Afterleaving Houston a couple of weeks ago, it was go time. I hit the ground running and haven't stopped since. I had a wholeeee lot to do, and I knew I couldn't continue procrastinating. Cameron and I picked out the venue last year, so I can scratch that off my list. All I have to do now is food, cake, flowers, and decorations because my theme is a Winter Wonderland.

My mama is designing everybody's dresses, so I don't have to worry about finding anybody to meet my standards. I thought about hiring a planner, but I don't need anybody in my way. I'm definitely going to put my best-friend and his girlfriend to work though. My daddy gave me one of his black cards before I left to handle everything. He didn't give me a budget, but I'm going to try and not spend a whole lot because my main focus is the reception. I pretty much don't care about the wedding ceremony given that I'm already married. This is strictly for the family.

"Baby! You're going to be late picking up Tayla." I shook my head as I rushed to finish getting ready. I pulled my jeans up and buttoned them, pulling my belt through my loops.

Tayla was the recipient of the grocery shopping scholarship. It's been about four weeks since classes started, and I wanted to wait until she was situated before I took her shopping. I'm glad she's attending our alma mater though, because she's right here in Dallas, and that was good for both Cam and I. It might be days I won't be able to go, and he can go in my place. "Which child am I taking?"

"I don't know, whoever wants to go, might be both, depending on their moods." Cameron said as he walked out of our bedroom.

I shook my head and pulled my hair into a pony before pushing my diamond earrings into my ear. I slapped my Apple Watch on my wrist and sprayed some Prada Sugar Pop on me before snatching up my purse. I walked out of the room and peaked into the twin's room, seeing that it was empty. I made my way to the front and they were sitting on the floor watching TV with their blankies and binkies. Lord, I can't wait to break them from those thangs.

"Mama is about to go bye-bye." I said to get their attention and, baby, if they ain't spit those binkies out quick, and ran my way. I'm glad they were dressed because that would've slowed me down.

"I go!"

"Up!"

I shook my head, laughing, at Airy's request to leave, and reached down to pick up my sweet baby, Mari.I gave her some kisses and she laid her head on my shoulder, yawing. I'm going to kick Trey's ass. He be having my babies up.

"I told you."

I looked up and saw Cameron walking into the living room. He picked up Airy and I walked to the front door with him following.

I slid my feet into my Chaco Chillos and pulled my G-wagon keys from the hook, opening the door and walking out. I pouted because I wanted to drive my Hellcat. Yes, I beat my record! When we got back from Houston, she was waiting for me in the driveway. Baby, I bet you I ate that dick up once those babies went to sleep.

I unlocked the doors and pulled the back door open, placing Mari in her seat before buckling her up. I let Cameron handle Airy while I climbed in the front seat. I threw my purse into the passenger seat and pushed the start button. I rolled down my window as Cameron approached my side. He leaned in, kissing my lips before placing a kiss on my forehand. "We need to talk when you get back."

I arched my eyebrow. "About what? You divorcing me or some?"

"Girl, what?" He smacked his lips and popped me in the lip.

"Shut that dumb shi—stuff up. It's nothing bad."

I pouted and rolled my eyes. "Boy,! You can't be doing that! You know I got anxiety!"

"I'm sorry baby, fix yo lip and who's cooking tonight?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, but if I need to get something while I'm out, let me know and tell Trey to bring his clothes down. I gotta go pooh."

He gave me another kiss and I let the back window down. "Bye, munchkins!"

"Bye, dada!"

I shook my head as I rolled the window up and pulled down the driveway. I punched in the code and hit the horn twice as I pulled out once the gates opened. It's supposed to take me at least forty minutes to get to the city, but I'm going to do it in twenty-five because why not? I pulled my seatbelt on and drove out of our neighborhood.

Finally, pulling up to the school, I pulled through the gate and grabbed my old ID from my purse because I didn't have time. I rolled down the window, flashing it, and pulled through once I got the okay. Tayla was a freshman, so she's staying in Johnson Hall. She should be making her way down because I texted that I was on the way when I stopped at a light. I drove around and parked at the front. I looked in the rearview mirror and smiled, shaking my head. My babies were asleep. I thought having twins would slow me down or be hard, but I actually enjoy everything that comes with having twins. The different attitudes, food, mood swings, and everything else.

"AHHHHHHHH! Help! Help!"

I instantly became alert once I heard a girl screaming for help. I looked through my windows looking around.

"HELP!" I heard it again and reached under my seat. I looked back at my babies. I turned the air down and stepped out of the truck. I locked the doors on my Apple Watch and followed the screams. I held my gun at my side.

"Help me please!"

I had to bite my lip to suppress my emotions. I wasn't able to be saved, but I'm making it my mission to save whoever this is. Where the fuck is everybody, because if I heard the screams from my truck, I'm pretty sure some other people heard them too. I walked to the back of the building and was horrified. A boy was on top of a girl in broad daylight without a care in the world. I eased on the grass, messed around, and stepped on a twig. The girl's head snapped my way and my eyes went wide; it was Tayla. I placed my finger on my lips and she nodded through her tears. Damn man.

II crept up and placed the gun at the back of his head. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow yo shit back."

Sticking my gun in the back of my jeans, I grabbed his arm and twisted it, flipping him on his back. I put my foot on his neck, applying pressure. "What's yo name?"

I noticed scratches along his face and neck, meaning she was fighting back. He shook his head, and I twisted his arm again, causing him to cry out in agony. "FUCK!"

I applied pressure to his neck to the point where I was literally stepping on it. "I'm not gonna ask again."

He gritted his teeth, obviously in pain because of the excessive force on his neck and arm. "Kevon."

I twisted his arm again and smiled once I heard the pop. "LAST?"

He huffed like I cared. "Kevon Jackson!"

I threw his arm and rushed over to Tayla, picking up her things and her, resulting in her subconsciously wrapping her legs around my waist. I think she passed out. She was so little and it broke my heart because he was literally about to take advantage of her. She was no match for his 6ft physique. I kicked him in the dick and walked away, rushing to my truck. I unlocked the doors and quickly pulled the passenger door open. I placed her on the seat and pulled the seatbelt across her before rushing to my side. Thank God my babies were still sleeping.

I quickly grabbed my phone and pulled out of the lot. "Hey Siri, call husband with a blue heart."

"Calling husband with a blue heart."

The phone rang for a minute before he picked it up. "Wassup mamas?"

"B-bbay." My voice cracked and I shook my head, trying to concentrate on the road.

At the sound of my voice, he became alert. "Alaya, what's wrong?"

"I'm going to explain once I make it back home. I should be pulling up in about 30 minutes, but stay on the phone with me please."

"Of course, baby."

I put the phone on speaker and dropped it in my lap. I glanced at Tayla before putting my eyes back on the road. What the fuck is wrong with people?

"Where you at now, mama?"

I was so focused on the road that I forgot he was on the phone. "I just got off the exit."

"Ok, Trey and I are outside waiting."

I took a couple more turns before I made it to our street. I pulled up to our house and pulled through the driveway since the gates were already open. I drove up and threw the truck in park before hopping out.

"Y'all get the babies."

Cameron looked at me as I walked around to the passenger side. I opened the door and as I reached to unbuckle the seatbelt, she jumped.

"No! Stop! Get off me!"

"Who the fuck." Trey mumbled, and I kicked him.

"I said stop!"

Oh my god. This baby is traumatized and today was not the first time it happened. My heart, man. I unbuckled the seatbelt and scooped her up. I bumped the door closed with my hip and walked into the house. I kicked my shoes and rushed to the couch, sitting down—laying her head in my lap. "Somebody bring me a cold towel!"

She was still out, and I knew the cold towel would do the trick. I pulled her shoes off and put a pillow under her head. I examined her and pouted. That nigga's hand prints were around her neck.

"So, um, are you going to tell us what's going on?"

I looked up and saw Trey coming from the kitchen with the towel and Cam from the hallway.

"This is Tayla, the scholarship recipient. When I pulled up to the school, I heard someone screaming for help and I recognized that it was a girl's voice. I instantly thought about myself and how I couldn't be saved. I said I'm making it my mission to save whoever. After making sure my babies were still asleep, I grabbed my gun and followed the screams. He was on top of her. He was about to rape her, yall, in broad daylight. " I cried out.

"What the fuck?" Trey shook his head and took a seat on the other end of the couch.

"What you do, mamas?" Cameron asked me and I smirked.

"I grabbed his arm and broke it, flipping him on his back, stepping on his neck."

He shook his head. "Crazy ass."

"You know his name, and she's waking up." Trey pointed out.

"Kevon Jackson." I looked down and she was moving around. Her eyes opened and she jumped, her head rising from my lap.

"It's okay, love. It's just me and my husband, along with Trey. Do you remember us?"

"I don't want to go back." My face softened as she said it in a soft voice. I saw the tears welding up in her eyes.

"I can take you home and talk to your parents for you." I offered, and her eyes went wide before she shook her head rapidly.

"No, don't take me back please. They're going to hurt me."

Cameron and Trey looked at each other before looking at me. I pointed to the couch so she could sit down. She rubbed her hands down her legs, and I knew she was nervous. I grabbed her hand, squeezing it. "Talk to us, love. We can help you."

She looked at me and I nodded, my head assuring her that she could talk.

"I lied about some information on my scholarship application. I'm not 18. I'm 15 and I'll be turning 16 next Monday. I'm a foster kid. I've been in and out of foster homes since I can remember, and they were all horrible. It was either abuse, sexual assault, or just pure neglect."

She chuckled, and I knew exactly what type of chuckle that was.

"But the last home I was in was pure hell. They weren't feeding me and I was being touched at night."

I held up my hand, shaking my hand. "You don't have to tell us anymore, love, but I do have some questions. How are you in school so early and who's funding it?"

"I skipped like 5 grades, so I was able to graduate early. The state since I'm a foster kid. I have to do work study to pay for the rest." She looked around and rubbed her hands up and down her thighs.

My heart just breaks every time she talks. This baby has been through so much, and I knew I was the one that was supposed to save her. God didn't put me in that parking lot for nothing. "I know you said you don't want to go back to the school or to your foster home, so do you want to stay here? I promise you're safe. You're welcome to anything in this house. You can eat when you want and whatever you want to eat. Since DSU is our old school, we can put in a good word for you to take your classes online. With you being underage, what happened today? It's a hazard to your safety, and I promise we're not doing this as a charity. If we say we got you, we got you."

She looked around and the guys shot her a welcoming smile before she leaped into my lap, hugging me and crying. Oh lord, now I'm going to cry.

It was now nightfall. After taking Tayla back to the school to get a few things, I came back home and whipped up some quick salmon, yellow rice, and string beans. My babies love salmon, so it was only right. I bathed them, put them in their cribs, and they were out for the count. Nothing like a good ol bath. I gave Tayla a tour, and she fell in love. She's really about to fall in love once she finds out that this is now her home. My babies warmed up to her, and that said a lot. Airy was literally attached to her hip.

I was currently rubbing my body down in coca butter, being that I had just gotten out of the shower. I looked in the mirror at Cameron and he was already staring at me with his arm behind his head with his hand at the hem of his briefs. I smiled, shaking my head, because why were you looking at me like that? "Baby."

"I already know what you want to talk about and the answer is yes."

I whipped my head around, looking at him. "Boy, you don't know me."

He chuckled and licked his lips. "Yes I do, girl, because you were about to ask me if we could adopt Tayla."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "I guess you do know me, but can we adopt her for real?"

He nodded his head. "I don't see any problem with it. She's going to be safe, protected, and well fed. We have the room and more than enough money. She'll be a bonus child and be treated well. We just have to talk to her about it."

I set the jar of coco butter on the dresser and walked to the bed, climbing in his lap. I straddled him, and he started rubbing his hands up and down my thighs, a feeling I'll never get tired of. "Since we got that squared away, what did you want to talk to me about?"

He looked up at me as if he was debating whether to say what he wanted to say. "Is medical school still the plan?"

Oh, I was not expecting that question. I looked ahead and bounced my eyes all over the room because why he asked me that. I played with my fingers as I looked back at him.

Cameron popped my thigh. "Alaya, this is a serious question because I know you ended up getting pregnant, and that was not the plan at all. I also know you think I trapped you. Yea, I know you think that."

I guess he saw my wide eyes. I shifted in his lap out of nervousness, and he grabbed my hips. "Be still, girl, and answer my question."

I bit my lip and shrugged. "I thought about it, but I put it on the back burner. Becoming a doctor and a dermatologist has always been a dream and a goal of mine, but things change, baby. I honestly don't think I can do another six to eight years of school anyway. We have twin toddlers and they need all of my attention. I don't mind being a rich housewife."

I let out a light laugh and he chuckled. "I understand everything you're saying, baby, but did you hear yourself? You said dream and I don't want you to lose sight of that. Yes, you have your jewelry store, you turned your hobby into a hustle, but what about your dreams?"

"I thought about going for my masters to become a DPA, a dermatologist physician assistant. I'll be doing everything a dermatologist would be doing besides performing surgeries. The only thing is that I won't be a doctor and the pay is less than what a doctor would be making. It's still six figures, but in the 100,00-200,000 range."

"Ok, once those bad ass babies turn two and are potty trained, you're going back to school. Start looking for some programs. You hear me?" He gripped me by the neck, pulling me down to face level. We were so close that I smelled his minty breath. He squeezed my neck, insinuating his question again.

I nodded my head. "I hear you, baby."

He licked my lips before kissing me. He stuck his tongue down my throat and I moaned in his mouth. Cameron bit my lip, pulling away. "You fucking better."

It's been about three months since we brought Tayla into our home, bringing us to the month of November. We were able to get everything squared away at the school. Cameron paid for her tuition in full. He did the first year and created a bank account for the other three. Every month, I deposit her scholarship money to build up her account.

She's been a real help, but I have to remind her that she's still a kid and I want her to continue being a kid because she was robbed of that. For the last few months, we've been doing everything she wasn't able to do as a child. She says her favorite things to do are dance, skate, and cheer. I encouraged her to try out for the cheer and dance teams next semester, being that she missed the fall tryouts. She's really my bonus daughter, and I thank God every day for allowing me to save her. She's always under me, and I don't mind at all because I remind her every day that she's loved and protected. The babies love her.

The poor girl can't even use the restroom without them following her. Cameron's and my parents met her, and they loved her, even though she was still a little shy around them.

We've also been in court for the last two months. We thought it was going to be easy, but they brought up my case against Jayla and the shooting at my baby shower. The judge said they were going to mail us our papers if we were granted custody, because there was no point in coming back to the courthouse. I was currently on my way to the mailbox when my anxiety was at an all time high. I opened it and grabbed everything inside. I saw the courthouse seal and damn near peed on myself.

I ripped it off and read it. I started screaming and ran back to the front door. I knew I was excited because I hadn't even taken my shoes off. "CAMERON! TREY! TAYLA!"

I walked in front of the TV, huffing and puffing. Shit now. "Y'all guess what? Cameron read the paper out loud."

He stood and walked my way, standing by my side, and took the papers, skimming over them. "The State of Texas grants Cameron and Brielle Hayes full custody of Tayla O'Lani Hayes."

Tayla looked at us and jumped up screaming. "It's official? Y'all my parents now?"

I nodded my head and wiped the tears that were falling down my face. Cameron held his arms out, which she gladly jumped into. Despite everything she's been through, she was very accepting. We were patient because we all know that overcoming trauma isn't easy. We got her a therapist, and she's been progressing ever since. Cameron hooked my neck and pulled me into them.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" That was all we heard from Tayla.

Tayla Hayes has a nice ring to it.