After the door closed, Cherish stood with her arms folded underneath her chest, a tear-stained face and a frown as she looked at her brother. "Get out." Her voice cracked, bumping his shoulder harshly as she walked past him to go check on her kids.

She couldn't believe he had the audacity to ask her to choose between the two. The thought of choosing would be a difficult one if that's something she truly had to do, but who she would choose is an easy decision. She wasn't picking anyone for the simple fact of Priest being the father of her children. She can't just cut him out of her life again. They have to communicate for the sake of their children.

"Ayanna." Nehemiah stopped her.

"You got some nerve coming here telling me to choose. You have no reason. Not one to dislike Priest. You can make it as if that whole lil thing was about me, but we all know it's not. You keep letting another grown ass man be all in your ear about someone you don't even know. You just got your life back, and it damn sure wasn't because of Von! I'm the one who asked for a favor! And I never, ever threw in your face what I did for you because we're family. You're not being fair right now. Von is going to get you killed! For real this time you would be dead. Then you come here doing all of this with mine and his children in the house." She was shouting at this point and didn't mean to, but she was fed up with him constantly on her about Priest.

She didn't know her brother was stopping by today. His visits are limited given how far he stays from her, but he makes sure to visits. He may be out of hiding, but he decided not to move back. While living a new life, he had met someone to occupy his time. He still missed his lil sister like crazy.

He's been hiding since he was an eighteen-year-old, and he's now thirty. To him, Rakeem was dead, and he preferred to go by his new identity name. Nehemiah Smith. The person he found to occupy his time was now his fiancée, who Cherish hadn't met yet, but she was happy for her brother. She supported him the whole time he was gone. Any money she touched, she made sure her brother was straight first. The last money she had given him was half a million dollars. That's the amount she had given to Von to pass along to her brother.

She knew the only reason her brother didn't like Priest was because of his friendship with Von. She loves how Loyal her brother is, but this wasn't just loyalty. He was inserting himself into beef that has nothing to do with him. It was now something about Von that she didn't trust. That connection they once shared as friends was gone and replaced by repulsion. Nehemiah didn't know Priest well enough to hate him. That was so childish to her. Sure, her brother can handle and defend himself, but he was delusional if he thought he stood a chance against Soul.

"I apologize for scaring my nieces, but I'm not apologizing for making you choose. Either you cut him off or I just won't be around anymore. I don't trust that nigga." Nehemiah stated. Being able to see his little sister whenever he wanted now was always the highlight of his days, even if he didn't visit as often. He couldn't stand Cherish to be mad at him.

Nehemiah owed Cherish his life. He didn't know how he could ever repay her for all she had done for him. Even though she tells him time and time again that he doesn't have to. She did what she did because he's her big brother, her family. She wouldn't leave him to fend for himself the moment she made money for herself. Of course, their aunt sent him money after he first left. It'll be 2k at the most each time, and that wasn't enough for him.

Cherish sent enough for him to survive on. Every dollar she made from making clothes as a teen, money Priest would give her before they made things official and even after; she made sure he was straight. She wanted to tell Priest about her brother when they got together, but she couldn't. Nehemiah made it a point to tell her that type of information couldn't be trusted with people aside from the family members who knew. The officer who shot him couldn't know he was alive, or he would've finished what he started.

"I'm pregnant, tired and irritable most of the time! The last thing I need is you creating beef with people you don't even know. The father of my children! You don't know that man personally to beef with him about anything. Don't use me to justify you doing this because of Von." Cherish pointed at him as anger seeped out of her. "Acting like a bitch—"

"Yo, watch your fucking mouth, Ayanna!" Nehemiah frowned while stepping in her face.

Cherish laughed, "Nehemiah, I'm the wrong one to play with, and you know that. So, I'm not sure why you're stepping in my face to intimidate me or like you're going to do something. I will fuck you up, then put your ass out of my house. Try me."

Nehemiah just shook his head. He's happy to see his sister not taking shit from anyone who's trying to scare or intimidate her, which he wasn't trying to do either. It was just disrespectful on her part. "You're really choosing that nigga over me?"

"I'm choosing my kids. They need their father. I don't know what you thought was going to happen when you said that bullshit."

"Look—"

"No, you look. Priest is not to be played with. His best friend Shooter is not to be played with. Off the strength of me, Priest wouldn't do anything to hurt you. I cannot make any promises about Shooter. Are you not understanding the gravity of the situation? It's like you want someone to kill you for real this time. My daughters will not be fatherless because of your need to add yourself into Von's beef. There's something about Von that I don't trust. If you want to stay away, then I can't stop you, but Priest isn't going anywhere. Are you going to help me raise three kids? You're barely around now to be an uncle, so the chances of you stepping in as a father figure are slim."

"So you're defending that nigga? How many times has he made you cry? Broke your heart? Been with another woman all in your fucking face while you what? Played his side piece of ass to keep him in your life? You're so motherfucking weak! I will kill his bitch ass in your face and go home and sleep like shit ain't happen! I love you, but it's time you move on from him." He yelled in her face.

"Get out."

"Nah, you wanna talk shit, so let's talk it. You kept that nigga kid away from him before, years at that; do it again. Suddenly, you don't trust Von because that nigga is all in your ear, but you trusted Von enough to spread your legs and fuck him." A forceful slap across his face cut Nehemiah off. Cherish was breathing heavily while tears dripped down her face.

What he said cut her deep and the fact that he had all his facts wrong, but tried to tear her down, cut even more. Despite Priest being there for Cherish once she got out of the hospital, she hadn't done a thing with him. Neither crossed that line. Not even kiss. Today was the first. So, she wasn't playing his side piece of ass, even if that's how she felt with him being back and forth between houses. Of course, she trusted Von when she slept with him until she found out the truth about his and Priest's beef. And the truth about what he had done to Priest. Not only was Von behind Priest being drugged. He was also behind Priest being followed, then shot at.

She broke Priest's heart. She was playing with his feelings until that day he got shot at when Priest laid everything on the table. She was the only one constantly hurting him. He was just reacting and hurting her in return. While she tried to fight for him, facts are facts. It was past due for her to move on, and she was weak for Priest. Still, Nehemiah had no right to throw any of it in her face. He did it just to hurt her because he's salty right now. If he had spoken that in a brotherly concern, it would've hurt much less. She definitely would have listened to him, and she undoubtedly, would have chosen her brother.

"Get. The. Fuck. Out!" She spoke shakily. Hurt and pain laced in her voice. Tears glossed her eyes so much to the point of becoming blurry. Realizing what he had done softened his expression. Just like Cherish is Priest's obvious weakness, she's Nehemiah's as well.

"Fuck! I'm sorry." He wrapped his arms around her, but she pushed him off with every bit of strength she could muster up.

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!" She yelled with tears. He nodded before walking around her. Her sniffling stopped him, and he wanted to stay and make things right, but felt he better leave her alone. So, he left.

Cherish placed a hand over a mouth to muffle her sobs. What she didn't know was that Malaysia stood at the top of the stairs, hearing everything her uncle said to her mother. She didn't like Nehemiah and in her mind, he was no uncle to her. Especially now that he made her mommy cry with the mean things he said and threatened to kill her daddy. Malaysia stood to her feet from having her knees and hands planted to the floor to listen. She knew she might get in trouble because her mother told her about listening to grown people's conversation.

"Come on, Honesti." Malaysia grabbed her hand to head down the spiral stairs, although Honesti knew how to walk up and down the stairs all on her own, she often took her precious time.

"Where we are going?" Honesti asked.

"Just come on." Malaysia unintentionally dragged Honesti down the stairs. Not in a way where she could have got hurt, just in a way Honesti couldn't keep up.

"Slow down, Manasia. Me legs are small." Honesti rolled her eyes. "Lil durl (girl), you hear me?" Malaysia slowed down and rounded the corner with Honesti who snatched her hand away with an attitude.

Cherish was still crying while rubbing her stomach, telling her sons to calm down as they kicked profusely. More than likely sensing she's upset. This hasn't been her morning at all. First Priest and now her brother. The fact that her loved ones were always throwing things in her face is something she wishes she could say she's immune to.

"Mommy." Malaysia spoke. Cherish quickly wiped her tears before Malaysia hugged her, and Honesti joined in just because she saw Malaysia doing it. "Mommy, I don't like that man at all. He made you cry. I heard everything. I don't want him to kill my daddy." She looked up at her mother, shocking Cherish by what Malaysia heard, tears filling her oldest baby girl eyes broke her heart. Her daughters, not liking their uncle, breaks her heart. "I don't want you to keep daddy away. Please, mommy, don't keep my daddy away. Don't let him hurt my daddy. I won't be mad at him anymore. I promise I won't." Malaysia cried, which of course made Honesti cry.

"I won't, snuggle-bug. I promise. No one will ever come between you two and your father." Cherish held back her newly tears as she rubbed Malaysia's back and ran her fingers through Honesti's hair. She couldn't promise that Priest wouldn't get hurt, since that was something out of her control.

This is why she never argued with her kids in the house, because it could create a toxic environment for children. Malaysia's beyond smart, so she knew exactly what her uncle was saying. Malaysia didn't like that her uncle was another person trying to break up her family that she was still trying to fix. So, Nehemiah was a mean man in her eyes and she didn't like him. She knew all about Cherish keeping her away from her daddy once before because Cherish was finally honest with her daughter about it.

"Mommy." Malaysia said.

"Yes, Snuggle-bug."

"Do you still love my daddy?" Malaysia questioned.

It was a week after she finally confessed to Priest how she still feel about him. Cherish was in the kitchen cooking for their movie night and Malaysia was helping her while Honesti was watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Someway, somehow, Priest got her to finally watch something besides Cocomelon without a fight. How so quickly? She had no idea.

"How many times are you going to ask that Snuggle-bug?" Cherish shook her head.

"Daddy said he still loves you."

"Remember how I told you that you shouldn't tell other people's business unless someone is getting hurt or someone does something bad?"

"But if I tell you then you and daddy could be together. I don't want to live in separate houses. I want you, me, daddy, and Honesti to be a family. A real family." Malaysia pouted.

"I know you want that, but sometimes it's not that simple. Your father and I aren't together and haven't been for a long time. No matter what, we will always be a family."

"But you want to be together, so why not be together?" Malaysia continued to pout.

"I'm happy just being yours and Honesti's mother." She lied.

"Denial." Malaysia said.

"Excuse me?" Cherish raised an eyebrow.

"You're in denial, but daddy isn't. He said he's still in love with you because you're the love of his life. He also said a love like yours and his comes once in a lifetime." Malaysia giggled.

"Lil girl, do you even know what being in denial means?"

"Yes. Of course, I do, mommy. It means you don't want to accept the truth, you won't admit the truth or you refuse to. I know how to spell it too in case you wanted to know."

Cherish stared at her very smart daughter who was practically schooling her on being in denial about her feelings. Although, Cherish was no longer denying her feelings. "Listen, Snuggle-bug." Cherish sighed.

"Your voice changed. This is about to be a serious conversation, isn't it?"

"You are way too smart for your own good, but yes. I know you think I'm in denial, but I'm not. Yes, I love your father very very much. Some things just don't work out the way you want."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, until your father forgives me and we work out some things; it wouldn't have worked out anyway. You remember how I told you that daddy wasn't around because he didn't have a choice?"

"Yes."

Cherish knew that it was time to tell Malaysia the truth about that. She was young, but things had been weird since she moved back. She couldn't have anyone telling Malaysia with the intent to hurt her. Malaysia loves her mother very much which is why it should come from her. "I'm the reason daddy wasn't in your life." Cherish said as tears started to fill her eyes.

"What do you mean, mommy?"

"Daddy didn't have a choice because I didn't give him one. When I left a long time ago I was pregnant with you in my tummy, but I wasn't truthful and told a story to your father. I never told him about you until the day you met him." Cherish's voice cracked.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?" Malaysia pouted as she too was on the verge of crying.

"No. You did absolutely nothing wrong at all. You weren't even born to do anything wrong. You're too young to understand, but it was selfish of mommy. Very selfish. I am so sorry for putting your heart through that sadness. For putting daddy's heart through it as well."

"I don't want to be mad at you, mommy, but my heart hurts." Malaysia said sadly while tears rolled down her cheeks.

Cherish wiped Malaysia's tears. "And that is okay. It's okay to be upset with me or sad." They stood in silence for a moment. Malaysia had stopped crying, and Cherish was trying her best to stop. That "but my heart hurts" hit Cherish hard.

"I forgive you, mommy." Malaysia looked at her mother. "Mommy's aren't perfect, and they make mistakes. Grandma said you shouldn't hold grudges because it's not good for your soul." Malaysia said as Cherish stared at her. "When you forgive someone the forgiveness should be for yourself and not the person you are forgiving."

"Your grandmother told you that?"

"Well, yes, see I told grandma I would never forgive Scar for taking Mufasa away from Simba. Why would he take his daddy away? That's really sad."

"It's really sad that I kept your daddy away. Your father is a good man and an amazing father. Neither he nor you deserved that."

"You did a bad thing, mommy, but you are not a bad person. Scar was very, very bad."

Cherish smiled, it's just never a dull moment with her daughters. "Thank you for forgiving me, Snuggle-bug but I don't forgive myself for what I did."

"I love you very much. I love daddy very much. I love my baby sister very much. You and daddy are awesome! I just want us to be a family, so don't be sad any more mommy. Or you don't have to cry alone in the kitchen when you think I'm sleeping."

Cherish has spent years scared her daughter would hate her when in fact she doesn't. All this time Malaysia could have had her father in her life which makes her feel more guilty. "Come here, Snuggle-bug." Cherish kissed her daughter's forehead then hugged her. "I love you and your sister very much as well."

"You're the best mommy." A tear slid down Cherish's cheek as she continued hugging her daughter.

"I promise no one will." Cherish repeated, after she was done reminiscing.

𝟷𝟸:𝟺𝟻 𝙿𝙼

Hearing the doorbell ring, Marcus made his way down the stairs. Being that it was almost one, he didn't know who it could be, since people called before showing up to their house. He hoped it wasn't Paris again because the only thing stopping him from killing her was his wife and kids. She was doing too much, and he was fed up with it. Yesterday she showed up at their place with the police claiming that Marcus kidnapped Zaiden and wouldn't let her see him, after showing the police officer that Paris was lying and that Paris signed over her rights, she was taken to the station for making a false police report. This was the last thing they needed, especially Julissa.

Looking out the peephole, a white man he didn't know stood there. "Who is it?" Julissa asked from the top of the stairs.

"I don't know, stay up there." Marcus told her while opening the door.

"Marcus Jones?" The man asked.

"Yeah, who are you?" Marcus eyed him.

"You've been served." The man handed Marcus the envelope before leaving. Marcus closed the door as Julissa made her way down the stairs.

"What's that about?" She looked at him.

"I don't know." Marcus said before opening the envelope. "This bitch!" He shook his head. "Paris ass taking me to court. She's suing for full custody and to have her rights reinstated. Said I threatened her into signing over her rights. She felt like her life was in danger, and that's the only reason she signed."

"What?! She doesn't even want him and never did. She can't have him, Marcus. That's my son!" Tears filled Julissa's eyes.

"I know." Marcus wrapped his arms around her.

"He calls me ma-ma! I'm his mother." She started crying.

"I know, baby. Calm down." Marcus rubbed her back.

"What does this bitch want? Why won't she leave us alone? I wish I wasn't pregnant, or I would've been fucked her up by now."

"Way more money than she was asking for before. That's what she wants. She's a miserable hoe who has no life." He sighed. "Since Shooter cut her off, she's been trying to make everyone's life a living hell."

"Then give her the money. Give her whatever hell she wants." Julissa looked up at Marcus.