The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either -- or both -- when needed - Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes

The Next Day...

Zee...

"Ooo. What about Jordan and Jousha?" I question. Bricks shakes his head no as he massages my feet. I'm busy trying to get a list of names together for the little one(s) even though that's a long ways from now. I'm just excited, and really can't wait even though I'm scared to give birth for the first time. Those birth videos from Sex Ed still terrify me.

"You don't like those names?" I whine. He shakes his head no.

"No, I dated a female named Jordan in elementary school remember?" He questions irritated. I put the tablet up to my lips hiding my snicker.

"She cheated on you with Joshua."

"That's not funny." He snarls.

"Oh my gosh bricks, we were in the fourth grade. So she gave that half of hoagie you gave to her to him, was it really that heart breaking?" I chuckle.

"Hell yea! If she ain't want it, she could of gave that shit back! That was an Italian hoagie, you know I don't share my food especially an Italian hoagie. I really have to like you to do that shit." I burst into laughter, taking my feet out his lap as I sit up.

"Speaking of eating, we should be getting ready for your mom and dad's anniversary dinner. Don't want to be late for that." I sigh, standing to my feet.

"We taking a shower together, it's pushing close to time." He informs.

"I'm not taking a shower with you Bricks, you hog up all the hot water so I'm getting in first." I tell him. He smacks his lips, as I enter the bathroom closing the door behind me. I turn the hot water on, undressing and getting in. After about thirty minutes, I get out wrapping a towel around me with Bricks entering. I try to walk around him, but he steps in front of me. I laugh, moving to the other side and he moves right with me laughing.

"Bricks, move." I whine.

"Give me a kiss first." He playfully pouts. I laugh, giving him two pecks and he moves out my way, slapping my rear as I walk by. I enter the room seeing he put out my pink nude dress with the nude pumps that he loves on me.

I take out a pair of black lace, putting them on. I lotion my body, putting on my robe when I hear the door bell then my email notification go off. Bricks' ring that I custom made is now here. I wanted his to kind of match mine. But some men don't like diamonds, so it was kind of hard to go with what I had in mind.

"Thank you. Have a nice day." The delivery guy says to me, eyeing me.

"She married b!" Bricks calls from behind me. I turn around to this nigga standing naked in the hallway with his junk all out. I close the door with a quickness, laughing as he walks to the bedroom dripping wet.

"Really Bricks?" I question following behind him.

"I forgot my towel." He shrugs. 

"But you had to stand there and show your goodies and shit?" He gives me a couple kisses, walking around me back to the bathroom. I shake my head, getting dressed. I put on my jewelry, sitting at the dresser to do my hair and make up in front of the mirror. After about an hour, Jefe finally gets out smelling like Axe cologne he drowns himself in after. I make sure my curls are intact, putting on my lipstick after.

"You look nice." Jefe tells me. I smile, putting some strands where they belong seeing he's fully clothed.

"Thank you baby, here. Your ring came in today, finally." I chuckle handing him the box. He smiles from ear to ear, kissing my cheek as he opens it.

"Thank you baby, I love it. This jawn about to go on my finger right now." He chuckles. I laugh as we walk out the room. Bricks grabs his keys, and I grab my jacket for later on. It gets cold at night, well I get cold. Bricks is hot 24/7 if he could walk out with no clothes on he would. 

After going to the liquor store, we arrive at The Gomez's residence. Bricks opens my door for me, I get out, holding his hand. We enter the house and everything completely stops. My smile deceases when I see Sirod stand to her feet, smiling. I furrow my eyebrow, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. And why am I not surprised, Tyrone knew the shit.

"What the fuck is this?" Bricks questions. 

"Hello Jefe, Zee." Sirod speaks. 

I walked into the hospital room seeing my mother lay back in the in defeat. Cancer was finally taking over, and I was ready to say my good byes. Dimitri sat by her bedside, in depths of loosing her. When he already lost everyone around him, my mother was just the last he had to let go. He squeezed her cold hand, crying hysterically as I stood far back by the door.

Her eyes synced to mine and I seen every battling moment we encountered. She reached out for me and I hesitantly reached back. When her hand clenched mine I jumped from the overpowered grip. We had already talked a day before, and she apologized for all her wrong doing. I just accepted it because in reality I knew she was never coming back, never returning. She would no longer hurt me, no longer kill my spirit. She would be gone out my life forever.

"Zee, just remember. I'll always watch over you." She said to me, weakly. 

"We'll meet again soon."

"Why the fuck is she here though! All the shit she did to my wife, and you gone invite her ass here! It's always some shit with you pop, like what the fuck!" Bricks snaps.

"Jefe please, I reacted the same way but it's a reason why she's here. Just sit and listen." Mrs. Gomez pleads. Bricks snatches away from her, walking over to me. He tells me to come on, taking my hand in his but I refuse. He looks at me concern and I shake my head exhaling deeply. I'm tired of running and hiding. I'm not that 10-17 year old girl anymore. I'm 23, married and soon to bring 1 or 2 beautiful babies in the world that Sirod can't take from me. No one can.

"I'm tired of running Bricks, I'm tired of hiding and I'm tired of the lies. I'm not that little girl any more, afraid to hear and see the truth. And if this right here with Sirod is what breaks that, then I'm all ears. So I ask, why the lie and return?" Sirod looks at me uneasy, thinking on how to put her words together. Bricks intertwines our fingers, standing beside me for support. He wants know too.

"I needed to protect you Zee. From Dimitri, from Xavier, from Omari and his crew." I nod, scratching the back of my neck.

"So protect me from everybody else, except you huh?" I question rhetorically. Sirod sighs, looking down in her hands and I exhale deeply. Right now was not the right time to go off on her, and bring up old heart breaking memories. It's Mr. and Mrs. Gomez anniversary dinner, which means tonight is about love and affection. Not pain and heart ache.

"Look you're welcome to stay or go that's your choice. I really don't care. Tyrone invited you, so I'm guessing he still has some type of trust in you." I shrug.

"Do you have trust in me?" I shake my head no, looking down at stomach. She only beat me three times in my life, but neglect still hurts.

"You lied to me and faked your death, but I do forgive you though. And it's not because I'm standing here in front of the family, or because I want to see you leave. I'm doing this because in nine months, I'll be a mother to a precious baby boy or girl. And for that child, I need to forgive and move on. I don't want to have hate in my heart anymore. I want to be happy and love what's mine. Do I thank you for doing what you did, eh somewhat. In all honesty though, it's a little too late for you to be there for me now. The Gomez family and my husband has been there for me since the beginning. I think it's safe to say I'm protected enough. The person I really needed protection from, was myself. I'm really my own worst enemy not you, Omari and his crew, Dimitri or Xavier. But myself." 

I exhaled into laughter because it felt good to get that off my chest. I was holding that in for so long it just felt like a breath of fresh air. I felt like clicking my heels in the air I'm so proud of myself.

"Well. I guess I should let you enjoy your dinner. Congratulations on the marriage and the pregnancy. I want to apologize for my wrong doing and I believe you earn a big explanation. If you want to talk, Tyrone can give you my information. I told him too any way. Just in case." I nod, laying my head on Bricks shoulder while rubbing up and down his arm. 

"I guess I should leave now, you all have a nice night." Sirod leaves and we all watch until the door closes. I know I want to know more, but right now is not the time. Before I leave, I'll make sure to ask Tyrone for everything. The only way to fully heal is to know the truth and I want to know every bit of it.

"I'm so proud of you." Bricks smiles. I pick my head up to view him.

"I'm maturing and growing thanks to you. I'm actually tired of running from my problems. That's why my feet so fucked up now." We both laugh.

"If I wasn't so damn hungry now, and we weren't here I'd dick you down." He whispers, laying his forehead against mine while wrapping his arms around me. I playfully roll my eyes and laugh.

"I'm not messing with you, we'd have a whole damn football team if I didn't know how to control myself." I chuckle.

"Well you pregnant now, which means them hormones gone be lit!" I laugh hysterically, pushing him off me.

"You get on my nerves." Bricks laughs, pulling me towards him rocking us side to side.

"I love you." I tell him wrapping my arms around his torso.

"Foods done!" Mr. Gomez calls.

"I love you too, but not as much as food. You cook that Spanish rice mama!" Bricks questions, pushing me back to get to the kitchen. I frown, as everyone piles up in the kitchen to make plates.

"Hey I thought I was the pregnant one!" I pout.

"First come first serve." Connor smart ass chuckles. Mrs. Gomez walks over to me with a plate full of food as my eyes bulge. Ribs, greens, mac&cheese, Spanish rice, cranberry sauce and four fried wings. My mouth watered just looking at it. 

"Congratulations Zee, eat up." I swear I don't know what I would do without her. She's done so much for me since I could remember, and for Mother's Day I know I have to get her something from the heart. Mrs. Gomez has been there for me for the longest. I'm happy to call her my mother-in-law.