#dreamchasersff

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Epilogue

Laurent knelt on the frozen ground in front of the grave. His birthday wouldn't have seemed right without coming to talk. Wrapped up in a heavy wool coat, his neck warmer pulled up over his mouth and a scarf wrapped round that. He still felt so bad, Travis being in prison didn't change what had happened, he hasn't been able to protect her. He looked down at the framed drawing in his hands. Amazing, she had captured him so well, he could practically feel the music vibrating through his soul, tears formed and he quickly wiped them away. Now wasn't the time, clearly his throat, he rested his hand on the cold stone. "Thank you. You give me my everything." He rose. Brushing frost off his knees and turning quickly to walk away. It was good to come here, it helped him. When it seemed like too much he would come and talk to the grave. It had lifted his spirits today, now it was time to get ready. "I can do all this myself guys." Nema fidgeted as Alisha and Nicola fussed around her. Both of them dressed to impress in dresses and sky high heels. Alisha sighed. "You got shot darling, let us help you." Nema weakly slapped them away, "I got shot months ago. I'm fine." Nicola raised an eyebrow as she held out a dress for her to step into. "Bitch you was dead for a minute. You scared about 15 years off my life, so let us fuss and shut the fuck up." Nema huffed and eased out of the chair. For the most part she was fully healed, but weeks in a hospital bed had left her a bit weak, she was working out to get back to full strength though. She was 21 in two days and them she could start tattooing. She grinned at the thought, best way to end the year. Nic zipped up her dress and guided her to the mirror. "Oh!" Nema put a hand to her mouth then quickly pulled it back conscious of the blood red lipstick Nic had put on her. "Dude I love it." Nic smiled and high fived Alisha, "Course you do, rock star ballerina off to see the nutcracker." Nema grinned and spun in front of the mirror, the skirt of the white dress flaring up around her, flashing her red garter belt. Laurent had surprised her with the tickets the night before, he had said that he thought her parents would like her to see it finally. He had been going to their grave a lot since the shooting, said it was the only way he could get his head straight. Also he wanted to apologise to them as much as he could, he promised to keep her safe and he didn't. Slipping her feet into the spiked black pumps Nic placed in front of her she struck a pose. "What you think?" Alisha whistled, "I think if Roxie saw you now she would tap that ass." Nema giggled, "Rox will always wanna do that, bless her horny soul, but will Lau?" Nic and Alisha shared a look. Nicola shook her head a with a sigh, "I just hope he doesn't try to start in the limo on the way there, that's not something I want to see." They all gathered in the foyer of the house. Nema had been told to stay upstairs for a while, this was her night, she had to make an entrance. Aunty Kat held baby G, since they were all going she had volunteered to baby sit, good practice since she was pregnant herself. Miguel stood beside her, his arm round her waist glowing with pride and a grin permanently on his face. Laurent paced a small circle, he was nervous, the small black ring box seeming to burn him through his pants pocket. "Oh baby, you look stunning." His head lifted at Aunty's words, looking to the top of the stairs his mouth dropped open. Nema stood shyly at the peak, her one shoulder white dress flowing round her to end mid thigh. The black studded belt cinching it in at her waist. Long legs encased in stockings leading down to the black spiked pumps. Her hair was piled on her head, a few red curls had escaped and fell around her face, where her eyes were dramatically made up circled by smudged black and silver eyeliner. She smiled as she carefully made her way down the steps, he moved almost without realising. Their hands touched as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she smiled up at him. "You look nice." She brushed the lapel of his new suit, and tweaked his bow tie, "Very dapper." He just stared at her, unable to speak, he leaned down and lifting her hand pressed a kiss to the back of it. Then slowly he dropped to one knee. Gasps filled the room as he pulled out the ring box. "Nema, I love you." He paused, his throat suddenly dry and sweat forming in his back. "You make me believe in love again I not think it for me before you come into my life." Clearing his suddenly tight throat he looked over his shoulder, his brother held Nicola close, G and Emma grinned at them, her new engagement ring glinting in the light. Tyson and Alisha looked on with matching smug smiles, like they had personally created this situation. Jackson and Rome just smiled, hands clasped together in their matching deep purple suits. "You give me so much, you make my family grow. And I never want it to stop, I want to keep it grow. I want get old with you." He opened the box and held it out to her. "So will you make me happy, will you marry me?" She dropped down in front of him, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded. He gave a primal scream and jumped up yanking her with him. Their lips crashed together and their friends and family cheered and clapped for them. Pulling away Laurent slid the ring on her finger, never one for tradition, he had got her a ring like no other. No huge diamonds, instead a black platinum ring. Rubies studded round it and in the centre an emerald. Inside he had engraved it. "My heart, together we chase our dreams." They all swarmed to offer congratulations and see the ring, "You making us look bad my man," Tyson shook his head, "First G now you, going all Beyonce and putting rings on it." Alisha patted his cheek, "I don't need a ring baby, just tattoo my name on your back and call it a day." "Do I look like Nick Cannon?!" She studied him for a second, "Well now that you mention it." He scowled and opened his mouth to retaliate, "No fighting children." Aunty gave first Laurent then Nema a one handed hug, "Congratulations my love, you mother would be so proud. Now, off you go, the car is outside." She shooed them away as they went out into the bitter night air. "You happy bebe?" Nema smiled up at Laurent and pulled him down for a soft kiss, "How could I not be?" END

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 44

***LAURENT*** By the time the girls arrived we had eaten all the food, they said they weren't hungry fortunately so we promised to go and get some for them when they were. We lazed about in the sun, Mini G was only 6 weeks so he couldn't really participate, but we all had fun passing him round and playing with him. Larry was currently playing music to him, making funny faces and pulling his toes. Nema was resting her head on my chest, while I played lazily with her hair. The sun was making me sleepy and my jaw cracked when I yawned. "That's inconvenient." I tried to force my mouth shut so I could answer her. She rose up, "Was just about to tell you I'm hungry." "I can get you something." She shook her head and rolled off me onto her front to stand. She nudged me with her foot and I smiled, lifting her foot to help her put she shoes on. "You stay, have a nap. I plan on keeping you up later." I smirked at her, she winked while rummaging through her bag, "Jackson and Rome said they might come. Hold on to my phone on case they call." Pocketing some money she stood and stretched. "Taking orders guys." Larry's head came up, "You can go McDonald's?" "No I cannot, that's far as hell, I was gonna find a hot dog stand or something." His face fell and Nic leaned over to kiss him, "I'll get you some later babe." He grinned and kissed her loudly, "Thank you baby!" Nema rolled her eyes and bent to kiss me, "Shouldn't be long." I watched as she walked off and the sway of her hips in her shorts. I must have fallen asleep, because a loud crack and a scream woke me up. Jumping to my feet I looked around, that sounded like Nema. Tyson, G and Larry hopped up too, all of us scanning the area. From the trees ahead Nema came bolting into the open, fear on her face and her mouth opened wide to scream my name. "NEMA!" I ran towards her, another crack sounded and Travis came running out of the trees behind her, gun in hand. I ran faster, if I could get to him maybe I could take him down before he hurt her. My blood thundered in my ears and my heart tightened. Almost in slow motion, another crack sounded, Nema jerked and a red spot formed on her vest, just below her shoulder. She stumbled her hand reaching for me, she looked confused. I screamed for her as she slowly toppled forward, I reached her just after she hit the ground. Hardly able to breath, the world seemed to stop around me as I turned her so I could see her face. "Bebe?!" Her eyes were closed and the red was spreading, her vest was soaked. Dimly I felt someone shake me and others fly past, the sound of grunts and flesh hitting flesh. None of it mattered. Her eyes opened and she smiled weakly at me, "Bebe, hold on we get help." She coughed and blood spilled out of her mouth. Next to me Nic was on the phone, she would know what to do, who could help. "Lau, hon." I leaned in low to hear her talk, "No, you don't call me Lau, I you Laurent. Please bebe, hold on." She shook her head, "I couldn't let him hurt you." I looked up briefly, and saw Tyson, G and Larry had subdued Travis, pinning him to the floor. "He can't bebe, but you have to stay. Don't leave me it hurt more. More then anything." I kissed her forehead and a single tear worked free of my eyes. My throat closed for a second and I struggled to breath. Sirens in the distance, "See help nearly here bebe, stay hold on." She shook her head, "Love you Lau, don't be sad. You made me so happy. It's fine I wanna tell Ma and Daddy all about you." Her eyes fluttered shut and she went limp in my arms . "No! Nema!" I shook her hard, tears streaming down my face now, "No you stay Bebe! Please." Gentle hands pulled me away from her and she was surrounded, I fought to get free, I had to hold her, talk to her, then she would stay. "Lau!" I jerked up at the sound of my brothers voice, "Stop." I went weak and crumbled into him, my body shaking from the force of my tears. ***NEMA*** That feeling came back as I crossed the grass. The park was pretty empty, which wasn't surprising since it was mid week and early afternoon, we had found a big stretch of land all to ourselves. But still that feeling of being watched was back, I did my best to shake it off as I stepped under the shade of the trees. A twig snapped behind me and I jumped, whirling round to see who was there. I stood for a second hands half lifted in my boxing stance. A squirrel scampered past me and I relaxed, "I need to chill out," I muttered, "Jumping cos of a damn squirrel. Bitch get it together." Shoving my hands into my pocket I continued on my way. Emerging on the other side of the trees I paused to get my bearings. Again a twig snapped behind me, this time accompanied by rustling, smiling I turned, "Another squirrel trying to make me feel silly? Come out little guy." Nothing came out, so now I looked like a crazy lady talking to trees and bushes. Shrugging I began to turn, from the corner of my eye I saw someone burst out of the undergrowth. I lifted my hand but not in time to defend myself. Stars burst before my eyes as something connected with the side of my face. I fell to the floor, manic laughter the last thing I heard before everything went dark. The soft tread of footsteps was the first thing I heard when I came to. Unsure of how long I had been out for I didn't know if anyone would have come looking for me. Other sounds reached me now, but I kept my eyes closed. Muttering from close by, talking, laughter and children further off. I couldn't be too far from when I had been hit then. I opened one eye slightly, a beat up pair of air forces came into view. My heart dropped, very familiar air forces. I had bought them, a long time ago. For Travis when he turned 18. I swallowed the bile that had risen in my throat, I had to get away. "Hit her too hard, stupid! How can I get her away now?" Travis mumbled continuously as he paced around me. I considered my options, Travis was clearly unstable. How could I do this? Running wasn't wise he would catch me before I could get far. A plan formed in my mind, it probably wouldn't work but I had to try. Opening my eyes fully I blinked up at the green and orange tinted sunlight that was was coming down through the trees. Gingerly I pushed myself upright, hand coming to the side of my head. I probed the area he had hit me. It was sore and would bruise eventually. But I wasn't bleeding. I groaned as my head began to throb, Travis gasped and dropped to his knees beside me, "You're ok. Thank god I wasn't sure if you would wake up." I sighed and met his eyes, it took a lot not to jerk back in surprise, his face was gaunt, streaked with dirt and his hair had grown out into a ratty Afro. "Oh Travie, what happened to you?" Everything he had done meant nothing in this moment, he had fallen far from the boy I used to know. A muscle twitched in his face as his eyes clouded with anger, "What happened to me?! You left me! Ran off with that bastard!" He reached behind him and brought a gun out, I struggled to keep calm. "Travie, I thought I made it clear. I don't love you like that. I wish I could. If it meant it would make you better I would love you until I couldn't any more." Hope filled his face, "But it wouldn't Travie. You're sick, me loving you won't change that." He pulled at his hair, "But you don't know that! How can you? You won't even try!" He jumped up and began pacing again, "But I don't blame you, I blame him. All of them, they gave you things to love other then me." He stopped, his face eerily calm when he looked down at me, "If I kill them you'll have to love me." My heart leapt into my throat, kill them. "Th...that wouldn't work Travis, if you hurt any of them it would make me hate you." He smiled at me, "Love and hate are very close Nema, in time I could turn hate to love." My heart pounded in my chest, I'm sure he could hear it. "Travie, you don't need to do that, I, I'll come with you." He shook his head, "I leave them alive then you'll try and come back to them. They all have to go. Even the baby." It took everything I had not to throw up, the baby. How did he know about little G? He smirked watching my face, "I've been watching you for a while baby." Again he knelt beside me, he put the gun down to touch my face, I flinched away slightly and he frowned. "Don't do that. I won't hurt you Nema, I love you." He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine, seeing my chance, I made my move. Moving as fast as possible I reared back and head butted him, following it up with a hook to his jaw. He grunted and went down, scrambling I tried to get up and run. He gripped my ankle, swearing and pulling me back towards him. Flipping over I aimed a kick at his head, the flat of my foot catching him square in his temple. His eyes glazed over and his grip loosened. I backed away, the second I was out of reach I was on my feet and running. Head low, legs pumping, breath rattling in my chest, I ran. If I could get back to everyone we could stop him. Call the police, something, anything. I wouldn't let him hurt them. "NEMA!" He screamed my name, "Bitch get back here!" The gun went off, I screamed and ran faster, what if I was going the wrong way? It didn't matter, maybe it would be better to get him away from them. Ahead there was a break in the trees, I made for it. Bursting out into the open, panic stopping me from thinking clearly. Ahead I could see Laurent. His face twisted in confusion. I reached deep and sprinted faster, my legs burning now. Shouting for him as he began to move towards me, I heard Travis burst free of the trees behind me and Laurent called to me. Another shot had me ducking my head and screaming for Laurent. The gun went off again, a red hot punch hit my back, I jerked forward and stumbled. Heat spread down my front, looking down I saw red, and then I began to fall as the pain registered reaching towards my friends. Closing my eyes as the ground came up to welcome me. "Bebe?!" Why was he being so loud, my chest hurt, everything hurt. My back, my chest, head, I couldn't breath. He was still talking, but I couldn't hear right, like my head was underwater. I opened my eyes and blinked up at him. I wanted to touch his face, reassure him, he looked so worried. I felt warm, wasn't that strange, people say you feel cold when you die, but I felt warm and floaty. Like I was in a hot bath. "Lau hon." He was talking again, his lips were moving but I couldn't hear him, I couldn't hear anything, to his side Nic was on the phone. She looked worried too almost scared. Why? They all needed to calm down, I was dying I knew that, but they were safe. They had enough warning to take Travis down. So it was fine. "Couldn't let him hurt you." I managed to make out my name, Lau was calling me, I felt my lips twitch as I tried to smile, Lau, I loved him. And it was a good name for him, Lau. My Laurent. He was crying, asking me to stay. I shook my head at him, I was tired. Felt heavy, "Love you Lau, don't be sad. You made me so happy. It's fine I wanna tell Ma and Daddy all about you." Yes I could see Ma and Daddy again. White light was surrounding me. Closing in, soon all could see was his face, his beautiful face. He shouldn't cry, he has made me so happy. I could go now, I knew what it was to be loved. And I would always remember his face.

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 43

***LAURENT*** The weather had been nice the past few days, the last of the summer sun before it began to get cold. We all planned to go to the park for a picnic. G and Emma were coming and bringing mini G with them. I smiled as Larry and I shoved blankets into back packs while Tyson spoke on the phone with Alisha. They were official now, and he was going out of his way to treat her good. Surprising her at work to take her to lunch, sending flowers to her home. Larry said he was making us look bad. He was in a way, but he was happier then I had ever seen him so I was willing to take the hit. "Nah baby, we cool down here. You and the girls get ready and meet us there like we planned. Course I'm not trying to keep you away, girl don't start that shit you know you the only thug chick I can handle." He chuckled, "Yea whatever ma, you just make yourself look summer time fine and come find your man when you done." He hung up the phone and turned to us, "What?" Larry looked at me and we burst out laughing, "You hang up fast so you don't say you love her." Tyson held up his hands, "Woah Larry my man, love is a strong word. I don't do love." Larry just smiled, "You love her, is okai we not tell." Tyson shrugged, "Nothing to tell, she's a great girl. I like her, but love is something else entirely." "Okai man," I held up my hands, "We not say nothing you cool with us." He scowled at us both, "Shut that shit up. We done here?" I checked the room and our bags then nodded, "Yes. We done I think, you do the food?" Tyson shook his head, "Fuck that we can buy shit." He grabbed his keys off the table and patted his pockets down to check for everything else. "Lets go, we can stop for food on the way to get the happy family." ***NEMA*** I sat on Alisha's bed flicking through a magazine while she and Nic were in her bathroom dying her hair. "Hey Nema?" "Yea." "Can you do a favour." "I'm not getting up Nic." I heard her huff out a breath and she came stomping out of the bathroom, she kicked my foot as she passed me to leave the room. Alisha came out, rubbing her ears with a towel, "She got the dye on my face, she wanted to you get her some Vaseline and tissue." I shrugged, "I'm comfy." I grinned at her, "You think the colour will look good?" She asked me looking at the box again, I held out my hand for it and she threw it at me. I moved so it would land on the bed and then picked it up. "Yea it should do, how red is it?" She shrugged and looked at herself in the mirror, she was really dressed down right now, workout shorts and a basket ball jersey instead of her usual attire. Nic came stomping back into the room, giving me a wicked side eye as she quickly wiped Alisha's face with the Vaseline and then rubbed it off with tissue. "You ready to wash it out?" Alisha checked the mirror, "Yea I can do that while I shower I guess, y'all stay here. Chill be comfy and welcome in my room." She bowed to us and backed into the bathroom, "That bitch weird." I smiled, "Acting like you ain't weird too." She gave me a blank stare, "My weird is more fun." I snorted and checked the time. "We gonna be so late." "Bitch you can't be late for a picnic." She came over and flopped on the bed, "You two take ages to get ready, I want to get there before dark." "It's 12 bitch, chill out." I hip bumped her, "Shut up hoe." "Alisha, girl we are going to the damn park, can you not wear sneakers just once?" She looked down at her heels as we climbed the stairs to my house, "We can't all be tall naturally." I rolled my eyes as I put the key in the door, "I'm lending you some damn sneakers." I pushed the door open but it hit something, puzzled I poked my head round the door and saw two huge suitcases partly blocking the door. "Careful guys." We slid inside and closed the door behind us, "Aunty?" A door slammed upstairs and Aunty Kat came skipping down the stairs, her eyes sparkled and a huge smile split her face. "Hello girls you just caught me." "Caught you? Where are you going?" She bounced over to me, "Last minute cruise." She hugged me while I looked over her head at my friends, "Cruise?" "Well cruises actually." "Cruises? Plura? Who with?" A gentle knock at the door made me jump and Aunty gave a girly squeal, she let me go and rushed to open it. Amazingly she smiled shyly at the person on the other side. Her lashes lowering to hide her eyes, "You're early." A man stepped inside and bent to kiss her cheek, "I couldn't wait to see you." He straightened and smiled at us all, "Hello," he held out his hand to me, "You must be Nema," I took his hand and instead of shaking it he bent to kiss the back, "I'm Miguel, a friend of your Aunt's." I opened my eyes wide at aunty Kat, "Nice to meet you, I wish I could say I've heard a lot about you." Aunty flushed, he laughed, and just like that he became one of the most handsome men I have ever seen. I could understand the attraction before, he wasn't hard on the eye, salt and pepper hair cropped close to his head, big brown eyes framed by long lashes, full lips and toffee coloured skin. But when he laughed, his face came alive. Stunned I looked at Nic and Alisha, who were eyeing him with interest. "Excuse me sir," Alisha asked, "But do you have a son?" Nic snorted with laughter before slapping her hand over her mouth. Miguel smiled and let my hand go, "I don't, lots of nephews though. Maybe a son might be on the cards soon though." He winked at Aunty and she giggled. "Aunty!" She flapped her hands at me, "Hush child, I'm old not dead. You and Jackson are almost grown you don't need me anymore. A family might be nice." "Oh Aunty, I didn't mean it like that. And we'll always need you." She rolled her eyes and pulled me into a tight hug, "Yes I know, but from the looks of things you and your young man may well start your own family soon." Now it was my turn to flush, maybe one day we would. I hoped we would at least. I wriggled free and looked Miguel up and down, crossing my arms over my chest, "So what exactly are your intentions with my Aunty?" He smirked and pulled her into his side, she was so small he dwarfed her, "Well, right now. To whisk her away on a few cruises." He dropped a quick kiss on her lips and winked at her, "After that I'm sure you don't want details." Aunty giggled again and I held my hands up, "You are indeed right sir. Where are you going?" He shrugged, "Flying to Miami, hopping a boat round the Caribbean, then who knows. Might stay there for a little or I might take her round the Mediterranean." I raised an eyebrow, "Impressive. Well have fun." I waggled a finger at Aunty, "Be good young lady, and stay safe." She slapped my hand down, "I'm saying the same to you, do not burn this house down while I'm gone." She gave us all hugs, while Miguel carried her bags outside. She checked he was out of earshot before turning to us and gesturing for us to lean in, "And be nice to your men. They're good boys and they all care about you." She looked directly at Alisha, "Don't think I missed your question earlier missy, Tyson may not show it right now, but he does love you in his own way." Alisha shuffled guiltily, "Yes Aunty." We broke from our huddle as Miguel came back inside. "Ready kitty?" He held out his hand and Aunty took it, "Hell yes, be good girls and stay safe. Nema I'll be touching in every once in a while." I nodded and we waved her off, the door shutting with a quiet click behind them. "Damn girl your aunty found a fine one. I wonder if the boys will age so well." Alisha mused, absently pulling the loose threads on her shorts. "We can only pray they do. Right come on you are wearing sneakers today no matter what you say." Grabbing their hands I tugged them upstairs. Alisha muttering the whole way. It was a while before we actually left my house, it wasn't far to the park. And luckily Alisha had consented to a pair of my hi tops so we could jog there. We laughed as we weaves through the foot traffic, our bags thumping against our bare legs. Lengthening my stride I left them hoes behind me, laughing as they cussed me out dr leaving them. Reaching the gates of the park I skidded to a halt, suddenly uneasy. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end and I shivered, I looked over my shoulder, half expecting to see someone following me. But no one was there. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. Alisha crashed into my back and Nic grabbed my arm, together they tugged and shoved me Ito the park, "Call them niggas!" Alisha shouted while yanking my phone from my pocket, "Fuck knows where they at." She shoved my phone in my hand and I pulled up Laurent's number to call him. I was determined to enjoy today, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 42

***NEMA*** It was dark by the time I came out of Laurent's room. On shaky legs I made my way to the kitchen in search of food. Dressed in leggings and one on Laurent's t-shirts. "Have fun?" Nic was sat on the counter sipping a bottle of water, "What do you think?" She grinned, "certainly sounded like you did." "Sounded like you did too." I raised an eyebrow at her as I opened the fridge. "Course I did. My man's a beast." I snorted as I pulled out a tub of ice cream, "Nope mines a beast. Your one is fire." Nic laughed, "Well he damn sure is hot." Larry ambled into the kitchen and pulled Nic to the edge of the counter, standing between her legs, "Who hot? You talk about me?" Nic shook her head as she took another sip of water, "Nema might have been but I was talking about Tyson babe." He narrowed his eyes at her, "Is that right?" She nodded with a smirk, in a flash she was over his shoulder. Water spilled over the floor as he carted her back towards his room, her giggles trailing behind them, cutting of when he slammed his door. Laughing I opened my ice cream grabbed a spoon and hopped up onto the counter. Seconds later Tyson came in, his eyes wide, "What happened to you?" He shook his head and went to sit at the table, his head coming down on the wood with a thud. "Um dude, what did she do to you?" He groaned, "I don't want to discuss it." I jumped off the counter taking my carton of ice cream with me, I stopped by Laurent's door and listened to the sound of his heavy sleeping breathing, I smirked and continued. Nic gave a shriek as I passes Larry's room, clearly he was showing her what's good. I knocked on Tyson's room door, I gently pushed it open. Alisha was laid out in her back, her shirt off and jeans undone, "Well looks like you had fun." She smiled but didn't lift her head, "Not as much as I wanted. Gonna have a long session with bob tonight?" I stepped in and pushed the door, "Who's bob?" She pushed off the bed, and looked round for her shirt, "Battery operated boyfriend. Seriously I don't know if I can do something like that again. He touched me and I nearly gave in." She shuddered and pushed her thighs together, but when she looked at me her eyes were filled with steel, "I refuse to be yet another chick to end up on the scrap heap though." She paused as she pulled on her shirt, "Do you know if he's ever been serious with a girl?" I shrugged, "I haven't known him all that long hon, and we didn't meet under normal circumstances." She nodded, "Yea he told me bout all that." She studied me, "You managed to be cool with him after?" "Yea, I wouldn't be here now if not for him. He was just trying to keep his little brother out of trouble. Can't hold that against him." She stood and buttoned her jeans, tying her shirt under her breasts, "He's a good guy, he's still trying to work out how to say sorry for it all." I cocked my head at her, "You two talk a lot." She smiled shyly, "Every night, I'm ashamed to say I really like him." I laughed "Is it really such a bad thing hon?" She ran her hand over her hair and sighed, "It might be," her eyes met mine, "I just don't want to get hurt." The door opened suddenly, the light from the hallway spilling over us, "Why would I hurt you." Tyson sounded confused, his face backed that up. Alisha looked at the floor, nudging a sneaker with her toe, "Why wouldn't you?" Sensing that this would be a long and deep conversation I slipped out, patting Tyson on his shoulder as I passed him. "Maybe because I care about you." Tyson spoke as he shut his door, I smiled as I made my way back to the kitchen, hopefully that conversation would have a happy end. I leaned on the counter still eating my ice cream, the house was mostly quite now, Larry and Nic seemed to be done for now and Laurent was still asleep. A shuffle in the doorway had me looking up, seems I was wrong, Laurent stood rubbing his eye with one fist. "Bebe what you doing?" His voice was all rough from sleep, I held up my spoon, "I'm replenishing my energy." He shuffled over, his basket ball shorts hanging dangerously low on his hips, he kissed my nose and then rested his chin on my head. "What you need energy for?" Spooning up the ice cream I held it up to him, he took the mouthful, licking the spoon when he was done. "Maybe I think we can go a couple more rounds. He swallowed what was in his mouth and smacked his lips together, "Can we keep the ice cream?" I shrugged, "Might make a bit of a mess." He considered it, "Is worth it." I wriggled free from him and picked up the carton, "Then we can keep the ice cream." He gave me a sleepy grin and let me pull him back to his room.

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 41

***NEMA*** I may have told a slight lie to Laurent. I finish at 5 today. I smirked to myself as Nic, Alisha and I walked back to my house arm in arm. Nic looked up at me, "Do I need to start living in heels like this one?" She jerked her chin at Alisha, "What?" "I look like a damn child walking next to you two." I laughed, Alisha very rarely wore flats, currently she was taller then me in her 5 inch platform boots, "Sorry Lola." Alisha grinned round me, "Don't call me that." I shook my head and quickly changed the subject, "So did you do it?" Nic grinned and nodded, "Got Larry hella worked up. You do the same with Lau?" I rolled my eyes, "Why do you all insist on shortening his name like that." "Cos Laurent is long and I can't say it right, miss fluent in French with a perfect accent." Alisha laughed, "it's 5:15 y'all," she looked up from her watch, "Didn't you wanna change into something sexy before they got home?" "Oh shit we better hurry then." Picking up pace we marched to my house so Nic and I could change. This whole thing had actually been Alisha's idea, part of her quest to fuck with Tyson. Nic and I had whipped the twins into a frenzy, Laurent had called me just when I was about to call him. It doesn't take much to get him excited luckily. Chances are they would come home and not give a damn about who was in the house. It would get loud to say the least. Currently I was sat on Laurent's bed I'm a trench coat and not much else. Nic was I'm the same state in Larry's room. I checked my watch on the bed side table, 5:45. They would be home soon, then the fun would start. ***LAURENT*** Larry and I crashed into the apartment. Larry had a slightly crazed look on his face, we ran into the living room to find Tyson and Alisha on the sofa watching Maury. "Is Nema here?" Alisha nodded not taking her eyes from the screen, "Yea she in your room. Bitch you done know he ain't the daddy!" "Larry? Baby you home?" We went back into the hallway, Nic stood in his doorway, wearing one of his shirts, it wasn't buttoned and as she moved I caught a glimpse of blue lace. With a groan Larry shoved past me and went to her. He stood for a moment staring down at her, blocking my view he opened the shirt. Without a word he picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and went into his room, slamming the door behind him. My heart beat thudded in my ears as I went to my own room, not sure to expect I opened the door slowly. The light was off and the curtains partly closed so I took a second for my eyes to adjust, "Bebe?" I stepped into the room and the door shut behind me, spinning round I saw her. My head went fuzzy for a second, all the blood rushed south and my vision blurred. Blinking I took her in, arm stretch out from shutting the door, breasts pushed up in a red lace and silk bra, I ran my eyes down her body, taking in the tattoos rippling on her flushed skin. Her slightly rounded stomach and below. My heart stuttered, red lace panties framed by a garter belt, stockings and black pumps finished the look. "Hello hon." Unable to talk I watched as she prowled towards me, she brought up her hands to trace down my chest, hooking fingers into my belt loop to pull me closer, "Have you been thinking about me?" I nodded, the sounds of moans filtered through the wall from Larry's room. She smiled, pulling her lip between her teeth, "That's sweet," a kiss was pressed to my neck, just below my ear. I shuddered and reached out to touch her. She shifted back, "What have you been thinking hon?" Amazed at the vixen standing before me I still couldn't answer, she pouted at me. "So silent, won't you tell me hon? I promise to be a good girl if you do." By now my dick was straining against my jeans, again I went to touch her and agin she shifted just out of my reach. "No touching until you talk to me." Hands planted on my chest she pushed me backwards, my legs hit the bed and I sat down. She turned and walked away from me, I watched the sway of her hips, and the way it made the dragon seem to slither on her hip. She bent over the stereo and Wale's voice filled the room, she lowered the volume so it was background noise. Turning back to me she smiled, "Do you want me to be your bad girl hon?" I nodded, the guitar cords of "Bad" came through the speakers, followed by the creak of bed springs. I swallowed hard as she came back over to me. I grabbed her hips when she stood between my legs leaning forward to kiss her stomach. She grabbed my hair and I heard her sigh, then she was gone again. Dripping to her knees in front of me. The smile she gave me was filled with promise, "Come down then go down yes?" She unbuckled my belt and tugged at my backwards jeans, wordless I lifted my hips so she could get them off. She stopped to take of my shoes and stripped my jeans from me, "Take this off babe." She touched my vest and I quickly did as she asked, "Good boy, now lean back and close your eyes." Leanings back I kept my eyes on her as she slipped her fingers past the waist band of my boxers. She raised an eyebrow and reluctantly I closed my eyes. The sound of the music flowed over me, the faint sounds of Larry and Nicola's sex weaving with it to make a soundtrack to our own love making. My boxers came down and my dick was sucked into her warm mouth, swearing I bowed off the bed, she groaned, the feel of it vibrating through me. I gripped the sheets as she carried on, "Talk to me hon." Her lips ran up my stomach, tongue flicking out to lick my abs. "Shit bebe," i grabbed her arms to pull her up, she allowed it, sliding over my body like silk. I kissed her roughly as I spun us so she was pinned beneath me. I was going too fast, the thought flashed trough my mind, but I couldn't stop. Next time I would do it right touch her like the treasure she was, but right now I had to have her. Grabbing her hair I pulled her head back to suck at her neck, her moan echoed round the room. I struggled with her panties. I couldn't pull them down the suspender belt stopped that, when I went to pull them aside I realised that there was a split in the crotch. I nearly lost it, she chuckled throatily at my gasp. "Like them hon?" I didn't answer, instead I lined up and plunged forward. She screamed, nails clawing at my back. My own groan was muffle by me biting into her shoulder, not pausing to allow her time to catch her breath, I began to move. ***NEMA*** I wasn't expecting that. Sparks flashed in front of my eyes as Laurent relentlessly pounded away at me. The headboard was hitting the wall and I'm sure I was reaching whole new levels of noise, but I couldn't stop. I swore and screamed and moaned, scratching at his back and begging for more. Almost too soon I could feel him swelling inside me, stretching me even more. Lifting my legs I felt him go deeper, screaming as he bottomed out, my heels scraped along his legs as I crossed my feet around him. He jerked against me, and yelled out as he came. Falling heavily on me when his arms have out. Panting he brushed a kiss against my shoulder. I smiled and rubbed my face in his hair, "Was it worth it hon?" He mumbled in my shoulder, "Hmm? Say again babe." His head lifted and he kissed me, "I not done yet."

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 40

***NEMA*** "How goes the games with Tyson?" Alisha grinned and tugged on her ear absently, "Very well, I'll have him eating out of my hand in no time." I shook my head at her and went back to my sketch pad. She had been messing with Tyson for weeks now, coming on hot then acting like a wronged southern belle when he tried anything. He'd been bitching to me about it non stop, a slight change from what I though would happen if Tyson tried it on with a friend. The bell over the door rang but I ignored it, Alisha mostly dealt with the clients now, mostly I drew and helped Roxie in back now. Summer was close to ending now, and the cool breeze that blew into the shop backed that up. I looked up annoyed that whoever had come in hadn't shut the damn door behind them. My face changed when I saw Rome in the doorway. I hopped up and rounded the desk to hug him. He gave me a shy smile, Rome was sweet, he loved my brother and once I had gotten over my initial shock we had got close. "Hey hon, what you doing here?" He shrugged eyes running round the shop, "I needed to talk to you, never can at the house. Jacky is nosey as all hell." I laughed, "Unfortunately so is Alisha." "Hey! No I'm not." I looked over my shoulder at her, "Then why are you listening?" She couldn't answer that, shaking my head I went to retrieve my things from behind the desk. "Tell Roxie I've gone for food." Before she could reply I skipped over to Rome and dragged him out the door. I sat down at a table in Starbucks while Rome went to order us drinks. Slipping off my jacket I pushing my hair back from my face with one hand while dragging my sketch pad from my bag with the other. Frowning I looked down at the picture of Larry half finished on the page. Something wasn't right, I couldn't exactly decide what it was but the drawing was off. I sighed, it was hard to capture Larry's energy on paper. Laurent was manic but in a more controlled way. Larry was literally all over the place, the outline I had on him up on his toes while crouched, leg lifted in the air and pointing towards me, it wasn't right. Maybe it would look better in colour, I had finished Laurent's portrait a while ago, it was currently hidden in my room, I wanted to finish this one before I took them to be framed. "That's really good." Rome settled beside me carefully setting down a hot chocolate in front of me. I leaned forward and licked off some of the whipped cream, "Yum, thanks hon. I can't seem to get it right though." He studied the drawing his head cocked to the side, "That's Larry right?" I nodded slightly impressed that he could tell, since his face was mostly hidden by his cap, only his smile was visible. "It's cos it's too spot on." I wrinkled my forehead at him, "What do you mean?" He seemed to struggle for a moment, "This might just be me, but when Larry dances. And I hope you don't take this wrong, there's a crooked quality to it." My face must have shown even more confusion because he rushed to go on, "Not that he's not amazing! They both are, but Larry has this manic kind of crooked vibe when he dances. Like he falls into the moves, kind of like he's surprised that he's doing it." Frowning I looked back at the drawing, "that might be it." Thinking about it, while he was amazing Larry did have a slightly surprised quality to his dance, like he couldn't believe he was doing some of the stuff. I smiled thinking of the last time we went out, he had been messing around dancing by himself and had looked up shocked at the end of the song to see a crowd around him. "You look at me?!" He had asked while looking all over the place like he expected someone else to jump up and take claim for all the attention, Larry had a childish quality to him that made him unaware of exactly the effect he had, it was probably why he a Nic were so good together. I grinned at Rome, "I think that's it," I ripped off the page and stuffed it in my bag pulling out a pencil, "You don't mind if I draw while we talk do you? I promise I'll actually be listening." Rome chuckled as he sipped his latte, "No problem." I started to draw, "So what's up?" I flicked a quick look at him, he huffed out a breath, and rested his chin in his hand, staring out of the window. "I'm being really early and dramatic, but I wanted some help with deciding what to get Jacky for his birthday." I looked at him again, his attention wasn't on me, I flicked to another page and began to draw him, "Not at all, we turn 21. Pretty big birthday if you ask me." He smiled absently, "I forget you're twins sometimes. So you got any ideas? And what do you want as well?" I shook my head flicking my eyes up at him again, "You dorm have to get me anything, I'm not your boyfriend." He laughed, "No you're not, and you couldn't be anyway, you don't have what I require." I pointed my pencil at him, "I feel like we're entering territory I don't wanna be in." He smiled at me and took another sip of his coffee, "Sorry." The twinkle in his eye told me he wasn't though. "Whatever, keep my brothers parts that fit you requirements far away from this conversation." I went back to my drawing, "Honestly I have no clue what to get him myself. He's fucking hard to buy for, diva bitch that he is." Rome laughed, "He is a bit isn't he?" I smiled, "Don't worry we'll work something out." My pencil was flying across the page, I paused to take a sip of my drink. "What are you thinking so far?" "Not a whole lot really." I was basically done with my drawing, "Well honestly, Jacky has been a lot happier since you came on the scene." I drained my mug and ripped the portrait free, "I know I appreciate that and I'm sure he does too." Standing I put the drawing in front of him and kissed his cheek. "Anything you get him he'll love." Grabbing my coat and bag I left quickly, when I looked back Rome was looking at the picture. His hand covered his mouth and he looked up at me, "Thank you." He mouthed at me, I smiled and blew him a kiss before slipping through the door. Rome had a point, 21 wasn't that far off for Jackson and I, lord alone knows what we should do for it. I smiled to myself, I'm sure Laurent would have something planned, I needed to work out what to do for his birthday. Other then amazing birthday sex of course. ***LAURENT*** "Larry!" I wiped sweat from my face while calling for my brother. We had come to the studio to dance and he had vanished while I was free styling. I rolled my eyes, quickly unplugging my phone from the stereo to go and find him. I entered the hallway and heard him talking, following the sound of his voice I found him sitting round the corner on the phone. Reaching down I slapped his head, "Come back inside." "Ow! Sorry baby. Laurent hit me." He scowled up at me, moving fast a snatched the phone from his hand, he jumped up and tried to get it back but I ducked round him and ran. "Hey Nic." I panted into the phone while running, "Lau give him back the phone." I shook my head, "Non I give it back you talk dirty to him he never concentrate." She giggled, "I wasn't talking dirty," "Yet." Larry tackled me from behind and the phone flew from my hand. I hit the floor with Larry on top of me, he scrambled off me and went skidding along the phone after his phone, "Baby? So sorry my brother think he fanny." He stuck his tongue out at me and rolled on to his back to continue to talk. Laughing I dragged myself up, going over to kick his hip before turning and heading back to the studio. Nic was back to normal, baby G had fully snapped her out of her funk. She loved being an aunty and spoiled him so much, Larry did as well. So they were well on their way to being favourites. I pulled out my own phone as I entered the studio, calling Nema as I shut the door behind me. She answered quickly, "Hey hon!" She shouted, "Hold on! Bitch turn that down!" She must have moved the phone from her mouth because I could now hear Ludacris playing, move bitch I think. After a second the music turned down and she came back, "What's up? Alisha is being a bitch as always." There was a thud and she laughed, "Missed bitch." I chuckled, "Nothing I want to say hi." She laughed, "Are you doing a Steve wonder hon?" "Yes," I started singing down the phone, "I just called to say I love you, I just called to say how much I care." She giggled and I grinned, I love her laugh. "Alright soppy. Love you too, am I seeing you later?" "Of course. I come up or you come down." Her voice took on a husky tone, "How bout I come down and then I go down?" A faint buzzing started in my ears, "Go down?" I swallowed, "Yes baby, you want that?" I groaned at the mental images she was putting in my head, "Maybe, I can go down too?" She laughed, "Of course you can." Larry wasn't the only one that was gonna be distracted, "What time you finish work?" "About 6." I checked the time and groaned again it was only 2. "Maybe you finish early?" "No hon it would do you good to wait for me. I promise to make it special." She hung up, amazed I stared at the phone in my hand. Vaguely I heard the door open, "Nema talk dirty?" I looked up at Larry and nodded, he laughed, "Then we both be distracted." I grimaced, when I got her alone I would make her pay for this.

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 39

***LAURENT*** There was no fuss, thankfully. By the time we made it to the hospital Emma was ready to push. Nic had left us waiting and gone to be with her sister. There was something wrong though, Nema was hardly looking at her brother, who had brought some guy with him. Tyson, on the other hand, seemed very interested in the girl that had come bursting into our apartment with Nicola. Currently he was over by the window trying to sweet talk her, she didn't seem to mind, smiling coyly up at him while he spoke. Chuckling to myself I heaved myself up from my seat next to my brother and pulled Nema with me. I dragged her into a corner and framed her face with my hands, "What wrong?" She seemed distracted, "Huh? No nothing's wrong." She was staring at the guy with Jackson, looking over my shoulder at him I studied him curiously. He was about the same height as Jackson, dark eyes behind his glasses, chocolate coloured skin and a nice smile that he offered tentatively at Jackson now. As I watched Jackson reached out and took his hand, the way he rubbed his thumb over his hand let me know. "You upset your brother not say he gay?" Nema's head snapped round, her eyes wide, "But he's not." I raised an eyebrow and leaned to the side so she could see them clearly, they sat close together now, the guys head resting on Jackson's shoulder. As we watched together, Jackson leaned down and almost absently kissed his forehead. Rubbing his cheek against his short curly hair, Nema made a choked noise, "Why wouldn't he tell me?" I shrugged, "Maybe he scared of what you say? Talk to him now." I let her face go and propelled her towards them, she stumbled a bit and then got her balance and went to sit next to them. Not wanting to intrude I watched Tyson and the girl, I think she said her name was Alisha, but I listened to Nema. "Hi, I'm Nema, Jacky's sister." "Oh you call him that too?" I flicked my eyes over to see them shaking hands over Jackson who was looking tense, the guys voice was deep and smooth, he smiled at Nema. "I'm Rome." "Nice to meet you. So how long?" Jackson cleared his throat, "We met not long after Vegas." I averted my eyes again, just in time to see Tyson step in closer to Alisha, she smiled as she reached out to touch his arm. "After Vegas?" Nema sounded confused, "Yea, I should have told you fish. But I was confused, I wasn't sure how you'd take it." There was a pause, Tyson stepped even closer, "Well. I'm shocked, but who wouldn't be. My brother was a bit of a pussy hound." There was a short scuffling sound and Rome laughed, "What?! You were!" "Don't tell my boyfriend that!" Another pause, "So you two are official?" "Yes, is that a problem?" "Course not, the only problem is that you didn't tell me Jacky!" I looked back in time to see Jackson pull Nema into a hug, "Sorry fish." The moment was broken by the sound of a slap, "Nigga I never said you could touch me!" We all looked over at Tyson and Alisha. He stood stunned, hand covering his cheek while she stood feet brace wide apart in front if him. "Unless I say, you don't touch me, got it?" Tyson nodded, Alisha looked at Nema and winked. She then reached out and pulled Tyson's hand down, kissing his cheek, "Poor baby, I'm sorry." The slap was still ringing in Tyson's mind cos he kept his hands well away from her. The door burst open as Alisha stepped closer and pressed herself to him, "I have a son!" G's face was spread in a a huge grin, his hair all over the place and his eyes bright. We crowed round him, Larry made a rush to be first and crash into him taking them both to the ground. "I have a nephew?!" G laughed as he fought Larry off, "Yes you do, everyone come meet my son." He left the room with us all following behind him. Entering Emma's room we found her on the bed, looking exhausted and Nic sitting beside her. A look of wonder on her face as she looked down at the bundle in her arms. She looked up and smiled at us, "He's sleeping." Larry tip toed to her side and gently pulled back the blanket, "Oh, Lau come look at the baby." I smiled at Emma as I came close, pausing to kiss her cheek, "Well done." She laughed, "Thanks no one else has thought to say it yet." She glared playfully at G and his ears went red, "Sorry baby, he went to her other side and leaned down to talk to her. Reaching my brother we crowded round Nic and looked down at our nephew. His eyes opened slightly and he yawned at us, squirming as I reached out to brush his cheek with my finger. He stopped and his head swung round to take my finger in his mouth, his green eyes slid shut again as he began to suckle. "I think he hungry." Laughing Emma reached out for her son, "Out time to feed little G." We all shuffled out G coming with us a proud beam on his face. "We're calling him Giannini." Nema laughed and hugged him, "Well lets hope he's as handsome as his father then." "He's the most beautiful baby in the world." Nicola scoffed, "Until I come along and give him cousins, then he'll have to make due with second or third." I pulled Nema to me and kissed her softly, "We give him cousins too." She raised an eyebrow, "Will we now?" I nodded, "Lots of little girls that look like they mama." She smiled as I kissed her on her nose, I took her lack of response as a good thing.

[dreamchasersff-blog]

Chapter 38

***LAURENT*** Maybe I was wrong, it's been two weeks and still Nic was exactly the same. Larry was climbing the walls, he did all he could, we all were. But she still wouldn't engage us. Larry took her to work everyday, and picked her up when she was done. Then he would bring her home, put her to bed and get in with her. Nema and I would come home every day and find them together, Nic staring sightless at the wall and Larry holding her, trying his best to get her to talk. Nema had visited her a few times in the salon she worked at, she spoke there, but she kept it to the bare minimum. Speaking only when spoken to and even then her answers were short. "What do we do bebe?" Nema and I lay awake in bed, both caught up in our worries, "I wish I knew hon, this hit her hard." "It hurt Larry now." She sighed and rolled into my side, I took my hand from under my head and rested it on her hip, letting my fingers glide up and down her skin. "I know, I just wish I could do something for them both." "We will, maybe she need time?" She snuggled in closer to me, "Maybe." I leaned down to kiss her head, she sighed again and lifted her face to me. My lips brushed over hers and I felt her smile. "They still have sex though." "Really? How you know?" She smirked and flipped me on to my back and straddling me, "Cos Nic still gets that smug look of a girl that gets it good every night." I grinned at her as I squeezed her hips, "Like the one you have?" "No, like the one I will have when I'm done." ***NEMA*** My brother is up to something. Or someone I guess I should say. He's been sneaking around for ages, always on his phone texting and when he takes a call he makes sure to leave the room. The other day I had overheard him talking. "I know babe, I'll tell them as soon as I can. I love you too." Jackson clearly had a girlfriend and didn't want us to meet her. Part of me was hurt, but the bigger part realised that we were kinda crazy and therefore a lot to deal with. The fact that he was cautious about us meeting her meant he cared a lot, I was happy he had found someone. Nicola was my concern today, she was doing better now. It had been nearly a month since the baby shower, and she was starting to smile again. "Exactly where are you dragging me?" She asked as I towed her through the packed street, "To get a few things." I flashed a grin at her over my shoulder, she rolled her eyes at me but gave a small smile back. A while ago She had asked me about getting a tattoo done, with all the drama of Vegas and the shower she seemed to have forgotten. So today she was getting it, and then I was taking her to get pampered. We stopped in front of Roxie's shop and she looked at me like I'd gone crazy, "Did you bring me to work with you? Bitch I am not I'm the mood, I could have stayed in bed with Larry." Laughing I dragged her inside, "No you gimp, I brought you here to get something done." She eyes my warily, "Not by you right you ain't legal yet." I stuck my tongue out at her, "No bitch Laurent said he wants my tattoo virginity." "Figures, since he took your other one as well." I pinched her as I pulled her to the desk, "Shut up. Hey Alisha." I grinned at the girl behind the desk, since I would hopefully be tattooing soon, Roxie had hired her friend from Huston to help out on the front desk. It gave me a lot more free time, to be honest I was thankful she was here. "Hey girl, this your friend?" I grinned at her, "I will never get tired of your southern accent, yea this is her." Alisha grinned back, "Y'all love it up here, the men go crazy for it." She cackled, her tongue bar flashing in her mouth. Alisha was just as much as a bad ass as Roxie, the same porn star body poured into tight jeans and crop tops daily. She was fully Jamaican, had an accent that sent men to mush and she knew how to use it, "Right," she beamed at Nic, "You want Mike or Rox? Both have got the time for ya darling." Nic blinked up at me, "Is this actually happening now?" I nodded, "Yep they have your stencil ready all you gotta do is decide who you want working on you and get it done." She gave me a smile that reeked of naughtiness, "Working on me? Well if you put it that way." She dashed past us to the back, "Mike! You sexy beef cake, come work me over!" "So you got a man for me darling?" I looked up from my sketch book at Alisha, "There's 4 me in my life, 3 are taken and the other is a dog." She laughed, kicking off her heels and putting her feet on the desk. She frowned at her feet, "I need a pedicure." She looked back up at me, "I always liked dogs, train them right and they loyal to the death." I raised an eyebrow at her, "Is that right?" She nodded eyes on the computer, "Yep. Hey y'all going to get your hair and all that done right?" I nodded, "Then I'm coming too, this bitch ain't got shit going on rest of the day. She can watch her own damn desk." As she spoke Roxie came out from the back. "Is that right? Gimme kiss and I'll consider." Alisha rolled her eyes, "You can kiss my ass how's that?" Roxie smacked her lips together, "Long as I can kiss other things while I'm there." Alisha stared at her for a long time before standing slowly and reaching for the button on her jeans. My eyes bugged out as she undid it and started to slide down the zip, "What exactly you looking to kiss hon?" Rosie's eyes got wide as she watched, her mouth dropped open slightly and she leaned towards Alisha. Her hand snapped out and slapped Roxie round her head, "Bitch you really think I was gone let you eat? Fuck out of here!" Laughing Roxie rubbed her head, "I can dream can't I?" "What are we dreaming about?" Nic came through from the back her arm wrapped up and a huge smile on her face, Mike followed her, his face flaming red. Nic ran over to me and threw her arms round my neck, "It's beautiful babe! Thank you." I smiled, "I figured it was relevant." The night before I had drawn up Nic's tattoo, cursive script that said "Darkest right before dawn but this too shall pass." Rox had been looking closely at Mike, his face was still red and he looked slightly shell shocked. "Nicola what did you do to Mike?" Nic giggled, "I didn't touch him." She threw Mike a wink and his face went even redder, he muttered something and vanished into the back, "He's very shy for someone so big isn't he?" "So where to now?" After a long afternoon at the salon, we all looked fabulous. Alisha had got her toes done and decided on a hair cut as well, a shock to us both since she had a cloud of thick curls. She had cut them all off and dyed it dark brown, it suited her. With her full lips and big almond eyes she looked like a Queen. Nic had her hair cut and highlighted, and I had opted to just trim my ends and get my colour touched up, my hair now a flaming red that matched the now setting sun. "I reckon we should show the boys out new looks." Nic nodded and linked her arm through mine and Alisha's, "Thanks for today, I needed it." I shrugged, "You would do the same for me." She smiled, a proper smile just like she used to, "You too Alisha I don't know how I lived before you came into my life! You rock." Alisha smiled smugly, "Yea I do." We rounded the corner of my street when Nic detangled herself from us to go in her pocket and pull out her phone, "It's Emma hang on. Hey dude." She paused, "G?" Another pause, "Shit! Really? Yea no don't worry Nema is with me now, we'll round up the troops and get down there." She shoved her phone back into her pocket, "Emma's having the baby. We have to get the boys and get to the hospital." My mouth dropped open, "Oh my god! Yea ok, uh..." My brain froze, Nic rolled her eyes at me, "Go to yours and get Jackson, Larry, Laurent and Tyson are at their place, I'll grab them and we meet outside. Ok?" I nodded dumbly, the baby was coming. Wow. Nic snapped her fingers in my face, "Nema! Get moving!" I snapped out of it and took off running for our house, Nic and Alisha close behind me, they banged on the boy's door while I fumbled with the keys to mine. Getting the door open I rushed inside, "JACKY!? The baby's coming quick we gotta get to the hospital." I said all this while running up the stairs, "Jacky!" I threw open his door and stopped dead, "Nema." Jackson jumped up, his eyes wide, his hair messed up and his shirt off, "Don't you knock!" I barely heard him, all my concentration was on the person with him. My brother was seeing someone, but it wasn't a girl, laid on the bed watching me with slight fear was a man.