If somebody was to ask me how I feel right now, I wouldn't even have the words to describe it. I was star struck the moment Ms. Brielle allowed me into her home. As a little girl, I've always prayed to be adopted by a good couple or by anybody that would care for me. I bounced around a lot and have been through so much for someone my age. I've been fighting for so long that I finally told God that I was tired of fighting. The day Bri found me was the best and worst day of my life because I thought by going to college things would be different, but boy did I think wrong. It was also the best day of my life because I was saved and I gained a mother. God heard me. He heard that I was tired of fighting. He heard me!

I'm confident enough to say that. I gained a mother and a father, along with an amazing family. Who knew winning a scholarship would turn into something amazing? My life changed within seven months, and I'm forever grateful. I have clothes from off-brand to name-brand. I have real jewelry and shoes. Let's not forget the money I be getting. Outside of the money they give me, I also have two trust funds that I can't touch until I'm 18 and 21. Honestly, it's not even about the things they give me. It's all about the fact that they treat me like Bri actually birthed me. They treat me like a human. They love me and I know they do cause when they're around I feel it. My parents. Whew that still feels foreign to say.

Uncle Trey, as he told me to call him, is who I'm under a lot when I'm not around Bri or Cam. He told me his story, and we cried together. I've been attached to his hip since then. I'm so glad they don't judge me for my childlike tendencies. My therapist told me that because of my trauma, it was normal for me to act the way I do, because I'm finally at a place where I can be comfortable. Uncle Trey also handled the boy from campus because he was his former teammate. He got kicked off the team and out of school. I love the fact that they love and protect me.

"Ma!" I yelled as I jogged down the steps with my bags. It was the week of the wedding, and we were staying downtown since that's where the venue was. When she asked me if I wanted to be in her wedding, I cried because that was a big question. It was truly an honor.

"In the living room, Lani!"

I shook my head at her loud self as I made my down around the corner. She was sitting on the floor packing their bags. "Which car am I putting my stuff in?"

"The Hellcat because you're driving."

Uh uh! Timeout. The flag is on the play. I looked into my imaginary camera with my left eyebrow raised and shook my head, because who was driving?

"Um, excuse me ma'am, who's driving?" I dropped my bags and took a seat beside her, grabbing Mari's bag because she had Airy's.

"You are."

I pouted because I didn't wanna. "Ma, I'm scared."

She laughed. "I know, but you gotta start. Because after the wedding, I'm starting school and you have to take care of business on campus. Did you forget that you're the president of like three clubs? Then when the twins start school, there are going to be days where we're going to have to rotate picking them up."

I fought the air and she busted out laughing while standing up. I fell back on the floor, pouting because she was laughing at me. Everybody in the family knows that I'm terrified of driving. Then she got me driving the Hellcat? The fastest car in the driveway? Aww man. "Ma what time we leaving?"

"In the next hour or so, go wake up Cam and get the babies, please. Trey already left to go pick up Nova."

"Yes ma'am!" I replied and rose from the floor. I walked down the hall into the twins' room and shook my head. They were already up, standing in their cribs with their hair all over. Their bonnets must've come off.

"TayTay!" They screamed, and I smiled because I really had two little people looking up to me, following my every move. I picked up Airy first, placing her on the floor, and she took off running, screaming. I laughed walking over to Mari's crib, picking her up, and she wrapped her little legs and arms around me.

I kissed her cheek. "You want to go see daddy?"

"Go see dada?" She asked, and I nodded my head as we walked down the hall. The door was open, so I didn't bother knocking.

"Papa!" I called out as I walked further into the room.

"Lani? I'm in the bathroom. Give me a minute, boo!"

I walked over to the bench at the foot of their bed and sat down, placing Mari in my lap."Where are your ears?"

She pointed to her ears and I gave her a high-five, because yes. We're all beauty and brains around here. "Point to your lips."

We did this until Papa came out of the bathroom. Mari climbed out of my lap and ran into his legs. I smiled because they were truly daddy's girls.

"Wassup boo?" Papa leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"Hey, papa." I spoke back as I watched him toss Mari into the air. I remember the first time he tossed me. It looked fun and I wanted to try it, but never again.

"You finished yo work for the week?"

He asked and I nodded my head. "Yes I finished everything last night, but I have two quizzes that are due tonight at 12. I packed my Mac because they don't open until 7."

Nodding his head. "Don't forget either, because you know your mind is bad."

I smacked my lips, rolling my eyes playfully. "And? I bet I still get my work done."

"You do, but that ain't the point, but come on because I'm hungry and I don't think I can wait until rehearsal dinner tonight."

My eyes lit up. "You finna cook? Can you make your infamous salmon burgers?"

"Go get the stuff ready for me."

Don't gotta tell me twice. I shot up and ran out of the room into the kitchen. Ever since they became my parents, I have eaten stuff I had never heard of. When I say that feed me well, they feed me well! My favorite meal by Ma is: fried cabbage, baked chicken, macaroni and yams along with her delicious sock it to me cake. Now Pa? He be throwing down too. My favorites by him is his fried rice and these salmon burgers he finna hook up. I love his smoked cabbage too. Ma got me hooked on crawfish and shrimp. If my nose not gonna run, I don't want them!

The thing that I love the most about my parents is that they're here no matter what. They don't let their jobs get in the way. Ma is at the jewelry store more frequently now since I'm here. She told me that they didn't want the babies out the house just yet, so she used to be at home while Pa was at his office. I got a rich family! Yea I brag different.

I pulled the freezer drawer open and grabbed both packs of salmon. I sat them on the counter and walked around the kitchen, grabbing the rest of the ingredients and other supplies he needed. I heard little feet against the floor, and I knew it was one of the twins about to ask for something.

"Tay!"

II looked down and it was Mari. "Yes, stanka?"

"Can I get pop?" I shook my head because they talk so clear to only be one. She said pop and I knew she was talking about those popsicles Ma be making. I remember I tried one for the first time and, whew. I was hooked. My favorite flavors are raspberry lemonade and liquid marijuana without the alcohol. Papa and I be fighting over that one.

I knew we were about to eat, so I doubt if Ma or Papa said she could get one. "Ma! Can Mari have a popsicle?"

"Yes, baby!"

I nodded my head and walked back to the freezer, pulling it out. I grabbed a pineapple for Mari, a liquid maryjane for me, and a cherry for Airy. I bumped the freezer door closed and scooped Mari up, causing her to giggle.

"Woah!" She yelled, and I burst out laughing. Girl a character. I grabbed some paper towels and walked out of the kitchen into the living room. I sat her in front of the TV and tore the plastic wrapping the stick in paper towel. I gave her the popsicle and did the same for Airy, who was sitting beside her.

"Lani yo phone keep going on off."

I looked up and Papa was holding it as it rang. I frowned because I've got a stalker and he won't leave me alone. "Papa, that boy won't leave me alone."

He arched his brow and followed my movements as I walked towards him, sitting beside him. I opened my popsicle, licking the top.

"What boy, O'Lani?"

Oh lord, not the middle name. "Remember that project I had to do last month? Well, my partner came on to me and I told him that I was underage and that our relationship wouldn't move past classmates. He claimed he understood, but once we submitted our work, he started blowing me up. At first, I would just ignore him and delete the messages, but it became annoying, so I blocked him. Now he keeps calling me from different numbers. Only reason I know it's him because he always text first. That's why I don't go to campus unless I gotta host a event or hold a meeting."

Papa frowned and unlocked my phone. Yes, they know my passcode, and I don't mind because I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. From day one, they let me know that this was not a judgmental family. His frown went deeper as he scrolled through the messages. He looked up at me, and his facial expression was soft.

"Boo why you ain't been said nothing? These messages are dangerous cause I know what he want and I also know what he'll do to get it."

I played with my fingers because I knew exactly what he meant. "I don't know. I thought since I don't go to campus like that, I'll be okay."

"Screenshot the whole thread. We're coming to the school once this week is over." He stood up passing me my phone while he made his way to the kitchen.

"Here, go put these bags in the car." Ma tossed the keys to her Hellcat in my lap and I shook my head, mentally fighting the air.

"Yes ma'am." I gave her my popsicle because I knew she was gonna ask for it anyway, with her weird self. I tossed my phone and stood up, gabbing the duffle bags. I walked to the front door and slid my feet into her Chillos before walking out of the front door. I pressed the trunk button, which opened it. I placed the duffles inside and went back and forth until I was done. I shut the trunk and walked back inside.

"Ma." I climbed on her back as she was laying down on the couch watching Princess and The Frog. Once I learned that it was the twins' favorite movie, I was excited because it was mine too. I love watching it with them.

"Yes ma'am?" She adjusted her body, so now my head was on hers. I know some would say that I'm too comfortable, but I finally have what I always wanted and no one's opinions matter.

"Can y'all take me out of the country for spring break?"

"Where you wanna go?" Ma asked and I shrugged my shoulders because I really don't know.

"I'm not sure. I was thinking the Bahamas or Jamaica."

"You sure? You can pick somewhere bigger."

I arched my eyebrows and thought about a bigger country, then let the first thing that came to mind out. "Bali."

"Ok, I'll talk it over with your daddy. You got anybody you want to bring?"

"Can I bring Maliya?" I thought about the only friend I have. She was a young freshman like me being a year older. Her sister was her roommate, and her brother was a professor, so she was safe and protected.

"Ooo, not your little girlfriend."

I blushed and shook my head. "Ma! She is not my girlfriend!"

"Tuh. Girl please y'all like each other and everybody see it but y'all."

Did I like Maliya and did she like me? I shook my head and snuggled into her back as we watched the movie until Papa was done cooking.

About a couple hours later, I was sitting on the couch in my room in the penthouse suite. Papa cooked, and after we ate, we loaded up. Since I had to drive, Papa got in the car with me and Ma drove the Range Rover. I honestly did well. Even though the highway scares me poopless, I held my composure. Pa said I did better than he thought and that my foot was a little heavy, but I was currently sitting with my MacBook in my lap getting ready to take my quizzes, one for my music class and one for African American studies. I was gonna pass both, so it was no need for me to rush, but I did need to hurry so I can get dress.

The rehearsal dinner was in about an hour, and everybody was already downstairs. I could've waited until the rehearsal was over, but my parents don't play when it comes to education, no matter how smart I am. The clock hit seven and I pulled my canvas up, navigating through the site. I pulled the music quiz up first and began taking it.

At 7:20, I was done with both quizzes and did the Bankhead bounce once I saw I made a 100 on both. I closed my Mac and stood up, going towards my bags. Since it's February and it's a little cold, I packed a dress and sweater set. It was an emerald green and I knew it was going to bring out my skin along with my gold jewelry. Ma has given me so much that I don't even count anymore when she gives me a new piece. My jewelry is literally spilling out of my box at home.

I took my shower earlier when we got here, so y'all I had to do was slip the little outfit on. I pulled off Uncle Bari's football jersey that I was wearing and pulled my dress over my head. I stepped in front of the mirror and pulled it down, fixing it before bringing my arms through the arms of the sweater. I didn't have to do anything to my hair because it was in a top knot until the day before the wedding. I rubbed shea butter on my lips and sprayed myself with some Gucci Guilty, a scent that I love so much thanks to Ma. She buys me a bottle every time she's out.

I heard my phone go off, and I knew it was either Ma or Pa because they knew I was done with my quizzes. I quickly slipped my feet into my clear Steve Madden heels and snatched up my phone, wristlet, and key card before making my way out of the room. I hopped on the elevator and pressed L for lobby. The elevator made it to the lobby, and I hopped off, making a beeline for the ballroom.

I thought it was weird that we were having the rehearsal here instead, until Ma said she wanted everything to be a surprise. Told y'all she's weird. I pushed the door open and was met with Jennifer Hudson's "Giving Myself" coming through the speakers.

"Hey girl!" I looked up and saw grandsire with a cup in his hand, and I shook my head because I knew it was something brown. Dakari welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn't be more than thankful. He was the granddaddy I always wanted. I told him my story, and a couple days after that, each foster home I was in hit the news because of an anonymous tip. I knew for a fact that he had something to do with it.

"Hey grandsire!"

He pulled me in a hug and kissed the top of my head. "What you make on yo quizzes?"

"A hundred on both." He fished in his pockets, pulling out some money, peeling some bills off before placing them in my hands.

"How much is this?" I stuffed them into a wristlet and zipped it back up before letting it hang on my wrist.

"2k and come on, so we can get this over with. I'm hungry and damn near drunk."

I shook my head as he hooked his arm around my neck, walking further into the ballroom. I love my family and will be forever thankful for all that they do.

It was the next day, and we had three days until the wedding. I found it very cute that they were having their wedding on their anniversary. Papa said this was her anniversary gift and she wasn't getting anything else. He was joking, of course, but it was sooo funny seeing Ma jump on his back, making him tumble to the floor.

"Boo y'all you up!" I heard outside my door and looked at the other bed, seeing the girls sitting up in the middle rubbing their eyes.

"Yes, papa!" I climbed out of the bed and pulled my night gown down, going to the other bed. The girls leaped into my arms and I adjusted them on my hips as they laid their heads on my shoulders.

"You decent mama?" He asked, and I smiled. Respect was still so foreign to me.

"Yes, sir!"

I heard the door open and he walked in fully clothed. He attacked us with kisses and grabbed Mari, who was reaching for him.

"Get dressed, Boo, we finna go eat breakfast. Ma is already downstairs. Her ugly self left us. I got the girls."

I nodded my head and passed him Airy as I grabbed something to throw on from my bags. I walked into the bathroom and stripped off my gown and slipped on a t-shirt and some purple sweat shorts. I kept my scarf on and quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth before going back out.

"Papa, you seen my yeezy slides?" I asked as I rubbed my lips and face in shea butter. I slipped my AirPod pros into my ears and grabbed my phone, along with my Mac and the iPads for the girls.

"I think I saw them by the door in the living room. Come on."

Once I felt that I was decent, I made my way to the front, and my slides were in fact at the door. I slid my feet inside and held the door open for Papa as we made our way out.

"Hollon, is that my shirt?"

I twisted my lips to the side as my eyes looked at the walls of the hallway. He bumped my head, and I tripped over my feet.

"That's what you get for stealing." He bucked at me, and I bucked back. Strong self better be lucky he got my sisters in his arms.

We got on the elevator, and I pressed L for lobby. I smiled at Papa as he held what looked like a serious conversation with the girls. They were nodding and saying yes as if they understood. They probably did to be honest. They're very smart. The elevator dinged and we made our way to the dining hall. I pushed the door and the smell of bacon instantly filled my nose. Bacon and waffles me please with a cup of apple juice along with two strawberry muffins.

"Is that my beautiful niece!"

"Boy, stop being loud. We aren't the only ones in here."

I bust out laughing at Auntie Kai popping Jabari. I learned from our first meet that he was the comedian of the family. Man was a whole character. I set my stuff on the table and walked around fixing my plate. I made sure to get extra of everything cause I know the twins gonna eat off their plates and mine. Little greedy tails. I think after we eat the ladies are going to the spa and I was excited. It'll be my third time getting a massage.

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