Whole Package part 1

It was early Saturday morning and Nicki was awakened by the smell of her favorite, turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, and her favorite waffles. The potent smell of syrup stuck in the air and all she could do was take it in as it closer and closer to her room. It was the morning after the housewarming and Nic was feeling well rested and rejuvenated. She was happy that everything went well, and she was happy that she went. It didn't take her long to realize that Safaree was a great man and a great person to be around. Before she turned over on her other side, she was interrupted by a light knock on the door.

"Sarai, go away please!" she groaned, and threw a pillow at the door.

"I know you did not just throw a damn pillow at this door." Nicki's eyes lit up as the sound of the voice was Safaree's. She hopped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, leaving the door halfway open.

"I'm sorry, I look a hot ass mess." Nicki grinned at Safaree while rushing to brush her teeth. He just stared. To him, she was the most beautiful woman on the planet. No matter what time of the day, she was naturally perfect. "Okay, Is this better?" she asked him.

"Uhhh." He drooled. 'Damn, even in pajama pants and a T Shirt she was gorgeous.'

"I asked you a question!"

"My bad, oh uhm you looked fine before! You didn't have to do anything to impress me." He shrugged.

Nicki looked at him with a smirk. "Me? Try to impress you? Tuh, nigga please I was taking care of MY hygiene."

Safaree just laughed. "Yo, I hope you don't mind.. but Sarai let Nyla and I in this morning and we made you breakfast." He told her while holding her hand to lead her to the kitchen.

"Don't lie!"

"I'm not lying, Nicki! Come onnnnn!"

"Safaree, you know you do NOT have to do this for me. Don't you have to be at work or something? At the jewelry store? Arresting people? Hello!!! I'm talking to you." Nicki went on and on down the steps until she was stopped by Safaree's finger silencing her. 

"Safaree, you did not have to do this." Nicki stopped in her tracks and took in the way her kitchen was decorated.  He had placed lights around the top of the walls and "Amazed" by Boys II men was playing from her iPod dock. Everything was peaceful and relaxing  Nicki couldn't have thought of a better way to start her morning.

"So.. I'm guessing you like it?" He asked, pulling out a chair for her.

"Like it? Safaree, I love it! What made you wanna do this for me? Out of all people?"

"Who wouldn't do this for you? A woman like you deserves this every morning. You're special, don't you know that?"

Nicki took a sip of her orange juice before replying to his statement. "I mean, I guess yeah. It's just that I've never had someone treat me this way before."

"Well, get use to it." Safaree smiled. "Open up!" He told her while taking a piece of a his waffle and placing it on his fork.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Nicki said with her eyes closed.

"Here comes the choo choo train!" Safaree added. Nicki tried so hard to not laugh!

"Oh my goodness, you made these waffles?!" Nicki questioned, shocked at how good they were.

"Duh! Only the best chef in Forsyth County!"

"These are really good, Safaree. I'm mad. My waffles don't taste THIS damn good." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad you like em, Nic! Gives me an opportunity to cook for you more often."

"Let's see. Number 1, a man who can cook. Number 2, a man with two jobs but still manages time with his family.

"With his family and you. But keep going." He smirked.

Nicki grinned. "Number 3, a man with a great heart and personality."

"That comes naturally."

"Are you gonna let me finish or are you gonna keep interrupting me?" She rolled her eyes. "Doof!"

"Nah Nic, ima let you finish... but I just wanted to make it clear, that you're the most beautiful woman on the planet!" Safaree looked into her brown eyes, he fell in love with her even more every time he saw her.

"You're amazing. Thank you so much." Nic replied after taking a bite of her turkey bacon.

"I think that now is a great time to tell you." Safaree reached for his pocket.

"Oh?"

"I got us 5 tickets to Six Flags!" He flashed the tickets in Nicki's face. "BAM!"

Nicki cackled. "Wow! I can't with you! You keep doing great things back to back, where's your off button?!"

"I don't have one. But, you know the ride to six flags is almost an hour! So, It's 9am now. I was thinking about leaving at 11 if that's cool with you."

"Yes! That is perfect! Where are the kids? Did you tell them?" She asked while taking their plates to the sink.

"They're in the basement, and yeah. I did. Hold up, Nicki." Safaree made his way to the sink and grabbed the dishes out of her hands. "Let me do this. You go get beautiful."

Nicki pouted. "You did all of this for me, let me just wash the damn dishes! This isn't fair." She stomped her feet!

"Calm yourself, woman!" Safaree took the dish towel and hit her in her butt with it. "Scat!"

_____________________________________________________________________

"Ma, where are my ripped shorts at?" Sarai asked barging in her room while she was getting dressed.

"It's a thing called knocking, maybe you should try it sometime."

"Cool. Where are those ripped shorts at?! I can't find them anywhere!"

"I have no idea, but if you find them, you're not wearing them." Nicki told her with a serious tone.

"Why? Because Safaree's here? You would let me wear them any other time!"

"No, because they're too short & because I said so. Find something else."

Sarai rolled her eyes while Nicki turned her back. "What am I supposed to wear then?"

"Why don't you go look in your closet, hun! But hurry up, we have 15 minutes before Safaree wants to leave and you're still not dressed."

Sarai sighed, walked out, and closed the door. She ended up picking out a white V-neck with some basketball shorts and her Air Jordan Retro 11's. Highly casual, but still cute.

"You're seriously wearing brand new Jordan's to Six Flags?" Noah asked her while they were waiting outside.

"Yeah, nigga." Sarai looked him up and down. Noah thought he was cute with his camo shorts on and his Atlanta Falcons snapback. "You're seriously wearing a snap back to Six Flags? I hope it flies off yo big head on a ride, dummy."

Noah laughed. "Chill bruh, I'm not even gonna wear it in the Park. Ima just wear it in the Car." He shook his head once he realized how stupid he sounded.

Sarai cracked up. "It's all good broskie. Where's your sister?"

"Your mom is doing her hair, they're still in the house."

"Word. I aint even see them at all."

Safaree, Nicki, and Nyla came out of the house. Nicki did Nyla's hair in a big curly ponytail with a bow at the top. Nyla loved it.  "Alright youngins, let's hit the road!" Safaree unlocked Nicki the doors to Nicki's 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited.

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"Daddy, are we there yet?" Nyla asked kicking the back of his seat. It was only 15 minutes into the drive and she was already being frustrating.

"This is your third time asking that, Nyla. We'll be there in about 40 more minutes."

"I have an idea! Let's play a game!" Nicki was excited, she loved doing little things like this! "Let's play I Spy!"

"Nicki.." Safaree looked at her like she was crazy.

"What?! It'll be fun, Faree! I promise!"

"Mom, we aren't 5." Sarai told her, sighing.

"Hey! I'm 5 though." Nyla gave Sarai a mean mug and flipped her long ponytail.

"Wow. I'm so jealous." Sarai stuck her toungue out at Nyla, and she did the same.

"Okay. I'll start this game." Safaree suggested. "I spy with my little eye something great, something breathtaking, something that will make you go crazy the first time you lay your eyes on it."

Nicki smiled to herself.

"It's me, duh! I'm pretty, I turn heads, and all the boys go crazy over me." Sarai laughed at herself. "That's the answer, right?" She looked around the car. "No? Forget it. No one wants to play this game anyway."

"Ayo pops." Noah stated.

"Ayo son!" Safaree said with a deep voice.

"I bet you talking about my basketball skills!" Noah roared with laughter. "Ya see, my skills are so great I'm the highest scorer. And you see, when girls see me play they be passing out cuz they're just so surprised about how good I am."

"Oh boy.." Nyla sighed and placed her head on the window.

"Lastly, when girls lay their eyes on me, they fall crazy in love with the kid and they just can't help themselves!" He checked himself out in the rear view mirror.

"Nah Noah, that ain't it."

"Are you serious?! Man!" He threw his snap back on the ground.

"Daddy, I bet I know the answer!" Nyla was excited because she knew something the others weren't smart enough to figure out.

"You're talking about Ms. Nicki, duh!!!!" Nyla put her tiny hands over her face. "You guys are not cool!"

"Awwwww, Safaree!! Stop it!" Nicki cheesed from ear to ear and playfully hit him on the arm.

"GET A ROOM!" Noah and Sarai yelled at the same time.

"Quit playing, Nicki! You knew I was talking about you the whole time!"

"Alright, it's my turn now! I spy with my litttle eye something huge, round, and receding!" She tried so hard to hold in her laughter but couldn't help it.

"Dad you gon let her diss yo receding hairline like that and yo big ole' head?!" Noah gave Nicki a high five! "That was good, Ms. Nicki! That was good!"

"Nah Nic, it's all good. I'll remember that next time you want me to make you some waffles!"

"Noooo! Nooo!! I sowwy, I take that back!" Nicki grabbed the arm he wasn't driving with and outlined his tattoos with her finger trip. "Wow, this whole time I've never noticed that you had your whole name on your arm."

"Yes Ma'am. I got this done in like 2007!"

"That's coooool!"

"Yeah. I have Nyla and Noah's name on my back."

"Aww, that's really sweet. But, I think you need to put some gas in my car nigga!"

"Word." Safaree drove a couple of more miles until he reached a gas station.  "Noah, pump the gas son." They both got out of the car and Safaree handed him a 50. "Put 50 on pump 3!" 

"Do you girls want anything out of the gas station?" Nicki asked unbuckling her seat belt.

"Hello?" Nicki behind her to find Nyla half asleep.

"Oh. My. God." Sarai exclaimed. "Mom. Tell me that that isn't my father pumping gas at the next tank. Please, tell me that isn't him."

"Shit." Nicki gritted her teeth as she saw Victor looking this way. "I don't wanna see him, I don't wanna be near him, I don't wanna be in his presence, I don't want him here." She leaned over the driver seat and banged on the Window to get Safaree's attention. 

"Why you banging like that, Nicki?" 

"SHHHHHHHHH!! Safaree, we need to get the hell out of this gas station right now." she pleaded. "Where's Noah?"

He looked around. "He's coming out from paying. Yo, what the hell is going on? I don't see anything or anyone."

"I'll tell you later!"

"Fine." He got back in the car.

"Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad, I promise."

"Pinky promise?" Nicki looked nervously and held out her pinky. Safaree held out his and their pinky's linked with eachother. 

"Pinky promise."

___________________________________________________________________

"We're here!!!" Safaree yelled in the car while beeping the horn!!

"Yaaaaaayyyyyy!" Nyla cheered in her seat. "I wanna ride the fiesta wheel, the aviator, the train, and other stuff!!!"

"Hold up kiddo, let's get out the car first!"

"Sarai! Get up!! We're here!!" Nyla pinched Sarai on her arm and slapped Noah on the face lightly.

"Ouch! Geez Nyla, you're a violent 5 year old!"

"I know!" She smiled and hopped out of the car!"

Noah and Sarai got out of the car slowly, adjusting to the bright sun.

"It's hot as hell." Sarai mumbled under her breath.

"I know yo!" Noah replied.

Nicki put her arm around Sarai's shoulder. "Ma, it's too hot for that. We black now, come on!" Sarai moved her arm.

"TURN DOWN FA WHAT?! We're at Six Flags! TURN UP! Duh!" Nicki cackled in the parking lot. She thought it was hilarious how bad she was embarrassing her daughter.

"Hold on, what they be like Safaree?!" Nicki asked.

"TOO TURNT!"





LIKE? Lol. Idk.  Yeah. Comment.

House Warming Pt. 2

"Do I like her?" Safaree tilted his head and smirked. "Of course I like her, she's a good friend!" Safaree put his arms around Nicki's shoulders as he left his mom in the living room and they made their way to the kitchen. 

"That wasn't awkward at all." Nicki forced a light smile and removed his arm from around her shoulders. "I'm gonna check on Sarai, don't forget about the lasagna, the noodles should almost be done." Now, she was beyond irritated. Nicki knew it wasn't right for her to judge his parents, but the whole situation just didn't feel correct. As Nicki walked around aimlessly attempting to find the basement, she ran into Safaree's dad and Nyla taking a tour of the house.

"Oh! Hi, Ms. Nicki! Grandpa, this is my new mommy I was telling you about. She's really nice, pretty, and she loves me a lot!"

"I don't think I would quite use that term, bu-"

"No, it's totally fine." His dad Richard reached out and gave Nicki a nice, firm handshake. "I want to thank you for playing a mother figure to my little grand daughter, you're all she's been talking about." He smiled which showed his gold on his bottom set of teeth and a million dollar jackpot smile. To Nicki's surprise, his head wasn't huge like Safaree's. 'I wonder where he got that from?' she thought to herself. 

"It's so good to meet you! I was just looking for the basement to check on my daughter."

"I just saw her and Noah, they're perfectly fine! Come, chat with the old man. Tell me about yourself." Richard squeezed Nicki's shoulder and led her back to the other way to the kitchen.

'Well then.' Nicki thought. He isn't shy at all. Richard pulled out a seat for Nicki at the Kitchen table and placed Nyla on his lap.

"Nicki, this is my wife Claudia."

"Oh, we've met." Claudia moved her hair from her face and got a good glance at Nic. She reminded Nicki of Olivia Pope from 'Scandal'. Intimidating, yet secretive and daring. "I'm so proud my son has finally found someone worth marrying, someone who's actually has some common sense." Claudia dropped her head back and let out an obnoxious laugh with a snort. Nicki cringed and turned towards Safaree.

He sighed. "Nicki, let me talk to you." Safaree touched Nicki on the shoulder and led her to his master bedroom.

"You should really sit down." He said closing the door. Nicki did as she was suggested and looked around his humongous master bedroom. The walls were a light creme color with family photos surrounded everywhere.  The one that caught her attention was his wedding picture. To her surprise, Nicki thought Melissa was stunning. Her mind wandered as she thought of how her life might have been if her and Victor got married. Safaree also had two walk in closets that he surely did not need and an amazing bathroom Nicki would love to have.

"Nic, I gotta talk to you." He sat next to her and looked into her eyes. He felt a connection, but Nicki soon broke it by looking away. "I'm sorry for the way my parents have been acting towards you, they're just... ignorant."

"Safaree!! It's okay, really."

"No, it is not. My dad is never pleased with anything at all. He didn't even come to my wedding, Nic. I should have listened to him.  He warned me, he told me that Melissa was going to change for the worse. If I would have listened him, I wouldn't have gone through half the things I've been through."

"Safaree, if you wouldn't have married her then you wouldn't have had the beautiful family you have now. You have gorgeous kids, they're great! You can't just look at situations like that."

"I guess, Nic. Then, you have my mom. The conceited one who thinks she knows everything under the sun. I don't think she too proud of me, ever since I was little she's never been the one to encourage me. My parents weren't that type, they were always working. I did everything by myself. I think I deserve a lot more credit than I get." He shook his head and fiddled with his comforter. 

She sighed. "The important thing is that you try, Safaree. That's really all you can do."

He didn't reply, he suddenly wasn't in the mood. Instead, he checked his gold Rolex and noticed that people would be arriving any minute. He wanted this House Warming to go perfectly, and nothing was going to ruin it.

______________________________________________________________

"Okay! First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming." Safaree said while smiling and holding up his wine glass." He was elated to be surrounded by most of his friends and family. Sure, things weren't always perfect but he always tried to make the best out of the situation. "As many of you all know, things haven't been easy the past year.  I'm so happy I've been blessed with the great opportunity to star over. It's such a blessing. So, with that said.. I'd like to propose a toast to new beginnings." He smiled and clinked his glass of wine with the people surrounding him.

"Wait! I wanna make a toast, too!" Nyla stood up on her chair and tapped her soda can with a near by fork. "Okay, a toast to...uhmmm. My daddy! Because I love him." Safaree picked up Nyla from off of the chair and gave her a kiss as the people around them laughed at her cuteness.

_______________________________________________________________

It was nearing around 10'olock and everyone was starting to leave Safaree's house. There wasn't much of a mess, but Nicki wanted to stay after and help clean up.

"I'm gonna go put Nyla to bed real quick but I'll be back down." Safaree picked up Nyla from off the black leather couch while she was half asleep. 

"That's fine." Nicki smiled and looked around at the living room. There wasn't really much to do. She just wanted to stay and be in his presence, she felt comfortable and cared for. With Victor, she never felt that way.

"Oh, I'll help you in the kitchen Mr. Samuels." Sarai followed behind him as he made his way to the kitchen from the steps.

"You can call me Safaree, it's really no big deal." he laughed and grabbed a broom from the closet.

"Nah, I kinda have too. My mom would get all extra." Sarai just shook her head at the thought.

"I HEARD THAT!" Nicki yelled from the living room.

"Yo, your mom is crazzzzzzzy. She's cool though, I like her."

"I think you guys are good for each other  I'm glad you're around." She smiled at Safaree and gave him a high five which turned into a handshake.

"Yo, this is like some Thug Life Tupac handshake realness." Sarai attempted to get the handshake right a couple of times and was happy when she mastered it.

"Word. You don't know ANYTHING about Tupac though."

"Me? I don't know anything about Tupac?!" She placed her hand on her hip and looked around. "You're right, I don't know anything about him."

Safaree laughed at her silliness and gave her a hug. He was beyond glad that she was warming up to him. Something changed about her, but he couldn't put her finger it.

"Alright, kiddo. I bet your mom is ready to go." Safaree followed her to the living room to find Nicki talking to Noah while he was getting they're coats.

"Thank you so much, Nic! For coming, I uhh really appreciate it. We had a really fun time!" Nicki gave Safaree a hug and didn't let go. This is was right where she wanted to be, and she couldn't deny it.

__________________________________________________________________

It was nearing about 11pm and Nicki was pacing the kitchen floor waiting on Safaree to call her like he promised.

"He's gonna call me, he's not gonna break his promise." She jumped when she heard her cell phone ring from her bedroom. "OHHHHMYYYYGOD." She eeked. Nicki ran up the stairs, nearly falling. "Shit." she mouthed. Once she got to her door, she couldn't open it. "Whaaaat the heck!" Nicki grabbed the door knob and yanked it as hard as she could but was shocked when the she managed to yank the silver door knob off the door. "Fuck it," Nic pushed her door open and ran to her phone. Just in time, she made it to answer.

"Hey." Nicki said as smoothly as she could, trying not to show she was out of breath.

"My bad, I was doing some work on the computer and I totally forgot."

"You're fine, I promise! I wasn't doing anything anyway." Nicki shrugged and got under her covers.

"You're lying.. I know it."

"What? How do you know that, Officer Samuels?"

"Trust me, I'm a cop. I know everything. You were probably about to have a heart attack just waiting on me to call you."

Nicki rolled her eyes. "Jerk!"

"I am not, come on!!!" Safaree smirked on the other end of the phone. "When am I gonna see you again?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, but I'm free whenever. Well, not whenever. But you're welcome to come by anytime!"

"So if I came by tomorrow at 8am you wouldn't be mad?" 

"Nope."

"Yeah, we'll see about that." Safaree shook his head. "I'm about to hit the sheets. I'm mad tired from everything today. Thank you again."

"Mmmhm. Good night, Officer Samuels."

He laughed. "Sweet dreams."







ERRRRKAAAAY, Uhm, my views are doing REALLY good and i'm beyond happy with how things are going. Comment & awl dat. Share the story. Tell ya homeboy to tell his girl & sidechick & his girl girlfriend that 'A Step Further' has updated. Much love. xo.
Questions?
@NickiConquers - tweet me.

Everyone should check out @TrebbleBarbie's new story. Tweet her for the link. It's good so far! Gracias.

Nyla's fit for the HW.

K bye

House Warming part 1

"I really don't wanna go to this House Warming."  Sarai complained as she flat ironed her hair in the mirror as it was almost time to go.

"Why not? I thought you liked Safaree?"

"I mean, it's not that I have a problem with him. He's a nice guy for you and all, this is just awkward." She placed her pink Chi flatiron down and looked at her mom who was in the doorway. "Just don't think I don't like him."

"Sarai." Nicki sighed.

"I just don't want you rushing into a relationship after the one you just got out of."

"Awwwww, how adorable. Little Sarai is worried about her mother. How cute." Nicki forced a smile and grabbed her coat from her closet and turned off her room light. "Meet me in the car in 5 minutes, we gotta go."

Sarai rolled her eyes and turned off the bathroom light. Sure, she wanted her mom happy and with someone other than Victor, but not this soon.

-------------------------------------------------------

"Daddy! Somebody's at the door!" Nyla yelled from the living room to her Dad upstairs. He was currently putting on his shoes and had been taking forever upstairs. 

"Ask who it is and answer it." He yelled back. Safaree had just got done getting dressed and was applying his favorite cologne. The small food was kind of ready, he just needed help with the lasagna and fixing up the house even more. His friends, parents, and a coupe of old neighbors were coming so his house had to look perfect.

Nyla grabbed a chair from the kitchen and brought it to the front door. She stood on top of the chair so she was tall enough to look through the peep hole. "It's Ms. Nicki!" Her eyes lit up as she hopped down from the chair and pushed it back. "I got it, dad!" She told Safaree as she heard him coming down the steps. Nyla unlocked the door, twisted the silver door knob, and jumped into Nicki's arms.

"I missed you!!" She told Nicki as she gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"I missed you more, sweetheart. Here, get down for a second so I can put this stuff down." Nicki had brought the candles and air fresheners from home since Safaree didn't pick it up when he came to get the other items she bought. 

"I can take your coats for you guys." Noah offered coming downstairs from his room.

"What a gentleman." said Nicki as she gave Noah her coat to hang up.

"I know you're not gonna keep that coat on all the time, Sarai. You might as well give it to me." Noah shook his head at how stubborn she was.

"I'll put it up myself, where's the closet?" She rolled her eyes.

"Sarai, stop." Nicki told her giving her "the look". She gave him her coat and followed Noah and Nyla into the basement.

"Woah, you clean up nice Safaree."

Safaree laughed and thanked Nicki. 'Good way to start the night, Nic.' he thought to himself.  "You don't look too bad yourself. Matter fact, you always look good." Safaree leaned on the refrigerator crossing his arms and looked Nicki up and down. "My, my, my."

Nicki was obviously uncomfortable, but she shook right out of it. "Are you thirsty?" she asked. 

"Not rea-"

"Move." Nicki bumped Safaree out the way and got a water pitcher from the refrigerator. "Let's get you some water, you really need it."

"Are my lips dry or something?" Safaree pulled out his iPhone and went to his front camera. He just shook his head. Nicki was confused. He normally wasn't like this at all. Sure, he flirted with her but now he seemed to look at her like a piece of meat.

"Okay, what do you need me to do? Nicki asked.

"Stand there and look beautiful." Safaree smirked and licked his lips.

Nicki rolled her eyes. This so wasn't like him. "I'm serious. Do you need me to cook or what?" Safaree could sense her agitation and realized it was time for him to cut the flirting down by a lot. The last thing he wanted to do was run her out of his house.

"I'm sorry, I got kinda carried away. Uhm, can you fix up the living room for me? You can do it however you please."

"Sure."

-------------------------------------

"Nobody wants to watch basketball, Noah. Let's watch Americas Next Top Model!" Nyla, Sarai, and Noah were down stairs in the basement looking for something to watch on TV. They decided to leave Safaree & Nicki alone.

"Nyla, you know Dad doesn't like you watching that show. Go watch Barney on DVD."

"Don't be mean to my little sister, Noah!" Sarai kicked him in the leg and grabbed the remote.

"How cute." He replied rolling his eyes. 

Sarai's eyes scanned the room as she finally found something to watch that pleased everyone. To her left. she noticed a stand with pictures and a wedding book. She got up from her spot on the couch and went to go look at them. They were wedding and family pictures. To her surprise, Marissa was beyond gorgeous. She had naturally curly black hair that flowed down her back and beautiful eyes. The first thing that ran through her mind was 'how did she get him'?. Sarai just shook her head. Too bad a beautiful woman like that messed up a gorgeous family.

"That's my old Mommy." Nyla took the picture and placed it face down so she wouldn't have to look at her face. She also closed the wedding books and put them face down as well. 

"Nyla, you gotta stop being like that. Wether you like it or not, she's still our mom and you still have to love her no matter what. " Noah came over and turned everything the way that they were supposed to be.

"She doesn't love me, i'm not loving her." Nyla marched upstairs to the living room to where Nicki was.

"My bad, Noah. If I knew she was gonna react like that I wouldn't have even looked."

"It's cool. She's just young, she doesn't understand." He shrugged and turned up the volume on the tv.

______________________________________________


"Ms. Nicki, can you do my hair for me?" Nyla asked tapping Nicki on the shoulder. She was in the middle of moving the couches when she noticed Nyla had a sad look on her face.

"Can I do it after I get done finishing the living room? I have one more thing I need to do and I think you would be the perfect person to help me with it!"

"Really?! What is it!"

"It's kind of small but pick whatever air freshener you like most and I'll let you spray it."

Nyla thought a minute going through the bags and finally picked on she liked the most. "I like the way this one looks."

"So spray that one, don't get it in your eyes though & I'm gonna go talk to your daddy."

Nyla nodded in approval while Nicki was making her way into the kitchen to check on Safaree.

"Looks like you're getting off to a good start with that Lasagna." she complemented him with a smile.

"Yes ma'am  do you think the noodles are done yet?" Safaree asked.  Nicki took the lid off of the pot and examined them herself. 

"Hmm, just give them a few more minutes." she took a seat at his kitchen table and looked around. "So... who's all coming over?"

Safaree took a seat next to Nicki. "My mom, my dad, a couple of the homeboys, and old neighbors."

"That's a nice little crowd." Nicki forced a smile and looked down at her nails that needed done badly. 

"Daddy! Come look at how Ms. Nicki did the living room. It's so pretty!" She tugged on Safaree's arm until he got up from his seat. 

Nicki followed Safaree and Nyla out to the living room and leaned against the wall waiting on his reaction. "You like it?"

Safaree was in shock. Everything single detail about the living room was different in a short amount of time. He couldn't quite put his hands on it, but he loved everything about it. "Yo, Nicki I love it! Thank you so much." Safaree pulled Nicki into a tight hug and thought about how much it reminded him of Marissa. To him, Nicki left a woman's touch. A touch that was most needed, and a touch that he hasn't felt in his own home ever since Marissa left. 

"Safaree, you're welcome but my tiny ass can't breathe."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Safaree heard a car door slam outside and he could tell that it was his parents. Nyla ran to the door and opened it for her grandparents. 

"Grandpa!!!!" Nyla had a big smile on her face.

"Princess, I missed you! Give Grandpa a hug!" He bent down to Nyla's height and picked her up. "This house looks nice, Safaree. I'm glad you finally listened to us for once in your life." He smiled to flash his gold, and showed himself the rest of the house. 

"You're gonna let him talk to you that way?" Nicki asked pushing him on his shoulder.

"It's nothing, Nic. I pro-"

"Who the hell is she in your house?" Safaree's mom, Claudia, stepped in and dropped her suitcase on the floor. Nicki stepped back nervously, eyeing Safaree.

"You know what, maybe I should go check on the lasagna. I'll be right back." Nicki gave a fake smile and started to turn around when Claudia told her to stay. 

"Uh, Mom.. this is my friend Nicki. She lives down the street."

"Mmmmhmmmm, I see." Claudia looked Nicki up and down. "You like her?"




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What's Safaree gonna say?!!? Hmm (: Well, since basketball is over I can update more often!! Comment comment comment. xo. thanks.