Malaysia sat in her walk-in closet on the floor Indian style with her IPad on her lap. She and Honesti both share a walk-in closet, while it's not as big as the one in Cherish's room. It's big enough for both their things to fit. Their play room is right across the hall, where Malaysia's own personal library is and all of Honesti's toys. Malaysia was at that age where she felt like she was getting too big to play with toys, but anytime Honesti asked for her to play with her; she did.

Hers and Honesti's room was just as big. They shared a room, since Honesti never liked sleeping in one by herself. Malaysia liked her own independence, i.e., her own room, but it wasn't terrible sharing a room with her little sister. Malaysia leaned over and took a final peek out of the crack between the door, since it wasn't closed. Honesti was in their mother's room, so Malaysia snuck away to FaceTime her daddy from her iPad.

"What's up, face stealer? You still mad at me?" Priest smiled while looking at his daughter.

Malaysia thought about what Nehemiah said and regretted ever being mad at him. "No. I'm sorry, daddy. I didn't mean it when I said that I wasn't your princess anymore." Malaysia pouted.

"You don't have to apologize for being upset, Princess. You did nothing wrong, okay? None of that makes me love you any less."

"Okay." Malaysia mumbled. "Daddy, could you come back? Mommy doesn't know I'm calling, and I know she tells me all the time that I shouldn't tell other people's business unless—"

"What's wrong? Something happen when I left?" Priest instantly got on alert. He knew Cherish always told Malaysia that, but something about his daughter's sad and scared tone wasn't sitting right with him. When he saw Malaysia in tears right before her sniffling filled his ears, he pulled his car over. "Talk to me, Princess. What's wrong?"

"That man made mommy cry, and he said some mean things to her. A lot of bad words that I will not repeat because they are bad. H-He said... H-He said he will kill you in front of her." Malaysia sniffled. "I don't want you to die. Please, come back."

"Stop crying, Princess. I'm about to handle something, then I promise I'm coming back." Priest tried his best not to show his anger, but it was hard. He didn't have to ask Malaysia where she heard it because he got a pretty good idea. Malaysia is an honest kid, and he knew she wouldn't lie about something like that.

"Daddy... please be careful." Malaysia pouted while sniffling some more. "Should I not have told you?"

"You did the right thing. Stop crying. Nothing is going to happen to me. I love you."

"I love you too, daddy." Malaysia ended the FaceTime. She wiped her tears, stood up, then walked out of the closet.

Sitting her iPad on her desk, she walked into their bathroom, which was adjoined to their room. She splashed some water on her face before wiping it with a towel. Being pretty smart, she knew her mother would notice she had been crying and felt it best to hide the evidence. Something she had clearly picked up from Cherish.

Honesti was watching TV, so Malaysia climbed onto her mother's bed before snuggling into her side. Cherish wrapped her arm around Malaysia, pulling her closer. Being the oldest out of the two, Cherish knew that there were things that Malaysia understood and Honesti didn't since she was still very young. It's hard to have to explain to your child or try to the best way you can about hearing what Malaysia had heard. Cherish and Priest always want to shield their children from the harsh reality that is life, but sometimes it's hard.

"Mommy." Malaysia's voice was so low, Cherish had to lean over just to hear her. "I really don't like your brother. He's not my uncle, and I don't want him to come over here anymore."

"If that's what you want, then he's not allowed back over here." Cherish spoke with no hesitation. Despite her brother hurting her, she still loves him, but her kids will always come first. She put her feelings before her child once. There would not be a second, third or fourth time.

Malaysia looked up at Cherish. "But he's your brother, and I don't want you to be sad. You just got him back." Malaysia pouted.

"And you're my daughter. No one is more important than you, your sister, and your baby brothers. No one. Not even my brother. I won't have you feeling scared in your own house. You have a voice, Snuggle-bug. Don't ever be afraid to express how you feel." Cherish kissed her nose. Cherish was at the point of putting her kids and herself before anyone. She was no longer worried about losing people, as long as she knew they were alive.

"I love you, mommy." Malaysia buried her face in her mother's arms. She decided she wouldn't tell Cherish about what she called and told her dad.

"I love you more, my Snuggle-bug."

The old Cherish would've thought of a million reasons just to be hard on herself. A million reasons to convince herself she was a bad mother, she came a long way in the passing months from letting thoughts like that determine who she is. She knew she was a damn good mother. One who wasn't perfect because there's no such thing as a perfect mother/parent, but a good one, and Nehemiah reminding her that she kept Malaysia a secret for years would not bring her back to that point.

was seething with anger. He was tired of Nehemiah and his one-sided beef since Cherish had woken up in the hospital. Nehemiah had said nothing to Priest, except for that one time when he first arrived at the hospital. After Cherish woke up, it was a different tune. Nehemiah was talking big shit out the side of his neck, but Priest was more focused on Cherish.

It seems as if Nehemiah and Von wanted Soul to come out and play, not acknowledging the type of beast they would be unleashing. He'd do anything for Cherish, and that included sparing her brother, but hearing his daughter cry about what she heard set off a nuclear bomb.

Priest made two calls to already set things in motion. While Von will have to wait another day to die, a warning was coming his way today. His time to meet his maker was coming sooner than he thinks. He had Priest drugged and assaulted as well as tried to have him killed. He had to die. Right now, Nehemiah was about to feel the wrath he desperately was seeking.

"These niggas want Soul to come back temporarily, they got him." A dangerous, yet emotionless look was on Priest's face as Shooter smiled. He missed the days when he and Priest were a duo no one wanted to cross.

Truth didn't play any games when it was time, but he was never as savage or even ruthless as his two best friends. Shooter was worse than all of them, but Priest's methods were more ruthless at times. Like when he cut the head off that belonged to the man who Von hired. Shooter would have shot him until he wasn't recognizable, instead.

"Glad to have you back." Shooter smirked as they made their way up the stairs of Priest's jet. With a mug on his face, Priest sat down as Shooter sat across from him.

"Hello, Mr. Blackmon. We'll be departing soon. Is there anything I can you both before we take off? I'm Chloe, by the way." The flight attendant asked.

"Nice to meet you, Chloe. Let me get a double shot of Hennessy." Priest responded. It was still early in the day, but he could use a drink right now. So, he settled on a double shot.

"I'll have a double shot of D'usse." Shooter added.

"I'll be right back with your drinks." Chloe smiled friendly before walking off.

"Snow bunny, fine as hell. I got something she can put to use with them paper thin ass lips." Shooter chuckled.

"Can't take your ass anywhere. Pretty sure she's Mexican, not white, nigga." Priest shook his head, but had to laugh at Shooter.

"White. Mexican. I don't give a fuck. She can still suck this dick real fast." Shooter shrugged.

"Shooter, just shut the fuck up."

Priest knew by the time he made it back, Malaysia would be asleep. It's about to take hours to get to where they're going. He was still going to drop by just so she would know he came back. He kept thinking about how scared his daughter sounded. He rather she was mad at him like earlier than for her to be scared. He had to laugh internally because his daughters were a trip. He just knew with sisters like that, his son was going to be bad as hell, just like Honesti.

"Daddy, when are you moving in?" Malaysia asked Priest.

"Moving in? You know I can't move in. Daddy has his own house." Priest sighed.

"But you're always here. You sneak in at night and think I believe you when you say that you came in the morning." Malaysia chuckled.

"I don't sneak. You know I have a girlfriend, so I can't live here."

"I no like ha." Honesti rolled her little eyes before eating her pancakes.

"That's because you don't like anyone." Priest laughed.

"Na-un. Me like mommy. Daddy. Sissy. Yazzy. Um. Um. Um. Druma. (Grandma) Dranpa. (Grandpa) And Henny. (Hendrix)" Honesti held her index finger to her mouth while she thought. "I can't memba erybogee (remember everybody)."

"I don't like her either." Malaysia chimed in. "You and mommy belong together, and she's stealing you from her."

"No one is stealing me. It's complicated. You're too young to understand, Princess." He sighed.

"I'll be seven soon, and I'm in the second grade. My mind is practically at a sixth grade level. I am not too young. You never look as happy on the phone with Asian or when you see her, like you are with mommy. You're always smiling at mommy even when she's not looking. You stare all in her face." Priest wanted to laugh because Malaysia was as stubborn as her mother sometimes.

"You have a smart mind, but still is too young."

"Then I'm not your princess anymore." Malaysia pouted. Scooting her plate away, she crossed her arms.

Malaysia's little tantrum wasn't unusual. Malaysia always told Priest she wasn't his princess after being told something she didn't want to hear in regards to her parents, who she still wanted to be together. The way she saw it, her parents belonged together. Being six aside, Malaysia has eyes and is very observant. She sees how her parents are just like everyone else.

"Why do you want your mother and me together? Remember when I told you that parents don't always end up together, and that's okay? We will still be family." He sat in the chair next to hers.

"See. You and mommy think alike. Mommy said the same thing, but I still don't like it. We live with mommy. We lived with you, and now it's time we all live together. It's exhausting going way to your house, then back here. Right Honesti?"

"Yep. It's mehausting. (Exhausting)" Honesti agreed, while giggling.

"What if I found somewhere closer to live? Would it make you happier?" Priest asked.

"So, you can rub your relationship with Asian in mommy's face? No, thank you." Malaysia pouted some more.

"Yeah, no, thank you." Honesti chimed in.

"It's Asia, prin—" When Malaysia gave him a look to not call her Princess, he chuckled. "You're still my Princess. And I would never rub my relationship in your mommy's face."

"You sure about that? She's going with us for Christmas. Christmas is for families, and she's not our family. You haven't known her for long. What about when you and her be all kissy kissy in mommy's face? That's going to hurt my mommy's feelings." Malaysia continues pouting. "Plus, you're in denial." Malaysia added.

"I'm what?" Priest chuckled.

"In denial, daddy. You and mommy both are. You both are in love, but in denial about being together. Noticed how I said in love and not love? I know there's a difference because grandma told me." Malaysia shrugged. Priest didn't know what to say because his six-year-old daughter told not one lie.

"Your grandma needs to chill, and you're too smart for your own good." Priest shook his head.

"Mommy said the same when I told her she was in denial."

"I told you if you didn't want Asia to go, then she wouldn't be going. This isn't about her. It's about you, me, your sister; spending our first Christmas together. I'll tell her she can't come."

"But she has no family. Then it'll be my fault she's alone on Christmas." Malaysia sighed.

"She has family. She just doesn't talk to them. It won't be your fault, so don't think like that."

"She could come if that's what you want, but I don't want Asian to be my step-mommy. She will never be my step-mommy. Ever!" Malaysia got up from her seat, then left out of the kitchen.

"Ha trama tween." Honesti said.

"Drama queen, princess." He chuckled while shaking his head.

"Me said that." Honesti shrugged shoulders. "Can me have some Serry-O. (Cereal). Me still hungry."

"Cereal?"

"Me said that." All Priest could do was laugh.

Thinking back on their conversation, he figured he'd better let Asia know it's best if she did not come. He didn't know what he was thinking when he invited her, anyway. Actually, he knew, but it's hard for him to admit it to himself. Speaking of, he noticed a text just came in from Asia.

Hey, baby. I forgot to ask you how long will we be gone for Christmas? I'm about to head to the mall to buy everything I need.

I need to talk to you when I make it back.

I took a quick trip out of town. Be back later tonight.

Sounds serious.

Did I do something?

Nah, you didn't.

Priest closed out of his message thread with Asia despite the text message from her that just came in. He immediately went to Cherish's name.

You good, mama?

Shaking his head, he knew he probably wouldn't get a reply, but he had to try. Right when he was about to power his phone off, a call from Yazmine came through.

"What's up, sis? Everything good?" Priest answered on the second ring.

"Don't what's up, sis, me. What the hell is your problem?" He couldn't see, but Yazmine was frowning.

"She told you what happened?" Priest sighed.

"You know she did when she could finally remember what happened. She turned her phone on Do Not Disturb, but you know I'm the exception."

"Of course you are." Priest chuckled. He didn't think it was possible for Cherish and Yazmine to get any closer than they already are. But here they were, closer than ever.

"Nehemiah was so out of line with the shit he told her. I'm not even about to get no mess started. You bro and he's my cousin. I will say that he asked her to choose between the two of you."

"That nigga a bitch. I wouldn't have said no shit like that because I know it's unfair." Priest shook his head.

"Well, she chose y'all daughters, as she should. Soul, you need to tell her what you found out."

"I was, but fuck it. That's not my problem, and she wouldn't believe me anyway." Priest ran a hand down his face in frustration. "Why you can't tell her?"

"Because it should come from you. She should know how much you cared enough to get her some answers. Off-topic, you really picked Asia over my fav? Actually, don't answer that. I know what this really is." She spoke more calmly as Priest was quiet.

Yazmine sighs, "Soul, you're like a brother to me, and I love you like one as well. I'm always here for you, like you have been for me. You know Imma always keep it a thousand with you."

"I know you will."

"Then listen to what I'm about to say because it's an ear full. You need therapy. You need to actually see a therapist. We're black, and I know how we think when it comes to therapy, so we find other ways to cope with the demons we deal with. You've never fully recovered from what happened to you, and it still bothers you. It bothers you so much that you deal with depression from it. You have a problem with being alone for too long because then you start to think something might be wrong with you because a woman rap—assaulted you. Hence, jumping into relationships you aren't even ready to be in."

"I tell you time and time again that it happen to men as well. Society just has this fucked up perception on the issue which doesn't make men comfortable speaking on it. Men think it makes them weak. That because they are a man they should've been able to stop it from happening, that they are less of a man. None of it is true. Women and other men who have never been through it laugh because they think how could a woman rape a grown man, and it's nowhere near funny. Von was sick as fuck for even having it happen to you." Yazmine sighed.

"You really are one of the strongest men I know, and being strong has you thinking therapy will somehow make you a weak nigga. You have to finally heal from what happened. It'll always be a part of you, but stop letting it define what you do when it comes to women. Add your anger problems on top of that. Add feeling abandoned by Cherish on top of that. It is okay that you're still upset about that. You were always there for her when she needed you, and she left when you needed her most. I would never tell her that I saw you shed a few tears because that shit had to hurt on a deep level. Especially the way you two love each other. That's the real reason you can't forgive her for Von. You feel like she abandoned you for him. You didn't choose Asia, you chose safe."

"Not to mention seeing Cherish in the condition she was in messed up your mental just like it messed up mine. Hearing them call time of death as well as you thinking you were going to lose your sons. The thing is, Soul, you don't need to be in a relationship in order to let her go. No matter what, you will never fully be ready to let her go or to see her happy with someone else. You know what they say: true healing is getting over someone without having to get under someone else. You're scared of being in a real relationship with Cherish again, and that is also okay and understandable, but you have to stop manipulating her and the situation between y'all."

"That's not what I'm trying to do."

"I believe you. I just think you're doing it unintentionally. You can't keep acting like you two are together, only to leave her in tears. It's not fair for you to do that. She's pregnant and vulnerable. You know in your heart of hearts that Asia is just a safety blanket for the demons you don't want to face. I hate when you hold all of this in. I know you didn't mention it to Cherish or anyone aside from me. You need to break up with Asia before you hurt that girl. Have you learned nothing from playing with people's feelings? Crystal almost got my cousin killed. No, that wasn't your fault. Yes, you were keeping her around until you got the information you needed. Still, her love for you turned obsessive and dangerous."