𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙴𝙴 𝙷𝙾𝚄𝚁𝚂 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁

Hearing a knock at the door, Cherish quickly made her way towards it since Julissa was asleep on the couch, and she didn't want whoever was at the door to wake her up. After leaving from meeting von, Cherish went to get her kids from their grandparents' house. She took them on a mommy/daughters date. They went to get mani-pedis, went out to eat, then enjoyed an ice cream date. After that, she made her way home. Julissa was already asleep when she made it, so Cherish's kids, plus Zaiden were in Malaysia's room.

About fifteen minutes ago, her aunt brought Zaiden over and asked if Cherish could keep an eye on him while she ran an errand. Marcus, of course, wasn't anywhere near healed up to have his own child, so Cherish didn't mind. She only hoped that her aunt would be back before Julissa wakes. All Julissa has been doing since staying at her place was barely eating, crying, and mostly sleeping. Priest gave her time off.

Marcus never told his mother he was stabbed. He only asked if she could keep Zaiden and because she wanted to spend time with her grandson, she was more than happy to. Rissa showed up at Marcus's house two days after to pick up Zaiden some more clothes, and that's when she found out. She went off on everyone, and Cherish couldn't blame her. Marcus is her son; her only son, and he could've died. Rissa should've been the first call made. Cherish wanted to slap the hell out of Marcus because he was truly working her last nerve.

For the past three days, Cherish and Priest had been spending time with their kids as a family. Cherish didn't want to be selfish, but she also wanted to avoid Priest after what happened at Marcus's house. It started with the park and a picnic. Then the zoo. The aquarium. Then an amusement center that had bowling, an arcade, video games, go-karts, rides for big and little kids, a play den for smaller children, and a little restaurant to eat inside. Needless to say, they had fun each time.

Seeing Priest in father mode did things to Cherish's heart that she didn't know were possible. He was a natural, and the way Malaysia and Honesti clung to him was the cutest. Malaysia was very slick with her antics, she would purposely make it where Priest would be sitting next to Cherish. She would put them on the spot, telling Priest to hold Cherish's hand as well. Whenever he kissed their cheek, she told him not to leave her mommy out. He would kiss Cherish so close to her lips rather than her cheek. Priest was loving it, but Cherish not so much.

Opening the door, the heat immediately engulfed Cherish. It was about 85 degrees today. The forecast said hot and humid and wasn't lying. Cherish narrowed her eyes at Truth before rolling them. She stepped outside while closing the door behind her, causing Truth to sigh. He knew he messed up, since she didn't let him in. He was thinking Yazmine told her about what he said, since he knew Priest wouldn't have mentioned it. Yazmine hadn't talked to Cherish just yet. She actually didn't intend to tell Cherish because at the end of the day, she knew that Cherish cared an awful lot about Truth.

"What are you doing here, Truth?" Cherish held her hand above her eyes to shield the sun. "It's too hot, and I'm not in the mood for whatever this unexpected visit is for."

"Damn, I can't come in, sis?" Truth chuckled to lighten the mood, but she wasn't amused.

"I'm not your sister and no." Cherish spoke seriously as Truth looked at her.

"Come on, you know you gon' always be sis. I stopped by because I owe you an apology." Truth started, but Cherish shook her head.

"I really don't care to hear an apology from you, Truth. I did nothing to you at all. I can't believe you would—" Truth cut her off, thinking she was about to say something about earlier.

"I didn't mean to say you were messed up." Truth sighed, looking remorseful.

Messed up? When did he say I was messed up? That aching feeling in Cherish's chest came full force. She was so tired of those she love constantly using her being a broken person to hurt her. It was beginning to feel like she cared more about them than they cared about her.

"I didn't even mean to say Yazmine was too messed up for me."

"Messed up?" Cherish was now frowning. "When did you say I was messed up?"

"I thought..." Truth looked at her and noticed she was unaware. Now he had potentially ruined a relationship that he was trying to fix. "I thought Yaz told you about earlier."

Cherish chuckled, but it was apparent that she felt some type of way about it. Yazmine was right. She is too nice, and she does always try to see the good in people. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's becoming a problem in her case. Her heart was so big and that's something she never wanted to change, but it's pretty clear that people were going to force her to turn into a brand-new Cherish.

"I haven't spoken to my cousin. So, let me get this straight... you told Yazmine I was messed up? That she's too messed up for you? Is that what you really think about us?" Cherish asked.

"I didn't mean that shit. I—"

"I'm not mad about me, but I am hurt. Given the way you've been acting, I could've easily said whatever about you behind your back, but I always, and I mean always, defended you. Told Yazmine that you were a good man. Told Yaz they don't make 'em like you anymore. Told Yaz she should share her story with you. Told Yaz to stop pushing you away. Told her that I didn't believe for one second some loosey-goosey hoe bragging in her shop about sleeping with you was the truth. I knew in my heart that you didn't. Why? That's just not who you are. At least the Omari Truth I remembered."

"It's becoming very clear that I don't know none of your motherfuckers anymore. I don't know what hurts more; you were thinking I'm messed up, or you actually said the words out of your mouth. I shared my story with you, Truth. Remember when you caught me crying and walking in the cold after that argument with Priest? I shared it because at that moment I knew I could trust you."

"Cherish—"

"Your problem isn't with me, Truth. It's with Yazmine. For my own sanity, I need to cut people out of my life, no matter how hard it would be. My biggest fear has always been that people would leave. I'm starting to understand that, that's okay. Some aren't meant to stay. People come into your life as a blessing or a lesson. I can't completely cut Priest off because he's the father of my children, but you, Paris, and even Marcus, I'm going to have to." She looked at Truth sadly.

"You mean a lot to me, Cherish. I apologize for hurting you and for taking my anger about Yazmine out on you. You're right. My problem isn't with you. Tell me how to fix it because I don't want to be cut out of your life." Truth once again spoke with remorse.

Cherish was torn. How many times could she keep forgiving people when she had done nothing to them? How many times could she let the hurtful words spoken by those close to her slide? How many times would this big heart of hers lead her to more hurt?

"You don't have to apologize. I hold no ill feelings towards you. You're human, Truth. I'm glad you aren't this perfect person I painted you to be. Still, I'm tired of people using the fact that I'm still broken against me. I'm trying. I promise you I am trying to fully heal, but it is not a punchline. It's nothing something that should be used against me in an argument. It's not something that should be used as a point trying to be made in a lie that's being told. It's not something that those I love should throw in my face or behind my back freely." She turned her back and walked back into her house, but stopped.

"Oh, and Truth? Make that the last fucking time you ever say something like that to my cousin. She's too messed up for you because she didn't share her story with you when you wanted her to? At the end of the day, it's her story. Until she's ready to share it, no one, not even me encouraging her, can make her. She's too messed up because she didn't tell you she loves you back the moment you said it? Not everyone says those words right off until they're ready. It's not something you can force because if you force her to say it, then it's not real. She would be saying it out of obligation to you. You can say what you want about me, but my cousin isn't messed up. She's guarded. She's tough. Strong. And people like that, it's not exactly easy to break down their walls. Take a moment and think on that." Cherish spoke her piece before walking into her house.

Cherish checked on the kids, then walked into her personal bathroom. She stared into her bathroom mirror at her reflection for a few minutes. Writing messed up down on a sticky note, she then stuck it against her mirror that was filled with many other sticky notes. The worst thing Cherish had ever done in her life was keep her daughter away from her father, but ultimately, she really was a good person with a big heart. Don't get it twisted, she wasn't a soft-ass bitch, but when it comes to those, she loves dearly. She could be the softest person in the world, which comes with vulnerability and sensitivity.

Wiping a tear, she placed her hands together and held her head down while asking God to show her a sign of who doesn't belong in her life and to remove them without bringing any harm to them. Asking God to allow her the strength to once and for all heal what's broken. Asking God to eliminate any negativity in her life and to give her the peace she's desperately been searching for. All the crying she was doing, she was over it. "Amen."

was awakened by something wet on her face, she could feel whatever was wet on her cheek rolling downward. Opening her eyes, she hoped that she wasn't slobbing on Cherish's couch. Julissa blinked a few times before a little boy came into view. He placed a slobbery kiss on her cheek, which told her the reason her face was wet. Julissa sat up before picking Zaiden up. She hadn't even looked at him that much to know she was picking up Marcus's twin.

"Hi, handsome."

Cherish walked in to see Julissa holding Zaiden. "I'm sorry he woke you up. My auntie had to run some errands and dropped Zaiden off."

Julissa's eyes went big from hearing the name. "Z-Zaiden." Really paying attention this time, Julissa swore she was being taken back in time to where Marcus was a kid in the pictures he showed her. There was no denying Zaiden if Marcus wanted to.

"I can take him." Cherish said.

"No, it's fine. He's an innocent child. An innocent baby. Marcus's baby." Julissa blinked away her tears while looking at Zaiden.

"Are you sure, Julissa?"

Julissa nodded while continuing to look at Zaiden. He smiled, showing his two teeth at the bottom and two at the top. He was the cutest and Julissa felt a sense of attachment already. She wondered what made Zaiden come over and kiss her until he knew she was awake. That should be weird, right? She had no clue. Maybe she felt attached to him because she wanted a baby so badly.

"I'm sorry, Julissa." Cherish felt the need to apologize.

"This is your house. I'm just a guest. You don't have to apologize. I'm okay. I promise." Julissa told Cherish while still looking at Zaiden. "He's a handsome little boy. Looks just like his daddy, but cuter." Julissa smiled as Zaiden played with her fingers.

"That's his twin for sure." Cherish smiled. The look in Julissa's eyes she was familiar with, it's the same look Priest had when he told her that he was taking the role as Honesti's father. She didn't know what would become of the situation between Marcus, Julissa, and now Zaiden, but she had this feeling that even if Marcus and Julissa never got back together, Julissa would be there for Zaiden.

__

"I'm so excited you're about to buy me jewelry. I can't wait to pick me out something fly. My friends about to be hating." Crystal smiled as she and Priest walked into the jewelry store.

The jewelry store they walked into was the biggest one in this state. The owner had several around the world. The inside was so dope and gave rich vibes. It was owned by a Haitian named Ricardo and his wife Angela, who didn't play games at all. One would need to have big money if they wanted to step foot into their establishment. Security was so airtight that you couldn't rob the place if you wanted to. People knew better because them Haitians didn't play around, at least Ricardo didn't and that was a known fact.

Ricardo was a kingpin who turned legit. He had already dived into the jewelry business long before he stepped down. Ricardo never sold anything fake, and if someone came up to him with such an accusation to try to get some money out of him, they wouldn't live to tell the tale. He had been Priest's jeweler since Priest was in the game. During that time, Priest, Truth, and Shooter were Ricardo's youngest paying customers. Coping Rolex's, Cuban links, and more from him. That's who Priest gets all his jewelry from, and who he bought Cherish's engagement ring from.

Priest was also Ricardo's protégé. He took Priest under his wing at 14 and taught him the drug game before giving it to him. Ricardo was now 40 and one of the wealthiest men Priest knew. His connections were so long, which eventually became connections for Priest as well.

Priest didn't know why Crystal was so happy with a big smile on her face, knowing damn well he would never spend that kind of money on her. He definitely wouldn't buy her any expensive jewelry. The only jewelry she will ever get out of him is Pandora. Sure, he used to fund shopping sprees, girl trips, and fancy restaurants, but he wasn't dropping as much money on her as one would think. The highest he ever gave her was five thousand dollars and told her don't spend it all at once. Even though his heart wasn't in it, she was his woman, which is why he used to buy her things, but it never hit the double-digit thousands.

Crystal was definitely stunting when she told Cherish she was thinking about wearing Vintage Chanel to her fashion show. Crystal owned one Chanel bag that she bought with the money Priest once gave her. He never told her here, go buy you a Chanel bag. Her pussy wasn't worth that or expensive jewelry. Over the years, Crystal had accumulated pieces of designer, but never all at once.

He almost laughed when he thought about back when he and Cherish were together. He was already spoiling her beforehand, but Six months after meeting her, he had taken her to Miami with him since he had business to handle out there. He spent a hundred thousand dollars on her and had yet to sleep with her. He wasn't rushing that. Truth and Shooter clowned him about being whipped, but they liked Cherish, so it was all fun and games.

"I can't believe I'm in Miami! I can't wait to hit the beach." Cherish smiled while standing on the balcony. She always loved places with a beautiful view that she could look out into. Back home, she would drive to the beach or the lake just to think. The beach was always her favorite. It had a calming effect. While she couldn't go in the wintertime, she took advantage during summer, spring, and even fall.

"You act like you have never been out of town before." Priest wrapped his arms around her from the back while kissing her cheek.

"I haven't. Not even to a family member's house. You know that, punk." She chuckled. "I wanna be the person who has been to at least fifty countries and as many states as I can. You know, see the world. I have always been a person who was existing and not living until I was about seventeen, but It's different now. First time in Miami and next, I would love to go to Bali."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. After Bali, Greece would definitely be on my list. I've always wanted to go to both first, then start traveling to other places."

"Then that's where we'll go when we leave here. Bali first, then Greece in the summer." Priest kissed her cheek again as she turned around.

"Really? You're taking me to Bali, then Greece in the Summer?" She asked with excitement.

"I told you whatever you want. If my baby wanna go to Bali, then we there. If you wanna go to Greece, then Imma make it happen. It ain't shit." Priest licked his lips.

Cherish jumped into his arms as he caught her. Kissing him all over his face, Priest was smiling all hard before she gave him a passionate kiss. "I try not to question God, but how did I get so lucky?"

"I ask myself that question all the time, beautiful. I got lucky as fuck. Gimme another kiss." He told her as she kissed him again, which led him to him eating her out on the balcony. That's something he does faithfully, but they weren't having sex until she's ready.

After handling his business, he took Cherish shopping. Naturally, she declined when he said to get whatever she wanted, so he did what anyone in his position would do. He bought everything that caught her eye. Everything that she wanted, but would put back once she saw the price. Cherish couldn't believe, in the course of the three days they spent in Miami. He spent a hundred grand on her. She got so much stuff, and he still gave her fifty grand just for her to have. As promised, he took her to Bali after their stay in Miami, and she had the time of her life with her man.

"Soul, did you hear me? I wanna see their tennis bracelets." Crystal brought him out of his reminiscing.

Ignoring her, Priest walked up to Angela. The store had customers but was being taken care of by other workers. When Angela saw Priest, she smiled before walking around the glass counter. "You know better than to not stop by in months. How are you, Soul?" Angela smiled while hugging Priest. She looked at Crystal from head to toe before looking back at Priest.

"You know I'm good, Angie." Priest smiled at her back. "OG in?"

"He's in the vault. I'm sure he saw you on the cameras and will be making his way up here. Are you visiting us or buying?" Angela said, before walking back around the counter.

"Both. I need something out of the vault. I had Ric make it some years ago, and he told me he'd hold on to it."

Crystal's face lit up, thinking maybe he got an engagement ring for her. She knew what Priest had told her, but she believed he was having a bad day and didn't mean it. She knew he loved her and didn't care what anyone had to say about it.

"How you been, son?" Ricardo walked out of a door and dapped up Priest before hugging him.

"You already know, OG. You still got that for me?" Priest asked.