in onnoonand the Hoffman resident of Stamford, Conneticut was up and active. Jonas played Jay-Z's hit track A Star is Born at maximum volume as he stood in the kitchen prepping his meat for the grill. Guest weren't scheduled to arrive for another few hours but he knew that cooking on the grill took time. The last thing he wanted was to have drunk and hungry adults barking at him to hurry up with the food.

While he was handling the meat, Manuela was taking up all of the counter space with her materials and ingredients. One thing she loved to do more than anything was make hearts full with food. It brought her joy watching people enjoy a meal made by her.

Giovanni was right beside her to assist. He'd driven into town last night to celebrate the ball drop with them. There was no way that he was going to be anywhere else for the New Year when his family was whole for the first time in a long time. Per former tradition, Manuela had everyone write down their manifestations for the year and burn the written wishes with the fire of a candle.

He'd enjoyed himself.

"A slow transition from a lil broke nigga from the ville. Got a deal, a real life saver. Dreams of being behind the wheel like Jada." he rapped as he chopped the collard greens.

Jonas joined, "I chill now, cop a lil ice later. Cole you got the glow like a lil light saber so clap for 'em. Then applaud Hov he gave 'em the platform."

"Flow so sick already wrote the rap for 'em. No sir! The flow cold as the shoulders of gold diggin' hoes when a broke nigga approaches." they rapped together.

"You mess up my greens this music coming off." Manuela glared over at Giovanni who was starting to feel the song a little too much with the knife in his hand.

"My fault." he chuckled. He was about to get back in his zone 'til the next song transitioned into Dem Boyz. "C'mon Pops let me focus man."

"It's on shuffle. I can't control what plays."

"I'ma act right, Mama. I promise." he huffed and began cutting again.

Manuela smirked and shook her head at him. It reminded her of his younger days in his bedroom blasting any song he'd heard his father play. It was how he acquired the same catalog as Jonas. Let Manuela tell it, he idolized his father the moment he learned to crawl and could follow him around.

"Well look into the eyes of a young gutta nigga. Loyal to the game, out here tryna make a come up nigga. Serving lots of Js. Cocking glocks, knocking country niggas out they Dr. Jays...with a mobsta. Cock sucka get popped." Giovanni lost control the moment Jody Breeze's verse started, but was respectful enough to censor himself.

"You're done." Manuela took the knife from his hand.

"Mama come on." he whined.

She shook her head, "I'd already warned you. Go join your daddy or Braxton in the living room."

"Don't bring yo hype ass over here. I got this under control."

"Woooow." he screwed up his face. "This is how I'm being treated right now? All I did was turn up for two seconds."

"One too many times. Go in there with your brother and see where Korin is for me. You were over here moving entirely too slow." she looked around at what all Giovanni did not get done.

Giovanni huffed and walked out of the kitchen toward the living room where Braxton laid. He was on the couch with his blanket watching Peppa Pig. Giovanni had no interest in listening to the show so he bypassed the living room and walked out of the sliding doors to the backyard. The sun's beams blinded him immediately, making him raise his arm to shield his eyes.

"Damn." he muttered, taking a seat in one of the porch chairs and kicking his feet up.

Though it was still winter the temperatures had been pretty high during the day and night. It was a bit unusual but no one was complaining. Especially Giovanni because he wasn't a big fan of cold weather. He liked to have his knees and feet out. Maybe it was the Florida in him but he liked baller shorts/sweat shorts over jeans and slides.

As he sat soaking up the sun he remembered that his mom told him to check on Korin's arrival time. He took his phone out of his pocket and facetimed her.

"Hey."

"What's wrong?" he frowned.

"Woke up feeling iffy. You're wondering where I am?"

"Yeah, Mama kicked me out of the kitchen and wants to replace me I guess."

"What did you do?" she glanced over at him.

"Pops was playing them cuts and I turned up a lil bit and she put me out. I didn't even do that much."

"What song was it?" her car came to a stop so she gave him full eye contact. He didn't say anything. "Tell me what song it was."

"Dem Boyz." he rubbed his neck.

"Now you know that I know for a fact you were hype. When Jody Breeze's verse come on you act like you've been on the corner."

"That boy slid."

"Mhm, I'm pulling in the driveway now."

Giovanni ended the call and stood up from the chair to meet her in the front. Rather than travel through the house, he walked around. When he made it to the front, Korin was down in her truck reaching for a large box.

"What's this?" Giovanni's voice nearly startled her. She hadn't heard him walk up.

"Whew you scared me. Hey babe." she puckered her lips for a kiss and he gladly gave her one. "And it's a pot set and kitchen linen. Your mom seems like a kitchen woman."

"She is." he grabbed the large pot set box. "Is this what you plan on wearing?"

"Is that what you plan on wearing?"

"No."

"Okay then." she closed the trunk and walked toward the front door. Giovanni stretched his leg out and tripped her. She cut her eyes at him.

"Don't give me attitude."

"I don't have an attitude. You just asked me a dumb question. You know I wouldn't wear this. I had a feeling I'd be helping your mom and didn't want to ruin my clothes."

"That's all you had to say." he jumped at her.

"Who're you jumping at?" she jumped back.

Ready to play, he sat the box down and pulled his shorts up above his waist. He put up his set and walked around her in a taunting manner. She slowly nodded her head before placing her box down as well and getting in her fighting stance. He bumped fist with her which meant their 30 second round had officially begun.

Korin took the first swing almost connecting with his cheek but he weaved just in time.

"Ooh." he smiled. "You thought you had me."

"I would've shifted a few teeth." she boasted right before pump faking a right and hitting him with a left. "Whew."

"That's all you got?"

She opened her mouth to respond but quickly shut up when he tried to tag her with both his left and right. Both shots were close. A smirk graced her face, thinking she was in the clear only to get chin checked. Her teeth clenched and her top row latched down on her tongue. The sharp pain made her cover her mouth as the acidic taste of her blood filled her mouth.

"You made me bite my tongue!"

He dropped his set to tend to her but quickly retreated when she reached down for her shoe. He took off running and her sandal was soaring through the air behind him. His laughed obnoxiously while covering his head. The shoe landed short of him making him dance in celebration.

"Come and get this this box. You play too much." she softly laughed while recovering her shoe.

"Y'all done acting like y'all are twelve?" Khloe climbed from the car with Willow in her arms.

"No." Gio pushed Korin then swiftly picked up the box and ran toward the front door.

"He is so annoying." she rolled her eyes with a smile on her face.

Khloe only laughed. Korin picked up the box of linen and walked in the house. The smell of garlic and lemon juice danced up her nostrils as soon as she crossed the threshold. She knew whatever meat Jonas was about to grill was going to be flavorful, tender and juicy.

This being her first time at the house, she didn't know where the kitchen was. The long foyer had three pathways that it split into and her best guess was that it was the last opening. She walked down the foyer and was met by Braxton on the couch. He looked over and smiled bright once he realized who she was. He jumped up from the couch and hugged her legs as best as he could with the box in her hands.

"I didn't know you were coming." he stepped back.

"Well I'm here. How've you been?"

"Cool." he shrugged. "Hi Khloe."

"Oh, I didn't think you'd remember my name." Khloe smiled at him.

"I always remember pretty girls."

"Oop." Korin chuckled. "Well let me take this to your mother. You can give me all of the tea about what you've been into later alright?"

"Okay."

Jonas' thundering laugh was the breadcrumbs for the kitchen's location and when she entered Jonas was in a headlock. Manuela looked to be threatening him while Giovanni stood shaking his head. When Manuela noticed Korin and Khloe entering she released Jonas. He rubbed his neck and pushed her.

"Korin! Hey love." Manuela grinned.

"Good afternoon Ms. Manuela. Mr. Jonas."

"Come give me a hug." Manuela prompted her to round the island. They hugged one another. "How are you?"

"I'm okay. I heard you need a replacement sous chef."

"Oh, I do. That boyfriend of yours don't know how to act and everyone will be getting here soon with empty stomachs."

"He's very much childish." Korin peered over at him. He kissed at her. "I don't know if you remember but this is my little sister Khloe."

"Hi sweetheart."

"Hi." Khloe waved. "Do you need my help as well or no?"

"You can join. Have you cut collard greens before?"

"Yes." Khloe handed Willow over to Giovanni then pushed her sleeves up to wash her hands.

"Perfect. Goodbye Señor." Manuela waved him out.

"Aht aht! My woman just got here. I barely got a whiff of her."

"Bye." Manuela repeated.

"Baby, say you have to use the bathroom." he whisper yelled as he backed out of the kitchen.

Korin blew him a kiss and waved him goodbye. The interaction made Jonas laugh to himself as he finished up what he was doing. All of the woman glanced over at him in curiosity. He felt their eyes and looked over at them.

"And why are you laughing?" Manuela was the one to ask.

"You really gave birth to another me. It's just crazy to see."

"Don't worry I pray for Korin every night because Lord knows I needed it dealing with you."

"You needed prayer?" his neck jerked back. "I needed prayer, holy water and lots of weed."

Everyone in the room burst out in laughter. Manuela reached over and punched his arm. Korin already felt like today was going to be a great day. The energy was warm and comforting. This was exactly how she wanted to start the new year off. Laughs, love and good people.

After two hours, the rest of the party started to show up. Giovanni was sitting in the backyard watching Braxton run the yard with Willow when Pete stepped out on the porch.

"Wassup." Pete gave Gio dap.

Giovanni glanced over to see Morgan and Eliana both behind him. It caught him off guard. He knew the girls still didn't get along -- at least that's what Morgan told him a few weeks ago. With the way Morgan spoke about Pete he was surprised they all survived a hour long car ride together.

"Oh you still alive?" Gio looked at him.

"It wasn't easy."

"Morgan! That belly done got big." Gio stood up to give her a hug.

"I know don't remind me. She's up too so you might get to feel her kick today."

"Oh yeah? Gigi." he bent down to Morgan's belly. "Gigi it's Uncle Gio. You gonna kick for me today babygirl?"

"Gigi?" Pete frowned.

Korin stepped out on the porch, finally done getting ready. She swapped her tracksuit out for an oversized tropical top tucked inside of denim shorts with heels to match one of the colors in the loud shirt. The shirt belonged to Giovanni and had been one of the shirts he wore on their trip to Turks and Caicos. He'd left it at her place and didn't seem to care for it so she took it for herself.

The minute she realized that both Morgan and Eliana were on the porch she almost choked on the water in her mouth. She didn't expect for Pete and Eliana to show up due to the fight between him and Chad. Had she known they were going to show up anyway she wouldn't have invited Noelle. It was too messy.

"Hey everyone" Korin spoke with a warm smile. "Morgan you've grown so much! Your belly is huge. It's cute though."

"Thank you." she softly chuckled. "She just might be a big one."

"Wait, it's a girl?"

"Unofficially. They can't ever find out because she won't open her legs but I strongly believe that it's a girl."

"And I second that." said Gio. "Lil Gigi."

Morgan smiled and rubbed her stomach. The nickname had become a thing between the two of them and it made Pete look at them with a perched eyebrow. He was unaware that the two had gotten closer. When Korin was in the hospital she would check in on him to make sure he was doing okay. She knew how much Korin meant to him and wanted to help keep him leveled. It was also reciprocated because he wanted to be sure she enjoyed her pregnancy as much as she could. She was like a sister to him and he would hate to see something she yearned for be ruined because her relationship didn't pan out as expected.

He'd been more than a great help for her. She'd encouraged a man she loved with her whole being to be with his side-piece, and he'd actually done it. Though she wanted him to be happy it still killed her to see him filled with joy while she was hurting. When she was having a moment she could count on Gio to cheer her up a bit with a conversation or just by going with her for ice cream. He was easier to talk to than her friends because he didn't pick sides. He also didn't pass any judgement. He simply listened to her rants and moved on to the next topic. She needed that sometimes.

"That must be Chad and Brit." Giovanni walked inside when he heard the doorbell ring.

"What was that?" asked Pete.

"What was what?" Morgan took the seat Giovanni was previously in.

"Why is he calling our baby lil Gigi? And y'all laughing about it but I don't find that funny."

"Okay, what you're not going to do is pick fights with me in other people's home. Have some respect and dignity. He's been chosen to be our child's God father from day one and wants the middle name to be Giavanni. Gigi. Relax." she rolled her eyes.

"Mrs. Manuela baby I heard you've been looking for me!" Chad's loud voice came from the foyer.

"Oh Lord." Korin playfully rolled her eyes.

"Where's the music? What's going on?" Chazmon stepped out.

"You be in charge of the music. Give you something to keep you occupied." Gio pointed over to the speakers.

Shortly after, Manuela and Jonas exited the house with foil containers of food in hand. Noelle and Brit were right behind them in assistance. The sight of Noelle made Pete and Eliana look at one another. She was the last person they expected to see in attendance since she was more of Korin's friend than Giovanni's. However, Noelle knew there was a chance the couple would be there so she didn't flinch or react when she saw them. She meant it when she said she was done giving Eliana power over her. It took a minute to actually put herself in the same room as her but she was there and unbothered.

"I just have one question before this fiasco gets started. Are we drinking" asked Brit.

Giovanni looked over at his mom. With her being an addict he didn't want to have anything that would make her uncomfortable around. She turned to Brit, "Do as you please, honey. I just want y'all to be mindful of the kids that will be in attendance."

She'd invited their neighbors and their kids so it'd be more than just them there in celebration of the new year.

"Yes ma'am." answered Brit.

"Get to mixing Brit Brit." Gio clapped. "I'm tryna blow a spinal cord tonight."

"Noelle is the mixer queen. I just asked because I brung the alcohol."

"Well go on, Noey. I wanna see double alright."

"Okay, you need to calm down." Korin pointed at him.

"I'm calm. Show us what you got, Chad."

Let's Groove Tonight started to play from the speakers and the two men pointed at one another. They came together and started to do what seemed like a routine. Korin wore a bright smile as she watched them perform the dance in pure excitement. Pete looked like he wanted to join but he didn't. Instead he nodded his head to the song with his arm around Eliana.

"This your solo, Pete." Gio called him in. "You don't come take the spotlight I will."

"I'm good man."

"Don't be a buzzkill like you were at Gio's party. Come hit the solo." said Chad.

Pete shook his head and without thinking, Gio stepped in front of Chad and started doing the Roger Rabbit. The women screamed out in cheer and laughter. Chad pushed him out of the way and hit the Reebok. Jonas took notice of the fun and pushed Chad out of the spotlight so he could pop lock. It caught everyone by surprise because he was actually really good. When he moonwalked from the center of the floor everyone lost it. Manuela fanned him with the towel she wore on her shoulder.

"That boy was on fire out there. Y'all lost." she pointed at Gio and Chad.

"You're only saying that because he's your husband. I thought we were better than that Ms. Manuela." said Chad.

"Y'all got ate up." she fanned her hand.

"You did good baby." Korin grabbed Gio's face, giving him a kiss.

"It's y'all turn now. Go get Noelle." Chad grabbed his phone for a new song.

"Bet." Brit ran inside the house to get Noelle.

"You got better moves than me?" Gio asked Kori. "You better not let them eat you up. I will disown you right here today."

"Can't nan one of them see me."

"Keep that same energy." Brit returned with Noelle. Noelle sat a pitcher on the table with a stack of red cups. "Drop the beat, babe."

The beat of E-40's Tell Me When To Go dropped and Brit decided they were going to have a dance-off. Korin removed her heels as did all of the other girls excluding Eliana who stayed in her seat. Noelle went first against Brit, each taking turns going. Giovanni decided to mediate and sit the loser of each round down.