you start waddling around with twins. I have a date set for our night out, we going out for my birthday, it's a week after new years. We will be getting white girl wasted on some strong liquor."
"That sounds amazing right now." Faith laughed, clicking her glass against Raven's.
"I will let the other girls know." Jazmine told her as she pulled out her phone to send them a quick text.
"So where are you girls from, I know people that are not from Chicago a mile away." Shauna joked, looking at Royalty and Jazmine. She already knew Faith was actually from around here so didn't need to ask.
Royalty decided to go first after sharing looks at Jazmine about who would go first. "Well, I am originally from Jamaica but moved to the states when I was 11 with my aunt. I met Jazmine and the rest of my friends at gymnastics and from there, it's been crazy."
"I knew I heard an accent when you spoke." Naomi spoke as she nodded her head in realisation. "Riley really outdid himself."
Jazmine went next. "I was born and raised in Woodcrest. It's a town in Maryland, very middle class and white so I was the few mixed people there. My parents are still there."
"Oh Huey got himself a little boujie girl. I wouldn't have seen that coming, good for him." Trinity laughed.
Royalty patted Jazmine on the shoulder. "Trust me, we broke her out of it once she hit 18."
"Well good for you!"
"I just wanna say a quick toast before we continue our time in here." Mackenzie spoke up and lifted her glass, making the other women do so too. "Here's to all the strong black women I am seeing standing in my sister kitchen right now. May the new year bless you all dearly. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" They all shouted and clinked their glasses together before falling back into random topics, enjoying each other's company before dinner.
Meanwhile, in the living room with the men, they had gone through a couple of games of spade before they started to have a conversation away from the game.
"Tony, how are you and the wifey?" Dominic asked his oldest nephew.
"We good, just trying to adjust to life with two kids." He answered as he kissed Angel's forehead, making her giggle and grab onto her father's lips.
"Son, I see you and Faith are serious."
Dante nodded with a slight smile on his lips. "Yeah, we really make each other happy. Even Coco." He turned to his daughter who was playing with her new toy with Tay. "Coco, what do you think of Faith?"
The men watched the little girls eyes light up and knew whatever she said next was going to be positive. "I love her so much! She- she show me Doc McStuffins and it's so fun! They're both doctors and help people."
Dante turned back to his uncle with his arms out and a smug look on her face. "Told you she loves her too."
"I never denied it. That's good that your daughter loves who you're with and gets along with her. She always comes first in your life."
"Yeah I understand that."
"Well we all know my other child is lonely." Dominic looked Demetrius chewing on candy in disappointment who then held his arms out like his brother, only this time in a defensive many.
"A nigga is young and free. Let me have my options man."
"I hear that, I may not be young but a nigga is free!" Robert laughed but no one else did.
Clifford shook his head. "Robert, you are the last person that should be active as I've unfortunately been hearing you've been."
"The ladies love a man with substance and experience."
Riley snickers as he laid his cards on top of the pile. "Experience granddad, not the ability to have a picture of your ass cropped outta picture with Rosa Parks sitting on the damn bus."
"Nigga I already done told you I was the one that started that bus bullshit! She stole my spotlight."
"Claudette Colvin says otherwise." Huey mumbled to himself but his grandfather heard him.
"Boy hush up! Always wanna be a smart mouthed ass nigga."
Christian shook his head. "Anyways, away from my father's should've-ended-years-ago sex life... it looks like I'm going to be a grandfather myself. I will be joining you boys soon." He grinned at his brothers and friend.
Riley and Huey heard what their father said and froze. He was not serious right not.
"Dad. We just got together." Huey told him with a scowl.
"You know that doesn't mean nothing."
"Wouldn't you prefer for us to get married first?" He asked.
Christian sighed. "I mean, if you wanna do it that way then fine. I don't care."
Huey just shook his head and turned back to the game that was happening.
Mario looked at Huey strange before laughing. "That is the first time Huey has ever mentioned marriage and not physically looked sick after saying the word... are you alright?" He went over and placed the back on his hand on Huey's forehead before being swatted away.
"You're thinking too much into it."
"Maybe not... I see the way you both look at the girls and the presents you got them was cute."
Huey sighed. He knew his family would bring up his relationship but he forgets to remind himself again at how annoying it was going to be. He hoped Jazmine had it easier but he slightly doubted it.
"Uncle Mario... I just got things I knew she would like."
"Yeah nigga stop digging so deep into it now." Riley agreed.
"Nigga you got your girl matching grillz, you don't get to talk." He dismissed. "Anyway, they seem like lovely girls."
"They are." Riley and Huey both said. They shared a look before turning back to the table.
"You brought them here today which is a plus and you Dante." Dominic added.
Dante shook his head. "Leave me out, you already know my feelings for Faith."
"Alright then. Lemme start with Riley. You have not called her a hoe, you say giggling is gay but you did that shit when she said something to you. You let the girl hug up on you in front of people. When you was 16 and a girl was hugging up all you, you threw her to the side when we walked past you. You can't even say you wasn't together because you was messing with each other at least." Christian told him.
"She was getting on my nerves."
"And Royalty doesn't. She's like your other half in a female, Jamaican version."
Clifford nodded. "Riley brought her to the boxing gym last week when I met her. Ace and I were shocked seeing them together, we all know she's different."
Christian smirked before moving onto his eldest child. "Now this tight ass nigga. Same goes for you as it did for your brother. You letting the girl be affection on you and you showing it back. Never seen before. You stare at her when she talks even if she's not talking to you. You actually give her full sentences instead of shrugging her off. Unlike your brother and Royalty, you two are complete opposite but somehow manage to work together."
Riley and Huey both took in what their uncles and father were saying to them as much as they wanted to shrug it off. It was true, everyone who knew them knew it was true. These girls were special and they didn't know how many times they would say it. They were worried they would mess it up again because that would be their last chance to be the men they knew the girls needed and who they could be for them. They deserved the world and they would do anything to give it to them.
"We just pointing out the obvious." Mario shrugged.
"Nah you old niggas are just being nosy." Riley dismissed.
Anthony poked his Riley in his check, earning a slap on the hand from him. "Not being nosy if it's right in our face cuz."
"Whatever, all I am going to say is that Royalty is... Royalty. I fucked up once and I refuse to fuck up again alright? Good enough for y'all bitch ass niggas?" Riley asked them sarcastically.
"Well, I guess now we just waiting on your brother." Dante said with his arms folded in front of himself.
Huey sighed, knowing they wouldn't leave him alone unless he confessed at least something to them so he did. "Jazmine... is here to stay." Was the best he would say to them.
"You just gonna give us that dry ass response?" Anthony raised an eyebrow at his cousin who glared at him.
"Yes."
"You so damn boring. Hopefully Jazmine loosens your ass up, pause." Demetrius shook his head.
Huey took a deep breath, his family could be very annoying at times, he didn't know how he's managed to survive 26 years being around them. Luckily for him, his auntie came into to interrupt their conversation with a big grin on her face.
"Dinner is ready! Come and get some food!"
Without a second to think, all the men jumped up, not forgetting the babies, and made their way straight to the kitchen with their hungry selves. They had been waiting all day to eat and they finally got the chance to. Once everyone filled their plates up with food with all types of stuff, they all found a space to sit and dove into their food. They engaged in conversations while also making jokes every now and then which helped the dinner run smoothly.
Jazmine watched the family dynamic in wonder. Each family had their own roles. Grandad was the miserable old man that tells his grandchildren they are terrible, Aunt Cookie was the wise great aunt that loved her babies unlike her brother, the Freeman's by marriage were the ones that showed constant love and support, the children of Robert were the childish but gangster men and then you had the cousins. The adorable ones, the trouble makers, the immature ones, the smart ones and the tired of it all ones. You can decide who falls into what category.
Seeing the Freeman and Miller family together made Jazmine really miss her parents more than she has in the past 4 years. When her parents and her stopped contacting each other, she was very upset about it at first but she moved past it, becoming estranged with them. Then when she went back to Woodcrest, it was on the path of being fixed again. She really wanted to fix her relationship with her parents, it was time to and she hoped they wanted to work on it as much as she wanted to.
So she pulled out her phone and sent a text to her parents.
Jazmine: Merry Christmas Mommy and Daddy. I hope you enjoyed your day. I miss you guys, I really do. When I came back, at first, I didn't want to fix things between us which was sort of immature of me. I have been thinking about you guys since I left and I just want to come out and fully say I want to fix things between us. I was your little girl for years and I know I may have disappointed you with the path I took but that doesn't define me or my character. You know me, you know me deep down. I'm still Jazmine who wanted a pony. I'm still the Jazmine that asked you guys for something pink and shiny every year for my birthday for years. I'm still the same Jazmine who is in love with Usher (sorry dad). What I'm trying to say is, I'm still the same Jazmine but just an adult now. I have to make my own decisions which requires a lot of trial, errors and may lead to disappointments but I still love you. Every parent wants the best for their child but at some point, you have to see me as an independent woman making decisions for herself. You already know that I am opening a dance studio and I want you by my side when I have my grand opening. I want us to work on our relationship again, it will really mean the world to me and hopefully somewhere down the line, you can meet Huey because I'm really falling in love with him. You should get to meet and know him, at least a little. I love you both. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad xx
She sighed and put away her phone. Huey had saw the huge paragraph she was typing out and waited until she finished. It seemed as if she had a lot to get off her chest so he didn't want to interrupt her.
"Everything alright?" He asked her.
She nodded and smiled at him before leaning forward and kissing him on the cheek. "Everything is great. I'm so happy you brought me here."
Her cleared his throat as he saw his parents smirking at him proudly from across the room. He felt himself getting hot but didn't let it show it on his face. "You're welcome. It seems like you're having fun, surprisingly."
Jazmine playfully slapped him on his knee. "You need to give your family more credit, they're amazing people. Smart, funny, wise and let's not forget beautiful. You have amazingly good genes running through you."
Huey looked around the room at his family members and he couldn't help but agree. They were a good set of family no matter how much they annoyed him. He would literally kill for them. He has done it before and he will continue doing it until the day he dies, Jazmine was now just added to the list of people he would kill for.
"Just don't say that to them, it will blow up their head and that's the last thing they need."
"Hm, now that you told me, maybe I will." She teased.
Huey shrugged. "Go ahead, they won't let it go."
Jazmine grinned before giving him another kiss on the cheek, making his parents melt in their seats. Riley and Royalty were being all lovey dovey too. It was so cute to witness their sons smitten. It just goes to show that all gangsters have a soft side to them.
"Ok, I'm ready to party and drink now! Let's go!" Naomi shouted as she turned the music up and started pulling her husband out his chair.
Jazmine turned to Huey and before she could say anything, he looked at her with a straight face. "No."
"Damn. Not even a little Christmas miracle?" The look he gave her said everything she needed to know. "Well alright then." She went over and dragged Royalty away from Riley. "I'm stealing your girl since your brother doesn't want to dance with me." She stuck her tongue out at him.
"That's some straight bullshit. It ain't my fault that the nigga doesn't want to dance with your ass, don't take my girl!" Riley threw his arms up in annoyance.
"I know, blame your brother." Jazmine winked before dragging Royalty further into the group of dancing family members, already dancing together. Royalty just burst out laughing at how annoyed her boyfriend looked at her getting kidnapped.
Riley turned to his brother with a glare. "Cock blocking ass nigga."
"Nigga shut the fuck up and go twirl your ass if you wanna be with her." Huey rolled his eyes at his annoying younger brother.
Instead of getting up, Riley kissed his teeth and sat back and watched his girl dance, there was no way he was going to dance today.
As the hours ticked by, the Christmas party was in full swing. The snacks and desserts were amazing, drinks were getting served and people were dancing to all the music from different eras. Even though Riley said he wouldn't dance, he did and even started the soul train line. He was having the most fun. Huey sat back and watched, Jazmine did come over every now and then to just check up on him no matter how many times he told her to go and have fun, to not worry about him but she didn't stop. Before everyone knew, Christmas day was officially over and it was well into the next morning. The kids were passed out in one of the rooms while the adults continued until they decided it was time for everyone to leave.
"Bye! Thanks for having us!" Jazmine and Royalty thanked as they made their rounds of saying goodbyes.
"No thank you girls for adding to the fun!"
"It was so lovely to have you over!"
"Come back now!"
Huey and Riley's mother and aunts told them as they gave each other hugs before walking to Huey's car. The ones with babies and older people had already left so they were the few left. The girls were semi drunk which they didn't expect to reach but they did.
"Alright, let's go." Huey sighed as he put the last few things into his car.
"I love the Freeman's." Jazmine giggled from the front seat.
"Right?! You guys are so cool." Royalty nodded.
Huey shook his head. "I never expected you to get drunk."
Jazmine just smiled with her eyes half closed from her long eyelashes. "Neither did I but I had a good fucking time."
"Period!" Royalty shouted from the back.
"Alright that's enough from you." Riley chuckled as he pulled her head down onto his shoulder.
Jazmine was about to laugh too but stopped when she pulled out her phone. She was so distracted from everything that was happening, she didn't see the reply from her parents.
Mom: Hi Jazmine, it's both your mother and father. Merry Christmas to you too, we hope you enjoyed your day with whoever you spent it with. We miss you too and want to fix things between us. When you came, we should've never had Jayden convince us to just drag you to a dinner you weren't aware about, it was unfair for you. We should've reached out on our own accord and not forced it on you. Then with getting you to work with us wasn't fair either. As parents, especially to a child like you, we were very protective and shieled you a lot so we felt disappointed that you didn't follow the path we had planned out for you. It's our faults for putting so much pressure on you but we see that you are finding your footing. You're only going to be 26 so it's alright. You're still our little Jazmine at heart, we just need to see that again. You deserve our love and support so we love to come and see you on your opening night. With this Huey male... we can tell you really like him so we will give him a chance, as long as he makes you happy and doesn't harm you, we would be up to meeting him. We will work things out together, we love you and Merry Christmas again. Seeing you soon xx
Jazmine took a sigh of relief after reading what they sent her. She really wanted her parents to be involved in the next chapter of her life since they missed so much already. The important things in her life were coming around and she wanted them to be by her side too. As she stared at one of those things, he parked up the car outside their home already. The streets were clear so it didn't take them as long to get them home.
"It seems like Caesar and Hiro are here." Huey observed as he looked at the cars parked outside their place too but when he looked at the house, he saw the lights were off. He turned to see Jazmine just looking at him. "Wh-?"
She pulled him into a passionate kiss and he responded without a second to spare. He reached behind her head to pull her in closer but they were in a car so it was kind of hard to reach the closeness they wanted to get.
"Eww." Riley and Royalty said childishly from the back.
It took another 5 seconds before they departed and locked eyes in the dark. "I think you should stay the night. You had some stuff to drink so I don't want you driving home."
"But I drove you home?" He looked at her with a smirk. He wasn't going to the deny the invitation but he just wanted to have her beg a little.
"I don't give a fuck. Get out this car and walk your ass up to my room with your fine self." Jazmine demanded him.
The couple in the back shared a look with wide eyes. "Damn, Mariah is crazy." He whispered.
"Holidays make her horny." He explained to him.
"Does it make you?" He asked with his own smirk on his face.
She stroked his inner thigh, making him twitch. "Come inside and find out."
"Later nigga." Riley slapped Huey on the shoulder before jumping out the car, Royalty following behind. He didn't even care if his brother was staying the night or not, all he knew was that he was.
"So, are you going to keep me warm on this cold winter night?" Jazmine pouted at him. "At that, I think you should stay until New Years, its only right." She reached out and ran her nail against his jaw line, with her lips dangerously close to his own.
"Your wish is my command."
"Fine... I wish you to carry me to my room and devour me." She believed he deserved a treat for taking her to his family dinner, the gifts he got her as well as keeping the Christmas jumper on for the whole day. The day was a success and this was the perfect way to end it.
'Say less.' Huey thought. He jumped out his car and raced around, swinging Jazmine's door open. She jumped into his arms and giggled as Huey rushed inside, not carrying that he was slamming doors along the way. Jazmine just laughed her head off as she never seen Huey move with such speed and purpose before, even while carrying her. It was entertaining and attractive to her.
This Christmas was one for the books for sure.
Happy New Year! First chapter for the new year, I hoped you enjoyed it. I have started to try and start writing more on Wattpad under 'ThickBlackGirl' so you can check out the other stories I have there, one being a Boondocks one.
RuffinNoRelation: If or when Cheetah meets Huey and Riley, you already know it is going to be interesting.
BoondocksFever234: Girl you know Huey didn't mean know of that, he just had to talk to the girl hows shes used to being talked to, he meant nothing by it lool. I told you I watch P-Valley (thank you to whoever suggested to watch it by the way) and the dance scenes became clearer after watching it. And you know new people be a little slow times, have to put them back in place like Mary and Dre. Jaliyah definitely needs to be on her toes more, she will become useful soon.
Jazxy: Glad you love it! I don't think I would do a spin off but I will be adding more of one on one times for the two to show their growing relationship, everybody gotta witness the growth. And I mean, having a stripper sounds better than the daughter of someone that can throw you in jail so I guess that's the way the mother looks at it. Tom and Sarah maybe coming soon, just have to stick around to see.
GREENPEACE1990: Yes, I have to make sure the girls can show they can handle themselves. It's not every time knight in shiny armour even if it is Huey and Riley, they had to learn to defend themselves, even before the boys came. Strippers get rude customers sometimes, only know they are getting more training from their boyfriends.
Mauriah Milton: Thank you! We have been talking a lot of Wattpad so I know how much you love my stories, enough for you to be inspired to write too. Can't wait to hear more from you.
Well, here's to a good year. I'm hoping my uploads won't slow down because I just got two jobs which may turn into 3 but I will try and upload as much as I can. In the mean time, reread, read my other Boondocks story on here or look at my Wattpad, up to you. Just if you wanna see my other work. Loving all the reviews, don't forget to drop some more.
Until Next Time
-TBG
