Thank you for beta'ing, MsSchneeheide!

"Are ya ready to go?" Maritza asks breathlessly as they stop after a while, only because either Poussey or Franziska is honking from outside. They'd picked up Maritza, and now, they're here for Flaca.

"More than ever!" Flaca sets the smaller girl down. She grabs her white cardigan sweater and ties it around her waist, then dons her long puffy black coat. They walk side-by-side out the door. The horn blares a few times and Flaca hurriedly locks up. "What? We're coming!" she yells with her back to the other couple.

"Give it a rest! Dios mío..." Maritza adds as they rush down the stairs, holding onto the railing.

"You'd think they'd wanna swap spit while they wait for us," Flaca grumbles. She and Maritza let themselves in and Poussey sits at the wheel, appearing to be a bit annoyed. Her blonde German girlfriend, wearing a white blouse with small pink flowers and dressy black slacks, rests a hand on her arm.

"Ten minutes?" Poussey asks exasperatedly. She has on large silver pentagon-shaped hoops, a mohawk, and a band tee, black and red leather jacket, and light purple jeans with white sneakers.

"Lo siento, but you remember what the honeymoon stage was like!" Maritza protests. "We lost track..."

Poussey and Franziska kiss before the former steps on the gas and they head off. "At this party we were at in Germany when we started dating, this guy Zinger, who we called Zing, told us to get a room when we showed our public display of affection. The lip-locking," Franziska explains. "He said he wanted to watch us have lesbian sex."

"Gross!" Flaca and Maritza exclaim.

"He asked for a German translation of that, too," Poussey adds bitterly. "I was just like, nein, and called him a motherfucker!"

"Gross!" Flaca and Maritza exclaim in unison.

"I'm just glad we met there, liebling," Fransiska states. Poussey holds her hand as she drives. "It was a perfect last stop."

"My pops swore that we'd quit moving to various places after Germany, but we had to leave and return to New Jersey because of your homophobic father."

Franziska rolls her eyes in the rearview mirror. "Ja."

"I'm lucky my daddy approves of us!"

"Mm-hm," everyone agrees with Poussey.

"What's it like, scissoring?" Flaca wants to know.

Poussey groans. "We tried that, but I got a leg cramp. I knew it wasn't gonna work."

"Aw, that sucks!" Maritza comments. "At least we know not to bother. I've heard finger fucking feels much better...it's a good warmup, like foreplay!"

The older girls in the front giggle. "Yeah!"

Dear Nicky,

Hi :-) Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you're doing as well as you can in rehab. I miss you, sweetie. I think about you all the time. This Saturday is gonna be lots of fun, you'll see Red and I, meet her sons, and maybe Tricia and Allie would be there too! I would love to dance with you!

I know ninety fucking days is way too long, but at least we get to see each other once a week and you'll get better. Maybe you'll get released early if you're a good girl. Yes, that's me being seductive ;) I adore you so much, baby. It feels like it's been eons since I last saw you. Things aren't quite the same without you around...it gets lonely at times. However, getting to know the whole gang again from when we were kids is cool. I guess they didn't forget us after all! Everyone is looking forward to your return. I'll bring a special surprise for you when I come this weekend.

My lady, I'm alive just picturing you in my head, smiling down at this note. I enjoy causing happiness from my favorite woman.

If you were here right now, we definitely would not flirt at all, or hug for a little bit too long, or stare deeply into one another's eyes, or anything fun like that. :)

Helllllllo, Sex Bomb, I'm joking! Teehee ;)

Actually, I would tear your clothes off and shove you onto my bed and have my way with you. But you're not, so...rain check? :)

Do you have any fantasies?

Kisses,

Shani

Hearing Shani's voice earlier tonight had been like heaven, even if they only got to talk for ten minutes. Receiving a letter from her is another bright spot in Nicky's day and it makes her feel calm, better than heroin ever did. As long as Shani is comfortable and safe and Red is still okay, Nicky can relax. She smirks to herself while rubbing her lower region since she has her mind on the fact that Shani's cute, sappy letter had turned dirty in a matter of seconds. Leaning back against her headboard with her comforter and sheet covering her, Nicky continues masturbating, closing her eyes in pleasure and trying to keep silent. She pictures herself and Shani reuniting and making love when they can finally fully touch each other again. The faster she goes, imagining Shani's fingers in place of her own, it gets harder to stay quiet. She gasps as she reaches climax and then clenches before releasing, letting out a series of soft moans.

"Powerful orgasm, huh?"

Nicky cuts her roommate a look as she pads in. "How is that your business, Barb?"

"You're right, it was yours, actually. Did some client have a wild effect on you and you're remembering it?"

Nicky scowls. "No, my girlfriend..."

"You're thinking of naughty shit you wanna do with her!"

"No comment," Nicky states tiredly. "Uh, are you still seeing flies?"

Barb shrugs and gets into the cot next to Nicky's. "No, thank goodness. I can't believe how much you've assisted me to reach complete sobriety these past few days."

"I mean, the fact that they don't let you get high really helps."

"That's true."

"Please don't tell me it's McDonalds," Blanca murmurs. She still has no idea which restaurant Diablo is driving them to. "Dean took me there every Valentine's Day, and I'm so sick of that place I can't stand it!" Luckily, it doesn't look like he's headed there, because the farther they drive, the darker it gets until she can barely make out trees in the forest. Blanca has never been in this part of the city before, and to be honest, it's a little frightening.

"No te preocupes, nosotros no vamos a ese restaurante asqueroso," Diablo assures her and she breathes a sigh of relief.

we're not going to that disgusting restaurant.

"Where are we going?"

Diablo smiles at her and squeezes her hand. "You'll see. It's a surprise, my sweet girl."

"Have you ever been there before, with your friends?"

"Not really…we usually go to the local cafe or Friendly's or the Sparrow Tavern. I've never taken another woman here before. It's got kind of a romantic connotation." Finally, he pulls up to a small restaurant in a secluded part of the forest. It's like a fairytale. Lights shine on the rose bushes and Blanca feels like Snow White is going to come out with her seven dwarves. It's the most beautiful sight she's ever seen. It's also really quiet here, except for the crickets chirping occasionally.

"No se que decir," she whispers, almost feeling bad that she's broken the silence.

I don't know what to say

"You don't have to say anything," he responds. "Got somethin' for ya." He wraps his arm around Blanca's waist and hands her a bouquet of roses that were just in a bucket filled with water. Being careful not to cut her hands on the thorns, she takes them and puts her nose into them and breathes in their sweet scent.

"These roses are beautiful," she says, blushing and looking down.

He lifts her chin up so her eyes can meet his. "Pero not as pretty as you. Come on, hermosa."

Diablo guides her into the restaurant and she gazes around in wonder. The place is so small that she doesn't think anyone could be there, but a single person sits at the counter. The whole place looks like a log cabin.

"Hola, Arlenis," he greets the Spanish woman behind the counter, waving. "La mamá de Martin," he whispers into her ear.

Martin's mother.

She nods. "Diablo…¿y quién es esta linda jovencita?" Arlenis walks up to them and gives Diablo a hug.

and who is this pretty young lady?

"Soy Blanca," she introduces herself, shaking Arlenis' hand. "I moved back here from Arizona."

"Oh, my son Martin has told me about you! He said you're very nice, according to his friend Cindy."

"Dile que dije gracias. Are we the only ones here or…?"

Tell him I said thanks

"Sí, this is only for soulmates."

She blinks.

"Fahri took Gloria here on their first date. Ramón proposed to Karla aquí," Diablo puts in. "In fact, each one of our couple friends has had alone time in this place."

"Wow," Blanca mumbles to herself.

"¿Qué les gustaría a ustedes dos para cenar?"

What would you two like for dinner?

"Just a salad, please." If Blanca were with Dean and she gained one inch of fat, he'd kill her.

"Oh, darling, you're getting a meal…now what would you like?" Arlenis asks again.

"Lo siento, I'm on a diet. Diablo can eat it all if he wants to," she jokes.

"I'll get a plate of fettuccine and a personal pizza to split with her," Diablo says. "Agua y cerveza también." He throws Blanca a quizzical look. "¿Está bien para tí?"

Water and beer, too. Is that okay with you?

"Sweetie, you're as skinny as a rail. I need to fatten you up! I'm thin too, but look at our fingers together!" Arlenis puts her fingers against Blanca's and the latter swallows a gasp as she realizes Arlenis is right. Her fingers are double the width of Blanca's.

"Me lo comeré todo," Blanca agrees. "Every last bite."

I'll eat it all

"Thatsa girl," she says, grinning. "Okay, I'll warm this up, you two get settled in the cozy corner."

Diablo leads Blanca to a loveseat as a fire crackles in a hearth across the room and she snuggles up next to him.

"Here, ¿quieres acostarte?" he asks, pulling her into his lap.

you wanna lay down?

"Why me?" Blanca wonders aloud, looking up at him. She wants to know if this is real, or if Diablo's just waiting for someone better, or if she's a bet.

"What do you mean?"

"You're the captain of the football team. ¿Por qué me elegiste? ¿Qué me hace tan especial? You can have any girl you want. I dress like a dork."

Why did you choose me? What makes me so special?

"Blanca, you're special because you make me smile with your intelligence and beauty. También eres una excelente conversadora y besadora, ambas cualidades que quiero en una chica." With that, Diablo kisses her with deep passion, and she knows it's love. She sinks back into his arms and slips down a little until her head is on his knee and her lower back is on his other knee. A tent is definitely showing through his pants. She just relaxes as he caresses the side of her face and pecks her temple.

You're also an excellent conversationalist and kisser-both qualities that I want in a girl

"I feel really warm right now," she murmurs. "Pero I'm a little stiff." She gets up and stretches. He pulls her back on his lap as she giggles. Then, he lays down across the couch and invites her to lay on top of him and liplock. She quickly agrees. She moves her hair out of her face and his, bends down, and starts making out with him. Their tongues dance together in perfect harmony, and she loves the moment. Nothing can ruin this. Blanca makes him moan a few times and she makes little sounds of her own as Diablo runs his hands up and down her sides, even going under her shirt a little a few times. She sneaks her hands up his shirt, plays with his chest hairs, and traces her fingers around his nipples.

He sighs. "¡Eso se siente bien! Ohh..."

Ah, that feels good!

It's hot, especially because they're making out while feeling each other up. She straddles his hips and senses his boner going into her wet and straining center. They wouldn't have stopped if they didn't hear footsteps approaching.

"Where'd you go?" he asks tenderly, and Blanca is eased back into the present, her reverie of them as horny teenagers on their first date fading away. He's continuously stroking her hair.

"Oh...lo siento I zoned out, solo nos estaba imaginando como adolescentes, como si te viera primero y comenzáramos nuestra relación en la escuela secundaria."

I was just imagining us as teenagers, like if I saw you first and we started our relationship in high school.

Diablo presses his lips to her cheek a few times while holding her around her middle. "Mejor tarde que nunca, mi amor."

Better late than never, my love.

"Sí, y por mucho que odio a Dean, nunca habría tenido a mis hijas."

Yeah, and as much as I hate Dean, I would've never had my daughters.

"Muy cierto."

Very true.

"What do you expect me to do after you take us home? Lamento no haberte acostado...lo haría si me sintiera más seguro para hacerlo."

I'm sorry I didn't lay on you...I would if I felt more confident to do so.

"Just have fun and relax! You don't have to do anything, including lay on me. I promise you, my darling."

"You're sweet, baby."

"Además, ¡nuestra comida está aquí!" He kisses her lips before rising and getting their food, water, and beer. She falls back against the couch and sighs, longing for his touch again. She needs him so much right now, it's not even funny.

Besides that, our food's here.

Diablo feeds her each bite of pasta and pizza and after clinking their beer bottles in a toast, they guzzle their drinks.

At about twenty minutes after seven, Elena and Gloria return to the Córdovas' apartment just in time. "Yo, we're back!" Gloria announces as she opens the door. The water is running in another room.

"Oh!" Elena smirks, realizing, as she hears the owners' distinct voices and laughter. "Sounds like it's coming from the shower...they're takin' one together! No wonder they didn't answer us..."

"Mm hm!" They both giggle.

Elena goes to Gloria's bedroom and gives herself a once-over in the full length mirror. "Damn, girl, you look good!" she compliments her reflection, hoping Sergio will say something like this to her. She makes her foot pop as she uses the wall for balance and pretends to kiss it while closing her eyes. "Ohh, your mouth feels delicious on mine, heavenly and soft...I won't admire you from afar anymore, you're mine, baby, and I'm yours."

"Ah-em."

She jumps and turns around at Gloria clearing her throat. "Solo estoy pensando en cómo será nuestro primer beso. Maybe we'll do some making out!" She rubs her hands together in anticipation. "I'd practice on something right now, but I don't wanna ruin my lipstick I just put on in your car."

I'm just thinking about what our first kiss will be like.

"Ellie..." Gloria sits on the bottom bunk belonging to Benny. She beckons Elena forward and pats the spot beside her. Elena sits there next to her mother. "Honey, it kinda just comes naturally...you'll lean in, if you see him start to do it and you wanna kiss him back, then let your lips touch gently. It's like kissing a cheek, just do the same to the other person's mouth."

She's cringing the entire time at her mom's unsolicited advice. "Stop!" she practically begs Gloria.

"Honey, I'm just sayin'...but you'll do fine, I'm sure of it! Have fun and don't overthink it. Take your time, don't rush it. You'll know when it's happening and just let it happen. Make sure you're ready, and never allow anyone, including Sergio, to push you into it. He's gotta respect you and your boundaries. It might feel awkward and strange. You don't need to be overly experienced...in fact, I'd be shocked if you were. Didn't you play Spin the Bottle at Daya's birthday party?"

Elena nods. "I got Katie...but there were no sparks...I didn't expect any, but I really wanna feel some with Sergio."

"Lo sé." They share a smile and then the doorbell rings. "Buena suerte, mi niña." Gloria pecks her cheek and then she bolts up to her feet and speeds off.

"¡Gracias!" she shouts over her shoulder.

Suddenly, Gloria is hot on her heels and pulls her back from answering. "Not so fast, young lady, I wanna meet this guy!"

Elena rolls her eyes. "Why?"

"Let's talk about it later."

"Ay Mami, I promise I'll be careful!" Her heart aflutter and her belly full with nervous excitement, Elena opens the door. "Hola," they greet each other at the same time and then chuckle in unison. His gorgeous brown eyes seem to scan her up and down as he beams. "Wow, look at you!" is all he says. Elena grins even harder and she presses her lips together to stop herself from laughing awkwardly again.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Gloria asks.

"Very," Sergio responds.

Elena giggles quietly. "Yeah, you too."

He turns his attention back to Elena, biting his lip and blushing. "Yo, here I thought I'd be the prettiest one in the room tonight!" he states teasingly.

"Well, you should've had your hair done at Sophia's salon like me, then I'd be toast!" she jokes back, playing along.

"Seriously, you nailed it with that skirt," he praises her. "Your whole appearance, actually. Te ves muy bonita."

You look really nice.

"Oh, gracias, and you're really killing it with that button-up and jeans! ¡Se ve bien en ti! You clean up nice...who knew there was a handsome guy under that mussed up hair and wrinkled T-shirt you're normally rockin'?" Elena is also shocked he didn't let his pants sag like usual. She must be blushing like crazy with how hot her cheeks feel. His compliments and the way he's holding her gaze, like the sight of her takes his breath away, is raising her confidence.

It looks good on you.

"Thanks!"

"Hola, soy Gloria, su madre," she intervenes, stepping up to Sergio and holding her hand out. He shakes it right away. "I don't want no funny business, you got it?" The look on her mom's face is a little threatening, if Elena is honest with herself. She drops her gaze to the floor and falters back in embarrassment.

Hello, I'm Gloria, her mother.

He straightens slightly. "Sí, no worries, ma'am, I promise to respect your daughter and have her home in a timely manner."

"Bien. Somethin' malo happens to mi nena, I got badass hermanos in Washington Heights who can find you, ¿entiendes?"

Sergio nods. "I swear I won't hurt her or nothin' like that. La mantendré a salvo. I'm a real careful driver."

I'll keep her safe.

"Okay." Gloria smiles again. She and Elena exchange a hug and kiss each other's cheeks. "Confío en ti. No hagas nada estúpido."

I trust you. Do not do anything stupid

"No lo haré, Mamá."

I won't, Mom.

"Have fun, you two!" Gloria waves them off as they stroll out of the apartment together.

"Gracias," they tell her in unison without looking over their shoulders.

"De nada." Elena hears her close the door and lock it behind them.

"Your mami kinda scares me," he comments as they stride through the lit-up complex, but he doesn't sound upset. "That's a good thing, because it means she loves ya and wants to protect ya!"

"Mm-hm," Elena agrees. "Still, lo siento she was kinda harsh. I expect you'll be a gentleman?"

"Yep! Chivalry ain't dead. Really, no worries, I know how parents can be a little overprotective." He unlocks his van, opens her door for her and she gets inside before closing it.

"Hey, girl!" Daya welcomes her excitedly.

As he goes to the driver's seat, she glances back at Daya, Claire, and their boyfriends. "Hi! Y'all look fantastic!"

They smile appreciatively at her. "So do you," Claire murmurs.

The other girls are in red dresses while the guys wear jeans and nice shirts. Everyone has a jacket with them, but since Sergio has cranked up the heat, no one needs their outerwear for now. He turns on the radio and they start dancing in their seats to it. The boy in front next to Elena keeps his moves to a minimum; instead, he just drums his thumbs on the steering wheel while watching the road. Needless to say, she's impressed. Elena has heard from her mom about how at her very same age, Blanca was in a car accident because of Dean being a dangerous idiot. Even though it'd been sort of a blessing in disguise, magically leading Blanca to her true love, not everyone is so lucky after colliding with another vehicle.

Over at the Mendoza sisters' place they share with their abuela, Ceci and Katie sit on the couch with a blanket over their laps as they cuddle. "So, you wanna go further, like into girlfriend mode now?" Ceci asks. "We don't need to right away, or at all, but are we never going to mention our first kiss, the many that came after for about an hour, and the hair and cheek stroking in bed?"

"I like you a lot, Ceci, but I can't randomly kiss you or even hold your hand in public unless we're both terrified of something...we just have to come out as bisexual and lesbian first, that is, if you wanna. I'm done with secret romances. It's like my ex was embarrassed to be seen with me or whatever."

"Yeah, exactly! Asshole," Ceci grumbles. "Anyway, you certain you want us to be novias? I'm ready if you are."

"I'm open to it, but we should wait to tell everyone at school. Let's just go to that small, private club Alex was telling me about earlier. It's for girls and women only. Flaritza, Poussey and Franziska, Debbie and Nita, and Alex and Michelle are gonna be there, but that's it."

Ceci grows interested as she snuggles even closer to Katie. "I'm into that plan!"

"Cool!"

At the movies, Karla, Ramón, Gloria, Fahri, Alison, Hassan, Lida, Vasily, Theresa, Yuri, Ilya, and Lida's sister Sonya stand in line for popcorn and soda. There are twelve of them, so they'll all fit in a whole row in the theater. Each couple is holding hands and standing close together. "What's funny is we used to fight over Franny," Yuri is saying, referring to himself and Maxsim. "She's moved on with Jack now, though, and mine and Vasily's baby bro finally got a date with Joy Hayes tonight!"

Theresa chuckles next to him. "Wow! Felicidades to him, then. Was that 'cause Franny was rooming with Lida and you boys came over to see your hermano?"

"Yep!" Vasily answers for his big brother. "Ma bopped 'em upside the head for being foolish and competing for a girl!"

The rest of them laugh together. "I would too, babe!" Lida tells her fiancé.

"Right on, sis!" Sonya gives Lida a thumbs up.

"Mm-hm!" the other women agree.

"Of course, when Maxsim got home from college, his ma made him so much food that he was stuffed! Same thing happened to her daughter figure, Nicky," Lida announces, and the beams are still on all of their faces.

"I'm glad she and her girlfriend are back home, thanks to Alex and Michelle," Alison points out. "Still can hardly believe they all survived that shit. Even though Nicky's in rehab, at least she's getting better."

"True dat!" Hassan concurs.

"It was wonderful seeing Shani again, and I can't wait to reconnect with Nicky when she returns!" Karla mentions. "If she even wants to, like Shani did..."

"Oh, mi amor, I hope so, too, but I wouldn't be surprised if she tells you what her papá did to you was inappropriate, because it totally was! She can't be mad at you for his wrongdoings," Ramón points out, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his mouth to her cheek. Karla's smile gets wider.

"They've gotta be counting their lucky stars right about now." Ilya sighs, appearing to be somewhat relieved. "I am. It sure feels nice to go somewhere peaceful after working for those sketchy guys."

Sonya glowers. "Hey, no more mentioning the disturbing creeps you worked for, I told ya!"

"Sorry...I was just saying."

"No, I getcha," Fahri whispers, patting Ilya's back. "Lucky we got out of each of our gangs before it was too late! We shouldn't have even been there to begin with, though."

"Lo sé, but the most important thing is it's all over now," Gloria murmurs, hugging Fahri, who returns the gesture. They exchange a lip-lock, and so do Karla and Ramón.

"Sí. Hey, how'd it go?" Karla asks. "I know Ceci and Katie are hanging out, but I heard Elena leave with Sergio and you said goodbye to them...and warned him not to damage her in any way...do you like him for her?"

"I wouldn't have let her go if I didn't! He seems friendly and respectful...and I got her and Ceci textin' me updates so I know they're both okay," Gloria responds. "They're doing fine!"

"Cool...and we all trust their other friends, so they should be safe!" Ramón says.

Gloria nods confidently. "Exactly! You can understand my worrying at first, though, right, especially for Elena?"

"Yeah," the clique choruses.

"I skipped the second grade because I'm too smart for it!" Laronne informs the other kids at Karla and Ramón's apartment. "Maybe that's why that meanie-mo Michael is jealous of me. Plus, I'm the smallest in my class."

"Probably. I'm glad he's not here!" Julio says. "He picks on you and Benny all the time!"

"Yeah!" Benny agrees with a frown.

Six-year-olds Dylan and Emiliano sit with Shani, who's one of their babysitters. Brook is playing patty-cake with Pepa, almost two, and Armaria, the youngest of the children. Baby Lucy is asleep in a swing chair. "You're way better than Miss Suzanne, she scared me and I almost went to heaven!" Dylan tells them.

"Me too, 'cept it was all Cesar's fault!" Emiliano puts in.

"Oh, no! Well, don't worry, you're all safe with us," Shani assures the boys.

Brook glances over and nods in agreement. "That's right!"

"Now, I was friends with Suzanne...she didn't do it on purpose, she's just got a mental illness...somethin' you'll understand when you're older, squirt," Cindy lets Dylan know. "Good thing you're alive, though, right?"

"Yeah!"

"Let's do a story game!" Farah announces as the rest of the kids gather on the floor. "My mommy showed me. One time, there was a scaaaary house!"

"The grownups said it spoooooky!" Benji continues.

"Yeah, 'cause..." Raiza taps her chin in thought. "An evil witch lived there..."

"She so nasty, 'n-" Monica goes on.

"She would cast spells and make people into animals!" Christina goes on. "One day, a little girl turned into..." She gestures to Eva. "Okay, what animal should she be?"

"Butterfwy!" The toddler turns to Shani and points. "You next!"

"At first, she didn't know how to fly, but she sure loved landing on the flower petals! Oh, how beautiful they were!"

"Soon, she was able to soar into the blue skies above!" Brook joins in.

Emiliano and Dylan jump down from the sofa and join Laronne, Benny, and Julio in playing superheroes fighting each other with toy swords. "Then she became a human later on, and grew up to be the queen of the world!" Cindy states with a grin.

"Yaaaaay!" the children cheer as they clap. Shani then turns on Daddy Day Care so they can wind down before bedtime. A movie should relax them, but they're still talking amongst themselves-loudly.

"I wish I could ride my pink scooter in here, but I don't wanna hurt the babies," Christina is telling Raiza.

"Can I borrow it when I go to your house?" Raiza asks.

"Yeah!"

Shani smiles at them as she pulls the letter from Nicky out of her jeans pocket, scanning it for about the millionth time.

Shani, my love,

Hello ma'am, will you be my Valentine?

She giggles to herself and her gaze lifts to the ceiling as she pats her heart. "Darling, I'm always yours," Shani whispers before her eyes fall back to the page.

How I wish I was there, giving your cheek kisses until we both slowly fall asleep. I dream of going on a late night drive with you, baby, no destination in mind as you follow wherever the road leads you, the windows down as you dance and sing along to all of your favorite songs as loud as you can with the wind in your hair and the stars above you.

Imagine us sitting opposite one another, each of us reading our own book. I look up from your book at you and see all of the little things. Like how you pull the ends of your jumper over your hands and hold one of my hands up to your lips, lightly, subconsciously tracing them. I see the light frown on your brow and the way you slightly pout your lips when you're absorbed in your book. Just seeing all of these little things makes me love you more completely than before. When you laugh and tease me with your words, you're even sexier.

I'm so glad we're outta this shit...all that needs to happen now, is for us to be together, but without being under the control of asshole pimps and johns. I wanna marry you someday.

Good night, everlasting girlfriend, but also, future wife!

I adore you so much that I can't stand it if you're away from me for even a second.

-Nicky

"You did always have a way with words, Nicky..." Sighing dreamily, Shani puts away the note. She stares off sadly. "What? I miss her!" she protests, noticing the other women glaring at her incredulously. She holds Raiza, who climbs up into her lap. Benji and Eva sit on either side of her. Christina and Monica sit at the ladies' feet. Armaria and Pepa crawl around the floor and Shani has her eyes trained on them. A pink gate surrounds the living room so they can't go into other areas of the apartment. The older boys keep playing in the background until the baby wakes up with a cry.

"Read that when they go home," Brook hisses. Quickly, she goes to Lucy and rocks the little one. "Shhh, shhh...you're okay..."

"You're lucky you even got somebody out there," Cindy grumbles. "My brothers are dating girls, Ella and Rosa, and my parents are out with Janae's...and Joy's on a virtual date with Red's son Maxsim, who's still in college!" She tousles her daughter's hair and Monica looks up at her, grinning. "You're cool and all, kid, but Mama needs a life, too."

"Yeah, and even though it sucked when I had to leave Sister Ingalls' place, Polly offered me her apartment so we could be roomies...but I don't have a date for tonight either," Brook adds, taking a seat next to Shani with Lucy in her arms. "I even heard that Suzanne and her on-off girlfriend Maureen are at the club, visiting Pennsatucky! Grace, Brad, Cal, and Neri are vacationing off in St Mary's in Chesapeake Bay! Polly and Larry are together and Piper's seeing Zelda."

"Good for them," Shani comments dryly.

"I knoooow!" Brook whines. "Piper just had to rub salt in the wound by telling me all that."

"Goo goo ga ga!" Lucy chirps just before sucking her thumb.

"Hi, sweetheart," Shani coos and taps the baby girl's nose. She does the same thing to Raiza, Benji, and Eva, and they start giggling. The sweet sound of their laughter is lifting Shani's spirits. "Boop!"

"Beep, beep!" Raiza pokes Shani's belly, making her chuckle.

"Hey, cute kid! What do you think you're doing, hm?" Shani asks playfully. Raiza gives her a mischievous grin. "You silly little lady!" The tiny humans hug her as best they can and she ruffles Benji's hair, plays with Monica's mini dreadlocks, chucks Eva's chin, rubs circles on Raiza's back, and lets Lucy grab her index finger.

Nala jumps over the gate and Benji skips over to her. He pets the cat and the rest of the children join him, abandoning the film-and their babysitters.

"Let's play Pokémon!" Benji shouts. "I'm Pikachu!"

"Yeeeeeaaaaah!" the others reply.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Juliette45 and MsSchneeheide!