May 21st, 2023
Harlow Hanes
These past five months have been unforgettable. I was extremely happy which was new. I've been through so much but here I am, living my best life. It feels good.
Salem moved in along with Binx and Beast and I couldn't be happier. We're working on selling her house but nobody has called. Halo's been doing well too. She hasn't talked about her dad as much which made me feel terrible. She was truly a daddy's girl but he ruined that.
I don't blame myself anymore. What he did wasn't my fault. He did that on his own accord and now he's sitting in jail. He only got five years but that's okay. As soon as he gets out me and Salem agreed to relocate. We wouldn't go too far considering our family is here, but we're going far enough.
Right now, the three of us were sitting at the table eating dinner. I made us some homemade chipotle bowls because we wanted it. However, Chipotle is expensive so I'm always going to find a way to be cheap. It was actually really good so go me. Halo's bowl was damn near gone and Salem was barely eating hers. She had a bad argument with her mom earlier causing her mood to change drastically.
I think she's officially going to cut all ties to her mother. It was bound to happen though so I wasn't surprised. I knew she was hurt so I was giving her as much space as I could.
After dinner I gave Halo a bath and then Salem and I showered together. It almost led to something else until Halo came in holding my phone.
She's such a cock block.
Incoming call from'Silly Lilly'
Hey girl...
What's up?
Oh nothing...I mean my water just broke and my contractions are like five minutes apart, but you know I'm just chilling. Is that water I hear? Yes, girl, get you some shower cooch!
Lilian, I swear to god- get to the hospital. We'll meet you there.
Cool. See you soon Pookie!
Call ended
Me and Salem shared a look before groaning loudly. I was never going to have sex! Now I'm mad.
"'Momma, your phone was ringing too," Halo
shrugged, "Aunt Raven said her water broke too and that her and Aunt Ashley were at the hospital already."
Salem and I shared the same look a second time before hopping out of the shower to throw some clothes on. How crazy is that? They go into labor on the same day, at the same time. Woohoo!
We got Halo dressed and then hopped into Salem's car so we could head to the hospital. We got checked in and then went to the rooms. We went to Raven first since she was there longer.
"Hey!" Raven yelled, "These drugs they gave me strong as fuck! I can't feel shit!"
"Baby, we just talked about this. You have to stop." Ashley sighed.
Rylee was laying down in her lap sleeping. I don't know how considering his mother is literally screaming at the top of her lungs.
"How dilated is she?" Salem asked.
"Last time I checked she was at eight." Ashley answered, "she might be at nine now, I'm not sure. I have to wait for the doctor to come back before I check again."
"They let you do it?" I gasped.
"They had to," she sighed, "Raven said- and I quote "If your name isn't Ashley Nicole McNight, your hands should not be up in my cooter cat. I only like the way her fingers feel." I swear to you they started dying."
"She's so real for that." I laughed, "we're gonna head over to Lilian and then come back."
"Please give Fin a hug. He was in hysterics when they got here. Lilian was more calm that he was!" Ash laughed.
"Will do." Salem nodded.
Coincidentally, Lilian was only a door over. She was sleeping when we came into the room but Fin said she was ready to push. The nurses were moving quickly around her and the one doctor that was in the room was washing his hands.
We wished Fin luck and left for the waiting area.
Seven minutes later Lilian was awake holding a baby girl in her arms. Atticus stood next to her, smiling widely at his little sister.
"Harlow, meet Miss Amity Kapri." Fin smiled. His eyes were red from all the crying he had been doing.
She was beautiful. She had Fin's entire face, but her eyes were green like Lilian's.
Two minutes later Ashley came into the room holding her baby girl. I assumed Rylee was still in the room with Raven.
"Guys, say hi to Aris," Ashley cooed, "Aris, say "my name is Aris Rosanna McKnight and I look just like my mommy"
"Hi Aris!" We cheered in unison.
We added two babies to the family in less than ten minutes. Two beautiful, healthy, and happy babies. Salem and I are next, she just doesn't know it yet.
_+_+_+_
May 21st, 2025
"Halo, get rid of the attitude and go clean your room. I'm not doing this with you again. Why are you making me repeat myself?"
"Because!" Halo yelled, "You're not listening to me."
"Halo Grace Hanes, I just know I didn't here you yell at your mom." Salem was sitting on the couch watching some show. Once she heard Halo raising her voice she quickly turned around.
"I wasn't yelling!"
"You're doing it now. Lower your tone when you're speaking to her."
"Ugh!" Halo huffed before she ran up the stairs. She had a lot of attitude for a nine year old but she gets it from me so I can't be too upset.
"That's crazy," Salem laughed, "Homegirl turns nine and thinks it's okay to talk to my baby any old kinda way."
I laughed at her comment and went to the backyard to finish setting up. Today was Aris and Amity's second birthday. They were both very smart two years olds if I do say so myself.
We agreed to have the party here because we had the biggest backyard. The theme was Candy Land because they were really sweet babies. Well, Amity is a sweet baby. Aris will give you the biggest side eye for literally no reason. She gets it from Raven for sure.
The party was starting at three and it was currently two-eighteen. Halo and I were having our little argument because she wouldn't clean up her room.
No, the party wasn't going to be happening in her room, but it was dirty and we had been telling her to clean it up for the past week.
After making sure everything was set up I went to the kitchen to grab the rest of the snacks and then to stir up the macaroni noddles I had boiling.
Salem, Fin, and I were doing most of the cooking. Everyone else was either bringing snacks, sides, drinks, or nothing.
"Baby, these noodles are almost done if you want to come shred this cheese." I called.
I could hear Salem groan but she still made her way to the kitchen.
"You agreed to make the mac and cheese so don't even." I giggled.
She repeated what I said in a mocking tone before grabbing everything she needed.
After about thirty minutes the food was ready and guests had started to arrive. The 'guests' being Jocelyn and Lorenzo. After them came Lilian and her crew.
I immediately took Amity from her arms and tossed the baby into the air causing her to laugh and squeal loudly.
"Happy birthday, Miss Amity Kapri." I grinned, then showering the one year old with kisses.
"Happy birthday, little mama." Salem smiled placing a soft kiss on Amity's cheek.
Raven, Ashley, Rylee, and Aris arrived five minutes later. The party officially started directly after.
We had lots of fun eating, playing games, and dancing to music. I mean everyone else was dancing. I had no rhythm so my dancing was terrible.
We gathered around the table so we could sing happy birthday to the girls and cut the cake.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Amity and Aris, happy birthday to you." We sang.
Amity couldn't stop smiling, whilst Aris didn't crack a smile at all. She's so serious it's hilarious.
After everyone was done eating we just sat in the backyard chilling. Lilian gestured for me to come over to her so I did.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Are you gonna do if? You should do it. Please
do it."
"I am," I nodded, "should I do it now?"
"Yes!"
I gave her a light chuckle then went back into the house so I could grab the small box I had hidden. When I returned Salem was chatting with Jocelyn and Enzo about God knows what.
I tapped her shoulder and pulled her to the center of the backyard.
"What are you doing?" She whispered.
"Two years ago I put my daughter in a new school randomly. In that school was a teacher. But not just any old teacher; a fine ass teacher. She changed my life in so many ways I can't even put it into words. She made me happy, and safe, and comfortable. At some point I fucked up but I fixed it. I always fix it. She means so much to me, there's not enough words for me to express it. I love her. A lot. That teacher is you. You changed my life and I want you to continue to do that. I want to expand my family with you. I want grow old with you so, Salem Mariah Black, will you marry me?"
I dropped down on one knee and watched as her eyes watered. She nodded her head quickly, tears still falling.
Everyone around us began cheering. I placed the ring on her finger then pulled her into me.
We stood and hugged until there was a knock at the door. Everyone who was supposed to be here was here and we weren't expecting any more guests.
Everyone was confused, including me but i went to check to see who was at the door anyways.
When I reached the front my hands began shaking like crazy. We didn't have a peephole so I couldn't see who it was until the door opened.
And when I opened that door my jaw dropped. It was literally touching the ground.
"Jason, what the fuck are you doing here?" I felt myself about to pass out.
Salem came running to me and when she saw who was at the door she too was in shock.
"I heard there was a party. You know I could never miss a party." He smirked.
"No. I'm not doing this," I wasn't in shock anymore. I was furious. Who the fuck let him out two years early? "I used to be afraid of you. I was terrified. I slept with a fucking knife next to me because I was scared you were going to come back to finish what you started. I'm not afraid anymore, Jason. You don't put fear into me like you used to. I don't know why you're here but you need to leave."
"I live here. This is still my house." He said.
"What drugs are you on?" Salem questioned, laughing lightly.
"Is that a ring I see?" Jason gasped, "You took her back? Shit, you're better than me."
"Jason, I don't like repeating myself. Get the fuck out of here! You don't live here anymore and you know that. I don't know why you thought you did. Whoever let you out needs to be fired. I'm happy and you're not involved. I'm engaged too. I put a ring on Halo's teacher's finger. Wanna know why? Because you weren't smart enough to put one on mine. I'm in love and it's not with you. For the final time, get the fuck out of here!"
And with that I slammed the door in his face and turned to Salem who was smiling at me.
"You did it, baby," she beamed, "Im so proud of you."
I felt so accomplished. I looked down at the ring I placed on Salem's finger and felt tears welling up in my eyes. This whole thing is so crazy to me. Im getting married soon, and not just with any one; I'm getting married to my daughter's teacher.
2089 words
A/n: That's a wrap! Thank you to everyone who read this and left comments. And I hope you liked your surprise! More info on my next book coming soon. Until next time...
-Mj