38. Endings & Beginnings

'I can't see the end

끝이 보이지 않아

Is there an exit?

출구가 있긴 할까

I can't take my feet off, I don't oh

발이 떼지질 않아, 않아 오

I close my eyes for a moment

잠시 두 눈을 감아'

All that occupies Christian's mind these days are thoughts of what comes next.

'What does come next?', he thought while quietly sipping some water from a water bottle.

He was dressed smartly, his graduation gown and cap laid hazardously over the back of a chair. His hair styled to perfection as he sat in the stands of the stadium the ceremony would be held in another half hour or so. At least that had been what his watch had informed him when he last checked the time. Now, he was not so sure anymore.

His time in college had been a whirlwind. From the very first day he stepped foot on the university's soil up until this very day of his departure as a graduate he had learned and experienced a lot. He has a girlfriend. He was shot and nearly killed by an asshole cop that did not deserve to wear the uniform and badge he so proudly hid behind. He traveled the world with people he holds dear to his heart. He fell in love.

That had to be the biggest change for him, love. Secretly, Christian was a hopeless romantic. He dated a lot, but the relationships never lasted. There was always something missing with each one of the girls he dated. Foolishly enough, he had overlooked the beautiful gem that was right in front of him for years. Now that he had her, he knew what was missing with all of those girls.

'Hold my hand here

여기 내 손을 잡아

Let's run away to that future

저 미래로 달아나자'

Monica walked over to her boyfriend quietly taking a seat beside him. She knew that he was anxious. She knew that he often worried about the future, just as he was currently doing.

"It will be okay, you know? We got this. I have no intention of leaving your side. So don't worry so much, Is", Monica said after sitting in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

Christian smiled softly reaching for his suit-clad girlfriend. Her worlds of reassurance made him feel a lot better. He was still uncertain about what lay ahead, but he felt a lot better knowing that he would have Monica at his side. He was in love. He is in love with Monica Daniels, hopefully, Vitro someday.

Monica is nearly his complete opposite. She balanced him out. She was refreshing. He could talk with her about the same shit every day if he wanted to and it would never feel boring or repetitive because she always has something new to say. Her humor was quite dark, but she was also a goofball. She is smart and beautiful within and out.

Monica was everything he could ever ask for in a partner. It was honestly inevitable for him to fall so hard for this woman. Also, he absolutely loves when Monica takes control. At first, he had harvested feelings of feeling inadequate and like her bitch. With time that was quite quickly diminished. He along with Monica had informed him that he was dealing with a real woman that was a true alpha female.

"Thank you, Nica (Knee•ca)", he said taking her hand into his intertwining their fingers.

"You're welcome, honey. Now let's go. I almost punched that demon in the face. Talkin' about my baby like that. Who does he think he is? I'm the demon slayer ordained by Christ. I will touch him with these anointed hands", Monica ranted as the couple rose to their feet while wagging her finger and snapping her fingers as she rolled her neck.

Christian laughed listening to his girlfriend rant about Lucky. Lucky was an asshole through and through. There was no denying that he was, at least on the surface. When you, well if you could get to know him you would find that he was kind of soft inside. He was all about his kids and family. He loved hard when he did and took absolutely no shit from anyone.

He is crude and blunt. His humor was very dark and he got a kick out of pissing off others for his own amusement. He was not a bully to anyone really, just utterly the hell annoying when he wanted to be. He was a chill guy most of the time though. That coupled with his striking blue eyes are what drew his current girlfriend and the mother of his second and remaining children in the future, Lelita to him.

'Like an echo in the forest

The day will come back

하루가 돌아오겠지

As if nothing happened

아무 일도 없단 듯이

Yeah, life goes on'

Lelita is a charismatic sweetheart with a lot of body. How Lucky landed her was still a mystery to the rest of the group, but everyone was happy for the couple. It seems as though the couple had resolved whatever had been slowly forcing them apart. As the pair entertained their children and themselves they were all smiles. LaLa sent a wink to Monica who scoffed making a face causing her to laugh as the couple passed them.

Nathaniel shook his head watching the small interaction between the two women. What seemed like only a moment ago had Monica been ready to beat Lucky down and now she was fraternizing with the enemy, tragic. He had been hoping that she would come back swinging, but apparently, his cousin had pacified her. That was Christian now. The more improved Christian was passive-aggressive and nurturing. Monica ruined his cousin.

'I'll borrow this music and pass it on to you (ey)

이 음악을 빌려 너에게 나 전할게 (ey)

People say the world has changed (yo)

사람들은 말해 세상이 다 변했대 (yo)

Well, well, luckily, our relationship hasn't changed yet

음음음음, 다행히도 우리 사이는 아직 여태 안 변했네

The usual start and end with the words 'Hello'

늘 하던 시작과 끝 '안녕'이란 말로

Let's connect today and tomorrow again

오늘과 내일을 또 함께 이어보자고

(Ooh woo woo) I'm still but don't hide in the dark

(우우우우우) 멈춰있지만 어둠에 숨지 마

Because the light rises again

빛은 또 떠오르니깐'

"Baby, we have to get in line", Naomi called bringing him from his reveries.

Leaning over he pecked her lips with a smile. He was ready to get this whole day over with. He just wanted to be home with his family sitting around eating good food. He never understood why they had to go through hours of boring speeches and name-calling for their diploma. Especially when the damn thing could be mailed.

Everyone lined up. All of the graduates wore their caps and gowns proudly as they assembled to march in front of their families and friends. All the long nights spent and days of frustration led each of them here today. They had done it. They were graduating. Each of their chests filled with a sense of pride as they marched with their heads held high into the auditorium.

Naomi and Nathaniel walked hand and hand into the auditorium earning some disapproving glares from the administration. As usual, they were ignored. There was nothing anyone could do to separate the two. They were seatmates and Nathaniel would be damned if he let his baby go. He was in one of his clingy moods today, much to the dismay of everyone around the couple. There was nothing worse than an overly affectionate couple in public.

One by one the graduates walked the stage. One by one speeches were delivered before it was finally time for the passing of the tussles to signify the ending of one chapter in their lives and the beginning of another.

'I can't see the end

끝이 보이지 않아

Is there an exit?

출구가 있긴 할까

I can't take my feet off, I don't oh

발이 떼지질 않아, 않아 오

Close your eyes for a moment (close)

잠시 두 눈을 감아 (감아)

Take my hand here (hold)

여기 내 손을 잡아 (잡아)

Let's run away to that future (oh oh oh)

저 미래로 달아나자 (오오오)'

"Baby, have you seen my nude stilettos? I need-"

Lelita paused at the sight before her. There stood a pregnant Bria rubbing her stomach while staring at her fiancé longingly. She was not going to just to conclusions. She was past that phase when their relationship was still new. She had no beef with Bria. She never honestly did until she tried to drive a wedge between her and Lucky.

"You didn't tell me that we were having a guest, Luc", LaLa commented glancing between the two blondes that stood in the kitchen of the couple's shared townhouse.

"Oh, Bria's here", Lucky retorted indifferently while continuing to prepare LaLa's lunch for her.

The two of them moved like a well-oiled machine. Today was Lucky's first of two off-days while Lelita's three-day weekend would not start until the following day. LaLa was not running late just yet but she would be if she interrogated the two. The atmosphere was weird, but she did not have time to dwell on that information at the moment.

"Okay. Have you seen my nude sti-"

Not missing a beat Lucky answered her question before she could even finish uttering it.

"By the stairs. I put them there this morning on my way to the kitchen", he said interrupting her while putting the final touches on her lunch.

Her lunch was not anything special, just leftovers from dinner the previous night. Paired with a homemade fruit salad and a bottle of vitamin water her lunch would be a good one. After placing the lid on the container holding the fruit salad he turned with a smile on his face placing a chaste kiss on his fiancée's lips.

Bria cleared her throat and smiled at the couple innocently. "LaLa, good morning. Are you heading to work now?", she said politely.

"Good morning to you too, Bria. Yeah, I am. Are you dropping off princess? I didn't hear her. She usually comes and says 'hi' to me before she settles in", LaLa responded curtly.

Letting out a nervous chuckle Bria began rubbing soothing circles into her growing belly. "Actually, she is spending the day with my parents", she said with a strained smile.

She did not like Lelita. She felt as though she had stolen her life away from her. Lucky had been hers first. She had given birth to his first child. As far as she was concerned, she should have been the mother of all of his children. Instead, she had been the mother of one and with Lelita in the picture, it would always be only one.

LaLa was not oblivious. She knew that Lucky's ex wanted him still. She saw the way that the older woman looked at him. She also noticed the way she would make any excuse she could to be near to him. Of course, LaLa had not been the only one to take notice of these things. Lucky knew that Bria still held on to old feelings between them.

Even after he had made it clear to her that they would only ever be co-parents, she still held on. It is as if she had taken his words for a joke. She was still the mother of his daughter and a friend. Well, at least he tried to still consider her a friend. Before they were ever a couple they had been friends and for the sake of a smooth co-parenting relationship he held on to their friendship. However, he was not so sure how long he could on for if she continued with the bullshit.

"Then why are you here?"

The question had been asked by Lucky, not Lelita. He was over her antics. Bria had the audacity to look hurt.

"I wanted to see my friend, but I didn't know that I was the unwanted company", she said, her eyes glossing over with tears.

"Okay. I have to go, babe. I'll see you for dinner. Bria", LaLa said while checking the time on her Apple watch.

"See ya, baby. Have a kickass day at work. I love you, Lelita", Lucky said pulling her into a hug.

"I love you too, Lucky Charm", she responded with a smile hugging him back before the couple shared a kiss.

Lucky's hands that had been resting on her wide hips moved to her ass grabbing handfuls of her derrière squeezing firmly causing LaLa to let out a moan against his lips. Bria became angry and uncomfortable. She could not believe that they were behaving in such a way in front of her. The couple would not care though. They had not noticed as they continued to kiss passionately.

"Okay, seriously, Luc. I have to go before I am late", LaLa said letting out a giggle against his lips as he continued fondling her and placing chaste kisses on her lips.

"Fine", he agreed reluctantly letting her go.

Bria had watched enviously as the couple acted as such a loving carefree duo. Her hands had clenched into fists atop of her bump. She was more than upset. She watched Lelita left the room before returning a short while later with the accommodating clicking of her heels.

"Bye, bae", she called to Lucky taking her packed lunch from his outreached hand.

"Bye, sweetie", he responded blowing her a kiss.

"Bria, let's go", Lelita said with a grin while gesturing towards the stairs.

"What?", Bria asked in confusion.

"Girl, you were not born yesterday. I am not leaving you alone in my house with my man. I know that you are having a hard time adjusting still, but you need to realize that y'all are never going to happen again. We are good over here and I expect you to be an adult about everything. That includes our relationship and my relationship with your daughter. We are thick as my thighs so she tells me everything and I do not appreciate the things you tell your little friends about me, not that it matters. But you are speaking mad reckless with a child around that can easily hear. Grow up and get your ass up out of my house, now", LaLa calmly told her.

Rolling her eyes, Bria made no move to do as LaLa instructed. She was not there to see Lelita. She was there for Lucky and only he could tell her to go.

"Okay, we're deaf today. Don't worry, I can sign", LaLa sarcastically said.

"Baby, go on to work. I got this. Go make that money", Lucky said.

"Don't let it make you", LaLa said begrudgingly before turning with a flip of her hair and leaving.

The two blondes quietly stared after her retreating form. The sound of her heels was fainter as she left. Then there was the sound of the front door closing heard through the quiet house.

"I'm glad that she's gone. Why is your girlfriend so ho-"

"Fiancée and why are you still here, Bria?", Lucky interrupted her.

"What do you mean? I thought that we could hang out just the two of us li-"

"Leave", he demanded not caring to hear the rest of her bullshit explanation.

The quest had been rhetorical. She had upset his fiancée. The two had enjoyed a wonderful night together and had been excited to see the princess known as Lucky and Bria's daughter for a family weekend packed full of fun activities for everyone. Then came Bria being that baby's mama. For the life of him, Lucky could not figure out why it was so hard for her to let go of the past.

"Luc, we ne-"

"Leave", he repeated.

"You don't mean that", she said in denial.

"I do. Now leave. You have done more than enough as usual", Lucky snidely retorted.

"What's that supposed to mean?", spat Bria indignantly.

"You know exactly what that means. I don't have time for you shit, again. You always do this and frankly, I am over it all just as much as I am over you. Move on al-fucking-ready", Lucky quipped.

A tear escaped her eyes as she stared at the man that she was still in love with. He was doing it again, breaking her heart.

"Fuck you, Lucky!", she spat snatching her purse from the island angrily.

"I bet you really want to", he drawled dully before turning giving her his back.

She left in a flurry of anger slamming the front door behind herself. This was nothing new. When Lucky would not bite her line she would throw a tantrum. She was not always like this, at least not that he could remember. Letting out a sigh he leaned down opening the small fridge in the island taking out a familiar bottle setting it atop the counter. A little alcohol would calm his nerves after yet another Bria tantrum because it was happy hour somewhere in the world.

'Like an echo in the forest

The day will come back

하루가 돌아오겠지

As if nothing happened

아무 일도 없단 듯이'

"Christian, help!"

A frantic Christian came running at the sound of his wife's voice. Sure he had tripped over himself and slipped a few times, but he was determined. His Nica needed him and he would not leave her hanging. Sliding across the floor into the doorframe he grunted in pain before quickly shaking off the entire incident to rush over to the couch where his wife lounged with her swollen feet up caressing her eight and a half months baby bump.

Had Christian not been so frantic then he would have seen that Monica was perfectly fine. She was comfortable as any pregnant woman with swollen feet and ankles as far along as she was could be. His frantic eyes scanned the room for any signs of a threat to her and their child. Once satisfied he began to check her over to see if she was hurt in any way.

"Christian, stop", she hissed batting away his wandering hands.

"No, not until I'm finished", he refused.

"Letting you finish is what got me pregnant", she murmured blandly.

Christian just grinned placing a kiss on her cheek then her baby bump where their son peacefully slept.

"Get off of me, Chris", she whined mushing his face.

He let out a chuckle gently grasping her wrists bringing her hands to his lips placing little kisses on her fingertips. Monica melted. Christian was so good to her. She was so glad that she had given him a chance all of those years ago. She has never felt any regrets ever since and she never would.

"What did you need, wifey?", he asked fondly.

"Baby, can you hand me the remote?", she asked sweetly.

The deadpan look that befell his face amused Monica. Christian however was not in the slightest bit amused, at least he pretended not to be.

"It's literally right there. I almost broke my shit thinking something was wrong, you know?", he snarkily said.

"But something was wrong. The remote is too far for me to reach", Monica retorted in a 'duh' tone as if should have already known.

He really should have though. Ever since she has been pregnant his wife has been unpredictable. Not that she ever really was predictable, but there had always been the reliability of her unpredictability. Now, Christian was nearly always at a loss when it came to his wife. Despite this, Christian loved every single moment of it. All for the sake of their son and hopefully in the near future, their many other children.

"Seriously?", he deadpanned staring at her unimpressed.

She shrugged her shoulders indifferently. "So you're going to give me the remote or give me the remote?", she asked after having a mini staring contest with her husband of a year.

He scoffed handing her the remote. He handed her the remote from the coffee table. The coffee table had been directly in front of her. Less than three feet in front of her.

"Thank you, hubby. I love you", Monica gushed briefly kissing Christian causing him to melt.

He melted into a Christian puddle right at her feet.

"I love you too. You're welcome", he muttered wistfully lying his head on her thickened thighs contently while she happily scrolled through the TV guide looking for something to watch carding her fingers through his hair.

Yeah, life goes on

Like an arrow in the blue sky

Another day fly away (fly away)

또 하루 더 날아가지 (날아가지) '

Tristian stared at the positive pregnancy test in his hand with mixed emotions. He did not know what to think. They had been wanting this for a few years now, Antonio and him. Yet, now that it was finally happening he felt immensely overwhelmed. A tear escaped his eyes followed by another. Then another and so on until he was full fledge sobbing as he clutched the test to his chest.

"Baby, don't cry", cooed Antonio pulling his sobbing husband into his arms.

Yes, husband. The couple has been married for the past three years now. They had disagreements and even broke up once. Their breakup had lasted a few weeks before the pair realized how foolishly they had acted with one another and gave their love another chance. Tristian never understood why people would allow for someone from their past to interfere with their present life. That is until Hudson turned back up and begged for him back. The answer had been out of pure gullibility and stupidity.

He did not take him back. He had Antonio, but old feelings did resurface. Couple that with insecurities on Antonio's end and that made for a breakup. Ant had read the entire situation wrong. Tristian had not wanted Hudson back. He had only wanted his more than deserved closure.

However, ex's cannot seem to understand when relationships are truly over. Nor do they seem to understand when people have moved on. Hudson had made a move on Tris. He kissed him, and Tristian having been caught off guard had frozen on the spot not noticing a heartbroken Antonio watching everything unfold. It was not until the sound of glass breaking and a door slamming shut had Tristian woken up from his daze. They had eventually worked everything out, but those few weeks apart without talking to one another had been hard for them.

"We're going to be parents, Toni. We're finally going to have our family", Tristian muttered tearfully with a smile upon his face before burying his face into said man's chest.

"We are, baby. We'll finally have our own family", Antonio whispered, a tear falling from his eyes.

Antonio himself was overwhelmed with emotions. He had wanted a family of his own for many years. The older he got the more apparent his longing for children became. He loves children and family is his everything. For nearly five years the couple has been trying to start their own family. With adoption denials and failed surrogacy pregnancies, the couple was losing hope of their dream ever coming true.

That is until their surrogate who has become a friend for them came for a visit with the couple. She had been complaining of stomach cramps and nausea. It became apparent to the couple that her symptoms could be pregnancy. They were hoping that it would be true, but neither of the men voiced this. They had been left heartbroken and disappointed thrice already. They did not want to get their hopes up too high just to crash and burn once again.

But, God, had other plans. After four of five positives, Tristian clutched onto the final positive test in disbelief. He loves Antonio and knew how much having a family meant to him. His wants became his own and vice-versa. They are happy, so happy, and this child would be the start of as many they were allowed.

The pair found themselves laughing and crying together. They shared many kisses all the while holding one another close.

"I love you so much, Toni", whispered Tristian.

"I love you, even more, my prince", breathed an elated Antonio before pressing his lips to his husband in a passionate embrace.

'On my pillow, on my table

Yeah, life goes on like this again

I remember (oh-oh, ay-yeah-yeah-yeah)'

"Nathaniel Vitro!"

"Baby, I can explain!", exclaimed Nathaniel in a panic.

"Okay, explain then", Naomi calmly said as she folded her hands across her chest while eyeing her husband accusingly.

"Okay. Omi, my baby, my love. See what had happened was...", he fell silent trying to find the words.

"Go on", Naomi encouraged.

"It all started when Amanda was like 'All you gotta do is'. I should have known that the shit wasn't going to work. That shit's like the foreshadowing for failure. I was li-"

"Nathaniel, your point, get to it, and fast", Naomi said sternly.

He swallowed. He was stuck.

"I love you, baby", he said innocently.

"I know", was all she bluntly said.

"Don't you lo-"

"Nathaniel, get to the damn point", she hissed.

"You got but one more time to call me 'Nathaniel', woman", he hissed mocking her tone.

Unfolding her arms she placed her hands onto her plump hips. Her hips jutted to the side and her eyes narrowed into slits.

"You got until the count of three to start talking, Nathaniel", she challenged emphasizing his name.

"Okay, put 'em up. You tried me for the last time", Nathaniel said pointing an accusatory finger at his wife who rolled her eyes.

"K.", she stated.

Nathaniel blanched. Amanda 'oohed' while her boyfriend shook his head.

"Don't 'K' me, Omi", Nathaniel hissed placing his hands on his hips with his eyes narrowed as well.

"K, Nathaniel. I didn't stutter. I am also not the one in trouble here, mister", Naomi quipped.

With a sheepish smile upon his face, Nathaniel raised his hands in surrender. "Right", he drawled.

"So care to tell me why I received a FaceTime call from my husband in the middle of a conference for new designs. Not only that, but you were lip-syncing Ciara's 'Promise' and swinging around on a stripper pole. I was casting my presentation off my phone when my phone answered your call after your narrow behind set my phone to do so, broadcasting the entire thing to my colleagues. Tell me why I shouldn't strangle you?", Naomi snarled.

"Because you love me?", he squeaked.

"That's debatable right now", Naomi sneered.

"It was Amanda's idea! She made me do it, baby! Don't kill me, Omi! I love you!", Nathaniel exclaimed in a panic as Naomi advanced on him backing him into the back of the couch that he proceeded to clumsily fall over rolling onto the floor.

"I know. I just wanted to see you sweat", Naomi said with a devious smirk upon her face.

She had not been annoyed at all. She was if anything amused. She and her colleagues had a good laugh out of the entire situation. Naomi would say so herself that she had one of the coolest bosses to ever exist. The man had even allowed Naomi to have an early day and told her to tell her crazy husband that he had heard so much about 'hello'. Had her boss been more strict than she might have been in quite a tight spot.

With that thought in mind, she decided to teach her husband a little lesson. Naomi was not oblivious to the fact of Nathaniel having help. The evidence was in the video call itself. Amanda being the ever-supportive bad influence she was verbalized her encouragements during the call giving away her identity. Another thing that Naomi knew was that where there was Amanda then there was usually Markel.

Speaking of the couple, in a few days they would be going on a global tour. There were still the couple everyone knew them to be. Children were not something happening anytime soon for them. As for marriage, it would happen when it was right for them. They were happy and content as they were.

"I lost ten pounds on the Jenny Craig diet and I feel great", said Nathaniel in high pitched voice mocking the weight loss commercial.

"Shit, where? Your head does look a little thinner", Amanda commented causing Markel and Naomi to snicker.

"I know you ain't talking built like a sunscreen bottle", Nathaniel retorted.

"Now, wait a damn minute. You can't be ragging on my girl like that, Nathan, man", Kel injected.

"Boy, I will rag on yo' ass", Nathaniel retorted sassily.

Naomi let out laugh just as her phone began to ring. The call lasted all of two minutes with Naomi uttering that they would all be there soon.

"Everyone load up. It's time", Naomi announced with a grin shoving her phone into her back pocket.

"Time for what?", Amanda asked in the middle of insulting ragging.

"Baby Chrisica is on the way. Move it everyone. This is not a drill. Another Vitro is being born. Move those flat asses", Naomi informed ushering everyone towards the door.

That seemed to get everyone moving. On the way out of the house Naomi had come to a stop in front a picture hanging in the foyer. The photo was in a black and white frame. A fond smile appeared on Naomi's face as her eyes briefly glanced over each face in the photo. The black and white photo had been taken on graduation day. The group of friends, family members standing on the bleachers in tiers posing for the photo.

A feeling of nostalgia washed over her as feelings from that very day engulfed her. The nerves, the bittersweet happiness that had consumed them all. She remembered it all. It has been years since then though. So much has changed, yet it all remained the same. She guessed that they have each put on their big boys and girls goggles now.

No longer is the world full of blacks, whites, and grays. There is color on a broadened spectrum and each day another is introduced. Naomi would like to think that each of those that has entered and exited their lives each taught them a lesson. That every adventure and mishap were just the molds to shape them into the people they are today. Yes, they are all fortunate in their own ways, but one thing that they all in common was their good hearts. Their putter shells may have been tougher than others at times, but they were good people with their own stories to tell that were just trying to make their own bit of and maintain their own happiness.

Gently she reached out adjusting the slightly crooked photo. With one last fond glance she took her leave joining her family in celebration of its new member's arrival into the world.

'I remember (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)

I remember (oh-oh, ay-yeah-yeah-yeah) '

During the car ride over to the hospital Naomi received a surprise call from an old friend. She had been surprised, but the call had not been an unwelcomed one.

"Long time no speak", she said into the phone, her hand clasped with Nathaniel's freehand that was not maneuvering the steering wheel of the car.

"Long time no speak, Naomi. It's nice to hear from an old friend again",  they responded into the phone.

"Yeah, it is, Ish", she responded with a soft smile upon her face.

The two old friends had spoken over the phone for a short while before promising to speak again soon. Naomi was happy that Ishmel was doing well. He had not sounded dejected and lost as he had the last they spoke years ago. His voice was light and airy. She could hear the happiness within his voice. She was happy that her old friend was happy.

Nathaniel had thought nothing of the call. He was secure in his relationship, marriage. He trusted his wife with his life. Naomi had never given him reason to doubt her love nor her loyalty. Therefore he felt no type of way about her and Ishmel sharing communication with one another. He was after all the father of two of his children.

The guy had rubbed him the wrong way initially. He did not like nor trust him, with good reason too. After everything that happened Nathaniel still did not like him. If you thought that he would be forgiven after all of this time, then you thought wrong. Naomi was the most forgiving of the two, Nathaniel held grudges when it counted most. Trying to tear his family apart definitely counted.

On a contrary to popular belief, Nathaniel had no beef with Ishmel. He was a nine motherfucking factor to his life. His family was his own. He would allow for Ishmel to be a part of the twins lives with his own reserves about the boy. Ishmel would always be a boy to him unless he was to be proven otherwise.

Everyone gathered around the hospital room filing the room to capacity to get a glimpse of the new family member. Monica was exhausted but she had an undeniable glow as she smiled down at her son gently cooing at the precious angel. The newborn was the perfect mixture of his parents. Having taken his parents' better features, Christiano Vitro was a heartbreaker already. The room was filled with nostalgia.

'I remember (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)'

"What should we all make this photo out to?", asked Tristian adjusting his tie.

"Dude, I had thought that I was the only one that noticed. This would be like the hundredth one",  Amanda commented.

"Seriously, stop being so damn dramatic. It's only the sixth", said Lucky with a smirk on his face.

Monica's face scrunched up as his words were fully processed within her mind. "Nope. The devil is a lie. This would be the sixth promise, in the sixth month. There are five minorities in our group of ten people, that's ten divided by five which equals two. We were standing on three rows of the bleachers. Multiply three and two and that gives you six. That's three sixes. Everyone spread the hell out. I am a child of God and I refused to be tied up in some evil foolishness", Monica concluded baffling everyone.

"Okay. Who let my cousin into the edibles again?", Naomi murmured over the crowd of graduates and their families.

"That was one time", defended Monica.

"It was twice and one too many times. One of which you FaceTimed Christian and spent over an hour bragging about how fine Sesshomaru from Inuyasha is. That man is pure perfection, you knew Christian did not stand a chance", Naomi retorted dismissively.

"Girl, I know you're lying. That man is too fine. If only he was real", commented LaLa adding in her two cents while fanning herself.

Lucky being a jealous idiot at times felt threatened by the fictional character. He knew at an early age that the older demon would get a lot of female attention. He knew for sure that he would have hoes. He just did not think that he would take his hoe, LaLa was his. Narrowing his eyes at said woman he pulled her into his side possessively. He was not going to lose his woman to anyone, fictional or nonfictional.

Without missing a beat Monica shrugged her shoulder indifferently. She said that she said.

"Well, aren't you feeling ain't shit-ish today, Mon?", drawled Nathaniel with a small smirk playing at his lips.

Again, Monica shrugged her shoulders. "I said what I said", she started.

"Damn", laughed Antonio resting his head on Tristian's shoulder while watching the scene unfold in amusement.

"That's a damn shame. Your girlfriend would rather lust for a dude she'd never get than have you with you standing right beside her. I pity you, bro", Kel muttered from the back of the group with his girlfriend on his back.

"Can you blame her though? No offense though, Chris. If he was a real person is be all over that", interjected Manda.

"Just because you say 'no offense' does not make me feel any less offended, Amanda", deadpanned Christian.

"Then imagine him carrying your ass on his back and get off of mine", retorted Markel sounding every bit as jealous as his girlfriend hoped he would be.

"Real or not, that's one fine specimen of a man. You know I was just playing, babe. Right?", she teased. "I wuv you", Amanda tacked on for extra measure nuzzling her face into his neck.

Despite himself, Markel found his self smiling at his girlfriend's antics. "I know", he acknowledged earning a bite from his girlfriend situated on his back.

"Anyways, let's keep the tradition going. Any ideas?", called Tristian redirecting everyone's attention back to the task at hand.

"How about finding our way back to one another no matter what? I may have not known everyone as long as you guys have know each other, but I would like to consider each of you as another brother or sister. My family is back in Spain so I really do not have anyone, but all of you have welcomed me into your fold without reservation. That is how I know that of your kindness. You could have turned me away and run me away from Tristian. Instead I was welcomed and treated as if we have all known one another our whole lives. I have never met such unique people such as you and I admire your love of one another. Hold onto your bond and never let go. A friendship like each and everyone of you is rare like a jewel", Antonio suggested with hesitancy, unsure of how everyone would respond to his suggestion.

"That was so freaking sappy", commented Nathaniel.

"Awe, Antonio. I night just have a cavity from how sweet your words were", gushed LaLa causing Lucky to fondly roll his eyes.

"That was sweet. You better be careful, Tris. He's a smooth talker. You know what they say about a smooth talker", responded a coy Amanda with a wink.

"Tongue is phenomenal", Tristian dreamily agreed.

The guys aside from his boyfriend had scrunched faces of disgust.

"Dude, you're my cousin. C'mon."

"I think I'm gonna be sick."

"Just eeew."

"I could have gone my whole life without knowing that about a guy I consider a brother. Thank you, Tristian", Markel sarcastically uttered.

"You're welcome, bro", Tristian said feigning innocence.

"Anyways, enough about Antonio showing Tris' what that Spanish mouth do. Let's hurry up and take the damn picture. I'm hungry", LaLa interjected being over all of the unnecessary antics of her friends.

Her feet were starting to hurt and she felt uneasy being out in a crowded public place without her face mask on. COVID had taken the world by storm. Daily life within itself had become a chore. The entire world was walking on eggshells. Many relationships had been strained by the sudden appearance of the disease.  Fortunately, the five couples' relationships with one another remained unwavering.

"All of those in agreement with Antonio's pledge say 'aye'", LaLa requested.

A chorus of agreement sounded amongst the friends. No-one truly had any objection. Each of them had felt the same. They were all walking different paths in life and neither of them knew when their paths would cross once again. All that was certain for them was that their memories with one another would never always bring them comfort and lead them back home. They were family.

So they posed. The ten friends standing on four steps of the bleachers posing for another Kodiak moment. Their volunteer camera person counted them down.

"Ready on the count of 3.

1..

2..

3."

"Always finding our way home!", chorused everyone quickly before the picture was snapped.

Click!

Yeah, Nathaniel still remembers. Most importantly for all of them, life still goes on, both apart and together at one another's sides.

Fin.