“I try to forget too,” Sophi muttered.
Kasha stepped closer. “You worried he might try something?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I ain’t heard from him since he went in, but I just… I don’t trust him. And I don’t want him popping up when I least expect it.”
Nic’s face tightened. “You know we got you, right? Ain’t nobody touching you with us around.”
I nodded. “You’re family, Soph. If something goes down, you need to tell us. Don’t try to handle that shit by yourself.”
She gave a soft smile. “I know. Just didn’t want to bring drama to y’all, not with everything else going on.”
“Well, now it’s our business,” Kasha said. “You must’ve forgotten who your cousins are, so let him try if he wants to.”
We all shared a moment of silence, the kind that didn’t need words to feel strong.
“Alright,” Nic clapped her hands. “Back to it. Our girl’s about to show out.”
***
The house quieted for a split second, just enough for me to hear the sound of the front door opening.
Heavy footsteps. Then smaller, excited ones running through the hallway.
“Mama Mel!” Liberty’s voice rang out.
I barely had time to react before her little arms were wrapped around my waist, her face lit up like sunshine.
“Hey, baby!” I laughed, crouching slightly to hug her. “You look so pretty!”
She twirled in her blue dress, her curly hair bouncing. “Daddy, let me pick out my own dress! And I got on lip gloss like Auntie Nic!”
Nic came around the corner, raising an eyebrow. “I know that’s right, baby. Lemme see?”
Liberty giggled and grabbed her hand like they’d been besties for years.
Kilo walked in behind her, tall, calm, and all-black as usual. Even though things were still healing between us, the look he gave me was soft. The kind of look that said everything he hadn’t had the words for lately.
Right behind him came Buck and Stacks. Buck went straight to Nic, smacked her ass, and gave her a kiss like he hadn’t just seen her this morning. Stacks pulled Kasha into a hug from behind and whispered something in her ear that made her smirk.
“Y’all act like you ain’t seen us in a year,” Kasha said.
“I missed you,” Stacks replied with no shame.
Sophi rolled her eyes. “Y’all need help.”
But even she was smiling.
I turned back to Liberty. “You ready for the party?”
She nodded quickly. “I’m gone help you open gifts! Daddy said I could.”
Kilo stepped in. “I told her only if she behaves.”
“I always behave,” Liberty argued, hands on her hips.
We all laughed. That little girl was definitely a part of this family, and was stealing my heart every time I saw her.
***
