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Naala walked confidently down the halls, her heels sounding through the hallway making everyone she passed, stop and acknowledge her.

"Welcome back Princess," Someone said opening the meeting room door for her.

"The princess is back," Naleli smirked rising from her seat.

"I am," Naala smiled walking to her seat right across from Naleli. "Mom, Eli," She greeted them, taking her seat.

"I trust you're better now," Eli said, he was asking if she was mentally stable but in less words.

"I'm perfect," Naala nodded. "Now, you still haven't found him?"

"He's hiding well," Miani spoke up, "I think it's good you're back, you can lure him out,"

"I was thinking that too," Naleli agreed. "He seems to be obsessed with you,"

"You look exactly like me, why didn't you lure him out?" Naala questioned her twin sister.

"He'll know it's not you," Naleli shrugged. Naala crinkled her nose and tapped her nails against the table.

"What about the Parkers? Any news?" She asked looking up,

"Disappeared of the face of the earth," Eli said, his voice booming through the room. "That's why I'm stepping your security up again, both of you,"

"I don't need that, it makes my daughter nervous," Naala replied, Malia hated the security.

"Yes you do. If anything you need more," Naleli responded. "Mom what do you think?"

"You know what I think. I want you girls to leave New York, I can't lose you,"

"Miani be quiet. They can't run away from their responsibilities," Eli shouted. "We're laying low for the moment. Naala no travelling, Naleli stay put,"

"I wasn't going to travel," Naala answered. Which was a lie, she wanted to get out of New York badly.

They wrapped up their meeting and Naala and Naleli were walking side by side to their cars.

"You look well," Naleli complimented, "I hope you are,"

"I am. Hassan has really been amazing, I feel refreshed," Naala confessed. "These 6 months have been good,"

"I can tell. You genuinely look happy. How about the kids?" Naleli questioned.

"Amir has been letting me see them more often," Unbeknownst to Naala, Hassan had a conversation with Dave and now she got to see them more.

"Good." Naleli nodded. "I wanted to ask you a question,"

"Mmm," Naala replied turning to her.

"How did you know you were in love?" Naleli said quietly. Naala's smile widened across her face.

"You're in love!" Naala squealed loudly, making Naleli smack her shoulder.

"Not so loud," She said hinting to Tarek that was walking ahead of them. "How did you know?"

"Well I thought I was in love with Amir, but he's not a good example," Naala started. "I knew I loved Hassan when he made me feel like I was the only girl in the world. When my heart beats faster when I'm near him, or when he touches me. Love is meant to be effortless not stressful," Naala preached to her sister.

"Does Hassan know you feel this way about him?" Naleli raised a brow, this was the first she was hearing of this.

"No he doesn't, but I do and that's all that matters. Tell Tarek how you feel, he probably feels the same way," Naala replied.

"Take your own advice," Naleli laughed at Naala. "You've been with him for 6 months, you already have a son,"

"I don't want to rush," Naala muttered. "I rushed with Amir because of Sinai and that was the wrong choice. If I had taken my time maybe I would have realised he wasn't the one for me."

"I guess," Naleli answered. "Are you going home?" She asked as they reached Naala's car.

"Yeah my baby isn't feeling well," Naala said with a pout. It wasn't often that Hassan was sick but when he was, the whole world had to know.

"Drive safely," Naleli said giving her sister a hug. She was working on being more affectionate with the people she loved. "I-I love you,"

"Leli," Naala pouted, her eyes stinging. "I love you too," She said hugging her back.

The girls separated and got into their individual cars, speeding off to their separate destinations.

~~

"Oh baby," I frowned rubbing Hassan's back as he threw up in the toilet. "What did you eat?"

"Ion know," Hassan grumbled sitting up and wiping his mouth.

"And you're hot," I said feeling his forehead. "Okay get up," I added trying to lift him up.

"I feel like shit," He complained putting his hands on my waist.

"You look it." I stifled a giggle. "You clean yourself up and I'll make you something to eat,"

"Thanks baby," He mumbled tapping my butt. I walked out of the bathroom and picked up my phone from the nightstand.

"Drew shut up it's my sister wife," Dess said as she picked up the phone. I laughed and smiled at the camera.

"What's wrong with you? I've told you about that," I said jogging down the steps.

"But you're my sister wife," Dess replied with a smile. "How's our baby daddy?"

"Being sick everywhere Desiree, I ain't never seen no sickness like this," I responded propping my phone up in the kitchen. I moved around finding ingredients for chicken soup, one of his favourites.

"He's never sick," Dess replied, "I hope it's not contagious, Mocha will be coming right back over there with y'all,"

"Girl," I straight faced her. "I was gonna send Saint by y'all. I don't need him getting sick,"

"You can, but what about Father's Day? You still wanna do the brunch?" Dess asked me. I started washing the chicken and turned my head back to face the phone.

"He should be better by then," I answered.

"By when?" Hassan sniffed coming into the kitchen. He doesn't listen,

"Why are you out of bed?" I said moving the phone from the counter.

"I've got a few rounds to make," He said lowly coming up behind me. "You talking to your sister wife?" He said kissing my cheek.

"Y'all think you're so funny," I squinted when they both started laughing. "Sit your ass down. This is why you're sick because you're always moving," I fussed at him.

"She's right Hassan," Dess agreed. "Take a break, let her take care of you,"

"You wanna take care of me?" He whispered in my ear. He started to rub my sides and push himself into me.

"Not like that, you horny fucks!" Dess shouted. "Where's my step son?"

"He's sleeping," I laughed, Hassan was still kissing on me making me move my neck. "Go lay down, then I'll come take care of you," I spoke pushing him in the direction of the couch.

"You really want me to have Saint?" Dess asked looking at me through the screen.

"Maybe it's a stomach bug or something because he's vomiting," I answered. "I'll let you know if I need you,"

"Alright girl, call me," Dess chirped. "And keep making that baby for me!"

"Bye Desiree," I stale faced her hanging up the phone.

"Baby!" Hassan called out, "I'm thirsty," He added.

"I'm coming," I sighed wiping my hands on a cloth. I opened the refrigerator and pulled out the cartoon of orange juice. I poured some in a glass and took it over to him.

"Thank you," He said taking the drink. He was laid out on the couch, wrapped in my blanket.

"You want anything else?" I asked rubbing his head,

"You." He smirked and sneezed right after. I smacked my teeth and got up getting him a tissue.

"Here," I handed him the tissue. I heard several sneezes coming from the hallway and Saint emerged, looking exactly like his dad - sick.

"Mama I don't feel well," Saint sniffed hugging my waist.

"Aw Papa, go lay down with daddy, I'm coming," I said softly, wiping his nose with the tissue in my hand.

"My poor boys are sick," I whined walking back into the kitchen. I carried on making the soup, now for both of them whilst running back and forth to help them.

I fed them and everything, while trying to eat my own food. It was like having two babies, it was not fun at all.

"Cabo I'm about to kill somebody," I mumbled to him as he laid at my feet.

"Mommy!" "Babyyyyy,"

"What do y'all want now?" I snapped walking in front of them.

"The tv," Saint pointed at the tv screen. They were watching Netflix and the 'are you still watching?' screen was up.

"Where's the remote?" I huffed putting my hands on my hips.

"There," Hassan sniffed pointing to the remote that was RIGHT in front of him.

"I'm gonna use it and stick it up your ass if you don't lean over and get it," I snapped. "Having me running around like a headless chicken,"

"She's in a bad mood," Saint tried to whisper but I heard him.

"Damn right I'm in a bad mood," I shouted. "How many times do y'all look after me when I'm sick?"

"Is you gonna get the remote or?" Hassan said followed by a cough.

"Dummy," I said picking up the remote and throwing at them.

"Ow," Saint mugged rubbing his forehead. "You didn't have to throw at us, right dad?"

"You're making it worse," Hassan said to him quietly.

"I'm going to bed, y'all look after each other for the night," I said turning on my heels. "It's just me and you tonight Cabs," I said lifting him up.

"Don't put that dog on my pillow," Hassan called after me.

"Too late," I shouted back. I let Cabo jump up onto the bed and I stripped out of my clothes getting into it.

"Have me running around all day," I mumbled turning the tv on and putting the volume up high. I watched all my shows until I fell asleep with Cabo right next to me.

~~

"Malia's mommy!" Malia squealed standing up to run over to me. "Missed you mommy,"

"I missed you too baby," I smiled kissing her face,

"Too many kisses," She blushed hiding her face in my neck.

"Not enough kisses," I laughed tickling her. "Hey Sinai,"

"Hi mommy," Sinai said surprising me. She didn't hug me but it was something.

"Happy Father's Day for tomorrow," I said to Amir, "And congratulations on your new baby," I said clearing my throat.

"Thanks," He nodded, "I forgot how stressful it is having a new baby,"

"I bet you did," I spoke awkwardly. I looked around the restaurant for a waiter.

"Did you wanna order something?" He asked putting his tattooed hands on the table.

"Yeah," I answered. We were working on being civil for the kids. It was harder than I thought, especially when I hated him.

"Sorry we're late," I heard from behind me. There stood Trinity and Maniya, who was holding a baby carrier, meaning they brought the baby along too.

"Malia's new sister," Malia pointed at the baby. I tucked my lips in and turned back around, facing the menu.

"Hi mom," Maniya said touching my shoulder. I looked at her and then at her hand on my shoulder.

"Hi," I said quietly. Trinity was looking at me, waiting for a greeting but I couldn't imagine what she thought I would say to her.

"I thought it would be good for us all to be together," Amir mentioned as they sat down.

"Why?" I sighed. "I'm not in the mood to argue, this is your little family that I don't want any thing to do with. I'm just here to see my children,"

"Calm down," Amir said touching my hand. I jerked my hand back and put it on my lap. "We're all family,"

That baby was not my family, in any shape or form. Neither was their mother.

Trinity took the baby out of the seat and put them in her lap. It let me get a better look at the baby and my stomach turned.

"How's school been?" I asked Malia, "And your dad told me you're in dance class now?"

"Malia likes dancing," She nodded. I smiled and kissed her cheek.

"I'm back at ballet too," Sinai spoke up making me turn to her.

"That's amazing, maybe I'll come to one of your classes," I said with a smile, happy that she was talking to me.

"I would like that," Sinai smiled moving a bit closer to me. "Where's Saint? You never bring him to see us,"

"Um Saint's with his daddy," I answered. The truth was Hassan had told me he didn't want Saint around Amir, which was understandable.

"I miss Bubba," Malia said making me snap my neck towards her. She didn't refer to herself in third person, meaning her speech was improving.

"He misses you too, I'll ask your dad if I can take you guys out," I said looking directly at Amir. I had been avoiding looking over at him and Trinity gush over their new baby.

"You don't have to ask me," He said rearranging the baby on his chest.

"Naala I wanted to say I'm sorry if I've offended you," Trinity spoke making me draw my eyes away from Amir and place them on her.

"Why would you think that?" I said. "Unless you have,"

"I feel like you have a problem with me. I don't know if it's because I'm friends with Mia and Brianna," Trinity sighed.

"That was news to me. I don't know who you are friends with and I don't care," I said honestly.

"I told you she wouldn't care," Maniya said to Trinity. That made me laugh because since when were these two best friends.

"I think I'm gonna leave," I said picking up my purse. "I'm throwing a party for Hassan tomorrow, you should bring the girls,"

"What for?" Amir spoke first, handing Trinity their baby.

"Father's day," I replied, it wasn't any of his business anyway. "Bring the girls please?"

"Why? He's not their dad, I am," Amir responded,

"Grow up," I said standing up. "I'll see you two tomorrow," I said kissing both of them.

"Bye mom," Maniya waved and I gave her a head nod, not paying her or Trinity any attention.

~~

"You can put them down here," I instructed the caterers who were working around me. "And then the cake can go right there," I pointed to the top of the table. Everyone was here apart from Hassan because he didn't know about it.

"You need to slow down," Desiree said walking in with gifts in her hands. "Sit down and take a break Lala,"

"I don't have time for breaks, he's gonna be here any minute now," I stressed taking the gifts from her.

"Lemme deal with it, sit," She ordered. I huffed and took a seat to shut her up.

"I got you something," Dess spoke fishing through her purse.

"Oh I love you," I sighed taking the pickle from her. "And it's a big one, thank you,"

"These nasty ass pickles," Dess frowned. "I also got you gum cos those shits are gonna have your breath jumping,"

I laughed and accepted the gum. Opening up the pickle, I took a big bite out of it, savouring the taste. "This is so good," I moaned taking another bite.

"First thing you've eaten all day?" Dess questioned.

"Yeah, I haven't had time to eat," I responded, sitting back in the seat.

"Don't make a habit out of that, it's not healthy," Dess replied. I heard commotion and gasps making me turn my head.

"Desiree please tell me they didn't just drop the cake," I said closing my eyes.

"They didn't just drop the cake," She repeated putting her stuff down. I bit my lip and went to get up,

"No I'll deal with it," Dess stopped me. "And don't start crying,"

"I'm not crying," I sniffed with tears running down my face. "He's gonna hate this, nothing even looks right,"

"It's perfect Naala!" Dess exclaimed. "You're just nervous but I don't know why, he's gonna be happy,"

"You don't know that," I mumbled, finishing the rest of my pickle.

"I do," Dess giggled. She checked her phone and her eyes widened. "Don't stress but he's right outside,"

"Really?" I shot up and fixed my hair. "You told him 4 right?" I said checking my watch.

"I did but he's early," Dess replied standing to her feet as well.

"Well obviously," I responded. "How do I look?" I asked smoothing out my dress.

"Beautiful," Dess smiled, "Should I let him in? He's with the kids,"

I nodded and Dess sent him a message letting him know to come in. I had transformed the entire backyard, there was a long banquet style table, dressed with plates and individual name cards. It was an intimate affair but I did extend the invitation to Mia.

At the end of the day, she was still the mother of one of his daughters - I couldn't change that.

"Oh shit," I heard Hassan curse as he walked in with Saint and Mocha. "You did this?" He asked Dess.

"Nope, this was all wifey," Desiree pointed to me. Hassan smirked and came over, scooping me off my feet.

"San!" I giggled hanging onto his neck tightly. "Put me down," I said in between laughs.

"I love it," He said kissing my lips and placing me on my feet. "You're amazing,"

"No you are," I said wiping his lips for him. "This is to say thank you, for everything,"

"Couldn't do most of it without you," Hassan responded hugging my waist.

"Can we eat now?" Patty called out from the table.

"Yeah let's eat," Hassan laughed taking my hand and leading me over to the table.

Everyone was eating and enjoying themselves but I couldn't, Amir called and said he wasn't going to bring the girls, which brought my mood down.

"You okay?" Hassan asked kissing the side of my head.

I nodded and leaned on his shoulder, "Have you enjoyed yourself today?"

"It's been crazy," Hassan nodded, "You gotta have one of them massages,"

"I knew you would like that," I smiled softly. Hassan had been complaining about a crook in his back so I hired some masseuses to come out for the brunch.

"Thank you," He said looking down at me. "I appreciate you baby," I fluttered my eyes at him and brought his head down, kissing his lips.

"Like I said, I wanted to say thank you for all you do for us." I repeated rubbing his cheek.

"Ain't nothing," He shrugged, "I wanna do my gifts now,"

"Dess could you help me with the gifts?" I said taking my head of his shoulder. She was busy all hugged up with Drew. The way these two were going, they were gonna be having a baby soon.

"Okay, baby wait," She said pushing Drew off of her. We walked to the gift table and she turned to me.

"Have you told him yet?" She asked with a head tilt.

"Not yet, maybe when we get home," I said in a hushed tone.

I ended the conversation there and Dess and I started carrying the gifts over to the table.

"This one is from us," Desiree spoke handing him the medium sized box. Hassan wasted no time ripping the wrapping paper off.

"Y'all did your thang with this one," He said looking at the personalised 1942 bottle that they brought him.

"We can share this one baby," He said holding the bottle up to me.

"Okay," I smiled and gave him a thumbs up. He got through all the gifts until it was my turn.

"Hit me with it," Hassan said rubbing his hands together.

"Mine is something really small," I said handing him the box.

"Why you so nervous?" He laughed pulling me into his lap.

"Just open it," I shushed him looking at him nervously. He unwrapped it and opened it, looking at the sneakers confusedly.

"You brought the wrong size?" He asked lifting up the tiny sneakers and looking at them. I didn't respond, letting him connect the dots.

"Yo," Hassan said closing the box and opening it again. "Naala don't fuck with me right now,"

"I'm not," I said with a smile. He put the box down and put his hand on my stomach.