A/N: Here's the full chapter!
- Beth 💕

Chapter Twenty Two

"I'd rather be living, for the love of you."

Faint sounds of the Isley Brothers woke me from my slumber just as the sun's rays began peeking  through the sheer curtains.

"What is happening." I grumbled, sitting up in bed, the sweet aroma of maple syrup infiltrating my nostrils.

Dragging myself to the bathroom, my body tensed with goose bumps as noticed I was still at Raheem's.

Last night was a night for the books and I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that transpired.

I had finally let it go.
The pain.
The guilt.
The sorrow.
I let it all go and finally I felt free.

For so long I harbored such ill thoughts surrounding my son's death. I thought I deserved it, I thought I wasn't good enough, and I thought that maybe if Raheem was present our little boy would still be here.

But this was reality, no man or woman has control over destiny and if it's written it will be.
I no longer thought of Easton's death, only his ascension. He taught me the most beautiful lesson and that was letting go.

Letting the warm washcloth press against my face I hummed the chorus to Lloyd's Tru.

"I'm just doin' everything that I can, cause all I wanna be is tru."

This song always hit me hard, Lloyd spoke facts with this one.

Lifting the washcloth from my face I smiled at my reflection. For the first time in what seemed forever I loved what I saw.

"I love you." I whispered to myself before flickering off the light and exiting Rah's bathroom.

"Paradise I have within
Can't feel insecure again
You're the key, well
And this I see, for I see.

I walked into the kitchen to see Raheem swaying around the kitchen, an apron covering his royal blue briefs and the Isley Brothers blaring from his Alexa.

"Good morning beautiful." His head whipped around, a bright smile plastered on to his face.

"What is all this?" I waved my hand over the display of breakfast foods in front of me.

"This is our new beginning." He took my hand and pulled out a seat at the island for me.

"Sage we've been through enough shit to right a book about us baby. Last night was a lot, but I want you and I need you. I love you woman and I'm ready to put our past behind us for good. No more secrets, no more arguing, no more I hate you's, no more jumping to conclusions. I'm willing to spend the rest of my life with you if you'll have me. I want us forever, me, you, Aubrey, and our little angel Easton."

"I love you." I cupped his face into my hands, pulling him into me.

"I love you too Nala, always and forever." He said before his wide grin turned into a smirk. "It's been a long time coming mama and I'm ready to take the next step. I love you and I-." Repeated knocking on the front door cut Rah short.

"Are you expecting company?" My head turned to the door,

"No, now back to us. I've lo-." He was cut off once again by the front door opening.

"Yoooooo." I chuckled watching Eric, Dom, and Izzy waltz into Rah's living room.

"I should've never gave you niggas a key." Rah sighed, cradling his head into his hands.

"Oh we interrupting?" Dom spoke

"YES NIGGA!" Rah stood fully, his 6'5 frame casting a shadow over me as I remained seated.

"Babe it's ok, we'll talk later. Be with your boys." I squeezed his hand before placing a kiss on his cheek.

"I don't want to be with them though, I don't even like them for real baby." I laughed as he stood with a pout.

"Stop being mean, I need to step out anyway." I stood from the stool and caressed his cheek.

"Yeah, aight." He sucked his teeth before walking away.

"Hey y'all." I chuckled, following after him into the living room.

"Wus good sis." The boys nodded, turning away from the 2k loading screen to greet me.

"I'm happy to see y'all niggas back together, you know ya boy was at my spot boohoo cr-."

"Niggas wasn't doing shit, shut the fuck up." Rah slapped the back of Izzy's head, cutting him off.

"What you mad for? Niggas love resorting to violence when they can't express their emotions in a healthy manner. You need counseling Smoke, violence is never the answer." Izzy patted Rah's shoulder, only for Raheem to place him in a headlock.

"If y'all don't get this big muhfukka!" Izzy yelped.

"Why so I can be next? I think the fuck not." Dom shook his head before returning back to the game.

"Damn you too E?"

"My name is Jamal and that's between ya'll." Eric kept his eyes locked on to the screen, paying Izzy and Rah no mind.

"Y'all have fun." I chuckled and made my way to the back of the condo.

"Let's be nosey on IG." I plopped down on to the king sized bed and began scrolling down my feed, wasting time before I needed to get dressed.

@solébonita: A shirt...find one. 🤬
@sneaksnass: BRUDDA 🤞🏽
@aceboogie: This nigga was just fat last week, you can't fool me. 👐🏾🤔
@bandhuntaizzy: I think it's crack @aceboogie
@smokecity: DEFINITELY CRACK @aceboogie @bandhuntaizzy
@domgotti: FUCK ALL YALL @aceboogie @bandhuntaizzy @smokecity

@sneaksnass: OKAYYY BRAIDS! JAILHOUSE BUT MAKE IT FASHION! 💁🏾‍♀️
@prettylikeaporsh: I wish I could beat your ass lmao @sneaksnass 😭
@candidcooper: PRETTY LIKE A PORSCHE! 😍
@RaziMontana: My little bum. 🙂

@RaziMontana: Hell done froze over. 😳
@majorslim: YASSSSSSSSSS I'M HERE FOR ALL OF IT! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💕
@Kashdreams: My dawg finally letting you claim her lmao. 😭
@prettylikeaporsh: 🗣MY GOOD SIS SAID LET IT BE KNOWN!
@candidcooper: My sweetcheeks 💙

@DomGotti: Let me book my flight, you playin wit me cuz. 😒
@saint: Why you outside wit' ya night clothes on? THE GHETTO. 🥴🤮
@sneaksnass: Very much giving me newly divorcee that took him for everything, I STANNN!
@7thave: OKAYYY BRAIDS, PUSH THROUGH BODY. 👏🏿😍

@majorslim: YASSS SO HERE FOR THIS! 😍
@sneaksnass: My boy can finally stop sneaking into the crib! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
@RaziMontana: @reloaded23 The gig is up, give Kam her phone back, we know you posted this!
@Kashdreams: Well I'll be damned. I know this nigga can't stop smiling. 🤭😂
@reloaded23: My future 💙
@bandhuntaizzy: 🔪

"I can't deal." I laughed and closed my phone before walking into Rah's closet.

"What to wear? What to wear." Mumbling, I rummaged through my portion of the closet.

It was chilly out, being that it was late November.

It had been a while since the crew last linked up so we decided to hit up a food festival today.
Me, Nadi, Kam, Razi, Akil, and Porsha - the whole gang.

"Porsha baby!" I answered the incoming FaceTime call just as I settled on what to wear.

"Where are you? You know I can't be alone with Razi for more than 5 minutes."

"Y'all are disgusting, leave him alone Porsh that boy got a whole girlfriend."

"Who? Not Razir Armon Jones! Not the little nappy headed boy that was just in my messages begging to eat me up."

"Lord, one day he gon' get it together." I sighed deeply. I knew it was too good to be true, Razi could NEVER keep a relationship. But honestly I couldn't say I was surprised, Razi and Porsh had always had a thing for each other, no matter how much they denied it.

"I'm getting dressed now, I'll be there in 20!" I promised, slipping into my baggy pants.

"It might be a dead body when you get here, toodles."

"Let me leave this damn house." I slid the black graphic tee over my head before rushing down the stairs.

"Bubba I'm leaving!" I yelled over the Roddy Rich song playing from the playstation system.

"Look at you, looking how you looking." I felt Rah's arms wrapped around me from behind.

"Bubba I look like a bum." I blushed, feeling his eyes roam over my body.

"A fine ass bum, c'mere." He pulled me in by my chin.

"Pretty self." Rah whispered into my neck, slipping his hands into my jeans.

"Baby the boys." I gasped, feeling his fingers slide between my lips.

"Fuck them, this my house." He growled, sinking his teeth into my bottom lip.

"Raheemmnnn." I moaned lowly as he continued to have his way with me in the middle of the foyer.

"Imma let you go love." He smirked, pulling his now glistening fingers out of my pants and into his mouth.

"Bye baby." He kissed my lips softly, nearly sweeping me off my feet.

"Bye boo." I blushed wildly. It was just something about this man.

"When you get back we'll finish up from earlier."

"Oh yeah, what did you want to ask me babe?" I started to remember our conversation from earlier.

"We'll talk later mama, go be with your people!" He kissed my forehead before sending me on my way.

"I love you." He called after me, a wide grin on his face.

"I love you too."

________________

WHAT ARE YALL THOUGHTS?
Sage & Raheem?
What do you think the future holds for the two lovebirds?
Kam & Shawn?
Porsha & Razi?
What or who do you want to see in future chapters?
Y'all peeped anything? 👀

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- until next time✨