"D.I.D?" My voice comes out shakily. I look back at her sleeping form on the couch, her hair sprawled out around her. Austin said she must be really exhausted for her to be passed out cold. She usually makes movement or sound, like she is really sleeping but right now, she's stiff as a log.
"Yeah, I first noticed when she was fifteen, when she was pregnant with Neferankh. I went to visit her and she kept looking at me weird and then she mentioned Xena, and she started cackling and she took a knife and threw it tight at me and she had that crazed look in her eyes. It was creepy until she smiles at me then passed out." He explains and I release a shuddered breath.
He runs his hands through his raven black hair, his eyes closing and he lets out a deep breath, running his hands down his face. "Is she going to be okay?" I ask and he looks up at me, smiling and nodding.
"Yes, but Meredith is going to pester me now that she's found out about us, she's like the clingy, more deadly type of Kai." He chuckles and stands up, walking to me.
"The guys probably know something's up, let's get them their drinks." I turn with him, giving Kai one last glance.
He tugs me forward, taking me to he large kitchen and grabbing the drinks from the fridge.
°•°•°|°•°•°
Wednesday.
Today's Wednesday. It's the day Brooke comes home with baby Uriah and Austin is on the 'Late Night Conversations with Gaia Allen' show. It's going to be later tonight though.
Mom has everyone organizing everywhere, the boys had gone to get gifts for the baby, Kira and June went to get decorations for Uriah's room, just to show that they had a touch in it, and besides, they know the basics of decorating.
I'm on my way to the twins house, it's been so long since I've seen Mrs. Frost and it's getting so depressing without her bright energy. I called Lola and she told me that she was out with Storm to see Hakeem but Temi was home.
After the shooting was canceled, Hakeem went back to Barbados, and he came back last week. Storm has been staying with him at his house just a little out of town.
I park the car just in the driveway, stepping out of the car and silently closing the door behind me. I walk towards the large gates, ringing the bell, their gate keeper sees me and smiles, walking up to help me in. I greet him and walk directly for the door, opening it silently as I register just how silent it is. I mean, their house is never silent, but it's not every time you come to the house as quiet as this.
"Temi?" I call out, walking straight for the kitchen and I don't make a surprised face when I hear her voice coming from the kitchen.
I stand at the doorway, watching as she wolfs down her food. "Eating egusi and eba again?" I ask with a worried voice and she looks up at me with dirty eyes, a nasty glare on her face.
"Free me jare, make I chop better food, no be una Mac and cheese wey you say na food." She says in pidgin, making me laugh.
("Let me be, let me eat good food, not Mac and cheese you claim is food." This is the way some Nigerians speak. Eba is processed cassava flakes and egusi is really just melon seed soup)
Living with these two Nigerian twins have been the highlight of my days. Their way of speech, it's just so enticing.
"Yes, you do not have to express your hate for macaroni and cheese every chance you get." I laugh and go to sit with her. She gestures to her food, licking the soup off her hand and I shake my head.
"I'm good." She rolls her eyes and continues eating before pausing and looking at me. "What are you doing here?" Temi asks, sucking in her fingers.
"I'm here to see ma, I'd she in her room?" I ask and Temi nods before giving me a glare.
"That's what you came here to do, if you like, don't go to see her, she will chop your head off." Temi murmurs, taking another roll and adding more soup. I walk out of the kitchen, going up the stairs, heading straight for Mrs. Frost's room.
I approach the large white doors, knocking on it softly. "Come in." Her flustered voice says, I push the door open and see her breathing hard, boxes on the floor and she looks like she's rearranging her room. She looks up to me, a wide smile taking up her face before she frowns and grabs my ear, pulling me to her bed.
"I'm so sorry ma, I haven't been able to come visit you and I know your mad and I don't have any excuse but I'm really sorry!" I rush out before she releases me causing me to clutch the sore ear in my palm.
"I'm not even bothered about that, but we'll soon get to that, no! I'm talking about this!" "She growls out and shoves her hand in front of my face. I furrow my brows and look to her hand, my eyes widening when I take in the picture of me and Austin, in an intimate position. Just yesterday!
No, not that kind, we were kissing, yeah and not the peck on the lips kiss, full on, blown out, makeout session.
I take the phone from her hand and scroll down when I see there's more.
It's a whole four pages of the article on me and Austin. But what caught my eyes is the big bold letters saying;
IT SEEMS LIKE THE TWO OF OUR YOUNG STARS HAVE MADE IT OFFICIAL.
Someone actually took a picture of me and him walking towards the gift house to get our gifts early has my jaw dropping.
THIS PICTURE OF THEM, YESTERDAY EVENING ON A WALK WAS TAKEN BY A PAPARAZZI, ALONG WITH SOME FEW OTHER PICTURES. EARLIER, INTERNET FAMOUS, COSMO HALE POSTED A PICTURE THE BOTH OF THEM AT HIS HOUSE IN A VERY ENTICING POSITION.
Le gasp!
I BET WE'D HEAR MORE FROM THIS COUPLE, AUSTIN HENDERSON HAS BEEN INVITED TO THE 'LATE NIGHT CONVERSATIONS WITH GAIA ALLEN' SHOW, SO KEEP YOUR CAMERA'S HIGH AND TOUR TV'S ON TONIGHT!
"Oh. My. Gooseberries." I mutter and look up to Mrs. Frost studying my expression with her I knew it face. "That wasn't meant to be seen in the net." I say and she widens her eyes, her nostrils flaring in anger before she takes a deep breath. She softly takes the phone back from me and sits beside me, extremely close. I know she's going to either lecture me, or give advice.
Or both.
"Look, I'm not angry because you got your relationship on the net, I'm angry because I got to find out about your relationship on the net. I'm your mother, biological or whatever, I also deserve to know these things." She says in a calm tone and I look down, playing with my fingers.
"I know, I'm really sorry, and thing new about me, I'd let you know as soon as it happens." I say and she beams at me.
"Good. Now get out of my room before I get the broom. Shoo!" I squeal and scurry out but not before giving her a kiss on her cheek which she immediately wipes away.
Can you feel the love tonight!?
°•°|°•°
"What are you on about lad?" Ethan questions loudly, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of apple juice, walking back out. He's been talking with his co-worker for his latest movie, and they have been arguing like children. In about two hours, he's going to pick up Brooke and he looks surprisingly calm. We're all in the large kitchen, cutting and cooking and making a large meal. Mom wants something large and healthy. And very colorful too.
All the girls are here, either chopping, dicing, slicing, mixing the dough or stirring something over the stove. The boys are no exception, they helped with the decorations in the dining area, and it looks so great and warm. Dad is here with us in the kitchen with Devin and Storm. The twins brought their own recipe, it's our personal all you can eat.
Kira, mom and dad are supervising the cooking, adding whatever they feel is nice, Devin and Storm are baking and Chase and Hakeem are icing the cake. He'd come over so quick when he heard that there's a new addition to the Freeman family. Macy, Adam and Alistair are taking care of the chocolate desserts.
"Are you okay?" I hear Mia ask and I look at her, blinking slowly, I nod my head and she smiles but I think she knows there's something more to it, but doesn't push it.
Austin is going to be on that show tonight and with that article spreading like wildfire, I won't be surprised if Gaia Allen brings up the topic. It's a miracle that my family haven't found out about the article. It's not like they don't know about our relationship, just that some paparazzi is following us around.
"April, that's enough, put it here and go tell Ethan it's time to get Brooke." Mom says and I nod, standing up and dropping the bowl of grated cheese. Mia goes to check out the pie in the oven as I walk out, my feet carrying my to Ethan.
He glances at me from his laptop and I raise a brow, jerking my head towards the laptop, he just shrugs and closes it. "Mom says you should go get Brooke, it seems everything is going to be done before the next hour." I say and his eyes light up.
He wanted to be with Brooke throughout, but mom made him come home and then he refused to do anything apart from the decorations. He stands up, stepping around me and standing by the kitchen door, yelling that he's out. I go into the kitchen, taking note of the pie now on the counter. Macy, Adam and Alistair were sitting on the floor, probably done with the chocolate desserts.
"April, I need you to rush to the grocery store, here's a list, you can either drive or take Zayan with you since he's done." Kira says, stirring and at the same time, reaching for some rosemary on the other side of the counter. Zayan looks up at me from the island, his hair in a messy bun, and he has some carrots sticking to his fingers.
"Let me just clean myself." He says and walks to the sink, rinsing his hand out. He wipes them on the towel and walks towards me, poking Temi in her side making her glare at him. He winks and grabs my arm, our elbows locked. He grabs his keys and I snatch the list from Kira before we exit the kitchen, I pull my hair out of the bun Kira had forced it in. "So, what's on the list?" He asks as we reach the car.
I furrow my brows and take a quick look at the list, his laughter causes me to snap my head up. "I wasn't talking about that list April, I'm talking about your mind, everyone knows that something's up and the face you're trying to hold, it's not working." He comments and I glare at him, my whole façade falling apart.
"You know, if Temi wouldn't kill me, I would have wringed your neck like my expired cord." I growl out and he laughs.
"That is my Aleena." He chuckles out, taking a turn. I roll my eyes and actually look at the real list in my hands, groaning when I see them red apples again.
"We're here, what is on your mind darling?" He asks as we step down. "Is it about the show?" He asks and my head snaps to him, my eyes widening.
"How do you know about that?" I ask and he makes a confused face. "Everybody knows, I believe the article explained this clearly."
Le gasp!
They all knew! They all fucking knew! And they acted like nothing was wrong! Why the heck am I even upset! It's just a stupid show! Why are there so many exclamations in my statements!?
"Oh, don't look so surprised, your family is one of the families I've seen that get news about their member faster than the speed of light!" He exclaims in his accent and I laugh sarcastically, faking a smile before sighing.
"Yeah, whatever, let's just get these disgusting red apples."
°•°•°|°•°•°
Brooke dashes for the rice the minute she's inside the house, leaving Ethan standing with his baby in his arms, big blue eyes staring with wonder. He looks at his wife with a wolfish grin on his face. Mom takes her grandson from her son, cooing and brushing his hair.
Everyone hugs Brooke, going to greet Uriah and I'm saved for last, you know, the duty as the favorite aunt. Mom passes him to me, as he wakes up, his mouth forming and 'O' shape as he looks at me.
"He knows me." I squeal. I make sure to sit next to Brooke so she can feed Uriah, she takes him in her arms, grabbing a plate of Jollof rice and chicken. It's a meal for a while year, eaten by three families. Mr. and Mrs. Frost are here too. They make us join hands and pray, Ethan saying the prayer this time. Brooke grabs a spoon, eager to eat more than I've ever seen. "Hospital food are the worst, it tastes like sanitizer." She complains and moans when she takes another spoonful of the rice.
"I think those sounds are supposed to be made only in the private area." Mom teases and Ethan starts coughing, his face turning red. The whole table erupts in laughter, nobody making a quick attempt to get him water except Zayan who looks confused. Ethan grabs the bottle of water under the table and throws the cap away, gulping down the water and seating back in his chair, coughing vehemently.
"That was entertaining." Mr. Frost says and we all look down at our food, eating with small chat going around. Mario and Mia start talking about the new house he wants to get closer to hers and she looks at him with adoration, I can see the love in their eyes.
Macy and Brooke are talking about their babies and how bad Macy wants hers out of her so he'd look as cute as Uriah. Kira and Alistair are sharing food, as disgusting as they are. Ethan and Adam are talking about some sport, Chase and Fayette are mocking each other, Zayan and Temi are exchanging not so secret glances. Storm and Lola are bickering like children, May and Devin are already taking seconds, fast I know.
Hakeem and June are giving each other death glares in just the seven minutes of eating, the parents are talking and laughing like adults do.
But I'm also and adult, right? I don't even know anymore.
It's an hour till the show, and honestly, I don't think I might take as much desserts as I want. Uriah starts crying which snaps me out of my daze and I look at Brooke, "I'll just go feed him." She laughs and stands up, Ethan presses a kiss to her had and she smiles at him, walking into the living room. Macy turn Ms her attention to me. "So bestie, how bad is your stomach churning?"
°•°|°•°
"So Austin, news have been spreading round about a new book of yours that's coming up, the small write up you posted had people craving more, hell they even bet about it being part of your new work." Gaia says, her lashes fanning her face as she eyes Austin. I narrow my eyes on her, slowly drawing it back to Austin and I see him looking at the camera, I send a kiss quietly and his lips pull up in a smile, almost like he saw me do it.
"I might be writing a new book, I might even be writing a new song, I don't think I even know." He jokes, his deep voice calling out and I find myself smiling but the mood gets ruined when Adam starts laughing. I glare at him and roll my eyes when I see everyone looking at me with knowing looks on their faces. I huff and turn back but not before catching the double smile on Brooke's face.
"You're supposed to be asleep." I complain and she rolls her eyes. "Nonsense! All I've been doing these past three days is sleeping and eating, I think I can go a whole hour without sleep." Brooke replies, nodding her head as if agreeing with herself.
Baby Uriah is asleep, in his crib upstairs. Ethan just went to check on him, he's been doing that every ten minutes, but luckily, my dear nephew is a deep sleeper, just like his daddy.
"Oh come on Austin, you can tell us one secret." Gaia laughs as I turn my attention back to the screen. I didn't get what she asked, but the look on Austin's face says it all, he's not saying shit.
"I'm sorry, lover's secret." He chuckles but it was a forced one. I sigh and relax my head against Hakeem's shoulder. "But I can tell you one thing, there is a chance you might see us at Maria's place tomorrow, maybe you can interview her there." He says and I frown. Maria's place?
"Drowning in the pool, it seems like you're ready for another swim." Gaia laughs and Austin chuckles with her, a sparkle of memory in his eyes. "Drowning in a pool?" I question myself and Hakeem turns to me.
"Maria's place is a mixed kind of area. It's like a restaurant, a huge pool is at the back and it has this awesome gaming centre, all in one place. But it's sound proof mostly so the loud chatter wouldn't affect the people in the restaurant." Hakeem says and I nod.
"Oh."
He pulls me closer, rubbing my hands with his cold one and I hiss, grabbing his fingers and playing with them.
"So here's a tweet that was shared, it says 'Oh my God, Austin freaking Henderson is dating that Freeman girl, like wtf, I mean tattoos everywhere and shit like that, who could have thought Austin was into freaks?' What do you think of that?" Gaia asks and Austin looks at her with a 'Are you mad?' look.
I look down at my tatted fingers, spreading out my fingers to look at them clearly. Hakeem's soft hands take mine in his and he closes it, jerking his head towards the TV and I smile softly, paying attention to what Austin is saying.
"What I think, is that that is a very mean thing to say. Her tattoos are a work of art, they show memories, who she is, a beautiful person, in and out, and I don't care what anybody else thinks, she walks with her past on her skin, I think that's a very brave thing that not all of us can do." He says simply and I find myself chuckling.
For a writer, you'd think he could express himself more but to think if it, he seems like a child struggling to talk without an accent.
"That's so sweet, I think the girls are melting, can I hear a whoop!?" She yells to the audience and there's a series of squealing. Austin chuckles, looking directly at the camera and I send him another kiss.
"But to be honest, how do you feel, knowing April isn't here to support you?" She asks and I feel like bitch slapping her. Is this what all interviewers do?
"What do you mean? She is here, haven't you seen the camera? She's been sending me kisses everytime I look at the camera, it's fourteen times now." He says and shows his pearly whites and I see Gaia falter in her speech before she laughs, over enthusiastically.
"Well, if you're watching this April, know that your boyfriend is a dork." She looks at the camera and I roll my eyes, mocking her in a tiny accent. The guys around me laugh and Brooke slaps Storm when he gets too loud.
"Yes, I'm her dork, she might just swoop me off my feet bridal style and I wouldn't care less." He says and the audience start laughing. He takes the bottle of water, and twists open the cap.
"I've been stalking your page lately, not going to lie," she pauses as the audience starts laughing. "I seemed to notice that there's more pictures of you and Sheryl than of you and April. I understand that your relationship began officially on Halloween, the most romantic days of all," she says sarcastically and I glare.
Who in the world is Sheryl?
"After the Temilola Frost posted on her Instagram page of the two of you doing your thang, with a comment that said you just asked her out. You two have met since late August and yet, there was no advanced until last month. Two months, don't you think that's a bit too fast?" She drops the bomb and I sit up, waiting impatiently for Austin's reply.
"April and I have a different relationship than what I've seen with most people. We've known each other and I think we have a deeper connection than any normal couple out there, it might be fast to everyone, but I think it was pretty damn slow! I was careful and trying to get her to like me back, payed off and now I'm a happy man!" He grins and I find myself laughing, sending a kiss to him. He makes a catching motion and pastes it on his cheeks.
He looks at the camera and smirks, "I'll be expecting the one on the lips when I get back home." He winks and Fayette squeals, clinging to Chase's arm.
"Well then, I think it's time to introduce our second guest on the show, Sheryl Stone!" She says and there's a loud applause and a whooping.
"Hi girls!" A hot brunette, dressed like a true model, the smile of an angel and eyes like bottle green. "Luke! It's been so long!" She squeals, hugging Gaia and then ruffling up Austin's hair.
Who the fuck is that!?